| Wellness / Beauty / Inspiration |
November 2007 |
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Ask the Abbey.... Shelf Life of Cosmetics  There are no FDA regulations guiding this in the United States. The European Union is taking the lead on this by requiring a symbol on the cosmetic label that states how long a product will last after opened: An open jar with a number followed by the letter M (M for month; actually, menses, Latin for month). This establishes a period after opening (PAO) date. It serves as a very rough guideline.
It is generally accepted that a product will last one to two years. It depends on carriers (creams, lotions, or oils), how often it is used, whether you dip your fingers in it, whether you pre-wash those fingers, type and amount of preservatives, and storage conditions relating to temperature, light, and humidity. Water is the enemy of stability as even moist fingers can contaminate the product and encourage microbial growth. Many essential oils are antimicrobial and hinder bacterial growth, so their inclusion in many products is helpful in retarding microbial growth. Products intended for use around the eyes should be replaced after no more than six months at best. Mascaras should be replaced every two to three months. Dry powders can last three years or more. On a practical level though, this is an area where it is best to err on the side of safety. I do not like keeping any product more than six to twelve months. If used regularly, most products are used up within six months, and I would consider six to twelve months of usage of a product to be getting my money's worth. Even if a product were to cost $100.00, six months of use would translate to only fifty-six cents a day, and only twenty-eight cents per day if spread out over a year. A $40.00 product would cost only twenty-two cents a day over six months, eleven cents a day over a year. Think of all the money we waste at McDonald's or on impulse purchases while standing in the line at the grocery store. This reminds me of the times my students would balk at the cost of buying a $1.56 clipboard. The conversation would always end when I would ask them how much their shoes cost (which most would not even consider wearing the next season, let alone the next year), and how many pairs they owned. Perspective is important. Your confidence level is most often tied to feeling good about yourself, inside and out, so do the best you can with what you have. You are worth it. Bottom line recommendations:
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| NATURAL BEAUTY: Taking Time to be Thankful | ||
How do we appreciate you? We will let you count the ways. Heads up for December: We are so appreciative of your trust, your loyalty, and your friendship.... Thank you for letting us be part of your day. |
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| FOUNTAIN of YOUTH QUICK TIP: Younger Hairstyles | ||
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Gray hair is usually targeted as the culprit that adds years to one's age. Au contraire. A more significant factor is the wrong hairstyle. If your hairstyle hasn't changed in twenty or thirty years, some thoughts to consider: 1. Think bangs. Bangs after forty is considered an instant face-lift. They disguise forehead wrinkles and reduce the appearance of crow's feet by framing your face, restoring definition to your cheeks, and focusing attention on the eyes and brows. Think Raquel Welch. (If you don't know who she is, you don't need this advice.) Most flattering suggestions from New York stylists are: * Round face: Cut layered wispy pieces that graze the tops of your brows. 2. Add shorter layers to the crown of your head to add volume and draw the focus away from any sagging areas in your lower face or neck. 3. Avoid extreme looks. Choose soft shapes, colors and styles. Softness around the face will help to soften lines and the appearance of mature skin. 4. The adage, "Hair needs to go north when the face begins to go south," has value. Longer hair can be attractive but avoid the sixties look and opt for more layers. Layering hair will freshen your looks and give your face a lift. 5. Coloring hair is not essential and it can refresh your appearance, but choose color wisely. Very dark shades tend to be aging and make complexions look dull. If you keep your hair gray, use a shampoo formulated for light or gray hair to brighten the tone.
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| SKIN CARE COSMETICS: Blush Perfectly | ||
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"I look like a clown when I try to use mineral blush." I hear this frequently and help is on the way. It's all about restraint and blending. Colored mineral powders are concentrated colors and a little goes a long way. Hints for flawless blush application: 1. Dip the end of the blush brush into a few grains or a fine dust of mineral powders resting on the sifter. 2. Tap the end of the brush against the inside of the sifter or cap (or on a tissue, or on the heel of your hand) to evenly distribute a fine dust of color on the brush tips. 3. Start at your hairline and tap or dust a small amount of color on your skin. (Starting at the hairline keeps you from depositing a large clump of color on your cheeks in case you still have too much powder.) 4. Dust gently along the cheek bone and on the apples of your cheeks. The color should become slightly more concentrated as you move from the middle of your face toward the hairline. 5. Use the kabuki brush, or whatever brush you used for your foundation, to gently brush down over the blush color and blend it seamlessly into your foundation. The remnants of the foundation powder on the brush will soften the cheek color and brushing with downward strokes softens the transition and provides a natural shading. A finishing powder can be used in the same way. 6. Gently mist your face after applying your makeup to enhance the color of the blush. Misting also settles the powder into your pores, provides an immediate luminosity to your complexion, and keeps your makeup fresh from day into night. |
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| WELLNESS: Longevity Vitamin | ||
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Nature's Pharmacy
Unique Hair Solutions
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Aging is inevitable; looking old is optional.
THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN