Nail Tips and Products from The Cosmetics Cop Team

Nail Tips and Products from The Cosmetics Cop Team
As ya'll know, I am a big fan of Paula Begoun, the "Cosmetics Cop". Click the link for some great nail tips! Then you can grow out your nails as long as these! SEXAY!

There's poop in that lipgloss

Here's a great article from Paula Begoun about E. Coli and other various, icky microbials in tester makeup.
I worked at several cosmetic counters and it used to GROSS ME OUT me how people would just come up to my counter and put tester mascara right on their eyes.
Effing nasty.
Just read this little gem of tester hygeine etiquette and never put any tester product near your eyes or mouth, dumbass.. .and I just probably saved your life if you do.

"Lots of women love going to a cosmetic counter, salon, spa, or their local Sephora store to play with the skin-care and makeup products on display there (I know I do!). It is almost impossible to pass through the cosmetic section of a department store without something catching your eye. The irresistibly arrayed and easily accessible tester units beckon you to try on a lipstick, foundation, concealer, eye shadow, or moisturizer directly on your face. But you might want to think twice before doing that again because it may be riskier than you think.

Despite the fun you can have at the cosmetic counter, in reality these tester units are almost always rife with bacteria, mold, or fungus (or all three), and that isn’t funny. There hasn’t been a lot of research on the issue, but the little that exists has shown the pretty lip gloss or moisturizer you’ve just tried on is probably contaminated with microbes which can include staphylococcus and even E. coli.

Bargain Alert! Paula's Choice $5-$20 OFF

Paula's Choice is my fave skincare line

Go here to shop!

Skincare Review: Paula's Choice CLEAR Acne System

I've struggled with acne since I was about 21 (now 33) and have used practically everything out there. I was recently  prescribed spironolactone for hormonal acne, and had good results, but I don't like taking prescription meds and they made me feel lethargic, so I am back to using topical products to control my breakouts. I recently purchased this CLEAR Regular Strength acne system from Paula Begoun's skincare line titled, Paula's Choice. I use several of her other products and I love them (from the Resist Anti-Aging line) so I decided it wouldn't hurt to try this. So far I have had great results and my monthly pimples are clearing up. The best part is that my skin is not overdry, which is what happens when I use ProActive (even with moisturizer) and almost every other acne regimen I have tried. I have been using some moisturizer samples that I recieved with my purchase and will probably be purchasing a moisturizer from Paula in the near future. I have acne prone sensitive dry skin. My skin type is so hard to deal with because I am dry, yet moisturizers tend to break me out. I also have to deal with some melasma and I am in my early 30's so i am concerned with aging as well. i feel like i combine every product out there!

We'll see how it goes!

I think this system is probably the best that I have used so far. I am comparing this to some other regimens I have tried that include:

Topix Solvere Acne Clearing Kit- too drying

MD Forte now known as Vivite - too expensive, confusing if you pick the products yourself- u need a doc or esthetician

Exposed Skincare Acne Kit - pretty good actually.. but expensive, and too many steps

ProActive -too drying

Differin - hated

Tazorac HATED

Retin-A Micro good results but instead of acne i had peely/crusty face all the time

Atralin (tretinoin) -HATED!

Accutane cleared up ONLY cystic acne. I did 2 rounds of this drug hoping it would completely clear my skin and I would never get another breakout again... nope!

Ortho-Tricyclen- HATED made me fat and broke me out more!

Yasmin- this BC pill worked for my acne but it gave me MELASMA! Will it ever end??!??

Spironolactone - worked great but made me feel very lethargic. It is supposed to lower your blood pressure, but mine is already low. Not worth it.

I've also used countless other products I am too lazy to write about!

For now I have my acne under control with Paula's CLEAR, plus Tri-Luma cream 2-3x/week for my melasma. Plus lots of Ceravé moisturizer and sunscreen (of course)!

PROS:

*Decent price $46.85 for all 3 products. the cleanser is bigger than ProActive, the toner is the same size. You get much more Benzoyl Peroxide lotion than with Proactive. This kit will pbly last 2-3 months.

* No yucky smell whatsoever!

CONS:

* None so far!

Be Smart. Don't waste your $ CASH $ on yet another crappy product!

I HIGHLY recommend researching skincare, makeup & beauty products before you buy!
Get informed about skincare, especially your skin type, and problems that you may be experiencing. This will save you lots of cash in the long run.
Here are some Resources:
WEBSITES
DERMAdoctor.com search 'articles'. Dr. Audrey Kunin is a dermatologist and has a great, informative website that addresses every skincare problem you can imagine. She also sells her own line of great skincare products.
Paula Begoun cosmeticscop.com Subscribe to her 'Beauty Bulletins'. She also has a radio talkshow - I post her sessions on this blog! I love Paula Begoun and I use many of her skincare products. She is very no-nonsense and does thorough research.
MakeUpAlley.com "Street Smart Beauty" is a database of real chicks reviewing makeup & skincare products giving honest opinions
Beautypedia.com Paula Begoun's list of thousands of makeup and skincare reviews compiled into an easily searchable database. Requires a yearly membership fee. I have a promo code so you can get 50% a year subscription. use the code BP50 as your Promo Code. After the discount it would cost $12.50 for a year. SO WORTH IT!
Sephora.com Reviews. Sephora stocks a ton of products. reading their reviews will get you some great real-life feedback.
Skin Deep Cosmetic Ingredients Database - for Ingredient Safety info. (This is NOT a substitute for the FDA) I have issues with this site because I think they abuse the fear factor. Fear is always the best marketing tool. Take this site with a grain of salt b/c it seems a little fanatical. No one can possibly avoid using all of their listed potentially harmful ingredients. It would be freaking impossible. Also, they mention "harmful" ingredients to avoid but don't state exactly why or site (link) tests, exactly where they gathered their specific information, or any other tangible evidence most smart people like to know! Nevertheless, it is still a good site to keep mindful of these ingredients, and I do think they genuinely want to inform people of potential dangers. Afterall, cosmetics are not strictly regulated by the FDA. Form your own opinion.
CaringConsumer.com search guide for cruelty-free companies and products. (Get a free pocket-size list from PeTA here)

BOOKS
Paula Begoun, The Original Beauty Bible (3rd edition) covers everything you would ever want to know about skincare, cosmetics, plastic surgery & cosmetic dermatology.
Ruth Winter, A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients A more down to earth/scientific guide about cosmetics ingredients including potentially harmful ones


You could/should also read my blog and tell all your friends to read it too!!

Paula Begoun Radio Show: Surgery Free Facelift

REALNESS Paula Begoun (Beauty Genius) on Acne

if you haven't heard of paula begoun...check her out! she is the "cosmetics cop" and i love her! she is FO' REALS about skincare & beauty and it's serious!