Beauty Briefs

Facial rollers have recently received lots of publicity and have become the latest beauty craze. You can find them in department stores, drug stores, online, and various other places.  These tools look pretty and are mainly made of jade and rose quartz or an imitation of such stones. They originally made their debut in Ancient China during the 17th century as a beauty ritual, and have now been commercialized. They can be rolled on the skin in the morning, evening, or both, proclaiming to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, help with puffiness and lymphatic drainage, plus reduce dark circles. There are many that sing their praises. And yes, they can (slightly) reduce undereye puffiness, if it’s due to fluid retention.  In my opinion, they look pretty and are basically like a nice daily facial massage. They do increase circulation, but they don’t perform miracles. It’s not going to create significant changes in your complexion or have an effect on inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Plus, if you don’t use it correctly or are too harsh with it, it may be harmful to those with sensitive skin, rosacea or broken capillaries.

Collagen is one of the latest health buzzwords. While browsing through a drugstore, you will probably notice tubs of powdered collagen and creams that claim to boost your collagen and prevent aging. Find out what role it plays in your health.

Cradle cap usually develops on a baby’s scalp when they are between one and three months old.  It got its name because it occurs in young babies of cradle age, and looks like a thick, waxy, yellowish scaly layer that covers the skin of the scalp.

If you look in the mirror and imagine people playing miniature golf in the craters on your face, you probably have enlarged pores, which are usually genetic.  Pores (the skin surface openings for your hair follicles) can become enlarged due to excessive sebum production, clogged pores, decreased skin elasticity, sun exposure or aging. When pores are clogged due to a mixture of oil and dirt or makeup, they become blocked, stretched, and appear larger. The more oil your skin produces, the larger the pores. The main sin people commit is squeezing, which is ineffective and will just leave residual scars. Using astringents, alcohol, pore strips, mud, and clay masks may clean the pores and temporarily reduce their appearance, but these won’t permanently reduce their size. 

There are certain beauty items that are indispensable to every gal on the go. Whether you have a wedding, date or any other important occasion to attend, there are certain cosmetics you simply cannot do without. It’s always a good idea to tuck a lipstick or colored gloss in your purse, for after dinner touch ups. Those with oily skin can also pack a powder compact to control shiny patches.  Another suggestion is to soak a wedge sponge with foundation and store it in a small Ziploc bag in your purse.  You can even dab a bit of your concealer on the edge of the same sponge in order to help fix any under-eye circles or smudged liner.  If you’re carrying a small handbag that does not accommodate a mirrored powder compact, look for a small lipstick case with a tiny built-in mirror. These also make handy carry cases for rolled up bills or a key. For those unexpected snags, packing a nail file can be helpful.  

The phrase “clean beauty” is often associated with natural beauty and green beauty.  Because there’s no legal definition, many brands have defined it according to their own standards. The real meaning of clean beauty is a product that does not risk your own health.