http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/categories/root/p4/feed.rss Sun, 26 May 13 04:53:09 -0400 Click here to visit the Beauty Brains blog. Root - Beauty Questions Answered en-CA http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3514/maybelline-the-colossal-waterproof-volume-express-mascara-look-at-the-label Mon, 25 Feb 2013 01:01:02 -0500 LeftBrain 3514@/bbforum/discussions This week Maybelline’s Colossal Waterproof Volume Express Mascara is one of the top selling products on Amazon.com. But what makes it so waterproof? Let’s look at the label: Maybelline The Colossal Waterproof Volume Express Mascara Ingredients Isododecane Solvent for waxes Cera Alba (Beeswax), C8 9 Isoparaffin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cera Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera Wax) (Carnauba Wax) Waxes and clays that [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3511/dollar-store-danger-can-you-spot-a-fake-product Sun, 24 Feb 2013 01:01:52 -0500 LeftBrain 3511@/bbforum/discussions Take a look at this “No More Flakes” dandruff shampoo we found in a local dollar store. Only $1.25 for a 15 ounce bottle. What a deal, eh? But wait a minute…If this is a dandruff shampoo (which is an Over the Counter drug) it should list the active ingredient, drug warnings, expiration date, etc. [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3509/dermdoctor-busted-for-misleading-light-lotion-claims Sat, 23 Feb 2013 01:01:25 -0500 LeftBrain 3509@/bbforum/discussions A while back we wrote about DermDoctor’s PhotoDynamic Therapy Lotion that supposedly mimics red light therapy. We were highly skeptical at the time and now it seems we’re not the only ones. A recent ruling by the NAD (National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau) has asked DermDoctor to revise their claims for this product. [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3506/whats-the-difference-between-unscented-and-fragrance-free Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:01:21 -0500 LeftBrain 3506@/bbforum/discussions NoahJenda needs to know…I’ve been looking for a good unscented body wash, and recently decided to try Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash. The front of the bottle clearly labels it as “unscented” so I decided to buy some. I looked quickly at the ingredients, but didn’t read them closely enough in the store. When I [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3505/is-herbal-essences-totally-twisted-creme-less-damaging-than-a-holding-spray Thu, 21 Feb 2013 01:01:28 -0500 LeftBrain 3505@/bbforum/discussions BAlexandria asks… How does Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Define & Hold Creme work? Is this formula less drying/damaging than a holding spray? And what is VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer? Is it related to vinyl as we/most consumers know it?  The Beauty Brains respond: VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer is a holding polymer – that’s what makes the product work, for [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3504/heres-another-beauty-myth-buster Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:01:24 -0500 LeftBrain 3504@/bbforum/discussions We receive a lot of beauty industry press releases that contain information that is…uh…crappy, to put it politely. So it’s a nice change of pace when we see information that’s science- based. Case in point, here’s the latest from hair-care advocate and health scientist Audrey Davis-Sivasothy at  www.haircarerehab.com. Debunking hair care myths • Myth: There’s a magic pill (or [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3502/are-there-any-real-eco-safe-products Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:01:32 -0500 LeftBrain 3502@/bbforum/discussions Kaldary’s question…Are there any eco friendly beauty products that exist? And I guess by eco friendly I mean biodegradablity, packaging, production, and farming. I tried to do a Google search on this and I got a ton of fear mongering about how all man made products are going to kill me. (I roll my eyes [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3494/whats-the-safest-way-to-wash-a-baby Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:01:49 -0500 LeftBrain 3494@/bbforum/discussions We’ve blogged before about the top 10 mildest body washes that use a special surfactant called sodium cocoyl isethionate. This chemical doesn’t strip skin of natural oils and it rinses away better so it’s less irritating. So it must be best thing to wash your baby with, right? WRONG! According to the Mayo Clinic, water [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3500/bach-rescue-remedy-look-at-the-label Mon, 18 Feb 2013 01:01:19 -0500 LeftBrain 3500@/bbforum/discussions WOW. I was surprised to that Back Rescue Remedy is the 4th best selling beauty product on Amazon.com this week. Why does that surprise me? Because it’s the only homeopathic remedy that I’ve seen obtain such a coveted position. Homeopathic remedies supposedly work by diluting active ingredients to a very low level. This product uses 1/50 [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3498/does-keratin-in-cosmetics-come-from-cadavers Sun, 17 Feb 2013 01:01:15 -0500 LeftBrain 3498@/bbforum/discussions Rozy says…I bet the keratin (in cosmetics) comes from cadavers. The Beauty Brains respond:  That’s an intriguing notion, in a weird “Walking Dead” kinda way…. What is keratin? As most of you probably know keratin is a tough type of protein from which hair, nails, hooves, and horns are made. A number of beauty products [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3493/does-silverpurple-shampoo-really-cancel-brassy-colors Fri, 15 Feb 2013 01:01:43 -0500 LeftBrain 3493@/bbforum/discussions Makeup At Midnight says…Ever since I’ve been dying my hair blonde, I’ve been told by many people to treat my hair with a “purple/silver” toning shampoo or conditioner every few days to help prevent my hair from getting a brassy tone to it. Supposedly, this works by ‘color theory’ in the way that the purple [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3489/beauty-science-and-st.-valentines-day Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:01:44 -0500 LeftBrain 3489@/bbforum/discussions Happy Valentines Day everyone! To celebrate here are five of our favorite posts from the past:   When Chemicals Attract Beauty Science for Valentines Day Roses Are Red, Our Planet Is Blue… Valentines Day Experiments For Kids The Deadly Danger Of Valentines Day Image credit: xkcd.com    ]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3485/natural-products-really-can-work Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:01:59 -0500 LeftBrain 3485@/bbforum/discussions People think we’re opposed to natural ingredients because we’re in bed with the “Big Chemical Companies.”  Just for the record, the Beauty Brains are independant-minded skeptics and we are NOT in bed with any chemical companies. (Except maybe for Sarah Bellum, I can’t  keep track of everyone she’s been in bed with, but I digress…) All [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3487/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-good-anti-aging-products Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:01:51 -0500 LeftBrain 3487@/bbforum/discussions Ktward’s question…Near as I can tell AHA and Retinol are still the anti-wrinkle standards. However, I’m seeing a lot of talk about peptides. And don’t get me wrong, I love love love Diane Keaton, but I don’t see any legit lit on whatever is the topical calcium she’s peddling. Should I also be incorporating some kind [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3486/rembrandt-for-the-red-carpet-in-the-beauty-brains-bathroom Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:25:05 -0500 LeftBrain 3486@/bbforum/discussions We just received a  ”DIY Red Carpet Glam” kit sponsored by the fine folks at Rembrandt and we thought we’d give you a quick run down of the featured goodies… Rembrandt Deeply White Toothpaste and 2 Hour Whitening Kit We’ve blogged before about the Comfytray technology Rembrandt uses to hold the whitening gel. Neutrogena Moisture [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3480/cerave-moisturizing-lotion-look-at-the-label Mon, 11 Feb 2013 01:01:45 -0500 LeftBrain 3480@/bbforum/discussions This week Cerave Moisturizing lotion is one of the top selling lotions on Amazon.com. Let’s take a look at the label to see if it’s wet and worthy.  CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Ingredients Purified Water Not only solvent for other ingredients but also a moisturizing agent for skin Glycerin A humectant that help bind moisture to [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3475/does-the-oil-in-garnier-fructis-triple-nutrition-shampoo-do-anything Sat, 09 Feb 2013 01:01:49 -0500 LeftBrain 3475@/bbforum/discussions Miss Monet must know…I was looking for a good conditioning and found Garnier Triple Nutrition shampoo. Why is oil is put in shampoo when its going  to go down the drain because sulfates get rid of dirt and oil? The Beauty Brains respond: Garnier’s Fructis line (made my L’Oreal) was originally based on fruit acids. [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3474/is-proactiv-a-rip-off Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:01:51 -0500 LeftBrain 3474@/bbforum/discussions One of the writers for The Beauty Brains was interviewed for a recent article in Slate magazine. The topic was the ProActiv skin care line. Is ProActiv worth the bother? The title of the article is Don’t Bother with ProActiv and it was inspired by a story on Jezebel.com about people who felt they were [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3470/are-probiotics-good-for-skin Thu, 07 Feb 2013 01:01:27 -0500 LeftBrain 3470@/bbforum/discussions Rozy asks…I have seen some skin lotions being sold with probiotics in them. I wonder if it actually improves the skin, maybe you could just put yogurt on your face? The Beauty Brains respond: According to a study published in a recent issue of the Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemist certain types of [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3468/what-type-of-gel-ingredients-should-i-look-for-in-a-humid-climate Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:01:11 -0500 LeftBrain 3468@/bbforum/discussions Missmonet asks… I live in MD and even in the cold it be high humidity. My hair always get poofy in a day after I apply gel. I like my hair to shiny, define nice curls,and not to crunchy. I’m African American and if I don’t use a styling gel my hair will look like a [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3464/new-anti-dandruff-breakthrough-could-end-flakes-forever Tue, 05 Feb 2013 01:01:30 -0500 LeftBrain 3464@/bbforum/discussions The Journal of Medicinal Chemistry reports on an exciting breakthrough in dandruff treatment. You know that the main cause of dandruff is a fungus called Malassezia globosa, right? (Actually it causes scalp irritation which leads to flaky scalp.)  Typical dandruff shampoo fight the fungus and also try to break up big flakes into smaller, less noticeable [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3460/pantene-nature-fusion-conditioner-look-at-the-label Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:01:06 -0500 LeftBrain 3460@/bbforum/discussions Continuing our look at the top selling beauty products on Amazon.com… This week the #1 best selling beauty product on Amazon.com is Patene’s Nature Fusion Conditioner. How natural is it really? Let’s look at the label! Pantene Nature Fusion Conditioner Ingredients Water Solvent/carrier for all the other ingredients. Stearyl Alcohol Part of the “backbone” of [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3454/does-bull-semen-really-do-anything-for-hair Sun, 03 Feb 2013 01:01:55 -0500 LeftBrain 3454@/bbforum/discussions Needleusesman asks…I remember reading on the webs that bull semen was the new thing to make your hair healthy looking and shiny I was wondering if that could actually work? The Beauty Brains respond:  Semen for hair? How do you people come up with this stuff  - by watching “Something About Mary?” Bull semen chemistry [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3447/is-better-than-false-lashes-different-from-other-mascaras Sat, 02 Feb 2013 01:01:23 -0500 LeftBrain 3447@/bbforum/discussions Bluecatbaby  asks…I recently read about a new Too-Faced product, called “Better Than False Lashes.” It uses a tube of mascara and a tube of nylon fibers. Has anyone tried this, because it sounds interesting. Too-Faced promotes it as an alternative to false lashes, not as an alternative to your current mascara. Whatever. Are there any ingredients [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3442/shaving-dye-danger Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:01:19 -0500 LeftBrain 3442@/bbforum/discussions As regular readers of the Beauty Brains know, we urge you to be skeptical when it comes to scaremongering about cosmetic ingredients. In too many cases people claim cosmetic ingredients are dangerous when the best science available says they’re safe. But we also try to present a balanced perspective so when real safety concerns are [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3441/does-smartmouth-mouthwash-really-last-for-12-hours Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:01:50 -0500 LeftBrain 3441@/bbforum/discussions Matt must know…I read your post about the long lasting Listerine mouthwash. Is SmartMouth the same thing? If so can it really last for 12 hours? The Beauty Brains responds: Matt’s referring to our post on Listerine UltraClean mouthwash which contains a zinc compound that supposedly keeps breath fresher longer. SmartMouth is another zinc-based mouthwash [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3438/does-being-an-extreme-metal-vocalist-cause-wrinkles Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:01:19 -0500 LeftBrain 3438@/bbforum/discussions Kannibalkorpse asks….I READ ON HERE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS CAUSE WRINKLES AND SINCE I ENJOY SINGING EXTREME METAL, I WONDER IF IT WILL CAUSE WRINKLES, SINCE PART OF THE ART IS MAKING MANY CONTORTIONS OF AGONY. NOT THAT I CARE ABOUT WRINKLES JUST WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY, AND IT COMPARED TO OTHER SINGING [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3435/look-at-your-earwax-to-find-out-if-your-armpits-stink Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:01:41 -0500 LeftBrain 3435@/bbforum/discussions According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK, 2% of women carry a specific gene that causes them NOT to produce body odor. (Probably because their sweat doesn’t produce the fatty acids that odor-producing bacteria thrive on.) The researchers also found that 76% of these women still wear [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3433/suave-keratin-infusion-dry-shampoo-look-at-the-label Mon, 28 Jan 2013 01:01:50 -0500 LeftBrain 3433@/bbforum/discussions Continuing our look at the best selling beauty products on Amazon.com… Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo has been one of the Amazon’s top 100 selling beauty products for 26 days. Like most dry shampoos, it consists of an aerosolized powder that absorbs oils and dirt. Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo Ingredients Isobutane, Propane 2/3 of the [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3430/how-does-a-paraffin-manicure-work Sun, 27 Jan 2013 01:05:37 -0500 LeftBrain 3430@/bbforum/discussions Renee asks…How do paraffin manicures work?   The Beauty Brains respond: A paraffin manicure is a treatment that involves plunging your  hands (or feet) into hot, molten wax. The wax is then covered with plastic and allowed to “soak into” your skin. When the hardened wax shell is removed, you skin is left feeling smooth [...]]]>