http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/categories/root/p5/feed.rss Tue, 18 Jun 13 02:24:11 -0400 Click here to visit the Beauty Brains blog. Root - Beauty Questions Answered en-CA 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 [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3427/can-i-get-ipl-on-pubic-hair Sat, 26 Jan 2013 01:01:20 -0500 LeftBrain 3427@/bbforum/discussions Vixanne  is vexed….Can I get IPL on pubic hair? I hate the scratchiness of shaving and yes I know to shave correctly I still hate it. The Beauty Brains respond: For those of you who may not be hip to modern hair removal devices, IPL (which stands for Intense Pulsed Light) is a relatively new way [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3426/tresemme-livestyling-who-wants-a-free-consultation-with-a-professional-hair-stylist Sat, 26 Jan 2013 01:10:00 -0500 LeftBrain 3426@/bbforum/discussions Today’s post is sponsored by Lunchbox.  Our regular readers will recall the recent test we did comparing drug store and salon brands. We had a stylist evaluate hair tresses treated with both  kinds of products and the results showed that there was no difference. So when Tresemme (the drug store brand that gives salon quality [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3423/does-my-dog-need-skin-lotion Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:01:19 -0500 LeftBrain 3423@/bbforum/discussions Betty says…My mom told me to put lotion on my dog to stop her from scratching behind her ears. Is it really safe to put lotion on dogs?  The Beauty Brains respond: We’ll take a crack at this one even though we’re not the Beauty Bitches (as in female dogs…get your mind out of the [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3419/how-does-colorgirl-outlast-lipcolor-work Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:01:58 -0500 LeftBrain 3419@/bbforum/discussions Bandana begs to know…I love Covergirl Outlast All Day lip color for the summer–I can boat, pool, eat, and have lovely fresh looking lips! When I put on the lipstick, I can’t help but think of nail polish because you have to let it dry. (It’s safe, right?) How in the heck does it work? AND how [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3417/how-can-you-stop-chemicals-from-penetrating-skin Wed, 23 Jan 2013 01:01:55 -0500 LeftBrain 3417@/bbforum/discussions Raylene really needs to know…I don’t like the idea of chemicals in cosmetics getting into my body. Is there anyway to block this?  The Beauty Brains respond: Since most ingredients don’t penetrate skin this isn’t really an issue. That’s because most chemicals are too large to diffuse through the skin. (Read this post on how much [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3416/will-visine-help-reduce-skin-redness Tue, 22 Jan 2013 01:01:20 -0500 LeftBrain 3416@/bbforum/discussions BT says…I read on some other beauty website that a few drops of redness-reducing eyedrops can reduce redness and irritation from shaving. Any truth to this?  The Beauty Brains respond: Visine (TM) is one of those products that seems to attract some wacky rumors. At one point it was alleged that a a few drops of [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3414/does-silicone-really-nourish-hair Mon, 21 Jan 2013 01:01:14 -0500 LeftBrain 3414@/bbforum/discussions Uma asks…Could you please help with these two products (Phillip Kingsley’s Elasticizer and Phytodefrisant)…are they nourishing or just bunch of silicones? The Beauty Brains respond: First, let’s be clear about what “nourish” means in the context of hair care. Is there a difference between “nourish” and “condition”? You can nourish garden plants by adding water and [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3412/can-your-smart-phone-prevent-skin-cancer Sun, 20 Jan 2013 01:01:30 -0500 LeftBrain 3412@/bbforum/discussions We’ve told you before that you shouldn’t trust over the counter mole removal products.  But what about smart phone apps that help check moles for skin cancer? Are those safe and effective?  New data suggest that your phone isn’t smart enough to be trusted with this medical diagnosis. Mole minder apps In case you haven’t seen [...]]]> http://thebeautybrains.com/bbforum/discussion/3410/spa-wars-beauty-brains-book-review Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:01:33 -0500 LeftBrain 3410@/bbforum/discussions As busters of beauty myths we’re always on the look out for other like-minded beauty insiders who can give you a behind  the scenes look at the cosmetic industry. That’s why we read Lora Condon’s book “Spa Wars: The Ugly Truth About the Beauty Industry.” Spa Wars We were hoping for more insights into which [...]]]>