The Beauty Brains are linking and hopefully you’re loving it! All our questions this month come from other beauty bloggers, like Jenn of Literature Couture. Check out her creative character makeup tutorials!

Jenn asks…I’m loving the new Sally Hansen Nail Effects, but I’m have two questions about them. One, how exactly does the company manage to use real nail polish that isn’t dried and crumbly by the time I open the package? Two, is there a way for me to make my own strips to avoid the hassle of manicuring my non-dominant hand?

The Right Brain responds:

Regular nail polishes are a mix of film forming agents, adhesive polymers, and colorants all dissolved in a solvent cocktail (usually ethyl and butyl acetate with a dash of isopropyl alcohol.) To “stripify” the polish, Sally Hansen’s Nail Effects use a formula that’s a little more plastic-y than a regular nail polish. It looks like they’ve applied the polish to flexible substrate (polyethylene terephthalate) and dried off all the solvent. The result is a strip of nail polish that remains flexible but still sticky enough to adhere to your nail.

Can you DIY nail effects?

Sure, it’s actually quite simple. First, get an advanced degree in organic chemistry. Then, gain access to a mixture of over 2 dozen flammable chemicals and the associated equipment you’ll need to mix them properly, then…ok, I guess it isn’t quite so easy. This chemistry is quite complex and even the most accomplished DIY formulator would have problems doing this at home. Looks like you’re stuck with Sally’s strips for now.

Sally Hansen Nail Effects Ingredients

NITROCELLULOSE, POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE, ADIPIC ACID/NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER, BIS(GLYCIDOXYPHENYL)PROPANE/BISAMINOMETHYLNORBORNANE COPOLYMER, ACETYL TRIBUTYL CITRATE, TRIPHENYL PHOSPHATE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, BUTYL ACETATE, CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE, POLYVINYL BUTYRAL, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, STEARALKONIUM BENTONITE, SHELLAC CERA/SHELLAC WAX/CIRA DE LAQUE, DIHYDROXYETHYL COCAMINE OXIDE, BENZOPHENONE-3, SILICA, TIN OXIDE, [May Contain/Peut Contenir/+/-:MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), D&C RED NO. 6 BARIUM LAKE (CI 15850), D&C RED NO. 7 CALCIUM LAKE (CI 15850), FD&C BLUE NO. 1 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 42090), FD&C YELLOW NO. 5 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 19140), D&C YELLOW NO. 10 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 47005), D&C ORANGE NO. 5 (CI 45370), D&C YELLOW NO. 11 (CI 47000), D&C RED NO. 22 (CI 45380), D&C RED NO. 28 (CI 45410), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007), FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510), ALUMINUM POWDER (CI 77000)].

Image credit: Sally Hansen

If you’d like to try being a “stripper” you can buy Nail Effects with the Amazon link below. Your purchase will help support the Beauty Brains and for that we thank you kindly.

One of our favorite websites, InventorSpot, brought a new product to our attention: GlamGLow’s tingling face mask.  According to GlamGlow’s website the tagline for this product is “Tingle effect + exfoliation = sexy!” So it is an exfoliationg mask? Or is it a masking exfoliant? And why the heck does it tingle?  Let’s look at the label to find out.

GlamGlow Tingling Mud Mask Ingredients

Purified Water, Montmorillonite, Kaolin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polyethylene, Pumice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Plant Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Aroma, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea.

Contrary to what you might think, there are no menthol-type ingredients like you would find in a scalp tingling product. Instead, the tingling effect most likely comes from the abrasivity of the pumice and polyethylene beads combined with the skin tightening effect of the kaolin and Montmorillonite clays.

Ingredient inaccuracies

It’s also interesting to note (at least for those of you who care about such things) that a few of these ingredients are not listed accurately. (Hey, this is a Look at the Label post, so we get to nitpick stuff like that.) Anyway, “purified water” is not the officially allowed name since any water used in cosmetics is purified to some extent. Usually it’s deionized. I also think it’s entertaining that my spell checker wants to change “deionized” to “demonized.” But I digress… Another error is “Vegetable Glycerin.” The correct name is just glycerin. And finally “fragrance” is the proper name for any kind of scent, not “aroma.”
Image credit: GlamGlow.com

If you’re inclined to want your face to tingle while you’re scraping off its upper layers, you can buy GlamGlow by clicking the link below. You’ll also be supporting the Beauty Brains and that makes our insides all tingly.

The Beauty Brains were recently featured in a TODAY.com post telling you how to get the best hairspray performance for the lowest cost.  Below are the complete ingredient lists for all the products referenced in that article. But first….

If you like this kind of stuff and
want to learn how to save $500 per year on cosmetics,
download the Beauty Brains FREE report now! 

Hairspray ingredients

Tresemme Tres II Extra Hold Hairspray
Alcohol Denatured, Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl/Methacrylate Copolymer, Amino Methyl Propanol, Dimethyl Stearamide, Fragrance (Parfum), Hexylcinnamal, Butylphenyl Methlyproprional, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Hydroxyisohexl 3 Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde

Glo Radiant Fix Hairspray
SD Alcohol 40-B, Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Triethyl Citrate, Fragrance/Parfum, Panthenol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polyquaternium-59, Butylene Glycol

Scruples High Definition Shaping Spray
Alcohol denat., Hydroflurocarbon 152a, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, PBX (Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans [Mycopolysaccharides], Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Benzophenone-4, Dimethicone Copolyol), aminomethyl Propanol, Fragrance (Parfum), BCC12-Base.

Paves Professional FLAWless Convertible-Proof Firm Hold Spray
SD Alcohol 40-B, Hydrofluorocarbon 152A, VA, Crotonates, Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, Octylacrylamide, Acrylates, Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender, Geranium Maculatum Oil Geranium, Citrus Medica Oil Lemon, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil Orange, Citrus Clementina Oil Clementine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil Roman Chamomile, Phytantriol, Polyquaternium-11, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Arginine, Acetyl Tyrosine, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Calcium Pantothenate, Zinc Gluconate, Niacinamide, Ornithine HCL, Citrulline, Glucosamine HCL, Biotin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxan, Amino

Ion Mega Hold Freezing Spray
Alcohol 40-B (Alcohol Denat.), Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Water (Aqua), Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/ Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Triethyl Citrate, Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, AMP-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Geraniol, Geraniol

Image credit: www.glamour.com

Continuing our look at the top-selling products on Amazon.com…

Even though they are technically Over the Counter (OTC) drugs and not cosmetics, dandruff shampoos are big sellers in the beauty section of Amazon.com. Specifically, two versions of Head & Shoulders dominate the 6th and 7th top selling spots. Who would have thought that SO MANY people have dandruff!! What can we learn by looking at the label?

Head & Shoulders Ocean Lift Shampoo Ingredients

Active Ingredients: Pyrithione Zinc (1%)
This is one of the most common drug ingredients approved to treat dandruff.

Water
Solvent.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Primary surfactants.  Excellent foaming/cleansing agents although some people find them too drying.

Cocamide MEA
An old-school foam booster.

Zinc Carbonate
Added to help stabilize the preservatives in the formula. (The anti-dandruff active can deactivate preservatives leaving the product vulnerable to microbial contamination.)

Glycol Distearate
Opacifying agent. Forms little crystals that make the product look creamy.

Dimethicone
Conditioning agent.

Fragrance
Smells like the sea.

Cetyl Alcohol
Helps provide the creamy look and texture.

Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide
Most likely part of the preservative boosting system.

Sodium Benzoate
Preservative

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Secondary surfactant.

Benzyl Alcohol
Supposedly reduces eye sting.

Sodium Chloride
Salt for thickening.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Preservatives.

Sodium Xylenesulfonate
Additional surfactant that’s probably carried in with one of the other ingredients. Sometimes this is added as a coupling agent to help clarify formulations but this product is opacified so it wouldn’t matter.

PEG 7M
Thickening/viscosity control polymer.

Sea Salt, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack), Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract
Marine extracts that don’t do anything except make the formula look more “Ocean Lift-y.”

Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Yellow 5
Colorants, presumably providing a sea-shade.

Image credit: Drugstore.com

If you have an itchy, flakey scalp and you want to support the Beauty Brains, this is your lucky day! Just click the link below to buy Head & Shoulders and you’ll really be helping us out. Thanks!

Name Your Link

Even though the Beauty Brains don’t do traditional reviews, from time to time we like to share new products that we’re trying. We want you to know that we received free samples in exchange for a mention on our blog and that we’re not necessarily recommending you buy anything. We’re just sharing new product news; please do your own research before you buy.

Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick

Here’s what the manufacturer says: “Lasting Finish Lipstick by Rimmel London locks colour to lips for up to 8 hours wear. 50% more colour. Soft, smooth, comfortable formula.”  It contains an “added Black Diamond Pigment Complex for even more radiant color.”

Technical assessment: Aesthetically this is a very nice lipstick. It has great application properties, feels great on the lips, and it even tastes great! Technically it’s interesting for the inclusion of “Diamond Powder.” Apparently this ingredient is the latest rage in mineral makeup products. I assume from the product claims (as stated above) that the diamond powder is part of the “Black Diamond Pigment Complex” since diamond dust alone would not increase the radiance of the color. I also assume the dust is present at very low levels because 1) cost and 2) abrasivity. A lot of diamond dust would feel grainy and scratchy.

Ingredients

RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, CANDELILLA CERA/EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX/CIRE DE CANDELILLA, OCTYLDODECANOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, MYRISTYL LACTATE, VP/ HEXADECENE COPOLYMER, OZOKERITE, LANOLIN, CASTOR OIL/IPDI COPOLYMER, MEADOWFOAM ESTOLIDE, MYRISTYL MYRISTATE, PARFUM/ FRAGRANCE, SILICA, BENZYL BENZOATE, DI-PPG-3 MYRISTYL ETHER ADIPATE, DIPENTAERYTHRITYL HEXA C5-9 ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, TOCOPHEROL, PROPYLPARABEN, COPERNICIA CERIFERA CERA/ COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/CIREDE CARNAUBA, DIAMOND POWDER, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, BENZYL SALICYLATE, BENZYL CINNAMATE, LINALOOL, AQUA/WATER/EAU, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER/ LEAF EXTRACT, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, TIN OXIDE, CINNAMYL ALCOHOL, EUGENOL. [MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/+/-: MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), D&C RED NO. 7 CALCIUM LAKE (CI 15850), D&C RED NO. 6 BARIUM LAKE (CI 15850), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), FD&C YELLOW NO. 5 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 19140), FD&C YELLOW NO. 6 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 15985), D&C RED NO. 27 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 45410), D&C RED NO. 6 (CI 15850), D&C RED NO. 28 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 45410), D&C RED NO. 33 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 17200), FD&C BLUE NO. 1 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 42090), CARMINE (CI 75470)].

Image credit: rimmellondon.com