From The Beauty Brains Forum Member: Anonymous Blonde

When I think of make-up I rarely think of my legs, but on occasion when wearing a short dress I have wished for a product to make my legs look more attractive. Pretty Polly, a UK based legwear brand, has come out with a new line of make-up made especially for the legs that hopes to do just that. From this make-up line, named Love Legs, I received the Bronzed Leg Gloss and Moisturizing Leg Shimmer.

Leg gloss

For a night on the town, I chose the leg gloss, which comes in a deodorant-style twist-up stick. The stick is ridiculously easy to apply, and with a slight blending comes out streak free. It is also, thankfully, not sticky provided you let it settle into your skin while getting ready. The color was lovely and subtle, and didn’t come off on my dress.

Feisty fragrance

While I enjoyed the look of the product, the fragrance nearly knocked me off my feet. This product is not for the fragrance sensitive. Were it not for the bronzer, one might think the product was meant to be a fragrance balm. The smell was not unpleasant, but it felt more matronly than the packaging suggests. The scent is very mature; it is reminiscent of the perfume I took from my mother’s vanity as a child. As such, if you are looking for a young, flirty product– this scent may turn you off.

Leg shimmer

The following day, I found myself disappointed in the lack of moisture found in the ‘moisturizing’ leg shimmer. The shimmer was attractive, but my legs were noticeably dry. If you use this product, you will want to apply a generous about of an unscented lotion beforehand. The fragrance seemed less concentrated in this product, which was a relief, but it was still very noticeable and lingered for the rest of the day.

Dab on décolletage

I enjoyed the understated sheen of this product, but when used alone I don’t think it would be very effective at night. Taking this into consideration, I applied both the gloss and shimmer on my legs and décolletage for a night of drinks with friends. The effect was a little overpowering, but the results looked great! My friends told me I looked like I had gone on a vacation, and I found that the leg makeup works just as well all over the body. I was also getting compliments on my ‘perfume’ from complete strangers. I had chosen to forgo perfume because the products fragrance is so overwhelming, but it seems the fragrance was a hit.

A helpful solution

If you have sensitivity or are adverse to fragrance, these products are probably not for you. If you wear dresses but hate stockings, Pretty Polly’s leg make-up is a helpful solution. The shimmer lotion is average, but the leg gloss was very impressive. At £1.49 to £8 for the items in this collection it is worth the price, and if you can appreciate the fragrance you will save money on perfume!

Would you use make up on your legs? Leave a comment and let us know. Or, you can start a thread and talk to Anonymous Blonde directly in the Beauty Brains Forum. And if you’re interested in getting free goodies of your own, join the Forum now and show us you’ve got what it takes to be a Beauty Brainiac!

Sandie’s sticky question: Has anyone tried making a new lipstick out of the end bits of old ones? There is always quite a lot left inside the case and I have about 25 almost empty lipsticks that I keep meaning to do something with. Just not sure how to go about it!

Sarah Bellum Says:
Sandie, that’s a very interesting question! I kicked it around with the other Beauty Brains and we think trying to fix those sticks is probably a waste of time. Here are three reasons why:

1. Color calamity

Unless you have 25 tubes of the same color, you’re going to mix shades which might end up looking like baby poop.

2. Spoiled stick

Lipstick formulas are a mixed up waxes, oils and pigments. Since not all lipsticks use the same ingredients, when you mix different products from different brands you might end up with a lipstick that’s too soft, too hard, doesn’t spread right, or just plain falls apart.

3. Messy molding

If you’re like me you’ve got a couple of tubes of Clinique, a couple of Lauder, more than a few Revlon Colorstay, and maybe, just maybe even a Nars. But even IF all 25 lipstick stubs are the same brand and same color and IF you were able to mix and melt them you couldn’t make a new lipstick unless you had a special mold to shape your melted lip goop into a new stick form. For that untidy little job you need a two piece metal mold. (Hmmm, maybe someone should sell a special lipstick saver mold…) Of course, you could always pour it into an old lipgloss pot if you don’t mind applying it with a brush or your finger.

The Beauty Brains bottom line

Maybe I’m too lazy for DIY cosmetics, but it doesn’t really make sense to salvage old lipsticks. But if you do decide to give it a try, write back and let us know how it turns out.

What do you think. Have you ever tried reworking lipstics? Or better yet, would you buy a special tool that let you redo your unused chunks of lipstick? Or, is it just not worth the hassle? Leave a comment and get lippy with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

Kelly’s question: I saw your post that says Promise lip gloss doesn’t really help you lose weight. But I just read at Bella Sugar that Too Faced Cosmetics has a new lip gloss called Fuze that really works. Is Fuze any better than Promise for weight loss?

Editorial Note: The fine folks at Bella Sugar contacted us and pointed out that they were misquoted in Kelly’s question. They NEVER said Fuze really works. Now, on with our answer.

The Right Brain replies:
Fuze lip gloss is a joint project between Too Faced Cosmetics and a division of the Coca Cola company that makes the Fuze beverage. You can read all about it at Cosmetics Design.

Does Fuse really work?

The primary active ingredient in this product is called Supercitrate, which is the calcium-potassium salt of hydroxycitric acid (HCA for short.) Supposedly HCA works by inhibiting the creation of fatty acids and cholesterol. A study by CV, Garis R, et al, from the Department of Physiology, Medicine and Pathology Georgetown University Medical Center, showed that people experienced significant weight loss after taking this drug. So based on this study, it appears HCA could be a legitimate diet ingredient.

Can you lose lard from lip licking?

But does it work from a lip gloss? That’s a very different question. According to their study, researchers saw weight loss when test subjects ingested about 5 grams of the chemical 3 times a day. That’s a total of 15 grams each day. An average tube of lip gloss is .25 to .5 ounces, which is about 7 to 14 grams. So, if Fuze was 100% HCA you’d have to use almost an entire tube a day to get the weight loss benefit. But it probably contains much less than 100%. If it’s only 10% HCA, you’d have to use 10 tubes per day! And if it was only 1%…well, you do the math.

Using 10 or more tubes of lip gloss seems a little impractical to us. So, based on the study we found, we’re really skeptical that this product can help you lose weight. Of course, if Too Faced Cosmetics have run their own studies that show Fuze lip gloss does really work, we’d be glad to review them and reconsider our opinion.

The Beauty Brains bottom line

Fuze is a fizzle, in our opinion. And we always recommend checking with your doctor if you’re considering taking any kind of diet aid drug. We’re cosmetic chemists, not medical weight loss experts. If you still want to check it out, you can find Fuze at Amazon.com

Judith’s question: I’ve recently seen some posters in various nail shops/spas advertising permanent makeup. What exactly is permanent makeup? Is it a tattoo? Is it safe?

Sarah Bellum says:
I thought “permanent makeup” was just another one of those made up marketing terms that doesn’t really mean anything – like “world peace.” But it turns out permanent makeup really is pretty much…well, permanent. I was so intrigued by the idea that I told Lefty and Righty I’d write up something on the subject. So, here’s my list of what you should know about permanent make up:

1. Tattoo you

Permanent makeup (PM for short) really is a type of tattoo. But instead of a butterfly or a skull head, the tattoo artist draws on your make up. The process is also referred to as dermapigmentation, micropigmentation, and cosmetic tattooing.

2. Up with make up

Most common types of PM are eyebrow enhancement, eyelining, and adding color to face and fullness to lips. The process can also be used to improve the appearance of skin around the nipple after breast surgery.

3. Lovely lashes

PM can also be used as an alternative to mascara, to darken eyelashes. (Hey Left Brain, do ya think this stuff is better than Jan Marini??) Of course it has to be redone when lashes fall out.

4. Popularity contest

Popular reasons for getting PM include creating artificial eyebrows because of old age, disease (like alopecia), chemotherapy, to disguise skin imperfections. Some women get it just for convenience – imagine, never having to put on eyeliner or lip liner again! (Of course, also imagine never being able to change your make up again. Hmmm.)

5. Who should get PM

Women have trouble applying makeup, like those who are near-sighted or don’t have steady hands. Women on the go, or athletes. (Aren’t we all “on the go?”) Or, women who are allergic to make up (but not to tattoo dyes, see #6 below). Also count in women who are lazy.

6. Dangerous dyes

The safety of permanent makeup is not totally resolved. The FDA historically has not regulated tattoo inks but they’re keeping an eye on them as they become more popular. The main dangers associated with permanent make up (or any tattoo for that matter) include Infection, removal problems, allergic reactions, granulomas (nodules that can form around ink particles) and Keloid scar formation. Some sources say tattoos can cause problems during MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) procedures (a medical diagnostic test).

7. Techno colors

The FDA also points out that some of the dyes using in tattoo inks are not approved for skin contact at all. Some are industrial grade colors that are suitable for printers’ ink or automobile paint. That’s the bad news. The good news is your eyeliner can now match your new Kia.

8. I fought the law

The actual practice of tattooing is regulated by local jurisdictions, so your local tattoo parlor is completely safe. The popular conception of all tattoo artists as overweight, stringy-haired head bangers is only partially true.

9. Dedication

There’s actually an entire organization dedicated to this craft. They call themselves the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals and they even have their own acronym. (Yay SPCP!)

10. Permanent is pricey

The cost of a permanent makeup procedure averages between $400-$800. That’s a lot of tubes of eyeliner !

(Don’t like what you read here? Don’t blame me, check out my sources here and here.)

What do you think, Brainiacs? Would you ever have makeup permanently applied to your face? Thanks for sharing with the rest of the Beauty Brains community!

Alicia asks: I work at an after school program for young women and we are having a makeover day (partly because I want them to try more natural looks than the traditional teenage racoon look they’ve all been sporting). Along with makeup tips, I wanted to teach them what are common ingredients in their makeup. So what is in lip gloss, mascara, and eye shadow?

The Right Brain gets lippy:
Good for you, Alicia. We love to help our community learn about cosmetics. You should find our previous posts on mascara, eye liner, and lip balm ingredients helpful. And here’s a brand new post on lip gloss, just for you!

What is lip gloss

Most lip glosses are in the form of a gel but some companies do make a stick or pomade version. Regardless of the form, these products are all designed to give your lips a little shine and color. (They taste good too!) Typically these formulas are oil based and don’t contain any water so there’s no need for emulsifiers (chemicals that help water and oil mix together.) Let’s take a closer look at the 5 basic ingredients used in lip gloss.

1. Emollients/shine agents

Many, many different ingredients can be used as shine agents. Most of the formulas we surveyed used oils (either mineral or vegetable based), lanolin derivatives, or polybutene (a type of hydrocarbon that mimics silicones. Surprisingly we don’t see many silicones used in lip glosses.)

2. Thickeners

These ingredients keeps the gloss from dribbling down your chin when you apply it. Waxes (like ozokerite) and clays (like kaolin) are commonly used.

3. Colorant/Glitter

While you can make a colorless lip shine, most glosses do contain some kind of colorant. Typically this is either an FD&C dye (did you know that stands for Food Drug & Cosmetic?), or an iron oxide (for earthy colors). Mica (a type of mineral based glitter) can also be used for sparkle.

4. Flavor

What would lip gloss be without all those yummy flavors? The formula may also contain a sweetening agent like sodium saccharin.

5. Control agents

These are the ingredients that formulators add to lip glosses to ensure the product remains stable. Examples include pH adjustors, preservatives, and anti-oxidants.

You should know that some lip glosses include sunscreens.

Source: Here are the lip glosses we examined when compiling this ingredient review.

Archipelago Botanicals White Sugar & Mango Lip Gloss
Arissa Lipgloss
Bonnie Bell Lip Lights
CoverGirl Lipslicks Lip Gloss
e.l.f. Super Glossy Lip Shine
Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss Flirt
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Vitamin E Lip Gloss
Philosophy Very Emollient Lip Shine Cinnamon
Revlon SuperLustrous Lipgloss Pink Afterglow

Natasha needs to know: My principal banned black nail polish because he said it ruins your nails. So my question is does black nail polish really ruin your nails?

Sarah Bellum responds:
Natasha, I’m sorry to hear about your problem at school. The Beauty Brains would never question the authority of your principal, but what about the science behind his decision? That’s another story!

Yellow nails

It’s true that wearing dark shades of nail polish can stain your nails yellow. (Been there, done that!) That’s because there’s a reaction between the colorant and your nails. (The Left and Right Brains blogged about this before – go read their post on yellow nails.) But even if you do stain your nails, they’ll return to their normal color when they grow out. Other than the staining issue, I’m not aware of any other problems caused by black nail polish. Also, I believe that other dark colors can cause staining, so it’s not just about black.

Fashion sense or science?

Here’s what I don’t get: if the Principal is so concerned about nail health, why not ban all dark nail colors? Heck, why not ban acrylic nails? They can create problems too! Or, tell students they can’t get pedicures because they can cause infections. Why stop at black nails if health is really the issue here? Could it be that there’s another reason for the his decision? Could this be more related to school dress code than science? Hmmmmm. This makes me wonder how your Principal would look wearing OPI Black Onyx. But seriously, write back and tell us if you learn anything else from your Principal. We’ll present his side of the story too.

Has anyone ever got in trouble at school or work for using a certain kind of beauty product? Leave a comment about your larcenous behavior!

If you enjoy the Beauty Brains blog, you’ll also enjoy sharing your thoughts with others in the Beauty Brains Forum. There are thousands of comments from over 400 members on all kinds of beauty issues.

As a special reward to the more prolific Forum members, we provide them with new beauty products to review. In today’s post, forum member “Karen” shares her thoughts on Aveeno Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner.

Addicted to lip balm

I love using lip balm and you may, too. Evidently, 64% of women use lip conditioning products. I have tubes of it everywhere and can’t stand how my lips feel when it’s not on. I might even go so far as to say I’m addicted to it but experts say there’s no need to worry about that. There simply isn’t an ingredient in any of them that could cause a true chemical dependency.

Okay then: I might not have a chemical dependency for it but I must have a psychological one because I sure feel relief once I slather it on and my lips feel a whole lot better, too.

My products of choice

First, I reach for Blistex to repair, soothe, and moisturize. It’s an absolute must for me to protect my lips from the elements once the cold weather hits. Second, a fellow Beauty Brainiac in the Forum recently turned me on to Caudalie Lip Conditioner, a wonderful but pricey creation that takes lip balm to a whole new level with its antioxidant ingredients. It’s now my go-to product that I apply before bed to repair free-radical damage. I’ve also found that it makes an excellent base under lipstick, a function my beloved but slippery Blistex can’t do. Additionally, it contains a sunscreen so I wear it on my light makeup, lipstick-free days.

Essentially Aveeno

When I had the opportunity to try another lip balm, Aveeno’s Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner with SPF 15, it seemed like the perfect assignment to send my way. Aveeno claims their lip balm is unique in the following ways:

• It’s enriched with natural oatmeal, an ingredient known to soothe skin
• It contains a blend of natural conditioners including jojoba oil and shea butter
• It leaves lips feeling moisturized long after applying
• It shields lips from harmful UVA an UVB rays
• It’s hypoallergenic

Aveeno explains it was also developed to address frustration over the constant need to reapply lip balm, a common complaint from women using other products on the market.

Soft and smooth, not heavy and waxy

I used it for a week, giving up both Blistex and Caudalie Lip Conditioner. How did Aveeno’s lip balm compare to what I personally liked and used? I didn’t think it was as good at repairing chapped lips nor keeping them as moist as Blistex but it did a reasonable job of making them feel soft and smooth when it was on.

I liked the fact that it didn’t feel overly waxy or heavy but I did feel the need to apply it at least as frequently as my other two products of choice. It’s also effective as a lipstick base but doesn’t contain the antioxidant ingredients that Caudalie lip conditioner does to soften fine lines and keep lips plump at the same time. “Fragrance” was not listed as an ingredient but it had a mild pleasant vanilla scent due to the addition of Vanillin.

Petrolatum is best

I did a little research on lip balms. I learned that petrolatum-based lip balms are always a smart choice for chapped lips. One dermatologist called this key ingredient “the gold standard” for lip balms and claimed it was the very best thing that you could possibly put on your lips. Does Aveeno’s lip balm contain it? The answer is yes.

A good value

Its price is very good: $3.49 or less per tube and it’s available at most drug stores. It comes in both stick and pot form. Overall, it’s a good value for the money if you’re looking for a lip balm to maintain soft healthier looking lips. If you’re looking for a product to prevent or repair chapped, cracked lips or a lip conditioner that offers anti-aging benefits, you might want to have something else on hand. What you use will depend on your likes and needs.

There you have it, Brainiacs! Now I’m off for my must-have lip conditioner “fix!”

What do YOU think about Aveeno Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner? Leave a comment and let us know. Or, you can start a thread and talk to Karen directly in the Beauty Brains Forum. And if you’re interested in getting free goodies of your own, join the Forum now and show us you’ve got what it takes to be a Beauty Brainiac!

Kay’s curious: What are the dangers of using acrylic and tips?

The Left Brain responds:
The good news is, overall, it’s pretty uncommon for acrylic nails to cause significant health problems. Of course, that’s assuming that the technicians are careful and have properly sterilized their instruments. Nonetheless, there’s still cause for concern. From Dermatology Times, here are four dangers of acrylic nails:

1. Nasty nail abuse

Mistreating your artificial nails can have serious consequences. It’s particularly bad to make the mistake of using your nails as a tool. According to Zoe Draelos, M.D., a High Point, N.C., dermatologist “Some of those nail sculptures are so rigid that a lot of people will use them, for instance, to clean things or as some type of screwdriver. The problem, says Dr Draelos, is that “the bond between the artificial nail and the real nail is stronger than the bond between the real nail and the nail bed, so it rips the nail from the nail bed, and that creates a space for which infection can occur.”

2. Chemical calamity

Chemical allergens used in acrylic nails and nail polishes can also cause problems. The top offenders: formaldehyde (which is used to crosslink polymers), methyl methacrylate (the resin that make up the bulk of the nail); and the tiny metal balls in the bottom of your bottle of nail polish. (That’s because the balls can contain traces of nickel, a known allergen.

3. Cursed UV cure

Gel-sculptured nails (the kind that requires curing with a UV light) can be problematic for people who are on photosensitizing medications. Dr. Draelos warns that “if a customer is taking something like tetracycline, which can sensitize them to light, there could potentially be a phototoxic reaction in the nail bed if the sculptured nails are cured under a bright light.”

4. Perilous polish removal

Nail polish removers can be damaging to (real and artificial!) because of their drying effect. Once the nail is dried out it can easily peel and crack. Dr. Draelos recommends using nail polish remover only every other week – which means you should do a good job of applying polish so it lasts.

Source: Dermatology Times

What do you think? Are fake nails worth tempting fate? Leave a comment and share your worst nail nightmare.

Beauty Brains News Flash:

The US FDA recently approved a new black pigment for eyeshadows and mascaras that is made from charred cow bones. The ingredient contains small, but safe, levels of carcinogens.

Connie wants to win: Can you please settle a bet? My friend is trying to convince me that the Max Factor cosmetic line is really named after a guy named Max Factor. Sounds like an urban legend to me. I’m guessing it’s really a marketing name like “Maximum Coverage Factor” or something like that. Please answer quickly, I can win an Itunes gift card!

The Left Brain resolves the bet:
You can also LOSE an iTunes gift card, Connie. I’m afraid your friend is right: Max Factor Cosmetics is actually named after the chemist who created it: Max Faktor.

Max is actually quite famous among us cosmetic chemists as one of the early pioneers of modern makeup. Here are few fun historical facts:

Faktor to Factor

Born in Poland in 1877, by the age of 20 Max was selling handmade rouges, fragrances and wigs. He came to the US in 1902 where he changed his name from “Faktor” to “Factor” and by 1904 he was selling lotions and hair care products at the St. Louis World’s Fair.

Shoot for the stars

In 1914 he created the first line of grease paint products designed for motion picture stars. In just a few short decades, Jean Harlow, Claudette Colbert, Bette Davis, and virtually all of the major movie actresses were regular customers of the Max Factor beauty salon, located near Hollywood Boulevard.

He made up make up

In the 1920s he developed a new line of color cosmetics for use in the new field of color motion pictures. In fact, he is credited with coining the word “makeup.”

Max and Oscar

In 1928 he was awarded a special technology Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his make up inventions. (Imagine that – a cosmetic chemist winning an Academy Award!)

Selling like hotcakes

In the 1930’s he developed the first powder makeup in solid form, also known as Pancake Makeup, for film stars. When he made it available to the general public, Pancake Makeup became of the biggest selling products in the history of the cosmetic industry.

Read more about the history of Max Faktor or learn about modern day Max Factor cosmetics, like Lipfinity. Sorry about the iTunes card!