Super-hero hair care products

Here’s an idea that will appeal only to a very select group: people who are fans of beauty science AND Marvel Comics. (I’d like to see THAT Venn diagram.) Anyway, these are suggestions for hair care products inspired by the movie “Captain America: the Winter Soldier” and by the TV show, “Marvels Agents of SHIELD:” Hail [...]

How does Finesse give different levels of conditioning?

Warning: 1980’s flashback ahead. Do you remember this tagline for Finesse conditioner: “Sometimes you need a little Finesse, sometimes you need a lot.” Finesse was the first brand to make a big deal out of “variable conditioning.” What does that mean? I’ll explain after you watch the commercial. In this version of the commercial they talk [...]

Do anti-aging creams cause autism?

Researchers at York University have published a study linking the lipids used in skin creams with increased rates of autism. Is there any real reason for concern? Let’s break it down. Here is the key information as reported in this research study: Earlier studies have shown the “Wnt protein” has an impact on embryonic development [...]

Why is there isopropyl alcohol in my conditioner?

Katemonster asks…I was looking at the new Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser Conditioner and noticed it contained isopropyl alcohol. Curious, I tried to figure out why this was as it’s a drying agent rather than a conditioning agent. I have read that if the amount is low enough, it probably evaporates during manufacturing, and that is [...]

Does Folicure really grow hair?

Jeff asks… I’m a guy losing my hair in both the front hairline and the crown. I’ve started using Folicure, which is supposed to slow down and reverse hair loss. Are there any ingredients which may do this, or is my shampoo and conditioner just “helping”, meaning it’s not doing anything at all? If the [...]

How does anti-aging hair care work? Episode 26

What do anti-aging hair care products do? Can you really make hair younger? Randy and I explain what “youthful hair” really means. Also, tune in to find out if I’ll EVER win a game of Beauty Science or Bull Sh*t.  Show notes Beauty Science or Bull Sh*t This is the game where Randy gives me three [...]

Has coconut oil finally met its match?

As ardent fans of the Beauty Brains already know we’re strong proponents of using coconut oil to treat hair. Based on what we have seen in the scientific literature, coconut oil is the only oil able to penetrate to the cortex of hair where it waterproofs from the inside out. But now it looks like [...]

Beauty Science News – April 13

Beauty news for nosey know-it-alls… Can skin cleansers really deliver active ingredients? This is important! Is 1/4 teaspoon of sunscreen enough for your face? How do you make your hair strong enough to hang from? You know you don’t want big ones, but what are pores? What’s wrong with hydroquinone?  

Vintage cosmetic video – Maybelline mascara

  This 1956 Maybelline mascara ad is remarkable for one simple reason. (And no I’m not talking about the haunting echo effect at the beginning.) It’s remarkable because of the straightforward scientifically, solid approach it uses to market the product. Basically the message is “use eyebrow pencil to make your eyebrows stand out and use [...]

What’s the deal with facial fillers?

Collagen is the scaffolding that supports your skin. As you age and those collagen fibers break down and are no longer replenished to the same extent, wrinkles start to form. If you want to treat wrinkles by getting some of that collagen back you have three choices. 1. Topical collagen creams This is an easy and [...]

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