Monday, March 29, 2021

How to Decode the Lingo on Skincare and Beauty Products: What is merely marketing “Hype?”


How to Decode  the Lingo on Skincare and Beauty Products: What is merely marketing “Hype?”

www.perfectimage.com 


No doubt you have seen buzzwords like "all natural," "hypoallergenic" and "patented" hundreds of times. But have you ever stopped to ask what they mean?

Beauty companies love terms like these because they suggest concrete benefits that don't have to be backed up by science. In fact, as long as they don't claim to change the body's structure or function, companies don't need FDA approval to market new products to the public and are not required to provide any research to prove their claims. These days, one would almost need a degree in chemistry to understand some of the catch phrases on skin care products.  David Petrillo is an LA based beauty chemist and founder of skincare company www,perfectimage.com  who wants to help consumers understand what this frequently used language means.

Gone are the days when simple statements such as "oil free" would suffice.  Perhaps the most common phrase is clinical formula.  As David Petrillo explains, "this has no real meaning.  It does not necessarily indicate that the formula was produced in a medical clinic as the manufacturers would have people believe. Clinically tested could very well indicate that the product was tested, but what was it tested for?  What were the results?  Essentially, this marketing claim is meaningless."


Here are 10 more commonly misunderstood terms to watch for:

"All natural"
It doesn't mean the product is organic or chemical-free. After all, chemicals are "natural," too.

"Organic"
The US Department of Agriculture certifies organic food ingredients found in cosmetics, but not essential oils or plants used for cosmetic purposes. To carry the USDA Organic seal, a product must contain at least 95% organic food. Other countries have their own organic certification labels, such as COSMOS and NaTrue in the European Union and NASAA in Australia. Read COSMOS Standardizes Organic Product Labels to learn more.

"Hypoallergenic"
Think this guarantees you won't have a reaction? Think again. These products can still contain ingredients some people are allergic to, including preservatives and fragrance.

"Fragrance-free"
These products may not have a noticeable smell, but can still contain "masking" scents to cover up ingredients with unpleasant odors. Look for the words "no fragrance added" instead.

"Non-comedogenic"
While non-comedogenic products are usually oil-free and therefore less likely to cause breakouts, there's no guarantee they won't. In fact, many contain dimethicone, a known acne aggravator.

Helps pre-mature aging."  
 Perhaps the most appealing of all claims from a consumer standpoint is this statement.  If a product truly prevented premature aging by affecting the structure of the skin, it would be classified as a drug and therefore would require FDA approval.  Manufactures circumvent this by utilizing the fact that sunscreens prevent premature aging by decreasing the damaging effects of ultraviolet light on the skin. Therefore, if a product contains sunscreen, it may state "prevents premature aging' on the label."  

Patented Technology

This is a marketing term used to provide, sometimes falsely, a sense that the consumer is buying something that is highly innovative. But patents aren’t necessarily a surefire sign that something is groundbreaking. Patents are sometimes authorized based on a technical change rather than a scientific breakthrough meaning new combinations of ingredients or methods of production can be promoted as being “patented technology.” What consumers really want to do is identify what their skin needs and buy products with ingredients that are proven to effectively improve the skin in that area.

Maximum strength

This is a term used often by skin cleansers and moisturizers. But this is a relative term, and consumers don’t exactly know what the maximum strength entails or how the product benefits their skin more than the competition.

Hydrating

Products and consumers often use hydrating and moisturizing interchangeably, but this is inaccurate. If you want to hydrate your skin, this means you have skin that has become dull and possibly dry -- you need a humectant such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin to draw water to the cells. If you need to moisturize your skin, you need a moisturizer that seals water in to prevent water loss. Today there are a variety of moisturizers, especially gel moisturizers, that have components that are both moisturizing and hydrating. These are good, but your choice of product depends on the individual condition of your skin. If you have extremely dry or dull skin, you may need one product that performs one function very well, rather than a jack of all trades.

FDA Cleared

The FDA has different protocols for skincare products that make cosmetic claims as opposed to those that make more medical claims, such as promising to increase the production of collagen in the skin. Since that is a body function, the FDA treats those differently than normal skincare products. However, the FDA just stipulates that the product being sold is safe to use in the manner in which it is directed to be used. FDA approval is not a credential that shows the superiority of results.


About David Petrillo

David Petrillo graduated in 2007 with a degree in Chemistry from Missouri University prior to working as a researcher in the cosmetics industry. His experiences in the lab led him to found his own company, Perfect Image, with a vision of making medical-grade peels and other cosmetic products more affordable.

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Thursday, March 18, 2021

Top 5 Waist Trainer and Shapewear Ideas Reviews for Women


Top 5 Waist Trainer and Shapewear Ideas


Many women nowadays wear shapewear, either for special occasions or on a day-to-day basis. Shapewear offers extra support and smooths out the body in a way that will look flattering in any type of clothes.

And because shapewear became super popular it leads to an increase on the market of the number of brands that produce it or sells it. FeelinGirl is one of the brands that stands out due to its high-quality body shapers made out of soft, yet thick fabrics that feel like you are not wearing anything at all.

You can choose shapewear from FeelinGirl that offers light, medium, or strong compression, but to make things easier for you I have selected five of their best body shapers.


Top 5 waist trainers to look out for

1. The neon latex waist trainer

If you want a smaller waist and a flat abdomen this is the best waist trainer for women. It will help you lose a few inches from your waist instantly. It has a wide band that you can and add just the level of compression you can handle and increase it with time. And it’s made out of latex, which makes it super soft and comfortable. Wear it whenever you do your fitness exercises for more intense training.





2. The vest waist trainer

If you need extra support for your bust and a body shaper that will keep your back in the correct position, the vest waist trainer is perfect for you. It has two adjustable straps and it’s the perfect choice if you prefer to workout with weights, because will support your posture.


 


Perfect for daily wear this plus size shapewear will give all the support you need. It will smooth and enhance your curves, define your waistline and flatten your abdomen. It is made out of a special fabric that lets your skin breathe which makes it perfect to be worn during summertime too. With this high-quality one piece in your closet, you will rock any outfit that comes to your mind and you will feel super confident!


Were you worried that you won’t find shapewear to wear with open back dresses or blouses? You shouldn’t be, because with the thong bodysuit with open back from FeelinGirl you will be able to wear anything. It has adjustable straps that you can wear across, vertical, or around your neck.


 



5. The bodysuit with deep décolletage 

Perfect for all those dresses with a deep V cut décolletage this FeelinGirl waist trainer will lift up your bust and minimize your waist line. You will look super hot in all your sexy dresses. Plus, the sheer fabric will let your skin breathe. And the best thing is that you can also wear it as a top with your favourite blazer!

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*Guest post in collaboration with FeelinGirl 

Sunday, March 14, 2021

It's a 10 Haircare | Triple Threat to Repair Dry, Damaged, Frizzy Hair



I'm a hair product junkie! Always have been. If you looked in my bathroom, you'd think that a haircare section from a salon or store threw up in there! 

I have very difficult hair: fine, frizzy, dry, bleached, damaged, and a mix of a slight wave to spiral curls. Thanks to my difficult hair, I've always been on the quest for the perfect hair products to tame my difficult hair. Making matters worse, I have taken highlighting my hair into my own hands for the last 3+ years, which has made my hair more damaged than when I was getting it done at the salon.

It's a 10 hair products have been around for a minute and I've had their Miracle Leave-in Product in my haircare arsenal for years. It wasn't until recently that I added their Miracle Hair Mask + their Miracle Oil Plus Keratin into the mix. 



This OG leave-in treatment claims to do 10 things instantly:
  • Repairs dry, damaged hair
  • Adds shine
  • Detangles
  • Controls frizz
  • Seals and protects hair colour
  • Prevents split ends
  • Stops hair breakage
  • Creates silkiness
  • Enhances natural body
  • Flat iron spray & thermal protection

I apply a good amount to towel-dried hair before styling. It definitely helps with all of the above but my results are so much better when used in conjunction with the mask and hair oil. This leave-in product also comes in a version with keratin which I have not tried... yet. 




Claims:
  • Detangle
  • Restores moisture balance
  • Instantly restores elasticity
  • Softens
  • Smooths
  • Imparts luminous shine
  • Enhances natural body
  • Nourishes
  • De Frizzes
  • Improves colour vibrancy

Yes, to all of the claims above! This mask is quite thick and I try to use just what I need to saturate my hair because it is pricey. It can be applied for only 1-3 minutes or 5-15 minutes for deeper conditioning. I definitely leave it on for longer for the best results.





Claims:
  • NOURISHING: With just a few drops of our Miracle Styling Oil you can de-frizz, protect color, heal hair and even protect against heat damage, all while adding instant shine
  • RESTORE & REBUILD: Use to help heal dry and brittle hair
  • LIGHTWEIGHT & NON-GREASY: Reap numerous benefits of keratin protein in combination with its other natural nutrients
  • SAFE FOR COLORED HAIR: Seals and preserves hair color while acting as a natural sunscreen to help guard against color fading and/ or brassiness while in the sun
  • NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Infused with Argan Oil and Bamboo extract, this Keratin Rich Formula is great to help rebuild stronger, shinier, and smoother hair
I apply this product to both wet and dry hair. Again, I get the best results when using all 3 of these products together. There is also an oil by It's a 10 that doesn't contain keratin but I haven't tried that one... yet.



When I use these 3 products together, the results are amazing! Sure it's a bit of an investment but it is definitely worth it. Individually these products are good, but using all 3 together makes a world of difference to my dry and damaged hair. My hair is left feeling smooth and manageable, looking more like its former healthier self. 

I still use other products as I have SO many products to use up and I do love trying out new products, but these 3 products used together have given me the best results out of anything that I've tried so far, and I've tried a TON of products!

If you have very frizzy, dry, and damaged hair like I do, or even if your hair has changed in texture due to aging, I recommend using all 3 of these products for the best results. If your hair is normal to dry, you can still benefit from these but may not need all 3. Start with one product and see how it goes and try adding the others if you aren't getting the results that you want. I definitely need all 3 to help my dry, damaged and frizzy hair. It's pricey, but worth it to me.


Have a great Sunday!

Amy
Xo's

*products were purchased by me. Some links are affiliate and trusted and used by this site.





Sunday, March 7, 2021

Loreal Revitalift Triple Power LZR 1.5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum Review


New year, new skin! 💫 💆‍♀️ 

Hyaluronic acid has become a staple in my skincare routine. It really helps to lock in the moisture, prevent dehydration, and plumps the skin for a more youthful appearance. 

Thanks to Topbox and L'oreal, I received a generous sized sample of Loreal's Hyaluronic acid which is great for all skin types.  My skin just drinks it up and loves it! It keeps my skin hydrated and plump, and layers well with all my other skincare! It absorbs nicely and doesn't leave any sticky residue. Thankfully, it's also fragrance-free and paraben-free.

After using it for 2 weeks I barely made a dent as it only takes a few drops to cover my face and neck. 💧 

💌 TIP: Always apply Hyaluronic acids to damp skin 

💧 Other tips to prevent dehydration are to use a humidifier and drink a lot of caffeine-free fluids throughout the day.

Product: L'oreal Revitalift Triple Power LZR 1.5% Hyaluronic acid serum  1oz $17.96 (currently on sale!) 

☆ Fragrance free
☆ No parabens
☆ No mineral oils
☆ Suitable for sensitive skin
☆ Plumps,  hydrates, reduces wrinkles 

I also LOVE Loreal's 10% Glycolic acid which is great for smoothing out rough, uneven skin as it's a wonderful exfoliator. The Hyaluronic acid serum along with the Glycolic acid serum are must haves and great staples for an anti aging skincare regime!

Happy Sunday!

Amy
Xo's 



*product Kindly gifted for review consideration.  Some links are affiliate and trusted and used by this site.  Thank you for your support.
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