Choosing Safer, Better, Cosmetics

In recent times I have been paying closer attention to ingredients in cosmetics. I have learned that many of the daily products we use can be harmful to our skin and health over time. Here are some websites I came across that will help you learn more about various skin products we use. I advise to not take everything as "gospel" on these sites. Some of them are known to exaggerate and give false information on some issues. Best to do as much research as possible on a particular ingredient from scientific sources.


The use of some ingredients is controversial. Consumerism takes precedence over healthier options. The cosmetic industry is not highly regulated. It's up to you to take your health in your own hands. Going natural is your best bet in my opinion. Best option.... but not very easy to do.


The Beauty Brains
EWG's Skin Deep - Controversial
Good Guide 
Smart Skin Care - guide to skincare ingredients
Cometics Info - Safety of Cosmetic and Personal Care Ingredients
List of Harmful Ingredients - Controversial
Smart Skincare - Harmful Ingredients 
Cosmetics Cop - Dictionary of Ingredients
Paula's Choice Brand Reviews


Check out this company's site. They list ingredients for each product and actually says what each ingredient does. Isn't that awesome!!!


Simple Cosmetics


Awesome Apps that are handy for helping you choose the right product on the spot!!!

Good Guide - guide to choosing safe cosmetics
EWG Best Suncreen Guide
Beautypedia App - find best beauty products


If you find anymore interesting sites you can post them in a reply to this post.

Have a great day!!!

Christmas Day Look

Hope you guys had a fabulous Christmas filled with love and joy!!!

Just sharing what makeup I wore yesterday. Used Frosty White, Shimmery Green and Dark Green on lids, Champaigne on browbone. Red Lipstick. Dramatic Liquid liner sweeping upwards.  Bronzer on Cheeks and bridge of nose. Very Cute and Christmassy!!!

Daytime Christmas Look

Here is a quick and easy look you can do when going out during the day this Christmas Season!!!

Taken with Iphone.....better pics coming in future :)

Taken with iPhone.....excuse the hairline......getting hair done tomorrow.

Makeup Needed

• Foundation
• Translucent Powders
• Concealer
• Bronze, Burgundy, Brown or Dark Burgundy, Dark Green and Light Green Eyeshadows
• Green Eye Liner
• Mascara
• Bronze or Copper Tinted Lip Gloss
• Bronzer

Steps

1. Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize.
2. Moisturize lips first. Want them moist and juicy.
3. Apply your foundation very lightly. If using cream use a damp sponge. This is going to be a natural or dewy look.
4. Conceal under eye area or anywhere else you desire.
5. If you have oily skin absorb oil in foundation with 1-ply tissue.
6. Set foundation with translucent powder using powder puff.
7. Apply spill catch under eyes using loose powder. Better if you have a lighter shade so it highlights area as well.
8. Prime eye lids and outer part of browbone. I used NYX pearl primer.
9. Apply Bronze eyeliner close to natural colour of skin to browbone.
10. Apply bronze eyeshadow from inner corner of eyelid just past the center of lid.
11. Blend burgundy shadow from outer corner into bronze.
12. Use a matte darker burgundy or brown shadow in crease cornering the natural shape of the eyelid.
13. Brush off spill catch.
14. Line upper and lower lashlines with green liner. Stop lower line 3/4 of way in as seen in second photo. I used Soft Touch Temptations.
15. Go over lower lashline with light green shadow from outer corner inward and fading out lower line just before tear duct.
16. Go over upper lashline with dark green eyeshadow from inner corner outward.
17. Brush and fill in brows if needed.
18. Apply bronzer to points which sun naturally hits. Center of forehead, apple of cheeks, down nose bridge and chin.
19. Apply your lip gloss. I used Santee Copper tinted lip gloss here.
20. Apply 1 to 2 coats or mascara and you're done.

TIP

Always tap off excess product from Makeup Brushes before applying to face or eyes. Build colour gradually rather than putting on too much and making a mess in the first instance.

Same goes for powder puff. Tap off excess on back of hand before applying to face.

If I don't talk to you guys again have a safe, happy, wonderful Christmas Weekend....

Much Love 4ever

Kalifa P

Sparkle Green and Purple Christmas Party Look

Hi Guys,


Three days till Christmas!!! Sure a lot of you have Christmas Dinners or Parties to attend in coming days. I myself went to a Christmas Party last night. Going to share with you how I did my eye makeup and lips for that event in ten easy steps.

Captured on Camera!!!

Another Photo Captured at Event!!!

Outfit I wore

My dress was a floral design with lots of purple, aqua blue and little olive green. It also had a silver shimmer to it. Since most of the dress was purple I decided against using that as the main colour. I chose to go with olive green as my key colour which is the colour that showed least in the dress. When choosing eyeshadow colours choose colours that compliment your outfit or hair. YOu dont want one colour overpowering the entire look. Don't match...compliment!!!!

Products used on eyes:

• NYX Pearl Eyeshadow Primer
• Soft Touch Eye Pigments in Iguana Green
• Sacha Matte Dark Green
• Purple from Amuse Pallete
• Jordanna White Sand
• Ruby Kisses Violet Shimmer Gel Liner
• White Glitter
• Falsies
• Cover Girl Fantastic Lash waterproof mascara

Products used on lips:

• Soft Touch Temptation Royal Purple Liner
• LA Colors Pink Shimmer Lip Gloss
• White Glitter

I did my face first but if you have problems applying loose eye products its best you do eyes first. Here are the steps to achieving this easy Christmas Party Look:-

1. Prime lid with Eyeshadow Primer. Pat most of it in center of lid and use a clean finger to fade out outer and inner corners. Also prime outer end of browbone to highlight that area.
2. Use a flat chisel eyeshadow brush to apply loose shimmery green. You can use any frosty or shimmery green you have. Shake off excess from brush and pat into primer. Pat, pat, pat and repeat until you are happy with intensity.
3. Corner the eye with a 'matte'darker green. I used the dark green from a Sacha trio which has some bronze highlights in it. To bring your eyes up corner in an outward V style or cat-eye style.
4. Now take the purple and blend that into the crease. Use a crease brush.
5. For the browbone use a fluffy brush and apply the white loose eyeshadow. Also apply some in tearduct area (inner corner close to nose).
6. Take up some glitter on your fingertips and press into shimmery green on lid.
7. Line upper and lower lash lines with gel liner.
8. Apply mascara. If not using falsies apply 3 coats.
9. Put on your false eyelashes to make the look more glamourous. This is optional especially if you already have long thick lashes. I personally "need" them.
10. Base lips with purple liner. Apply pink lip gloss over that. Press some glitter into center of lips.

Now you are ready to sparkle and smile all night long!!!


Feel free to post your own pix of this look if you decide to try it.

Something New!

This is my first blog. I usually post a lot of stuff on my facebook page but I think this is a better medium. Looking forward to exchanging thoughts and answering questions about makeup and skincare.