Photo: Kansas Poetry (Patrick), Flickr

Maybe you don't like wearing makeup to the gym (let's face it -- wiping sweat and foundation on your towel is pretty gross). Or perhaps you don't like wearing makeup ever. Choosing to eschew cosmetics doesn't mean you don't want to look beautiful -- you just want it to be all natural. And that's no problem.

Good skin is the first step, and you don't have to slather on expensive creams or toxic zit-killing agents to get it. In fact, you can simply adjust your diet! AOL Health has lots of tips on foods you should eat (or wear) for the skin-beautifying benefits, like oranges to undo damage from sunlight.

You also might want to put some thought into what you don't eat. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer, for example, recently posed with no makeup on for Harper's Bazaar and told the mag that cutting dairy helped her complexion.

Like many women, I love lipgloss. I love the way it goes on so easily, making it feel a lot more casual than lipstick, and I love the way I look so much more polished after applying it. But, I don't love all lipglosses -- I don't like them if they're too sticky, too smelly, too glittery, not shiny enough, or if they bore me in any way. And, the biggest problem: Many of them dry out my lips to the point of being painful.

I recently had the opportunity to try out a couple of lipgloss colors from Cosmoholic Cosmetics, a company started by a woman who had worked as a makeup artist and was frustrated by the lack of vibrant lipgloss colors. She created a collection of seven colors, each with a nourishing "repair kit" for your lips to keep them moisturized and protected from irritants. No fragrances are included, but vanilla and macademia nut oil are used for moisturizing in addition to vitamin E, vitamin C, and antioxidants.

So how did Cosmoholic hold up to my picky pout?

Source

If your make-up routine consists of little more than a little powder for shine and a swipe or two of mascara, you're probably not too concerned about fall make-up trends. However, by adding just a product or two, you can really update your look for the season.

I've always been of the opinion that a new lipgloss is far cheaper than a new pair of trendy boots. And, most likely, that lipgloss will be of use the following season, and possibly even the following year, while trendy boots can look dated within months.

The problem is that so many people get flustered when it comes to cosmetics -- how do they know what'll work for them? I'm giving you my best tips in the gallery, so whether you are a makeup maven or just want to freshen up your face for fall, there's something for you!

Source

I won't to lie to you -- I don't generally spend a lot of cash on makeup. I buy what you find at the drugstore, and even then, I look for a sale. My reasoning is simple -- I've never used something high end that felt like it was worth the price. If it's not all that different, why would I pay more?

There are reasons to pay more -- being particular about the ingredients is one, and of course, if it's can't-live-without-it amazing, I'm happy to save my pennies. But first, I need to know it's worth it.

I received samples of von Nature's Mineral Makeup Eye Colour, Sunset Light Face & Body Shimmer, and Magnolia Powder Foundation in the mail, and busted out my brushes immediately. For someone who is so involved in fashion and beauty, I have embarrassingly little experience with mineral makeup because it tends to cost more, and without trying it, I wasn't willing to spend the extra cash.

Source

As summer begins to come to wind down in many areas, you might be wondering how to keep up that sun-kissed glow you had in July. While you could, of course, use a sunless tanner, many people shy away from it for fear they'll end up orange and splotchy. If you land in that group, you should definitely add a powder bronzer to your make-up arsenal.

Bronzer isn't only for giving your face a little color, though -- it can be used on other parts of your body to add definition. But, regardless of where you use it, there are some important "hows" to address:

• Use a light touch. If you're using a loose powder bronzer, be sure to tap most of the powder off your brush before applying. You can always go back through and add more, but it can be tricky to lighten it once it's on without starting over completely.
• Find the right color for you. You don't want to get a bronzer that's several shades darker than your skin -- at best, it'll look unnatural, and at worst, it will make your face look dirty. Aim for a shade that's near your natural color, maybe a shade darker, for the most natural-looking results.
• Spread it out. Even though bronzer can be used for definition, you don't want to swipe it on in streaks. Use a fluffy brush and keep the lines soft -- the idea behind bronzer is that you don't see the bronzer.
• Beware the shimmer. Most bronzers have a hint of shimmer, and most of the time, that's fine -- it'll give your skin a little added glow. However, some of them have more than others, and unless you want to look like you're going to Prom, you might want to avoid the super-sparkly types.

Source

You probably know the causes of wrinkles, right? There are internal factors (age and genetics) as well as external factors (sun exposure). But did you know you can actually tell the difference by how the wrinkles appear on your face?

Wrinkles caused by internal factors will present in the form of thinner skin with less elasticity. You'll experience increased dryness and notice more fine wrinkles as well as slower scar formation.

Photoaging, or wrinkles caused by exposure to the sun and elements, will show up as deeper wrinkles and saggy looking skin. You might also notice irregular pigmentation, or brown spots, and your skin will appear rougher and more leathery.



So what does this mean for you? Well, if you're fighting your wrinkles, knowing what caused them is a good start -- if you notice that most of your problems seem to be related to external factors, you should probably invest in a big hat in sunscreen. Now. But, if you're really serious about diminishing your wrinkles, you have several choices.

Source

How often have you seen an ad or read about a new makeup trend in a magazine, only to think, "That looks great on her, but I'd never pull that off with my skin tone?" While it's true that some trends look best on women of particular ages or with certain skin tones, if there's a trend that intrigues you, there's probably a way to make it work for you.

Click through the gallery to see how Fitnessmagazine.com tailored five current makeup trends for specific skin tones -- you might find your new favorite look!

Source

We talk a lot about reading labels here at That's Fit, like how whole wheat bread isn't always whole wheat, and "natural" and "organic" can mean several things. However, more than just your food is labeled -- so are your cosmetics.

In honor of Earth Day this past Tuesday, I wanted to tell you a bit about how you can find cosmetics and beauty products that are truly cruelty-free. After all, causing pain for an animal just isn't pretty.

Companies use several different types of wording to make the extent of their animal testing ambiguous. For example, if the label says Final product not tested on animals, that means that while that particular lip gloss might not have been put on an animal, the ingredients going into it might have. Or, if it says This brand does not test on animals, it could mean that a supplier or lab that brand works with tests on animals.

Source

Generally speaking, if I go to the gym, I try not to plan anything immediately afterward. Ideally, I like to go home for a shower and get ready in my own bathroom, or at the very least, I'll take a full shower at the gym and get ready there. Either way, it takes some time for me to go from hot, sweaty mess to looking hot (or at least not scary).

But then again, there are those times when you get out of work at 5:00, have plans to meet a friend around 6:00 or 6:30 for a bite to eat, and while your house is on the other side of town, your gym is between work and the restaurant. It would be a shame to miss out on a quick workout just because you don't have time to wash your hair and get all dolled up, right?

In that case, check out the suggestions below for overcoming common post-workout beauty complaints (courtesy of FitnessMagazine.com, with a few of my own suggestions added in for good measure).

Source

There has been a "growing" trend among women in recent years regarding their cup size, and scientists are trying to figure out where it is coming from. People point to early puberty as being a potential cause, but there's also another angle worth considering: lipstick.

Chemicals found in lipstick (and other cosmetic products) contain a false hormone called xeno-oestrogen. This mimicking chemical is added to things that are being applied directly to the human body, thus absorbed into women's systems. The artificial hormone acts like oestrogen, which has been known to increase bust size (even in men).

Now it's obvious that lipstick alone is not the culprit. But when taken in small quantities every day from dozens of products, xeno-oestrogen seems like an easy target. Who knows for sure what's affecting it? There's a chance it has nothing to do with these external influences at all. Any women out there with more insight and experience in this area?

Source

Do you use your cosmetics responsibly? In other words, no sharing and keeping those containers closed tightly when not in use? I hope so -- you never know where that bacterial infection is going to come from.

Sharing cosmetics -- from lipstick to mascara -- can spread bacteria from person to person very easily. While most women don't share their cosmetics, many do. Unless you know where that lip or face has been, you're putting yourself at risk of infection by opening up your makeup case to someone else.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests these tips:

• Never allow other people to borrow your makeup, which can spread bacteria and other germs.
• When trying on makeup at a store, always use a new applicator, or ask the salesperson to clean it with alcohol before using.
• To prevent bacterial growth, keep your makeup closed tightly, and store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposing makeup to sun and other forms of direct light and heat.
• If you have an eye infection, stop using makeup until the irritation clears. Discard any makeup you used when you had the infection.
• Throw away old makeup, and any makeup that turns color or develops an odor.
• Try not to inhale powders or aerosol products, which can irritate or damage the lungs.

Source

Beginning January of this upcoming new year, adding mercury to cosmetics will be a thing of the past. At least in the state of Minnesota. They are the first state to lay down a law banning the intentional adding of mercury to makeup, among other products (such as eye drops, nasal sprays and toiletries).

The reason mercury was ever in certain cosmetics to begin with was because it was used to preserve the product and kill germs. A group called the Personal Care Products Council out of Washington believes an amount that small wouldn't end up hurting you. However Sen. John Marty, who sponsored the ban, thinks otherwise. "Every source of mercury adds to [potential damage]. We wanted to make sure it wasn't here," he said.

Mercury has been known to cause complications in the nervous system, but it usually needs to be ingested. And I'm not sure which form they're talking about, but even some mercury compounds would need to be absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract to do significant damage. Either way, so long as women (especially pregnant ones) aren't eating their makeup in the morning, you shouldn't be scared to use your old products that may or may not have mercury. After all, if your mascara hasn't killed you by now, no need to panic!

Source

If you've got a glam girl on your Christmas list, figuring out what to get for her can be stressful. Afterall, she's probably kind of picky about the shades and scents she wears. Courtesy of The Beauty Brains, here are some DIY gift ideas for the glamour queen in your life:

• Creative Cosmetics. With this kit, you mix your own foundations and cosmetics, and you'll learn how to properly care for your hair, nails and skin too.
  
• Perfume Science Kit. With this gift, you can learn the history and science of perfume making, and you'll be able to make your own perfumes for future gifts too!
• Ultimate Spa and Perfumery Kit. In addition to creating your own perfumes, you can make your own bath oils and spa products with this kit.
  
• Spa Therapies Kit. Perfect for a ladies night, this kit brings the spa to your house.
  
• Sugar Body Polish Make It Yourself Kit. Make your own sparkling, sweet-smelling body polish with this hip kit.
  

Source

When it comes to looking younger, plastic surgery isn't the only route -- there are plenty of natural ways to look fresh using products that you can find close to home. Glee Magazine recently assembled a few tips on how to look younger using what's in your medicine cabinet:

• Moisturize. If your skin looks hydrated, it looks years younger. Try to get something lightweight that won't clog pores but will keep your skin supple for hours.
  
• Toss the powder. A creamy foundation will not only keep your skin hydrated, but it won't settle into wrinkles like a powder will.
  
• Go matte. Don't use shimmery eyeshadow too often -- it can give your eyes a crepe-like effect.
  
• Colour your cheeks and your lips. It will make you look years younger.
  

How do you defy age with Make-up?

Source

It's the largest organ on your body, and certainly the most visible one, but how much do you know about your skin? Most importantly, how much do you know about what's good for your skin and what's not? The Beauty Brains have recently exposed the tops skin myths. Each of the following is not true:

1. Tanning beds are safe
2. SPF 50 is better than SPF 15
3. Scrubbing helps get rid of Acne
4. Lip balm and chap stick are addictive (well, if they are, it's purely psychological)
   
5. Mineral oil causes cancer
6. Make-up can make your eyelashes grow
7. Natural products are better than man-made ones

Do any of these surprise you?

Source