That's Fit

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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).

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?

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.

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!

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.
  

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?

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?

Are you the kind of person who always wears a full face of make-up everyday without fail because you'd feel naked without it? Or are you somone who just applies a little here or there to enhance certain features and cover little spots and shadows? Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who has fantastic skin and only ever applies lip balm with an occasional bit of mascara and blush for special occasion?

Whatever your particular make-up style is, it's important to have an idea of what it is you're putting on your face. But for those not in the know, it may be tough to tell what all of the big, technical words mean, or which stories you hear about make-up are fact and which are fiction.

If you've ever wondered what exactly it means for a product to be perfume-free or been puzzled about the difference between cosmetic and cosmeceutical, take a look at this piece which offers information from dermatologists on some basic cosmetic-related queries.

For example, did you know that natural and non-allergenic are not the same thing? According to the article, products that contain all natural ingredients may still irritate your skin. Watch out for anything containing chamomile, lavender, rosemary and tea-tree oil as these may trigger a reaction. If you're unsure, it's a good idea to do a spot test on a small patch of skin before applying a new product all over your face. For even more info -- as well as the answers to the perfume-free and cosmetic vs cosmeceutical questions, take a look at the full piece here.

Has anyone else ever heard the rumor about the woman who died after rubbing too many perfume samples onto her skin? Turns out it is, unsurprisingly, just one of those persistent Internet hoaxes. Apparently there are a number of other cosmetic-related rumors going around, and this article sets out to debunk, or at least explain them.

To be honest, I haven't actually heard of many of the other myths listed but I can imagine they'd all be pretty troubling for those who were unsure if they were true. For instance, according to the piece, there is a rumor going around that sunscreen can cause blindness in children. I know if I were about to apply a new sunscreen to my kid's face I'd probably think twice before getting it anywhere near their eyes without getting more information first. The piece explains that, while there is no truth to this rumor, it is important to use caution when applying sunscreen to your child's face. As far as sprays or foams are concerned, it's best to put them to your hands first so you can better control how they are applied.

The piece also discusses whether there is really lead in lipstick and if there's any evidence that hair dye causes Alzheimer's, plus it offers a number of make-up tips and tricks to ensure that the products you're using aren't going to cause you any harm. Make-up can definitely be a great way to enhance your look or give you a confidence boost, but it's also important to know what to use, when to throw products out, how to keep things bacteria-free and more.

You probably won't find them at your local drug store, but those of you who shop in high-end beauty boutiques might have noticed drinkable and edible skin-care products. These products -- that retail anywhere from $30 for a 12-pack of drinks or $25 for "skin-enhancing" gummi bears -- are becoming increasingly popular as they blur the line between cosmetics and food.

But do they work?

Dermatologists aren't so sure -- noting that, while it's certainly possible that certain foods can benefit the skin -- companies that claim a product "contains a revolutionary cultivated bio-vitamin complex which helps the skin regenerate its natural support system, remove toxins and improve the clarity of the dermis" are stretching the truth.

However, Borba (one of the primary producers of edible and drinkable "skin-enhancing" products) claim they've conducted studies that prove their drinks and candies get results.

Have you ever tried to drink or eat something you thought would clear up acne or give you younger looking skin? Did you see results?

Since organic foods are all the rage, it's only natural that organic cosmetics would follow suit. But is it really worth spending the extra money on something you don't actually ingest? According to Bethany's earlier post, up to 5 lbs a year of cosmetics can be absorbed in to the skin, so maybe organic cosmetics would have a positive influence on health.

But there's a problem: Unlike food, which must follow strict guidelines to wear the label 'organic', cosmetics are under no such guidelines. Organic cosmetics follow basically the same rules that natural cosmetics do, whether it is made from organic materials or not. As far as food goes, to be labelled organic, it must be made from 95% organic material and 5% non-agricultural material that is approved by the National Organic Program. So basically, it's up to the cosmetics manufacturer whether they want to follow these guidelines or not.

What do you think? Are you going organic, or is regular make-up just fine for you?