Depending on what you do for a living, if you're a woman chances are you wear makeup to work. Very few of us look good or normal with absolutely no makeup on at all, so it becomes a huge part of how we present ourselves to the world. What if that big part of how you present yourself, of how you work to make yourself look better, was actually making you look worse? What if it was adding years to how you look instead of taking them off? What a shame to work so hard to stay a healthy weight and keep in shape only to sabotage yourself with your makeup!

Now of course no amount of bad makeup can equal the negative impact of being overweight or unhealthy, but there is something to be said for the magnifying power of how you do your face. You can either magnify the good things or you can magnify the bad things: anybody up for some painfully obvious wrinkles?

Here are 6 beauty blunders to avoid, unless of course you're going for an "antiqued" appearance:

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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?

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I know that we all have the best of intentions when we're attempting to stick with a healthy eating plan but obviously it's impossible to be perfect all the time. There are always going to be days when you want to eat or drink someting that doesn't fit into your diet. The key is not to give up altogether on those days by continuing to eat unhealthy food.

What's the best way to make up for a bit of overindulgence? This piece is pretty useful as it gives suggestions for what else to eat on days when you've fallen off the wagon. For example, if in a rush you choose to have a greasy, fast food meal for lunch, the article suggests making up for it at dinner by eating a big salad topped with chicken (to keep you full), beans (they're full of fibre) and oil and vinegar for dressing (low in sodium unlike the burger and fries at lunch).

Or, if you've used up much of your daily caloric intake at breakfast with a high-cal muffin and full-fat latte, for lunch you should try a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with lots of veggies. It's low fat and the the fibre in the bread and vegetables will make up for the lack of fibre in the muffin and latte.

It's best to remember that one little slip isn't an excuse to ruin your healthy eating plan for the rest of the day as well. For more suggestions, check out the article in full.

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Most of us are aware of health risks associated with the foods we eat and the ingredients in them, but I suspect that many people are in the dark about the dangerous ingredients in cosmetics, since, unlike foods, we don't ingest them. But cosmetics can be scary too, and here's a prime example: The FDA has recently approved a black pigment to be used in cosmetics that contains small, but supposedly safe, amounts of carcinogens.

D&C Black No. 3 is also known as bone black, which is interesting considering where it comes from -- it's made from cattle bones that are heated to over 700 degrees. Mmm, sounds lovely, huh? But regardless of how gross it is to make makeup out of charred cow bones, I have to ask -- is there any amount of carcinogens that are safe? What do you think?

(via The Beauty Brains)

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Makeup is supposed to accentuate beauty, but if you don't practice good product hygiene, it could end up making you look worse. Cold sores, rashes, and other unsightly bumps are just a few of the consequences of makeup gone bad. Here are a few rules for keeping makeup safe, including:

1. Friends don't let friends share makeup (or germs).
2. Out with the old, expired make up, in with the new.
3. Replace applicators frequently to get rid of freeloading bacteria.
4. Never thin clumpy make up with saliva or water.
5. Cars are for driving, not for applying makeup and possibly scratching your eyeball.
6. Put a lid on it, and keep make up sealed tightly.
7. Natural makeups may not contain preservatives; check expiration dates!
8. Go to bed with a clean face.

Want to learn more? Check out this article for more details on keeping your makeup safe and clean, and you skin clear and beautiful!

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Being a stay-at-home mom, I don't feel the urge to get made up every morning like I did when I had leave my house to go to work. I don't use nearly as much makeup as I used to (and I didn't use that much to begin with), and after reading this post over at Styledash, I'm kind of glad. A recent report found that women who use the most make up may absorb as much as five pounds of chemicals into their body each year. That's astounding.

What's worse is that if you use a large variety of products every day, you could be combining chemicals that may not have ever meant to be combined, though industry spokespeople say that's an urban myth. Either way, I know I'll be thinking twice before I slather on that foundation and mascara just to play with my kids in the backyard.

For those of you who are interested, the Environmental Working Group has compiled a huge database of personal care products and the potential health risks associated with each one. And as Jonathan pointed out, other -- perhaps safer -- options include organic cosmetics or natural beauty solutions.

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Cosmetic medical procedures are becoming more and more commonplace everyday as technology advances, but there are still serious risks associated with even the simplest of procedures. Permanent makeup, which is basically just tattoos, is one that can easily have serious and devastating side effects. Studies have shown that certain shades of the tattoo ink used for permanent makeup cause allergic reactions in a significant number of patients, with redness, swelling, and even permanent bumps in the skin called granulomas resulting. The especially scary part is that it's possible to develop an allergy to the pigment at any time -- even in a tattoo you've had for years!

I for one would never want something permanent like this on my face, with or without the chance for nasty side effects, but for those who like the idea -- is it worth the risk?

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Although mineral make-up has been around since the seventies it's going stronger than ever today, riding the wave of all things natural and chemical free. Mineral make-up is generally made up of finely ground and all natural minerals from the earth, and some who use it swear by the smooth finish, light reflecting properties, and lack of dyes and preservatives. But others aren't convinced, complaining that mineral make-ups irritate skin, make wrinkles more pronounced, and often have ugly ashy undertones.

It's a complicated debate, and one that isn't likely to be resolved anytime soon as both sides have support for their arguments. What it really boils down to is reading labels (not all mineral make-ups are truly 'all natural') and finding what works for you.

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