Mineral Makeup "Fillers". Debunking The Myth!

The Sales Hype

As I peruse the internet or watch television I am inundated with statements about mineral makeup fillers and how they don't belong in "true mineral makeup".

I read about it on the message boards, forums, blogs, mineral cosmetic sites and see it on TV ads...you know the ones that keep you company in the middle of the night when you can't sleep. I find it utterly fascinating at the postulation from resellers of minerals, advertisers for the large box companies and those that use minerals, inform us how products containing cosmetic fillers is in some way "bad". As a mineral cosmetics formulator I am forced to wade through sales hype and exaggerated claims in order to try and set the record straight for many women who write to me.

In their letters to me they express frustration and are feeling very confused about this subject since they are having trouble with the so-called "all minerals - mineral makeup" and can't understand why. They are further confused after reading all the misinformation and the advice in forums and message boards from the expert makeup users that have little to no knowledge on cosmetic formulation or how varying ingredients actually can be used to turn a substandard product into a superior one. They pretty much are only repeating what that they have been sold through marketing hype. Along with this well intentioned advice comes myth and rumor about many things and it will take on a life of its' own until it is finally viewed as "fact".

Not only do I champion for our products of course..... I also will provide unbiased answers to those that use other minerals or skincare products saying how much they love what they currently use, but are now worried the products they are using may cause them problems down the road.

The advertisers and other resellers have been successful in accomplishing their goal....creating confusion in the consumer followed by concern, whereby convincing the consumer the mineral makeup being advertised or promoted is the only "true mineral makeup" on the market and the one they may be currently using is not giving them the protection needed or is causing great harm to their skin.....I say "Phooey!"

Filler Myth Debunked

The word “filler” is a sales tactic and is used by cosmetic experts and competitors to attack products they either don’t approve of or are in direct competition with. The phrase “filler ingredient” seems to imply that a cosmetic company includes certain ingredients within a formulation that are not necessary or don’t create a purpose for making a product perform better.

“Filler” by definition is any inert ingredient used to create bulk, texture or lubricity to a finished product. Every filler ingredient in our minerals or skincare line serves a purpose. It makes no sense to us to utilize an ingredient that can cause harm, irritation or any other problems for the user or the product overall.

It would be more responsible for cosmetic sellers to use terms such as "bad" or "harmful" ingredients since there are many out there and literally unnecessary by today's standards....but to categorize certain ingredients as filler is not only inane but the fact is all ingredients, botanicals, chemicals and minerals alike can be considered fillers depending on their purpose of use and their category on the ingredient list, such as "other ingredients" or "inactive ingredients".

For Example: There are far better suited filler ingredients to replace certain known irritants such as (Bismuth Oxychloride or Mica) and still be an exceptional mineral makeup. It is about the delivery of essential Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide (main minerals) to the face when blended with one or more of these ingredients.

First two most commonly found in mineral makeup; Bismuth Oxychloride, Mica (Sericite), (treated or untreated).

Less commonly found; Rice Powder, Silk Powder, Silk Protein, Boron Nitride, Arrowroot Powder, Tapioca Starch, Silica Spheres, Methicone, Dimethicone, Silicone, Cornstarch, Talc and Kaolin Clay, only to name a few.

Out of these filler ingredients we have chosen the best and avoided the rest. They aid in adhesion and ease of application similar to Bismuth and treated Mica, but the ones we have chosen actually provide additional healing benefit. And with some of these ingredients their expense is considerable as in the case of Boron Nitride. This highly superior ingredient for giving a mineral cosmetic incredible performance is extremely expensive to produce and purchase from suppliers.

All mineral makeup has some sort of filler ingredient in it so don't allow advertising claims to convince you otherwise. According to professionals and suppliers in the cosmetic industry, Bismuth and Mica are categorized as filler ingredients since their primary function is to create bulk, texture and lubricity to the mineral makeup. Without additional filler ingredients the makeup would not have slip and the essential minerals Titanium and Zinc (active ingredients) and pigments of Iron Oxides and Ultramarines would stick to your skin causing unevenness in shading and much irritation. Plus colorants combined with the two essential minerals will never achieve a smooth texture making them difficult to use.

In reference to my earlier statement, even titanium and zinc are considered filler ingredients since they are also utilized as colorants to create a desired appearance to the product.

Truth In Product Ingredients

Just because Bismuth Oxychloride and Mica are categorized as minerals in advertisements, they are still a filler component added to the product only to provide ease of use and to allow the minerals to blend onto the skin. They actually don't serve any other healing purpose and in most cases cause distress in many. But to insinuate they are exempt from "filler" status because the company simply chooses to for purposes of sales hype is not only ludicrous, but is a misrepresentation of the facts. One major reason is Bismuth Oxychloride is created out of a chemical process and is a bi-product of lead and copper refining making it a filler ingredient like all others. Prior to its conversion of the safer non-toxic form, bismuth begins as an impurity related to arsenic and antimony. It is not a mineral directly out of the earth as marketing strategies try to imply.

A one size fits all mentality actually has caused some women to give up on wearing mineral powders due to not having a full understanding of the different working components of these products when they could actually have a wonderful experience with products that eliminate the problem ingredients....bismuth oxychloride being one of them.

Unfortunately, through all the bunk being spewed out in internet land, women think anything else added to mineral makeup will cause other problems or won't really do much for their skin. Other basic formulas offered, though are considered safe for most skin types, prevent women with different skin types or a misdirected understanding due to inaccurate information, to enjoy the benefits of wearing mineral cosmetics.

Many filler ingredients are essential for improvement of a product and to enhance overall performance, whereby giving the wearer a better experience.

My mineral cosmetics are a prime example: I personally could not wear a mica based product or use anything with bismuth oxychloride in it. My face would go ballistic especially after I perspired. This is why my formulations do not contain this ingredient and mica is minimally used as reflected in its' location on our ingredient list, and is also surface treated with silky textured methicone.

Oryza Sativa (Rice) powder is used to cut the minerals for bulk, texture and slip yet provides a healing benefit and helps to control moisture on the skin.

Methicone is used to create adhesion, gives soft focus, with translucence it fills fine lines temporarily, prevents creeping on the skin, protects the skin from trans-epidermal moisture loss and micro abrasion from mica while protecting skin lesions from further inflammation. It feels just like silk on the skin and is extremely hydrophobic (water repellent).

These are two other examples of different types of ingredients improving performance of other ingredients, whereby overall improvement of the product is enhanced....and that's a good thing.

Proof Is In The Puddin'

Not only have I experienced results first hand when using our products, we would not be receiving testimonials from women also discovering the truth and seeing remarkable improvement to their skin if our result driven formulas weren't performing as intended. Those that couldn't even wear anything on their skin after using a commercial brand of minerals are now able to do so due to the healing filler ingredients utilized in our cosmetic formulas which do more than just sit on top of their skin.

Several emails I received recently from women, one of which her experiences are as I described. I am happy to say she is ecstatic over the results: Edited For Content!

I am pleased you take such an interest in your products and in your
customers. You have fast become my favorite minerals company in the
great labyrinth of choices out there.

Sincerely,

Donna B.
Fall Branch, TN

Hi Katherine,

I just starting using your mineral make-up - and so far, so great! I have had reactions to mineral make-up in the past, but so far things are great with Sterling.

I was curious, I have always had reactions to eye shadows my entire life. Do you think (and I realize there is no guarantee) that I would be sensitive to Sterling Minerals' eye shadows?

Thanks for any advice you might have.

Karyn M.
Golden, CO

Thank you so much Katherine!

So far my two week experience with Sterling has been amazing!!! I have insanely sensitive skin and had just tried Jane Iredale and had a reaction to it. When I searched on "mica allergy" and read all about Sterling and the success other women had with your make up I was overjoyed!

I will email you once I settle on a foundation.

Have a great day!

Karyn M.
Golden, CO

I cannot tell you how much I adore your mineral make up. As someone who has incredibly sensitive skin and has always had issues with mineral make up I am just in love with my Sterling Minerals Make up. The coverage is beautiful and the make up feels so creamy on my skin. And it lasts forever - I look just as good at the end of the day as I do at the beginning.

I am hopeful that I will have the same luck with the eye shadows.

Thank you so much for creating this wonderful line of make up!

Karyn M.
Golden, CO

I Smile With Contentment And Have Peace Of Mind

My day is complete when I hear from my customers singing our praises because I can tout away at all the wonderful benefits our minerals offer, but to some it is just another sales pitch regardless of the fact we don't use sales hype. It is only when I hear from my ladies out there that the proof becomes evident of how we truly offer the improved alternative to the status quo.

So I smile knowing that my mineral powders truly provide healing results, and at the end of the day I have peace of mind that by providing truth in labeling and marketing, my customers can feel comfortable in contacting me and using our products.

Please feel free to either write to me directly since I love hearing from you, or leave a question or a testimonial through the comment section of this article. I make every effort to assist women that contact me through my skin care guide.

Have a great weekend!

departure

tiger makes three, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

After what seems like a whirlwind of a summer already, the Wee Guy and I are finally in Scotland on holiday. So far we've been to day camp, been to and taught at art camp, sailed at sailing camp and enjoyed the PNE .... and there's still almost two months of summer vacation ahead.

And yes, I did complete my 32 day design-a-day challenge before flying off.

Imperial Bedroom Face Palate by Fresh

Today on a routine trip to Sephora to pick up some much needed mascara, I decided to buy myself a little treat. It is a rare occasion when I do something like this. I tend to be rather practical (too practical sometimes) and usually spend my money on things that I "need".

I have been eyeing the Imperial Bedroom Face Palate by Fresh for some months now. And today, on a whim, I bought it for myself. It is an absolutely gorgeous compact that contains a collection of face lusters that are described (by Sephora) as being very aristocratic. Yes I already have a lot of eye shadows, blushes, and lip colors... I did not need this palate du tout, but something about it was begging me to buy it!

Let's start with the case. It is a gorgeous, deep red compact that has a touch of ornate, gold detail on the lid and a lavish-sized mirror inside. Inside, the compact contains five gorgeous confections: Black Chemise Satin Liner (an opalescent black eyeliner), Chantilly Lace Satin Luster (for highlighting cheekbones- or in my case, lack thereof), Gilded Satin Eye Luster, Pale Moonlight Eye Luster, and crown rubies lip shine.

The colors are rich and luminous- the sort that I would imagine one would want to wear on the Orient Express or perhaps when one is feeling particularly regal.

I would love to know what sort of lavish treats you have bought yourself recently...

The Imperial Bedroom Face Palate is $55 and can be purchased at: www.sephora.com

Image courtesy of www.sephora.com

Stella Sheer 2009

I am a die-hard fan of the original Stella perfume by Stella McCartney. It is a scent that I will never tire of and have been wearing religiously for the past five years. So I was very curious to try Stella Sheer- the limited edition, summertime version of my favorite scent.

Stella Sheer is lovely. It is a light, summery version of the original. Much more fruity and effervescent, Stella Sheer still smells of English rose petals but there is a crisp, citrus note that the original does not have. Here, the amber note (which is my favorite note of the original Stella) is not as prominent, allowing the lighter tones of green apples, lemon and roses to take center stage.

I am not in love with the bottle. The light pink floral appliques are a little too 70's for my taste. But I am willing to put that aside, as I have sampled this lovely scent on three separate occasions now and have fallen in love with it each time. I plan on purchasing this limited edition treat for the summer...

Stella Sheer retails for about $58 and can be purchased at: www.sephora.com

Image courtesy of: www.debenhams.com

Eau des Merveilles by Hermes

I was first attracted to Hermes' Eau des Merveilles by the bottle. Merveilles means "wonder" in French and the packaging for this delightful perfume is the embodiment of wonder. Slightly tilted, the bottle for Eau des Merveilles suggests that when you spray this fragrance, colorful fireworks might come out instead of perfume. Joyful and exuberant, Eau des Merveilles looked like it would lift my spirits (and lately, I figure we could all use a little spirit lifting). This fragrance came out a few years ago and I have just gotten around to trying it. Yes, the bottle is spectacular and I must say, and the fragrance does not disappoint.

Eau des Merveilles is a woody, amber fragrance. The scent is much deeper than the joyous and carefree bottle suggests. The woody fragrance lingers in the background and the amber aspect, once it dries down, plays center stage. There is something captivating and adventurous about this perfume- it is whimsical, yet mysterious. I would imagine its literary equivalent would be Le Petit Prince. Hermes describes this little gem as captivating the spirit of wood, the memory of the ocean and the sparkle of a constellation. Very apropos indeed!

Eau des Merveilles retails for about $120 and can be purchased at: www.hermes.com or at Sephora stores nationwide.

Image courtesy of http://www.miniature-parfum.fr

My Favorite Antiperspirant - A Review

Well now that I finally got the whole Paraben story out of the way and the overblown misguided information that peppered the internet about the connection between Parabens in antiperspirants, personal care products and breast cancer, I want to share with you about my favorite antiperspirant after trying many over the years.

Remembering When

I remember when I was young there were all these different neat choices offered to a teenage girl. As I began purchasing personal care products for myself, it made me feel so grown up and cool. All the neat bottles decorated my vanity and allowed me to have freedom of choice instead of what my mom thought I should use. Teenage independence can be such a rewarding time in ones life. It also was when I began my journey in trying everything in personal care products that came on the market.

I was a very athletic person for most of my life...you name I did it. We lived on the water with a boat docked right out our backyard and had a swimming pool so I water skied, swam, sailed, snow skied, played softball, basketball and my favorite past time was riding and competing in three day eventing with my horse. Aside from being in the water, all of these other activities of course caused me to perspire something awful. Well that is putting it mildly...when you're a teenager, face it, we don't perspire, we flat out sweat and combined with horse sweat and the odor...OMG....I think you get the smelly drift!

My parents use to place a lot of distance between me and them when I would come in from being at the stables or out playing some kind of sport. Or people I would run into would have this funny look on their face, look at their watch and then head for the exit. I did the armpit check and the breath check thing by breathing into my cupped hand....then shrugged and went about my day figuring it isn't me. My friends on the other hand really didn't notice since....well they pretty much stunk too since we were all into the same activities. Plus...we didn't care much about that stuff....sports... that's the ticket, and we were driven by extreme competitive behavior, and for some unknown reason we could never seem to smell the odor on ourselves....go figure!

I then began to enjoy the same wafting aromas from my own teenage daughter and son when they would come home from a day of heavy activity. I don't know what it is, whether it is hormones combined with perspiration but there is nothing worse than a sweaty teenager, something I only learned of once I had a pair of them myself. My first words would be at the end of the day, "Love Ya....head for the shower, need a shower, take that shower". Pretty much life would come to a jarring stop in our household until my teenage children freshened up since it literally permeated the house. And you know what, they couldn't smell what we were smelling either.... weird how that works.

Both are grownups now and are into different things other than working up that daily sweat because they have jobs now! What I wouldn't give today to have my sweaty, stinky teenagers overwhelm me with their presence....but alas...my husband and I are the abandoned parents...empty nest syndrome...I literally had no idea how hard it would be and it still is on certain days. Missing my kids.

The Antiperspirant that works

Anyhoo...getting back to my review here. After trying every choice you could possibly find on the drugstore shelf...I mean from Soft and Dri...remember that one?....It was promoted to the teen set...to what seems to be the original...Secret for women and all the different types in between. Then you had a choice of application....

• Aerosol, the gag factor as you were enveloped in a rolling fog of chemicals.


• Roll-on, the messy one that never seemed to dry and only created hard cracked fabric in the underarm area of your shirt.


• Stick Solid, left the lovely white lines on the waist of your shirt as you pulled it on over your head then you spent the next 10 minutes trying to get it out.


• Invisible Gel, remaining pretty much undetectable until the armpit area of your shirt turned yellow.


• Invisible Push-up Cream, worked the best for not staining clothes but ultimately didn't do much for keeping away wetness.

Most worked for a while to a degree and one that I found to be particularly great at the time as a young adult was Mitchum for women. Now this brand had staying power for blocking odor and not bad at keeping me marginally dry, but I still had breakthrough wetness. Their slogan was "so powerful, you can even skip a day." And they weren't kidding! It really worked well for keeping you feeling fresh, but that was it.

Isn't there anything that really can stop the wetness???

Yep...I Present The Clinical Protection Antiperspirant Collection.

At first I thought after seeing the commercials for these prescription strength products "here's another gimmick and it won't really work like they claim."

I decided to visit my local drugstore and looked at Secret Clinical Strength. Then I saw the price tag and just about fell over from the cost....nearly $12.00....for an antiperspirant!? I mean this was a huge jump from my $2.00 price tag I would otherwise pay.

Then I noticed that Dove offered their version of the same thing sitting right next to it on the shelf. Still a big leap in price of $7.95 compared to it's basic version but it was just about a third less than Secret and I had used it before and liked the Original Clean formula. Since they had this same scent in the prescription strength I opted to give it a try and see if what I had been seeing on television was really going to stop wetness breakthrough.

With the first application I was amazed...this stuff really worked. I mean literally, I stayed dry in 100 degree heat with zero sweat coming through my shirt. The product goes on smooth and clear even though it is a white push up cream and doesn't destroy my clothes after long term use. I have been using this antiperspirant / deodorant since last summer. The fresh scent is subtle but works fantastic for controlling odor and pretty much continues to work into the next day.

This product is so good at repelling and preventing wetness that when I shower the next day, it resists washing off even with soap. It usually takes several lathers to remove it completely. The odd thing about its use is it is recommended to put on before bed instead of the next day due to the glandular activity slowing down. Now personally this does not work for me since I shower every morning, but even with applying after my armpits were dry, it did a fine job. Just make sure your underarms are completely dry before applying. Also what I discovered, if you apply it after a workout it doesn't seem to do its job very well. It is almost as though you can't have done something that gets those sweat glands to flowing. So unless you shower right out of bed and then apply, it won't work as well. I guess there is something to this glandular thing.

Now if Secret is your bag and you don't mind the higher price tag then go for that one, however, label comparisons pretty much showed them to be the same product as far as ingredient lists go.

I also believe I saw another brand enter the prescription arena and it was Degree. There is also another one that Dermatologists are recommending as exceptional for those with axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the underarms) since they will not find these others to work for them. It is called CertainDri and suggested retail is $5.50. Also on their website are a couple of quirky commercials you can view for your entertainment, plus alot of great information for staying dry.

Comparisons: I have to say Dove Clinical Protection wins hands down for me in terms of the ingredient list. Though very similar I am not crazy about petrolatum, yet Microcrystalline Wax is a derivative of de-oiling petrolatum, but I think it justs sounds fancier so I like it better, if that makes sense. I also don't care for some of the unrecognizable ingredients including Butyl Ether which is used in fuels and butane and is explosive and highly flammable...I am pretty sure I don't want my underarms to blow up. Dove at least offers up an ingredient list I can understand for the most part and my armpits won't explode.

There are times when my brains seem to ooze from my ears as I try to comprehend why companies use ingredients that are tres bizarre like Butyl Ether....I just don't get it.....Where are my safer Parabens? ;~P

Secret Clinical Strength

Active Ingredients: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly (20%)
Inactive Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Tribehenin, Petrolatum, Cyclodextrin, C18 36 Acid Triglyceride, Fragrance, PPG 14 Butyl Ether

Dove Clinical Protection

Active Ingredients: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly (20%)
Inactive Ingredients: Cyclopentadecanolide, Dimethicone, Microcrystalline Wax, C18 36 Acid Triglyceride, Silica, Fragrance (Parfum), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, BHT

CertainDri

Active Ingredients: Aluminum Chloride 12%.
Inactive Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Water.

Very basic formula and talk about pure as far as chemicals...there really aren't any except for the Active Ingredient, yet guaranteed to stop perspiration cold. Here are the directions and you are advised to apply only at bedtime also and it won't wash off in the shower....very interesting!

DIRECTIONS:

Because of its therapeutic ingredient, CertainDri Anti-perspirant is used differently from all other anti-perspirants. Apply only at bedtime. It will not wash off the next day, even after bathing. Like other therapeutic products, CertainDri Anti-perspirant should be applied sparingly. You may apply a deodorant over it if you choose. Read package insert for detailed instructions.

I may just have to give CertainDri a try. Not sure if it will perform, but everything I am reading on the internet implies that it does a fantastic job for staving off wetness. It also seems to be unscented which may not be a good thing since I do love my Original Clean scent from Dove.

And did you notice no Parabens in any of these products?.....Tada! But in all these ingredients you may be wondering what keeps them from going bad? Dove uses BHT....it is an antioxidant and prevents rancidity from happening.

Basically without the addition of some sort of aqueous solution, perservatives typically are unnecessary since liquid emulsions are how bacteria and mold begin. Another reason to make sure your underarms are completely dry when you apply to prevent the beginning of contamination of the product.

Also, the fact they are for the most part, in airtight containers and the product is delivered in single doses, preservatives aren't needed. Not really sure why Parabens were ever used in these products to begin with except to prolong shelf life and as a precaution for keeping products fresh for the consumer.

I do have a small concern about CertainDri since they have included water and it isn't even listed as sterile water. Sodium bicarbonate is a stabilizer but it is only known to prevent mold not kill bacteria. So this may require further info from the company in regard to safety from contamination.

Also, prices on these products have softened a bit since I began using these last year and Secret and Dove are pretty close in price now, fluctuating between $7 and $10 depending on where you buy them.

So that's my review and just another day in my life!

Have a great weekend and try to stay dry as a heat wave extends across the nation!

Chanel Eyeshadow Quads

My social calendar was chock-full last week- which, for me, is highly unusual. I am usually more of a stay-at-home-with-my-chihuahua-and-husband type girl but my birthday was on Saturday so, of course, I had to ring in the festivities for the entire week non-stop. We're talking three nice dinners out, a trip to the theatre, a beach day and a family pool party. Phew! I am exhausted. But it was all in good fun and, alas, I am another year older.

This may sound odd but my favorite part about the entire week was getting ready for each outing. Makeup-wise, this is where my beloved Chanel eyeshadow quads came in handy. I've mentioned before how much I love Chanel eyeshadow. I think the pigmentation is just right and the shimmer is sultry- not tacky (and shimmer can so often become tacky- if it is of poor quality.) The quads are fun because you know that you can't go wrong with the application- the colors are in such harmony with each other.

When getting ready for the theatre (my friends and I saw Spamalot at the Ahmanson- which I highly recommend, by the way) I opted for Chanel eyeshadow quad in Vanities. This is a quad of the purple/ plum persuasion (pictured top, center) and I figured since I was seeing a fun play that I should have fun with my eyeshadow too!

For my birthday dinner at the Viceroy hotel, I decided to go with a modern smokey eye and used the Chanel eyeshadow quad in Beige Velours. This color combination creates a smokey, taupe shimmer (pictured bottom, right) and was perfect for the "alluring" look I was going for.

And for dinner with my girlfriends I went with one of my all time favorites, Chanel eyeshadow quad in Dunes. This quad has shades of smokey grey, and dusky pink, (pictured bottom, left) which can create another subtle but intense smokey eye.

I tend to always buy these eyeshadow at Duty Free when I travel internationally, so I wont be purchasing any new colors until December, when I go to England again. But until then I will be on the look-out for the latest shades and variations...

To purchase Chanel Eyeshadow Quads, visit: www.chanel.com

fallen

fall front, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Yes, I appear to have fallen off the blogging bandwagon again. There are only so many hours in a day and the Wee Guy takes up most of them. Yesterday I managed to cram in an exciting scrubbing of all toilets in the house (there are four, all encrusted with missed jets of urine from the outwardly plumbed members of the household!).

But, for those of you struggling with an artist statement (yes, that includes me too today) try these links for some inspiration and some fun.

Debate Over Parabens - Truth And Research

Parabens ~ The Demon Ingredient

The question still remains, "are Parabens safe?" The debate over Parabens will probably rage on, however much more data has come to light and the truth and research is now available to provide actual statistics to the consumer.

The American Cancer Society has also weighed in and the information they have provided on this debatable issue is practical and timely after there has been a lot of negative press on this subject dating mainly back to 2004. Parabens are used as a preservative to improve shelf life and to protect the products from contamination once opened. The main studies originally released were the catalyst to there allegedly being a correlation of the use of antiperspirants and deodorants causing breast cancer.

In doing much research over the past 20 years about certain ingredients, I have always tried to approach it from a standpoint of showing both sides. Never taking what I read or see at face value, I do my own research and while the alarmists may try to validate their points, I try to allow these tales to play out and see what the final outcome will be. It may take several years for this to happen, but as a rule of thumb, I am not easily swayed by those that are strictly trying to serve their own agenda to demonize certain ingredients when in reality they really don't have the proof to substantiate their claims. Opponents and proponents have done battle in the lab and it is clear that the original theories proposed by the opponents to Parabens, no longer hold true.

Throughout this article you will find direct links to final statistics and reports from the necessary authorities on this subject. I hope this will finally remove the undue paranoia that has run rampant throughout the internet causing us to double-check our labels and throw out a lot of otherwise great products based on unsubstantiated theory and narrow testing.

Paraben Family And Other Preservatives

Parabens are a group comprised of various types for providing antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties. They are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl and isobutylparaben.

Without preservatives, personal care products will get pretty nasty after being opened or even degrade on a drugstore shelf after a certain period of time. Preservatives are a necessary ingredient to provide complete consumer safety from what actually can go wrong within your favorite skincare or makeup product.

Whether it be in the form of Parabens, Phenoxyethanol, Germall, Potassium Sorbate and a few others, it is actually going to be a personal preference once the research is completed. Also, preservatives are typically combined with one another since a single preservative will not have enough broad spectrum protection as a stand alone ingredient. In most cases you will see propylparaben combined with methylparaben and these two are the most popular in skincare products. Phenoxyethanol is combined with Tetrasodium EDTA to prevent oxidation and to stabilize the preservative further providing additional protection and shelf life.

I have never completely believed Parabens to be the "black hat" that many natural and organic companies have touted to steer clear of since they have a purpose behind their theories and that is to sell their products. So naturally they take the negative reports to support their theories and run with it. Although other preservatives are available with less questionable backgrounds as to their safety.......believe me, there isn't going to be a single preservative out there that can't be identified as having some kind of issue with it. Even natural preservatives are being linked with problems for the users by watchdog groups, and it only serves to make the consumer paranoid.

Why I Don't Use Parabens

I strictly chose to avoid Parabens due to the negative press and not because of a concern for cancer. There have also been allergic skin reactions reported in some cases believed to be linked to Parabens, especially for those with rosacea. So better safe than sorry! However, even though I believe synthetic preservatives are necessary for consumer safety, I still wish to keep the levels as low as I can to keep the skincare products I sell as chemically free as possible without compromising performance. My paraben free solutions possess less than 1% phenoxyethanol to overall product ingredient totals.

Organic preservation under challenge testing in the lab has shown they will not provide the safety levels a consumer needs when purchasing skincare products. The nasty little germs and fungi will begin to develop long before you will actually see them. I wrote an article on "The Importance Of Chemical Preservatives" showing what happens to naturally preserved products after only a couple of months of being opened. Invasion of the nasties occurs much sooner, long before you actually see the contamination.

The Rumors

Over the past few years, going back to 2002, there have been rumors and articles strewn throughout the internet as Parabens being linked to breast cancer due to them acting like estrogen creating endocrine disruption. They have further made this connection primarily in women that use antiperspirants and that Parabens were found in breast tumors so this was the main reason they were linked to the actual cause of the cancer.

The beauty of this is antiperspirants are considered an over the counter (OTC) drug by the FDA since they are designed to stop perspiration in the user and contain aluminum based compound as the active ingredient. So based on this fact antiperspirants are strictly regulated, scrutinized and have been extensively evaluated by the FDA, whereby they are met with approval for being sold to the consumer after the relevant testing. Due to this scrutiny, invaluable testing and evidence is available for assessment and was evaluated by not only the FDA, but the American Cancer Society, (complete Article from ACS) and further testing was done by The National Cancer Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA.

Only The Facts Without Propaganda!

Through evaluation and further testing by these entities, it was shown there is no proof that the use of a deodorant or antiperspirant causes cancer. A related theory which suggested that shaving the underarm area increased the risk of deodorant or antiperspirant induced breast cancer was also disproved in the same study.

Although they have found Parbens in our body tissue, as we would find many chemical compounds in our tissues simply by breathing our air and drinking our water, studies have not unequivocally proven that there is an actual correlation between Parabens or any direct link to causing DNA changes resulting in tumors despite finding low levels of Parabens within the breast tissue.

The American Cancer Society has also addressed these concerns in their own report as the information being spread is "myth" and concede that the rumors, though well intentioned, may be spread for financial gain.......which is what I have stated clearly and repeatedly.

Here We Go Again!

Cosmeticsinfo.org makes the argument after also weighing all the research that many opponents to this debate again, show their results through testing on lab animals. This argument is weak and is inconclusive since we are not lab animals. Some of these studies suggest a very weak estrogenic or endocrine disrupting effect of Parabens. However, these studies, which have been conducted in animals, are observed only when they are dosed with extremely high amounts of Parabens..... far greater than anyone would be exposed to under actual conditions of use or with repeated use. The simple fact is that Parabens are 100,000 times weaker than natural estrogen in the body....... far too weak to have any effect in humans.

Some scientific studies have suggested that butyl and possibly propylparaben can mimic the effect of the endocrine hormone estrogen when tested at very high concentrations in cell cultures and female mice. This effect is sometimes referred to as endocrine disruption. Some recent studies have claimed that there is a link between Paraben exposure, particularly in underarm cosmetics, and breast cancer caused by endocrine disruption. These studies have been largely discredited by the scientific community, particularly by those who study the toxic effects of chemicals on the body. In fact, scientists who study the effects of products on the population (epidemiologists) have found no direct link between underarm products and breast cancer.
ref:(1) Mirick, D.K., Davis, S., and Thomas, D.B. (2002) Antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer. J. Natl Cancer Inst. 94(20):1578-80.

Many materials found in plants used as food also have an estrogenic effect. These naturally occurring materials are called phytoestrogens and are present in soy and other fruits and vegetables. Some of these phytoestrogens, when tested in the same way as Parabens, give similar estrogen-like results.

Most scientists agree that there is no endocrine disrupting effect from the use of Parabens in cosmetic and personal care products because their action, if any, is so weak.

For me, the lab animal testing is tired and I personally wish they would leave the poor animals out of the equation. There are plenty of studies on humans available through long term observation and use of certain ingredients by way of manufacturers within their material safety data sheets (MSDS) and the many volunteers who participate in trial studies.

Bottom Line.....

The FDA supports the use of Parabens as does the European Union....and under regimented testing by the cosmetics directive of the European Union they too, found no direct correlation of Parabens and cancer. Most recent study updates have been published as of 2008, four years after the string of unsubstantiated reports surfaced in 2004.

The knee jerk reaction of negative reports when they surface is to spread the "bad" word and to be on the negative band wagon as fast as they can. Have you ever noticed that some people love to spread the bad news more-so than the good news?......Sad but true!

Negativity creates drama in their lives and for some it is a part of life and is as necessary as the air they breathe......otherwise known as "gossip" since it is very rarely based on fact but simply something they heard or read. It won't matter to them whether or not all the facts are in, but more importantly to be the bearer of the news first. Recognition and importance becomes the mainstay for those that release these reports such as in the case of scientists trying to establish a reputation and name for themselves or watchdog groups wishing to demonize something to meet their own agenda. And at the risk of being redundant, some of the negativity comes from trying to pursue personal financial gain.

In a society which we are constantly bombarded with negativity at every turn these days....the economy, job losses and financial collapse, it is difficult to sift through the actual facts. Newscasters very rarely spread "good news" since it is not typically newsworthy. Only good news rebuts the spread of "bad news" first, and only then can a consensus be made as to the actual truth the news holds.

This is why patience is necessary as we wait out the final conclusions on ingredients in question since proponents will come forth after opponents have lambasted a certain ingredient, unchallenged. Knee jerk reactions are human nature but if we allow the overblown exaggerated tales to play out, then the actual final conclusion will always make things crystal clear.

In closing, please remember ladies to do self breast exams and get those mammograms to protect yourself in order to catch the early onset of breast cancer, while at the same time feel secure in using your favorite skincare or antiperspirant / deodorant. Yet again, this is a personal preference, but with the facts at hand, the fear of Parabens is unwarranted and will hopefully subside in the future.

Have a great weekend and enjoy your personal care products!

Etsy in Raincity ... today!

some of Vancouver's finest!

Another exciting Vancouver craft moment following hard on the heels of Andrea and Rob's Got Craft premier of Faythe Levine's Handmade Nation last week.

Etsy (Anda, Maria and Matt) will be hosting a meet and greet this evening - see you there!

PS: hoping there will be more than myself and the lovely Smeeta at this Vancouver sellers meet up! (not that Smeeta isn't great company for coffee!)

rabbit week apparently

Ms B Pig, still at dinner, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

.... but no one's noticed round here!
Since I'm allergic to the hoppy fuzzy things we are all about the guinea pig at home otehrwise I'd be a constant wheezy, lacrimose wreck (rather than a seasonal wheezy, lacrimose wreck - fie on you, hayfever!).

So here's a cute guin pic to celebrate bunny week.

tonight, for one night only .....

d13/32 - silver daisy chain, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Faythe Levine's documentary, Handmade Nation is screening tonight in Vancouver (check out my previous blog post here for a sneak peek).
Andrea and Rob, the amazing Got Craft dynamic duo have also arranged for an artisan market showcasing local designers and their wares. It will be anexciting night, with the film maker in attendance for a Q&A session at the end.

... ahem (nervous cough) - I'll be there too with my ebbandflo goodies, including the new daisy chain seen above. It's an opera-length necklace of blue Czech glass pearls nestled in handmade wire crochet flower petals. It's a little bit delicate, a little bit summery and a very much girly girly.

I'd love someone to come test drive it for me!
PS: there's a version with gold flowers around too!

Having A Bad Hair Day?

I wake up to the perfectly sculpted bed head......the wonderful cowlick that sports like a rooster tail. It is particularly beautiful today since I am recovering from one of the nastiest summer cold bugs I have had in more than 20 yrs. Not just a cowlick, but the natural wind blown look with one side plastered to my head......just lovely!

You know the one.....you sleep restlessly from body aches and your face is pressed into your pillow forcing your hair in twisted variations of punk, modified. A little spray color and I am ready for the mosh pit!

No matter how much misting of water, or combing, or blow drying you do, that sucker isn't going to shift, flatten or perform the way you want it to no matter what. You might as well resign yourself to sticking your head in the sink or showering with a whole new wash job....which in some cases excessive washing can give you drier hair and scalp.

Weather And Your Hair

It isn't any secret that as our temperature changes in the seasons so does our hair and scalp.

In the summer, our hair tends to be a bit flatter and heavier due to higher humidity and perspiration, and a hairstyle typically doesn't last as long throughout the day. Our scalp also tends to be a bit oilier.

In the winter, our hair tends to be frizzier, fights hairstyling due to the climate getting much drier as temperatures get cold to freezing, and our scalp tends to get very dry, itchy and may even flake a bit.

No matter what the weather is doing, and no matter what styling aids I use, my hair never performs the same way twice. I have days with perfection, then days I fight sections of hair that want to flip, twist or contort in such a way, I might as well go back to bed and try again tomorrow.

One thing that has remained constant, is my scalp gets annoyingly itchy, especially in the winter.

I have tried multitudes of shampoos and conditioners. Salon brands, commercial brands, generic brands, and knock off brands with little change or results. I typically have to switch from shampoo to shampoo due to it working for awhile and then it performs like all the rest.....failure! And a dry itchy scalp is not always due to weather but due to too many surfactants in the shampoo which over clean and strip scalp and hair of natural oils.

Conditioners also tend to disappoint after I use them for awhile. All of a sudden my hair will lay flatter, feel really heavy, in which case it absolutely won't style. In dealing with the dry frizzy hair, pomades and gels tend to leave it sticky or greasy feeling. Besides, all of the products I collect searching for my holy grail becomes so ridiculous that I could open up my own five and dime store.

Ah...I think I found my Holy Grail!

There are so many products today to pick from you can get lost in the shampoo and conditioner aisle sorting through the choices offered. You read labels until you're cross-eyed, trying to decide what to do and which one you think will work.....yes indeedy, it is a crap shoot. You study ingredients trying to identify and stay away from ones you are convinced are causing problems in your hair regimen.

Well, since I am always reading labels and I drive my husband to distraction whenever I do this, I pretty much have to spend a day on my own if I want to get down to the nitty gritty of finding a simple, gentle, paraben free and sulfate free product line.

In doing some research awhile back, I recently located a brand I had never seen before and of course, where might I find this mysterious brand?...... at my local Wal Mart!

It is by a company called Organix. Their products are packaged in these funky bottles that hold 13 fl. oz. and come in a wide variety of formulas. Unfortunately, Wal Mart only carried a few choices, but I found one that I just love and my hair and scalp have never been better. The line can also be found at this list of retailers. (Click for List) There should be one close to you or if not, they are also online by various e-merchants.

I have been using it for over 6 months now with excellent results. Through winter and now into summer, my scalp remains constant...no more itchiness, dryness or weird hair days. I also can shampoo the next day without worry my scalp or hair will get too dry.

The aromas are exotic and are derived from plant extracts, not from artificial fragrances. They are also sulfate free and paraben free, and possess Jojoba Oil, panthenol and silk amino acids as consistent ingredients in all the formulas. The ingredient list is without fanfare, leaving the majority of chemicals you find in other brands off their short list. In their other formulas you'll find ingredients like Avocado Oil, Whipped Yogurt, Soymilk, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Whipped Egg Proteins, Shea Butter and Mango Butter, only to name a few and depending on your particular desires in hair care. These last two ingredients are others in the line I am planning on trying. They have definitely created something for everyone. No head goes unkempt!

The one I have tried and enjoy very much is Revitalizing Pomegranate Green Tea shampoo and conditioner. It is designed for dry and brittle hair which I tend to have year round. It is also safe for color treated hair as is the entire line. This is a plus for me since I give my hair a color treatement periodically. They also expanded this formula into other styling products which you will see typically when a certain formula becomes very popular. Which seems to also include Vanilla Silk, Coconut Milk and Shea Butter formulas.

The shampoo smells wonderful and cleanses so gently. The conditioner penetrates well and leaves my scalp and hair moist, yet not oily or heavy. I also find I don't need to use an extra pomade (which this formula includes) for fly away hair since my hair behaves very well. If I need a bit more control, I just put a large pea size of the conditioner in the palm of my hand and massage through the ends of my hair and leave it in and style as usual. My hair shines in the sunlight beyond belief and I have had many compliments. It is left feeling soft and silky, and extremely manageable with no tangles at all. The extra bit left in the hair works great and this is a perfect money saver in the long run!

The price isn't bad either. Suggested retail is $6.99, but Wal Mart was selling it for $5.99.

With Organix having such a large variety to choose from, I will have to go to another retailer to find what I am looking for. And believe me, I am definitely going to take advantage of the variety they offer. There are of course some that I already know I won't use due to either its aroma or because it isn't the best for dry hair and scalp.

Take a peek and give them a try. I absolutely love this line of products. Let us know if you have tried Organix and what your favorite is....or if you didn't find this product worked for you at all.

Well...back to bed for some more rest and to enhance my bed head style further. At least our weather stunk the past few days so I didn't have to miss out on anymore beautiful days of our very short summers.

Cheers!

Etsy IN Vancouver

some of the amazing Vancouver BC team members who helped with suggestions

Yes, you read it right! Etsy (Matt, Maria and Anda) is visiting Vancouver.
Luckily the team forum is up and running so gathering suggestions on where to visit, where to meet and what to see was indeed a cinch thanks to the helpful sellers featured above (and more!).
So Vancouver Etsy sellers - put down July 14th in your diary and get thinking up all those burning questions you wanted to ask.
It will also make a great team meet up (and we haven't had one of those in a while).

entire day devoted to chocolate?

previous encounter with the great uberfood

Yes, it's Chocolate Day - first of many occasions on which an excuse is provided for indulgence. US National Chocolate Day arrives on October 28th but there is also a World Chocolate Day in September.

Although there is, IMHO, no excuse required for having a nibble year round it's a great reassurance that on at least 3 days a year chocolate eating is actually sanctioned.

Bon appetit!

PS: Wee Guy and I will be making choc chip muffins this evening in celebration.

the end of portable crafting?

al fresco kitchen - one stir fry coming up!

Is this the end of portable crafting?

I waved the Wee Guy off on the bus for his first day at camp this morning (it was peeing down with rain of course). He looked tiny as he trotted to the back of the bus under the weight of his huge backpack. Seems like only yesterday that 30 minutes in childminding at the gym was The Big Thing and now I'm waving him off (him = all excited, me = basket case trying not to let him see how emotional this whole deal is to me) for an entire day without me.

The reason I started portable crafting was so that I had something to do in the brief snatches of time when I was ministering to his needs, whether it was at home (crafts needed to be contained and organised) or out in the park (crafts had to be contained and portable).

With him out of the house for an entire day, there is no need for such meticulous portability. I can craft when and where I want to ... and for me my studio is the most handy as all my supplies are here. This week is just a taster of the freedom that fulltime school will bring in the Fall.

But I'm used to it now. Knitting in public or crocheting with wire at the local coffee shop hold no terrors for me. I enjoy meeting the stares and explaining what I am doing. I've met some interesting people and had inspiring conversations.

You will still see me crafting portably around Tri City long after the need has evaportated!

PS: Yes, I wept like a baby when I got home after this morning's drop off.

Faith Levine's Handmade Nation comes to Vancouver!

simple glass and amethyst pendant on sterling silver and ribbon
After my tent blew away I'm sticking to indoor vending for a while. You can catch ebb and flo goodies next at the Vancouver premier of Handmade Nation hosted by Got Craft at the Rio Theatre on Broadway at Commercial on July 9th.
See you there!

fish are friends not food week - supplies saturday

handmade supplies from the Etsy Supplies - Handmade by the Seller flickr group

In honour of "fish are friends not food week" - get crafting, not netting!

followers friday

me and her

Suddenly, it seems, this blog has a number of followers. Thank you and welcome. I'm trying to keep up with an interesting blog schedule but as you've no doubt notice Life Occasionally Gets In The Way.

I thought I'd start saying howdy to some of you brave souls who publicly acknowledge they read my blog entries, and first up is my lil' sis. She's known as Honeybeedz in the Etsy community and lives back in the country of my birth (so I don't see her very often :( ). But she does blog ..... occasionally ...... so I can (occasionally) find out what she's been up to. She does amazing bead weaves, sea glass wiring and celtic knotting, all of which is genuinely scottish. What she doesn't do is blog at length.

1. Celtic connections necklace 2, 2. Beaded flower pendants - detail, 3. Seaglass and copper, 4. Celtic knots

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Some Changes Are Coming To Sterling Minerals!

It Was A Success!

This week I wanted to bring you up on some fun and exciting new changes that are coming our way!

First, let me say our 20% off sale was fantastic. We had an abundance of reorders for many who wanted to stock up, and we welcome the many new customers who joined our Sterling Minerals family during the same time frame.

Thanks to everyone who made our promotion a great success!


Some Changes Coming

I also wanted to let you know we are going to be transitioning over from our original silver lid jars to whatever jar wins our voting poll located within my Skin Care Guide. So click on the title for email recipients and in the upper right hand corner of my blog, place your vote....it is so patriotic don't you know?

The reason we are changing these is due to having some issues with the lids not fitting correctly, some squeaking, and in only a few cases getting stuck on the jars. Once is too many for me, however. Not being satisfied with the performance of these lids over the past 2 years, I have decided it is best to phase them out over time. By the way if your jars arrive to you with the lids not feeling as though they are tightened completely, this is so you do not end up with a stuck lid. They do come off if they are stuck, but only with quite a bit of work and for some who may not have the dexterity or the strength to open them, this is not acceptable or conducive to a customers need for ease of use.

Also, as of yesterday, we have just reduced our order minimums on Free Shipping which will provide additional savings when you make a purchase....along with continuing with our free bonus gifts to our customers. The new menu button is quite the eye popping statement...you won't miss it! You can take a peek at Sterling Minerals.

I am currently working on putting some new features on the site which will enhance the customers experience with us. This has been requested by many who write or call us and I finally found the time and energy to fulfill this request! This process is going to take up to several months and is to be announced later! We will work on making it happen sooner, but as we all know, "Life Happens While We Are Making Plans!"

I also am planning on doing featured promos of individual products, providing a savings to you, my customers. I haven't decided on the rotation yet, or the duration of each promo, but I feel there will always be something for everyone to take advantage of periodically.

Taking A Breather

We will be enjoying some free time for ourselves by extending our weekend into 4 days, so all orders placed between now and Monday, will not process until the middle of next week.

Well that is the latest news for Sterling Minerals.

Wishing everyone a very happy and safe 4th of July! Celebrate our Independence Day.....It's a good thing!

And I continue to hope and pray our soldiers will be home soon!

Happy Canada Day!

art clay silver maple leaf tutorial slide show

Happy Canada Day!
I'll see all you local revellers at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam where I will be listening to Bobs and Lolo and selling my wares (in a tent behind the Evergreen Centre!).