I am really trying to at least use natural cosmetics for every day use.

I was completely dissatisfied with the Miessence cosmetics I had recently purchased (liquid foundation and translucent powder) and decided I needed to try another natural cosmetic brand. A friend of mine suggested INIKA, so after receiving my products in the mail (www.inika.com.au) I couldn’t wait to try them.

Inika cosmetics are made from pure natural pigments from the earth creating rich, deep colours with incredible stay-ability. Inika has probably the strictest ingredients criteria of any cosmetics company in the world. They produce natural, safe, ethical products, and guarantee never to use harsh chemicals or genetically modified ingredients. All Inika cosmetics are 100% certified vegan and cruelty free, and where possible, 100% certified organic.

The mineral eyeshadows are rich in pigment and long-lasting. The ‘pink fetish’ colour is a lovely colour for every day use. The shadow can be used dry or wet. I absolutely love this product.

The mineral illuminisor is a lovely product. This is an iridescent loose powder to give the skin a beautiful dewy sheen. I dust it above my cheekbones and decolletage to give that healthy glow. It is a beautiful product, although I do have to question the staying power.

The certified organic Lip Whips are so smooth and delicious. The apricot whip is a lovely natural colour – perfect for everyday use. If you are after that glossy/dewy look though, you will need to use a gloss on top to give that plump look.

Overall, my experience with Inika cosmetics has been positive and I will definitely be trying the organic eye liner and mascara next!! I also want to give their mineral foundation a go.

If anyone has ever had any experiences with Inika, or other natural cosmetics, please email a product review to me at rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au.

Rebekah Foxe

Makeup Artistry by Rebekah

Sydney Makeup Artist
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au

Since giving birth to my daughter 11 months ago, I noticed a change in my skin. It had become dry, patchy and itchy. In fact, the itch became so bad that every time I got out of the shower I would itch for up to 3 hours. I figured it was hormonal, so just dealt with it.

Then it dawned on me… perhaps my body was reacting to the chemicals in all the beauty products and the cleaning products I was using? Most beauty products are full of nasty chemicals like parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates, talc, to name a few. There has even been some evidence that some chemicals in beauty products can cause cancer!

I have had a love of beauty products all my life. My love for makeup extended to a love for skin care products, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, eye crèmes, face masks, exfoliants, even bath and shower products. You name it, I’ve tried it.

Despite this love, I made a decision a few months ago to switch to natural beauty products – and I haven’t looked back.

A friend of mine suggested MOO GOO products (www.moogoo.com.au), which have been recommended for people with skin conditions. What I liked about the product was the guarantee that “MooGoo does not use gimmick ingredients and marketing, or cheap filling ingredients.” After studying the ingredients, I gave it a go. I must say, I absolutely love the cleanser. I use it on my face and body, morning and night. It doesn’t foam like ordinary cleansers (as it doesn’t have foaming agents like Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulphate), so I just knew there were no harsh chemicals in it. My skin felt clean, and the itch had decreased. I followed my routine with the Moo Goo Udder Crème (moisturiser) and the MSN cream – other products I absolutely LOVE. I also use these products on my 11 month old daughter.

The face cleanser is another product I purchased from Moo Goo. The Oil Cleansing Method is an alternative way to wash the face using only oils. It leaves my skin feeling so soft.

I also purchased the Moo Goo Shampoo and Conditioner. Although it is a lovely product, I’ve found that it’s not the right product for my oily hair. But my husband loves it!

One thing that is great about purchasing from the Moo Goo website is that they send you a free sample with every order. I was sent the anti-ageing crème which I use of an evening before bed – great product. I was sent the eczema and psoriasis balm with my last order, and I am currently using it on my hands, which tend to flake after a hard day of housework and cleaning.

Next, as summer was fast approaching, I needed to purchase my daughter a safe, natural, and chemical free sunscreen. A friend suggested WOTNOT sunscreen – 100% natural, free from Titanium dioxide and provides broad spectrum protection against uv-a and uv-b. So I found a great website – Organic Beauty World (http://www.organicbeautyworld.com.au). I purchased the sunscreen, which I have found to be fantastic – smells lovely, goes on smoothly, and to top it off, contains NO nasty chemicals!

I also purchased the Miessence liquid foundation and translucent powder as I have done a lot of research on the chemicals found in some foundations (like carcinogens).  Miessence products contain no synthetic chemicals and seemed like a good alternative to over-the-counter products.  Although these products felt lovely on my skin, the coverage is minimal and I would only recommend it to people who are looking for coverage similar to that of a tinted moisturiser.

The natural shampoo and conditioner (Karpati) purchased from Organic Beauty world is lovely!!! It leaves my hair feeling clean and fresh, and contains no nasty chemicals.  To my surprise I received a number of samples with my order – one of which was the La Mav Certified Organic Firming Eye Lotion. I loved the eye lotion so much, I purchased it with my next order, and I currently use it every morning and night.  It is hands down, the best eye crème I have used to date (and I’ve tried many).  I love the fact that it is organic and natural.

The service at Organic Beauty World is fantastic, and the product range is endless. I highly recommend it.

At this stage, about 90% of the cosmetics and skin care I use on myself and my daughter, are now naturally derived. I feel so much better knowing that I am providing the safest care for my family.

I have researched this area extensively over the past few months, and what is actually contained in conventional beauty products is frightening. What I’ve also discovered is that there are so many simple, non-toxic alternatives to these personal care products.

Dr Mercola is a US doctor who has devoted his life to pursue his passion of educating the public about health truths. His website is the most visited natural health website on the internet (and I have become addicted to his articles!!!). Dr Mercola suggests that “being choosy and only using products made of real, recognizable, natural and organic ingredients bearing the USDA Certified Organic seal, is your best bet when purchasing products that go into your body, or onto your skin”. (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/11/26/Easy-Economical-Green-Remedies-You-Can-Prepare-at-Home.aspx?sms_ss=facebook)

In this article, Dr Mercola lists the chemicals you definitely want to avoid:

· Paraben, a chemical found in underarm deodorants and other cosmetics that has been shown to mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen, which can drive the growth of human breast tumors.

· Phthalates, plasticizing ingredients (present in nearly three-quarters of 72 products tested by the Environmental Working Group), which have been linked to birth defects in the reproductive system of boys and lower sperm-motility in adult men, among other problems.

· Musks, used as fragrances, can accumulate in your body, and have been linked to skin irritation, hormone disruption, and cancer in laboratory studies.

· Artificial fragrances, which are among the top five known allergens, and can cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks.

· Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), a chemical used in shampoo to prevent bacteria from developing, which may have detrimental effects on your nervous system.

· Toluene, made from petroleum or coal tar, and found in most synthetic fragrances. Chronic exposure linked to anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage, and may affect a developing fetus.

· Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum, these products coat your skin like plastic, clogging pores and creating a build-up of toxins. They also slow cellular development, which can cause you to show earlier signs of aging, and are a suspected cause of cancer and disruption to hormonal activity.

Dr Mercola also recommends the following beauty products:

· All-natural moisturizers — Pure emu oil is a great alternative to facial- and body moisturizers and lotions, as is pure coconut oil. It’s a fantastic moisturizer and a potent source of the beneficial fat lauric acid.

· All-natural acne fighter — Rubbing just a drop of oregano oil on a breakout can speed up the healing and prevent unsightly scarring without resorting to harsh commercial acne medication (remember to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards).

· All-natural deodorant – I advise stopping ALL antiperspirants. Common soap and water works fine. If you still need further help then try a pinch of baking soda mixed into water as an effective all-day deodorant.

· All-natural shampoo and soaps – You can find clean, non-chemical soaps at many health food stores.

I highly recommend everyone read his articles at Mercola.com, and subscribe to his free newsletters, as they are so informative. I guarantee you won’t want to use an over-the-counter beauty product ever again without first reading the list of ingredients!

A great list of “toxic” ingredients can be found at the ONEgroup website – http://www.mionegroup.com/toxic#51. If you are unsure whether a chemical is toxic or not, this is a great directory to refer to.

Please remember – not all “natural” beauty products are in fact natural. Some “organic” beauty products contain one organic ingredient. If a product contains sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate it is NOT natural. Remember that everything you put on your skin eventually gets into your bloodstream, and can potentially cause serious damage to your body. So do your research, and read the ingredients before you make your purchase.

Happy (and healthy) shopping!

Rebekah Foxe

Makeup Artistry by Rebekah

Sydney Makeup Artist
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au

Chanel Inimitable Mascara (non-waterproof)

I love this product. The first time I used this mascara was over a year ago and I have not used any other mascara since! I love that it does not clump my lashes together even after applying 2-3 coats. When I wash my makeup off I do not have lashes falling out, and I do not have smudgy panda eyes. The brush is amazing it coats every single lash individually, elongates, adds volume, and curls lashes beautifully. The mascara is consistent from start to end, the first ever applications will be the exact same as when the mascara is almost empty.

Money very well spent.  Worth every dollar.

Nannous.

Thanks for your product review, Nannous.

I am definitely going to have to agree with you there – it’s my favourite mascara EVER!  It’s all in “the brush”!!

Rebekah Foxe

Sydney Makeup Artist
Makeup Artistry by Rebekah
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au

Welcome to the new “PRODUCT REVIEW” section!!!!

I’m really excited about this new section, and call on all women (and men) who have a good, bad, or neutral review to write about any beauty and/or makeup product and send this review to me at rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au.

I’m hoping that this new section can be a forum for honest reviews that can benefit others.

So thank you in advance!!!

p.s. Just a reminder that the opinions are NOT the views of Beyond the Bride, but are the views of myself or the poster.

Rebekah Foxe

Sydney Makeup Artist
Makeup Artistry by Rebekah
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au

I often come across more mature women (brides and mothers-of-the-bride) who are reluctant to have their makeup done due to past “bad experiences” and they are worried that I will cake them in makeup and make them look older.  I am always reassuring them that I adopt the motto “Less is Best” – and that they will feel comfortable with the soft, natural look I aim to give them.

Mature skin usually has wrinkles, smile lines, and discolouration.  It can also be quite dry.  These features can be emphasised with heavy makeup.  So……….”Less is Best”.

Here are a few tips for mature women who are wearing makeup.

• Use concealer under the eyes, on the eyelid, and around the nose area.  Sometimes a green neutraliser is required for areas that are quite red;
• Apply a good, light foundation – being sure to match the skin tone perfectly (as darker foundation can age the skin);
• Use only a light dusting of powder, particularly around the eyes;
• Remember that it is easier to ADD than to take away makeup, so start with a little, and gradually build it up;
• Keep away from shimmers and sparkly eyeshadows.  Be careful using browns, pinks and burgundies as they can make the eyes look fatigued.  Colours like grey, sage green, navy blue, look lovely on mature skin;
• Steer away from dark, smokey eyes.  A softer smokey eye with some definition under the bottom lashes will look glamorous;
• Don’t go overboard with mascara, and don’t apply it on the lower lashes;
• Blushes give a lovely colour to the skin – so apply soft colours to give your skin that extra ‘life’;
• Matte lipsticks are best.  Do not use glossy colours or anything with a shimmer.  Do not use darker lip-liners.  Colours like peach, coral, browns and rose-browns look great on mature skin.

I hope these tips have helped. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au.

Rebekah Foxe

Sydney Makeup Artist
Makeup Artistry by Rebekah
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au

When should I start using anti-wrinkle cremes? Is it better to buy one anti-wrinkle creme for my whole face or should I buy different products for specific parts of my face?
Is there any brands you can highly recommend? I am 20 years of age.

Nan.

Thanks for your question, Nan.

Most people start using anti-aging products in their mid-twenties.  Usually, skin can get quite oily and prone to break-outs and pimples earlier than that, and anti-aging products can make this worse as they are quite strong.

If you don’t have oily skin, then you could start using them now… otherwise, wait a few more years.

Most experts believe you should be using anti-aging products once you reach your late twenties.

There are many different ingredients that make an anti-aging cream effective in lessening the appearance of wrinkles.

Anti-wrinkle creams usually include the some of or all of the following ingredients:

• Sunscreen – the best anti-oxidant for the skin (to slow skin aging);
• Retinols – derived from Vitamin A, an antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental free radicals that damage skin at the cellular level;
• Hydroxy Acids – derived from natural or synthetic fruit sugars that exfoliate the top layer of skin to reflect the smoother, brighter skin hiding underneath dead skin cells;
• Nutrients and Minerals – such as copper,  peptides or proteins, stimulate collagen production, enhance antioxidant performance against free radical cells and attract or lock-in moisture to improve the skin’s texture;
• Tea Extracts—whether black or green, tea extracts have anti-inflammation properties that soothe skin irritation.

These are the most common active ingredients found in most anti-wrinkle/anti-aging creams.

When making a decision on which products to use – do your research, and make sure the studies show that the products actually work on human skin.

Choice.com.au (see http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=105779&catId=100563&tid=100008) reports that the most effective anti-ageing products include OLAY REGENERIST and LANCOME PARIS RENERGIE.  Other products that were of average performance include:

• AVON Anew Alternative Intensive Age Treatment
• L’ORÉAL PARIS Revitalift
• L’ORÉAL PARIS Wrinkle Decrease with Boswelox
• NEUTROGENA Visibly Firm with Active Copper

I would also encourage the use of NUTRIMETICS anti-aging products, particularly the Ultra Care range.  My mother has been using the serum for years and refers to it as her “little bottle of botox”…

I hope this helps.

Rebekah Foxe

Sydney Makeup Artist
Makeup Artistry by Rebekah
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. Your photos will last forever, so it’s important to look picture perfect on that special day!

A huge part of looking ‘perfect’ is your makeup.

Here are a few tips to ensure you look beautiful on your wedding day.

Use a professional

It is so important to use a professional makeup artist on your wedding day. Choose one that specialises in bridal makeup.

Using a professional is a good idea as they usually know the ‘tricks of the trade’ – for example, that pink tones are emphasized in flash photography, so it’s better to use a yellow-toned foundation.

Professional makeup will also ensure that your makeup stays on all day, and looks radiant in photos.

Organise for your makeup trial well in advance of your wedding, and bring with you some magazine cut outs of makeup ideas you have in mind. It’s a good idea to have your hair styled in the same way you will have it on your wedding day, although I know this isn’t always possible. Bring with you a fabric swatch of your wedding dress so that colours can be finalised. It’s also a good idea to bring a swatch of your bridesmaids dresses, so that the colours for their makeup can be finalised as well.

Keep it natural

You don’t want to look ‘overdone’ on your wedding day… so keep it simple and natural-looking. Don’t wear heavy shadows and liners, which will make your eyes look smaller.

A smokey eye is wonderful for night weddings to give that dramatic look. For a day wedding, stick with natural, neutral tones. A good makeup artist will know which colours will suit you.

Ensure you leave your makeup trial 100% happy with your look – it’s called a ‘trial’ for a reason… if you want changes made, then ask!! Most makeup artists (including myself) are more than happy to make changes. You are paying for this service, you need to be 100% satisfied.

False lashes are a glamorous way to bring out your eyes. Strip lashes tend to look ‘fake’ so stick with the individual lashes. These are usually applied with a latex glue that is extremely easy to remove.

Neutral and pale lip colours tend to look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one to two shades brighter than what you normally wear. Pinks, roses and plums are great choices for brides.

Place the emphasis on either the eyes OR the lips (never both). So if you are going for a smokey eye look, choose a pale lipstick, like a light pink. If you choose a red lipstick, go for a natural eye with accentuated lashes.

Weddings are emotional days for everyone, especially the bride. Your makeup should be waterproof and smudge-proof (including your mascara!).

Remember… your makeup on your wedding day will always be a little heavier than your everyday makeup. It is your wedding day, you don’t want to look ‘everyday’! Also, it is important to have ‘that little bit extra’ for photographs (which will last a lifetime).

Your handbag

It’s a good idea to take with you a touch-up lipstick for re-application throughout the day… it’s a long day, and no lipstick will stay on for 12 hours plus!

It is important to reapply powder throughout the day, to reduce unwanted shine. Pack a small retractable travel brush filled with translucent powder (like the picture below). It’s light, and easy to apply. Ask your makeup artist about this – I usually provide them to my clients for a small fee.

Or perhaps you could pack a small powder compact.

Photos

Take a photo of yourself after your makeup trial to get an idea of how your makeup will look in photos. Make sure you look at your makeup and how it looks in the sunlight, as well as indoors.

I hope these tips have helped. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au.

Rebekah Foxe

Sydney Makeup Artist
Makeup Artistry by Rebekah
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au

I use a sunscreen, but still get a bad tan. Also my skin looks tired and has a lot of whiteheads, even though I drink the recommended amount of water and have a good nights sleep. Can you suggest anything to get rid of the whiteheads?

Mala

Dear Mala,

Using sunscreen is not a guarantee that you won’t tan, but it is important for the protection of your skin against harmful UV rays.  If you don’t want to tan, I could only suggest you wear sunscreen, clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.  Also, ensure your skin is adequately hydrated after any exposure to the sun.  Moisturising your skin is so important to prevent skin damage from the sun.

Whiteheads are caused by the accumulation of hardened sebum or oil, in the pores of the skin. They can be caused by diet, hormones, or unclean skin.  There are many ways you can eliminate them.

I would probably suggest steaming your skin to clean the pores.  You can do this by putting your face over a saucepan/bowl of boiled water, with a towel over your head (to keep the steam in).  When the whiteheads have softened, prick the apex with a clean, sterilised needle.  Then put your fingers on either side of the whitehead and press gently and apply pressure.  This should dislodge the whitehead.  NEVER USE YOUR FINGERNAILS – THIS MAY CAUSE SCARRING.  They key is gentle pressure.

To prevent them returning and to help your skin, drink plenty of water and eat plenty of fruit.  A basic rule is to make sure you remove all makeup before you go to bed.

It is important to cleanse, tone, and moisturise twice a day (morning and night), and to exfoliate at least twice a week.  This is important if you get whiteheads and blackheads regularly.  There are a number of exfoliants available on the market, or you could make up your own home remedy.  A facial mask might also be a good idea… but don’t do this too often – once a week, tops.

You could try using topical treatments, like those that contain benzyl peroxide or witch hazel, on the affected areas, but do this after you have cleaned your skin.  Don’t overuse these products, however, as they may dry out your skin.

Hope this helps.

Rebekah Foxe

Sydney Makeup Artist
Makeup Artistry by Rebekah
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au

I just want to ask if you can give me some advice regarding my pimple scars .. i need a tip that i can see results in just weeks.. can you help me?

Ms Em

Dear Ms Em,

I would suggest that you see a dermatologist in relation to the treatment of your acne scarring.  There are a number of treatments available, including Dermabrasion, Microdermabrasion, laser treatement, and skin surgery.

If you are on a budget, you can purchase home microdermabrasion kits which would enable you to treat your skin in the privacy of your own home… perhaps you could try this?  Some brands I would suggest is the L’Oreal Microdermabrasion Kit or the Nutrimetics Microdermabrasion Kit.

Hope this helps.

Rebekah Foxe

Sydney Makeup Artist
Makeup Artistry by Rebekah
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au

Hello Rebekah, i have a question. I am not too good at the internet so i hope this works! Could you tell me your favourite products you use both skincare and make up. Thank you

Jane Bunning

Hi Jane,

Thanks for the question.

Personally, I think skin care is a very individual thing.  What is good for some skin types is not that great for others. You can really only decide what’s best for you through trial and error.

I have always been a fan of Nutrimetics skin care products.  I use their cleanser, toner, moisturiser and eye creme, as well as their micro-dermabrasion products (which I highly recommend).  Their body products are GORGEOUS… particularly their shower gels.  But my favourite is the Apricot Body Dew – it’s an amazing product.  Your skin feels so smooth after having applied it.  The Nutri-Rich Oil is a must have!!  It is great for cracked lips, heels, elbows, and is my favourite foot treatment… After I’ve scrubbed them with the Nutrimetics foot scrub, I smother my feet in Nutri-Rich Oil, put some socks on, and go to bed!!! The next morning, my feet are so soft!!!

You can find the Nutrimetics website at www.nutrimetics.com.au

Other skin care products I have enjoyed over the years include Lancome and Estee Lauder.

If you’re on a tight budget, a lot of the supermarket brands can be quite effective as well.  Brands like L’Oreal are an effective and affordable skin care product that I would also recommend.

A great website to visit for discount cosmetics is Strawberrynet – au.strawberrynet.com.  I absolutely LOVE this website, and you will be surprised at some of the savings!!!

Now to my favourite – MAKEUP!

As a professional makeup artist, I have used a range of products over the years.  My number one professional makeup brand is definitely Atelier – www.ateliermakeup.com.

Atelier is a professional makeup brand originating in France and is designed by a professional makeup artist to the highest international standards.

It is a high quality product giving excellent coverage and is long lasting.  The foundation is by far the best I have ever used, and really does give a flawless finish.  The eyeshadows are fabulous, and last all day.  The shimmers are unbelievable, my favourite being the sunny biege shimmer – GORGEOUS!

If you’re after a lighter everyday foundation, however, I would recommend other brands like Nutrimetics, L’Oreal, and Maybelline.  Liquid foundations are great, however, the latest trend is the mineral foundation, which I personally LOVE.  The L’Oreal Mineral Foundation is light, but gives great coverage.

MAC is also one of my other favourite foundation brands.  The coverage is excellent.

For a good mascara, the Chanel Inimitable Multi-dimensional mascara is brilliant!  The wand is amazing!  The mascara brush is covered in flexible rubber spikes of different lengths that actually do make each lash look thicker at the base and longer at the tip. You get curled, defined lashes with absolutely no clump.

Maybelline Volume Express is also a GREAT mascara (and a cheaper alternative).  It really does make your lashes appear longer and thicker.

I personally prefer the non-waterproof mascara as I believe they apply much nicer than waterproof.

For that glamorous look, the rage at the moment are false lashes.  The individual lashes are a must have, and look great when applied at the outer edge of the lash.  You can buy these from most beauty supply stores, as well as from any Naploeon Perdis store – www.napoleonperdis.com.

Speaking of Naploeon, their eyeshadows are fabulous!! Not to mention the Air Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer, which is applied prior to your foundation to smooth the complexion and ensure your makeup lasts even longer.

Another good eyeshadow I enjoy is from the Revlon Colourstay range.  They are long-lasting and come in a great range of colours.  The Nutrimetics eyeshadows are also lovely, not to mention their bronzers and blushes.

My favourite eyeliners are definitely the Revlon liquid eyeliner and the Nutrimetics eye pencil.

For the lips – glosses are the rage at the moment, and Napoleon have a great range.  Other brands I like for lipsticks and glosses include Revlon, Nutrimetics, Bobbi Brown, Atelier, and MAC.

As I said, it’s really a matter of trial and error when it comes to choosing cosmetics to find what works best for you.

Rebekah Foxe

Sydney Makeup Artist
Makeup Artistry by Rebekah
www.makeupbyrebekah.com.au
Have a question you would like to ask Bek?? email Bek at – rebekah@beyondthebride.com.au