The Organic Beauty Expert

Seriously? Acupuncture Face Lift @ Argyle Spa.... Hmmm....

I get monthly acupuncture and fire cupping. I swear by it, even though I'm still iffy on the premise (and yes, I know the history). But an acupuncture face lift? It makes me wonder enough to almost schedule an appointment! Has anyone tried this?

Here's the description:

Relax in luxury as 20-30 tiny acupuncture needles are applied strategically to the facial area.  Depending on the individuals needs, needles might be placed around the eye area, jowls, chin or cheeks. This procedure works to bring blood flow to the area, stimulate collagen and tone the facial muscle.

This is a local treatment so needles are about 36 to 38"gauge and are inserted superficially ( 1/4" to 1/2") and then are attached to an electronic stimulation device.  The treatment gradually softens wrinkles in a non-surgical, non-invasive way and all the while ... its relaxing.  Rates begin at $150. Available at Argyle Salon & Spa in West Hollywood.

Seriously? The art of Zen body cleaning with only five ingredients :: Clean Body

I saw this little snippet over at ReallyNatural.com. For those of you looking to be green on a strict budget, Clean Body: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing Yourself may just have the answers for you. If you've read the book, please share your thoughts and let us know if five ingredients really works for you.

As an aside, I can see how one could do it; I just don't want to. That's a commitment and I have issues with commitment! I like to play the beauty field too much.

from Amazon.com

Clean Zen, clean green! Clean Body follows the successful Clean: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing, by cleaning guru Michael DeJong. As with the first book, this is not merely about washing away the dirt: it embodies a mindset, a philosophy, an alternative to mass consumerism. DeJong draws from Eastern belief systems—especially the element theory in Chinese medicine and Asian cooking—and harmoniously balances five pure essentials in his recipes, using baking soda, lemon, olive oil, salt, and white vinegar as the basis for his all-natural concoctions. Including special, separate sections for men and women, Clean Body has ideas for everything from facial exfoliants and natural aftershave to moisturizers and creams for itchy skin, discolored knees, and smooth feet. EVERY part of the body, from head to toe, is covered.

Seriously? Mineral makeup set for $100? So Seductive needs to get So Serious!

Now I represent beauty indies as best as I can, but a recent press release from So Seductive Cosmetics offering a Valentine Mineral Set for just $99.99 (with a two-payment flex-pay option) takes the cake. Most days I know I recommend products that are out of the budget's of many readers, but I do so because I know the line, use the line, love the product and/or know the quality behind it. This line... not so much.

The U.S. is the land of capitalism, readers, no doubt. Yet this release is full of it and the set offered at a mere $99.99 looks shabby chic at best. And what do you get for $100 bucks you ask? You get: 2 Shades of Exotic Minerals SPF 8 Foundation, 1 Exotic Minerals Bronzer, 1Feather Ostrich Brush and 1 How-To Guide.

As one of the readers commented recently about a kit, "WTF?!" There are some other sketchy things I don't like either. The use of harsh lighting for before and soft muted lighting on the after shots makes my skin crawl. My hub-man is a professional photographer and I had training in photography and broadcast lighting so that screams a big "hmmm."

Additionally, I LOVE the Money Back guarantee they offer on their website: Just try our Exotic Minerals Set for a full 30 days. If you're not totally satisfied with the purchase, simply return the products unopened for a complete refund of the purchase price (less shipping and handling). We do not issue refunds on opened products due to sanitation purposes. What?! Am I the only one who did a head turn like your dog does when you say something strange? Use it, but don't open it. That's possible!

I could rant a few more lines about this launching company, but my best advice would be for them to get a clue and some professional business help. Try again, ladies.

Seriously? Foreskin as the new anti-aging ingredient?

What fun! I haven't had anything to post in this section for a while and this definitely is cause for some sarcasm. It makes me think of the episode of Nip/Tuck where the girls started a face cream line with sperm as the main ingredient.

But foreskin? Really? What do you think? I'm aware of the great nutrients babies can offer, especially placenta, but I just don't know if I want it in my skin care. It may be like when I ate in restaurants overseas: I just didn't ask what was in it.

Seriously? Disgruntled ex-employee or grain of truth?

L'Oreal USA has to contend with either the ravings of a very unhappy ex-employee or as Desi Arnaz would say, "L'Oreal you has some splainin' to do?

From CosmeticsDesign.com: A former L'Oreal executive has accused the company of using ingredients in markets where they are banned and of selling products that contain unlawfully high levels of preservatives.

Jerome Chevalier claims that he was harassed and ultimately dismissed by L'Oreal USA after he complained about the company's allegedly unlawful activities.

The former head of regulatory affairs has filed a suit against L'Oreal USA in Union County Court, New Jersey, asking for compensatory and consequential damages from the company and demanding reinstatement. Read the full article.

This issue brings up the question: just how much do we believe beauty when they tell us it's green, natural, eco, less of a carbon footprint, etc?

Seriously? Dr. Bronner needs to sell soap, not drama

Okay, I'm getting sick of Dr. Bronner's. Truly! While it is somewhat irritating to have companies misuse "natural" and "organic," there is certainly no need to waste the courts time and my tax dollars for frivolous law suits like the one he filed today: The Organic Consumer's Association and Dr. Bronner recently filed a lawsuit against a number of companies, citing misbranded products, namely the use of the term "organic."

Dude, come on. You bullied the USDA into using their stamp without them changing policies to specifically address personal care products and now you think a lawsuit will change the beauty marketing industry? Are you kidding me? Have you heard of capitalism? Do you think we consumers can't read. It may be somewhat daunting to read a label, but for those interested parties, it can be done. Can you explain what your lawsuit will do for us, as consumers?

According to the article, a few companies named in the lawsuit are Estee Lauder, Kiss My Face, Corp., Juice  Beauty, Stella McCartney America, Inc. and EcoCert France.  Dave, I think it's time you got back to mixing up soap instead of stirring up problems and raising the prices of products I like.

What say ye?

Seriously? Botox on the brain

I hope that as I age, I will do it gracefully. Just as I have come to be as one with my stretch marks, or battle wounds, as I call them, I pray that I never get to the point where injecting a form of botulism into my face is even a consideration. Face with no wrinkles but a turkey wattle neck is just so appealing. Is it too much to think I'll love my much warranted turkey neck as a sign of my time spent here? Do I really want to be 80 with a wrinkle-free face, perky boobs, collagen lips and a silicone butt pad?

Sarcasm aside, though, new reports are suggesting that Botox may move from the skin and into the brain. Additionally, the FDA recently reported adverse side effects, like DEATH, from overdosing of Botox. I'm thinking weekly Botox parties should be discontinued, hey? I don't know, if I read something that has death as a side effect, it makes me think twice. Kind of like those drug commercials that offer a little oily anal discharge as a common occurrence. Is it really worth it?

What are your thoughts?

Seriously? 60% of beauty products absorbed into body... I'm not so sure about that

OBE readers, I'm seriously getting mad. I keep seeing this quote all over the place -- from eco-beauty sites to companies selling beauty products -- and I have not been able to find some objective justification of this statistic. In fact, there was a recent outing of Stella McCartney about this very issue. In this article, a pharmacologist is quoted as saying the actual body absorption is closer to 1%. That seems more likely, no? So where the heck did 60% rear it's ugly head? Like this 2007 article from the UK that tells us we're carrying around 4 pounds of chemicals a year! Makes you want to move to a secluded island, sanitize your urine (cause the drinking water is contaminated with pharmaceuticals) and hide under a palm tree. It's enough to make you (me?) crazy!

What's your take? Do you take these drastic claims to heart?

Seriously? Mandating scent from on high

While I agree that some people are a little heavy handed with their perfumes, I don't think the government needs to get involved.

Democratic representative Karen Clark of Minnesota, doesn't agree with me.

What do you think?

Seriously? Snail slime, snake venom... now frog skin

According to an article on CosmeticsDesign.com, South Korean scientists are claiming that skin from bullfrogs produces antioxidants that help to eradicate the effects of free radicals on human skin.

From the article:
... the bullfrog extract could provide a more economical and easier to source alternative to alpha-tocopherol, as well as being approximately 10 percent more efficient than tocopherol at eliminating free radicals.

Likewise, Professor Kim also points out that there are advantages for formulators because it is water-soluble, which means it can be easily incorporated into a wide range of products - even beauty drinks.

The bullfrog adds to a growing number of animal-based extracts or bi-products that have been launched in personal care and cosmetic products in recent years.

There have been a number of skin care products on the market based on snail slime extract for some years, whereas a snake venom-based anti-aging cream was launched by Planet Skincare in the UK towards the end of last year.

Likewise, donkey milk has been garnering increasing interest as an ingredient for skin care products of late, thanks mainly to its known anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties, while camel's milk is also used in skin care products for its high mineral and vitamin content.

Accordingly, there's another new anti-aging line out that's placenta-based. Would you give these products a whirl?