Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with cosmetics

Hunting for Italian cosmetics: How to be bella in Italia?

purpleclover — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:52:20 -0800

I love cosmetics, and I'm in Rome. What should I buy here that I can't get in the United States? Things I'd love to find here: the best eyeliner, delicious blushes, fabulous mascaras, luxurious lotions, wrinkle creams that aren't FDA-approved, the eye cream that changed your life, the bronzer that makes you seem like you just got back from Cozumel, hand creams that make you weep, etc.

Has globalization eliminated this kind of shopping? Should I use all my liquid allocation for olive oil, or are there still Italian cosmetics and beauty elixirs worth seeking out?

I've just seen a face...

eatdonuts — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:30:21 -0800

Yikes! Nearly every 'healthy' cosmetic brand has toxic waste in it! Here I thought using Burt's Bees was good for unicorns and everything, apparently they have issues too! So does the Body Shop - badly. Search the database... Anyone have a good, healthy brand line? Please no "Stop Using." Try telling that to a 13 year old who just got permission.

Avocado oil for dry skin?

thewalrus — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:50:12 -0800

Dry skin and Avocado oil: My wife has excellent results with with an Avocado oil based product designed to prevent dry and flaking skin on her face during winter. We bought a tiny bottle of it at the cosmetic department of a department store that cost 55 euros. After reading the ingredient list it seems a bit of a ripoff... So we went online and got a half litre size bottle of pure "cosmetic grade" Avocado oil on eBay from a cosmetics/oil seller with hundreds of 100% positive feedback, for less than twenty bucks. The tiny and expensive product is this:

Sans Soucis Deep Moist Depot

Reading the ingredients on the back of the bottle and the marketing copy, it says this:

"Deep Moist Depot’s unique formula allows mineral-rich algae extract and hyaluronic acid to penetrate rapidly into the skin without any added binding agents. Then, Vitamin E protects the skin against free radicals and enhances its ability to store moisture, while an organic silicon compound firms facial contours. Thermal spring water from Baden-Baden and pure avocado oil leave your skin naturally revitalized, soft, and supple"

The Sans Soucis bottle when it is unshaken appears to separate exactly like any oil and water, it's 50% avocado oil and 50% water. The vitamin E is already contained within the avocado oil, so I don't think that was an added ingredient.

If we take 250ml of the big eBay avocado oil, put it in a half empty 500 ml squeeze bottle and add 250 ml of bottled water, then keep it stored in the fridge, will we not have produced effectively the same product? Particularly I am wondering about the "hyaluronic acid". Various sources say that avocado oil is good for up to one year of storage, but any first hand experience on how long it actually lasts (at room temp or in a fridge) would be helpful too.

Where can I find a discontinued LUSH product?

runningwithscissors — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:16:07 -0800

Where can I find LUSH's discontinued Sweet Japanese Girl? LUSH's US stores have discontinued their Sweet Japanese Girl, and I want to scoop up as many bars of it as I can before it totally disappears. Questionable naming practices aside, I love this product's cleansing and exfoliating properties, and it's the only thing that clears my blackheads. Before using it, I'd never understood what "glowing skin" was.

It seems that LUSH's Australia stores are selling it (I linked to it above), but shipping costs make it out of my reach, financially. I've tried eBay and Makeup Alley swaps, and I'll hit up my local LUSH shop soon as well to see if they still have it in stock.

Do you know where I can find this product? Otherwise, are there comparable products out there? I've found this recipe online, but I'm not sure I want to make my own beauty products. I've also checked Etsy.

Changing the world, one kiss at a time...

Muirwylde — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:35:10 -0800

Cosmetic manufacturing in China. I've noted that certain regions of China specialize in different types of consumer goods manufacturing. Which city or region is ground zero for cosmetics manufacturing in China? I'm interested in having a cosmetic product line (lipcare, lip gloss, lip balm, etc.) manufactured in China. Product line will use stock componentry custom overprinted with trademarked logo. I have had products produced in Taiwan of my own design. I don't need concept, design, or formulation input. My Tawainese suppliers are not suitable for this project and I want to take a trip to Mainland China to find a supplier who is capable of providing scalable production capacity for a national, and eventually, international roll out. I don't expect a recommendation to a specific cosmetic manufacturer unless you have specific experience with this type of product. The product (lip gloss) will be hot-filled in glass. I realize the manufacturers have close relationships with componentry suppliers and I also have my own sources for the componentry. Manufacturer must be capable of supplying a 1200 door international chain from 2-3 store test phase through full roll-out. Manufacturer must be willing to work with a small but rapidly expanding niche brand.There are hundreds of Chinese cosmetic manufacturers (or agents masquarading as cosmetic manufacturers) online. Please, no links to Alibaba or other China 'business lead'-generating sites. Rather, I am more interested in what city or region I should be looking at that is the absolute center for cosmetic manufacture in Mainland China so I can travel there and make some decisions after eyeballing the terrain. Any links to the pre-eminent cosmetic trade shows (in China) or China cosmetic trade organizations that you feel might be useful or helpful would also be greatly appreciated. I also would be interested in knowing what unforeseen problems you may have experienced while rolling out similar product lines. Thank you!

I'm not allergic to my cat. I'm allergic to bugs, but only in my makeup. Apparently.

Medieval Maven — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:48:51 -0800

Not sure what sort of doctor to go to about an allergy in my eyes that is not due to dust, pollen, mites, my cat, or any of the usual suspects. I have an allergy to some eye makeup that I've narrowed down to four pots of shadow that I own, and within that pool, one ingredient that I'm fairly sure is the culprit. However, I don't get contact dermatitis - my skin is basically fine - it's when the powder sloughs off into my eyes that the fun begins. (To be clear, I wear a normal amount of this stuff, it's just that there will, inevitably, be some small amount that does get into one's eyes.)

I don't think that my eye doctor deals with allergies (it's not one of the many eye-ailments he lists on his website) and I'm not sure one goes to the dermatologist for one's eyes in this case. Suggestions?

Looking for Changi Airport MAC makeup colour advice

Jubey — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:00:47 -0800

Looking for information about MAC cosmetics in Singapore, both about where to find certain products, what's available there and what colours might suit me. Hi, I'm based in Australia and here, MAC has a makeup palette you can customise. It comes with 4, 6 or 8 squares into which you can put a square of foundation, one of blush, your choice of eyeshadows etc. Basically you can mix and match.

Now my husband is coming through Changi Airport tomorrow night and can actually pick me up some duty free, so my first question is, is this customisable palette available at Changi Airport? MAC Sing website doesn't even list this store, or products so I can't call them and MAC Australia seem to be lost on the topic. (Australia also don't list it on their website but it's offered in store). If someone knows if it's available and can let me know in the next few hours that would be great.

2nd Part; Should this happen to be available, what colours should I get? I have dark brown hair, fair to medium skin (more fair, with yellow undertones) and light brown eyes. I'm after a few eyeshadows, a square of foundation, a blush and maybe a few shades of lipgloss/lipstick.

And is there any MAC product I can't do without... I already have liquid foundation.
Thanks for your help!

A webcam as a means for recording changes in facial appearance over time?

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:05:47 -0800

Using a webcam (instead of a camera) for recording changes in facial appearance over time - good or bad idea? I'm thinking about experimenting with various topical cosmetic applications and keeping a photographic record to judge what works (as well as tracking the skin effects of various food allergies, etc). I don't have a webcam; I do have a 6 mp camera which I don't use much (not a camera person).

Anyway; I'm considering spending 50-70$ for a logitech webcam to take daily facial pics - because of the relative ease in creating a daily routine, because the lighting would be consistent (as would the angle), and so on. I've never had a webcam, and it's unlikely that I'd use it much, if at all, except for this function.

Is this a foolish idea and waste of money? Should I just use the camera and approximate? Would a webcam in this price range provide good enough still photos for this purpose (ie, focus on changes in skin texture, pores, wrinkles, etc).

(I know this is a pretty superficial question, but it's been bouncing around in my head for a while and thought I'd just finally ask and see if anyone had any thoughts)

Beauty items not packaged in plastic?

toomuchkatherine — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:18:58 -0800

Plastic-free beauty filter: I'm researching how to diminish the amount of plastic I am using from day to day, and I'm about to attack my personal-care items. Does anyone have suggestions for shampoos, deodorants, face washes, lotions, toothpastes, etc., that don't come packed in plastic containers? I'm interested in commercially available stuff and also recipes I can make at home if the components aren't too plastic-y.

Recommend a professional skin care brand?

pinkbungalow — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:46:40 -0800

What is your favorite professional skin care line? I'm opening a studio where we will offer skin care services. I have been searching and researching and trying different lines. I am ruling out Dermalogica. What has worked for you? Nice smelling, organic, all that would be great but it has to be a line that can produce good results for my clients. I've already selected PCA, but I'd like to find another that may be a notch down in price points. I can't recommend something I don't believe in, so I'd love any suggestions.

Why do women use black eyeliner on the bottom of their eyes?

espertus — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:37:59 -0800

Why do some women paint the bottom of their eyes with black eyeliner? I'm not talking about Goth women. These are women who are otherwise conventionally dressed, coiffed, and made up. I understand other make-up, such as mascara, lipstick, foundation, and blush, but do people really find dark eye bottoms attractive? They make me think of raccoons.

Can anyone confirm the existence of the Arbonne Institute of Research and Development in Sion Switzerland?

doppler68 — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:42:39 -0800

Is there anyone here who lives in or around Sion Switzerland? I am looking for confirmation that the Arbonne Institute of Research and Development (AIRD) has a lab at "chemin des Orlons 10, 1860 Aigle, Switzerland‎." I discovered that there is a different company at that address: FCC - Fragrances, Cosmetics and Consulting. I spoke to a man from FCC and asked about Arbonne and he didn't know what I was talking about. But when I emailed him, I was emailed back instead by a "Torre Fortunato" who said that yes in fact, there was an Arbonne AIRD lab there and that he worked for both companies. I believe that he is colluding with Arbonne International to perpetuate the lie that Arbonne has a lab in Sion Switzerland. I looked on Google earth for that address and found it is a field. It could be possible that the lab was constructed after the satellite photos were taken. However, I've seen the AIRD address in print in a blog comment in 2006. I assume that the satellite photos are more recent then that.

Any help that could be provided would be greatly appreciated.

Help me find websites that trade or sell gently used cosmetics.

scazza — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:06:08 -0800

Help me find websites that trade or sell gently used cosmetics. Found this thread from 2006; is there anything other than Makeup Alley? Ebay is not the best. I'm looking for a specific very expensive moisturizer. I saw that Makeup Alley has some bad reviews of this product and I wonder what those people did with what they had left. I'm not worried about sanitary issues, this has a very sanitary container.

Thank you!

Need a foundation that won't turn orange

IndigoRain — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:10:50 -0800

Recommendations for not-too-expensive foundation that won't turn orange on my very pale ivory skin? I am pale enough that I can usually buy foundation in one of the two lightest shades in any given line. My two most recent failures were Mary Kay's both full and medium coverage foundations. Both turn orange on me, no matter how lightly I try to apply them. Previously I'd been using CoverGirl something or other, with the same problem.

I do use concealer but I have severely dark blue/purple undereye circles, reddish old acne scars, and the occasional red pimple, so I have a lot of skin tone variation. I don't know if all these powdered "Bare Minerals" knockoffs (for example, L'Oreal's Bare Naturale) can handle that much coverage, and they seem to be messy (as in, you get powder everywhere).

I need something affordable too, so preferably something I can pick up in a drugstore or Wal-Mart, not something Sephora-exclusive. What doesn't turn orange on you?

MAC Hello Kitty Kouture in UK prices

Penelope — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:48:39 -0800

Is MAC Hello Kitty Kouture available for sale at Harrods in London yet? If so, what are the prices? I couldn't find it on their website, but apparently that's the only place in the UK it is being sold. If anyone knows what their prices on the Dazzleglass lipglosses and the Mystery Powders are, I'd really like to know. Thanks. No speculation please : ) just if you know for sure. Thanks again.

Makeup lessons in San Francisco?

otherwordlyglow — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:25:01 -0800

Where should I go in San Francisco to learn better techniques for make-up application? I'm preparing for a special event and I'd like to look my best for it. I'm not particularly keen on hiring a makeup artist to do my makeup for the actual event but I'd love to go somewhere and have someone make recommendations for what would look good on me and show me how to do it myself. At 40 years old, and a good 25 years of makeup experience, you'd think I would have this figured out but I guess I don't feel like I'm great at doing my own makeup. I like to look pretty natural most of the time and can do a fairly good job at that but for this event, I'd like a little more drama while ensuring that I don't look like a clown.

Can I just show up at any makeup counter or do I have to hire someone to give me lessons? Beauty schools? Of course, I'd rather not pay a whole lot but I'm totally willing to buy a bunch of new products, if I think they'll work for me. Currently, I use mostly Clinique, MAC, Prescriptives, and a collection of drug store brands.

Recommendations for San Francisco are really appreciated.

CLEAR SKIN CALLED, it said screw you

madmamasmith — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:07:10 -0800

well. i have searched and searched and there is alot out there , but i am looking for something specific. this question is about BLACKHEADS. I have had blackheads since i was a teen, when i was 20 i started getting zits too. Here I am 26 and my skin is the worst it has ever been.i have blackheads on every inch of my face and my face and scalp feel like an oil factory. I am a vegetarian, i dont eat crappy but i dont eat buckwheat cakes and organic chard everyday either maybe once a month i get drunk and maybe once a week have a soda, i do drink a couple coffees a week and my diet consists of alot of texmex but alot of organnic veggies too, i dont take vitamins cuz im really poor right now but in the past i have tried evening primrose, multivitamin, iron,birth control pills,,,i have used every face wash known to man as well as retina and other topicals, and now after 10 years of no noticeable difference i just use oatmeal soap and witchhazel. i was using jojoba cuz i heard that would help but it didnt but neither does lotion. basically i am freaking out, what do i do? i have the most sensitive skin so i scar really easy. i am too oily. i do everything u r supposed to ; drink water, change pillowcases, hot showers, all natural skincare,,,,help me please. I cant afford facials evryday but i did use to get microderms once a month to no avail as well as chemical peels that actually scarred me really bad. are there any remedies that anyone can suggest that have worked for you? home remedies, pills, liver cleanses? im so desperate, i hate looking in the mirror, dont lecture me.....just tell me if anything has worked for you

Japanese makeup/fashion in NYC?

zgg105 — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:57:30 -0800

What's a good place to buy Japanese cosmetics and/or fashion magazines (such as ViVi) in NYC? Or online?

Why is the smoky eye popular?

mausburger — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:50:29 -0800

Why is the "smoky eye" popular? The "smoky eye" is currently a popular technique for eye makeup on women right now, supposedly because it gives a sexy, sultry look. I find this baffling because it's not a natural look at all and I'm curious about where this standard for beauty came from.

Why is this look considered sexy (as opposed to some other look)? Who thought (thinks?) this was an attractive look for women? Where did this idea come from? Was it associated with a celebrity or a character in entertainment?

A rational explanation would help this geek girrl.

Who will refill my cosmetics bottles?

penguin pie — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:09:49 -0800

Is there anywhere in the UK that will refill empty cosmetics bottles? You used to be able to take empty bottles back to The Body Shop to be refilled from jumbo tubs behind the counter, but since they stopped I've never found anywhere else that does it. I know you can get plastic bottles recycled, but the recycling process itself uses up energy, and it just seems so stupid to stick a perfectly good empty bottle that I've only had for a couple of weeks in the recycling bin then go buy another identical one full of product. I'm particularly looking for shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, but also interested in anything else.

Looking for MAC cosmetics distributors in LA or SF

sagewithin — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:31:34 -0800

Looking to find several MAC cosmetics distributors in Los Angeles and/or San Francisco or online for wholesale purchase.

Keeping the peaches in the cream

Jess the Mess — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:21:31 -0800

Does a foundation exist that won't cover up your natural coloring? I'm looking for a foundation that will cover up the flaws without washing out the natural pinkness in my complexion.

I'm currently using Neutrogena Healthy Skin make-up in the lightest color available and I find that while it evens out the overall tone of my face, it wipes the natural color out of my cheeks, resulting in a kind of dull look I have to fix with blush.

Bonus points for something I can get at a drugstore as I'm definitely on a budget here.

Superhero potion

oneirodynia — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:44:24 -0800

Heavy water applied to skin- a bad idea? If so, why? I've seen a number of cosmetic companies marketing a heavy water face mist. The wikipedia article on heavy water says that it slows down cellular regeneration; the cosmetics companies all say (and I do mean all, since all cut and paste this exact bit): D2O is Deuterium Oxide - heavy water. Its hydrogen molecule is twice the weight of the molecule in ordinary water, which makes D2O 10% heavier than H2O. Research has found that:

" * Heavy Water has a higher resistance to vaporization, which helps it stay on the skin for longer periods of time.
* It has more viscosity. This "thickness" gives it a higher "plumping" effect than regular water and the skin does not dry out as quickly or as deeply.
* It requires ten times as much energy to be ionized than regular water, which makes it more protective against ultra violet radiation.
* It inactivates certain acne bacteria, making it an ideal moisturizing agent for blemish-prone skin."

I haven't been able to come up with anything that specifically applies to skin, other than some research about frog skin permeability. It seems to me that something that slows down normal cellular processes is a sketchy thing to apply to your face every day. I just can't find good info, pro or con.

Maybe she's born with it

Zinger — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:42:58 -0800

Where can I buy makeup online (Covergirl in particular)? I'm tired of trying to find a particular shade of lipstick, as it's never available in the local stores. I'm looking for a safe (ie., selling genuine products) online makeup retailer, either in Canada or the US. Suggestions? Strawberry.net, which was suggested in a related AskMeFi thread, doesn't appear to carry CoverGirl.

Non-Evil Makeup?

airguitar2 — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:08:29 -0800

What kind of makeup is the safest, most natural, and least chemically toxic? I'm trying to re-vamp my makeup collection (foundation, bronzer, mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow) with an eye to makeup that's as natural and least toxic as possible. Realizing that the healthiest thing is to simply wear *no* makeup-- but that sometimes a girl's just gotta do it-- is there a line of makeup that comes close?

I've heard good things about Jane Iredale and mineral-based makeups. Are these safer than the department store brands? What's best for the skin? What about nanotech? Has anyone sifted through the research about this?

Mascarally yours,
airguitar2