Hey everyone,

  Happy Valentine's Day!

  I would like to tell everyone that I have had some interesting things happen here in the Boutique and want to share with you what I know and learned.

  I recently, and how weird is this, had two seperate people come in to custom blend or get makeovers and both have lost several eyelashes. Not one or two but at least an 1/8th to a 1/4 inch of them. Now this is really strange and I was upset and perplexed. I have seen this with people who don't clean their old stuff off first and with those who use an eyelash curler after mascara application. So I asked both women if either was the case and they swear it wasn't. So being the inquisitive person I am I had to analyze this.

  With one of them I really think she wasn't upfront with the other I think she was using a product she wasn't sure of the ingredients. It is very  important to  learn as what you put in your body as what you put on it.

 As with any "natural" or "organic" products just be aware that certain products even if synthetic will work better and not  affect you body. This can be true of mascara but I feel it is important to know that coal tar and certain charcoals aren't needed to achieve the length and volume we want in our lashes.  We don't want them to melt away by the end of the day but we don't want them to require a blow torch to get them off.

  What I have discovered in recent years is that a lash primer is a very important tool in the health and welfare of these little beauties we spend so much money on to maintain. Like hair on our heads eyelashes have a reagular growth pattern and require maintenance. We overlook them, pardon the pun, more than we should.

  Like with our hair they need moisture and conditioning. An eyelash primer is meant as a safety barrier in most cases to protect them from the drying effect of mascaras. They keep them supple while allowing the mascara to adhere and perform. At least this  what Arabesque and Garden Botanika do for the eyleash. I have started using them and love the care I have invested  in what is one of my better assets. Old age not withstanding!

When you bat your beauties in the mirror think if they need a little extra TLC. And think Primer! Also take care to remove any residue with the proper remover. We have several for all types of needs.

 As far as these two ladies I will work hard to get them batting a full set soon!

 If you have any questions please write me anytime. I am here your Cosmetic Junkie Friend!

Keep your best face forward!

                        VAl

!

Recently I have had clients in the boutique and on-line ask me why I don't carry Bare Minerals or other Celebrity endorsed products. So I hope I can help others make an informed decision with the information I have received from very reliable sources and of course you can do the research as well.

My minerals are custom belnded your skin tone as I have mentioned and we have additives that can be added to focus on certain skin care needs such as retaining moisture, for mature skin, or brightnening for uneven pigmented and other issues without changing the fell of the minerals. The most important difference I feel is very important, since skin is the largest organ,  is the fact we don't have fillers such as talc or bismuth oxychloride.

 Bismuth oxychloride is an inorganic compound made from combining bismuth with salt. Bismuth is the by-product of lead and copper refining. It rarely occurs in nature. On the periodic chart table of elements it is under the Bi symbol and is very heavy and chemically resemble arsenic and antimony.

In minerals it gives a whitish iridescence and has shine. Note the airbrush look (relfection). It can be classified a sa salt or as a heavy metal.. Of all the the heavy metals it is the only non- toxic one so companies feel free to use it as a cheap filler.

It has binding qualities so make-up will stick you your skin.  Since it is a heavy element it can result in clogged pores or irritated skin. The molecular structure is chrystalline in shape, shich may cause itichiness on some women who wear it. Many women experince itchiness when they sweat . It is kin to arsenic , chemically, so your body will try to reject what is inherently harmful to it. So take the time and check to see if your minerals have bismuth oxychloride.

Alhough I sell some products with this in it I usually make sure it is the last ingredient and that it is limited in it's use.

I hope I have answered and informed everyone and you feel free to research on your own or write and ask me to do it for you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hello everyone,

I hope this starts as a great way to share knowledge and answer questions. I have a real passion for skin care and cosmetics and will be happy to answer any questions you have or share tips on make-up. I feel a real strong desire to debunk myths and educate the consumer. I am a firm believer in buyer beware.

The best part about what I do is finding great products that will satisfy a cosmetic junkies need. I take the time to research any and all claims and hope to provide the highest quality products that live up to thier claims. I have been in skin care for twenty years and love the composition of products. I also follow the cutting edge technologies in skin care and anti-aging products.

Feel free to ask me anything and I will responde. If it is personal just contact me using the link above.  If you want to comment about any product or have any suggestions please feel free to post.

 Thanks and I look forward to your in-put.