It all started when I was 12. It was my first year in high school and I was wearing lipstick for the first time. It was not surprising that lipstick was important to me since I always saw my mother wearing makeup. She would never leave home without it. In fact, she loved to wear it when just staying at home. I felt so grown up, riding to and from school on the train every day with my lipstick on. The big trick was to get the lipstick off before arriving at school and managing to get it back on at night before boarding the train. I only attended that school for one year, but that’s another story.

Throughout my life I have always loved makeup. I have always made a point to choose that of very good quality. Now, having become an image consultant, I continue to do the same for my clients, but I have recently been challenged to rethink what is “very good quality.”

Going green

There has been much talk in the last few years about all the chemicals found in almost everything we encounter in our everyday lives. Many of us are very conscious of buying green and have long ago found out what a treat it is to shop for produce at a farmers’ market. Recently, my business partner Terry Lee and I met two image consultants who have been researching skin care products and minerals. Working with them has started us to question what we have really been feeding our skin.

...the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada do not provide the kind of protection that most of us think they do in regard to cosmetic products.

Protected? Not so much

Sadly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada do not provide the kind of protection that most of us think they do in regard to cosmetic products.

Many products are labelled “natural,” but that word has no legal definition or meaning.

They have laws and regulations in place with regard to contents and safety, but the industry is very largely allowed to be self-regulating. New products do not have to be tested and licensed by them before being put on the market. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) provides a slightly better level of protection, having banned chemicals that are known or highly suspected of causing cancer, birth defects, or genetic mutation.

Up to this point, all the product tests have been, for the most part, about the reaction of the product on the skin. Did it cause a rash? Did it cause the skin to become itchy? Did it exacerbate an existing condition such as rosacea? But “the times they are a-changin’.” Finally, a good look is being taken at how various chemicals from the products are being absorbed through our skin and into our bloodstream, and how they are affecting us in all sorts of damaging ways.

What’s going on inside?

Having read this powerful book, I will never look at cosmetic products in the same way again. From over 60 percent of what we put onto our skin, some portion is absorbed into our bloodstream and can build up in our tissues. This process is called “transdermal absorption.”

Low doses of chemical exposure can affect our hormonal system and disrupt normal development. Chemicals can sometimes work together with genes to cause disease.

On average, we use approximately 10 cosmetic products daily, exposing ourselves to about 125 different chemicals. Studies are being done about the effects those chemicals can have on our bodies but no one is looking at the unknown results of mixing those chemicals together and what harm and long-term effects those combinations can produce.

Many products are labelled “natural” but that word has no legal definition or meaning. A partial list of some of the most prevalent ingredients found in many “natural” body-care products includes: aluminium chlorohydrate, formaldehyde (sometimes listed under the name DMDM), mercury, parabens (which may be listed as methylparabens, propylparabens, butylparabens and ethylparabens), phthalates, propylene glycol, and sodium lauryl sulphate or sodium laureth sulphate. All of these ingredients pose health risks.

The upside

There is no way I am giving up lipstick. Makeup has always given me a psychological lift, so I am just thrilled to talk about meeting our two new friends, who have put so much time into research to develop a line of safe products. They outline their commitment is as follows:

• Products do not contain sulphates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colourants, parabens, benzene, propyl alcohol or propylene glycol.
• Ingredients are naturally derived and biodegradable.
• All skin care products are made fresh by hand in small batches and are blended using emulsifiers derived from coconut oil and other edible. AB products are safe for internal use.
• We endorse and use organic ingredients whenever possible. (Essential oils are organic practitioner-grade pure plant essences; all carrier oils are organic.) The emulsifying wax used in products is derived from coconut oil.
• The rose, neroli and witch hazel used as hydrosols are naturally derived from the distillation process.
• Ingredients are 100 percent natural, gluten-free and vegan-friendly. The only non-vegan ingredients used are beeswax (which is used because of the enormous benefits of bee products) and carmine (natural carmine is only used in two lipsticks).
• Each ingredient in the products, where applicable, has been analyzed for aerobic plate count, mould, yeasts and pathogenic microorganisms.
• Lip colour and foundation pigments have been third-party chemically analyzed and found to be free of lead with the result of “Does Comply.”
• Mineral makeup does not contain nano-particles.

Glowing results

The makers of this safe makeup line go on to explain more about their products:

“We have had clients tell us that they are so glad to have found us. Just to smell the combination of ingredients — floral, citrus, fresh herbs, and many more natural scents — is so refreshing. High quality mineral makeup has ingredients that may include sun protection, zinc, magnesium and even some anti-inflammatories that calm and soothe the skin. Unlike other makeup, the minerals will not support bacteria growth because they are inert. The makeup itself is easy to apply and gives a natural glow. Because it reflects light off the skin like tiny mirrors, the appearance of aging is reduced and it does not sink into fine lines and wrinkles. If properly applied, it should last all day, is water resistant, and will allow you to swim with it on for at least 80 minutes.”

Apply new knowledge

My wish for all my readers is that this information will not in any way diminish your desire to look your best, but will enable you to make the right choice about the quality of your products. Remember that natural skin care products cannot be mass produced because they have an expiry date, and therefore you will not find them in large department stores. You need to seek out the smaller independent companies that carry them. Their use will make you feel good and you will be guarding your own good health.

Teresa’s Tips

1. Have a rubber sole added to new leather-soled shoes. A very thin rubber sole can extend the life of your shoe as well as keep you from slipping on highly polished floors and smooth carpets.
2. Add a scarf to liven up an old suit; men, try a new tie on the old suit.
3. Ladies, watch the length of your handbag. A bag hanging at your hips will draw the eye to that area and make your hips look wider. The bag should be at waist level.
4. Ladies, pearls need to be worn to keep their lustre. Keep them away from other jewellery that can scratch the surface. Perfumes and hairspray can also discolour and dull their lustre.
5. Men, remember that in your early years adding facial hair added age (or maturity, you thought). Well, it continues to do so for life. Contrary to the current fad, if you want to instantly (yes, I mean instantly) subtract years from your appearance, dump the facial hair. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Teresa McCarthy is an image consultant certified by the Association of Image Consultants International. She is a Director of Canadian Operations for the Fashion Fit Formula, as well as a cofounder Ottawa-based Image Solutions Group.