IF A GODDESS WORE MAKEUP

I just placed an order for this beautiful new lipgloss from Vapour Organic Beauty.

100% of Vapour’s proceeds from the sale of Honor lipgloss will be donated to benefit breast cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic which is working toward the first breast cancer vaccine.

Vapour Organic Beauty was co-founded by Krysia Boinis, botanical expert and young cancer survivor.

The gloss will be available next week at IF A GODDESS WORE MAKEUP.

Great product, great company, great cause.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com

I’m reading Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change, by Vivian Diller, Ph.D. with Jill Muir-Sukenick, Ph.D.

As models turned psychotherapists, the authors have had the opportunity to examine the world of beauty from two very different vantage points — one where looks are all-important, and the other where they are often viewed as irrelevant. 

Whether we focused on our looks or barely noticed them, our changing appearances strike at the core of who we are.  Face It is a psychological guide that provides a path out of this surprisingly difficult predicament.  It helps us find a healthy balance between letting our looks matter and accepting that they change.

Sela Ward, actress:  ”Finally, not just another beauty book.  As someone in the public eye, I truly appreciate the authors’ understanding — of how all women deal with complicated reactions to their aging appearance.  Face It offers a refresing perspective and long-lasting solutions.  It’s a book you can give to your mother, daughter or any woman who wants to feel and look great at any age.”

I’ll post a review when I finish this fascinating book.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com

I recently purchased two natural silk pillowcases that are supposed to be better for your hair and complexion than sleeping on a cotton case.  Free shipping put my bill to just under $100.   Vain?  Yeah, maybe.  Yes, definitely.

 Natural silk pillowcase by BEAUTYZZZ:

• free of chemicals, pesticides and artificial colors  
• hypoallergenic
• maintains natural PH levels
• prevents hair and skin from losing moisture overnight
• enhances absorption of beauty products   
• prevents “bed head” and leaves skin crease-free and smooth  

I can honestly say that my hair looks better in the morning and for sure no creases on my face.  Now, if the pillowcase can help with my occasional insomnia …………..

Available at BGlowing.com or Beauty.com

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com

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Lip color, in my opinion, is important.  By just adding color to your lips, the face is brightened up with a look of health.

Summer lip products should be lighter in texture than those we wear in the cooler months.  The addition of sunscreen is also important.

So here is it, my pick for the best summer lipstick: Perfect Organics Lip & Cheek Shimmer

Even those of you who think you don’t like lipstick, I predict will like this one.   Apply directly from the tube, no lip liner necessary. And get this, you can also use it on your cheeks as a blush.

Cairo, a pretty pink, is a great color for fairer skins.  Santiago (my fave) works well with tanned, golden skin tones.  London, a brown with a touch of plum looks beautiful on my friend, Anna, who is a brunette with a medium complexion.

For more information on Perfect Organics, go to the products page on my website. 

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com 

  A full face of makeup just doesn’t look right when it’s 90 outside and 100% humidity. That really struck me last week when I saw an old friend, casually dressed, out shopping on a Saturday afternoon with, in my opinion, way too much makeup on for that occasion.

Everyone’s skin gets more oily in the summer, or least not as dry; so think about using a lighter moisturizer.  Very oily skins can skip it all together.  And go easy with the foundation. One option would be to use a touch of concealer where needed to cover zits, red spots and under-eye darkness with mineral power over that.  Powder is great in the summer because of its light texture and ability to keep the skin looking matte and shine-free while giving a bit of coverage.  Liquid makeup wearers can switch to a tinted moisturizer or a sheer mineral foundation such as Vapour’s “Atmosphere” stick foundation.  This is the one I’ve been wearing this summer and love it because it looks like I have nothing on, yet I’m getting adequate coverage and also sun protection.  Make sure that your foundation or powder is the right color and not too light.  After applying it, step back and check to see that your face and neck/chest area are all the same shade.  Unfortunately, this is a mistake I see all the time. 

Bronzer is fun in the summer.  Pick a color that isn’t too brown or too orange.  Again, you want it to look natural and sun-kissed.  Whether using a cream or powder, apply to the high points rather than covering your entire face.  The high points are the areas that stick out like your cheeks, nose, chin and top of the forehead.  I love the look of bronzer with a touch of pink blush just on the apples of the cheeks.  Very pretty and fresh looking.

Neutral eye makeup is the perfect choice for summer.  Warm colors like bronze, peach or gold with a touch of shimmer or a light brown matte shade will look just right. Keep it minimal by just using one color on the lower lid.  Skip the eye pencil which may smear in hot weather and opt for lining the eyes with dark shadow and a damp brush.  Curl your lashes, add a coat of mascara  and you’ve got beautiful summer peepers.

Stay away from heavy matte lipsticks when the temperature rises.  Gloss or sheer lip color in shades of pink, nude or bronze is the way to go.

One last tip - get yourself some blotting papers.  This is a great way to touch up midday without adding more makeup.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com

Shea butter is made from the nuts of the karite tree found only in Africa.  Naturally high in vitamins A and E, this butter is one of the most healing, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing emollients available.  The shea butter carried at IF A GODDESS WORE MAKEUP is of the highest quality, organic and naturally extracted without the use of solvents or other chemicals.  It is easy to spread and absorbs quickly into the skin. Take small amounts of the butter between your fingers and rub them together to soften before applying to the skin. Pure shea butter, as well as creams containing a high percentage of shea butter, are on the shelves at my shop.

BENEFITS:

• treatment for dry, chapped, cracked skin
• daily moisturizer for face and body for those with dry skin
• soothing for sunburn
• natural suncreen (SPF6)
• prevents and diminishes stretch marks
• effective for eczema, dermatitis, rosacea
• softens rough skin on feet
• helps heal minor burns

Simple, inexpensive and multi-purpose.  What’s not to like.

Personally, I’m a bit conflicted about sunscreen/sunblocks (even the chemical-free ones) which I’ll go into in another blog.  So now before heading out for a walk on a sunny day,  I rub shea butter on my face, arms and hands.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com

May is Celiac Disease Awareness month.  Celiac disease is an auto- immune digestive disease that can cause serious health problems if even the smallest amount of gluten is ingested.  Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.  A 100% gluten-free diet is the only existing treatment.  Many Americans have the disease, but go undiagnosed.

I knew almost nothing about this subject until I started getting calls and emails from women with the disease seeking out gluten-free skincare and makeup.  I’ve learned alot from them and have done some of my own research.

All doctors agree that anything used on or around the mouth that may be accidently swallowed like lipstick, lipgloss, lip pencil, lip balm, and of course toothpaste and mouthwash should be avoided if it contains gluten.  Other experts in the field, as well as some of my clients, say that topically applied lotions, creams, shampoos, makeup, etc. containing gluten cannot be tolerated and cause symptoms.  This seems to be a case of “everyone is different”.  Some can tolerate mild exposure on the skin and be OK while others cannot and for optimal health choose to avoid all gluten.

Some of the main cosmetic ingredients to avoid if you have Celiac disease are:  oat fiber, wheat germ oil, hydrolized wheat flour, hydrolized wheat protein and yeast extract.

There are many safe makeup and skincare options available.  At IF A GODDESS WORE MAKEUP, I carry Gabriel Cosmetics, Perfect Organics and Vapour Organic Beauty - all gluten-free makeup lines; and 100% PURE, OHA and Shea Terra Organics skincare that are also gluten-free.

If this is your issue, allow me to help with your beauty needs.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com

Your neck is an extension of your face and should be treated with the same skincare products that you use on your face.  The neck skin is thin, prone to sun damage and aging, yet many women ignore this area.  We apply lotions and creams to our faces and bodies, but somehow that spot below our chins, but above our chests gets forgotten.

Start moisturizing the heck out of your neck.  Use up those creams and samples that are too rich for your face and apply them to your throat  

I have a friend who works as a makeup artist at Neiman Marcus that I see every couple of years.  Each time we see each other, she asks to see at my neck and always gives me the thumbs up.  And that’s because I give it the attention it deserves.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com

A general rule is to store all natural cosmetics (makeup, skincare and body products) in a cool, dark, dry area out of direct sunlight with stable, consistent temperatures.  That info is straight from the companies.

Natural/organic cosmetics do not contain synthetic chemical preservatives. To be practical but safe, I have chosen to keep most of my products in the bedroom. Cleansers, toners, and scrubs - anything that I’d use in the shower or at the sink with water is still in the bathroom.  My moisturizers, serum, face oils, eye cream, all that good stuff, are inside a couple of cute cosmetics bags that I keep on my dresser. Makeup is stored in a small artist bin that keeps me organized and my makeup clean and dust-free.

If stored properly, most skincare will last 12 months and most makeup can be used for 18-24 months.  The only exception is mascara which is best to replace every 3-4 months.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com