October 2010
1 post
3 tags
Feel good about the makeup you're wearing!
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...
Oct 1st
September 2010
1 post
7 tags
Face It - "not just another beauty book"
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...
Sep 18th
August 2010
1 post
1 tag
Beauty Tip - Sleep on Silk
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...
Aug 17th
July 2010
2 posts
2 tags
Perfect Summer Lips
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...
Jul 21st
4 tags
SUMMER MAKEUP - TIME TO LIGHTEN UP
  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...
Jul 8th
June 2010
1 post
4 tags
Jun 17th
May 2010
2 posts
3 tags
SHEA BUTTER
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...
May 27th
5 tags
Celiac Disease and Cosmetics
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...
May 13th
April 2010
4 posts
1 tag
Beauty Tip - Treat your neck like you treat your...
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...
Apr 27th
1 tag
BEAUTY TIP - How to store natural cosmetics
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...
Apr 19th
2 tags
MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH LIPSTICK
  I don’t understand women who don’t like lipstick.  I will notice a beautiful woman with makeup on, but nothing on her lips.  Quel dommage!  (What a pity!)  As I’ve stated here before, my no makeup look is lipstick and big sunglasses.  I  never leave the house without my keys and lipstick.  NEVER!   And if I did, I would do what a recent customer did and immediately go into a...
Apr 5th
Apr 5th
March 2010
4 posts
1 tag
TOXIC BEAUTY: How cosmetics and personal care...
 Dr. Epstein began his talk with a quote from the late Senator Edward Kennedy: “The cosmetics industry has borrowed a page from the playbook of the tobacco industry by putting profits ahead of public health.”  He pointed out that cigarettes come with a warning label, but cosmetics don’t and they definitely should. The doctor is an expert on the topic of the dangers of commercial...
Mar 29th
1 tag
"Toxic Beauty" by Dr. Samuel S. Epstein
The American Nutrition Association is sponsoring a lecture by Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, author of Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Endanger your Health (2009).  This was the first book that I read about toxic chemicals in cosmetics and it hit me hard.  Dr. Epstein is the leading expert on this topic.  I have my ticket already and for those of you who cannot attend, I’ll...
Mar 17th
Mar 10th
2 tags
Vegan Makeup Brushes
It occurred to me as I was researching and ordering products for my store and website that I would love to offer vegan makeup brushes.  It’s a natural (even though they’re synthetic) with mineral makeup. When I worked in the department stores selling cosmetics, we were trained by the companies to tell customers that no pony, goat, squirrel or badger were ever killed or harmed in any...
Mar 10th
February 2010
2 posts
4 tags
Beauty from the Inside Out
Yesterday I met sisters with the most beautiful, glowing complexions I’ve seen in awhile. Their lovely presence reminded me that beautiful skin is more about what we put in our bodies than what we put on them.  Although I already knew the answer, I asked them if they ate a healthy diet, and without a moment’s hesitation, they said YES! They start their day with vegetable juice that...
Feb 8th
1 note
EXFOLIATION = RADIANT SKIN
Please don’t ever take my exfoliating scrub away.  I just wouldn’t look or feel the same.  I’ve been using the OHA Facial Sugar Scrub 2-3 times a week in the morning in place of my regular cleanser.  WOW!!  What a difference.  A good scrub clears out oil-clogged pores making them appear smaller, sloughs away dead skin cells, gets rid of flakes, improves the texture and color of...
Feb 2nd
January 2010
2 posts
5 tags
Time to rethink an old favorite - Cetaphil
I was talking to a friend the other day who has the most beautiful skin.  She buys various skincare products from me, but made it clear that she likes her Cetaphil to cleanse with and was going to stick with that, thank you very much.  This conversation prompted me to run into my local drug store to revisit Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and take a look at the ingredient list.  Maybe my friend was...
Jan 25th
1 tag
JUST A TOUCH OF MAKEUP CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
I love my job.  It’s fun, allows me to be creative, and can be very rewarding. I had the most pleasant experience the other day with a new client.  A young woman shyly started looking around my shop.  I started a conversation and found out that she had never worn makeup before but was interested in looking more professional and in her words, at least her age.  What a pretty girl, blonde and...
Jan 11th
December 2009
3 posts
Dec 28th
BEAUTY TIP OF THE WEEK - Argan Oil
Skin takes a beating this time of year for those of us who live in cold weather climates. Everyone is complaining about dry, flaky skin. It can be a real problem. An easy fix to perk up a dry, dull complexion is Argan Oil because it can be used as a moisture boost under your regular moisurizer.  Apply a small amount (one pump) to a cleansed face, let soak in for a few minutes then follow with...
Dec 28th
What I've Been Reading Lately
Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry by Stacy Malkan Malkan exposes the link between chemicals in cosmetics and breast cancer and infertility.  The activists in her stories are most inspiring. Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life by Sophie Uliano Easy, doable ways to begin to live a more eco-conscious and healthy life. Great product...
Dec 8th
November 2009
2 posts
TIPS FOR AGING WELL - the basics
1.   Always protect yourself from the sun by using a chemical-free sunblock and/or mineral makeup which contains natural suncreen.  That said, I still try to get 15-20 minutes a day of sun for the vitamin D that it provides before applying sunblock or makeup. 2.   Is there anybody out there still smoking?  If so, stop immediately.  I can always spot a smoker.  The skin looks dull, almost gray in...
Nov 24th
BEAUTY TIP - for EYEBROWS
Eyebrows give strength to a woman’s face, framing the eyes, helping them to stand out.  Well-groomed brows also give a more polished look.  Sometimes a correctly defined brow can make a woman appear more youthful. In my experience, I’ve seen both extremes - women have either overplucked or they’ve let their brows go “natural”, ignoring them completely.  Small,...
Nov 9th
October 2009
8 posts
Lipstick Lovers Beware
Coloring one’s lips to appear more attractive has been around for thousands of years. Some say that Cleopatra is the woman who started it all.   I personally LOVE lipstick.  In fact, my no-makeup look is lipstick and big sunglasses. But many consider lipstick to be one of the most toxic cosmetics.  Most conventional lipsticks have been proven to contain considerable amounts of lead as well...
Oct 28th
Oct 28th
Beauty tip - Help for dry, chapped lips
Let’s face it, chapped lips are not pretty.  Changes in season, weather and humidity are the most common causes of dry, chapped lips.  If you’ve recently had a cold or flu, that can also do your lips in.  This is an easy fix.  Lip balm, lip balm, lip balm.  Did I mention lip balm? Exfoliating is a good idea to do during this time of year once or twice a week.   Gently rub a warm,...
Oct 22nd
Oct 22nd
Oct 13th
Fall French Market
I will be participating as a vendor at this event.  If you’re in the Chicago area, stop by. Saturday,  October 17 2009  10am-5pm / Sunday, October 18 2009  12-4pm The Lycée Français de Chicago                                invites you to its fall french  market. Shop and dine with over  50 vendors, including The Painted  Lady, City Olive, Bijoux Fantasia  and Scott David...
Oct 13th
Watch the new Campaign for Safe Cosmetics video
Just click on the link below to watch a short, informative video.  This is good stuff. http://safecosmetics.org//article.php?id=572 -Sheila
Oct 9th
My Evening Toilette
Most nights somewhere between 9 and 10pm, I announce to my husband that I’m going to do my toilette.  This is my time to pamper myself and take care of my skin. If I’m wearing makeup, I remove it with eye makeup remover and cotton.  It also removes face makeup like foundation and blush. I wet my face with warm water (never hot - that’s too drying) and work up a creamy lather...
Oct 6th
September 2009
4 posts
Beauty Awards
My new favorite magazine is Natural Solutions.  The October 2009 issue is of special interest to me, so I thought it might be to you as well.  It includes their second annual “Beauty with a Conscience Awards”.  The magazine is honoring companies that have created non-toxic products that really work.  Two of the products that they chose are available at If a Goddess Wore Makeup. Best...
Sep 28th
Beauty Tip - Wash your face before going to bed
Many women I talk with tell me that they don’t wash their faces at night before going to bed.  I must admit that I cringe inside as I hear this.  I think some of the blemishes they’re complaining about and wrinkles too might be helped by spending a few minutes to remove the day’s dirt, oil, pollution and makeup. Night is the time that the body, including the skin, repairs and...
Sep 22nd
Sep 22nd
Don't feed your skin junk food
Most people would be surprised to learn that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require testing of cosmetics and personal care products before they hit the shelves.  In fact, cosmetics are among the least regulated products out there.  Food and drugs must demonstrate safety, but not personal care products.  The FDA leaves it up to the cosmetic manufacturers to test their own...
Sep 10th