Category Archives: alternatives

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Pick of the Week…Makeup Remover Facial Towelettes

It’s late. You’re tired. You’re too lazy to take off your makeup. All you want to do is flop face down on your cold fluffy pillow and clock out. There’s only one problem. That voice in your head nagging at you about the breakout you’ll probably wake up with because you slept with your makeup on. The solution? Makeup remover facial towelettes. It’s a fast, convenient way to remove all your makeup and sleep stress free. It’s ideal to remove makeup and thoroughly cleanse your face and moisturize every night, but let’s be honest…it doesn’t happen that way.



Here I review my top 3 picks for facial towelettes. The first is MAC Cosmetics Wipes (maccosmetics.com, $19.50). These remove makeup very well, have natural botanicals to help sooth and brighten skin, and have glycerin to attract moisture. The second is the Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes (Drug Stores, $7). I love these wipes because they have Dead Sea salt which help to tone, brighten and clarify skin for a radiance boost. The third pick is The Body Shop Tea Tree Wipes (www.thebodyshop-usa.com, $12). In the summer, my skin tends to get a little oily and I break out occasionally. Tea Tree helps to keep skin clean and clear of acne without stripping any natural moisture.

Enjoy my video review of my top 3 makeup remover facial towelettes!

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How To Spot Fake MAC Cosmetics On eBay

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My new video shows you what to look for when shopping for MAC Cosmetics on eBay. There are thousands of counterfeit M.A.C. Cosmetics in the world, and the internet makes it that much easier to dupe people into thinking it’s the real thing. In my video, I cover brushes, eye shadow palettes, and the Hello Kitty collection. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I now know that there’s no better deal than buying MAC from real MAC counters, real MAC stores and the MAC website. They are extremely reasonably priced, and the US sells it for less than any other country in the world. This tutorial is meant for those of you who seek out those discontinued or limited edition products that are no longer available. A tip for brushes: JUST DON’T DO IT. The video explains why…

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Jewelry in the Works

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I’m really excited about all the new jewelry supplies I got. I’ve been working mostly on pendants lately. I’m trying to make sort of off-beat cameos that have the look of Psychobilly Elegance. Hope you likey!

Jewelry in the Works from Marissa Rhoades on Vimeo.

acid, aloe, alternatives, avoid, care, instead, pregnancy, pregnant, retinol, salicylic, skin

Skincare Safety for the Pregnant Ones

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Swollen ankles, blistering back pain, restless nights, and bad skin. If it weren’t for the over ecstatic joy in my heart, I would’ve have never gone out in public. The best attribute to my physiology was that glow. No, it’s not a myth. Pregnant women actually glow. Okay…HAPPY pregnant women glow. Glowing made it easier to look in the mirror despite the acne and bruised bags under my eyes. I wish I knew about skincare what I know now. I knew what I needed to avoid (salicylic acid, retinol, most herbs), but I didn’t know what I could use instead.

The following information is simply suggestive and based on personal experience. While these ingredients are usually topically safe, I am not a doctor so please consult yours for more specific details and recommendations.

What to stay away from and why:

Salicylic Acid –
 What it does: In skin care products, this ingredient is added because it is strong enough to penetrate the skin’s natural oils and clean out pores, exfoliate dead skin cells more proficiently than an abrasive, and reduce redness and inflammation.
 Why to stay away from it: Being a form of aspirin, high doses can cause birth defects and complications. Most doctors will give the okay to use as a topical treatment as in face toners and cleansers. However, most first time mommies to be will take the extra precaution to avoid this ingredient.
 What to look for on the label: Sometimes salicylic acid will be identified as beta hydroxy acid (BHA) on the list of ingredients
 Substitutes: Tea tree oil, witch hazel, patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), and benzoyl peroxide are great for oily and acne prone skin. Use a manual exfoliant (facial scrubs, buffing bars) 3-5 times a week to keep skin uncongested.

Retinol-
 What it does: A common ingredient in anti-aging skincare products, retinoids speed up cell renewal and prevent the destruction of collagen. In other words, super rapid exfoliation guarantees that your newest brightest skin is always at the surface, and protected collagen slows down the inevitable forming of wrinkles.
 Why to stay away from it: In large doses, this form of vitamin A can cause birth defects and complications. Some doctors will give the okay to use retinol in over the counter products that contain retinol.
 What to look for on the label: retinal, retinoid, retinyl, retin-A, Retinoic acid, retinyl ester, adapelene, tretinoin, Tazarotene, Retinyl palmitate, and Retinyl linoleate
 Substitutes: Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Use an spf of at least 15 to keep your skin protected from sun damage. Use a manual exfoliant 3-5 times a week. Great anti aging ingredients include; beta carotene, vitamin a, zinc, vitamin e, neroli oil, green tea, rose hip, and patchouli (Pogostemon cablin).

Aloe Vera-
 What it does: Medicinal Aloe is used to soothe cuts and burns. Aloe Vera extracts have antibacterial and anti fungal qualities to help speed up the healing process. In skin care, aloe vera is used to moisturize as well as kill acne causing bacteria.
 Why to stay away from it: This strong purgative can cause serious birth defects including (although not proven) abortion. Topicals are fairly safe in moderation, but DEFINITELY ABSTAIN FROM ALOE VERA JUICE.
 What to look for on the label: aloe barbadensis, curacao aloe and lily of the desert
 Substitutes: rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, peroxide, tea tree oil, honey, grapefruit seed extract pineapple and eucalyptus

Soy-
 What it does: With vitamin E as a natural component, soy protects skin from free radicals, boosts collagen production and is an anti inflammatory. Skin appears brighter, more even toned and more radiant.
 Why to stay away from it: Soy will not cause birth defects or complications, but it does make cases of melasma worse. Melasma, also known as the “Mask of pregnancy,” is identified by dark discoloration of the skin. It usually goes untreated until post delivery due to the use of retinoids.
 What to look for on the label: Lethicin, Phosphatidylcholine, soya, soya bean, glycine

Substitutes: If you have melasma, just avoid soy all together. Other that that, it’s ok to use. Rice and milk are other great ingredients that help with radience and exfoliation.