Why,oh Why, oh Why?

http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/VoluntaryCosmeticsRegistrationProgramVCRP/OnlineRegistration/ucm109084.htm

As if this won't stand on it's own, or should anyway, let me clarify. The FDA has labelled A LOT of D & C colors ARE NOT SAFE FOR EYES! There are NO neon or florescent colors approved for eye use, and any color containing Ultramarines are also NOT APPROVED FOR LIPS.
These are not guidelines, these are not suggestions, these are law, mandated by the federal Food and Drug Administration- period.
They are enforceable by fines & penalties, and also dissolution of your business, and even jail time should you or your company, operating under your management, be found in violation of these LAWS.
I am getting more and more disgusted with makeup companies who skirt these laws in order to create products that have massive consumer appeal- most specifically because not many can offer a true, brilliant red without the use of these colors. I am also appalled that many of these more popular brands use cosmetic chemists- WHOSE JOB IT IS TO KNOW THESE REGULATIONS! So we have to ask ourselves, are they deliberately choosing to break the law? And Why?
I myself- know that using all natural, and fda approved pigments will get me a red that is deep, but not electric red- it will always have an earthy tonal quality to it.
WHY do I choose to adhere to these regulations? Despite the fact that I could sell the H#*L out of a bright fire red eyeshadow. 1. I'm honest- and don't break the law 2. I've educated myself so that I can be a responsible cosmetics formulator, your safety is actually of VERY REAL concern to me 3. These regulations exist FOR A REASON.
Many Red dyes are not eye approved because suspicious links to cancer- seriously.
same for several other colors.
Ultramarines- Blue, pink & violet are not lip approved- my guess (as educated as I can be in this area because I have found no specific statement of this) Ultramarines contain Sulphur- which can have significant allergic reactions if ingested- People, such as my daughter, who are allergic to Sulpha drugs- like Bactrim. There seems to be no harm with topical application, however.
I am not going to out companies that are blatantly disregarding these regulations and risking your health in the process.  A big part of me wants to believe me, And I WILL respond to private enquiries. I will also be notifying the FDA directly.
Some are even so callous as to print the unlawful ingredients on their labels!
If it's in a may contain statement- which the FDA allows to keep formulas proprietary- then the package must state if it is unsafe for use anywhere- meaning I have eyeshadows & blushes that contain Ultramarine blue- each one will state on the top label "Not lip Safe"
If it's an eyeshadow in bright red- with those dyes, well- They're not labeling it "Unsafe for use on the eyes"- it's an EYEshadow for goodness sake!
My suggestion to you is print this link & use it!

Couture Dreams!

Here are some preliminary shots from that amazing shoot on Saturday. This team was a dream come true. Everyone involved was both excited, and inspired.. and this is the result. 

Emily our stunning model, worked both gowns her ability to convey mood was fierce.  

Lelsley Arak, our amazing photographer, couldn't take a bad picture if she tried, she knew instinctively how to ask for and get what she wanted.  

David, the hairstylist can do anything with hair- a true gravity defying artist! 

The stylist- who paid a fortune for this gown & jewelry, and generously shared it with us- was so knowledgeable about fashion he was an inspiration to speak and work with. 

As for me, what can I say?... The time of my life doing the makeup.

Shoot to Kill

 had the most amazing day yesterday! I participated in a group shoot with about 6 models & 6-7 photographers, 2 MUA's , me and my uber talented friend Liz Washer, & a hair genius, David. I got to do sooooo many looks, it was a dream come true, and so intensely fun! I cannot wait to see the pictures.
But wait, it gets better..
I stuck around to do a final look on this beautiful model Emily- just finished- so she could do a lingerie shoot w/ her photographer boyfriend, when I turn around to a guy holding the most amazing Bias draped, Cream Chiffon, strapless, couture gown- - Fits Emily's like a glove! Guess who got to do the makeup!!!!!  Had already done a chocolate cherry smokey eye- but intensified it with thicker black liner on top lid, added dramatic- long lashes, and a scarlet lip...
And did Emily WORK that gown!
So then he takes that gown & comes back w/ an original- made for Faye Dunaway in the movie Towering Inferno- can we say YAY! This gorgeous light cocoa Color in pic below (The picture does not do this gown justice). I kept the chocolate smokey eye, but switched out the lip to a deep cocoa w/ a golden center and LOTS of slick, shiny Gloss! Emily was AMAZING, & Leslie (also quite amazing herself) - photographer got some shots that are going to make me cry!  Under my links- find a link to a Youtube vid of Faye in this dress!
Have I mentioned that I LOVE my job?!

Come on ladies!!!!

Alrighty ladies.... It's time to get serious about the competition! Who doesn't love free makeup!
and for those who find us all on there own- you get one free entry just by becoming a follower & commenting.- You get a second entry by becoming a fan at facebook and sending me a message all about it! March 13th deadline!

Contest Time!

O.k so here are the prizes to be won...
You excited yet?
The winner of this contest is going to receive a full face kit..
oh yeah!
This kit will include 1- 30 gram foundation in the color of your choice, 1- 30 gram Translucent Mineral Sheer, 1- 10 gram Cheek color of your choosing, as well as 1- 5 gram Prep Step Concealer, and 2- 5 gram Eye Shadows, again in your choice of color! This kit is an $107 value, Holy Cow!
Now for the rules.....
In an effort to increase exposure to Fortunate Face Minerals Brand of Cosmetics I'm asking you wonderful ladies to help out as my marketing team. So....
Tell your friends by email, Facebook, Twitter, over coffee (my personal fave) all about Fortunate Face Minerals Send them to my website to have a look around- then have them Follow me here. In the comments they have to say what color/product/etc they like best from the webstore- and.... that YOU sent them! (make sure they use the name you have as my follower so I know it's YOU!)
Now The "Friend" will be entered 1 time into the drawing & YOU will have 2 entries into the drawing! Then it snowballs- cause now they can refer new people & reap the same benefits! but wait, there's more... because you can invite as many people as you want which will earn YOU 2 entries every time someone comments on their fave product, Becomes a follower, and says YOU sent them!
Good Luck, and happy following, I look forward to meeting some of your friends!
I almost forgot- contest ends on my birthday- March 13th, YOU get the gift, Yay!
www.fortunatefaceminerals.com
www.fortunateface.blogspot.com

Dr. Oz- the great Mis-informer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gzslGyPnWw

Many of you may have seen, or heard, of the recent show of Dr. Memhet Oz regarding mineral makeup. Or, perhaps you are familiar with him from his guest appearances on the Oprah Winfery show.

In his capacity as a physician, Dr. Oz has declared powdered, mineral makeup as hazardous to women's health. He further claims minerals should be avoided in favor of liquid or cream based makeup, as all mineral makeup contains nano particles, which cause damage to the alveoli in the lungs when inhaled. While I can certainly respect Dr. Oz's preference for liquid or cream based makeup, I cannot say the same about his OPINION of the hazards of mineral makeup, or his "research" of the subject matter.

My first, and primary reason, for issue with doctor Oz, is simply that all mineral makeup does not contain nano particles. Yes, some do, Mine do not, and never will.

First we need to understand exactly what a nano particle is. Mineral makeup is just one of many substances measured in microns/micrometers or mesh- 1/64th of an inch =615 microns, 1 micron = 1 millionth of a meter & a nanometer is 1 billionth of a meter. These are standard units of measurement, derived by calculating the particle's diameter.
coarse= particles with an average diameter of less than 10 microns
fine= particles with an average diameter of less than 2.5 microns
ultrafine or nano = particles with an average diameter of less than .1 microns or less than 100 nm
The general scientific thought is that particles at:
.07 microns can enter lung alveoli
.05 microns may enter cells
.03 Microns may enter Central Nervous System
<.02 no Data yet

The Titanium Dioxide (Tio2) I use in my products is 1-1.7 microns, with an average micron size of 1.5. The Zinc Oxide I use is .31 microns. Both would qualify as "Fine". White or colored micas are in another category and usually don't fall below the 10 micron size. In mica the lower the micron size the more matte, the higher the micron size the more sparkly it becomes. The opposite is true in base ingredients- the nano particles are more translucent, while still offering SPF properties inherent in Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide. This is why many cosmetic companies do choose to use nano particles, to offer SPF in sunscreens or in otherwise SPF devoid products- like untinted moisturizers & other makeup in which Tio2 or Zinc are merely colorants rather than base ingredients. (An indication of this could be if they are listed under May Contain as colorants, rather than in the main ingredients portion of the cosmetic label, as per FDA labeling regulations.)

Though the FDA is certainly not helping, by having no clear cut, or ,at least ineffectual listing, nomenclature, or categorization of ingredients.
This is from the National Geographic's Green Guide site:

"Micronized" doesn't necessarily mean "nanoparticles." Both terms have to do with the sizes of particles: Microns are one millionth of a meter, while nanometers (nm) are one billionth of a meter. Basically, 1,000 nm = 1 micron. The confusion over terminology has to do with the fact that the FDA has set no actual definition for the term "micronized" when used in reference to personal care products. Some companies use the term "micronized" to describe particles that are measured in microns, while other companies use it to describe particles that undergo what the dictionary defines as "reducing to particles of only a few microns in diameter." Since the FDA has no set definition, some companies misleadingly advertise nano-sized particles (particles measured in billionths of a meter) as "micronized" (particles measured in millionths of a meter), which is why we feel it's important to ask for specific particle sizes when you're purchasing a product that contains either "micronized" or "nanoparticle" ingredients. The manufacturers we spoke with for this article assured us that their micronized products do in fact use micron-sized, and not nano-sized, ingredients.

Emily Main

Green Guide Associate Editor
http://www.thegreenguide.com

Now, Dr. oz is not wrong in that nano particles have for some time been suspected of having negative health implication, and yet lumping all minerals in the dangerous category is certainly not going to be helpful in discussing the very REAL concern involving this one aspect of the industry.

Another compelling reason I feel Dr. Oz is not an accurate authority, and lacks the credibility on the topic of nano particles is that, he completely ignored a second, and equally important property and that is, that nano particles, when buffed or rubbed onto the skin, are suspected, not proven mind you, but suspected to be small enough to actually travel through the pores of the skin, and be absorbed into the blood stream. These metals, yes they are oxidized metals-though not toxic like lead or arsenic, can be absorbed into your blood stream. Since our bodies are not equipped to filter these out, initial research shows that they can build up in secondary organs, and that cannot be healthy. Again, these are nano particles only. Here is a link to an interview with a scientist currently conducting research, again addressing solely nano particles in cosmetic applications. http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/On-your-radar/Nanotechnology/Do-nanoparticles-penetrate-the-skin

I have had the opportunity to use an electron microscope, as he mentions in this interview. An electron microscope utilizes slide samples that are one cell layer in thickness, therefore determining the ability of a substance to pass through cell layers or pores using this technology would be easy, and most likely very accurate.

Another, overlooked potential hazard with nano-particulate matter is it's apparent UV reactivity, as noted in the following passage from Occasional Paper Series, vol 7, no1, April 2003
The Presumption of Innocence II – the case of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide:
Possibly the most ubiquitous use of nanoparticles todate is in cosmetics. Larger particles of titanium
dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) have been used in sunscreens for decades since they both
effectively scatter light including harmful UV rays. They act as physical “blockers” or “reflectors”
giving sunscreens an opaque, white appearance. However, if the crystals are reduced to the
nanoscale, both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide lose their characteristic white colour and become
transparent, allowing visible light to pass but still blocking UV rays. Taking advantage of this
nanoscale property change, companies including BASF and L’Oréal have created transparent
sunscreens and UV-resistant cosmetics incorporating these metal oxide nanoparticles.25
Unfortunately, transparency isn’t the only change associated with these nanosized metal oxides.
While both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are generally considered inert in their larger form,
nanoparticles of both substances can be highly photo-reactive in the presence of UV light, which is
partially absorbed into the particle.26 As a result, nano-titanium dioxide, for example, can exert a
“strong oxidizing power that attacks organic molecules”27 and can produce free radicals (i.e.,
unstable fragments of molecules that are highly reactive).
You can read the full paper in the link below.

Last night, at an event promoting my makeup line, this viral video was broached. I cannot pretend that this will not adversely affect my business. Which is precisely why I felt the need to respond- the small boutique formulators, as a group, tend to follow closely to FDA regulations, Choose the safer, organic, or more natural ingredients, and generally try to be more conscientious with what we put in our products. I believe in full disclosure- every ingredient I use is listed on a page at my website, as well as the label. Yes, there are those that don't, and the large cosmetics corporations certainly have no need to pay attention to anything but profit margin if they choose- the fines are a pittance compared to what they make on the newest and latest "magic" ingredient; but what Dr. Oz may not realize, is that with this irresponsible reporting, he could potentially put out of business the very people who are trying to do it better, healthier, and safer.

As for nano particles The research is still being conducted, and much more needs to be definitively proven, before ANY hard and fast conclusions can be determined, but this is also the reason why most of the mineral cosmetic formulators I know, myself included, choose not to include nano-particle ingredients in our makeup- Until it is effectively proven safe, I cannot, and will not expose my clients to potentially hazardous material. That would be as unethical as giving unsubstantiated advice.

a mmu formulator & friend Donna Standridge
http://saphoros.blogspot.com/2010/02/great-and-powerful-dr-oz-has-done-you.html
another formulator & friend Val of Valana Minerals
http://www.valanaminerals.com/blog/post.php?post_id=43

More info on nano particles & potential hazard:

http://www.jnanobiotechnology.com/content/2/1/12

http://www.etcgroup.org/upload/publication/165/01/occ.paper_nanosafety.pdf

Hupt, 2, 3, 4!

http://homemadebathproducts.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-3-day-ultimate-mineral-makeup-boot.html

This is me!!!!!!!!!!! If you're interested in learning how to do what I do- then this is the class for you! Or, if you already have a mineral line- learn how to teach your clients to get all they can out of the makeup that you sell. I'm thrilled to be able to combine the creation of mineral makeup, along with tips & advice on application. Loose powdered makeup, specifically foundation can sometimes be a little tricky for people in the beginning, and often takes just a bit of practice to make perfect. Learning to apply light even coats for maximum coverage, with minimum weight, or powdery look or feel- is essential- it's the hallmark of WHY mineral makeup is so popular- the weightless, breathable feel, with flawless coverage and blurring of imperfections, all while looking like bare skin! I'll also discuss & demonstrate, not just HOW to achieve this, but How to TEACH your clients to achieve this! Which as a business owner is what will set you apart from the rest.

Contest!

I think it's time for a contest, what do you think? Winning free stuff?  Does anyone like that? how about some of those new pigments? And some other fun things..... hmmm.
Check back, the official announcement will be any day, like maybe...... Friday?

O.k, so you may have noticed that I DiD NOT post a contest this Friday...
well, The important issue of Mineral cosmetic safety, unfortunately bumped the contest- but I am definitely hosting one! This Friday-tell your friends!