Mineral Makeup

Thursday 17th December 2009

Wouldn't it be great if you could wear your make up all day without it smudging or fading as you went about your daily routine? Have you ever been out in the sun and felt your makeup melting. or have you been caught short in a rain storm and had your previously made up face washed away?

What if I were to tell you that there was a certain type of makeup out there that had the staying power of a red wine stain on your lush cream carpet... and that it was called mineral makeup.

Mineral makeup has actually been around for about thirty years, but is seeing a sudden surge in popularity with those who are keen to buy all natural, non chemical products. Unlike other make ups, mineral makeup is made from just natural ground minerals with no preservatives, no chemical dyes, perfumes, talc's or alcohol.

As you may have already gathered, mineral makeup is perfect for those who have sensitive skin or common skin complaints such as acne.

We asked a number of makeup artists to say how they liked mineral makeup compared to the more conventional products, and the vast majority agreed that mineral makeup was so much lighter (making it easier to apply) and it gave a tremendous glow and a fresher, more natural finish.

How effective is mineral makeup.

Mineral makeup consists of triple milled minerals like titanium, gold, zinc, magnesium and aluminum. These special minerals are great for skin, because they do not enhance wrinkles and fine lines. It is also known that mineral make up has a SPF rating of 15 (for great sun protection) due to the high content of zinc oxide and titanium, making it a great way to wear sun block for the face.

Mineral makeup is also hypoallergenic and will not clog your pores. It also nourishes the skin and is very easy to apply and remove. The best thing about mineral make up is that it is strongly developed and it is natural, that it last so long that you can actually sleep in it and still appear fresh and ready to go when you awake in the morning!

There are some people that have complained about mineral make up stating that it irritates their skin and adds years to their appearance and also causes more wrinkles. Mineral makeup may not be for everyone and some people have different reactions to certain types of makeup and certain types of minerals. It is best if you try different types of make-up to see what is right for you, the most popular form of mineral makeup is blushes and powder foundations. Mineral make up is great for the majority of men and women and usually enhances your natural look and gives you a fresh and redefined look.

If you would like to see a fabulous range of mineral make up then please take the time to pay a visit to our friends over at Ferro Cosmetics.


See you again tomorrow for our final Christmas gift idea!

Image by Graeme Weatherston

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Something For The Weekend 13

Friday 11th December 2009

Yet another weekend is looming which also means Christmas is almost upon us and once again I have found you another extraordinarily fabulous gift with a price tag to match.

The Thermal Mud Gift Pack is the ultimate luxury gift that every woman who likes to look after her skin will just love.

This product contains the absolute maximum content of Rotorua Thermal Mud in its purest form. With a creamy velvety smoothness and full of highly concentrated natural minerals. Thermal Mud will rejuvenate the skin leaving a healthy radiant complexion. Thermal Mud is extremely therapeutic, as well as detoxifying, purifying, healing, remineralising, antiseptic and antibacterial. Suitable for body as well as the face. Ideal for use on damaged hands or feet or as an all over body treatment.

This gift pack contains a 100g thermal mud face mask, a hand cream and soap.

Thermal Mud Hand Cream:
A conditioning and hydrating hand cream containing the beneficial properties of thermal mud combined with chamomile extract and pure orange oil. Chamomile is a soothing plant extract that helps calm irritated and inflamed skin and reduces redness. Orange oil contains fruit acids that have a gentle exfoliating effect to smooth away roughness. Absorbs easily into the skin leaving hands soft and hydrated.

Thermal Mud Soap:
A gentle soap containing a very high percentage of Thermal Mud. This soap lathers beautifully even in the hardest waters. It is ideal for use on both the face and body. Regular use deeply cleanses and enriches the skin with all the therapeutic properties of Thermal Mud. This soap is an ideal cleanser suitable for all skin conditions as it helps combat unwanted bacteria on the skin.

Thermal Mud consists of a suspension of thermal mud in mineral spa water. The contact the mud has had with volcanic gases and minerals from deep within the earths service is the reason it is particularly rich in minerals.

Major minerals present in Rotorua Thermal Mud include Silica, Magnesium, Calcium, Titanium, Iron, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Sodium and Potassium. In addition there are also trace elements such as Copper, Zinc, Selenium, Cobalt, Manganese and Molybdenum.

Parrs Thermal Mud is excellent for use in regenerative skin care as the clays have a very strong affinity for moisture. Thermal mud on drying will generate heat, increasing the blood circulation and perspiration which helps eliminate toxins and other wastes. The clay services are highly active and will easily absorb excess oils and fatty secretions from within the skin pores. Detoxifying and purifying the mud drys on the skin promoting regeneration of new cells. The sulphur acts as an antibacterial agent assisting in the prevention and elimination of acne.

If you like the idea of a thermal mud gift pack, then you can visit The Beauty Shop who have a whole host of unique gift ideas to suit all budgets.

Website Of The Week

Have you ever wondered how you would look with a face lift? Well now is your chance to find out without having to even see a surgeon.

I stumbled upon a little website recently that allows you to have what they call a '5 second simulated makeover'. All you have to do is upload a photograph of yourself, choose a cosmetic procedure and click for you instant makeover.

Want to try it? visit www.newbeauty.com and let me know what you think.

Once again I cannot thank you all enough for stopping by this week. The band of regular readers I have is making keeping this blog alive an incredible pleasure.

I hope you all enjoy your weekends. Stay safe, keep smiling and I will see you again on Monday Morning.

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Causes Of Nail Fungus

Wednesday 9th December 2009

Following my post on Monday about nails and health, I received an email from a reader asking what the causes of nail fungus were and if I knew of any treatments for the condition.

Here is an answer to those questions, so Wendy this is for you and thanks for getting in touch.

Fungi are microscopic organisms that don't need sunlight to survive. Some fungi have beneficial uses, while others cause illness and infection.

Nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes. But yeasts and molds also can be responsible for nail fungal infections. All of these microscopic organisms live in warm, moist environments, including swimming pools and showers. They can invade your skin through tiny invisible cuts or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed. They cause problems only if your nails are continually exposed to warmth and moisture — conditions perfect for the growth and spread of fungi.

Infection with nail fungus occurs more in toenails than in fingernails because toenails are often confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes — where fungi can thrive. Another reason may be the diminished blood circulation to the toes as compared with the fingers, which makes it harder for your body's immune system to detect and eliminate the infection.

Nail Fungus Complications

Nail fungal infections can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. They may also lead to other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.

Fungal infections of the nail pose the most serious health risk for people with diabetes and for those with weakened immune systems, such as people with leukemia or those who've had an organ transplant.

If you have diabetes, your blood circulation and the nerve supply to your feet can become impaired. Therefore, any relatively minor injury to your feet — including a nail fungal infection — can lead to a more serious complication, requiring timely medical care. See your doctor immediately if you suspect nail fungus.

As for treatments, I have done a little research and have found one product which has had rave reviews recently; a natural solution for healthier nails for more information on this product you can visit: http://www.zetaclear.com

That's everything from me today. thank you all for stopping by, as usual please feel free to leave your comments or drop me an email fay@beautyfactor.net.

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What Your Nails Say About Your Health

Monday 7th December 2009

Most of us are already aware that our nails can hold vital clues about the state of our overall health, but most of us don't know what our nails are trying to tell us. Ripples and bumps, white specks, and a change in colour may all be signs of disease in the body. Keep reading to find out what your nails say about your health.

Pale Nails are often a sign associated with aging, but can also be a sign of illnesses such as Anemia, Diabetes, Liver disease or Malnutrition.

White Nails are often a sign of liver problems.

Yellow Nails are often a sign of a fungal infection. As the infection worsens the nail bed may retract and nails may thicken and begin to crumble.

Blue Nails or nails with a slight tint of blue about them show a lack of oxygen. This could be an indication of lung problems.

Rippled Nails If the surface of the nails is pitted or rippled this could be a sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis.

Brittle Nails that are dry and crack have been linked with thyroid disease. If the nails are brittle but with a hint of yellow then you may have a fungal disease.

Puffy Nail Fold If the area around the nail is red and swollen, then this is known as inflammation of the nail fold. It could be the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder.

Dark Lines should be look at instantly by a medical professional as they are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Bitten Nails Gnawing at your nails may be nothing but a habit but in some cases it can be a sign of anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorders that may benefit from treatment.

Although we all have nails that change throughout our lives it may not necessarily mean we have one or more of the above health conditions, and of course we have to take into consideration other symptoms too. All in all, many nail abnormalities are not dangerous and are quite harmless.

If you want to see the series of photographs that accompany this article then you can do so by clicking here

See you again tomorrow with another guest blogger post!

Photo by thesun.co.uk

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7 Winter Skin Care Tips

Tuesday 3rd November 2009

Good morning! This week we welcome back Lorynne from Caribbean Tan as our guest blogger. Here we have a fantastic post with seven tips on how to avoid dry winter skin.

As winter looms ahead, we brace our minds, bodies and souls for the harsh, frosty cold.

Our wardrobe morphs from skimpy, bare-it-all summer attire to the layers and layers of thermal wear that winter requires.

Salads and mocha frappes are replaced with hearty, traditional stews and filling, creamy, hot food. The fans are packed away, the fireplace is stacked with wood,the radiators turned on for good.

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While we concentrate on warming ourselves, most of us forget that our skin regime needs just as much attention. Just as our clothes and diet change from season to season so should our skin care. Winter can be exceptionally cruel to our skin; the constant changes between warm and cold air both lacking in humidity can cause our skin to lose moisture and become dry and chapped, left vulnerable to infection.

Whilst there are creams and lotions available that can help return the moisture to our skin, dermatologists recommend the following to prevent your skin losing its moisture in the first place.

1. Keep well hydrated. Whilst it is common belief that we should drink 2L of water a day, there are certain factors that need to be taken into account to calculate your personal water consumption such as altitude, physical activity, weight, and health. Try this Hydration Calculator. To maintain great hydration limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol and especially limit smoking.

2. Use sun block. It is becoming common knowledge that the sun can be just as severe, and at times even more so, in Winter as in Summer. Good UV protection is recommended all year round.

3. Use quality lip balms and lip moisturisers at least 3 times per day to lock moisture into soft, vulnerable lips.

4. Creams and lotions containing petrolatum, mineral oil, linoleic acid, ceramides, dimethicone or glycerin will help fight off dry, patchy skin.

5. Hands can take a bit of a beating in Winter and hangnails can be very painful. Remember to use moisturiser after every wash. A great tip for keeping your cuticles well moisturised is using manicure gloves when you sleep; cover cuticles in Vaseline, place hands in manicure gloves, and remove in the morning. Works well for feet too, with pedicure covers.

6. Avoid hot showers and baths. Rather use lukewarm water. Pat yourself dry instead of rubbing and moisturise within three minutes.

7. Eyes can be particularly sensitive to dry, warm air. Keep your eyes clear and moist with moisture drops.

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Something For The Weekend 4

Friday 9th October 2009

This week we are carrying on the trend of bringing you some amazingly priced products that everyone must have.

Today we are recommending the fantastic 'It Works' Balm - 65g from The Health Store.

'It Works' is a fabulous natural homemade ointment that alleviates the discomfort of herpes, cold sores, chicken pox, shingles and more.

'It Works' Balm contains anti-viral extracts that soothe and support sensitive herpes ailments.

The native Kawakawa and St Johns Wort is used for the neuralgic pain that comes with this condition. Harakeke root and Koromiko works on the inflammation and sores while Calendula encourages healthy cellular growth.

Use it for itches, shingles, cold sores, neuralgia, genital herpes and chicken pox.

With it's soothing and nourishing ingredients, Olive Oil, Beeswax, (to name two) this product has a 2 year shelf life and can be used on all of the family.

Website Of The Week

If you are looking for friendship, fun, flirting or something more serious, then why not visit the Singles Network Website and create your FREE account today.

With a global database of singles, this network has to be one of the worlds largest dating sites. With lots of great features to help you find that special someone.

That's all from me this week.


Have a great weekend and I will see you again on Monday for some more health and beauty fun!


Ciao!

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Something For The Weekend!

Friday 18th September 2009

Product Of The Week



I have spent a number of hours scouring the Internet this week in search of a beauty product worthy of the title 'Product Of The Week', and I think this face and body balm is a must.




This delicious Temple Spa Calming Face And Body Balm is the perfect pamper treatment, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth and deeply moisturised.

With natural plant extracts and anti oxidants, this sophisticated aromatherapy cream will leave you feeling relaxed and calm at the end of your busy day.

A non sexist cream (suitable for men and women), and all skin types. This is one essential treat that you should not be without, and priced at just 14.68 (best price), it is a true bargain.

You can read more about this lotion by clicking any of the links, or the product photograph.

Website Of The Week.

http://www.floraheartage.com/

Not only have I managed to find you a bargain must have product this week, but also a must visit website.

If you have time over the weekend pay a visit to http://www.floraheartage.com/ . Yes 'heart age'!

Unilever, the people who brought us Flora butter, have devised a great little system to determine the age of your heart. All you have to do is click the link above, float over the 'Know your heart' button and select 'Heart age calculator'.

By asking you a few simple questions, such as age, height, weight etc, this nifty little calculator gives you your heart age dependant on the answers you have given.

Give it a try and let me know how you get on in the comment boxes below.

My reading was 32, which is fine because I am 31 and a half years of age at the moment...

My poor dear husband got a reading of 51, and he's only 35!

Anyway, that's me signing off for the week. Enjoy your weekend, see you back here on Monday.

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The First Bit

Monday 14th September 2009

Hello and welcome to the Beauty Factor blog, your number one health, beauty and wellness resource on the web.

It's no secret that we all want to look and feel great, but with so much information out there it can be difficult to distinguish between fact and 'sales pitch' fiction. Here at The Beauty Factor we hope to dispel some of those beauty myths and set you on the right track to becoming a better, healthier and more confident you.

Packed with beauty hints and tips, recipes for home made products, diet and nutritional advice, how to articles, product reviews, alternative therapies and discussions about general and specific health care issues, The Beauty Factor is your complete on line guide to sensible health and well being.

Consider this small portion of cyberspace as your space too. Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions. Feedback is always a great way to find out if we are doing our job well, so if you like what you see let us know about it.

The Beauty Factor staff just love a curious mind, so if you have any questions relating to one of our posts, don't hesitate to ask it. Alternatively if you have any health or beauty dilemmas of your own and would like our help, please get in touch and we will endeavour to assist wherever we can.

So, that just about concludes our short introduction. Enjoy the blog, participate where you can, but most of all enjoy the journey to finding a healthier, well informed and more beautiful you.

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