Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Friday, 12 August 2011
Beauty Cheat Sheet: Antioxidants
No matter where you are, when talking about skincare and general health we are always told about antioxidants. Beauty products and companies rave about antioxidant powers as well as effects of free radicals and other harmful oxidants. I for one was previously unsure about all of these things, so here is a simple Antioxidant Cheat Sheet.
Antioxidant: Molecule capable of preventing the oxidation of other molecules. They protect your cells from the effects of free radicals.
ex. Beta-carotene, Lycopene, Vitamins A, C, E
Free Radical: Molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
ex. Tobacco smoke, radiation
Many antioxidants work from within the body such as the ones found in food or supplements.
Antioxidant rich foods:
- Tomatos
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Berries (All varieties, blackberries, acai etc.)
- Pomegranate
- Teas (particularly GREEN)
- Red grapes & wine (red)
- CHOCOLATE! (dark)
- Oranges and Grapefruit
- Whole Grains
- Almonds
- Fish & vegetable oil
- Turnip greens
Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E are topical antioxidants - this means they must be placed on the skin in order to take effect. Topical antioxidants are important because they not only directly block the effects of free radicals immediately, but also absorb into the skin to nourish it, repair cells, and inhibit oxidizing agents.
It is important to use a light antioxidant serum at night and during the day. These serums help fight free radicals in turn preventing signs of aging such as wrinkles and skin damage.
There are many antioxidant serums on the market but a good example is the JUICE Beuty Antioxidant Serum (available online at Sephora.com)
This serum helps to prevent aging and also helps to firm and smooth fine lines. Another plus is that it is 100% organic and free of harmful chemicals.
I really hope this helped!
If you have any questions or suggestions please comment below!
xo The Citizen
Photos by The Citizen
Monday, 8 August 2011
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Video: EAT, LEARN, MOVE
This is awesome!
"A six-week journey of a lifetime crammed into one epic minute"
Videos by Rick Mereki, Andrew Lees, & Tim White
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Beauty Cheat Sheet: Common Ingredients to Avoid
Is your makeup good enough to EAT?
Products: Burberry Sheer Foundation Trench No. 5 & Trench No. 7
The truth is, probably not.
Many products ranging from baby shampoo to anti-aging treatments are filled with doses of harmful chemicals designed for various reasons, reasons as trivial as cheaply increasing lather, or adding fragrance. Awareness of the dangers of these products is slowly climbing, finally causing large brands to begin to eliminate them from their products. Nobody is perfect, and it is difficult to avoid all of these chemicals (much of the makeup in my kit unfortunately contains at least a few) as they are present in so many products right now, but it is important to be informed and try to avoid them as much as possible.
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Beauty Cheat Sheet: Common Chemicals to Avoid
Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl):
Function - Preservative and anti-bacterial agent.
Present in - Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns - May alter hormone levels, possibly increasing risk for certain types of cancer, impaired fertility, or alteration of the development of a fetus or young child; studies have found parabens in breast tumors; probable skin toxicant; animal studies show brain and nervous system effects.
Sulfates (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate):
Function - Surfactant, penetration enhancer.
Present in - Many cosmetics and personal care products (soaps etc.), read labels.
Health concerns - Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin, increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; Irritant; animal studies show sense organ effects.
Aluminum Zinchronium/other Aluminum Compounds:
Function - Used to control sweat and odor in the underarms by slowing down the production of sweat.
Present in - Antiperspirants.
Health concerns - Linked to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease; may be linked to breast cancer; probable neurotoxin; possible nervous system, respiratory, and developmental toxin.
Phthalates:
Function - Fragrance ingredient, plasticizer, solvent.
Present in - Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns - Immune system toxicant; developmental and reproductive toxin; respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor; bio-accumulative in wildlife
Talc:
Function - Absorbs moisture, anti-caking agent, bulking agent.
Present in - Blush, powder, eye shadow, baby powder, deodorant.
Health concerns - Carcinogen; link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer; talc particles are similar to asbestos particles and data suggests that it can cause tumors in the lungs; probable respiratory toxin.
Many of these chemicals, as written above, apart from their negative health effects, damage the skin, triggering premature aging and other visible effects.
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Begin by visiting The Skin Deep Cosmetic Database – this site breaks down the ingredients of over 65,000 products as well as tips and information on safe cosmetics. I strongly recommend taking a look.
RESEARCHING and READING THE LABEL of products before purchasing them. Your skin and body will thank you!
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for other posts please comment below!
*Data courtesy of Teens Turning Green. Though it does not include all chemicals, for a more complete list and tips it is quite informative.
*I currently have no affiliation with either Skin Deep or Teens Turning Green, they are simply extremely informative and helpful websites found through extensive research.
xo The Citizen
Art & Photography by The Citizen Monday, 1 August 2011
Stam Towers
Some much love for this photo. Just amazing.
Model: Jessica Stam
Photographer: ? Any ideas ?
Fine Lines: Makky for Vogue Japan Beauty
Artist: Makky
Photographer: Raymond Meier
Models: Luisa Bianchin & Yulia Terentieva
Flat out
The chicest/most original/classic flats I have seen in a long time
Belle by Siegerson Morrison now on sale @ Madwell
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