THOUGHTS FROM THE TRAIN CASE: Is a makeup obsession shallow?

Have you ever been made to feel small or stupid for buying and/or playing with makeup? Anyone ever belittled your hobby?



I ask this because, well... I have. As many of you know, I have a rather colorful educational background (a bachelor's in nuclear engineering from MIT, a Ph.D. from UCLA School of Medicine in biomedical physics and radiation biology) and a number of years under my belt as a scientist working to cure cancer. These days, I've left my petri plates behind and sat down behind a computer screen to tackle science from a writing and communications standpoint, but I'm still a scientist. Essentially, it would seem that my mind is very nimble and quick.



So... "Why the hell are you wasting your time and money with all that silly makeup?" says my husband the other day. "You're supposed to be smarter than that."



This was like several slaps in the face at once. First of all, who really likes a sudden sharp criticism from one's spouse? Especially one that, if analyzed a little bit, is a veiled type of character assassination?



And really... where does he get off saying "smarter than that" as if only stupid morons are supposed to use and enjoy makeup? dWhere does this stereotype come from? Am I supposed to eschew my enjoyment of the stuff just because I have an advanced degree? And what, pray tell, am I supposed to do instead?



Oh, wait. I do know. It means I am supposed to do things that the intelligentsia are supposed to do as defined in books, movies, and coffee joint discussions. Play chess. Read War and Peace and Science magazine simultaneously and cover to cover. Play the violin. Come up with a way to beat the stock market. Count cards in Vegas. In other words, do something that is considered nerdy and smart. Something the husband considers useful (which means, something that might make money).

This isn't the first time people have tried to insult my interest in makeup, though. My own parents find my interest in it petty and useless, and have told me so several times - even going so far as to tell me that I look better without it and that my time would be better spend doing "other things."

Okay... so yes, I do love to read, and if I knew how to count cards, then baby, I'd be that thing that stayed in Vegas in my private suite. But the thing is, I spend all day doing science and "being smart" - my left brain gets a massive workout. And you know what? It gets tired, like anything else, and that's when I can hear them. The muffled cries of my right brain, screaming for action, wanting its turn, wanting that release. Smart or not, I want balance. As much as I crave scientific knowledge, I crave a way to express my artistic, creative self.

Sure, I could paint on a canvas. But there is something much more sensual about using my face and my body as the canvas for my artistic expressions. When I paint my face, I can feel the texture of the makeup, the brushes, my own hands. In a world that has become rather "touchless," I believe this is important aspect of private time. Everyone's body craves touch - we suppress the desire most often in today's world, but indeed that makes it more lovely when we do experience it, even from our own fingers and palms. Touch releases endorphins, oxytocin, and other pleasureable hormones and neurotransmitters (see, I'm a nerd for certain), and that reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate, spreads that wonderful tingly warmth through the body. Who wouldn't want that? Why should that be reserved for only those without a bunch of letters after their name?

And... upon further analysis, makeup can often be more important to smart women simply because they are smart. In my case, my nerdiness existed back in high school, when everyone was halfway between a child and an adult, and a female nerd was something to avoid at all costs. I was made fun of and excluded from things, simply because my report card contained A's. The assumption was that I was no fun, that I was uptight, and that I was a prude. In fact, this shroud of nerdiness made me ugly to those people...and I am not sure I can explain the hurt and isolation that generates. No one from your school will date you, no one will invite you to parties. When you are made to feel ugly, you seek to make yourself beautiful, and makeup can do that. Learning to do my eyes perfectly, to get lovely skin, to smell so good - all of that allowed me to feel so much better about myself and to at least be able to date a few boys I met at my summer job, who went to other schools and didn't hold the same assumptions about me. Of course... college changed all of this... but I digress here :)

So, my question is, why is doing makeup stupid, when it can have such a positive impact on a woman's (or even a man's) life? The fact is, it is NOT stupid... and we all have the right to do our faces proudly. Don't ever let someone's snarky comments make you feel bad about your hobby... because after all, it is a hobby like anything else, and it makes you feel good. You deserve to feel good, and no matter how you choose to get it, you OWN that endorphin rush.

Happy making up!!!

PRODUCT REVIEW: Aromaleigh Nocturne Overnight Mineral Treatment

(photograph from Aromaleigh.com)

A few years ago, Bare Escentuals came out with their breakthrough RareMinerals nighttime mineral treatment to much fanfare. For those who don't know, this is a mineral "treatment" to be applied before bed - a powder that looks suspiciously like mineral foundation that is meant to clear up skin, smooth it out, balance it, and even reduce fine lines. I wondered about it - after all, wasn't it kind of like taking all of your makeup off and then putting some makeup BACK ON, then sleeping in it? While I know mineral makeup is "sleepable" I still found the concept pretty weird, yet I also found it very intriguing. However, I was not so intrigued that I was ready to pay over $60 for the stuff.

Then, with another purchase at Sephora.com, I was given the opportunity to try a "deluxe sample" of RareMinerals - it was a cute, self-contained little puff with about a week's worth of product in it. It was almost too cute to use, but I kept using that thing until it was dry despite the fact that it kind of made my skin itch and I even got a few hives (that's not that unusual for me though, as I have a condition called dermatographism that causes random bouts of those). The thing was, it really did sort of balance out my combination skin, and it seemed to smooth out the skin's surface as well. I was impressed, but still not impressed enough to plop down the cash.

Fast forward a few years, when I made the fortuitous discovery called Aromaleigh. In the midst of my fantastical color-buying frenzy, I noted that AL made their own version of BE's RareMinerals called Nocturne that doesn't contain many of the ingredients BE products do. According to Aromaleigh.com, Nocturne contains the following:

• Mineral concentrate powder contains 72 micro and macro minerals. It is extracted from untouched mineral deposits from the earth estimated to have been formed during the Triassic-Jurassic periods, approximately 150 to 200 million years ago. It is the most complete source of naturally occurring micronutrients known to exist. Mineral concentrate increases cell turnover, is anti-inflammatory and nourishing to the skin. It brings "Mineral Makeup" to a new level... a level in which your minerals are in truly rare form.
• Silk powder benefits your skin with 18 amino acids and is a natural moisture balancing product. Silk can absorb or release moisture as temperature or humidity changes.
• Zinc oxide is a natural anti-inflammatory.
• Ascorbic Acid, or Vitamin C naturally stimulates your skin's collagen growth, brightens your skintone, increases cellular turnover, and aids in the reduction of fine lines.
• Ectoin(TM) is a highly advanced anti-aging ingredient that functions on multiple levels as a natural stress defense and moisture barrier for your skin. It protects the skin's immune defenses.
• Emblica fruit extract has intense natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is a natural skin brightener.
• Green tea extract is a natural antioxidant.
• Spherical silica is added to this formula to assist in smooth application. Titanium dioxide and iron oxides are in minute amounts as part of the coloration of the formula. This product has a translucent, neutral tone that when applied, will meld into most skintones. It is a close match for the shade called "Clear" in an alternate brand's night time treatment.

I also noted that Nocturne was about 1/3 the price of RareMinerals, so I decided to give it a shot.

That was four months ago, and I haven't gone a night without my Nocturne since then. This stuff is, in a word, unbelieveable. It has balanced out my complexion better than the RareMinerals did. And until Nocturne, I had not been able to find anything to prevent the breakouts I got like clockwork across my chin each month... now, I have had just one small zit on my chin in four months, and it healed up in two days, unlike the previous nasties that would last four or even more. And I do see improvement in skin texture as well - most definitely more youthful!

This is definitely an option to try if you suffer from any of these troubles. I highly recommend putting on a thin layer with a flocked sponge after allowing your normal night moisturizer absorb each evening to wake up to calmer, prettier skin.

Nocturne is available at Aromaleigh.com for $28.00 per 14 gram (0.5 oz) jar, or for $31.00 if you would like to get a flocked sponge with it for application (I recommend that too - the sponge is amazing). Samples are available for $2.60 so you can try before you buy - the sample contains enough product to use for a week or two, so you'll definitely have time to decide if Nocturne is right for you!

PRODUCT REVIEW - John Frieda Frizz Ease Overnight Repair Creme Serum

I have always had hair that tends to dry out like crazy. It's thick, it's pretty coarse, and it's curly, which is the part I hate, so that means I do a lot of blow drying and flat-ironing even though I know it's going to make the situation worse. I'd rather have dry hair than that huge hair (I can't seem to control the curl either, so I just squash it out). Despite that though, I must admit that, well, my hair has been, for the last ten years or so, my crowning glory - long, red, full, Celtic warrior princess hair. The kind of hair people stop you on the street to compliment, the kind of hair that little kids grab on the bus, the kind of hair that big kids grab in the.... well, I'm getting off point here. My point is, I have been proud of my hair, okay?

So, when I started seeing a lot of hair in the shower drain, I started to worry. And when I looked in the mirror a few weeks later and discovered that a whole chunk on the left side of my head was a LOT shorter than the rest, a sure sign of serious breakage, I panicked. I knew that it was going to be a while before I could get some of the high-end hair stuff that I usually bought in times of extreme hair drought because Winston-Salem, NC is NOT known for its shopping - I'd have to order online and then wait (I was already paying out the nose for the products themselves, so there was absolutely no way I was going to pay for express shipping).

In the meantime, I went to the drugstore to see what I could rustle up. I got some shampoo and conditioner (Tresemme Thermal Recovery - I'll review that in a different entry, because that turned out to be a great buy for me too), and then, on my way out of the aisle, this overnight stuff from John Frieda Frizz Ease caught my eye. I was particularly interested because I'd had a sample of something similar from Frederic Fekkai once, and it had done a pretty good job, but was something like $60. But the Frizz Ease version was just $9.99 - I figured that it couldn't hurt, and grabbed it.

That night, I pumped some serum out into my palms and smoothed it through dry hair, like the instructions said. This serum is creamy, but not thick, and it is easy to work through the hair. I focused on my ends, but made sure as much hair as possible was covered. After going about the rest of my nightly routine, I touched my hair and was pleased to find that my hair was actually absorbing the serum - the serum was not simply sitting on top of each shaft making it greasy. I went to bed hoping for the best.

In the morning, when I was awake enough to remember I put the Frizz Ease night serum through my hair, I touched my hair again. More absorption! In fact, it already felt like my hair was softer. I also checked my pillow, and was pleased to see that the claim that this stuff wouldn't get all over the bedding was accurate. After washing and conditioning my hair like usual, I was even more amazed. My hair wasn't completely healed, but its shine was coming back, it was crazy soft, and the frizz was definitely reduced... A LOT. In fact, I feel that the John Frieda version worked better than the expensive Fekkai version!

It's only gotten better ... the more you use this stuff, the better your hair gets. It's recommended to use it 2-3 times a week, but I imagine you can use it every day if you want.

That does lead me to the only drawback to this stuff that I can find... the bottle isn't big enough, at least not for someone like me who has to coat handfuls of thick hair that reaches her mid-back. However, I've gotten six uses out so far - don't really know how many are left in there, but to be honest, those six uses have totally transformed my hair, so I really don't care if that's all I get. At $9.99, I'll just get another one.

Bottom line is - this stuff is incredible. Run, don't walk, to your neighborhood drugstore and pick some up. You'll be glad you did.

MEOW Gets Ready For Halloween

Meow Cosmetics announces yet another collection of fabulous colors - the Halloween collection! Six eye colors return from previous spooky nights, and of course, lucky 13 new eye colors have been introduced. These colors are described by Meow as follows:

We have tried our best to photograph these unusual shadows, but the internet just doesn't allow us to accurately display the iridescent fire and complex auras these Halloween shadows display in person. They actually seem to glow after application, creating a haunted halo of unexpected colors. They remind us of a crystal ball in that way...every time you gaze at them, you just may see something new and unexpected! So gaze deeply and tell us....which ones does your future hold?

These sound like a fabulously interesting bunch, and if you're like me and can't resist unusual mica interference, fun glimmers of colors, and lots of sheen, you're probably going to love these... I know I ordered some samples ($1 each as usual) as soon as I discovered this collection had been released.

But probably the most interesting part of the Halloween collection is the set of six new foundation colors. Since Meow already offers 84 different foundation shades, I wondered what on earth they could be cooking up now. Well, if you check out the last row of colors in the photo above, the secret is revealed.... it's a collection of werewolf browns, witchy greens, ghastly whites, and other spooky colors! This is probably the first brand of mineral Halloween makeup I have heard of, and I think it's a great idea - for those of you dressing up this Halloween, these are a great alternative to those nasty wax crayons and gloppy face paints usually offered at Halloween. So, you can give your skin a break this Halloween and finally let it breathe!

But, Meow asks you to hurry! These limited edition shades will vanish without a trace at the stroke of midnight, all Hallows Eve, October 31.

25% Off EVERYTHING at Taylor Made Minerals!

Because Taylor of Taylor Made Minerals is getting married and heading off on her honeymoon, the company is essentially closed until October 13th - that means that the website is still taking orders, but they have halted shipping until Taylor returns. So, you can place an order, but it might not ship for a few weeks.

BUT - to make this up to you, the customer, absolutely everything is 25% off until the 13th!! That includes the $1.00 samples.

So, if you are able to wait for your order, this is a super deal and a great time to take advantage of Taylor's already low prices and try something new. You can find Taylor Made Minerals here.