6

Beauty Secrets: Cosmetics

In biblical times, women loved cosmetics as much as we do today. They painted their eyes, lips, cheeks, and powdered their faces. They even invented glitter eye shadow, made by drying and crushing glittery beetle wings. (Isn’t it comforting to think of a mother living three thousand years ago, shouting at her daughter, “You’re not going out of this tent with that eye shadow on!”)

The basis for ancient makeup was minerals. They used the minerals easily available to them, especially galena, ochre, stibnite, and malachite. Mixing these minerals with olive oil or animal fat, they painted them on, much as we use an eye shadow brush to apply our own makeup.

Today, minerals as makeup have made an incredible comeback. Women are looking for natural alternatives in every aspect of their beauty routine.

There are dozens of mineral-based makeup lines to choose from, and I’ve listed quite a few in the Resource Guide. When shopping for a mineral makeup, always read the label. Many inexpensive “mineral” powders I’ve found at mass retailers are actually a blend of minerals and synthetics. Look for mineral makeups that are free from synthetic colors, fragrances, and preservatives.

MINERAL MAKEUP

Mineral-based cosmetics have made a phenomenal comeback in recent years, first embraced by dermatologists and plastic surgeons who needed gentle, nonirritating cosmetics for patients.The cosmetic industry latched on to the idea and the minerals revolution was born. Because we’re a global economy, cosmetic companies weren’t limited to the natural resources on hand: they could choose their minerals based on our needs. You’ll find most mineral makeups are formulated from zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and mica. (If zinc oxide sounds familiar to you, it’s because it is used as a sunscreen.) Minerals offer distinct advantages over other types of makeup:

0785221786_ePDF_0116_008 They have built-in protection from UVA and UVB rays (check the label for exact SPF).

0785221786_ePDF_0116_008 They are nonirritating.

0785221786_ePDF_0116_008N They won’t clog pores.

0785221786_ePDF_0116_008 Their rich pigments last longer.

Michelle Doan, founder and artistic director of Emani Professional Cosmetics, shared her expertise with us. Michelle reminded me that a lot of makeups aren’t good for the skin, and are made from cheap ingredients. “Talc is an inexpensive filler used in a lot of makeup. I can buy talc for $1 per kilo, while some minerals cost as much as $300 per kilo.” Talc, while inexpensive, causes the color to dissipate, and you need to apply it frequently to freshen the color.

Pure mineral makeup is richly pigmented. Mineral makeup, Michelle explains, is 98 percent pigment, while mass makeup brands can be 98 percent talc. With such richly pigmented colors, a little goes a long way and they give a beautiful finish that synthetics can’t imitate. As an experiment, I applied two identical shades of gold eye shadow on my wrist. One was synthetic, and one was made of pure minerals. I asked my husband if he could tell a difference. He picked the mineral one immediately as looking the most natural. There was a sheen to it that made it glow, versus the chunky, fake sparkle of the synthetic version.

True mineral makeup also boasts other advantages over synthetics:

0785221786_ePDF_0117_008 Minerals catch and diffuse light, giving your face a radiant glow and softening the appearance of flaws and wrinkles.

0785221786_ePDF_0117_008 Minerals look more natural than synthetic colors.

0785221786_ePDF_0117_008 And, Michelle tells us, “Minerals provide a barrier to protecting the skin from free radicals and the environment.” She also points out the irony that the companies selling us synthetic makeup that can irritate, clog, and dull our complexions are the same companies selling us rejuvenating treatments and creams.

Mineral makeup is good for your skin, but is it good for your wallet? Those little jars of powder can seem expensive for what you’re getting. We’re conditioned to judging the value of makeup by its size and cost. When you remember that mass makeup products can be loaded with cheap fillers, and that mineral makeup is pigment-packed, you can begin to see the real test of a makeup. A tiny sprinkle of mineral makeup goes a long way. The eye colors, in particular, amaze me for how very little I need to get a good result, and how long the container lasts. They also last longer throughout the day, which means I don’t have to reapply.

As with any cosmetic, you may want to sample a few mineral powders to find the one that best suits you. Some have more of a shimmer to them than others, and some require a two-step process of foundation and setting powder to achieve a finished look. Many times you can purchase sample sizes online, or try the lines in retail stores. (See the Resource Guide for more infor-mation.) Jane Iredale, founder of Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, advises women to “try one brand on one side of the face and another brand on the other. If the makeup doesn’t last all day without minimum touch-ups, isn’t water resistant and doesn’t feel weightless on the skin, then . . . look for another line.”

EYES AND LIPS

Like ancient women, most of our efforts to apply cosmetics focus on our eyes and lips. Ancient women wanted to visually enlarge their eyes, and they often stained their lips red as well.Lips and eyes are a focal point of every woman’s beauty routine.

With our eyes we see the world, but only God can give us proper perspective of the events that shape our life:

God can open our eyes and help us see situations clearly (Gen. 21:19; 2 Kings 6:19–21).

With our eyes we witness the miracles of God, and we should remember them forever (Deut. 1:29–31; Deut. 4:8–10).

God remembers every tear that falls from our eyes, and someday, God will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Ps. 56:7–9; Rev. 7:16–17).

In researching everything the Scriptures say about both, it became clear that eyes and lips also shape our lives in unexpected ways. We spend time every day drawing attention to each—and so has every other generation of women, right back through the ages to our biblical sisters. With our eyes we take in creation and witness the memories that will replay in our minds for the rest of our lives. With our lips, we speak the words that will nurture or destroy. It is fitting, therefore, that these receive special attention in both our physical and spiritual lives.

King Solomon, one of the more prolific writers in the Bible, had quite a lot to say about our lips and mouths. In a letter to his son, the book of Proverbs, he told us that the mouth of the righteous is a “well of life,” and “wisdom is found on the lips” (Prov. 10:11, 13).

Solomon also wrote a book about his love affair with his bride and described her beautiful lips: “Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, and your mouth is lovely. . . . Your lips, O my spouse, drip as the honeycomb” (Song of Sol. 4:3, 11).

Solomon understood that our mouths and lips are more than just the object of romantic fascination; they can bless the world with wisdom and life-affirming words.

USING ALOE VERA TO PREP YOUR EYES AND LIPS

Aloe vera is renowned for its ability to help skin heal. It’s loaded with active compounds, and has been shown to increase collagen production.1Aloe vera has been studied in major hospitals and has been a part of alternative medicine for generations. It is a hardy plant that will endure neglect, thrives despite a minimal amount of care, and provides good results.

But aloe is a tricky plant to process commercially. The inner rind of the leaf contains a powerful laxative. You can’t simply grind up an aloe plant and throw it in your juice without rather dramatic results. Aloe juice must be expressed, leaving the inner rind intact. Thankfully, it’s easy to do this by hand at home. Simply snip off the end of the leaf, and squeeze. The precious gel will come right out.

This aloe gel is made of powerful active compounds and nutrients that include vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. Studies are still being done to understand the components of aloe and how they all work together, but one of the primary reasons it is believed to assist topical healing is because of its ability to attract and hold moisture. (When shopping for aloe vera plants, look for the common species labeled as Aloe barbadensis. It’s the one most often studied by medical researchers and skin experts.)

The humble aloe vera plant is mentioned several times in Scripture:

God’s robes are said to be perfumed with aloe, myrrh, and cassia: “All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia . . .” (Ps. 45:8 KJV).

The homes of God’s people spreading out are wonderful to see, “like aloes planted by the LORD” (Num. 24:5–7).

Moisture is exactly what we need around our lips and those fine lines around our eyes, and aloe’s active, healing compounds may bind moisture and help “plump” the skin.

So every morning before I apply lipstick, I cut a tiny end off of my aloe vera plant. I squeeze out the juice and pat it onto my lips and into the fine lines around my mouth that are beginning to develop. It takes a brief moment to dry, then I apply my liner and lipstick as usual. The aloe vera juice makes a fabulous base for lip products, and my lips do indeed look fuller, because the lipstick gets a better application and my lips stay moisturized. Try it—you’ll be amazed at how well the aloe vera clings to your lips. Use it in place of your lip plumper, and use it to make any lipstick a long-lasting one. I also use any extra aloe gel to dip my makeup brush into before applying my powdered mineral shadows. It replaces more expensive “eye shadow foundation creams.”

We all love full lips. Over-the-counter lip plumpers work on the principle that if you irritate the skin and cause increased blood to flow to the area, your lips will puff up. I just don’t think a healthy long-term beauty plan should involve irritating the skin several times a day. They also contain questionable ingredients, including collagen, which is often manufactured from slaughterhouse waste.

But there is a better solution: aloe vera.

Lip plumper: $40 Cost of aloe vera plant:

$3 TOTAL SAVINGS: $148 per year (based on buying 4 lip plumping products per year, versus 4 plants per year)

You can also use the gel as a “base” for your foundation. Simply pat any excess gel onto your face before applying foundation. It soothes irritated skin and will give your skin the feeling of an expensive lifting and firming cream.

SETTING YOUR MAKEUP

To set your makeup, and to be refreshed throughout the day, I make facial spritzers to keep handy. I keep one in my desk, one in the bathroom, and one in the fridge. My favorites are lavender, rosewater, myrrh, and green tea. Organic lavender water and rosewater are easy to find at any natural foods store, so I simply pour those into small spritzers and I’m done. I’ve shared the recipe for myrrh facial spritz on page 94. For the green tea spritzer, whenever I brew tea to drink, I pour the cooled leftover tea into a bottle. It’s that simple.

These are all incredibly refreshing spritzers that reduce stress while refreshing your skin. The delicate scents encourage you to slow down and take a deep breath, and they refresh your skin.

HIGHLIGHTING CHEEKBONES

After you’ve applied and set your makeup, there’s one last trick you can try to highlight your cheekbones. Put two to three drops of olive oil in your palms and rub together. With the heel of your hand, press against the upper ridge of each cheekbone, under the eye and back toward your hairline.

The effect is subtle and stunning. It creates a glow to your appearance without makeup. It looks natural and yet the eye is drawn to “see” cheekbones. This is a great tip for daytime, when you may not want to use shimmer powders to highlight the cheekbones, but still want to have a healthy glow.

MORNING COSMETIC ROUTINE

1. After following the BSB Three-Step Skin Regimen (see pages 73–80), gently pat concealer under eyes where needed.

2. Sweep mineral foundation across face, sweeping in circular, downward motions. (If you sweep upward, you’ll make your tiny facial hairs stand up and out.)

3. Apply aloe vera to lips and use any excess to wet eye shadow brush.

4. Apply mineral eye shadow. A light color should sweep across entire eyelid all the way to the eyebrows, including a little dot of light color at the inner corner of eyes. A darker color should go just above the natural crease in the eyelid. Save the darkest color to smudge a gentle line above the top lashes and below the bottom ones. To make eyes appear larger, the color should not meet at either the inner or outer corners of the eye.

5. As you smile, apply a touch of colored blush on the apples of your cheeks. Then use a bronzer to sweep color from these apples to your hairline. For a more sculpted facial look, apply bronzer to the forehead just beyond the tip of the eyebrows on your temples, and a light brushstroke down each side of your nose.

6. Apply mascara, line and color lips. (I am comfortable using commercial mascara because the product stays on lashes and is not applied to the skin where it could be absorbed.)

7. Set face with myrrh facial spritz.

DON’T ORGET YOUR NAILS

Nails are often the finishing touch of a beauty routine, but I rarely have time for a manicure. Instead, I try to keep my nails healthy and the cuticles moisturized. There are some natural ways to do this.

We learned from our chapter on hair that biotin, a B vitamin, is essential for producing keratin, the building block of gorgeous hair and nails. One study of biotin’s effects on nails produced dramatic results: A Swiss study revealed that “taking a 2,500 mcg biotin supplement daily produced a 25 percent increase in nail thickness, leading 91 percent of the participants to say that after six months of use their nails looked better than ever.”2

The study used supplements. Again, I prefer to add whole foods into my diet rather than try to remember to take a pill every day. Anytime you can add whole foods into your diet, your whole body will benefit. If your nails are weak and ragged, try adding these foods into your diet, which are among the top sources of biotin:

Nuts (almonds, walnuts)

Beans

Brewer’s yeast

All of these foods were, of course, staples in the biblical age as well as our own. If you noticed brewer’s yeast, and wondered why a beer-making by-product is on our list, you should realize that drinking beer was popular in biblical times. One ancient painting shows a couple drinking a large vat of beer together, through very long straws. It looks like an ancient version of two lovers sharing a soda. When King Solomon said “there’s nothing new under the sun,” he was right!

Also, for healthy nails and cuticles, be sure to keep moisturizer near your sinks, next to the hand soap, and moisturize your hands after washing.

THE TRUTH ABOUT “GETTING YOUR BEAUTY REST”

Sleep is a divine way to relieve stress and refresh our bodies, souls, and spirits. A good night’s sleep rejuvenates us and boosts our immune system, our stress response, and even helps with weight control. Our bodies actively repair themselves at night; bodybuilders are known for needing extra sleep so their bodies can repair and build muscle. Our skin, too, is repairing itself and rejuvenating itself while we sleep. It’s always a good idea to remove all makeup and nourish the skin before you get your beauty rest. In place of more expensive commercial products, here are a few suggestions you can try that will help create a soothing ritual that relaxes you, sending a message to your body that it is time for deep sleep.

BEDTIME ROUTINE

1. Thoroughly remove all makeup. I use olive oil to remove my eye makeup. It’s nourishing to the skin and many commercial eye makeup removers have “soapy,” drying ingredients, or petroleum- based formulations.

2. Use olive oil (or coconut oil), mixed with a dab of concealer under your eyes if dark circles are a problem. If you feel a bit pampered, and look a bit better, I think you’ll be in a better mood for sweet sleep.

3. Be sure to moisturize the oft-neglected areas: hands, feet, elbows, neck. (Keep nighttime moisturizers on your bedside table so you won’t have to get out of bed if you realize you’ve forgotten to apply them.) I use coconut oil at night because it is such a rich skin moisturizer and has such a delicate fragrance.

4. Spritz yourself with a gently scented water, such as rosewater or lavender water. A little spritz with a soft scent relaxes you immediately and prepares you for rest.

5. Keep an ultrasonic humidifier by your bed. (We’ll discuss this more in the next chapter.) Adding moisture to the bedroom air keeps your skin moisturized and also helps your breathing for a more restful sleep.

6. Keep a small book of nighttime devotions or uplifting meditations near the bed and make it the last thing you read before going to sleep. God’s Word is alive and active, unlike any other book ever written (Heb. 4:12). While your body is repairing itself and preparing for a new day, your spirit can be ministered to as God’s Word resonates through your sleep. And this sleep is a blessing of God, who promises to give it to you, as His beloved (Ps. 127:2).

OceanofPDF.com