review: not just a pretty face
I was pretty excited when I found and was offered a review copy of “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry.”
The book is a intense look at the safety concerns that many beauty and skincare items, from the point of view of one of the co-founders of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Stacy Malkan.
Bringing Out Concerns
I’ve swing between wanting effective products and wanting the greenest possible products. As I’ve tried to green my life I’ve gone through tons of “green” and “safe” face products. Lots of them were mislabeled. Many of them didn’t’ work. Some of them were fantastic.
I found a big list of ingredients that I wanted to stay away from because of health concerns. It was slightly disturbing to learn that some of the brands who sport a pink ribbon for breast cancer also have products that contain pthalates and other concern causing ingredients that have been linked to cancer.
Let’s take a step back here. I will agree with the notion that some natural and green brands will use this type of information to fear-monger. In reality, a lot of natural-based ingredients can make people with sensitive skin freak out. Just because it is natural doesn’t mean that you can’t have an allergic reaction to it.
So on one hand, I was throwing out freaky old nail polish, but I took all of the book with a grain of salt. Thankfully, the author does point out that a lot of the ingredients that she talks about may not have a huge affect in the small quantities that you see in cosmetics. However, there is the idea that there is no reason to expose yourself to that to begin with, no matter the risk.
Like anything, the ideas in this book are something to weigh in your mind. Yeah, I threw out some nail polish and I will continue to avoid SLS (sodium laurel sulfate) and similar ingredients because I am person that would rather not take the risk.
But, and it’s a big but, I will not get rid of products like my Avene Retrinal, which works perfectly well and is so effective that it is worth the risk to me.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
One slight thing to keep in mind. Malkan, like I said above, is a co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. A good portion of this book is spent on the story of the CFSC, which really is an intriguing story. You are not really signing up for a book like The Skin Type Solution, which gives you specific things to go out and buy.
You’re getting the story of a worthy cause and why they are working for it. I am glad I read it, because I’m a big fan of researching your purchases and I do use the database set up by the CFSC.
Overall
A great quick read at just over 150 pages, if you’re concerned at all about what you put on your face every day, I would get the book. Prefer to stick with what you know and not get alarmed by all the things that could cause you cancer? Keep walking.
Bonus!
Want to read the book after listening to my rambling? Like a true greenie, I’m going to pass on my copy. It’s got some dog-ears, but totally readable. Just tell me your favorite beauty product (green or not) in the comments and why you’ll use it regardless. I’ll randomly pick someone on July 18 and you’ll get this lovely copy.
Smashbox Photo Finish. It gives my skin an almost fake feeling. So smooth.
Smashbox Photo Finish
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is great!
I would continue to use Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup. I love how my face looks while wearing it.
love covergirl lash mascara
Nutra-lift glycolic plus nonsoap cleanser
Mascara and concealer!!! Mandatory on me.
I love Maybelline foundation!!
I think I’m sticking with Cover Girl Great Lash because it’s tried and true and works so incredibly well.
LIPSTICK DOES WONDERS WITH MY FAIR COMPLEXION!
mascara – usually Loreal
I like Olay Regenerist.
I love my shower filter. Silky hair and clear skin without chemicals!
I need my eye shadow everyday and lipstick most days. It’s not about pretty, it’s about being polished.
Rubbing alcohol. I use it on a cotton ball to wash my face and it dries my face out. Much cheaper then using astringents on the market.
Arbonne foundation!!
My favorite beauty product is a nice tube of Revlon lipstick.
I can’t live without mascara
Oil or Olay Moisturizer with sunscreen, I never leave the house without it!
My favorite beauty products are my lipsticks: David Scott, CG, Revlon, Victoria’s Secret. Colors on the lips make me feel really pretty, though I know some might have lead contents in them. I’m just being careful not to swallow them.
oil of olay
Sunscreen because I burn easily and have photosensitivity.
My most fabvorite beauty product is “REVLON COLORSTAY BLEMISH CONCEALER”. Even though I am 42 years old,I still get zits.This product not only hides the zits,but it also dries them up at the same time(and works quickly)
I really love Sephora products
My favorite product would have to be my Brow pencil!- without it, I wouldn’t have any brows!
I love Benefit products, and I can’t live without eyeliner!
i love Cargo Eye Lighter, it’s so nifty!
Almay Mascara is my must-have product.
Avon’s wrinkle reducer… I even put it on my throat and tops of my hands… not the palms but the top to try and get rid of the age spots.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Bobbi Brown Shell Eyeshadow
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil really is a wonderful finishing touch! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Reading this reminds me of a customer I met yesterday at work. He used to work for a company who did mice and rat breeding for animal testings and stem cell researching. And he told me just how badly treated some of them were even before being shipped out to be researched on.
I feel we have a personal responisiblity not only to our animals but also to ourselves to be greener and healthier. I try to go for products that mention no animal testing and have nautral ingredients that I can pronounce.
My favorite beauty product is actually very natural and a great find from ebay. It’s Carley’s Night Time Moisturizer. It’s works great- making my face feel baby smooth. It feels good to buy honest products and I hope that the mega make-up industry becomes more morally responsible.
i love 2 face lip injection lip gloss, that stuff hurts but it’s awesome!
Mac eyeshadow
Would have to pick my lipgloss and bronzer!
Sea Breeze Astringent
L’Bri products…all are great!
Cover Girl eyeslicks gel eyecolor. It applies easily to give ne the color I want. I’ll use it until I can find a “green” product that is similar.
sunscreen and lipgloss
My fave thing is maybelline wine on ice lipstick.
Burts Bee’s foot cream.Thanks for the giveaway
any mineral based foundation – great for coverage without looking heavy and good for the skin as well!!!
I can’t live without my eye cream and concealer for dark circles under the eyes. Guess I should get more sleep.