Halloween Makeup Safety Tips

Tonight is Halloween and everyone from kids to adults will be donning costumes, masks and makeup to achieve their most ghoulish appearance for the event. For kids, face makeup is much safer than wearing masks. A mask can obscure peripheral vision and make it more difficult to see cars and other dangers. But is your face make-up safe?

Fortunately, the answer is usually yes. Color additives in make-up are regulated by the FDA. Some make-up can cause eye irritation, so if the directions say not to use on or near the eyes, believe them.

Here are some Halloween make-up safety tips:

* Be sure to follow the directions on the product.
* Don't use things not intended for your skin to decorate your face.
* If the label on face paint or other makeup may says that it is not for use near the eyes, do not apply near the eyes. Be careful to keep makeup from getting into your eyes.
* Some products can irritate your skin if you use too much. Apply only the amount needed.
* If you have sensitive skin or allergic reactions to certain types of products, check the ingredient label carefully and do a test on another part of your body, like your arm, to check for reactions.

Most of all, be safe and have fun. Happy Halloween!

Webhosting Geeks - Hosting news and information

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I am a huge fan of the internet and blogging. Nowadays more people are blogging and setting up websites than ever before, so many that it's reported that we will one day run out of IP addresses.

But not all of us are technically-gifted or as net-savvy as we'd like to be and setting up your own site, whether for business or blogging, can be a daunting task. If you aren't a computer geek, you need to consult one. I found that a good resource is Webhosting Geeks' webhosting blog.

The first big decision you have to make is about hosting. Should you use a free host or a paid domain? Which are the cheapest hosts, the most reliable hosts? How much downtime can you expect? On the WebHosting Geeks Blog, you can read a review of the top ten hosts, get information on choosing a hosting service and other great information and insight that will help you get your own web-based business or other website up and running.

The best thing is, you don't have to be a computer geek, you just have to know where to find a computer geek and get started on your very own website today.

Naked Beauty

A new TV contest show that will debut in the UK has not only dispensed with commonly accepted definitions of beauty, but insists that contestants discard all their usual artifices used to achieve beauty in order to compete.
Miss Naked Beauty wants to see the beauty within.

The contestants on Miss Naked Beauty will be denied hair color, makeup, girdles, and all other forms of artificial beauty and instead judged on confidence, sex appeal, spirit and intelligence.

Modern women have a hard time trying to balance their principles of equality of the sexes and their urge to conform to current standards of beauty. They insist they are more than their appearance, but still fret over every line or wrinkle, over every imagined imperfection in their bodies and will use everything from makeup to surgery in their pursuit of an aesthetic goal.

Let's hope Miss Naked Beauty can be another step towards helping women discover their innate beauty, and show young women and teens that beauty truly does come from within.

buySAFE Online with Shopping Advisor

There's really nothing better than shopping online. Curling up with a cup of coffee and your laptop, browsing at your leisure without the hassles of parking, crowds or long lines. But even though online shopping has so many benefits, there are dangers as well, and consumers should be aware of them.

When you're shopping online, how do you know if the merchant you are dealing with is trustworthy? Will you actually get the goods you ordered? How secure is their site and how safe are you from identity theft. Well, with buySAFE, you can be confident in making purchases online.



When you install buySAFE's Shopping Advisor you get important information on a merchant's security rating. The downloadable buySAFE tool can also point you to merchant sites bearing the buySAFE seal. BuySAFE also backs this all up with insurance on your purchase through a buySAFE bonded seller. When you shop through the Safe Shopping Portal, your purchase is guaranteed up to $25,000. What's more, you also receive protection against identity theft for 30 days.

The buySAFE Shopping Advisor is a free service for consumers that adds safety, security and peace of mind to your online shopping experience. You can add confidence to convenience when you install buySAFE's Shopping Advisor.

Total Lash Fantasy

Using makeup primers has become very popular, because a primer helps to create a flawless finish and makeup lasts longer without retouching. But Revlon has a new idea for using a primer that makes sense as well as gives a beautiful effect.

Lash Fantasy, Total Definition Mascara from Revlon is a dual product with a vitamin-enriched primer for lashes at one end and the color wand at the other. The primer nourishes lashes to make them appear longer and keep them healthy while the the other wand applies the rich color mascara that makes them stand out. The brushes are designed for a clump-free, lush look.

There are no wishy-washy colors in the shade selection. Lash Fantasy comes in Blackened Brown, Black and for those who want total impact, Blackest Black for a total lash fantasy. The product is also available in a waterproof formula (my favorite).

Mustela - a Must for Mom and Baby

Whether you're pregnant yourself or just need to find the perfect skin care gift for an expectant friend or relative, you want to be sure that the products you are buying are safe and effective. Women have special skin care needs both during and after pregnancy, and babies need the gentlest of care. A full line of skin care and sunscreen products for both mom and baby can be found at Mustela.

One problem that nearly all pregnant women experience is the appearance of stretch marks. After delivery, they will eventually fade to white but not disappear. A new mom's body has gone through a lot in the preceding 9 months but there are products that can help.

Mustela's Stretch Marks Intensive Action helps the skin to restore collagen and elastin while stimulating the skin to regenerate. It's hypoallergenic and you can use it while breast-feeding. They also make a Post-Partum Body Restructuring Gel to help restore the skin's firmness. In a test, 84% of women using the gel reported that their skin was firmer after just weeks. This product is also hypo-allergenic and safe for breast-feeding moms.

Every new mother is busy with the care of her newborn joy, but it's important for her to also take care of herself and treat herself to the best she can find. She will feel more beautiful while doing good things for her skin.

And for expectant and new moms, Mustela's website has a "Parents' Corner" with tips, advice and information on everything from baby massage to the most popular baby names. Check it out yourself or pass the URL on to a friend.

Teens Exposed to Hormone Disrupting Chemicals in Makeup

I read this interesting and disturbing article about the chemicals that teen girls are exposed to in makeup, fragrance and even skin care products. Some of these chemicals are hormone-disrupting, and present in their bodies at a critical time of development.

The article cites a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, and the results were sobering.

The first-of-its kind study found 16 toxic chemicals in blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls from eight states and the District of Columbia, aged 14-19, including preservatives, fragrance and antimicrobial compounds. Many of these are linked to serious health risks in lab animals, even at low-dose levels.

I thought also of all the cheap cosmetics I bought when I was a teen. Let's face it, the budget is tight when you are that age and you don't have as much spending money. If there are dangerous chemicals in cosmetics, how much more likely are the levels to be higher in cheaper brands?

Again, I recommend this website (also from EWG) where you can check out all the ingredients in any cosmetic product, and know what you are using on your body. It may help you and your teen make healthier choices when it comes to beauty.

Finding True Love

One thing that all women have in common is that they are busy. Whether it's your career or school, life gets hectic and your social life can stagnate. It becomes difficult to meet new people outside of your busy work or school schedule, so your dating life can fall into boring patterns or disappear entirely.

Online relationship sites have sprung up to fill in the gaps, and help people meet other new people with whom they share interests and life goals. But how do you know you're dealing with a reputable service?

That's where this relationship service, True.com, got my attention. True.com is the only relationship service endorsed by Psychology Today and they screen applicants thoroughly, even doing a criminal background check. What's more, at True.com you can search for free. That's right, it's completely free to sign up.

Now no site can guarantee that people won't lie on their profiles about things like being married, but True.com does promise to prosecute anyone who tries to pull a scam. They offer scientific compatibility testing and matchmaking services, to help you screen possible matches. There's really no other service that offers you so much, and gives you protections such as Criminal Background checks and Single Certification.

When you're looking for the love of your life, do yourself a favor and look in the right places. Check out True.com. It's free so you have nothing to lose and your future to gain.

Blonde had no fun - as a Brunette

Hair is a woman's crowning glory, they say, and today women have so many options. Whether at home or at the salon, women can avail themselves of products and procedures that will curl or straighten, add sheen, fix a style and take advantage of the full spectrum of hair colors. But according to one Connecticut woman, the wrong hair color can ruin your life.

Charlotte Feeney of Stratford CT brought a lawsuit against L'Oreal, alleging that they had put brown haircolor in a blonde box. Feeney unwittingly used the hair color, dying her hair brunette which had disastrous effects on her social life. Feeney says she had to stay home, and wear hats to cover the offending brown hair - all the while, missing the attention she was used to getting as a blonde. Worse, she says she can never get her "natural" blonde hair color back.

What? Her hair is never going to grow again? Come on, if her hair is naturally blonde, why was she using blonde hair dye to begin with?

This has got to be a shock to all brunettes. I don't think they knew before that they were social outcasts and destined to remain unnoticed wallflowers.

A judge threw the case out of court (and rightly so) stating that Ms. Feeney never proved that the company had mis-packaged the hair dye in the first place.

Style from Zenni Optical - $8

Glasses are a fashion accessory as well as being functional and necessary for those who need vision correction. Your glasses should be an expression of your unique style and should be the right size and shape to compliment your face. Fashion frames can be expensive, but I know where you can get a complete pair of fashionable prescription eyeglasses for only $8.

Sound unbelievable? Well Zenni Optical cuts out the middleman by selling their own manufactured frames direct to the customer, and saves you money in the process.



Zenni was even featured on the consumer advocate program The Clark Howard Show. The truth is that they provide quality frames and lenses at unbeatable prices, staring as low as $8 for a pair with single vision lenses. But you can get amazing deals on bi-focals, progressive lenses and even sunglasses.

But the best thing is, you don't have to sacrifice quality to get fashionable frames and quality lenses. Zenni's customer service is always there to help you with any questions you have and help you place your order. You buy direct from the manufacturer and save while getting the vision correction you need. Check out Zenni's new arrivals for style and quality. You'll be glad you did.

New Cream Makes Posh's Face Poo-fect

Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham has long had trouble with her complexion. She has never really completely outgrown the acne that plagued her as a teen. But the polished, smooth look she has been displaying lately may be due to her new facial regimen - bird droppings.

That's right. While in Japan, Posh learned about a facial gel make with nightingale poo, and that it was responsible for the lovely complexion of the women she admired there.

Since then she is seeking out the nightingale poo facial and credits it with the change in her complexion.

You can read the full story and get all the details on Posh's new complexion cream in Closer magazine.

I think I will stick with my usual cleanser, thanks all the same.

Get The MyTrybe Widget

Blogging is about community. Of course, we blog for the fun of it, for the self-expression, maybe even for the satisfaction of seeing our opinions splashed out across the web. But building community is what makes blogging so rewarding.

I used to belong to a small group of writers and poets and we all enjoyed visiting each other's blogs to see what was newly posted. We commented and critiqued and learned from each other. That's what makes a blogging community - people of like interests who enjoy reading each other's blogs.

Now there's an easy way to find people who are similar to you in interests and style. It's called MyTrybe and you can see my new MyTrybe widget over there on the sidebar. It shows me which bloggers are writing on the topics that interest me and are most similar to me. It also gives my readers information on where they can go to find more stories on the interests that brought them to my site.

If you're out there blogging and you want to build community and readership, the MyTrybe widget is a great resource for you. You can have this widget on your blog and find the people who are most similar to you. So, what are you waiting for? Learn more & get the widget.

Pierre Cardin 2009 Spring/Summer

Pierre Cardin (courageously?) launched his 2009 Spring/Summer collection at his villa in France yesterday. Cardin has always been forward thinking but these designs seem to have come straight out of the sci-fi future. I can see this collection as being the prime choice if you ever decide to move to the space colony we build on Mars. But really, what was Pierre Cardin thinking?


This hat looks like a combination of the traditional French beret and a Frisbee.


The puffy parka gets a triangular make-over. I don't know if this is a dress or a jacket. If it's a jacket, you are going to need long gloves to keep those arms warm. I keep thinking of Tinky Winky from the Teletubbies.


There's a model in there somewhere. Actually, the dress itself would be attractive but those sleeves would make normal arm function nearly impossible. I don't think the outfit would pass through average doorways, however.

Custom Printed Postcards

If you run your own business and you want to spread the word about a great new service or special offer, there's no better way than by direct mail. Postcards are an economical and attractive way to get your message out. Grab your customer's attention with your own clever design on a postcard, or use a provided template. At Vista Prints, you can choose from hundreds of designs in dozens of categories or upload your unique design.

In browsing through the beauty category, I thought just how nifty these postcards would be for someone announcing the opening of a salon or a new service available. They are a cool way to give a shout out about that upcoming sale or open house. These postcards are functional, attractive and definitely eye-catching. Use Vista Print's mailing service for even more convenience.

What if you want a unique design, but you're not very artistically inclined? Vista Print has creative consultants who can take your ideas and do the writing and designing for you. You can make your marketing strategy really reflect your unique style.

Right now, get a special deal. Just use coupon code PC50 to get a bonus of 50 Free Oversized Postcards! Visit the site and have a look at the great designs and value prices, you'll be glad you did.

Fishy Pedicure Procedure

They have outlawed this practice in Washington state, and so it probably will be everywhere, but I don't think I would want to try it anyway.



Those little fish are a kind of carp, and they are nibbling the dead skin off this woman's feet. This foot-tickling service can addup to $30 to your pedicure price. The fish don't have any teeth, so you don't have to worry about being bit, but the state did question how sanitary the whole procedure might be.

According to state regulations, all implements used in a pedicure must be sanitized before being used again on another customer. So far, no one has figured out how to sanitize a fish.

If you're less squeamish (or ticklish) than I am, there is still one salon in Virginia that offers a fish pedicure.

Win a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid from Charter

I love a bargain and I love contests even more. So what could be better getting a great bargain on high speed internet, telephone or cable TV and being entered to win a fabulous new car at the same time?

Right now, Charter is offering new customers a change to save green by signing up for one of their excellent services and to go green in a brand new Honda Civic Hybrid.

It's a dream car for the environmentally conscious and those who find gas prices tough to take because its hybrid engine gets up to 45 highway miles per gallon. It's not only kinder to the environment, it treats you well too with great features like cruise control, fabric interior, USB Audio interface/MP3 auxiliary input jack, 160 watt sound system, power windows and much more.

Entering the contest is easy. Purchase one or more Charter service to be entered into the drawing, or go to the site to register for the contest without making a purchase. But once you see the superb deals on services and service packages, it's likely you will want to sign up and save some green (the folding kind). You can save up to $400 on a package including Charter Cable TV™,High-Speed Internet and Telephone. Entrants must live in an area where Charter services are available.

So register or order one or more Charter services today, to get your chance to save money and maybe drive away in a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid worth over $24,000. You won't get a better deal that that.