Psychotic skincare

I just read this article from The Outline that's going around, and my eyes rolled back so far that I think they're permanently stuck back there. It is not wrong about some things? Sure. There's no such thing as perfect skin; women are disproportionately pressured to improve the condition of their skin; and skincare obsession can become an excuse for hyper-consumption and wealth display (I've actually written about that before). But other parts of the article are, to paraphrase, fucking psychotic--it's the typical backlash that you tend to get against typically feminine consumerism (or feminine pursuits in general). You know, where the misogyny is disguised as some sort of feminism. And I'm saying that as someone who fully acknowledges that there is A LOT of bullshit out there when it comes to beauty marketing.

Anyway, there were too many individual lines that had me groaning to quote them all here, but if one in particular stands out to you, please comment on it below. Or if you agree with some or all of the article--either way, I'd love to hear other people's thoughts! I'm still mulling it all over and sighing.

(Ok, just one. The whole "skin has survived forever, why are we doing stuff to it now?" is a lot like the old "women have been giving birth forever, why do they need hospitals now?" Groan.)

A very good explanation of why you don't need to freak out about parabens (from Lab Muffin)

Read this! Short version: the scare science about parabens is not sound, and it's much worse to have your cosmetics become contaminated because they have no preservatives, or ineffective ones, in them--but there's a lot of other interesting science at the link too, presented in Lab Muffin's typically clear and entertaining way!

Celebrity skin

I found this website, Celebrity Close-Up, via Tumblr today, which is just a series of photos of celebrity faces zoomed in close enough that you can see all the detail and texture of their makeup and skin. I'm not in it to make fun of anyone, but it's reassuring to be reminded that everyone, even Beyonce (gasp!), has pores and spots and/or visible foundation. And that our quest for invisible but flawless base makeup is bound to fail if even these people don't have access to such a thing.

Plus, there are some excellent sources of makeup inspiration here, and you can see how the products were applied in detail.

Be warned: there is a Trump close-up on the first page!

"We believe Glossier is more than just beauty or beauty products. It’s a way of life."

Also: “We’re all feminists and we’re all fired up about the movement we’re leading.”

I have to admit that Glossier's branding and products appeal to me in almost zero ways. For instance, I am neither cool nor a girl, much less a cool girl. (I am slightly curious about the skin tint, but not enough to buy it.) But this profile of the brand is interesting.

What beauty companies own what other beauty companies (from Defining Delphine)

In case you've wondered what big companies own what beauty brands, here's a helpful post laying it all out. Then you can shop who you want to shop or avoid who you want to avoid or identify formulas that are identical between brands (though don't forget that unaffiliated companies can use the same factories to product certain products!).

Something new to add to the list: L'Oreal just bought IT Cosmetics.

Drugstore Dupe for Anastasia Brow Wiz (from Budget Beauty Blog)

The Budget Beauty Blog is a great source for dupe info. Here she compares Anastasia Brow Wiz (the pencil) to the new L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer, and finds that they are nearly identical. Nice!

A $4 dupe for Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder? (from The Budget Beauty Blog)

The Budget Beauty Blog compared Wet N Wild Reserve Your Cabana to Hourglass Dim Light, and they are indeed very close. The WNW powder actually looks like it might be halfway between Dim Light and Diffused Light. I may have to give it a shot, since I've been mainly interested in Diffused (Dim looks a little to dark and peachy for me, but Reserve Your Cabana is more yellow).

Anyone have this Wet N Wild "bronzer"? I've mainly heard it described as a highlighter before, rather than a finishing powder.

How to find a dupe the scientific way (from The Beauty Brains)

The Beauty Brains suggest using the ingredients list of products like mascara to find dupes (step-by-step instructions on their page, using Benefit's They're Real as an example). I've done similar things with skincare products, but admittedly I've never tried it with makeup. It does seem like it would work better with a product like mascara than, say, lipstick or eyeshadow, where there would be more factors to take into account besides ingredients.

Have you searched for dupes this way? Does it work?

In case you're wondering what the big fuss about Lime Crime is (from Racked)

Here's a thorough (and fascinating) explanation. So much drama!

The article also has some good information about how the beauty industry works, such as that mainstream and even prestige companies do not manufacture many of their products in house; rather, various brands order products from the same few factories and put their own labels on them (more on that here).

Milani Luminoso is NOT a dupe for Nars Orgasm (from Brightest Bulb in the Box)

Disclosure: Affiliate links.
The Internet lied to us, everyone. Well, that would explain why Luminoso, supposedly a dupe for the "universally flattering" Orgasm, looks dreadful on me.

I'll stick with my Wet N Wild Pearlescent Pink. It's probably not an exact dupe either, but it's at least pink.

An alternative to the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette for $13? (From Beauty Broadcast)

Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link.

Beauty Broadcast swatches the NYX One Night in Morocco palette and suggests that it might make a good alternative to the Urban Decay Naked Basics eyeshadow palette, which includes only 6 shades of eyeshadow for $27. The NYX palette has 8 eyeshadows, a primer, and 4 lip colors for $13. Not a dupe, exactly, but the colors and the quality look quite similar. Sounds good!

Holy shit pretty new Avon nail polishes

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Check out these new polishes from Avon (Petal Impressions Collection) as swatched by The Manicured Amateur. They're all shimmery and springy but in a way that hasn't been done a million times before. I think there are probably some Zoya dupes in here, if you have the time to comb through Zoya's millions of colors to compare. I don't. Not today. I also DO NOT need any more fucking nail polish. Someone please remind me every 5 minutes, okay?

By the way, Avon has a shit ton of makeup on sale right now, including those nail polishes (2 for $7) eyebrow pencil I recently reviewed (on sale for $2!). Thanks to sequinsandcitations for alerting me to the sale. As always, I suggest searching for a representative in your area before ordering to help a local Avon lady out. And you can get free shipping on $30 with the code FS30REP.

Project Swatch finds another, BETTER dupe for Essie Butler Please and Nails Inc. Baker Street for $2

I showed you that Sally Hansen's Pacific Blue is close enough to Essie's Butler Please. But Project Swatch found a Sinful Colors polish that is even better and even cheaper. It's glossy! I want it. Why are all the stores that sell Sinful Colors in this town so inconvenient for me to get to?

Nouveau Cheap's review of the million uses for jojoba oil

If you're interested in using pure oils in your skincare routine, check out this thorough description of how to use jojoba oil from Nouveau Cheap. Very useful!

Makeup Withdrawal shares a $1 trick for extending the life of jar makeup

Have you ever had cream eyeshadow or gel liner etc. dry up way before you even get close to finishing it?

Here's a tip from Makeup Withdrawal to make that shit last longer!

Cheap Hair Product Suggestions (and Hair Myths) from the Paula's Choice Team

Includes gems such as: "There are no shampoos or conditioners that protect color from fading, stop frizzies, protect against heat damage or humidity, or help hair grow longer or stronger. It is physiologically impossible to do that with a shampoo or conditioner." I am ashamed to admit that I thought my shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair was doing something. Or not doing something, rather. Well, this gives me a lot more options. At least I knew this one: "Salon brands are not better in any way than those at the drugstore."

And one of the recommendations include the awesome Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Leave-In Smoothing Cream, which I suggested ages ago. Good shit.

Here's the list. (You may need to be logged into Facebook to see it.)

An AMAZING holy-shit guide to buying pencil makeup products (from Beauty and the Bullshit)

This is mandatory reading. Seriously.

Some highlights:

• 'Your brands do not manufacture your pencils. They all source from the same suppliers. [...] There is no exclusivity.' [Ed.: HELLO DUPES. Dupes are frequently exactly the same product, then. Holy shit.]
• 'Sharpening has its advantages you know. [...] In automatic pencils, the lead hangs inside the plastic container unlike in wooden pencils which is totally embedded/supported by the wood.  This has an implication to the texture.  That means that the texture should be hard enough so that even if it is thin, it will not break inside the plastic encasing.'
• '...a good rule of thumb is that the more sophisticated (read, better) formula will be in a plastic "wooden" pencil with airtight caps [i.e. ones you have to sharpen].'

Blew my fucking mind, even though it's all so logical once you think about it.

Ten Worst Reasons to Buy Cosmetics (from Beauty and the Bullshit)

How to weed out marketing bullshit and avoid wasting your money on empty hype. Awesome! Also: New favorite blog?? Maybe! Be still my foul-mouthed heart.

The Budget Babe finds some great new clothes at Target

These are good! I find with Target clothes, you really have to try them on, because they're not very consistent, even within the same brand, size, and even style. But it can be worth it.

Save Your Skin Quickie: Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

Just a reminder: when buying a product that claims to have SPF, make sure it also says "broad-spectrum" on the package. If you end up with something that protects from UVB rays alone, you're protected from sunburn but not from the UVA rays that cause skin damage and aging. Look twice, because not all products that claim to protect your skin from the sun do both. If you want to use something without UVA protection, because you like the formula or whatever, I highly recommend using a separate, broad-spectrum sunscreen under it. You'll be happier in the long run (unless you want wrinkles, then, sure, tan it up, baby).

Here's an article from the Mayo Clinic on how to identify a broad-spectrum sunscreen and why they're best.