BellaSugar

Would You Get a Brazilian Blowout?

BellaSugar — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:00:14 PDT

Curly-haired women who prefer straight and sleek styles will often go the distance to extend the life of their flat-ironed hair. Chemical straightening, a more permanent option, can help with the convenience of maintaining the sleek look - but at what price? Despite Oregon's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's recent report that the popular Brazilian Blowout contains 10.6 percent formaldehyde, some women are still opting for this straightening method. And heavy exposure to formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, could harm the health of salon workers. Knowing that even the "formaldehyde-free" formulas have more of the ingredient than is considered safe, would you still take the risk for straight hair? (For the record, we wouldn't.)

Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP-Free Nail Polishes

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:00:58 PDT

Ask and you shall receive. I read your comments on yesterday's post about nail polishes that contain formaldehyde, and I wanted to respond by giving you a few safer suggestions. Brands such as Butter London and Priti Polish are free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP - and here are some other options.

Some "three-free" polishes
Avon	Peacekeeper
China Glaze	Rescue Beauty Lounge
Elizabeth Arden	Revlon
L'Oreal	Rimmel
Lippmann Collection (newer formula)	Sally Hansen
Maybelline Salon Expert
Nars (newer formula)	Spa Ritual
OPI (newer polishes are safe, but some hardeners use formaldehyde)	Zoya

For a few of my favorite safe-polish picks,

read more. Nars Nail Polish ($16) has developed an improved formula. The varnishes are now enhanced with UV protection, have a glossier finish, and supposedly last longer without chipping (I haven't reached a verdict on this just yet). They are also free of formaldehyde, DBP and toluene - which I think makes the smell less severe.
The polishes in the Lippman Collection ($15) are now not only free of DBP, formaldehyde and toluene, but they also contain green tea and biotin (protein) to help your nails grow stronger. The formula dries quickly and has a really nice shine. I personally love the two new spring colors. Have you had the chance to check out Dream a Little Dream of Me yet?
Adorée Professional Nail Polish ($5) has more than 140 different nail colors in its range. While they are free of the "big three" polish no-no's, they do contain hardeners to help strengthen nails, and they claim to provide a high-shine finish.

Definition: Formaldehyde

BellaSugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:00:52 PDT

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent, unpleasant odor. It is found in many household products such as glues, adhesives, paper product coatings, and in some insulation materials. It is used as a bacterial disinfectant and embalming fluid, and it's a common treatment for warts since it dries out the skin.

Formaldehyde is also a preservative often found in nail polish. It helps harden the lacquer and prevent it from chipping. Unfortunately, it is highly flammable, toxic and is proven to be carcinogenic in animals (with studies linking it to human cancer too). Breathing in formaldehyde can be detrimental to your lungs, eyes, throat and nose when inhaled. It can also lead to headaches, fatigue and dizziness.

Since there are many formaldehyde-free nail varnishes on the market, it's important to be aware of labels and to choose your products wisely. And I would stay far away from hair-straightening treatments that use formaldehyde. After all, beauty products are intended to enhance your body, not harm it .

Source

Healthy Dose Link Time: Brazilian Blowout Contains Formaldehyde

Susi May — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:22:22 PST

Health hazards of hair straightening: Brazilian Blowout contains carcinogens - Blisstree
Go crazy and try the Insanity Workout for free! - Self
10 easy ways to get cooking with kale. It's a superfood! - Real Simple
Could a club drug be the new cure for depression? - The Stir
Three natural ways to soothe your sore throat - Prevention
Trying to diet? Try skipping the food boards on Pinterest - Fit Bottomed Girls
A full-body workout for you. Print it out and do it! - Fitnessista
Race on! Train for a 5K personal record! - Women's Running

Brazilian Blowout Agrees to Up Its Safety Warnings in CA

Jaime Richards — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:43:02 PST

The formulas will be the same, but change is already in progress for manufacturer GIB's controversial Brazilian Blowout and Acai Professional Smoothing Solution. Last November, California brought a lawsuit against the company for making misleading claims about the safety of the products, specifically the levels of formaldehyde contained within, but now the parties have come to an agreement. "This settlement requires the company to disclose any hazard so that Californians can make more informed decisions," California Attorney General Kamala Harris's office said in a statement.

As a part of the deal, the makers of Brazilian Blowout have agreed to label the aforementioned product with hazard warnings (a process which they have already started), and will also provide salons with pamphlets containing safety precaution information. See more of the outcome when you read more.

Link Time: Brazilian Blowout Zero - Same Great Results, Minus the Carcinogens

BellaSugar — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 03:10:00 PST

Brazilian Blowout Zero offers same hair-straightening capabilities without the formaldehyde - StyleList
Megan Fox goes undercover for Armani Code Fragrance ads - People StyleWatch
ANTM recap: André Leon Talley talks bees, beauty, and Shanghai - The Cut
Trying out the split-nail look - Refinery 29
Hair highlights: the best celebrity hair of the week - Glo
Prediction: Michelle Williams will score a beauty contract soon - Glamour
The best foundations for brown skin - Essence
Does L'Oreal's new silicone-free frizz tamer really tame flyaways? - Makeup and Beauty Blog
Do you whiten your teeth? - FabSugar UK

10 Appalling Beauty Product Names

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:06:53 PDT

There are a lot of dubiously named beauty products out there. After all, a crazy moniker is a lot more likely to grab a shopper's attention, or at least titillate them into taking a look (the similarities between, ahem, "adult movie" titles and makeup names are strikingly similar).

Sometimes, though, attempts to give something a sexy or scandalous handle go too far and end up squarely in the realm of poor taste. The following 10 products have crossed that line, and then some. To see them in all their ill-considered glory, just keep reading.

California Files a Preliminary Injunction Against Brazilian Blowout

Jaime Richards — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:26:01 PDT

The Brazilian Blowout controversy has been dominating headlines for months now, and California is set to take action. While we already learned that the state had plans to sue GIB LLC, the makers of Brazilian Blowout, we've now learned California has filed a proposed preliminary injunction against GIB.

During the May 2 hearing, the judge will decide whether the injunction will be signed, modified, or declined. In part, it states: "[Brazilian Blowout's] Smoothing Solution contains approximately eight percent formaldehyde by weight, which is in the range typical of embalming fluid used by funeral homes." See what Brazilian Blowout has to say when you read more.

5 Beauty Trends Straight From Cosmoprof North America

Annie Tomlin — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:28:14 PDT

Today marked the kickoff to Cosmoprof North America, one of the biggest beauty-pro events of the year. While there in Las Vegas, I checked out a sliver of the expansive trade show floor. To see five trends that will be making their way to stores, salons, and spas in the near future, keep reading.

Stock Up on Organic Bedding With These Sales

Elka Karl — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:34:35 PST

Have you wondered what the fuss is all about when it comes to organic bedding? Here's one quick fact for you: most conventional bedding is manufactured with chemicals, including formaldehyde, that may lead to certain cancers and allergy problems. Formaldehyde is used to reduce wrinkles in bedding (personally I'd rather deal with ironing sheets or sleeping on a wrinkly bed). Of course, pesticides and insecticides used in conventional cotton growing also can lead to groundwater contamination. Not good!

If you've been waiting for a good deal to make the switch to organic cotton bedding, now's the time. I've found some great shams, sheets, and duvets for you all on sale. And while your conscience may urge you to switch over to organics, your sense of style will make the decision easier for you. There are many chic options currently available in organic bedding. Take a look at my favorites, all on sale!