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Troy Jensen has worked on many a familiar face, including Amanda Bynes, Catherine Deneuve and Kim Kardashian. He also provides his expert advice on MSN’s Style Studio as a member of the Glam Squad. He has agreed to provide some tips and tricks for Spring and Summer beauty for Raging Rouge readers to enjoy! Read on…
Want to know more? Do check out MSN’s Style Studio.
My husband and I make every effort to be as earth-friendly as possible. This past year has seen two major changes in our household. 1) We installed a heat-pump. In our part of the country, this means our furnace rarely runs, even in the dead of winter. 2) We now compost all food waste. This has made a huge difference in our trash output. You’d be surprised at just how much "garbage" is reusable, in one way or another!
But there is still much more that can be done! In honor of Earth Day, Raging Rouge has conducted a Q&A with Christina Marcaccini, the founder of RAW Natural Beauty… and an expert on environmental and safety standards in the cosmetics industry. She has some fantastic advice on how we can all strive to reduce the carbon-footprint of our beauty regimen!
Jen: You’re an expert on safety in cosmetics, having gone as far as meeting with Congressional staffers to advocate higher safety standards in the beauty industry. What are some ingredients consumers should avoid when buying cosmetics, and why?
Christina: In 2004, scientists found pesticides in the blood of newborn babies. A year later, researchers discovered perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel, in human breast milk. Today, people are testing positive for a litany of hazardous substances from flame retardants to phthalates to lead.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention have reports that reveal that Americans of all ages carry what they call a ‘body burden’ of at least 148 chemicals that should not be there, this is a result of what we put on our body and put in our body. Keep in mind that the average woman uses a dozen personal care products containing 168 chemical ingredients every day!
Here are some ingredients used in personal care that should be avoided:
Parabens– Methyl, Butyl and Propyl Parabens are used as preservatives in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics products. Measurable concentrations of six different parabens have been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. Check out this link to support what I said about parabens.
Petrochemicals– from non-renewable resources (by-products of oil), these can be identified on ingredient lists as PEG, buytlene glycol, propylene glycol, petrolatum, to name a few.
Phthalates– hormone disrupters. These can’t always be identified by looking at the label as they are often part of fragrances. Look for products that claim to be “Phthalate Free”.
FD&C and D&C colors– from coal tar – can be irritating to the skin.
The below (about lead) is taken from the article titled “A Poison Kiss: The problem of lead in Lipstick” from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Oct. 2007.
Lead is a proven neurotoxin linked to learning and behavior disorders. New Product tests released Oct. 11, 2007 by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics showed that more than half of 33 brand-name lipsticks tested contained detectable levels of lead and none of these lipsticks listed lead as an ingredient.
One-third of the tested lipsticks exceeded the US Food and Drug Administration’s .1ppm limit for lead in candy – a standard established to protect children form directly ingesting lead. Lipstick, like candy, is ingested directly. Nevertheless, the FDA has not set a limit for lead in lipstick – which fits with the disturbing absence of FDA regulatory oversight and enforcement capacity for the $50 billion personal care products industry.
Among the top brands testing positive for lead were:
I would encourage readers to check out this site which lists safety ratings for both individual ingredients and products: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/.
Jen: Packaging is increasingly a concern among consumers, and more brands are offering recyclable packaging or recycling programs as a result. What brands do you feel are "greenest" and why?
Raw Natural beauty uses 30% post consumer recycled paper in our unitcartons. This is important as it creates a need for recycled material that might end up back in the landfill otherwise.
Pangea Organics– Boulder, Colorado based company, uses product boxes made with a zero waste process using 100% post-consumer paper and organic seeds. Click HERE for store locations.
Nude Skincare– (Bono and his wife Ali Hewson are co-investors) Their packaging is entirely recyclable and 40% of our bottles are made using post industrial recycled plastic. For a list of stores that carry the product (mostly Barney’s) click HERE.
Jen: Tell Raging Rouge readers more about RAW Natural Beauty. What void in the market does your new line fill?
Christina: Three words – performance – safety – prestige.
First, let me give you our philosophy on performance. We are approaching the category with a completely new and fresh perspective. Traditional “natural” brands have developed the category from a linear approach only – making products with “natural” ingredients with very little emphasis on how the products perform. I have been working in the traditional, prestige beauty industry for years as a product developer. Through this time, I have conducted extensive research to determine what women want from their beauty products. First and foremost, it is performance. Right now, the natural category has a negative reputation to overcome. I have surveyed literally hundreds of women and the overlying opinion is that they want “natural” products but the ones that they have tried do not function well. My mission is to develop natural products that perform better than traditional beauty products. This is the first level of performance – immediate results but there is also the second level of performance that is important to us – long term. I conduct extensive ingredient research to seek out new, efficacious ingredients sourced from around the world. Every product in the Raw Natural Beauty line contains these exotic, natural, active botanicals clinically proven to improve the skin over time. This is something I have not seen yet from any other brand, natural or not. In addition, we believe in giving back. In sourcing these ingredients, we seek out suppliers who practice sustainable agriculture, help support fair trade and give back to the local economies.
Secondly, we make ingredient safety a priority. If you ask people why they want to buy natural products, it’s because they think that these products are safer for them to use. Just because an ingredient claims to be natural does not make it a safe. In fact, there are numerous natural ingredients that we would never put in our products because of this. Every one of our ingredients is evaluated according to the safety ratings established by the EWG’s database Skin Deep. We have also signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, meaning we are committed to using ingredients without any known human toxicity. We really feel as more and more data emerges concerning the fact that we all carry man-made pollutants in our bodies (scary!), the safety of the ingredients found in our daily products is going to become more and more of a factor in consumer purchasing decisions. We have to remember that our skin is our first line of defense against the environment, but it’s not a perfect barrier and we need to be aware of what we put on it.
Finally, prestige – it is our “eco-luxe” positioning, which was really important to me when creating this line. Our packaging and brand imagery is gorgeous, sexy and modern, which was not previously seen in the natural category. We want our customers to be proud to showcase our products in public and in their homes. Cosmetics are a luxury item, so why not make them look and feel that way?
Jen: What are some habits cosmetic consumers should break for the benefit of our planet?
Christina: Just switching to more natural products is a good start! It will keep you from washing potentially toxic chemicals down the drain and into our environment. Also, try to cut down on the number of products you’re using, across all categories! This is especially hard for me, as I love to buy and try everything. But we need to think of the bigger picture.
Look for packaging that contains Post Consumer Recycled waste/paper. This creates a need for recycled material, unfortunately now a lot of recycled material goes right back into the landfill.
Recycle your beauty products that come in glass bottles – every month, we throw out enough glass bottles and jars to fill up a giant skyscraper And guess what? All of these jars are recyclable!
I have long, thick hair, so this was a great tip that I’ve been implementing: Use a strainer on all drains to catch hair and prevent drain clogs. If you do get a clog, use a metal snake to work the clog loose, not toxic drain cleaners! I also let my hair air-dry whenever possible!
Also, turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving. Running the water continuously for just two minutes can waste three gallons of water! Fill a cup with water when brushing your teeth and fill the sink bowl to rinse your razor instead of running the water.
And remember to buy quality products that will last, not cheap disposable items (like disposable razors).
Here are some other tips I follow. These are listed on the EWG website under their Skin Deep site:
Jen: What are some best-practices we should employ in our beauty routine to reduce our carbon footprint?
Christina: Along with the tips above, here are some other recommendations:
Step 1: Change your lightbulbs. Replacing three incandescent lightbulbs with three compact fluorescent lightbulbs will reduce your carbon footprint by 5,000 pounds over the life of the bulbs.
Step 2: Use rechargeable batteries to reduce your carbon footprint by 1,000 pounds over the life of the batteries.
Step 3: Replace your existing showerheads with low-flow showerheads to cut your carbon footprint by as much as 7,000 pounds.
Step 4: Convert your hot water heater to a solar hot water heater, which will eliminate nearly 200,000 pounds of carbon over the life of the water heater.
Step 5: Drive a hybrid car, and reduce your carbon footprint by approximately 500,000 pounds over the life of the car.
Step 6: Buy local. Goods and services that are produced locally eliminate untold thousands of pounds of carbon by slashing fossil-fuel-reliant transportation demands. Plus, everyone knows a tomato from the local farmers market is a lot tastier than the styrofoam ones your grocery store trucks in from 1,000 miles away.
I had the opportunity to ask a question of Chase Aston, international makeup artist with The Body Shop!
Jen: What are some tips for achieving the perfect Spring glow, without looking too glittery or shiny?
Chase: While the emphasis was on warm, iridescent opulence last autumn, this spring is about brighter colors for a more feminine elegance. Eyes take center stage this spring, from sheer to smoky, and teamed with swipes of eyeliner from blue, green, brown and black, all complimented with a wash of denim blue toned mascara for both day and night.
In order to create the look for Spring 2008 eyes I suggest the following:
Many thanks to Chase, for sharing this expert advice! Check out the Eye-Shadow Blender Brush, pictured above. Is that the sleekest looking brush you’ve ever seen? Gift idea for Mom: buy her the products selected by Chase, then pass along a link to this post… for her to follow his advice!
Jen: Alison! Thanks so much for joining Raging Rouge in a Q&A session! I read you once worked for the famed Bobbi Brown. When you left Bobbi to launch your own makeup line, did she send you a single black rose?
Alison: «laughing» No! However, my friend and I used to jokingly call anyone who fell out of favor "Brown Sheep."
Jen: Seriously though… Alison Raffaele Cosmetics was inspired when you failed to find a high-quality, high-performance undereye concealer. Are there any current holes in the market that you plan to fill?
Alison: Well, I developed the new Alison Raffaele line to bridge the gap between makeup that is good for you and makeup that gives professional results. And I’m going to be working along those lines for the forseeable future, because there’s always room for improvement, always something that can be done better. That’s what being an artist is all about – growing, learning, pushing the limits of what you can do.
Jen: I was very excited to sample some of the new natural formulas your company launched this Spring. I am especially smitten with the Age Response Primer, free of parabens, oil, talc, gluten and fragrance! What can we expect next from your line?
Alison: Currently I’m working on a new Mineral Powder and a new mascara, but as they say, "If doing a good job takes time, perfection takes just a little bit longer" – so hang tight!
Jen: What are your favorite beauty products, both from your own line and other brands?
Alison: Skincare: Cleanser- Dermologica foaming face wash, Exfoliant- Caudalie Savignon Scrub, Moisturizer- Caudalie Pulpe Vitamine, Eye Cream- the basic one from DHC.
My everyday face begins with my Face Forward acne response primer because it keeps my skin clear without drying it out, Reality Base #3 to even out my complexion, and of course my True Concealer #3, which is my Holy Grail. I set under my eyes with a bit of Transparent Finish using a velour powder puff and then add some Graceful Inner Glow (from my original line, Skin Alison Raffaele) to the apples of my cheeks. Also from my original line, Soft Shadow in Bittersweet (as liner) and Taupe (for shadow).
Then it’s onto other peoples stuff… liner for under my eyes- Pencil Me in Metorite (a shimmery light brown), eyelash curler- Shu Uemura or Billy B, lip stain- 3 Custom Colors’ ski bunny, and to fill in the the clear mole in my left brow- black tattoo "ink" I got at Namies in LA (it has an ultra fine tip).
Hair Stuff: Conditioner- Moroccan Oil (its an oil that you leave in – it really helps straighten my hair), Mop’s Pear Spray in Detangler and Lemongrass Lift Root Spray (to keep my hair sleek – puffy hair is BAD!).
Jen: You also happen to be a makeup artist extraordinaire… Any tips for Raging Rouge readers to achieve the ever-elusive eternally youthful dewy skin that is so hot this Spring?
Alison: Dewy skin is easy if you remember the following…
That’s it! Add a bit of gel or cream blush, lip gloss, and mascara to curled lashes and you are good to go 
Jen: Alison, thanks so much for the great information! I look forward to sharing more about your products with Raging Rouge readers! Readers, do check out Alison Raffaele’s newly redesigned website for information on her fantastic line of beauty products.
Raging Rouge: Sisters Jaqua! What a pleasure to have the opportunity to ask you a few questions about your decadent line of bath and body products! I’m just going to jump right into the questions… One of you previously worked in the spa industry, the other in the entertainment industry. What made you leave your former lives behind and start anew in the beauty industry?
Jennifer Jaqua: I had lived in Texas for a number of years and when I moved back home to Santa Barbara my sisters and I decided to start a business together. The Beauty Parlor Night Kit (in a paint can) was our first product and it was more about Girl Gatherings than being in the beauty industry. It happened that we chose really good quality ingredients for the products in the kit and over time the demand for those products was so great that we started selling them individually and that’s when we really became a part of the beauty industry.
Sarah Jaqua: We knew that there was a need for quality bath and beauty products with great ingredients at a reasonable price. It was exciting for us to create products together that we both wanted to use.
Raging Rouge: One of my favorite things about Jaqua Beauty is it’s the perfect gift for the woman who has everything… How did you ensure your product would be appealing to the celebrity-set, who could most certainly afford pricier product?
Jennifer Jaqua: The celebrity-set is somewhat jaded by the product offering out there and our products are so fun and different that they make you smile when you see them and smell them. I think that the appeal is on 3 levels. The packaging is irresistible and when you see it you can’t help but gravitate to it and pick it up. Then you smell it and the fragrances are so true-to-life and compelling that you have to buy it and try it. And then when you take the product home and use it and discover that it really, really works then you become a fan.
Sara Jaqua: We really create products for ourselves first, and if we are excited about them, we find that to be a great barometer that others will love them too. In fact, we have a rule to "create only products we love, love, love!"
Raging Rouge: Hollywood certainly seems to be head-over-heels in love with Jaqua product. When you were developing the line, did you have a muse?
Jennifer Jaqua: Audrey Hepburn!! She was so graceful and elegant yet she could be really silly and fun too. To me that is what Jaqua Beauty is all about; sophisticated whimsy.
Sara Jaqua: Sara Jessica Parker and Audrey Hepburn both represent our official Jaqua motto, which says "Be whimsical and confident and beautiful and pampered and sophisticated and delicious and adored."
Raging Rouge: As Raging Rouge is a blog about all things beauty, I must ask: What are your all-time favorite beauty products- from both your own line and from other brands?
Jennifer Jaqua: I’ve become addicted to anything Pina Colada from Jaqua (but especially the Body Polish and Body Butter) because the fragrance is more pineapple then coconut and that is so refreshing. The new Pink Potion fragrance is now my first choice when I want to have more of a “perfume” smell on my body. For my skin care I use Decleor products, especially their Cleansing Milk, and for my lips I use Dr. Haushka’s lip balm. These are the staples but I like to experiment across different brands to see what’s out there.
Sara Jaqua: It’s got to be our Lip Gloss Rings because I am never without one! From other brands, I love Santa Maria Novella and Manuel Canovas candles.
Raging Rouge: I was thrilled to get a sneak peek of Pink Potion- the delightfully girlie scented product that also benefits cancer research. Any new products in the pipeline that you’d like to mention to Raging Rouge readers?
Jennifer Jaqua: We are launching a bag line in November that I’m really, really excited about. An overnight bag, a toiletries bag and a set of 3 smaller cosmetic/jewelry/makeup bags. It just makes sense that we would create a bag line that allows you to take your Jaqua product with you wherever you go!!
Sara Jaqua: All we can say is that our new products are going to make you very happy because we are already anxious to use them!
Raging Rouge: I’m seeing a distinct trend among the founders of nostalgic brands like Jaqua– each creator has been in love with beauty products since childhood. Any childhood makeup stories you’d like to share with us?
Jennifer Jaqua: We used to get ALL my mother’s make up and skincare products out of her bathroom and use it all at the same time. We called it “Beauty Parlor Night” and that was the inspiration for our very first product. It was so fun to be three sisters playing in my mom’s dressing room with all her product. When we were in grade school we used to create “perfume” and sell it door-to-door to the ladies in our neighborhood. It was pretty stinky but it gave us our first taste of entrepreneurship at a very young age.
Sara Jaqua: I loved the mini lipstick samples my mother would get from Avon. She used to let me use them around the house and I felt very grown up because they weren’t the waxy fake lipsticks for little girls. They really saturated my lips with color! They certainly influenced my love for mini sized beauty products!
Raging Rouge: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions about your product, and how it came to be the fantastic brand we all know and love! Readers, be sure to head over to Jaqua Beauty to check out this fantastic line!
TINte Cosmetics is the brainchild of Stacy Provines, a self-professed fashion and beauty addict. Stacy’s fond memories of glosses from her childhood inspired her to develop her own line that is both fun and sophisticated. Ever the creator, Stacy’s selection is continually expanding. Graciously, Stacy has agreed to answer some questions about her fabulous product for Raging Rouge readers to enjoy! Stacy is also offering Raging Rouge readers 20% off of their purchases made via TINte Cosmetics! Enter the code "GLOSS" and stock up on TINte product while you can! This promotional code will expire on September 30th.
Jen: I understand you’ve been a beauty junkie since girlhood. You have that in common with me, and many of my readers! At what point did you know you would enter the beauty industry with a line all your own?
Stacy: I have loved cosmetics and lip gloss forever. However, I could never find a lip gloss that could moisturize my chapped lips, and tasted good. I would find an amazing color that looked great but had a waxy or perfumed taste. It was at this point that I realized I had to create a gloss that healed my chapped lips, tasted great and looked beautiful. From this need TINte’s Flavored lip glosses with Shea Butter were created.
Jen: What memory inspired you to channel your childhood into this creative brand?
Stacy: My very first lip gloss came in a similar slider tin. I remembered those amazing flavors like root beer, bubble gum and cream soda. I could not wait until a new flavor arrived. I created the line from a feeling of simpler times and cherished memories. I wanted the women of today to apply our products and remember those simpler times. The memory of a scent can transcend you from your stress filled days, back to a sweet memory of childhood and innocence. This collection was also created to grab the attention of the younger generation, the up-and-coming girl, and allow her to create warm memories of her own. TINte Cosmetics was my creative way to reinterpret the past and bring it into the future.
Jen: I’ve read that there is a romantic story behind the Flavored Lip Shine color "Mynt Kiss". Can you share that story with Raging Rouge readers?
Stacy: I was on a business trip to Miami Beach with some co workers. We went out to this chic place called “Mynt”. It was there that I met and fell in love with my now fiance and business partner Matthew. It was love at first sight. We named our first lip gloss after the first kiss we shared… peppermint flavored Mynt Kiss. Matthew supported and inspired me to pursue my dreams; through TINte we were able to build our life together.
Jen: What are some of your favorite "can’t-live-without" beauty products from the TINte line, and other beauty brands?
Stacy: I have so many… I can’t live without our flavored lip shine in Pepper on the Rocks. This shade looks amazing on every skin tone and tastes like refreshing Dr. Pepper, I also love YSL’s Faux Cils mascara. It makes you look like you really long chic lashes and Cake beauty’s body lotion in Dessert Island and it’s a slice. They leave your skin super soft and smelling great!
Jen: Will TINte be releasing new product or colors this fall?
Stacy: Yes, we are excited to launch our NEW Brown Sugar Lip Exfoliator in October. This is a great lip scrub that will exfoliate and moisturize your dry chapped lips with sugar, poppy seeds and Shea butter. Also, we are offering our Limited Shimmer and Shine Box in two color ways for the holiday season. This box has two lip glosses a shimmering Face Pearl and brush. It’s everything you need for the holiday season. We will be taking pre-orders at info@tintecosmetics.com.
Jen: The Shimmering Face Pearl loose powder is gorgeous and extremely versatile! Can you share with my readers some of the creative ways this product can be used?
Stacy: Our Shimmering Face Pearled pigments offer radiant, iridescent and glimmering color. You can apply dry for a soft subtle look or wet for a more dramatic look. This is a universal powder so it can be used on the eyes, cheeks, lips, nails and body for a fresh healthy glow! I love to mix the shades together and create new shades and love that I can take my look from day to night just by using a damp brush.
Jen: Stacy, thanks so much for sharing more information about TINte! I’m personally loving your product, and am so excited to offer my readers such a generous discount. Can’t wait to sample the new Brown Sugar Lip Scrub!
Readers, today you are in for a real treat… If you’re a fan of The Today Show’s iVillage Makeover series, you’re familiar with the work of Shalini Vadhera. Shalini is a celebrity makeup artist whose brushes have touched the skin of everyone from Brooke Burke to Cybil Shepherd. She’s also the creator of Global Goddess beauty products, and the renowned author of "Passport to Beauty: Secrets and Tips for Becoming a Global Goddess". Shalini is extremely busy… but has graciously agreed to help the readers of Raging Rouge with our most pressing beauty conundrums!
Jen: Shalini, thanks so much for bringing we beauty-addicts the luxe line of cosmetics known as Global Goddess! I personally have enjoyed the product very much. We at Raging Rouge are always interested in the tricks and techniques of the professionals. We’re certainly looking forward to reading yours!
So let’s get right to it! What are your favorite, can NOT live without, must-have beauty products?
Shalini: I can’t live without my complexion perfection duo and upgrade primer. I have hyper-pigmentation spots of my skin and this gives me flawless skin in two minutes! And of course my blackest mascara and the Shu Uemura eyelash curler.
Jen: I’ve seen you recommend "off-label" uses for many products… from applying a thin layer of a moisturizing mask as a leave-on moisturizer to using Global Goddess Coconut Amla Hair Oil on skin for an extra-special glow. Any other great "off-label" product uses you can share with us?
Shalini: I’m a big fan of body lotion as a leave in conditioner for your hair while you’re flying, purple eye pencil as lip liner, and foundation as an eyeshadow base. I also love using sugar mixed with honey as the perfect lip scrub.
Jen: My readers are dying to know how to best mimic the dewy glow seen on the beautiful faces of both the silver screen and the runway. What’s the secret to replicating this shimmering look?
Shalini: Exfoliate dry dead skin off your face with a great scrub, hydrate with a good moisturizer, and then apply a shimmery bronzer on your cheekbones, browbones and down the bridge of your nose. Stay with colors in the same tones to create a golden goddess look.
Jen: One of my readers is a fan of liquid eyeliner, but is having difficulties lining her eyes in conjunction with lash curling. If she curls her lashes prior to using the liquid liner, her lashes are in the way of application. If she curls her lashes after, the metal of her curler sticks to the eyeliner. Is there an eyelash curling technique that doesn’t interfere with liquid liner application?
Shalini: Instead of curling, she should apply her mascara first. Let it dry, then apply her liquid liner. The mascara creates a base and "roadmap" and makes applying liner much easier. She can curl after but concentrate on the tips of the lashes.
Jen: This one is for we 30-somethings. What’s the best technique to keep foundation and/or powder from settling into fine lines?
Shalini: Keeping the skin hydrated is so important as you age. Also using a silicone based primer like Global Goddess actually fills in fine lines and pores. Also avoid really drying textures of foundations. The more hydrating and sheer the better.
Jen: I’ve heard you can miraculously transform over-tweezed brows into something fabulous. What’s the trick to restore a natural look to over-tweezed eyebrows?
Shalini: Stop tweezing for one! And use a great brow conditioner at night to help stimulate growth like our Coconut Amla Lash and Brow Conditioner. Then use an eyeshadow and apply it with short strokes through your brows.
Jen: Every beauty publication is raving about the matte-skinned, red-lipped fall look. What’s the best way for red-lipstick-phobes to look current this fall?
Shalini: Use different versions of red that appear neutral like a crimson or wine. Or opt for a red gloss and blot, it will be a sheer more friendly version.
Jen: Shalini, you’re obviously a very busy woman! Thanks so much for your time and expertise! We were honored to host this Q&A on Raging Rouge. I sincerely hope you’ll join us again soon!
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