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Here's to Your Health:  Toxic Makeup  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 09:03:34 AM
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Copied from:
What's Lurking In Your Cosmetics?
* Concerns growing about potentially toxic ingredients in many cosmetics
Durango Herald, February 4, 2008
Straight to the Source
I've always been a L´Oréal girl myself. Sure I flirted with department store brands, but found they were twice as expensive and worked about the same. (Men, if you wash your hair or use deodorant, keep reading. This affects you, too.)
Then one night a couple of months ago I heard an interview on the radio with investigative reporter Mark Schapiro, author of Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products, about the possible toxic ingredients in many beauty and skin-care products.
Interest piqued, I poked around on the Web, learning about parabens, phthalates and other sundry ingredients that have come into question.
Then I looked in my bathroom.
• Face powder: methylparaben;
• Eye shadow: methylparaben, ethylparaben;
• Mascara: propylparaben;
• Toothpaste: methylparaben;
• Shampoo: diazolidinyl urea.
I felt a bit like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Could all these products that I'd been using day in and day out for years - purchased, like millions, from a local drugstore - be toxic?
I looked at "natural" alternatives, including some made or sold locally. I compared prices. I debated - few of the scientific findings, after all, are conclusive. In the end, I threw my old cosmetics in the trash. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe not. Maybe after reading on, you'll do the same.
Industry under fire
One of the first things I learned that alarmed me was that the government, by law, isn't responsible for testing or approving any beauty or skin-care products.
"Cosmetic firms are responsible for substantiating the safety of their products and ingredients before marketing," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on its Web site. "A manufacturer may use any ingredient in the formulation of a cosmetic provided that the ingredient and the finished cosmetic are safe."
The industry decides what's safe through the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, which, according to its Web site, was established in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association with support of the FDA and the Consumer Federation of America.
"Although funded by CTFA, CIR and the review process are independent from CTFA and the cosmetics industry," it states.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, an industry watchdog, says the process is a farce.
"Major loopholes in federal law allow the $50 billion cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no required testing, no required monitoring of health effects, and inadequate labeling requirements," its Web site states.
Europe, acting on the principle that it's better to err on the side of caution, has banned more than 1,000 cosmetic ingredients, while the U.S. has outlawed just eight, according to a Consumer Reports article.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, in an effort to raise industry standards, has established a compact under which signers pledge to not use harmful chemicals in their products. Notably absent from the hundreds of signers are makeup giants Avon, Estée Lauder, Revlon, and my old favorite, L´Oréal.
Synthetics on the stand
Back to the dubious ingredients you might find lurking on labels (or deceptively absent).
The aforementioned phthalates (pronounced thal-lates) are a major worry for industry critics.
This class of chemicals can be used in nail polish to make it less brittle, hair spray to avoid stiffness, soaps, shampoos, lotions, perfumes and other products. They also can be present in plastics, including toys, baby bottles and food packaging.
Concerns have been raised about phthalates' ability to disrupt the human endocrine system, affecting development and reproduction by mimicking or blocking the body's natural hormones. Phthalates have been found to cause reproductive birth defects in laboratory animals, and their possible effects on children and pregnant women is of particular concern.
The industry-sponsored Cosmetic Ingredient Review, however, concluded that exposures to phthalates from cosmetics are low compared to levels that would cause adverse effects in animals.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics says two phthalates (dibutyl and diethylhexyl) commonly used in cosmetics have been banned in the European Union and warns that they can still masquerade here under the term "fragrance."
Another oft-debated ingredient is parabens (variants include methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, and isopropyl-), which serve as a preservative, extending shelf-life by preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Parabens can act like a weak version of the hormone estrogen and have been targeted for their possible connection to breast cancer.
The industry, however, on the Web site Cosmeticsinfo.org, says that "parabens are 100,000 times weaker than natural estrogen in the body - far too weak to have any effect in humans."
A number of other chemicals have raised concerns. Just a few are triclosan, an antibacterial commonly used in soaps and deodorants that may become toxic when combined with chlorine in tap water; lead; mercury; coal tar, used in synthetic colors; and formaldehyde, which can be released by compounds such as imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, and quaternium 15 - all common in cosmetics.
Full Story: http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?a...
type=health&article_path=/health/08/health080204_1.htm
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 09:40:49 AM
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I have done searches on the internet, trying to find out how to make my own make-up and haven't found much. Yes, I found you can make a loose face powder with cornstarch, but nothing for the things most of us want . . . such as liquid foundation and blush and mascara. Yes, I have seen lip gloss from berrys and petroleum, but lets be realistic. We want to look made up, not like we smeared berries on ourselves. I love a natural look and am hoping to find a nice "recipe" for foundation. If you know of any, I would be thrilled.
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 09:48:49 AM
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I haven't researched the company, but have you looked into the Bare Minerals make up? Their commercial says they don't use fillers or preservatives.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 10:56:11 AM
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I have started using mineral makeup and dumped my liquid foundation. Love the feel and also know that it is better for my skin.
I will say this about preservatives -- it is a double edged sword. Because I make my own bath and body products I have researched and researched trying to find a natural preservative. I won't say that there aren't any but they don't work as well as the chemical preservatives. Any time that you have a product that is made with water, or could have water introduced into the product by the consumer, you have to have preservatives. Inducing the bacteria and fungi onto your skin, eyes, etc that would grow in the cosmetic without the preservative would be far worse for you than the preservative.
You can be choosy in which preservatives you use and I try to use paraben free. That is why I started making my own products -- I know what goes in them. If you buy from an individual that you trust you will get a much higher quality and carefully controlled product than buying off the store shelves. The big companies care about the bottom line and making their products as cheaply as possible.
Here is the link to the website of a Portland lady that makes all her own mineral cosmetics. She has been around for quite some time. The nice thing is that you can buy sample sizes to try before purchasing the full size. And her prices are reasonable. http://www.alimacosmetics.com/
Handmade Olive Oil Soap, Lotion Bars, and Prim Treasures http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
I'm A Rusty Chick!!!
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
Edited by - therusticcottage on Feb 25 2008 10:57:30 AM |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 11:11:07 AM
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Bare escentuals changed my life! Before i found them, I could only wear physicians formula, which some of their stuff is greasy to me. My eyes would burn from foundation and eyeshadow. My sister and my mom have the same problem. Most of my life I just went without, and just put up with the burning when I felt like i had to wear it, like weddings, portraits, etc. It seems expensive, but it lasts a really long time. i don't think I will use up all of my full size blush, ever. It also has an expiration date, so you can ask ebay sellers questions about freshness. They sell something called bare minerals, which is better than any night cream.
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war! |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 2:08:12 PM
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I have to concur with Patricia. I use the mineral make ups too, and love them. My face doesn't feel like I have a mask on.
The only "conventional" product I do use is Cover Girl Professional Mascara. I have tried every (and I mean every) brand and that is the only one that my eyes will tolerate.
My eye lashes are a funky color, so I have to wear mascara.
I do know ecobella makes "natural" cosmetics. I have been happy with their lip glosses. Haven't tried the foundation or shadows yet.
As for lotion and soap, I use Kiss-my-Face. I love their stuff.
To moisturize my face I use Burts Baby Bee lotion. I use their shampoo and conditioner too, and really love them. Since they were bought out by clorox though, I will have to find another brand.
My friend and I are going to try making our own lotion and soap, over fishing opener weekend while her fiance is off with the boys.
While checking your labels etc, if you see "fragrance" listed, run!!! That is a generic term used by the industry and could mean anything.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
Edited by - kissmekate on Feb 25 2008 2:17:09 PM |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9325 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9325 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 2:13:41 PM
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Gee and that article didn't even talk about the most widely used ones and they are known to cause cataracts among other things. The lauryl-laureth sulfates. I use Burt's Bees but they are owned by Colgate now so have to be careful to read the ingredients. I am not positive if it is Colgate or another company but I know it is a familiar one.
farmgirl sister #43
Kind hearts are gardens
Kind thoughts are roots
Kind words are blossoms
Kind deeds are Fruits
www.torismimi.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 2:33:04 PM
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Denise,
Burt's is owned by Clorox and Tom's of Maine is owned by Colgate now.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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laluna
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
New York
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 4:20:25 PM
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Here's a great site I came across the other day: http://www.saffronrouge.com/site/home.html (kind of pricey, but so worth it if you consider the long-term effects of all the chemicals, etc.)
And I'm another Bare Minerals user; a friend got me hooked a couple of years ago and I will never use anything else (unless they make it in an organic form  ) It really does improve the appearance of my skin, and lasts a long time.
(Color me irritated with Burt's Bees and Tom's - two companies I used to whole-heartedly endorse and buy from! And did you know the Woodstock Farms brand of foods sources much of their frozen produce from China??) 
"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature." -- Frank Lloyd Wright |
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farmgirl1
True Blue Farmgirl
116 Posts
Robin
Douglasville
GA
USA
116 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 4:56:31 PM
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I use Arbonne. It is all natural. It is a line of skin care products, lotions, makeup, they also have a men's and teen's line. They have a mineral powder that I just love. It is formulated in Switzerland but made in the USA. http://www.arbonne.com I'm a consultant, so if there is anything that you see on the site you can email me and I will order it for you.
Robin
Farm Girl Sister #28
#1 prissy farmgirl.
Oh, I want a pink John Deere Tractor.
http://fonvillefarm.blogspot.com |
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 5:11:57 PM
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I have a lot of allergies to ingredience in makeup. Even some mineral makeup brands because I am allergic to chromium and nickel. I started making my own mineral makeup about a year ago. It is so much fun and there are web sites you can get kits from. The one thing I wish I could invent was a mascara that didn't irritate me.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 08:17:49 AM
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Lady Crystal/Alicia
Will you post or email me the websites you have used to make your own make up?
I would think that would be fun for my friend to do on our make our own stuff day.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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FarmGirl~K
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Kelly
TX
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 1:22:42 PM
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After reading this, I wanted to check my makeup but its on the original package. I will have to check next time I am out. I checked my lotion before I put it on... it is baby lotion & yes its in there too. No wonder we have problems with this stuff. We are exposed to it from the time we are babies. I read it can cause problems with your hormones & part of that is where the using deodorant causes breast cancer came from. More than one site said it affects your estrogen. Too much can cause breast cancer.
I guess we need to be checking everything we use. That is the wonderful thing about the internet, you can check out all of these nasty ingredients.
Yes triclosan is also terrible for you. My DH had bought new toothpaste & it had it in there it was anti-gingivitis kind. He started getting mouth sores & attributed it to that since he never had a problem before that. Went away once he stopped using it. So he looked it up & it is an anti-microbial cleaner that is also used in hospitals on their floors among other things. Also it is in a lot of handwash & other anti bacterial products. Why would I brush my teeth with something that is used to clean my hands or floor?
"Work as if you were to live a hundred years, pray as if you were to die tomorrow." ~Benjamin Franklin~
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 10:23:43 AM
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Brenda & Alee,
I have been using/wearing Bare Eccentuals/Bare Minerals makeup for over 2 years now & I love the product line.
No animal testing, no unpronouncable chemicles and my face doesn't break out like it did w/ liquid/cream type make-up. I also have Rosaca(sp) and B.M. covers it so very well w/o creating flareups. At first I was a bit squimmish about the cost $20 for a little jar but it lasts me nearly 3-4 months which equals less then $7 a month for a product that works wonderful for my skin. Since I have "mature" dry skin, when I first put the foundation and Mineral Veil on, it looks a bit powdery for about 10 or so min but then it blends in w/my skin & I don't have that "made up" look. I love that Leslie Bloodget has created a wonderful product that is available through the internet, satelite shops, Macy's & Nordstroms and Sephora stores.
I know this sounds silly but if you get a chance to see one of her infomercials, do watch it. I LOVE her product for being a "clean" product and has since day one been a cruelty free product.
hugz
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
mjf#72
Sisters on the Fly#472
www.katmom4.blogspot.com
www.katmom44.blinkz.com
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 03:42:28 AM
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I hardly wear makeup even in the winter Don't have the time and most places I frequent other folks either aren't paying attention or don't wear it themselves
If I do wear it, It's just enough to make me look undead
Foundation unless its caked on just makes me feel like I
I'm suffocating
And with all things, the dose is the poison.
Think of the news people who HAVE to wear that stuff every day
It's enough to make anyone sick! |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9325 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9325 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 04:22:15 AM
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Where do you buy the Bare Minerals from? Wow, I didn't know Burt's Bees was owned by Clorox.
Thanks,
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
Kind hearts are gardens
Kind thoughts are roots
Kind words are blossoms
Kind deeds are Fruits
www.torismimi.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2875 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2875 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 11:08:37 AM
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| You can get Bare Minerals from QVC, & I know they also do a bunch of infomercials. |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 03:45:58 AM
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Burt's Bees was bought out late last year.
Kind of sad since I found out all that stuff was local.
Our small town natural foods place will be carrying Badger Balm Products now hopefuly in addition to and not instead of. Although that's what it sounded like. Hopefully they'll stil have the Burt's Bees too, but since the buyout, it's becoming more mainstream. Not sure if I like that.
I have always been one for the uncommon and different
It's kind of like a secret fortress that gets discovered by city slickers |
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cowgirlmama
Farmgirl in Training
35 Posts
35 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2008 : 11:02:56 AM
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| burt's bees owned by clorox is just too scary a visualization-I do use cornstarch instead of body powder-you can add it to face powder also to change the color of the powder-I gave up wearing mascara-I have tried many as well. |
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amyartgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
991 Posts
Amy
Junction City
Ohio
USA
991 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2008 : 11:12:07 AM
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I love, love, love Bare Minerals! I even tried a few other mineral powder foundation brands (even one from a local spa) but came back to the BE line (their products are all so versitile)....we even have a BE boutique locally, which is neat and if I cannot get up to that area of town, they will gladly ship to me. It is just amazing on how many chemicals that are not really good for us are in the foods we eat and the makeup/body care products that we put on our faces/skin....eeek!
Farmgirl Sister #21
Heart of Ohio Farmgirls
Proud member of Bees w/o Borders and ArtFuL SisTeRs
http://artfulheart.blogspot.com
http://farmgirltales.blogspot.com |
Edited by - amyartgirl on Mar 31 2008 11:33:15 AM |
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katalind
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
Kathy
Chapin
SC
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2010 : 6:08:11 PM
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| I love Burt's Bee lip glimmers and glosses, I also like Gabriel cosmetics. Both can be found in most health food stores. |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 5:41:17 PM
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Thanks for letting us know Alee.
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 7:07:23 PM
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my favorite make up is on either qvc or hsn. its called 100 percent pure. it is fantastic make up. smells like the fruits in it. all words on label are food. coffee strawberry blackberry cold raw coconut. they have liquid cover and blush lip and also mascara. moisturizer etc. alee is so right on with her list. the pigments in conventional stuff is the same as for paint for cars and our walls. just a thought sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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birdie71
True Blue Farmgirl
254 Posts
Robin
Glendale
Arizona
USA
254 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2010 : 05:49:12 AM
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I found a recipe for face powder that I am just started using and really like. Equal parts cornstarch, french clay powder, and cocoa. My face feels wonderful all day long! And I bought mascara from http://honeybeegardens.com Love it!
Robin
Farmgirl Sister #1301
Farming in the Sonoran Desert? Hmmm?!
my mama's (ceejay48) craftiness ~ www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
my daddy's craftiness ~ www.aspenforge.com |
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Here's to Your Health: Toxic Makeup |
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Toxic Makeup
