What Do the Words on My Makeup Mean?

We've all stood in front of a product that is covered in strange symbols and words. Cosmetics are subject to fairly strict labelling regulations, however, the terms used aren't always understandable (especially when you've looked at dozens of different options). 

Here is your guide to understanding what the most common terms found on cosmetics mean. 

Gluten Free

If you have Celiac Disease, are gluten intolerant, or have an allergy, seeing “gluten free” on a cosmetics label is a small blessing. Although you aren’t eating your make up (hopefully) it’s still important to get gluten free goodies. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and what you put on it gets into your system.

Any product that is labelled as being gluten free means there are less than 20 parts per million contain gluten.

According to the Canadian Celiac Association, cosmetics are subject to the Cosmetic Regulations under the Food and Drug Act. This means that all ingredients need to be listed according to their International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) name. This system is used in Canada, the US, the EU, and Japan.

The CCA list some ingredients that you need to keep your eyes peeled for if you want to keep your cosmetics gluten free:

oats (avena)
barley (hordeum)
rye (secale)
wheat (triticum)

We like MAC Matchmaster Foundation and Pur Minerals Powder for gluten free skin products, and Physicians Formula has an extensive range of eyeshadows, bronzers, and blushes that are all gluten free. For amazing eyeliner and mascara, we like ELF Cosmetics.

Iron Oxides

This ingredient is most often found at the bottom of the ingredient list, under the heading “may contain”. This means the product might have some of this in it, but it also might not.

Iron oxides are chemical components used as coloring. This inorganic compound is used not only in cosmetics, but also in paint. As the name suggests, it contains iron and oxygen. When they mix they create a deep red hue which is then used as a pigment in lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow. Different shades can also be found in over 2000 cosmetic products.

Non-Comedogenic

Finding this phrase on a product means that it has been formulated in a way that it won’t clog your pores.

This doesn’t mean that it won’t cause acne or a skin irritation. If you have sensitive skin or allergies you may still experience some problems. However, clogged pores from your foundation won’t be a contributing factor.

Paraben Free

Parabens are preservatives. Adding preservatives to cosmetics is an essential step, since they are opened and closed a lot. Parabens are formed by mixing acid and alcohol, neither of which sound like something you want to put on your face.

They also help prevent the growth of bacteria. When you dip a brush or blender into something and go back and forth between your skin and the product, you’re transferring bacteria, oil, and skin cells to the product.

In recent years, manufacturers have started developing alternatives to parabens. If your make up says it is paraben free, it still has preservatives in it, they’re just a different kind.

Titanium Dioxide

This is another chemical compound. Like iron oxides, this compound is used as a pigment and is formed when titanium and oxygen collide. However, instead of adding colour, titanium dioxide whitens and brightens. It also makes products less transparent.

How to Beat the Heat at a Formal Event

Summer is a time of weddings and graduations. These events tend to be more formal than your usual backyard BBQ, which means your go-to shorts and tank aren’t going to cut it. Formal events mean dressing up, and in the summer, this usually leads to overheating.

As a result of being too hot and overcrowded, you’re going to sweat. Throw in dancing, alcohol, and nerves, and you’ll be a puddle. Here is everything you need to know to stay dry – from head to toe.

Getting Ready

If you get too hot while you’re getting ready, you’re more likely to stay overheated. This leads to frustration, and in my case, throwing perfectly good outfits on the floor because they’re sticking to me.

There are some simple steps you can take to stay cool while you get ready to go out that will pay off right away.

1 – Set up a fan.

Aim the fan at your body, not your face. This way you won’t get windblown hair, but your body will stay cool.

2 – Rinse in cool water.

After you’ve showered, take a few minutes to rinse off in cool (not cold) water. You’ll feel cooler for longer. If you feel yourself getting too hot while you get ready, soak your feet in cool water in the tub for a couple minutes. The cooling sensation on your toes will help cool down the rest of you. This also helps when it comes time to put on shoes.

3 – Sip ice water.

This tip has two benefits – it will cool you down and keep you hydrated. When we sweat we lose a lot of moisture, and you don’t want to add dehydration to the list. Try adding cucumber and mint for a flavor boost.

4 – Drip dry.

After you get out of the shower, squeeze the excess water out of your hair. Let the rest drip dry by itself. This will cut down on the amount of blow drying you have to do.

5 – Wear something light (or nothing).

If you are home alone, or with a SO you are comfortable being nude around, get ready in the buff. Extra layers add to the heat. If this isn’t an option for you, get a light cotton robe, or wear shorts and a tank.

Hair

Put your hair up. Getting it off your neck will help keep you cool. It will also reduce sweat on the back of your neck, which immediately creates tangles. If you can’t find an updo that you like, try a base at the nape of your neck. This lower style can easily be dressed up, but you won’t feel like you’re exposing your neck and ears to the world.

Hairspray is your friend. For those of us who naturally have hair with attitude, frizz can be expected to make an appearance at every important event. Get a spray with extra strong hold. To tame flyaways, apply some hairspray to your comb and brush it through.

Be sure to apply hairspray throughout the styling process. If you are going for curls, lightly spray each one while it is still warm. For straight styles, use the comb tip from above on each section. Once your hair is done, spray your entire style.

To avoid using hot tools altogether, try using large, non-heated rollers. These are the ones that feel like the rough side of velcro. When your hair is damp, put small sections into large rollers to get loose waves. Leave it to dry on it's own. Depending on how thick your hair is, this could take a few hours, so be prepared to keep them in all day.

Makeup

This is the most difficult part of going out in the heat of summer. Sometimes it seems like no matter how careful you are, your makeup will melt off as soon as you start to sweat. Follow these steps to minimize the melt.

1 – Start with moisturizer and primer.

Choose a moisturizer with SPF whether or not the event is outside. SPF is crucial for preventing skin cancer, and the skin on your face is super delicate.

Primer will give your makeup something to hold on to (click here to read our article about primer). This means your makeup will last longer. To prevent shine, choose a mattifying primer.

2 – Go for light coverage products.

Spot cover with concealer, then use a light product over top. The more layers you put on, the more layers there are to cake up. Try using a light liquid foundation topped with loose powder. Be sure to apply the foundation with a sponge to avoid getting excess amounts on your skin.

Whichever brand you use, choose a mattifying powder. Like the primer, this will help prevent too much shine, especially on your T-zone.

3 – Choose waterproof mascara.

Waterproof mascara is great for summer because it is also resistant to sweat. Regular mascara doesn’t contain the same waxes found in waterproof mascara, so it is more likely to come off when you overheat.

4 – Opt for lip gloss over lipstick.

In the heat, lip gloss is much easier to manage than lipstick. Not only does it have a lighter, summery look, but it won’t smudge. Melted lipstick creates a mess in your bag, and is impossible to put on when it’s mushy. On the other hand, lip gloss is already liquid, so you don’t have to worry about it becoming slimy on your face.

5 – Use a setting spray.

These sprays are perfect for big nights out. Once all of your makeup is on, lightly spritz your face with the setting spray to help everything stay where it should.

6 – Pick up blotting papers.

These sheets absorb oil and help you stay shine-free all night. When you hit the bathroom, pat one of these sheets on the spots where you feel greasy, like your forehead, nose, and chin. The papers will remove the oil, and all you have to do is touch-up with a bit of powder.

7 – Pack the essentials.

Make sure you bring the things you need. This includes the blotting papers, lip gloss, powder, and a mini deodorant. A purse-sized perfume is a good idea too, as long as you remember that it won’t take the place of actual deodorant.

Clothing

Some fabrics are better than others when it comes to beating the heat. Cotton is particularly good because it allows for air flow through the weave of the fabric. Man-made fabrics like polyester and rayon are less helpful and tend to trap the heat.

For formal events like weddings and graduations, dresses are appropriate. Choose a style that doesn’t fit tight to your body. The extra room will prevent the fabric from sticking from you.

Pro tip – put dance pants (also known as booty shorts, or stretchy yoga shorts) underneath your dress. The extra layer may be a bit warm, but anybody who has had chafing on their thighs knows how uncomfortable it can get.

Chiffon is the perfect summer fabric. It is light and breathable, and when you have a chiffon skirt it is very feminine.

Shoes

Formal shoes can get uncomfortable and painful very quickly, especially when there is dancing involved. If at all possible, choose an open-toed shoe with a sling back. The open front and back allow for air to flow through, which will help keep your feet cool.

Slingbacks help prevent rubbing on your Achilles heel. The smaller amount of material means there is less to rub.

Also, purchase some insoles. The gel versions are comfy but may become slippery if your feet sweat. There are a couple of options to fix this – either choose fabric insoles or put a panty liner over top to absorb the sweat. Weird, we know, but it works. Check out this article about other odd tips to save your flats in the summer.

Throw some band aids in your bag just in case. It is incredibly aggravating to be on the verge of developing a blister and finding yourself without a plaster. 

Substitutes for Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is one of those products that has taken the drugstore aisles by storm. Once you try it, it’s hard to imagine your hair routine without it. Whether you are trying to preserve the life of your colour, or simply don’t have time to wash, dry, and style your hair in the morning, dry shampoo has got you covered.

Then comes the day when you need to use dry shampoo, but you’ve run out. It’s too late to wash your hair, and you don’t have time to go buy dry spray, get back home, finish getting ready, and still get to work on time. So what do you do?

Enter the dry shampoo substitute. I know what you’re thinking – dry shampoo is already a substitute for regular shampoo. In a pinch, a sub for dry shampoo will work. We wanted to know what the best choice is when you need to tag in an alternative. We did some research and found some surprising options. As we tend to do, we tried them out (except for the last one that’s really weird). Here is what we found.

Why Dry Shampoo Works

Before we could identify which product is the best substitute for dry shampoo, we needed to know which attributes we needed to replicate. Sure, dry shampoo smells great, but that’s not what makes it effective.

In a nutshell, dry shampoo works by absorbing the extra oil in your hair. This oil tends to collect near the scalp, which is why you only put dry shampoo on your roots. Dry shampoos are formulated with alcohol or starch. These ingredients are the ones that soak up the oil.

There is also a powder element. This absorbs the oil and holds on to it. When you brush your hair, you are removing some of the powder, and the oil along with it.

Dry shampoo doesn’t replace cleansing with a regular shampoo, but it does give your hair that freshly washed appearance.

The perfect substitute will be powdery, brush out easily, and leave your hair looking clean.

The Best Choices for a Substitute

Cornstarch

While this ingredient is usually used for baking, it turns out you can use cornstarch in your hair care routine. As you could probably guess, cornstarch is derived from corn. This makes it vegan-friendly, and suitable for celiacs. It is highly starchy (duh), but when it comes to dry shampoo alternatives this is a great quality.

Pros:

Has the powdery texture of dry shampoo

-          Is cheap to buy

-          You probably already have it in your home

-          Has no smell

-          Brushes out easily

Cons:

-          Messy to apply

Verdict: 

Cornstarch is by far the number one choice for a dry shampoo substitute. It was super easy to use, and I didn’t have to go out to buy it. Using cornstarch gave my hair the same appearance as dry shampoo, and it brushed out without any problems.

The only downside is that it was messy to apply, and I had to wipe down the bathroom counters after.

Tip: Use a teaspoon to measure small amounts of cornstarch. This will help cut down on the mess.

Baking Soda

Sodium bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking soda, is another ingredient that is commonly found in baked goods. Many people also use it as a chemical-free alternative for cleaning their homes, and boxes of baking soda can be found soaking up odours in refrigerators everywhere.

This compound is a mild disinfectant, which makes it a great choice for removing oil.

Pros:

-          Comes in small boxes

-          Only need a little bit at a time

-          No smell

-          Long shelf life

Cons:

-          Isn’t as effective as cornstarch

Verdict: If you don’t have cornstarch, baking soda will do the trick. While it isn’t as effective as cornstarch, you probably have some baking soda tucked away somewhere. Baking soda has a shelf life of nine months to a year, so the box you found hidden in the back of the cupboard might still be good.

Using baking soda may require some additional brushing to get it all out.

Tip: Start with a small amount and slowly add more if it is needed. We found it wasn’t as absorbent as the cornstarch, but adding too much too quickly made it difficult to brush out.

Translucent Powder

Setting your foundation with translucent powder is one of the simplest ways to get long-lasting wear during the day. The powder sits on top of the liquid or cream foundation and creates a barrier between your makeup and the elements.

Pros:

-          It’s already in your makeup bag

-          You won’t have any white residue

Cons:

-          You need to apply it with a makeup brush

-          You can’t use the powder on your face if you double dip

Verdict: 

This isn’t our first choice, simply because the powder needs to be applied with a makeup brush. Chances aren’t good that you have a makeup brush set aside for you hair, so you’ll most likely end up using one that has previously been on your face. Before you can use it on your roots, make sure any cosmetics have been cleaned off the brush. Nobody wants to accidentally put blush on their roots.

Also, wash your brush before you use it on your face again. Some of the oil will stay on the bristles, and touching your face with it will transfer the oil to your skin. This is also true for the pot of powder. If you get oil on the brush, then put the brush back in the powder, you now have oil in your powder.

Tip: Try blotting the brush into your roots rather than using a sweeping motion. This will allow the powder to stay on your roots to absorb the oil, rather than get brushed away immediately. Also, portion out a small amount of the translucent powder into a dish to prevent oil transfer between the brush and your main stash of powder.

Cat Litter

When we were looking for dry shampoo substitutes, this option showed up – on more than one list, unfortunately.

Pros:

-          None

Cons:

-          It’s cat litter

Verdict:

Don’t do it. Just don’t.

Tip: Leave the cat litter for cats. 

Weird Tips to Rescue Your Flats

Any girl who has worn flats with bare feet in the summer knows there are risks. Despite how comfortable they are and the fact that ballet flats are super cute, there is always the chance of a blister, and of course, the smell.

These unfortunate side effects are avoidable. After working retail for ten years, I’ve compiled an arsenal of tips for rescuing your flats from being destroyed over the summer. These tips are odd but effective.

#1 – Put panty liners in the bottom.

Sweat is the cause of the super-obvious foot smell. When sweat gets into the material of the shoe, it gets trapped. Sweat doesn’t smell great on its own, but when you add in leather it is amplified. Throw in an eight-hour day and you’ve got quite the mix.

The easiest way to deal with this issue is to prevent the problem. If you can absorb the sweat before it hits the fabric, you’ve prevented the problem. Cue the panty liners. These thin pads are highly absorbent and have an adhesive back so they won’t slide around under your foot. They are also designed to be removed from fabric, so the adhesive isn’t so strong that you’ll damage the insole of your flats.

Simply apply the liner to the inside of your shoe the same way you’d use it in your underwear – sticky side down. At the end of the day, remove it from your shoe and throw it away. If you find that you need to change it during the day – for example, a long day outside – they’re easy to change and don’t take up much room in your bag.

#2 – Fill your shoes with baking soda.

When you get home at the end of the day, it is sooo tempting to just kick off your shoes and call it a night. Before you do, take thirty seconds to follow this tip.

If you followed tip #1, remove the liner. Then sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes. You don’t need to fill them up all the way, just full enough that you can’t see the sole of your shoe anymore. Leave them overnight, and dump the baking soda in the garbage in the morning.

The baking soda will absorb the odour from any sweat that has worked its way into your shoes. It takes about 24 hours for sweat to completely be removed from fabric, so ideally you shouldn’t wear the same pair of flats two days in a row. If alternating pairs isn’t an option, use the baking soda tip every night to extend the life of your shoes.

Keep in mind that if your flats are already rank, they are probably past saving. Built up sweat is hard to get rid of, which means the smell is there to stay.

#3 – Wipe them down with dry shampoo.

This trick follows the same principle as using baking soda, with the added bonus that your shoes will have a hairspray fragrance after.

Spray the insole of your shoes with dry shampoo, the same way you do with your hair. Let it sit for a minute or two, then scrub them down with a dry facecloth or paper towel. Using a wet cloth will only make the smell worse because you are adding extra moisture to the mix.

A dry cloth will work the dry shampoo into the fabric, and wipe off the excess. This is the equivalent of rubbing your roots once you put dry shampoo in.

#4 – Disinfect and hang them outside.

Fresh air is good for pretty much everything, including smelly shoes. Throwing your damp shoes in the closet will only encourage the growth of bacteria. Instead of giving bacteria an hospitable home, spray them down and kick them out.

I suggest using a natural disinfectant, rather than a commercial one for the simple reason that the chemicals in products like Lysol can break down the fabric of your shoes. My go-to recipe relies on tea tree oil (a natural disinfectant) and white vinegar.

In a spray bottle, mix ¼ cup white vinegar with ¼ cup water. Add several drops of tea tree oil and stir.

Lightly spritz your shoes all over. You should be able to see some drops on the shoes without them feeling wet. Hang them up outside and leave them overnight. Hanging them ensures that all the moisture has a way out, rather than getting trapped in a pool at the bottom of your shoe.

#5 – Put deodorant on your feet.

Applying deodorant to your underarms is a standard part of your getting ready routine (or it should be), and now you can add “deodorize feet” to the list.

Putting deodorant or antiperspirant on your feet serves the same purpose as putting it on your armpits. It will prevent excess sweat, and keep your feet dry. This stops the sweat from getting on your shoes.

You can pick up a special deodorant for feet, but a cheaper option is to buy men’s antiperspirant. Note that you should get antiperspirant, not deodorant. Although the terms are used interchangeably, they do refer to two different products. Deodorant will take care of the smell, whereas antiperspirant blocks the sweat glands from excreting too much moisture.

Men’s antiperspirant tends to be made of a stronger formula than women’s. Use this to your advantage by applying a powder formula to your feet before you put your flats on. Avoid gel formulas, since they will make your toes feel squishy. Can you tell I learned this one the hard way?

#6 – Blow dry with socks on.

The biggest problem I had with flats was that the backs would rub on my heels. This led to countless blisters and cuts. Even the softest materials rub after eight hours of standing.

Since Band-Aids hanging out of your shoes is not a good look (especially if you work in food service), I found an alternative. This tip works best on new shoes that haven’t been broken in yet.

Put on a pair of medium-thick socks, and get out your hair dryer. Set your dryer to hot, and aim it at your feet. Point and flex your feet as you heat the material. This will stretch them out enough that they are looser without having to buy a size too big.

Do you have a question or a style tip you want to share? Let us know in the comments.