Tag: loveleigh

Gluten-free beauty products-inspired by my daughter living with Celiac’s

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Inspiration

Celiac kid-glutenfree-beauty products-loveleigh

No one ever forgets the day you find out your child has a genetic, life-long, life changing autoimmune disorder.

Why did my daughter have to live a life that would now be “different” and more difficult?

Don’t get me wrong, I am completely relieved to know what is causing my daughter to feel sick, tired, and “fuzzy” as she describes some days; even better, that the illness is completely treatable by something as natural as a change in diet. No medication necessary.

Yet, I could’t help feeling such sadness the day we found out. It is a kind of sadness that I feel through my whole body; it starts in the middle of my heart and carries down to the pit of my stomach. It is very overwhelming emotionally.

Thankfully, “gluten free” has become a well know term, but navigating the ins and outs of finding safe food she can eat often feel like a part-time job. But if anyone can do it, this mama will. My pity party is over and I will nourish her back to health.

Research for Celiac is minimal, but some say makeup that contains gluten can trigger Celiac disease symptoms. My whole life practically has been dedicated to beauty and beauty products, so don’t judge me when one of my first thoughts were “what if she can’t wear makeup?”  That thought quickly turned into: what beauty products can she have? Hence, inspiration for this very blog post.

Gluten is a very sneaky culprit. Celiac sufferers are discovering that more than dietary changes are necessary because it can be found in lipgloss, hair-sprays, eyeshadows-everyday products that some don’t even think twice about using.

Gluten is used as a binder to help ingredients stick together, and to add moisture to products through gluten-derived oils.

Experts are split over whether people living with Celiac should really avoid cosmetics containing gluten. Some adamantly believe gluten-free beauty products are healthy for them and prevent further reaction or damage to their insides; while some researchers say that gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin because the protein molecules are too large. Obviously, more research is imperative and needed.

Regardless, I will now be very aware as to what products do and don’t contain gluten for the benefit of my daughter.

These are ingredients in cosmetics that could contain gluten and are best avoided for those with Celiac:

avena sativa (Oat) kernel flour

barley extract

cyclodextrin

dextrin

fermented grain extract

hyrolyzed malt extract

hydrolyzed wheat protein

hydrolyzed vegetable protein

maltodextrin

oat (avena sativa)

stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl

samino peptide complex

phytosphingosine extract

triticum vulgare (Wheat germ extract)

Secale Cereale

Sodium C8-16 Isoalkylsuccinyl Wheat Protein Sulfonate

wheat germ

vitamin e

yeast extract

Here is my list (so far) of beauty products sans gluten:

Nars: All products are 100% gluten free

Smashbox: over 98% of products are gluten free and safe.

Mac: almost all products EXCEPT:

+tinted lip conditioner – wheat germ oil and soy

+amplified creme lipstick – hordeum vulgare (barley) extract, triticum vulgare (wheat) germ extract & soybean extract

+say SPF 15 light moisture – polysorbate 80 (wheat), biosaccharide

+fast response eye cream – wheat germ oil, barley extract and cornoil

+prep + prime skin-saccharide isomerate (wheat)

+satin, velux pearl, & velux eye shadows

+cremesheen lipgloss

+amplified lipstick

+plush glass

Estee Lauder Company Statement: 

“This is to hereby confirm that none of our lipsticks contain gluten, and they are not manufactured alongside products that would contain it.

While a formulation may contain no wheat, oat, barley or rye derivatives, for the benefit of our gluten-sensitive consumers who may have cross-sensitivities, Estee Lauder takes the extra precaution of including corn, rice and soy in our research. All Estee Lauder lipsticks contain either/or corn and soy with the exception of Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick which contains wheat, corn and soy.”

My journey to finding gluten-free products has just begun, so my hope is that more companies will follow suit and choose ingredients that are beneficial to all.

+If you find any gluten-free products that you love send them my way!

xo

LL

Beautyblender–achieve flawless skin

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Favorite Products

Any of you that know me well, know that I have NEVER used a sponge to apply makeup in the last 10 years. My disgust for a sponge went as far as me actually buying a brand new compact and disposing the nasty thing in the nearest trash can.

I’m a faithful believer in a good quality, natural bristle, foundation brush. But no matter your expertise in makeup application, a foundation brush can cause streaks. To make them disappear, you have to put some serious muscle into buffing them out with powder and a brush.

Well, say good-bye to makeup streaks and lines with the renowned Beautyblender! It is the ultimate makeup sponge applicator that was created to leave you with a flawless complexion and feeling like your makeup was professionally done.

Loveleigh’s, prepare to change your life!

First of all, the Beautyblender is latex free and hypoallergenic-so even the most sensitive skin types (like myself) will benefit from it. The hot pink color is my fav! It’s suede-like texture and it’s curvy shape allows foundation, and even powder, to glide on easily. It fits nicely within the contours of face and those hard-to-reach areas.

We all die for dewy skin (well, at least I do) and the Beautyblender creates an airbrushed look that will help you blend your foundation effortlessly.

How to Use:

+ Dampen the Beautyblender with a little bit of water-it expand to about twice its original size, so don’t be scared. It also allows you to use less product.

+ Apply with a “bouncing-like” technique (or what we makeup artists call stippling) to create a flawless finish. DO NOT use a rubbing or dragging method to apply your foundation or product of choice.

+Beautyblender is guaranteed only with proper cleansing using the blender cleanser…

However, my favorite cleanser is CinemaSecerets–a vanilla scented (my fav smell) , fast drying cleanser that will disinfect and even condition your make-up brushes and new Beautyblender. It kills viruses and eliminates even the most difficult makeup products. It is environmentally safe and non-carcinogenic (love that!)

Winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty: Tools award.  Seen in magazines such as: People, Elle, InStyle, Seventeen and many more, this little pink sponge has become a beauty sensation!

Rea Ann Silva is the creator of the fabulous Beautyblender. Being a full time mother of two, celebrity makeup artist, and entrepreneur, Rea Ann can understand the many demands that women face today when it comes to quick and easy beauty solutions.

So, that leaves no excuse to not look and feel fabulous with these tools created just for us!

Find your very own Beautyblender at Sephora and puh-lease let me know what you think.

Love, LL

xo

Emi-Jay Hair Ties <3

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Favorite Products

Are you so over the not-so-cute elastic hair rubber bands? You know the ones that rip our hair out and hardly hold it in place? Well, allow me to introduce a chic new hair tie by Emi-Jay. Emi-Jay are functional, handmade hair bands created by two teens with a dream of being in fashion. A hair revolution, Emi-Jay can be seen all over magazines and in the hair of celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, and Oprah, to name a few. The best part is, the two young teens donate a portion of each purchase to Locks of Love.

My loveleigh Mother was the first to introduced me to Emi-Jay. She picked out a set for me and my daughter that matched our taste and style. Not only are they the cutest darn things ever, they serve as a stylish bracelet when not in your hair.

 

I have very fine hair (not thin, there’s a difference), so no matter what, I get that annoying dent from regular pony tail holders. These little cuties are made with soft and stretchy material that will leave your hair absolutely dent-less.

 

 

It’s amazing that they actually HOLD for a workout, yet work for high-glamour situations equally well.

These ties come in a refreshingly wide array of colors. I die over the leopard!

You can find your very own Emi-Jay here. Retails for $6.50 for a pack of 3 or $12.99 for 5.

+What Emi-Jay color pack will you choose? Let me know what you think.

Love, LL

xo

Julep

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Favorite Products

Lately, I’ve been a little obsessed with finding products that are made naturally, without a bunch of chemicals. I have always been a healthy eater, making a conscious effort to choose whole and natural foods. I believe what we put into our bodies reflects the healthiness of our skin. So, it is equally important to be conscious of what products we use on a daily basis. I was so excited to discover a new line of natural nail products called Julep!

 +What makes Julep nail polish so great?

Julep Nail Color is “4-free” and does not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, or DBP. It is a chip resistant formula delivered by a flat brush with micro-frayed brush hairs.

Julep nail polishes come in a sexy, sleek packaging with a long and lean silhouette. You will have absolutely no streaks(!) as all the colors are so creamy and pigmented.

It is essential to let each coat dry a few minutes before the next coat is applied. If not, you will notice the layers will appear “tacky” and not paint on easily. So set aside ample time to get the best out of this amazing nail polish. You won’t be disappointed! My mani will last a full 7 days with Julep.

My favorite part (other than toxin-free aspect) is the company is “founded on the belief that beauty is a connection, not a competition, Julep was created to celebrate the bond between girlfriends and the beauty of the human spirit.” Inspiring, right? Julep also donates a portion of the proceed to organizations that support women.

The color I am wearing is Claire (found here), a creamy sky-blue. I paired it with OPI Metallic 4life (found here) for an added flare.

+What are your favorite colors of Julep?

Have a beautiful day!

Love, LL

The Absolute Must-Have Makeup Organizer!

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Favorite Products

First things first: GET ORGANIZED! The only way to utilize all your amazing products is to be able to find them.

I became obsessed with the The Clear Cube a few years ago after spotting one (actually two or three) on the countertops in the bathrooms of all the Kardashian sisters. I searched long and hard for one until it the maker was finally revealed.

I have never seen anything like The Clear Cube and it isn’t comparable to any other makeup organizer found in Target, The Container Store, or the like.

The craftsmanship of the Clear Cube is so unique; as it is made with 100% acrylic. The look of the acrylic is so appealing and it allows all your products to be visually seen with ease. This little gem retails for $290 (worth every penny!) plus tax if you are a resident of CA, plus shipping costs. The inserts retail for $9.99 a piece and if you like the look of a top handle, add an additional $2.50.  You can purchase the Clear Cube here.

Here are closeups of the way I’ve organized my Clear Cube. I opted for two different inserts: the grid and the x-insert. All orders are custom made to your liking.

Love, LL