This is What a Feminist Looks Like...

I have been told before that what I do for a living is shallow, superficial and un-feminist. I’ve always disagreed. There is nothing wrong with wanting to face the world looking your very best, healthy and beautiful.

As a makeup artist and esthetician it is my job to help women to become the best version of themselves and it is an honor to be trusted to touch someone’s face.

Everyone I’ve ever met has a love-hate relationship with their appearance and despite all the staring into the mirror; they often don’t see their own best features. It is great to tell someone they have lovely eyelashes or great bone structure or beautiful lips and see the look of surprise on their face.

“Me? They say? No…” But it’s true. They just can’t see past their flaws and see the good things that everyone else can see.

I am a Peacekeeper Cause-metics demonstrator which means that I get the chance to not only educate people on all of the wonderful causes PK supports but also help them choose the right color.

I find that the products tend to look slightly different in the tubes than they do on the lips so whenever possible I apply the colors for them. (After sanitizing the products and using a fresh disposable applicator)

Everyone is always amazed when they learn that 100% of after-tax profits are donated to human-rights issues. Like me, they thought they would get around to donating money to causes they believed in at some point…when they had more money. And also like me, they spend money several times a year to purchase new cosmetics.

With Peacekeeper, you can do both. Indulge your girly side and your activist side and know that they are both important and worthwhile.

Peacekeeper Truth Serum Blog

I was recently featured as "Blog of the Week" on the Peacekeeper Cause-metics website, go check it out!!
Speaking of Peacekeeper, I've been meaning to write a blog about one of their lip paints, Paint Me Compassionate. It is a perfect red that looks great alone or under gloss. It has quickly become one of my favorite colors and I'm thrilled to add it to my cosmetics rotation. Needless to say, I was surprised when I learned that this very color had been on a list of lipsticks containing lead.
Here is Peacekeeper's founder, Jody Weiss's response to that claim, which of course, is untrue.

what is in peacekeeper’s lipstick?

§ beeswax is produced from the hives of honey bees.

§ carnauba wax is derived from the leaves of a brazilian plant called the carnauba palm.

§ candelilla wax is derived from the leaves of the candelilla shrub which grows in the southern united states and mexico.

§ shea butter is extracted from the fruit of the shea tree. shea butter has strong moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.

§ castor oil is an evergreen shrub that has been used medicinally for about 4,000 years. castor oil contains lectins which are carbohydrate binding proteins.

§ jojoba oil is derived from the jojoba plant. it is a lipid with high levels in fatty acids and is considered a oleochemical or a chemical derived from biological oils and fats.

§ grapeseed oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the seeds of vitis vinifera grapes. grapeseed oil possesses regenerative ingredients for the skin such as high levels of linoleic acid, anti-oxidants, vitamin c, vitamin e, beta-carotene, omega 3-6-9 and other skin revitalizing ingredients.

§ vitamin e is a fat-soluable antioxidant called tocopherol. antioxidants like vitamin e play a big role in protection against free radicals which contribute to chronic illnesses.

§ mica is a silicate mineral from the earth whose name comes from the latin word micare, which means "shine".

§ carmine is a pigment derived from carminic acid from the scales of certain insects such as the cochineal. carmine is a red color alternative to synthetic fd&c coloring.

§ titanium dioxide is the natural occurring oxide of titanium, a substance mined from the earth. titanium dioxide can be found in toothpastes and other food substances as well.

§ iron oxides consist of sixteen known compounds of either oxides or hydroxides and oxidehydroxides. iron oxide yields pigments which are used in cosmetics. they are considered non-toxic.

§ ultramarines also are found in the earth and are considered to be non-toxic.