Recycle, Reuse, Reduce

When I was walking around the beauty counter at the pharmacy the other day, it really struck me just how much crap there is out there. Let me rephrase that, how much unnecessary crap there is out there. Everyone's looking out for the newest, latest-and-greatest from this brand or the other (myself included), and I think we all just need to take a step back and realize that what we already have, is fine.

The one product that really got me thinking this is L'Oreal's new Magic Perfecting Base. It's a "Studio Secret" that glides onto skin and reduces the appearance of blah blah blah. Hey, you know what else does that? Moisturizer! Don't be fooled my friends. You can achieve the exact same "perfection," with this stuff, that you can with your regular moisturizer. And you don't have to spend another $20 to get it either.

Another L'Oreal product that made me smirk was their True Match Touche Magique Concealer. I checked out a sample and I stood there in confusion when I saw how it came out. It's... glittery. Now tell me ladies... why do we use concealer? What does the word conceal mean? Right... now why would you want to advertise what you're trying to hide with sun-catching shine? You want to attract attention to that pimple? I thought not.


Primers. What is the deal with primers? They have primers for your lips, eyelashes, face, eyelids, hair... I mean.... come on. I'm about to save you some time and money ladies... you already have all these things at home. It's just not packaged that way. Here we go:

Lips: Lip balm
Face: Moisturizer
Eyelids: Loose powder (or tinted moisturizer, depending on the look you want to achieve)
Hair: Don't need it! Simple conditioner will do just fine.
Eyelashes: Pffft, SO not necessary. (If you want to give your lashes some nourishment, put the smallest drop possible of Argan oil on your finger tip and brush your lashes with it like mascara. But do this after you take your mascara off. It will make them look shiny and healthy!)

Anti-Aging products are another gazillion dollar industry. Everyone wants to look young and most would spend big bucks to get that way. Maybelline has a product out called Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Makeup. If we took this literally, then Maybelline would be a miracle worker! St-Maybelline! Sorry to burst your bubble, but people age. You're aging, I'm aging. There's nothing for you to stop it. Makeup won't change it. Not even this funny looking product can turn back the clock. However, there are preventative measures you can take so that Father Time doesn't abuse his power. Drink lots and lots of water, less coffee, get exercise, laugh a lot, don't smoke, eat well, and use natural oils such as Rosehip Oil, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil. No chemicals... just the way nature intended. Like wrinkles.

These are just small examples of how cosmetics companies like to take advantage of our insecurities, when all they're really doing is renaming, reinventing, and repackaging the stuff we already have.