Is it better to wear lesser makeup in the day?

makeup

At the True Beauty Open House Workshop last Saturday where Managing Director Susan Foo provided us with an insightful discussion about All Natural Skin Care Vs Commercial Counter Products in the Market, I  learnt that our makeup can absorb more energy from the sun and possibly lead to color toxicity and pigmentation problems.   According to Susan, the chemical colorants in makeup can give our skin an uneven, sallow tone – something I remember my mom telling me when I was younger.

Wear sunscreen beneath your makeup & cleanse thoroughly
As usual, I gave some thoughts to the topic and also tried to find some information related to this.  Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything on this online.  But I thought about how this might be related to the simple fact that dark colors absorb energy from the sun while light colors reflect energy from the sun.  Okay, I could be entirely off-track here but going by what Susan has said, this could also be a reason why wearing thicker makeup might be better in the night vs the day. Of course this doesn’t mean you can’t wear your makeup in the day. Just keep it lighter unless thicker makeup is absolutely necessarily and ensure you have a good sunscreen beneath to protect your skin. And very importantly, you must always remove your makeup and cleanse your face thoroughly!

true-beauty-workshop

Harms of artificial fragrances and alcohol
Besides the discussion on cosmetics colorants and their consequences, we also learnt about the harms of artificial fragrances and alcohol on our skin.  According to Susan, products with perfume or fragrances speed up the aging of our skin by preventing the removal of dead skin and hindering the development of new cells.  Alcohol on the other hand, weakens our skin immunity and causes open or slacken pores in the long run. 

Beewax for lipbalms and lipsticks only
In addition, I learnt that beewax, while a natural ingredient, is really not good for our skin as it can clog pores because it is a form of impermeable oil. The fact that it has to be heated at high temperature for it to be melted into an ingredient mix also means the product is unlikely to have anymore live cells to benefit our skin. So beewax is really only good for lipbalms and lipsticks!

making-of-commercial-cosmetics

Demo on how commercial products are made
The workshop was a small group of less than 15 people and I met Yosita, who recently left me comments regarding her positive experience at True Beauty. I also met her adorable daughter as well as her friend and her nutritionist. We had an enjoyable time learning from Susan and there was also a demonstration session where Susan showed us how commercial products are made with colorants, fragrances and alcohol. Of course we also got to check out some of the natural oils that were used in her True Bio Skin Care products too.

natural carrier oils

Month-long open house promotion
Since it was an open house workshop, of course Susan didn’t forget to remind us about their month-long crazy promotion. On top of getting 50% off her facial service and paying only S$55, her products are also on discount.   If you like to know more about their facial service, you can read my review of the natural facial spa experience at True Beauty.

Well, I still can’t afford her entire set but I think I might just go for her best selling Active Eye Gel after learning that Yosita got rid of her dark circles in just three days of using it. It will cost me around $179 after the 15% discount and that price for an effective eye cream is justifiable in my opinion.  Well, I’ll definitely keep you all in the loop in due course!

Comments

  1. AtelierGal says:

    Did they give out any trial products? I don’t think so since its not stated. I had already booked an appointment but had to pull out due to my Guerlain makeover.

  2. AtelierGal says:

    I got this beewax lip balm from the Watsons 21st Anniversary goodie bag.

    Nice smell but it dried out my lips, guess now I know the reason why.

  3. sesame says:

    Nope. No trial products. Oh, give them a try if you still have the time. So far two readers who tried gave me positive feedback too.

  4. sesame says:

    Ah…usually beewax for lips should be quite moisturizing. Could be due to other ingredients or the combo just don’t suit your lips.

  5. Yosita says:

    Hi Sesame. It was lovely to have finally met you in person! And thanks for putting this story up as a reminder if we all need some memory-refreshing.

    I truly enjoyed the workshop and whilst I’ve never attended a beaty workshop before in my life, I think this one was time well spent.

    Remember Thalia, my friend? Well, she did a facial just after the workshop and was very pleased with the results. Another friend of mine also went yesterday and after the session, bought the entire Essential Series package because she was so happy.

    See you at the next workshop, then! ?

  6. Nicole says:

    Thanks for sharing these information! They are insightful, especially for people like me who do not have the chance to attend such workshop!

  7. alixana says:

    Hi Sesame, I actually read that women living near the north and south poles actually wear a lot of makeup during the day because it protects their skin from the sun! Apparently the titanium dioxide in their foundation actually acts as a sunblock.

    I think one should only be concerned if the colourants used in the makeup are of the obviously inferior grade (like those multi-palettes you get for less than $10) – their chemical stability would definitely be in doubt, and may even cause allergic reactions. But I do think its less of a concern for makeup from well-known brands. My mom has always avoided the cheap makeup, and her skin is still looking great – no sallowness or anything like that, despite decades of illness.

  8. sesame says:

    Wow now you have brought in more customers for Susan! Her products are so amazing; they work for everyone it seems.

  9. sesame says:

    Hey, you’re welcome! This session was very interesting for me and I thought some of the points were very useful too.

  10. sesame says:

    Interesting what you wrote about women living near the north and south poles. I suppose they use their foundation on top of their sunscreens and re-apply throughout the day since it’s more convenient compared to using sunscreen. I’m curious to know how’s their skin condition like.

    Yes, I agree that makeup these days are better and we have lesser to worry regarding the colorants used. But I hesitated to put that across cos I’ve also seen people who do not wear makeup having nice lip color than people who do. So I think there maybe a difference. But those who don’t wear makeup but don’t take care of their skin can develop sallow uneven skin tone too as all the cleansing, exfoliation and extra sunscreen protection that we use these days also help keep our skin look better. I will continue using makeup for sure!

  11. pf1123 says:

    I do notice that the corners of my eyes are darker since I have been putting on e/s. ?

    How do I get rid of that?

  12. sesame says:

    I was told we need proper cleansing – which we think we do but maybe it’s not sufficient. Susan told me most cleansers don’t do the job as well and having tried her cleanser, I guess I have to agree. So unless you have a very good cleanser or unless you stop wearing e/s, it’ll probably stay.

  13. Mineral Skincare says:

    Hi Sesame,

    I would actually like to highlight a true fact about Beeswax. This is what i read from the web, after much research about Beeswax used in Cosmetics and Skincare.

    Beeswax must be one of the most misunderstood and sometimes vilified cosmetic ingredients. Some people immediately call to mind a picture of a heavy and very solid wax when thinking of beeswax. This is incorrect and beeswax has very wonderful properties when correctly used and included in skin care formulas.

    Primitive people knew and used beeswax as an antiseptic and for wound healing.

    Beeswax is one of nature’s most wonderful ingredients to use, and does a sterling job as a thickening agent, emulsifier, and humectant. It has wonderfully emollient, soothing and softening properties and helps the skin retain moisture.

    People with acne sometimes incorrectly think that it is a comedogenic ingredient (an ingredient that promotes the formation of acne and pimples), whereas it in actual fact has an irritation potential of zero, and a comedogenicity rating of 0 – 2, which means that when it is properly used it will NOT promote the formation of acne or pimples and it will NOT clog pores.

    When formulated and used correctly in cosmetic formulations, beeswax will not cause a problem or clog the pores, but brings a host of very positive attributes, such as healing, antiseptic, emollient and softening to a cosmetic product.

    Just my 2 cents worth…hehe…hope my comment brings another angle on how we classify Beeswax. ?

  14. fwy says:

    Most foundations & make-up base caused my rosacea to react. The makeup I use is eyeshadows. I try to use only sunscreen & moisturiser. Recently, my colleague bought some Benefits cosmetics online & said they are much cheaper to buy over the counter. Not that there’s anything wrong. I don’t want to be a wetblanket. However, I was told that Benefits may be very effective but may also contains lots of chemicals. Reader alixana is really lucky to have a mother who teaches her to use only good & prestige makeup brands. This workshop seems interesting. How do you register?

  15. sesame says:

    Hey, thanks for giving me your inputs and thoughts on Beewax. I think I read something about this before which was why I was a little puzzled and specifically asked Susan why Beewax is harmful. According to her explanation, the function of beewax is very much like mineral oil, which provides a coating to the skin. As such, our skin can’t breathe. Plus I saw the original state of beewax and it has to be heated at high temperature to melt. So based on my understanding of how skincare products are made, then this is going to render the other ingredients mixed with it almost useless.

    But I agree that it has emollient and softening effects. I don’t mind it as a lip balm or in my lipstick but I might think twice now using it even on my body.

  16. sesame says:

    Okay, I like Benefit Cosmetics as a brand. It’s fun and all but yes, you’re right about their ingredients. Actually I used to wear only foundation. I can’t go without powder cos my skin is rather oily. But I never used blush until recently cos I was introduced to Zuii Organics and theirs is organic – more natural.

    For the workshop, it’s really small. They don’t hold it often. This is their first to a small group. Perhaps when Susan is ready for something bigger, I can let you know in advance.

  17. pf1123 says:

    Ok. I think I will get a better makeup remover.

    I got an exfoliating gel which is from a salon brand in the US…I was told, but I’m not sure. No time to look it up yet. But the sales girl tried it on my face and arms and the result is immediate.

    When I got back, I tried it on one of the corner of my eyes. The gel is non-stinging one. In fact, quite soothing. Not sure if it will help, but I’ll give it a try for a couple of times.

  18. sesame says:

    Eye area is quite sensitive…I hope it’s gentle enough and it’ll work well for you.

  19. pf1123 says:

    Yes, its really gentle. Its really a gel and no grainy particles in it at all.

    In fact, the SA recommended me to put it on as a mask every other day.

  20. sesame says:

    Oh ok, I’ve come across such exfoliating products before. Very gentle.

  21. Cassandra says:

    Hi Sesame, have u tried the active eye gel? I will be going for the trial facial next week, if it is good, i will wanna buy the gel too.

  22. sesame says:

    No I haven’t. I’m now thinking if I should buy cos I just received a new eye gel which is pretty good. Yosita, a reader here tried and said it got read of her dark undereye circles in days!

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