Vancouver Makeup Artist answers– Is lipgloss related to lip cancer?

I am sorry to tell you this ladies but its true!  Scientists announced a strong link between wearing lip gloss and getting lip cancer. Recent studies have shown that lip cancer has double in women who wear lipgloss or shiny lip balm. Dermatologist Christine White of Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas has stated that shiny lip balm and gloss increases risk of skin cancer and that people do not realize the risk they put themselves in when they use the shiny lip balms and glosses.  Because our lips do not have the pigment melanin, the pigment in our skin that acts as a natural sunscreen, our lips are more susceptible to chronic sun damage and are prone to develop cancers.   Wearing shiny lip balms and lip gloss will actually act as a magnifying mirror making you more at risk for lip cancer.

What can you do to protect yourself?

As a makeup artist in Vancouver one of the products I use most regularly is lip gloss.  I have an obligation to keep up with current literature, and know about these studies pass on that info and keep actors and clients safe.  Just like before applying foundation you would apply a good sunblock, you must do the same for your lips.  Find a lip balm with SPF 30 and apply that to your lips before you apply your gloss!  Most people assume that this should be done only in the summer when then sun is out.  You always need to protect you lips, as there are harmful UV rays all year round, even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds (in our dreary Pacific Northwest winters).  Be smart and wear SPF balm!

I hope this information is useful to you.  I would love to hear your feedback!

-Vancouver Makeup Artist

Being a makeup artist in Vancouver I have seen all sorts of things.  Keeping our makeup kits clean is probably the most important part of our job.  Every makeup artists worst nightmare would be to hear, “You gave this to me!”   So we do our best to make sure everything in our kit is keep sanitary.  My question is do you do that for yourself? I have noticed that most of you don’t do that for yourselves.  The misconception is that if I am not sharing your makeup with anyone else then that is clean enough.  That is just not true.  I am gonna give you ten steps to keep your makeup and equipment clean, so that you can do your best to avoid unnecessary breakouts, infections, and even lessen the changes of getting styes.

1.  Never dip your fingers in your moisturizer, eye cream, or foundation.   If they come in a tube then you can just put a little on your finger and apply it to your face.  What if the product is in a pot?  Using a clean spatula will keep your products from getting contaminated.   This will also ensure that your foundation has a longer life, because when you dip your fingers in the pot you are spreading bacteria, which cause your makeup to go bad much quicker than it normally would.

2. Sharpen your eye pencils.  Many people wait till their eyes pencil is completely dull before they sharpen it.  I am telling you to do it more often.  I know that this will cause you to go through eye pencils a little more quickly, but it beats getting pink eye and having to through the whole thing out anyway.

 3. Replace your products regularly.   I have heard people who have used to same tube of mascara for years.   They said “Well I barely use it.”  Your mascara, once opened only lasts between 3-6 months depending on how often you use it.   Smell your products if they don’t smell like they did when you bought them, then it is time to throw it out.

4.  Do not share your makeup with anyone.  I can’t believe how many times I have noticed friends sharing lipgloss, eyeliner, mascara and even the same sponge to apply powder.  Bacteria causing infections can be present for days before any signs appear, so just be safe and don’t share.

5.  Soak your equipment in alcohol.   Equipment such as tweezers and nail clippers should be soaked in 70% alcohol before and after every use.   Very often people cut themselves with these tweezers or nail clippers, even though they are tiny cuts they are still prone to infection.

6.  Keep your makeup in a cool place.  Don’t keep your makeup kit close to a window directly under the sunlight.  The heat can cause bacteria to grow and lessen the life of your makeup.

7.  Replace your sponges daily.  I can’t stress this point enough!  Sponges are cheap and can be bought at any makeup counter.  Using the same sponge over and over again will cause you to breakout.  If you are trying to be green, then use things such as makeup brushes and powder puffs instead of sponges.

8.  Clean the rim around your lipgloss.  I don’t know if you have ever noticed when you keep your lip gloss in your purse, no matter how tight you close it, you still get that film around the lid.   I really can’t tell you how to prevent that, but I can tell you how to clean it.  A baby wipe and a dab of 70% alcohol should keep it clean and sanitary.

9.  Throw out your products after an infection.  I would strongly avoid wearing any makeup during eye infections or core sores, but you should still toss out any product you have used on the infected area even a week before the symptoms appeared.   

10.  Clean your makeup brushes regularly!  Just because you are the only one using them doesn’t mean they are not dirty.  Bacteria grows everywhere, so clean your brushes at least every week.  Brushes that are used in wet products such as Foundation, concealer and lipstick should be washed everyday.  There are three ways to clean your brushes, a) brush cleaner, b) soak them in 70% alcohol or c) shampoo them and lay them out the dry. I hope this helps you ladies.  

Be sure to leave any additional questions or comments by clicking “comments” on the right hand side of the page. -Vancouver Makeup Artist

I am a makeup artist in Vancouver over a year ago, while planning my wedding, I realized how many difficult decisions a bride has to make.  Choosing the perfect centerpiece, indoor or outdoor, finding and booking a good photographer/videographer.  Then the most important part:  You!  If you are wondering about how your  wedding makeup will turn out on your special day…You are in luck!.

To help you answer that last important question, “how will my makeup look on my wedding day?” I am offering a FREE wedding makeup trial consultation (Expires May 1st 09!).   All you have to do is gather up a few pictures of “looks” you like and you and I will go through a trial run at NO COST to you!  Contact me for more details on my bridal makeup packages.

Already booked on Following dates:

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I am sure many of you struggle with the question “How do I get rid of those little red bumps on the back of my arms?”  I have the answer to your question.   First let me start by explaining what those bumps are.

Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is a very common skin condition often referred to as “chicken skin”.   KP is so common in fact that it is estimated to affect 50%-80% of adults.  KP can be characterized by goose bump like red bumps that appear on the back of your upper arms and occasionally on the back of your thighs.  The good news about Keratosis Pilaris is that it is not harmful to you, although it can’t be itchy and cause some people to feel self conscious.  KP can worsen over the winter months due to dryness in the air.  Unfortunately this skin condition cannot be cured, but there is a new product that can help you manage it. 

“Dermadoctor Kp Duty” is a new product that you can buy at Sephora, when used along with the  Dermadoctor KP Scrub in can diminish your “chicken skin” in as little as two weeks.  Not everyones skin is the same and I have heard it work better from some than others, but most people have noticed a dramatic difference in the bumps on their skin.   Although I did think that the bottle was a little small for the amount that you are suggested to use.  If you use it as directed it will only last you between 3 weeks to a month depending on how large of area you are treating.  I could see that getting a little costly at $36 a bottle of lotion and $44 a bottle of scrub.   The questions I guess you have to ask yourself is “Is it really that big of a deal?  Does it bother me enough to spend almost 100/month or in?”  Since most of the population has it, does anyone really notice it but you?  If it is something you really want to treat then you may wanna give this product a try.

One frustrating thing about being a makeup artist in Vancouver is that there isn’t a Sephora here yet, so you will have to order in online until the new Sephora downtown opens up.  Thanks for reading guys and I hope you found this helpful!  Please feel free to leave your comments.

-Vancouver Makeup Artist

Being a Vancouver makeup artist for almost ten years, I get bombarded with makeup questions all the time.  That is why I decided that to dedicate my blog to answering your makeup questions.  Just click on “comments” to ask a question and I will do my best to reply to you as soon as I can through my posting. Find your posts and comments under the “makeup questions and tips” category.

-Vancouver Makeup Artist

How long do the eyelash extensions normally last?

Depending how well you take care of them, professionally applied eyelash extensions can last up to a month or even longer .  Use of oily makeup removers shorten the life of your new lashes.  It is also not recommended to get them wet for the first 12 hours after having them applied, and it is also recommended to avoid saunas and steam rooms for 48 hours after application.

Do eyelash extensions make my own lashes fall out? 

No.   Your own eyelases naturally fall out and grow as any other hair follicle does.  As we age, the re-growth phase of the cycle lessens naturally due to several factors– stress, nutrition, and lifestyle.   It may be more noticeable when they eventually do fall out because the lashes are so much thicker and longer with the extensions.   Some people get so used to seeing themselves with their new luxurious lashes that when they do come off, you forget what a huge difference they make from the “unaccentuated” lash.

How do I remove eyelash extensions?

There is a special remover designed to take off your extensions without harming your natural lash.  Please don’t try and take them off your self.  This can be quite painful and must be done professionally.

To ask any additional questions click “comments.”