Friday, December 28, 2007

An Effective Test

CA-125 and TVU Tests for Ovarian Cancer
From an article by David Johnson, Ph.D., and David Sandmire, M.D. with Daniel Klein

The carcinogenic antigen (CA) 125 blood test measures levels of a protein that is normally confined within a cell. Ovarian cancer cells may produce an excess of these protein molecules, and therefore the CA-125 test can help in diagnosing and monitoring this disease. It’s important to remember that simply measuring blood levels of CA-125 alone cannot effectively find early ovarian cancer. In many early-stage ovarian cancers, this molecule is not necessarily released in large amounts. In conjunction with a transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) screening, however, the CA-125 test can be very effective. A transvaginal ultrasound, also known as an endovaginal ultrasound, involves the use of sound waves to delineate internal structures. The transducer produces images that can be seen on a video monitor, and a hard copy can be made on film.

The test is completely painless and does not take much time.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

A letter to all our skin care professionals.

I’ve just lost one of my closest friends to ovarian cancer. She’d been my buddy for almost 30 years. We met as mini-skirted Brits in New York. There wasn’t much we didn’t share. I remember how she comforted me on an early failed romance by giving me a cup of tea, hot-buttered cinnamon toast and a good ego-boost. Later, it was my turn when she went through the misery of divorce from a man she always loved. The day she called me about her illness was just another day at my desk. Me, “How are ya?!” Her, “It isn’t good, Jane.” I went for a long walk in a cloud of disbelief trying to imagine what things would be like without her. It took eleven years. She beat the odds by six. I put that down to her indomitable spirit. Even after forty sessions of chemotherapy she would often tell me how grateful she was for everything she had in life. She turned her hospital visits into parties for the nurses. Then she pulled her own plug. “That’s it,” she declared over the phone from her hospital bed. “No more chemo, no more prodding and pulling.” And she checked herself out. Preparing me, she said, “You’ll be shocked at how thin I am.” And I was. Two weeks before she died, she had thirty people over for a party she called, “A Celebration of Life.” This is the time of the year I’ll miss her the most because she especially loved the holidays. She began the ramp up at Thanksgiving and moved into Christmas like Santa driving a Porsche. Christmas trees, lights, gifts, mince pies, crown roasts and candles. Candles — she never put two candles on the table when ten would do. Why am I telling you all this? Because I want you to know that what she looked forward to most of all during her illness, the thing that gave her the biggest lift, was a visit to our local salon for the works – facial, manicure, pedicure, waxing (she didn’t have a hair on her head but her body hair flourished) and getting her various wigs styled. She had one long blonde one that made her feel sexy. So, as we approach the holiday season and get caught up in its commercialism, always remember that the gift of your hands can, for a moment, help a woman forget that she’s dying and make her smile. “Jane, I feel like a million bucks!” A million was cheap. The happiness in her voice was worth much more than that. I’ve always felt proud to be part of this caring industry. Now the gratitude swells my heart. Thank you for everything you do for all the women out there who need to forget something for a while. Our appreciation and gratitude for your partnership with us. We all wish you a holiday season full of satisfaction and hope.

Talk to you soon, Jane

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Moscow

I just came back from a trip to Moscow where Bob and I opened up our new distributorship. It was my first time in Russia and so I was amazed at the huge scale of everything including the Kremlin, which is very beautiful. So are the women, by the way. Now I’m beginning to understand why so many of our top models are Russian. The Guild of Professional Beauty in the UK just rated us as the number one makeup brand in the professional industry there. All thanks to our hard-working distributor, David Alpert. Kevin Mendelson, our gifted national trainer, was invited to New Zealand and Australia to show off his talents. He was a huge success. We’re now in 43 countries and counting!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Did you know?

Water fluoridation has been officially banned in Austria, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, West Germany and Yugoslavia. The FDA classifies fluoride as a prescription drug and a poison more toxic than lead. The United States Pharmacopoeia and the Physicians Desk Reference report numerous side effects caused by fluoride including headaches, nausea, vomiting, gastric distress, skin eruptions, weakness, pain or aching of bones, mottled teeth and thyroid disorders. Could fluoride be the next tobacco?

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Dry lips.


Chaffed or cracked lips are a call for moisture. Since lips don’t have oil glands and are just an extension of the delicate membranes in our mouth, they’re sitting ducks for abuse. We abuse them more by using petrolatum-based lip balms which interfere with the lips’ ability to hold on to the moisture they do have. (Ever wondered why the more you apply lip balm, the more you need to apply.) The answer is to use lip products without petroleum-derived ingredients. That also goes for lip gloss, by the way. Most glosses get their shine from petrolatum. Ours comes from a mix of organic vegetable oils.


We know that if you wear lipstick every day you’ll end up eating five tubes a year. We think we’ve inadvertently added to the statistic. Our newest exfoliator/plumper Sugar&Butter contains organic brown sugar and is so lip licking good that we’ve had reports of people snacking on it.


But it’s so much more than a snack. It’s a sure fire way to luscious lips. First, slough off any flakiness with the organic brown sugar lip scrub which also adds its own moisture and then get ready for the plumping.


Flip the tube over and feel the way the shea butter coats, moistens and protects your lips. In a few seconds, you’ll feel the plumping begin. Formulated with delicious ginger extracts and a natural peptide which has been clinically proven to stimulate collagen synthesis, I can promise you that the feeling it gives your lips is addictive. You honestly will see and feel the difference..

Monday, December 03, 2007

Emmy Gift Suite

Olivia Wilde from NBC’s “The Black Donnellys” with LA Sales Consultant, Leilah Seif

We participated in an Emmy Gift Suite on September 13th and 14th, during which a number of celebrities made appointments for an exclusive makeover with jane iredale products.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Fall for Metallics


As the runways predicted, copper is the hottest metallic trend for fall. Taking inspiration from leading designers like Stella McCartney, Dolce & Gabanna, Versace and Louis Vuitton, jane iredale introduces Copper Liquid Eye Liner, a beautifully rich copper with amazing staying power and Sunbeam highlighter, a rich new metallic quad of shades ranging from pink to copper, designed to be used individually on eyes, cheeks and lips or as an all over highlighter.

Copper Liquid Eye Liner is a dramatic, chemical-free liquid liner.

• Easy to apply, non-irritating formula
• Made with highly pigmented iron oxides - no damaging chemicals
• Essential oils nourish the skin and prevent drying
• Special brush provides professional precision
• Available in four gorgeous colors

It's incredible staying-power is due to its unique formula of iron oxide coloring and essential oil preserving agents. $20.00

Sunbeam is a quartet of shimmery-pink, go-anywhere pressed powders.

• A set of four gorgeous, pink-themed shades
• Ideal for use on the eyes, cheeks and lips
• Suitable for day or evening wear
• Provides a subtle shimmer and a soft touch of color
• Apply any shade under your jane iredale lip plumper for instant lip color

The gentle, sexy shimmer in Sunbeam comes from real flakes of 24-karat gold that provide a natural and alluring glow to everything it touches! $46.00

Monday, November 19, 2007

Be the Plum of Everybody's Eyes

Introducing NEW jane iredale Plum Plus Cream-to-Powder Eyeliner, a trio of rich, pearlescent purple creams that cater to your every mood.


Complementary colors achieve a multitude of looks from natural to exotic. Subtle daytime and evening creations are simple with Plum Plus -- a creamy eyeliner and shadow in three colors.

Eyeliner stays smudge-free all day long and eyeshadow is crease free! For a smoky purple eye, use the larger purple hue all over lid, the darker hue as the liner and the lightest hue as a highlighter!

The creativity is entirely up to you!

Monday, November 05, 2007

Step #3: Application

Cleanse and moisturize skin.

Then apply concealer making sure you reach up under the lower lashes and into the corner of the eye, using our Camouflage Brush for those hard to reach places. Be sure to blend the product to the top of the cheekbone, by using a gentle pressing action with the pads of the first two fingers.

Don’t overdo the blending since the result may be to rub the concealer away. And remember, because there are no fillers or binders in our products a little goes a very long way! Follow with your favorite jane iredale mineral foundation, if needed.

For very dark circles, you may layer concealer, powder then concealer and powder again. Make sure they are put on in thin layers so you don’t build too much product. Layering like this can be very effective.



Images from www.gettyimages.com and www.janeiredale.com

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Fall 2007


Like the hot runway trends you will see this fall, you will see a shift in the world of makeup toward a smokier, sexy eye and a neutral shimmered lip. For the magazine cover look -- try lining eyes with your favorite Eye Pencil and brushing lids with earthy toned Eye Shadows. Highlight the brow by swiping a neutral shadow like Bone or Taupe (dependent on your skin tone) just under the eyebrow. For a delicious pair of lips use a gloss that glistens like our Soft Peach or Wild Apple. With a sizzling look like this you will be armored to take on the season full force.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Step #2: Find the perfect shade for your skin.

The right concealer can change someone’s life. We believe we have the right concealers in Active Light and Circle\Delete for under the eyes. The best tool for these is our Camouflage Brush with a finger for using the body’s heat to work it into the skin.

Camouflage Brush


Choose a color that is slightly lighter than your skin tone – one to two shades at most. Using a concealer that is too light for one’s skin tone is the most common mistake made.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Lead in Lipsticks

The Lead in Lipsticks story that hit the headlines recently is the result of a study conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics on a variety of red lipsticks that were bought from drugstores and department stores around the country. The study showed that 49% of the lipsticks were free of lead and 61% contained from 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm) of lead. Interestingly, they also found that three lipsticks – the same brand and the same color – contained different amounts of lead.

Lead gets into lipsticks primarily through FD&C and D&C dyes which give them their color. The more vibrant the color the higher percentage of dyes. The FDA requires that manufacturers of dyes send each batch to the FDA for testing for heavy metals. Each batch is then certified. The FDA allows 10 – 20 ppm of trace metals. The FDA believes this is consistent with its longstanding goal of reducing consumers’ lead exposure to the lowest level that can be practicably obtained.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to live in a lead-free environment. Lead is in the air, water, and our soil.

Because we have always wanted to provide the “cleanest” products possible, we have conducted tests with an accredited laboratory on all of our products for heavy metals including lead. All colors passed with tests revealing no detection of heavy metals.

If you would like to read the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ Report here is the link:
http://www.safecosmetics.org

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Circle/Delete: Repair, Fade & Moisturize


Circle\Delete™ is an eye treatment as well as a concealer that enables you to choose from a duo of colors in each pot to obtain the exact color for your skin. Formulated with conditioners like jojoba esters and avocado oil, both high in vitamins A, C, D and E to nourish the under-eye area. Circle\Delete also contains vitamin K, which is thought to repair blood vessels and lighten the skin.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Step #1: Choose the Concealer That’s Right For You


Active-Light™Under-eye Concealer, like all of our products, is free of binders such as talc. As a result, there is no need to pile on product and risk creasing or accentuating fine lines.

The mineral particles in Active Light™ create a soft-focus effect and change the way light is reflected from the skin, camouflaging any sign of fatigue and concealing dark circles.



As an added bonus, studies have shown the percentage of Buckwheat Wax in Active Light™ may even reduce puffiness around the eyes. And its convenient pen packaging allows for a mess-free application anywhere, anytime!

Under-Eye Camouflage : A Step-by-Step Guide

This is the number one beauty complaint from women. Because we’ve all experienced dark under-eye circles before, our beauty experts have compiled a step-by-step guide to whisking dark circles away in seconds for a smooth, healthy-looking complexion. Keep checking back each week for a new section!

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Put an End to Shiny, Oily Skin

We've all been there before -- the dreaded mid-day shine show when oils in our skin put on a show for everyone to see! Instead of hiding behind your cubicle, try exercising these five tips from our jane iredale makeup team:

1. Drink plenty of water.
This is most likely the last thing women think to do during the day. As an easy guide, try drinking six to eight 8 oz. glasses of water a day. This helps to flush skin cells of impurities and keep our skin hydrated. Oddly enough, when skin is dry, sebaceous glands go into overdrive to keep it moist (giving us an unsightly sheen).


"Drinking water is essential for clean skin and your overall health. Water is essential for carrying waste material out of your body. It is also the primary transporter of nutrients throughout your body." About.com


2. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
When skin is dry, glands produce more oil to coat and protect it. By moisturizing your skin (every day) you are protecting your skin and minimizing oil secretion. Not only that, moist skin has been known to age slower than moisture-deprived skin -- isn't that reason enough?

3. Use a Primer
Our jane iredale Absence primer doesn’t just absorb oil but helps to control over-active sebaceous glands and regulate the pH balance of the skin.



One of the active ingredients in Absence is hydrated silica, which acts like a liposome. The hydrated silica forms a sphere with extracts of green tea, pomegranate and seaweed attached to the outside. The inside of the sphere is loaded with seaweed compounds that are released by the action of body heat. These seaweeds not only help to reduce sebaceous hypersecretion but also help to regulate the pH balance of the skin.



The now empty silica shell begins to absorb sebum without affecting moisture on the skin, because hydrated silica can hold seven times its molecular weight. By encapsulating the oil, it forms a barrier between it and the makeup so that the wearer can stay matte all day. Absence also contains a UV titanium and micronized zinc oxide to obtain a broad spectrum SPF 15. Although the product looks light in the compact it is transparent on the skin allowing any skin tone to wear the product.


The aesthetic benefit of Absence, apart from oil control, is that it can be used as a primer for any type of skin. It literally fills in fine lines, making the skin smooth and ready to receive makeup. Available in two colors: Absence and Absence 2, for deeper complexions.

4. Consider a Finishing Powder PureMatte Finish Powder can be used under or over the mineral base to control oil and shine. Apply with a brush and touch up with the puff provided throughout the day.


5. Blotting Papers work very well to touch up during the day!
jane iredale's natural Facial Blotting Papers are the perfect solution to quickly and discreetly blot away excess shine.


Made from 100 percent natural flax seeds, which are more absorbent than traditional rice paper or linen, Facial Blotting Papers absorb excess oil on the face without disturbing makeup or depositing additional product onto the skin. These absorbent flax seed sheets instantly tame shine to reveal a fresh, matte face that’s always ready for that big close-up.

Packaged in a slim and sleek gold case that can double as a business card holder, Facial Blotting Papers can go anywhere — from the office to the most glamorous soirĂ©e. The portable compact is ideal for slipping into your pocket, purse or desk drawer.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

The Perfect Nude Lipgloss-


Having trouble finding the perfect nude lip gloss?

Our trick of the trade:
Mix Just Gloss PureGloss for Lips with your current Amazing Base shade for the ultimate nude lip gloss.



With a wide variety of shades to choose from, your new customized lip shade provides not only the perfect hue but also sun protection and luxe moisturizing agents.

With healthy ingredients such as White Lily Bulb Extract, Aloe Leaf Juice, Jojoba Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Green Tea Extract, Safflower Seed Oil, vitamin E, Tangerine Peel Oil, Ginger Root Extract lips are guaranteed to stay nourished all day long. Natural mica provides just enough shimmer!

A little daring? Why not mix Just Gloss with an alluring shade of 24K gold dust! Our pick for the season is pink.

• All of our glosses are formulated in a base of organic vegetable oils.
• Ingredients provide staying power, moisture and nourishment to the lips.
• A tingly mint and ginger flavor that is a natural plumper.
• Contains grape seed and pomegranate extracts as antioxidants.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Urban Legends: Lead Lipstick Test


There is a fear-mongering e-mail about a test for lead in lipsticks that has been circulating the internet since May, 2003. It is long on misinformation and short on verified facts.

The e-mail suggests that if you transfer some lipstick to your hand and run your gold ring over it, the lipstick will turn black if there is lead in it. Certain metals, including gold, may leave a dark streak when scratched on various surfaces, but this is an artifact of the metals themselves, not an indicator of a chemical reaction with lead or any other substance.



According to a statement from the American Cancer Society, laboratory tests have shown that some name-brand lipsticks sold in the U.S. do contain trace amounts of lead from the dyes used in their manufacture, but the lead content of these coloring agents is strictly controlled by the Food & Drug Administration to meet currently accepted safety standards and pose no serious health threat.


Moreover, the message is both inaccurate and misleading when it implies that cancer is the main health hazard posed by lead exposure. Though it is indeed listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen, lead has other, more direct health effects -- including brain damage, nerve disorders and reproductive problems -- that are far more worrisome. Source: urbanlegends.com

Thus, a gold ring test will not detect lead in lipstick


Update: A new version of this message circulating since September 2006 contains the additional claim that the material was authored by a Dr. Nahid Neman of the breast cancer unit of Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
We’ve done our research with the CCTFA (Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association) and no such person exists.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Glases 101: How to Enhance Eyes



What makeup looks good with eyeglasses? For women who don't wear contacts, eye makeup is a constant battle. Enhance eyes or draw attention away? How do you know which to do?

It depends first on your eyes: myopia or hyperopia? That is, nearsightedness or farsightedness? Jane Iredale offers her tips on what to do in each situation!

Jane notes: "If you are nearsighted your eyes will look smaller behind glasses so wear more makeup in order to define your eyes. Pale but vibrant shadows with a liner on upper and lower lids. And, yes, two coats of mascara on upper lashes."

Try PureLash Lenghtening Mascara in Jet Black and new Liquid Liners (available in Black, Black/Brown and glamorous Gold).


"If you are farsighted," Jane notes, "your eyes will look larger behind glasses so you might want to tone down your makeup – or may be not! Definitely be careful with the liner. Think about getting it as close to the lashes as possible so it becomes a real lash line. Go easy on the mascara."

Try Creme-to-Powder Eyeliner with a jane iredale Eyeliner Brush. Product goes on so smooth and finishes so crisp, you'd swear it was liquid. The brush makes application as easy as 1-2-3 and allows you to create two looks -- crisp and smudged with the opposite sponge end.