When women are looking for cosmetics, there are different factors that influence their decision. One of these might be the brand, since there are some trusted brands, and there are also some that women don’t really like. Here are some of the top cosmetic brands of 2011.

1. The Body Shop

This brand is one of the most popular of them all, because they have a special policy when it comes to the clients. They believe in the philosophy – the more a company listens to its clients, it will be able to satisfy them at a higher level. Since the beginnings, the brand has been based on the interpersonal relationships and the relationship between the company and the clients. This is the brand to choose in case you would like to make your voice heard. You can find the stores all over the country and there is almost no mall without it.

2. Clinique

This brand is one of the world leaders of the cosmetic brands regarding the production and marketing of makeup, treatment, perfume and hair products. It all started in 1968 when different makeup products and treatments were launched. All of these products have been tested to find allergens and they are known for not having any perfume. The main point of the products is to serve the individual needs of women as a result of the hard work of professional dermatologists. In the majority of the cases the products are part of 3 step treatments of cleansing, exfoliation and moisturizing.

3. Olay

Olay is known as one of the top skin care retail brands of the world, except for Japan and it belongs to the family of P&G. The brand started in South Africa in the 1950s. The base of the products consists of a special kind of oil. At the beginning the name of the brand had been Oil of Olaz and then Ulay, and later it became Olay as a combination of the two. Since the brand offers high quality products, it is no wonder that so many women opt for it over other kinds of brands.

4. L’Oreal

L’Oreal was founded more than a hundred years ago, and it is known for offering products both for women and men. Actually, it is said that the thing that makes the brand so popular is that it comes with passion. Although they have quite a tradition, the brand doesn’t get stuck in the old times and it embraces the advancements of technology in order to improve the products and to make the clients even more satisfied with what they have to offer. The brand is known for having continuous research regarding new products and also possible new markets.

5. Avon

At the moment Avon is one of the largest brands in the U. S. handling cosmetics, perfume and toys. It is present in 140 different countries and territories. The brand started in1886. It gained a lot of fame in 1989 when it became the first company ever to stop testing their products on animals. This means that none of the products that we can find in stores has been tested on animals. The brand is also known for the fact that just any person could become a representative and thus earn some money and maybe get a leadership position.

6. Nivea

In the majority of cases when people talk about lotions and creams, they instantly think about Nivea. This is because the brand always comes up with innovative solutions for the problems of people and it offers products that have a long lasting effect. At the moment it is one of the largest skin care products brand and it is trusted all over the world. The products that the brand has to offer include sun care, makeup, men’s care, face care, bath care, all purpose creams, baby care, deodorants, hair care, lip care and many other different cosmetic products as well.

7. Revlon

This is also an American company that focuses on makeup and body products. Naturally there are also some lip care products that the clients can choose from, and these include lip gloss, lip liners and lipstick. The company has become famous for the high quality foundations that it offers, like powder, concealer and blush. There are some products for the eyes as well, like mascara, false lashes, eyeliners and eye shadows. Among others, the nail care products and the hair care products have gained worldwide popularity as well. You can be sure to find the stores of the brand no matter where you go.

8. Max Factor

Over the years, Max Factor has become known as the makeup artists’ makeup artist. It is interesting to know that behind all this there has been a man, Max Factor, and he is the one who first came up with foundation, then mascara and then added other products to the portfolio. He managed to set a standard for the others to follow. Max Factor has been the brand that has created the beauties of the 20^thcentury. In addition, he didn’t only come up with products, but with different kinds of techniques as well.

9. Neutrogena

This is also one of the American brands that handle color cosmetics, hair care products and skin care products. The brand was started in 1930, and at the moment it belongs to Johnson & Johnson. As you might have guessed by now, the products of the company are marketed all over the world. The brand is known for the fact that it is recommended by dermatologists and at the moment you can find these products in about 70 different countries. The interesting thing about the company is that it set up expert centers in different countries to offer advice to the clients.

10. Covergirl

Covergirl is also a really well-known brand that belongs to the company P&G. The first spokeswoman of the brand was the model Jennifer O’Neil in1962. It is said that she is the one who managed to turn the brand into a top brand. This brand is famous for something not that good: it is the largest brand that is known to be conducting animal testing when developing a new product. Nonetheless P&G stated that about 80% of the products that it has do not go through animal testing.

While aspirin is known to produce a number of health benefits when taken regularly, including keep heart disease in check and even keeping dementia and cancer at bay, it is also great for the skin.

It contains acetylsalicylic acid, which is also good for the skin can help to reduce acne breakouts and blocked pores.

Aspirin masks are good and can help for the following reasons.

• Aspirin contains some of the same ingredients that a number of skin care formulations also contain and its active ingredients are have anti inflammatory properties which can help to reduce oiliness. This in turn helps unclog blocked pores that are the root cause of blackheads and pimples.

• Aspirin contains, in addition, ingredients such as acetyl-salicylic acid AKA Beta Hydroxy Acid, which are probably familiar sounding for a lot of us, since they are to be found in the ingredients list of anti aging creams and the like.

• An aspirin face mask can help to slough off dead skin cells which are also helpful in revealing fresh, new cells underneath. In this way, an aspirin mask can also help to exfoliate skin effectively, when washing off the mask, it can be worked into the skin like a scrub for great results.

• For those people with open pores, an aspirin mask is seen to work really well as also those with very oily skin.

• Since aspirin has anti inflammatory properties, a mask made from aspirin also helps reduce appearance of scars and blemishes left behind by pimples and acne.

You can buy specially formulated aspirin masks or you can quite easily prepare one at home and use it by crushing a few uncoated aspirin tablets. Be sure to use uncoated aspirins, which will easily and instantly dissolve in water. The other coated kind will have to be crushed before they will dissolve.

My Life, a signature fragrance from singer Mary J. Blige debuted to a sellout response, an amazing sixty thousand units of the perfume, which is said to have a floral bouquet with hints of pear, gardenia and jasmine, sold out in just 6 hours. The fact that close friend Oprah put in a good word, must have helped as well.

Kirsten Kjaer Weis, a Danish-born makeup artist based in New York has come out with organic cosmetics line and her cream blushes ($54), lip tints ($48) and eye shadows ($44) all contain fresh from the harvest ingredients.

Fresh, the feel good beauty brand wants you to feel good with their perfumes, Eat, Pray and Love. Eat has lemon, basil, plum scents, Pray is infused with juniper berry, patchouli, amber accents and Love has mango blossom, tiare, sandalwood.

And for those of us who want some serious pampering, a Bali tour is on offer from Amansala, which offers traditional Balinese spa treatments like massage with coconut oil and ylang ylang and also includes daily yoga, meditation and hikes, and a visit with a shaman.

It is true that the cosmetic industry has reached new levels with the founding of new anti- aging products that really work, but they are still myths about them.

One of the most common myths is the myth about the price of the skin serums.

Many believe that they need to buy something really expensive, in order to keep their youthful look. This isn’t exactly the truth and most of all; those myths are made to sell the expensive products of the biggest companies.

The professionals claim that the secret of the youth is simple – just clean and moisturize your skin. There are also many companies that are producing proper anti aging serums on a budget, but whatever you are choosing don’t forget proper cleaning is the key to have a young skin.

Another myth, which you need to consider, is also very common. Many consider that the food and the diets have nothing to do with the skin, but this is also just a myth. In fact, food and the condition of your skin are very closely related.

In case you don’t have a healthy diet regime, your skin will surely not be healthy, therefore choose carefully your food and make sure your daily menu contains foods that are rich in anti-oxidants.

Those are the nuts, fish, fruits and vegetables – they are all extremely good for your skin as they help the skin’s cells regenerate and remain healthy.

It is also a myth that sleep isn’t related to the skin beauty. Actually sleep is so important for your skin that it is almost equal to the skin serums and anti-aging products. In case you don’t take enough sleep or you are suffering from insomnia, you will surely have bad skin problems.

Try to take enough sleep and mostly, go to bed at a normal hour. Usually the wrinkles are a result of bad sleeping habits, so try to get rid of them.

The biggest myth of all is that there are medicines that stop the aging process. This is certainly not true and sadly there is no medicine, which can fight the nature. There is only one way that will help you to slow the aging process and the key is leading a natural and healthy lifestyle.

Try to maintain healthy and smart behavior and provide proper cleansing to your skin and you will certainly be surprised of the result.

Commercial ads promote clean and natural products, but the question is how safe is actually our cosmetic care? In case you haven’t thought about it, here are some facts that prove there is a reason for our concerns.

First of all, our cosmetic producers often label their items as “natural”. Apart from the organic cosmetic, no one really knows what natural means, simply because there are no standards about it. In U.S., the word “natural” on any cosmetic product we buy is absolutely just a commercial.

For instance, in Europe there are standards about the cosmetic, but even they are just regulating the organic products. The term “natural” isn’t a guarantee that the products are made out of natural components.

The FDA even claims that there are products, which are 99.9% synthetic, but they are labeled as natural simply because they have water inside it. The disturbing fact about the cosmetics is hidden elsewhere.

According to the statistic, nearly 70,000 already released cosmetic products have never been tested before hitting the market. Usually these are products made by small producers and the bad news is – they contain toxins, which can cause serious problems to your skin.

Thankfully, there are now organic cosmetics which are made from all natural ingredients like fruit and plant extracts.

It’s a fact that 1/3 of all cosmetics and personal care products contain several ingredients that can be harmful to our health. Additionally, the average adult uses at least 6 types of personal care products on a daily basis, putting them at an additional risk to hundreds of toxic chemicals.

An increased awareness in consumers has also resulted in an increased production or natural personal care products and organic cosmetics on the market. But before you buy anything, make sure that you research their ingredients well and look for signs of organic cosmetics certification for added reliability. A third party guarantee tells you that you are indeed purchasing authentic organic cosmetics that have all natural and safe ingredients.

Here’s a simple guide when shopping for organic cosmetics to help you choose the right products:
1. In essence, do not buy cosmetics that label themselves as organic cosmetics if they contain any of the following substances:

• Toluene
• Mercury
• Lead acetate
• Formaldehyde
• Coal tar
• Petroleum distillates
• Dibutyl Phthalate
• Selenium sulfide

Many other harmful ingredients hide themselves in organic cosmetics by putting abbreviations in labels; make sure to read first and research these ingredients before purchasing and using them.

These toxic ingredients found in commercially produced traditional makeup are often carcinogenic substances, contain a host of irritants, and are used as industrial cleaners. You may not see or feel their effects right away, but they can pose a dangerous threat to your health in the long run.

2. Do not buy organic cosmetics whose ingredients you can’t pronounce. Real organic cosmetics are made from all-natural sources which include plant and flower extracts, oils, and waxes. You should be able to see plant and flower names, such as aloe vera, jojoba oil, bergamot, sea salt, cocoa butter, and a number of other types of fruit extracts on labels of organic cosmetics.

3. You don’t necessarily have to purchase the most expensive type of organic makeup that you see. Just because it is more expensive doesn’t guarantee that it works better or is more reputable than other brands.

Take your time while shopping and ask around for good brands that work, there is such an extensive range of organic cosmetics on the market today that will be able to fit your budget.

If you make the switch to organic cosmetics and shift your lifestyle towards a more natural and sustainable lifestyle, you won’t regret it when you get older. As they say, prevention is better than cure, as we sure don’t want to be using industrial strength garage cleansers on our faces.

You need to do this because your skin might get infected. You might actually acquire skin breakouts like rashes and other skin related disease due to expired make up.

Expired cosmetics can also cause pink eye which can be so irritating. Cosmetic products usually don’t have expiration labels so it is hard to determine whether it is expired or not.

Make up expiration dates serve only as a guide and there are times when the product expires long before its actual term if it is not stored well.

From the time that you use a product, it acquires bacteria and its life span decreases. It is best to handle the product with care. It is advisable that you keep it in a dry and cool place.

If you notice any changes in product like its texture or smell, throw it right away. Make up usually consists of preservatives that can kill bacteria acquired through common use. However based on research, any make up that you purchase may contain little bacteria.

As soon as you open a make up product, airborne bacteria may rush in right away. You can also add to the bacteria especially if handling it with dirty hands.

Unclean applicator or brush may also bring forth bacteria. There are cosmetics that age and because of this, they lose effectiveness of fighting off bacteria no matter how careful you handle it.

There are several techniques that you can do in order to prolong the life of your make up. Keeping proper hygiene is the main key to avoid the danger of using expired cosmetics. Before applying make up, see to that you wash your face and hands with soap.

Avoid touching the make up directly. It is recommended that you place a little in a spoon or applicator. Never share your make up with others. When not in use, make sure that you tightly close the container of the product. Don’t add water to the make up because bacteria could multiply a lot faster.

Liquid foundation only last for about six months. Concealers last for just eight months. Powders, lip stick, lip gloss and eye pencil can be used for up to a year.

Mascara is considered to have the shortest life span because it can only last for three months. Before using any product, inspect it first. Watch out for odor or uncommon texture and you will be safe.

Givenchy, for example, has launched a line of products for the coming summer and they contain so much blue and green you might guess they are being used by either aliens or Avatar characters.

L’Oreal, on the other hand, decides to go green and launches the Innovation with No Ammonia (INOA), a line of hair coloring products which are not only more hair friendly but also have a much better smell.

The product is expected to revolutionize the way women paint their hair by giving an alternative to the classic hair coloring methods. The color of the hair will be more intense, will last longer, and your scalp will never itch again (as a cause of the hair paint you are using).

The revolutionary INOA contains oleo gel, a type of color concentrate and a mix that includes conditioner and a cream developer. To start with, you will be able to choose out of 50 different nuances which will only cost you 10% more than the regular treatment in a salon; but will they include greens and blues as well? We will shortly find that out.

The lines get deeper as time passes, prompting many to contemplate surgical procedures like facelifts.[facelift surgery]

A facelift is a safe but expensive procedure. Since it is a surgical procedure, the chances of related complications are always there.

There has been a recent buzz about a cream that has proved to be very effective in reducing wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging. In fact it was not intended for the purpose. It was originally launched in the market as an effective way to treat stretch marks. This wonder cream is STRIVE repair-SD.

Strivectin-sd from the house of Klein Becker has some great skin friendly ingredients. These ingredients work towards firming, hydrating and making the skin more elastic.

They effectively help to make the skin smooth and with regular use fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet give way to a younger and firmer skin.

Strivectin-sd is a great solution for those who are looking for a non-surgical procedure to have a face lift. The only disadvantage is that a surgical face lift gives immediate results whereas the cream will give results over a period of time.

The regular use of Strivectin-sd for about 4-5 weeks, thrice daily has shown great results. It is almost as good as a facelift. At $135.00 for 4-5 weeks this cream may be expensive but not as expensive as a face lift.

Nowadays, most makeup products are chemically engineered to create the expected, rapidly beautifying effects.

The continuous use of these chemical products eventually damages the skin permanently.

The studies show that a great number of people are allergic to such cosmetics. On the contrary, organic cosmetics do not involve any chemicals and are made of natural and organic ingredients refreshing for the skin and its health.

As the skin usually absorbs whatever is applied on it, on a long run, the cosmetics with high chemical content have been proven to be harmful for the skin.

When used regularly the chemicals reach the bloodstream through the skin pores, causing in time significant damage to the entire body. In the same time the organic cosmetics do not cause any harm to the skin doing nothing else but turning you into a natural beauty.

Benefits that cannot be overlooked

Organic cosmetics are less allergic. Many people have sensitive skin which makes them allergic to different chemicals used in the cosmetics, while organic cosmetics’ natural ingredients stop the allergies from coming to surface.

However, some people can be allergic to organic ingredients and that’s why it is important that the list of ingredients is always available.

Organic products are known to repair damaged skin. The unique technology of nature is famous for the amazing solutions meant to repair our damaged skin. This is how a constant use of organic products, used accordingly to the type of the skin, can actually rejuvenate the skin making it look younger and more beautiful.

No more clogged pores. When used, the chemicals are known to block the pores resulting in pimples and spots. The organic cosmetic products are lighter and easier on skin so the pores can breathe and the skin can stay away from many troubles.

Why being in doubt when you can smile? Usually people are unaware of the chemicals involved in the cosmetics they use and how badly they can affect the skin. The organic cosmetics bring with them a security certificate signed by the nature’s way of doing things right.

Although, organic cosmetics are slightly higher as price, the benefits are so many that it’s worth paying for them. Since everything around us determines us to be more aware of our actions we can simply leave out the price and consider in balance which is the actual cost for our body and way of life.