Cinco Vidas

The First Lady, Michelle Obama, is talking about food. She’s encouraging children to eat healthier, and parents to offer more nutritious meals and snacks. We have an obesity epidemic to deal with, and it’s great that we have some leadership in helping our children to overcome this dangerous trend.

Isn’t it interesting, though, that as we grow more and more conscious of the food we’re putting in our mouths, we’re still applying all kinds of chemicals to our bodies on a daily basis? The skin has the potential to absorb the toxic ingredients in those products, but many still haven’t gotten the message that what’s listed on the bottle could end up inside the body. Hopefully, Cinco Vidas readers are being more careful!

Women are especially at risk, as we use so many more products than men, particularly make-up products. Let’s talk about three of the most concerning items—these may be in your makeup bag right now. (more…)

It’s hard enough being a teenager without throwing cancer into the mix. There are all the cliques at school, worrying about your wardrobe, trying to fit in, after-school activities, and somewhere in there, hoping to get good grades to make it into college. Dealing with cancer can definitely put you into overload, and then trying to still look good…is it even possible? Especially with dry skin, redness or acne?

Cancer definitely changes your face. It may be hard to recognize yourself in the mirror on some mornings. Following are some tips to help you camouflage problem areas without overdoing it, or putting a huge dent in your already crammed schedule. Of course, remember to always use non-toxic, natural products! (more…)

Many natural makeup brushes are made with squirrel hair.

If you regularly use brushes to apply your makeup, you know the advantages—they make it easier to control application, blend, and create a natural look, without the contamination risks of using your fingers. But when it comes to what kind of brushes to use, should you choose synthetic or animal hair?

For years the professionals have preferred animal-hair brushes, citing their softness, ability to “carry” color, and usefulness for specific natural-looking applications. But we wondered—are animals harmed in the making of animal-hair brushes? (more…)

Have you jumped on the mineral makeup bandwagon? If so, you’re probably enjoying the benefits. Mineral makeup doesn’t clog or irritate pores, contains few (if any) preservatives or dyes, feels lightweight, and often includes ingredients that are good for the skin, like sunscreen (e.g., zinc oxide) and anti-inflammatories. However, they also contain very small particles that may pose some health risks. (more…)

In a former post, we discussed the different types of bronzers and gave you tips on how to choose the best one for your skin. Now we’ll give you some guidelines for the perfect application.

1. Choose the right shade. “Women often choose a bronzer that’s too dark for their skin and blend it all over their face, which looks muddy,” says makeup artist Mally Roncal. “Pick a shade that’s golden—not brown—on your skin, and wear it with a rosy blush for a more realistic finish.” When you test it, the bronzer should look tan on your skin, not muddy. (more…)

Everyone has facial flaws they want to hide—even models and celebrities. Is it any wonder concealer is one of the most popular makeup products?

If you’re going through cancer treatment, you may have a few more flaws you didn’t have before, like acne, dry flakes, or scars. Here are a few tips for how best to use concealer to smooth out your skin’s appearance. (more…)

When you’re going through chemotherapy or radiation, you have to be careful of your skin. Treatment makes it dry and sensitive, which is why we advise you to avoid any harsh ingredients in skin-care products and use only the most gentle formulas.

But what about your makeup? Again, you want to use gentle, sensitive-skin formulas that are free of toxic chemicals, but as you’re perusing your drawer of products, one more thing you may want to consider is your makeup brushes. Where did you get them? What kind are they? When was the last time you washed them?

The most important thing about your brushes is that they’re soft. And believe it or not, that could mean either natural or synthetic bristles. (more…)

These days, you don’t have to risk skin cancer by tanning your face. Bronzers are a quick and easy way to get that sun-kissed look without the harmful UV rays. But there are so many out there, it can be difficult to choose. Since you’re going through chemotherapy, maybe this is the first time you’ve thought of using one. How do you know which is right for you?

Here’s a quick run-down of the common types of bronzers and the pros and cons of each.

Powder: Powders are the easiest to use. (more…)

Concealers are wonderful, no doubt, but all of them don’t work well for all skin types. If you have mature skin, for instance, you probably want to steer clear of solids, and dry skin types will be disappointed in powders. If you’re going through cancer treatments, you’re probably noticing changes in your skin—mainly, that it’s dryer. In that case, you may need to shop for a new concealer. (A safe, toxin-free one, that is!)

No matter your skin type or shade, concealer can do a lot to create a flawless appearance. Here are some tips on the various kinds you have to choose from. (more…)

Okay, whoever said choice was a good thing probably wasn’t a woman trying to find the right foundation. Years ago we just grabbed a bottle of beige cream and called it good, but now we have so many options to choose from, including liquids, powders, sticks, pressed powders, and of course the new mineral powders. How are we ever to pick the right one?

We’ve collected a bit of information here to help narrow it down for you. As a basic rule: oily skin types should go for more powder and matte formulas, whereas normal to dry can use more oil-based options. If you’re going through chemotherapy, you most likely have dry and dehydrated skin which will work best with liquids. (more…)