Presenting Ms. Elizabeth Arden

Sunday, May 29, 2011
Hey Ladies,

Hope you are doing great. I am not reviewing any product but will only put swatches of one of the best and most expensive (I think) brands of Lipstick which I own.The other day, I was talking to Anamika and told her that I have red lipstick from Elizabeth Arden. She wanted to see the swatches and I am eager to post..So, Anamika, this post is for you. 

So putting just a few pics and swatches.



Ms. Arden sits pretty and smiling on my humble laptop

Ms. Arden decides to smile and oblige us. :-P

One more smile. 

Left - Swatched once, Right - Swatched Twice.

Hope you girls enjoyed the pictures.

Dont forget to enter my Sigma Giveaway. There's a Sigma E 25 Blending Brush up for grabs. Enter here. 

Stay Beautiful till then !


LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% Review coming soon

Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Imagine having eyelashes so thick and long that you don't feel the need to apply mascara. Well, a few days back I received LATISSE (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%, an eyelash enchancement product. Latisse is produced by Allergan and is prescription medicine to treat hypotrichosis, a technical term for having too few eyelashes. The  product promises fuller, longer, thicker, and luscious lashes, due to presence of bimatoprost as an active ingredient in the product that is known to promote lash growth.




A few pictures of Before and After. 



Ingredients:

Active ingredient
Active ingredient in Latisse is bimatoprost, 0.3mg/mL, which is an FDA approved drug used to treat glaucoma and manage ocular pressure. Latisse is a is a synthetic prostaglandin analog. Its chemical name is (Z)-7-[(1R,2R,3R,5S)-3,5-Dihydroxy-2-[(1E,3S)-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl 1-pentenyl] cyclopentyl] -N-ethyl-5- heptenamide, and its molecular weight is 415.58. Its molecular formula is C25H37NO4. Bimatoprost is a powder, which is very soluble in ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol and slightly soluble in water. LATISSE® is a clear, isotonic, colorless, sterile ophthalmic solution with an osmolality of approximately 290 mOsmol/kg. One of the side effects of using this drug is hair growth, which is effectively used by Allergan in Latisse to promote eyelash growth. 

Inactive ingredients
The inactive ingredients include benzalkonium chloride,0.05 mg/mL, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, dibasic, citric acid and purified water. 

Application: 
Prolonged use of Benzalkonium chloride may cause allergic reactions in sensitive users. Latisse has to be applied once a day to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile, disposable applicator for a minimum of eight weeks before expecting to see any noticeable difference in the appearance of the eyelashes.

A few pictures for you: 

The Package

 

Contents of the Package 


Applicator Brushes

Before starting to use Latisse, I did a bit of research on the internet about its effects and side effects. The official website of Latisse provides extensive information on the product, its usage, and the probable side effects and how to treat them. The product priced at $120 which is quite expensive. 

The website also lists a few side effects of the product : 
  • Redness of the eye, itching sensation at the application site, eye irritation, and dryness in the eyes
  • Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation) around application site.
  • Falling out of lashes and discoloration of the eyes (iris)
  • The product takes a long time to work, as long as 4 months, to see any noticeable results.
  • Once use of product is discontinued, lashes immediately go back their original state.

The above side effects were reported in a very small percentage of users i.e. 4%. Well, honestly, the side effects scared me a bit and I have not been able to make up my mind whether to use Latisse or not. What do you say?

 

Product provided by Brand for consideration, but has not affected my opinion in any manner. I am still in a dilemma whether to use this or not. Have you tried Latisse ?

My First International Giveaway - Sigma E 25 Travel Blending Brush - CLOSED

Monday, May 23, 2011
Hi Ladies,

I am really glad to announce my first giveaway sponsored by Sigma. The winner gets a Sigma E 25 Travel Blending Brush. Before any other details about the giveaway, lets take a look at this beauty.

Description on Sigma Website:
Oval-shaped brush with gently chiselled sides. Blends and softens the look of powder or cream shadows. Ideal to apply eye shadow primer, base eye shadow colors, and blend harsh lines. 

A few pictures of the E 25 Travel Blending Brush. 

Sigma E 25 Travel Blending Brush 


 A closer look: 

Closer view


 
Now coming back to the rules for the giveaway, you do not need to have a blog to enter, and you can participate using your Google Friend Connect. This giveaway is international and will end on 25th June 2011 at 12.00 midnight. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be selected. The prize which is a Sigma E 25 Blending Brush will be shipped to the winner by Sigma and not me.

Please read the Rules below carefully before participating.
To enter: 
Mandatory Entries:
1) Follow my blog through GFC. (5 points) You do not need to have a blog to enter, and you can participate using your Google Friend Connect.
2) Leave your email id so that I can contact you if you win.

Optional Entries:
2) Sign-up for Blush and the Blog’s e-mail updates (delivered via Feedburner). You have to verify and confirm the subscription in order to receive the extra entry. (5 points) Enter the email address you have used to subscribe to Blush and the Blog. Blogs created exclusively for purposes of such giveaways will be disqualified at my discretion.
3) Post about the giveaway on your Blog and/or Blog’s sidebar (5 points each) If you do both, you will get a total of 10 points.
4) Like my blog ‘Blush and the Blog’ on Facebook here. Enter your Facebook name. (5 points)
5) Follow my Blog on Networked Blogs here. Enter your Facebook name.(5 points)

How to enter:
Please provide your entry for the giveaway in the following manner only, so that it is easier for me to calculate all your entries. I point 

Name
GFC (5 points)
Email (To contact you, if you win)
Email  for Subscription to Blush and Blog (5 points)
Link to Blog Post about Giveaway (5 points)
Link Side bar post about Giveaway (5 points)
Facebook Name (Used for liking my Facebook page)
Facebook Name (Used for following my Blog on Networked Blogs)

Please do not post duplicate comments. If you have any difficulties,queries or feedback, feel free to contact me at blushandtheblog@hotmail.com

This Giveaway is sponsored by Sigma. Once, the winner is chose through random.org, I will contact the winner for postal details and then forward the postal address to Sigma for shipping the Sigma E 25 Blending Brush. 

When I reach 100 followers, I will be having another Sigma sponsored giveaway for the Sigma Flat Top Kabuki F80. So Ladies, stay tuned to this Blog. 


This Giveaway has been sponsored by Sigma. I  am not affiliated with Sigma neither have I been compensated in any manner by Sigma for holding this giveaway.

Sonam Kapoor at Cannes

Thursday, May 19, 2011
Hey Lovelies,

With nothing much to do today, I decided to be a bit experimental and for the first time I am trying my hands on a small write up about the much hyped look of Sonam Kapoor at the Cannes. I hope you will like my non-expert comments. :-P

Here are some of the pictures which I have sourced from the internet. I absolutely loved her Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2009 gown, which had mesh overlay and black lines. The gown made the already stunning actress look like a dream. She adorned the gown with a pair of fancy Ferragamo shoes.

Sonam in the Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2009 Couture gown and Ferragamo shoes
 




Well, the only thing I did not like about the gown was the thing running from her waist to her derriere, which I think gave a Victorian corset kind of look to the gown. A bit ruined the look of the beautiful gown for me. 






The Curly bouffant updo.

Coming to her makeup, the makeup, hair were perfect. The eyeshadow looked like it was applied in a haste and needed a more blending. The shade of gold used on her eyes looked a bit too much and a slightly soft and  muted shade would have done more justice to her eyes. A dark brown smokey eye makeup would have looked equally good with the gown. Her Hair looked very elegant and classy in curly bouffant updo.

Accessories:
A pair of Chopard stud earrings
statement Amrapali cocktail ring

Hope you liked reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. 













Its Raining Giveaways !!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Here are the few giveaways which I entered...Dont miss out..

1. Win a Jelly Pong Pong goody bag on Of Faces and Fingers Enter the Giveaway here

1.
2. Beauty Diaries Sigma E 25 Blending Brush International Giveaway. Enter here 




3. Jbreey baby's 450 followers Giveaway. You can enter the Giveaway here Check out the lovely stuff she has for the giveaway.


2.
4. Sonia is having a Makari Sample bag Giveaway. 5 Makari sample bags to be won. Enter here.






Breast Cancer - Self Examination for Early Detection

Monday, May 16, 2011
Self Examination of Breasts for early detention of Breast Cancer

Whenever we hear the word 'cancer', we always try to assure ourselves that we can never we afflicted with this deadly disease. But the irony is cancer is a silent killer goes undetected unlike a simple fever. My reason for writing this post on my blog happens to be none other then my mother, who was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer 2 years ago, fought bravely and is on her road to recovery now. Writing this article, I feel a bit satisfied that I am able to do my little bit in spreading awareness about breast cancer amongst everyone who reads this post. My mother had a benign tumour in one of her breasts which turned malignant after 4 years. Her diagnosis was a chance diagnosis and other then lump in breast, there are few other symptoms of breast which I have briefly discussed here.

Do spare few minutes in reading this article and sharing it with every woman who matters to you. Readers may find a few pictures disturbing.

Breast cancer is the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in a breast, as a result of mutations or abnormal changes in the genes responsible for regulating healthy growth of cells. A group of such cells constitute a tumour, which may be either benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant/dangerous. Malignant tumors in breast, unless they are classified as non-invasive, have a tendency to spread beyond original tumor site to other parts of the body.

Anatomy of Breast
 
A Ducts
B Lobules
C Dilated section of duct to hold milk
D Nipple
E Fat
F Pectoralis major muscle
G Chest wall/rib cage

Enlargement
A Normal duct cells
B Basement membrane
C Lumen (center of duct)


Breast cancer is mainly of two types:
  • Ductal carcinoma - Cancer which occurs in milk ducts; and
  • Lobular carcinoma - Cancer occurs in the milk secreting breast lobules

Breast cancer can further be divided into following types, depending upon its tendency to spread to different parts of body. These types can be classified as:

  • In-situ breast cancer - The cancer cells remains confined within their place of origin and do not attack surrounding breast tissue; and
  • Invasive or metastatic breast cancer - The cancer cells, apart their place of origin, spread to different parts of the body.
Breast Cancer Symptoms: Following abnormalities in the breast anatomy are suggestive breast cancer symptoms:
  • ·         Unusual swelling of all or one specific part of the breast
  • ·         Continuous skin irritation or dimpling
  • ·         Persisting pain in breast
  • ·         Persisting nipple pain or inversion of nipple
  • ·         Inflammation or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
  • ·         An unusual discharge from the nipple other than breast milk
  • ·         Lump in the breast or underarm area
Few images of possible symptoms of Breast Cancer:

Inverted Nipple

A Graphic image of tumor in Breast




Pain or unusual swelling in Breast

Causes of Breast Cancer: 
The definite cause(s) of breast cancer are not known, but primarily the following causes have been attributed to cause breast cancer: 
  • Age factor: The risk of developing breast cancer increases as a woman gets older. A majority of breast cancer cases are found in women over age 50. 16% of women aged between 40-60 years have breast-related problems, and complain of breast lumps. These breast lumps may carry a potential breast cancer risk.
  • Genetic factors: Presence of breast cancer genes BR CA1 and BR CA2 in chromosomes increases the chance of developing either breast or ovarian cancer, or both, by 85%.
  • Family History: A family history of breast cancer or any other cancer, increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer by 3 to 5 times. If a close relative was diagnosed with breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer, the chances of breast cancer are more. About 20 - 30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of disease. Both maternal and paternal relatives are important. The risk is highest if the affected relative developed breast cancer at a young age, had cancer in both breasts, or if she is a close relative. First-degree relatives, (mother, sister, daughter) are most important in estimating risk and second-degree relatives (grandmother, aunt) with breast cancer may also increase risk. Breast cancer in a male increases the risk for all his close female relatives. Having relatives with both breast and ovarian cancer also increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.
  • Hormonal disturbances and imbalance: Woman who do not bear children or bear children at a late age are at increased risk to developing breast cancer. Similarly, women who started their menstrual periods before age 12 and women reached menopause after age 55, are also at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Oral contraceptives are known to increase the risk for breast cancer as they increase production of estrogen hormone in female body. Similarly, post menopausal women who who were on estrogen and progesterone for several years were increased to risk of breast cancer. 
Breast Self Examination: 

Coming back to self examination for early detection of breast cancer, every woman from age 20, should herself physically examine her breasts monthly.  Breast self examination is a very simple procedure to detect any changes/abnormalities in the breast. I came across this comprehensive procedure along with graphic images for Breast Self Examination on www.breastcancer.org and I have reproduced the same below:

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Here's what you should look for:
  • Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color. 
  • Breasts are evenly shaped without ANY visible distortion or swelling.              

Step 1
                              
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
  • dimpling, puckering, thickening or bulging of the skin.
  • a nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
  • redness, soreness, rash, or swelling. 
Step 2: Raise your arms and look for the same changes as described in Step 1.
Step 2

Step 3: While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).  

Step 3

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage. 

Step 4

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

Any changes/abnormalities noticed during Breast Self examination should be immediately brought to notice of a medical practitioner/doctor. However, every lump or any other symptoms above described are not necessarily malignant tumors, but should be immediately examined by a doctor. 

Step 5

Apart from Breast self examination, early detection involves:
·         Clinical breast exams by a medical professional
·         Screening mammography
·         Mammography, Breast MRI and Breast Ultrasound to help identify the breast lump
·         Breast ultrasound to show whether the lump is solid or fluid-filled
·         Breast biopsy, needle aspiration, or breast lump removal to remove all or part of the breast lump
·         CT scan
·         Sentinal lymph node biopsy
·         PET scan
 
Most experts recommend that women of age 20 and above should examine their breasts once a month during the week following the menstrual period. Women between the ages 20 and 39 should have a doctor examine their breasts at least once every 3 years.

After age 40:
  • Women of age 40 years and older should have a mammogram every 1 - 2 years, depending on their risk factors. Women should call their doctor immediately if they notice in change in their breasts whether or not they do routine breast self-exams.
  • Women of age 40 years and older should have a complete breast exam by a doctor every year.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice in any manner and is meant only to create awareness among readers for early detection of Breast Cancer. A substantial amount of information including images provided in this article is procured from www.breastcancer.org.