Creating Your Own Customized Hair Color With eSalon

Being Creative (Not So Much)

I have been coloring my own hair now for more than 20 years ever since I had a terrible mishap with color provided or should I say "done" to me by a so called colorist.  She literally turned my dark blonde hair to this "ugly" shade of strawberry blonde... and believe me strawberry is putting it mildly.  It was the most unnatural looking shade I think I have ever seen when not done on purpose... I mean it was great if you like "pink" hair!

When it comes to my hair color, I am not one to push the limits and become creative with it.  My hair, like for most women, is what contributes to the image we wish to project.

The vast array of hairstyles is what makes us explore new and different looks, it just depends on how adventurous one wishes to be.  Fun and flirty, seriously professional, wild and sexy, cute and sassy, or just a simple mess otherwise known as bed head.  For me, I tend to stay on the conservative side of things.

Messing with my locks is something I take very seriously.  When I needed to correct my hair color, I was actually quite pensive after a salon tried to fix it x 2, so with trust removed... enough was enough.  Determination overrode any trepidation I was feeling.  Loreal customer service did an excellent job at putting my mind at ease and giving me accurate shades to make my hair appear normal again until I could grow out the damage.  I have been using Loreal Excellence Cream ever since and I can now use just one color to cover my gray mousy blonde hair.

The Personal Touch Of Hair Color

When I find time, I will peruse information on the internet for checking out the latest fad in hair, perhaps looking into doing something a bit different since commercial colorants can be limited and lack customizing.  Plus, I am still not interested in allowing my color to be messed with by a salon colorist after the last debacle.  In my research, I stumbled across this great website eSalon.com.  They provide the customizing touch of working with color professionals without paying the high price of a salon.  Currently eSalon is running a special of $19.99 for single application, marked off the original price of $24.99.

They will walk you thru a series of questions to determine what hair color will work best for you, including whether or not you want demi permanent or permanent hair color.  The reason for this is, each and every hair color is customized for each individual based on their selections.  They then will contact you when creating your color just to make sure everyone is on the same page and to avoid any likelihood of confusion based on an expectation of a certain result.  

Your kit will include your Custom Hair Color, Developer, Hair Color Accessories and Personalized Instructions

The determination of what level of colorant you want is based on whether the developer is 10 volume which is mainly what you find on store shelves so this is demi permanent, and it is what I have been using with great success.  Or if you need serious gray hair coverage then a 20 volume would be best suited for this task which is permanent hair color, something that is tough to come by with store brands.

eSalon gives the differences for you on their website during the Q & A portion of determining what is best for you.

Permanent:

Salon quality Permanent haircolor that provides long lasting gray coverage and color intensity.

- Permanent color

- Provides rich, lush, intense tones

- Long lasting

- Perfect 100% gray coverage

- Color develops in 30 minutes

- Used with 20 volume creme developer (this is the hydrogen peroxide portion)

Recommended when gray coverage is important or when the desired color has intense tones.

Demi-Permanent:

Salon quality Demi-Permanent haircolor designed to enhance & intensify natural or previously color treated hair.

- Lasts up to 24 shampoos

- Ideal for blending gray

- Refreshes previously color treated hair

- Color develops in 15 minutes

- Used with 10 volume creme developer (this is the hydrogen peroxide portion)

For those with less than 25% gray hair. Not suitable if 100% gray coverage is important.

Customer Support is Profound

If you are like me when taking a huge step toward making a hair color change without the learning curve, trust is absolute and why customer support is very important.  When doing something as serious as coloring your hair since whatever you do, mistake or not, it is there until it grows out or you are forced to do it again, and for hair this can be very damaging.

eSalon provides some of the best customer support I have seen.  Their FAQ section is intensive, broad, and leaves nothing to the imagination.  I don't think they skipped a beat when it comes to educating the public about their products, along with how to use them correctly or selecting best color to achieve the best results.

If you don't find the answer to a particular question, or you are having the bad feeling in the pit of your stomach from past hair coloring atrocities, then fear not because they also have a toll free number for you to call if you simply must have that "one on one" contact for peace of mind.

If this doesn't do it for you, then last but certainly not least, they have "how to" videos at the eSalon website.

Let Us Know What You Think

Personally, I am only in the beginning stage of researching what direction I want to go, but this is definitely one professional outlet I would consider.  With the use of modern technology the concept they have created is ingenious.  

If anyone of my readers has used them with success, then your feedback would not only be beneficial to our readers, but to me as well.

Oops I Did It Again, So Here Come The Emails

My Brain Cramp

Last week I wrote my article on Dove Skincare products and their marketing escapades.  I then went on to mention what real SOAP is and how I love to use it on my skin.  Well the emails started arriving in my inbox asking me what type of soap do I use and can recommend.

I can't believe I forgot to post a link to the company I simply love.  With all that goes on in my life, trying to find balance with work, play, exercise while listening to my iPod, and blogging, sometimes my brain cramps and I fail to present the logical, simple thing....A WEBSITE LINK!

Instead of answering each and every email, I opted to put it out in my blog, so it will reach everyone that reads it.  For those of you that wish to try truly remarkable skin quenching soap with the use of only saponified butters and oils for a wonderfully rich moisturizing experience, then SARVA Soap is the one and only in my book.

I have been using her soaps for more than 4 years now.  Michelle Gilbert is an independent hand crafter and has created an excellent skin loving, luxurious bar of soap.  I have tried many of her different soaps, and no matter my selection, I have never been disappointed.  Do I have favorites?  Of course, but they are not always available, depending on her manufacturing status.  But I can always find an equal substitute that is just as wonderful.

Peruse SARVA Soaps and see what your next favorite soap will be.

Higher Alkaline On The Skin

Some have also asked about the higher pH on soaps, making them tend to be more alkaline and creates worry this will cause issues for the skin.

The saponification process requires lye to create your luxurious soaps and this is why it is extremely important to find a soapmaker with the talent of precise measurements like Michelle Gilbert of SARVA.  

A talented cold-process soapmaker first looks up the saponification value for each unique fat on an Oil Specification Sheet for each fat.  Oil Specification Sheets contain laboratory test results for each fat, including the precise saponification value of the fat.  The saponification value for a specific fat will vary by season and by specimen species.  This value is used to calculate the exact amount of potassium hydroxide to react with the fat to form soap.  The saponification value must be converted into an equivalent sodium hydroxide value for use in cold process soapmaking.   Excess unreacted lye in the soap will result in a very high pH and can burn or irritate skin; not enough lye leaves the soap greasy.  Most soap makers formulate their recipes with a 2–5% deficit of lye, so all of the lye is converted and excess fat is left for a gentler soap.

So basically you are left with a highly super fatted soap with no lye residual which is what causes the skin irritation that commercial brands complain about.  Although these complaints are not accurate by any sense of the word when using a properly cold processed soap.

In fact, once a soap comes from the mold it is safe to use the soap since saponification is in essence complete. However, cold-process soaps are typically cured and hardened on a drying rack for 2–6 weeks before use. During this cure period, trace amounts of residual lye are consumed by saponification and excess water evaporates.

I have never experienced any skin irritation so her saponification process is down to a science, plus she also emphasizes her time frame of curing is more than 3 weeks before sale.  This further hardens the soap and the pH continues to drop through the curing process.  And believe me, I have experienced the burning of natural soaps from other hand crafters due to an imbalance of ingredients, but NEVER with SARVA.

Giver her a try, her soaps are fantastic for the body!  As always I still recommend NOT using soap on the face as a rule, but if you prefer it, then go for it.

BONUS: She also typically throws in sample soaps to try with every order.

Does DOVE Skincare Marketing Go Too Far?

Dove Has My Vote For Reasons Other Than Their Products

On so many levels I love this brands achievement for reaching out to real women, including young girls.  They have helped give women courage to unveil their true selves by building on self esteem through global television and they include the Self Esteem Fund.

This photo of the two comparisons, sadly, is quite telling and what many women for some time have aspired to be like a Victoria Secret Model.  When the majority of women resemble those in the Dove campaign, yet some women in VS may look like this without trying, they are the exception, not the rule.  Photoshop and airbrushing do amazing things to change a look or shape of a woman's body and unfortunately, the image becomes distorted in our minds eye.

This in and of itself scores huge with me.  As I age and hold on to the pounds a bit more myself, and I see young girls along with my own customers feel bad about themselves, whether through weighty issues or being depressed over skin issues, this is one company that I feel has done an excellent job of bringing us back from the precipice of shame for not having perfect skin, or not being skinny enough, or not having the perfect overall look. 

Of this, no doubt, they have done a wonderful thing for all women, young and old, today.  So I "heart" them!

Dove Pushes The Envelope On Marketing At Times

Now when it comes to marketing Dove skincare products, as a whole they have a lovely concept.  It is only when they take it beyond credible that I have to furrow my brow.

Their main campaign has always been about their Dove Beauty Bar or their Body Wash being infused with 1/4 cup moisturizing cream.  In the latest commercial endeavor they like to show how "soap" supposedly strips skin like a piece of pink paper they had placed on other brands, plus their own, and we watch through time lapse photography as the other soaps dissolve the paper, yet the Dove beauty bar example stays in tact.  If you are reading this via email or RSS Feed, you'll need to "click here" to view the actual commercial.

First off, pink paper does not extrapolate to real skin making this a non starter.  Plus, there is no way to actually watch what is really happening and any paper placed under water and/or with a soapy content, will dissolve.  This is pure hype all the way.  Plus the bars of soaps they compare to for leaving a film on the skin or break down the moisture on your skin are not "true" bars of soap.  They are examples of deodorant bars or just cheap soaps using essentially the same synthetic surfactants and other inorganic ingredients as Dove Beauty Bars.

Real Soaps are loaded with fatty acids, triglycerides, and wonderful skin softening butters or oils which go through a saponification process, which in turn creates a real moisturizing soap rich in Glycerin.  Anyone who has used real soap, has experienced soft, slippery skin which in turn protects the acid mantle of our skin.  So the comparison is not really valid and misleads the public that may not know the true meaning of a bar of SOAP.  I personally use handcrafted soap bars and my skin feels wonderful, never left dry or itchy.

I selected Dove's beauty bar for sensitive skin for the purposes of comparison since this should have the gentlest of ingredients...Right?

1. Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate – Surfactant, will dry skin
2. Stearic Acid – Humectant, typically no problems
3. Sodium Palmitate – Surfactant, can dry skin
4. Aqua (Water) – Solvent for dispersion of ingredients
5. Lauric Acid – Humectant, can be a skin irritant still for those with delicate skin.
6. Sodium Isethionate – 3rd Surfactant, not known to be a skin irritant
7. Sodium Stearate – 4th Surfactant, same as above
8. Cocamidopropyl Betaine – 5th Surfactant for very gentle cleansing
9. Sodium Palm Kernelate – Yet another Surfactant, this is a lot of artificial soaping going on
10. Glycerin – Humectant, skin conditioner and is very low on ingredient list, so offers little value to skin
11. Sodium Chloride – A Binder so to speak which helps to bind and harden the bar of soap
12. Zinc Oxide – Colorant added obviously for making the soap white and it is an anti inflammatory
13. Citric Acid - Antioxidant, pointless in this type of application
14. Tetrasodium EDTA – Sequestrant, used to stabilize a product or a preservation system
15. Tetrasodium Etidronate – Sequestrant, same as above
16. Alumina – Not sure why it is in her but it is used primarily as an abrasive, anti-caking agent, anti-bulking agent and as an absorbent.
17. CI 77891 – Colourant, can be eye and skin irritant as can soap overall depending on tolerance

Don't see that 1/4 cup of moisturizing cream (lotion) in this list of ingredients....Do you? ....hmmm...interesting

So let's use critical thinking and realize that most of what we see on commercial tv boils down to marketing which is accomplished nicely through editing and time lapse photography without really seeing the entire process of the example.

One Product I Won't Go Without

I do LOVE their antiperspirant and it is what I have used for years.  Especially once they came out with the Clinical Protection.  Dove Original Clean Scent is the one and only for me and it truly does work and keeps with the marketing credibility.  No complaints on this one and the scent never overpowers or conflicts with any other fragrance I may wish to wear.

So out of their many products they offer, this would be the only one I could actually recommend!  And I give them props for truth in advertising on this product only.

TopStyler Heated Ceramic Styling Shells Review

Caught Up In The Excitement

I admit it, this even happens to me on occasion.  My wallet got picked by the infomercial fairy.

I was watching early morning t.v. about 2 years ago, and on comes the infomercial for the TopStyler Heated Ceramic Styling Shells.  The way it was presented got me all excited to try it as soon as possible.  Women with beautiful flowing curls, lush and non frizzy.  I couldn't dial the phone fast enough since they had an offer of upgrades which included a full second set of clam shells....today they offer a second hair styling unit.

I love when hair has the loop dee doop curls that cascade around the face.  Even on short hair to the nape of the neck, looked great.  I was SOLD!

This new concept by TopStyler of heated clam shells lined with ceramic definitely intrigued me.  No more curler lines from being crimped in a hot roller, plus no hot curling irons which I have yet to master without cooking a finger or singeing the side of my face. 

And of course they made it look so simple.  You can either twist the hair around an index finger, or use the tail of the comb they provide with the kit.  They heat up like traditional hot rollers, except they are a self clamping shell that also have mini teeth for grabbing your hair in order for them to stay in place.  Hair pins or curler clamps are a thing of the past.

They offer two sizes as well, one for smaller tighter curls and another for a larger looser curls. 

Surprise, Surprise, Not Surprised

Once my TopStyler Heated Ceramic Styling Shells arrived, I was quite pleased at the quality of the item.  It is very well made in all aspects and was a nice surprise to see instead of cheap plastic junk.  This first picture features their original offer that I took advantage of.

Was it worth the $125 clams I shelled out for it? ...(no pun intended...well maybe a little bit)... It depends on your perspective.  I did get double the clam shells with my order, plus a lifetime guarantee for as long as I own the product of FREE replacement if it should die or something.

Surprisingly, this item can now be found, on Amazon and at Target for around $100.00 which is typical after a product has been on the market for a while, but it doesn't include the bonus items I received. 

Not surprisingly, after owning this for a couple of years, I don't feel it was worth the expense or ends up working out the way it is described.  After growing weary of the amount of dexterity it takes to use this curling tool, I finally quit trying.  It is far from being fast and simple to use and by the time I was done, I would say it took a good 30 minutes or more to curl my entire head, not including cooling time of the shells.....exhausting!  It now has been relegated to the back of my bathroom vanity cabinet, probably to forever remain in exile.

Did I get great curls....YES....did they last all day....YES....was it as easy as they portrayed in the infomercial....NO....is anything every as easy as they show on t.v.? 

Plus, the lifetime guarantee is a great selling point, yet if you end up like me, disowning the dang thing, they will rarely if ever, have to fulfill on this promise to any consumer that finds this hair curling tool to be less than suitable for their hair styling needs.  So, bottom line, they'll always come out ahead on this one.

What I Can Say About My TopStyler Heated Ceramic Styling Shells

Pros:

• Beautiful Voluminous Curls
• No Frizz  Curls
• No More Burned Fingers, Face or Scalp
• Nicely Made, High Quality
• Pretty Zippered Heavy Duty Case with Storage for Extra Clam Shells
• Safety Shut Off
• Provide Tutorial and Additional Styling Comb
• Lifetime Warranty (pay additional)
• Okay for Using on Others (doing hair for them) Still Requires Dexterity

Cons:

• Requires a High Level of Dexterity
• Requires Long Fingers for Wrapping Curls (my fingers are too little)
• Requires Patience and Difficult to Use on Oneself
• Major Learning Curve (can be exhausting)
• Need Second Set of Clams (extra clam shells are needed if you want to be able to curl entire head)
• Snags Hair and Hair Shifts if Clam Shells are NOT Closed Correctly or Hair is too Thick
• Will Not Work on Curl Resistant Hair without Styling Aids
• Styling Comb Worthless for the Task of Wrapping Curls (major slippage of hair)
• Too Expensive for What is Provided Retail, unless you purchase from their website (but who needs two units when one failed?)
• Takes an Inordinate Amount of Time
• Need a Hair Stylist to do it for You IMHO (I consider this on the level of a stylists professional tool)

In A Clam Shell

This is a nicely made unit for those that enjoy quality, but if you are not very dexterous, you'll find this styling tool a challenge.  Some of you may still wish to give it a try, but if you are on a budget, they will woo you with "shiny and new" and all the "bells and whistles" only to find out, it wasn't "all that".  Plus be aware that the 30 day Free Trial they offer on their website for $14.95, is a waste of money since this is in addition to the purchase price.  It is not included in the total sales price if you decide to keep it, but a tack on for the privilege of trying it out.  They still offer the trial period, but spring for the whole amount to save the $14.95, and their latest offer is giving you two TopStyler units and is demonstrated by this second photo of their current package.

Also if you are of mature years, like me, it is difficult for me to keep my arms up over my head, while trying to wrap hair around a tiny finger, and then clamp and release the hair from my finger without tiring out.  The demo on the infomercial provided by models and the demonstrator of the brand, trust me, had major practice before presenting the so called "ease of use" they try to portray.  It is nothing like what you see on t.v. once you get it home and use it for yourself.

Simply put, this hair styling tool may work for some and they'll love it because they possess that natural talent of doing all things to their hair (my daughter included), but in my opinion, I got snookered in and learned the hard way once more, infomercials offer way more to the consumer, than the actual product will or can ever deliver....and never underestimate what it takes to look great with hair all coiffed, as I did.....looking this good never is fast and easy....silly me!

Besides, if after reading my review you're still unsure, then take a look at what others are saying over at Amazon, and then decide for yourself if it will be suited to your hair styling needs.

A Spoonful Of Sugar Helps The Medicine Go Down

The Dread Of It All - Please Give Me Some Sugar

At some point in all of our lives, we experience the dreaded aftertaste or initial flavor of a medicine or supplement we take in an attempt to live a healthier lifestyle. Going back to when we were little kids, we sometimes endured some of the worst tasting stuff.

If it isn't the taste that makes you want to toss your cookies, then it is the ridiculous size of the pill we must swallow in order to get the RDA of the vitamin our bodies need as we progress through life. And for some, this is an impossible task.

Of course it is always best to get as much of your RDA through eating healthy in the first place with fruits and veggies, whole grains and poultry, fish and some red meat if you can. But when we are running on empty in an overloaded world, then supplements are sometimes necessary.

I remember growing up, my father having to chew or crush every tablet he took over the years, no matter the size due to having Polio in WWII. It left him with a partial throat paralysis, making it difficult to swallow all things, including his food or even a sip of wine.

I personally, have a tiny mouth and throat to match, and in most cases, anything larger than an aspirin, causes me to gag. I seek out chewable anything when I need to up my health supplements. This is near impossible since most chewables are for children products only it seems, and of course the RDA doesn't meet adult recommendations.

I mean really......have you seen the size of calcium or vitamin C tabs?.....holy cow.

Or how about the taste of Fish Oil which is recommended for getting our Omega-3's. The tabs aren't any too small either. Never mind the indigestion or the lovely flavor of repeating that occurs with most fish oils I have tried....ugh....I essentially gave up on this endeavor.

Or Flaxseed tabs.....these things are huge and I can barely get them down, even though they are a gel coated tab.

Yes, I have blended some of these into foods to make taking them easier, but you know, sometimes I just want to pop my pill and get on with my day, as I don't always have enough time for the preparation of a good health drink.

What Is A Person To Do?

Of course there are many more supplements out there that are utilized by many, more than I care to count, and if I can't even handle the few I listed above, I certainly am not going to pill pop these horse tablets all day long.

The reason for me targeting these supplements in particular, is due to those of us who are getting older and are either in Menopause or have passed it, these supplements are recommended more and more by doctors to keep our hearts well and to prevent bone loss as our estrogen diminishes. Plus Vitamin D is also necessary for assisting with strong bones, since without it, we will not absorb calcium in our diet. More and more Vitamin D deficiency is occurring as we stay out of the sun or slather on sunscreen. I personally have crossed over as of next month. Free from menstrual cycles for one full year, so nutrition takes on a whole new meaning for me.

Breast Cancer being always a concern, Heart disease now moves up to being the number one cause of death in post menopausal women. And so my heart is now my motivation for taking better care of myself. I have worked diligently to get my cholesterol down and succeeded apparently as was divulged with last months doctors visit. My cholesterol is now within the normal range, but I am still working to make it even lower.

The Supplement Industry Is Catching On

So my quest began yet again. I want to take the things that are most important for my health and I have finally found the magic bullets, even for this non pill swallowing gal.

Exploring my local Costco, I came across two products that have absolutely made me giddy. Of course they have the typical multitude of horse tablets of every supplement they make, but buried in amongst the crate size displays of products, I stumbled on HEAVEN in a bottle.

Can it be?....Gummy Vitamins for Adults in Calcium with Vitamin D3, and Omega 3 in a delicious liquid form, and yep it even contains fish.

The claim to fame of making my life just a tad easier is by Vitafusion Calcium 500 mg with D3 in two tasty chewable gummy squares per day. Sugars are 5 g and they do carry a few calories of 25, but I just add this into my daily intake and realize, it is worth it to never have to swallow another gargantuan pill ever again.

You get two bottles in a packet which is equivalent to about a four month supply. Relatively inexpensive supplement in my opinion. And I treat myself as though it is my 2 sweet pieces of candy each day.

They also provide an entire line of different supplements, even for reducing LDL in your cholesterol. The only downside to their products, I guess, is this could potentially add worthless calories to your diet if all you consumed were the gummy choices....so with that, you must be mindful of the additional calories they provide.

Now the fish thing was scary since I have tried many different types, all guaranteeing to not be fishy or have an aftertaste which is caused by repeating (burp). All lies I tell you, they always made me burp or gave me heartburn. Hated every minute of the process, so I gave up and said "adios" to the fish oil craze.

UNTIL......(trumpets sound) I found a liquid supplement named Nature's Fresh, Omega Blendz. It contains the Omega 3 with EPA and DHA and the source of fish is Salmon oil and Cod liver oil....blech....I think, but then I read on and it has the flavor of Lemon Meringue....they also offer Tropical Fruit and Blackberry, but not at my Costco. It has a Smoothie consistency, but kinda reminds me of lemon pudding or yogurt, depending on your taste buds interpretation.

You absolutely cannot detect any fish odor or taste and it is delish with a capital D. No indigestion or burping.....ever. Again it does add some calories to the diet of 45 per serving but the sugars are ZERO....now there's a plus.



They overall describe it in short:

Tastes Great......Gotta love that
No Fishy Taste....Amen
Rapid Digestion and Assimilation.....Can I get a Hallelujah?
Great for the Whole Family.....Well alright
No Large Capsules.....Yeah Boy!
No Oil Mess......Hurray.

Must be kept refrigerated after opening and it is a 65 day supply for around $20.00. Again not bad at all, and a fantastic price for what it provides in health benefits, and it is like taking two tsp. of pudding each day.....y-u-m-m-y.

So if you are like me and you are sick of swallowing horse tablets or the taste of a supplement or the indigestion it causes, then surely take a peek at these wonderful discoveries at COSTCO. I am sure they are located elsewhere, but probably for not as good a price. You can check out their websites at the links provided on their brand above.

And there is never anything more true than I learned from Mary Poppins....a Spoonful of Sugar does help the medicine go down.

Here's to your health.

In The Raw And Loving It

Always Looking For Better Health

In what seems to be my never-ending pursuit of good health and nutrition, I get particularly focused on what doctors, exercise gurus and dieticians are promoting during the holidays. A time of overindulgence of all things yummy.

There always are new fangled diets, exercise routines which profess to be the best and latest in lab science technology for proven weight loss. No matter how you scrunch the numbers, it will and still is about calories in and calories out.

However, after menopause it seems to be less about calories in and more about how your body becomes inefficient at burning off those calories, even if you think you are in starvation mode based on a severely reduced calorie diet....which of course this is counterproductive to weight loss.

Paying Attention To The Raw Food Diet and New "P.I.N.K Method Exercise Program

Now in checking out Dr. Phil last week, he had a guest promoting their new workout method and diet, something which now I am seeing on many other shows, but it looks like Dr. Phil got first crack at it.

It is called the P.I.N.K Method. It is based on a series of workouts designed specifically for women and many recipes utilizing wholesome foods, including raw foods rich in micro-nutrients, once they are made bio-available through the use of the VitaMix Blender. Not surprisingly, everyone in the audience got one for FREE and they are upwards of $500 or more. The average household either can't afford such a whipping genius of technology or don't want to spend the money thinking a blender is just a blender....ahhh but that is where we are mistaken.

After the show, I began to do some research on creating better nutrition through the use of this super blender and the science and nutritional value really made sense to me. Then I began researching blenders, wanting to clarify if the blender really makes the difference.

I finally did narrow it down to two master blenders that are utilized in Jamba Juice, Starbucks, Yogurt shops and Chef's restaurants across America....they are the VitaMix and BlendTec, both made in the good old US of A. One caveat: VitaMix was sued by BlendTec (formerly K-Tec) for violation of their patent on the food processing jar design and VitaMix lost, paying them millions in compensation. So this also helped me make my decision, but wasn't the main reason at all.

After much deliberation and comparison shopping of the two, I decided the BlendTec Total Blender would be added to my kitchen. It has a similar price range to the VitaMix, however if you are a member of Costco, you can get them on line for under $400.00, shipping included.

Or you can follow their road show schedule to your nearest Costco and pick one up for $349.00, which is what hubby and I did this past weekend. They are only available at this reduced price during the roadshow and this machine is not sold year round in stores.

Major Differences For My Choice

Overall, both machines perform well for what you want to do in order to release the nutrients in the blended foods, but these were the primary considerations of my choice, regardless of the suit by BlendTec. They both offer colors of Black, Red and White. But I also think the BlendTec is a better looking unit overall and easiest to use.

1. BlendTec has preprogrammed buttons on the face of the unit, making it simple to throw in your foods, set it and forget it, adjusting speeds accordingly automatically and then shuts off when finished...it even offers a blend mileage, logging every time you use a blend cycle so you can see how much use you are getting from your unit. No monitoring while blending......VitaMix is manual use only.

2. BlendTec has a design that draws the food into a vortex, making sure every bit of ice and food gets blended to perfection. VitaMix provides this weird plunger device to force food against the blade as pictured below the unit....what a pain that is.

3. BlendTec offers easy clean design of the jar, getting every last bit of your scrumptious soup, ice cream, smoothie or fruit juice out without waste and the blade is not sharp, so no cutting fingers when wiping it clean. VitaMix has a weird design with wings built into the jar, making it more difficult to get all your blend out so it can be a waste of certain blends. Both machines will self clean easily.

4. BlendTec is 15 inches high, fitting under cabinets so it can remain out at all times. VitaMix is over 20 inches high and will not fit under standard cabinets in a kitchen, so hauling it out to make a meal becomes a pain....personal belief, if it isn't readily available, one is less inclined to use it.

5. BlendTec, can be purchased for less money than VitaMix, especially through Costco, and they have now made their warranty 8 years, compared to VitaMix of 7 years. Anything goes wrong, they will replace it free of charge, no questions asked. It is an Unconditional Warranty...where do you find those these days?

Those are my top 5 reasons for my purchase of a major appliance for adding nutritionally to my health. Only really big "con" for something that gets up to speed at a whopping 300 miles per hour, is the noise factor......both machines can be very loud on delicate ears. Getting my 5 to 7 servings of veggies and fruits a day, has never been more easy. If there are certain veggies you can't really get past eating, the BlendTec recipes provide ways to utilize them without taste even being detected.

Spinach or Kale for instance can be added to fruit smoothies or ice cream...yep that's right veggies in your ice cream....unbelievable right? Who says ice cream can't be healthy? Makes a pretty green color, but you can't even taste it. Carrots create a beautiful carrot juice, sweetened with apples or Agave syrup, so easy going down. Make pumpkin ice cream or frappuccino using pumpkin puree. Pie fillings to create the perfect concoction or cream of "something" soup of any wild idea you may have. It is simply about getting the nutrition into our bodies using a machine that makes micro-nutrition easier than ever.

Throw in stems, peels, cores, like in pineapple and you get the fiber and the phytonutrients to boot. Again, can't detect any off flavor when incorporating the parts of the veggie or fruit, we would otherwise throw away.

I love mine so much, that I have already logged 23 blends since last Friday. I am never hungry and have already dropped 2 lbs, without even trying.

I feel better, have a ton of energy, and my cravings are completely gone. Finally, I believe my body is getting what it craves. Whole nutrition through the use of raw foods. I use cooked ingredients also when making my soups, but primarily everything is fresh in my blends.

Best Deals

The BlendTec comes with a recipe booklet, but once you learn the schematics of the machine and how the recipes work for consistency and texture, the recipe book is only necessary if you are trying something new. I already now make my soups and smoothies based on a desire, not a recipe and they are coming out perfect. Oh...did I mention the soup is made right in the blender? It comes out hot directly after the blend. No heating in microwave or on the stove....how cool is that?

Follow this link to watch their videos on how this fantastic machine works. BlendTec Costco Roadshow Website. They have demos for Smoothies, Soups and Ice Cream, and the blender will also make terrific coffee blends and cocktails, for those that enjoy a libation, or simply grind your whole beans or whole grains for making homemade flour for baking.

At Harvest Essentials website, they are offering the unit for the price of $434.95, which includes a Free Wildside Jar, just make sure you mark the dot for your Free Jar to be included.....FREE shipping too. Who doesn't like Free shipping?

Or if you are a Costco member, they are essentially offering the same deal year round, for $399.99 on their website only. However, be aware the one on Costco is the Total Blender with 6 pre-programmed buttons, and the one on Harvest Essentials is the HP3A blender with 25 pre-programmed settings....making it a bit more advanced depending on your ingenuity to being a blending maven. Otherwise these blenders are identical in every other way.

Now to be fair and of course make your own decision, if VitaMix is your choice, you can catch their roadshow demos and purchase also at Costco. Here is the VitaMix Schedule at Costco. And for Online Demonstrations of VitaMix you can see how their machine performs. No matter your selection, the recipes are totally interchangeable on either machine. In fact VitaMix is here right now at our Nampa Costco while BlendTec is at our Boise Costco and then VitaMix is moving over to that store in January. It seems to me that VitaMix may have the more aggressive marketing plan.

So if you are looking to improve your diet and health, either treat yourself this holiday, or give the gift of health to a loved one, and then borrow it at every opportunity.....share and share a like I say. ;~)

Wishing everyone a lovely holiday season and Happy Blending.

Faux Fur Mania 2011

Feeling The Chill

As Fall begins to creep in, the mornings are a bit cooler and days are shorter, signaling the coming of the changing season. I love this time of year....colors of vivid rust, orange, yellows and burgundy are everywhere.

Fall fashion also is my favorite clothing choice. The colors are warmer, richer and so diverse.

Blending shades of fall is also enjoyable for me and goes perfectly with my warm tea by the fire. They just make me feel comfy, safe, and the fall shades definitely improve my complexion color. What it also signals, is it will be time to bundle up and change our wardrobe. I am always on the lookout for something new and different to add as an accessory to my already bursting Fall wardrobe.

Fur fashion has been the rage for as long as I can remember and still continues today in all its glory. So many beautiful colors and textures to choose from, and a touch of fur gives that outfit that ultimate panache. But the fur fashion landscape has truly changed for the better in recent years....especially as recently as December 2010.....explained below.

Go Faux Fur

Although real fur fashion has been going strong in some countries and still is in the United States to a degree, real fur is no longer necessary unless it is to show the affluence of the person wearing it.

Faux fur has made huge strides in perfecting the realism of natural fur. Styling and beauty along with the technology of creating fabulous fibers simulating real fur, is truly remarkable.

When I find a fur coat or something or other in faux, I stop and check it out, and if the style is right, I buy it. I could sit and stroke my faux fur jacket or collar for hours. This is also why I love our mineral makeup brushes so much, the faux fur in them is incredibly soft and feels fabulous on the skin.

Trendy Styles Of Faux Fur Fashion Of 2011

The different styles of fashion you can play around with for 2011 have grown beyond boring to fun and flirty. I am actually giddy with anticipation of owning more of these garments flocked in faux fur.

You can spice up an outfit with a fuzzy hat, or you can take a simple low cut shirt and glam it up with a furry scarf, which also gives warmth and can hide some of that imperfect skin we seem to always get as we age. We don't always have to drape our necks in turtleneck sweaters.

Aside from Faux Fur Jackets, the fur vests are really hot this year. I saw some beauties just the other night on HSN. She offered a wide variety of colors and textures and they were sure to fool even the most savvy fur connoisseur. Layering an outfit with a gorgeous fur vest can be truly beautiful and trendy. Plus, some of them are so wickedly cool, I may have to stock up.

And of course, where would we be without our beloved accessories. You can get faux fur slippers, purses, mittens or gloves, including but never limited to faux fur flocked boots. I own a pair of these myself...so cushy warm they are.

If you aren't into all that fur stuff, then you can buy jackets or coats with just a touch of fur around the collar and / or on the cuffs.

Even faux Suede is the rage as well, and if you check the garment label, some of these are even washable. How cool is that?

Donna Salyer's Fabulous Furs has every faux fur imaginable which includes beautiful vests, coats, hats, scarves, gloves, purses, you name it, they seem to have it. You can even shop by Faux Fur type of animal you choose....coyote, sable, mink, lynx, etc. They have truly captured the essence of the real fur but without the expense or the cruelty. Check them out!

Real Fur Is Not Cool Anymore!

Many, many moons ago, I even owned a real full length fur coat in Mink and since then I have come to understand what the fur industry really stood for and it was about cruelty, greed, and ambivalence or indifference to the animals they destroyed to make these fur fashions.

With today's technology, the faux fur industry has really provided some products that could pass as the real thing in feel, looks and color. Some say the drawback with fake fur, they are not near as warm as the real thing, but hey, layer with other clothing items, I say. Also, some manufacturers are lining them in fabric that will enhance the warmth instead of using a satin liner. Personally I have been quite happy with my faux fur jackets, hats and coats. I keep plenty warm, and they are lined with material that is cozy and comfy.

Caution: Telling The Difference Between Fake Fur and Real Fur

Now for the caveat; fake fur, especially coming out of China and parts of the Ukraine, have a declaration of faux fur on the label, yet this does not clarify what or how it is produced. Unfortunately, the definition of fake fur for these countries are to farm and kill the fantastically beautiful raccoon dog, or worse yet, the household cat or dog.

Since technology has made faux furs almost impossible to tell the difference anymore, unless you are a trained furrier, simply looking at them or touching them will reveal very little to knowing for sure. They can be dyed and sewed similar to the real thing.

BURN TEST: There is a test you can conduct to make sure you are not buying or supporting the destruction of animals under a false labeling claim. Of course you won't be able to do this in the store, but if you take the garment home, you can conduct a burn test.

In general, natural fibers burn and synthetic fibers melt. Cut or pluck a few hairs off of the garment. Using a lighter or a match, try to burn the ends of the hair. If the tip of the hair burns, crumbles away when you touch it and smells like human hair burning, it is real fur. If the tip of the hair melts, curls up into a hard ball and smells like an unnatural chemical, the fur is synthetic.

If you discover it is still real animal hair, return it to the store and make your disdain known to the store manager, not the sales staff. If we educate the store of where we purchased the garment, this could exert pressure on them to be more careful and no longer buy from these sources that are providing mislabeled items or practicing deceit by simply calling dog hair, faux fur.

Last time I checked, I am pretty sure a cat or dog considers what they wear as fur for keeping them warm. So let's keep the fur on the animals where it belongs.

Truth In Labeling Law

Fortunately, the problem may have been solved to a large degree. A new law was signed by President Obama on December 18th 2010, requiring all products containing real fur to be labeled as such. Previously, the fur labeling law contained a loophole that exempted products if the value of the fur was under $150, leaving consumers in the dark about the real fur in their gloves, hats and fur-trimmed coats.

So instead of seeing "faux fur" on the label, it will now be described as "acrylic" or other synthetic fiber (type of polymer) utilized in the creation of the garment and it will be ascribed to the location on the jacket.

This new law also helps protect vegans who cherish a lifestyle, and want to be sure they are not contributing to the destruction of animals. I am so thrilled with this new law. But then again, I have always been about truth in labeling as in the case of cosmetics and skincare products.

SHARE THE LOVE: Also if you currently own a fur coat and you really don't enjoy wearing it anymore, but also don't want to pass it along for another to wear due to how you may feel about the fur industry, the Humane Society of the United States offers an outlet for donation of discarded furs. They use them in their "Coats For Cubs" program. The donated coat becomes a furry surrogate for orphaned wildlife that has been rescued. It is a cause I support(ed) with my own mink coat 6 years ago. Clicking on the program link above, will tell you how you can also donate your coat in full detail. I think it is a fantastic way to give back to the animals we once regarded as fur for fashion.

Faux Fur Fun

Even if wearing fur is not your thing, then beautiful faux fur blankets are also available, keeping you warm and fuzzy during those cold fall and winter nights on the couch, sipping hot cocoa or enjoying a libation of sorts. Or put a splash of designer faux fur in your favorite room with a fashionable throw pillow.

So, next time you're out shopping, check out the latest faux fur trends and see if adding a furry piece to your wardrobe or to your decor, doesn't give you that extra pizzazz you were looking for.

Caution: watch out for faux fur overload!


Happy Shopping!

K-Y Jelly Brand Warming Gel: WARNING

Warning- Mature Content

I debated for awhile now about whether or not to write about K-Y Jelly Warming Gel and its' counterparts such as "Intense" "Yours and Mine" and "Tingling" since it relates to women and men on a very personal level and the intimacy they share.

However, bottom line it is also a personal care product and I decided it was important to let other women know my experience, along with others that have shared through scattered reviews and complaints over the internet on their own issues after using these products.

Although the article will touch on a level of a mature intimate subject matter, I have done my best to provide the information in a manner that is sensitive to those reading it and for any young ladies who may stumble upon the article.


Re-Igniting That Spark

As we become comfortable with our partners and have been with them for many moons now, sometimes we think of ways to spice things up between the sheets. No matter our sexual persuasion and the things we look for to create and play around with behind closed doors, sometimes new ideas can bring about a whole set of problems we could never have imagined.

K-Y Jelly has been a trusted brand for decades and has been used by doctors for years in the exam rooms, especially during those lovely pelvic exams we all enjoy doing annually.

Recently however, basically in the last 10 years or so, K-Y Brand decided to create some innovative jellies that are designed to improve intimacy, create better stimulation, allowing the main event of climax to go to incredible new heights.

First one on the market was the K-Y Warming Gel and the one that this article is mainly about, since this was my first experience with being intrigued by a gel that claims to warm things up, so no more freezing touch. I am all for that, especially on those chilly winter days.

It was quite a few years back that I introduced the Warming Gel into our shared intimacy, and for the most part, the sensation was benign except for the warmth it did generate upon contact. My initial reaction was satisfaction since I no longer had to endure that first chilly response which typically follows when first applied.

The Aftermath

Within a couple of days following, I thought I had contracted honeymoon cystitis which I had suffered from in the past. Not having a bout of it though for many years and always taking care to prevent it, I was surprised that I now was having another symptomatic occurrence. The burning and stinging and a constant urge to relieve myself was overwhelming.

I immediately went to my urologist to start my next bout with antibiotics, only to learn I did not have cystitis. No bacteria, so now what?

I suffered with this for a few more days trying to flush my system, since the urologist felt I may have a bladder stone, again another thing I suffered from before. I even had a CT scan done, but nope, no bladder stone. The urge to "go" continued for another week, even though the burning and stinging had subsided. I would have to describe the feeling at this point as what some women complaints are in relation to "over active bladder syndrome." It was endless!

I asked the doctor to calm down my bladder with the medication that controls the spasms the bladder goes through causing the urgent need to go. He refused to do that without performing a Cystoscopy to insure I wasn't dealing with bladder cancer or something else. This is essentially inserting a small camera into the urethra up into the bladder to take a looksie.

Sounds simple enough doesn't it?...... but let me tell you, it was the most painful, horrendous procedure I have ever endured in my life.....a whole new meaning to pain and suffering. I practically launched from the table. The procedure was over in less than a minute but the aftermath following for several days was akin to a severe cystitis due to trauma to the urethra, a burning pain bringing tears to my eyes, and something I had never experienced before. Pain medication was prescribed until the discomfort subsided.

So I got the all clear there, and since he could not explain why my bladder was having spasms or feeling of urgency, he chocked it up to "all in my head" so to speak, since there was nothing physical he could see. Never once inquiring about anything new being added to my diet or other. Even when it is a known fact that citric juices can have a similar reaction on the bladder, causing irritation for some people, and is a reason why they cannot consume them. But since I have drank these juices for years, I felt this wasn't my problem either.

Second Opinion Time And Much Needed Help

After enduring frustration and discomfort and the tests and spasms for close to a month, and after some research on the internet, I finally went and saw my GP. Once she saw all test results showed clear, she agreed with my request for meds and felt comfortable that the drug for bladder spasms was the next course of action, knowing it would not mask some underlying problem. True to form, she took the time to ask questions and be very involved in my life at the initial onset of my symptoms.....women doctors are just better I think!

In researching changes to my routine, it was only when she jogged my memory about what had been different, we came up with the answer to the problem.....K-Y Jelly Warming Gel was the new ingredient that had been added to my non-boring, never a dull moment it seems, life. Other women she had seen had similar experiences with this warming gel. Too bad my urologist didn't know about it. I could have saved tons of time and money if I had only just gone to my GP in the first place.

She prescribed Detrol LA and within 30 minutes the spasms subsided. She gave me enough to last a week and told me that if the bladder was reacting to the ingredients in the warming gel, then the medicine would allow the bladder to calm down and the spasms will subside as the bladder goes about the process of healing......oh how right she was.....I had regained my sanity and all was right with the world again. Incredible stuff....only side effect, was dry mouth and I had to make sure I consumed large amounts of water to not become dehydrated or constipated, as these are also a side effect to the drug because women who suffer from the spasms, worry about drinking water in order to avoid the urgency to go.

After all was well again, my doctor advised I stick with Astroglide since she found it to be the safest lubricant on the market. They now offer a version made up all natural ingredients and removed other ingredients one may not be keen on. Plus, they also now provide a warming lotion, but again the list does not indicate the chemistry, so I would keep it simple and steer clear of this one.

Did My Research

On message boards and review boards I soon discovered other women complaining about the lasting pain they experienced after using this version of K-Y Jelly or any other of the formulas designed to increase stimulation. "Tingling" for instance actually includes "mint" in their ingredient profile, along with "Menthyl Lactate" a derivative of menthol. Are you kidding me?....this would be akin to smearing Vicks vapo rub on beforehand, and in my opinion belongs nowhere near our most delicate area.

After a couple thousand dollars later in medical bills, I contacted K-Y Jelly brand to find out what ingredients were used in the product and to inform them of the reaction I sustained, since the list they show on the package consists of benign ingredients of: Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Honey, Methylparaben, Sucralose. These ingredients provide no chemistry to create the warming sensation.

Yet they have a Warning of: If irritation or discomfort occurs, discontinue use and consult a doctor. This product is not a contraceptive and does not contain a spermicide. Keep out of reach of children and away from eyes and ears. Do not use if quality seal on the opening of the bottles are broken or missing.

They advised me that the blend to create the warming sensation is proprietary, so they would not divulge it even though I had a medical reaction to the product.

Needless to say I was outraged, yet they noted my complaint and would pass it along. This was clearly a sidestep due to legal issues and their insurance I am sure.

Private Parts Are Our Most Vulnerable Parts

For many of us, we have experienced cystitis after intimacy with our partner because the friction moves bacteria up the urethra and if not flushed it will travel up to the bladder causing a full blown infection. So now based on this same premise, it is only reasonable to assume that a product we apply externally, would travel the same way....and of course any potentially irritating ingredient.

Who could have imagined, a trusted brand like K-Y, would be so secretive when it came to my health and the injury I suffered in the interim of trying to discover what was wrong with me.

In an area that contains a high level of sensitivity to begin with and is a mucous membrane, irritating ingredients don't have to work very hard at permeating this delicate barrier to go on to cause excruciating pain or discomfort. Plus, why introduce chemicals into an area that has a direct upward connection to our bladder and blood supply?

Sticking To My Guns

Despite all the hoopla that the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 is causing and many of the revisions are indeed onerous and without science based criteria, this is my sticking point as a victim myself to the proprietary blend of a product. Full disclosure on an ingredient list should be mandated by the FDA in order to protect the consumer from making the same mistake I did.

Without a list of ingredients how are we to make an educated decision as to what we are placing on our bodies if we don't know what is in it?

Am I asking for their ingredients to be banned?.....NO, because there are also many of the population that had no problem with these lubricants and quite frankly enjoyed them. But if I had known there was an ingredient like menthol or something similar that created the warming sensation, I wouldn't have touched this with a ten foot pole, especially in my private area that is already delicate. Essentially my choice was removed through omission.

I am also an extreme case, but nonetheless, my pain and suffering was real and it cost me dearly in monetary damages. Did I plan on suing KYBRAND?....certainly not since I am not a litigious person, but to be helpful more than they actually were, would have gone far to smoothing my ruffled feathers over my reaction.

Personal Care products and Cosmetic companies owe it to the public to be more informative in proprietary blends in order to assist them with any medical issue that may be a result of contact with the product. Poison Control is a good example for instance.....but since it wasn't ingested and I wasn't dying or anything, they remained closed mouth to protect their bottom line and any liability they may have thought was forthcoming.

My Entrepreneurial Belief

I am always about protecting formulas in terms of construction of the product, but all ingredients should be divulged except for the case of Fragrances in Perfumes. These are the namesake of the company, and are used for a pleasurable experience. They are not something we need in our arsenal of everyday personal care.....basically an olfactory choice.

We are free to choose to not use a product if we have a known allergen or reaction to a certain ingredient and the only way we know this is by having it disclosed on the ingredient list. If we commonly react to fragrances, let's say, then we don't buy perfumey products.

There is no reason to remove or ban a certain ingredient if I am that 1 in a million that reacts when all others do well.....nope.....I just learn to avoid that ingredient by not purchasing products that contain it....but knowing what they are would certainly help me in my decision making.

Furthermore, let's get real.....in today's technology, most anything can be reversed engineered if another company wants to steal another's thunder, so to claim "proprietary" these days, especially when receiving a call from an upset, injured customer, is disingenuous to be sure.

So needless to say, I was injured by a hidden ingredient that caused severe distress and because of the current laws for proprietary blends, I could not know what caused harm or if I should have avoided it until the damage was already done.....but now I know!

So if you are wondering about these fun looking, stimulating, intimacy enhancing products, just realize they have a propensity to causing injury and one should be seriously cautioned about using any sort of personal care product in the genital area, since it is so delicate and is an open pathway to the internal workings of our bodies.

DANGER: Contact Lenses For Cosmetic Purposes

Protecting Our Young Girls

This past July 1st, 2011, a young girl of only 14 years of age, may now need to have a corneal transplant due to scarring brought about by infection from wearing colored circle lenses for only a single day.

Apparently, this is the latest "eye candy" trend and they are being offered for sale by disreputable websites and in many beauty stores and dollar stores, which is ILLEGAL without prescription. However, our young girls apparently don't know this or have found this to be a way to avoid having to see a doctor to get the prescription, due to costs.

In the beauty stores and online, they are selling for $20 bucks. This makes them easily accessible to any girl that simply walks in off the street, or hits the "buy now" button on her computer.

The Doe Eyed Look

Apparently Lady Gaga (pictured left) wore a pair in her music video "Bad Romance" and the craze began. What most girls don't realize, is even though the circle lenses which make the eye appear slightly larger since the color goes past the cornea and covers the white of the eyes, Lady Gaga's doe eyes were enhanced further with computer generation.

Michelle Phan (pictured right) who is a makeup guru on YouTube also demonstrated how to use them showing her new doe eyed look which included full tutorial of eye makeup as well, to help others to emulate Lady Gaga, but she openly shows whomever watches, how she computer generates them to be larger than you actually can achieve.

Unfortunately, Michelle Phan makes this about having fun which again is geared toward our young girls. She at no time explains how to care for them or that a prescription is needed by law.....as a popular commercialized guru, shouldn't she bear some responsibility to our young girls by advising they can cause harm without the proper care, and that they should be properly fitted by your eye doctor when showing these tutorials, especially since this video received over 22 million hits? All our youth see are the super attractive large doe eyes and want it also, so they head out to their nearest beauty or dollar store to purchase these illegal contacts.

I think her videos are great, but as an advice guru, some caution should be considered about what she is advising to those susceptible during the most formative years of their life. As I looked further, she has actually done quite a few other tutorials for changing the look of the eyes through the use of circle, color or anime (ever popular Japanese cartoon look) contact lenses.

Shame On Them

This young girl, who's story is all over the internet was not advised on how to use them, store them, or clean them. These contact lenses are currently being imported to the U.S. from Asia, so they are not made here in the U.S. due to the laws surrounding the sale and purchase of contact lenses.

The FTC also warns about the lenses being tainted and not manufactured under the sterile conditions required under U.S. strict guidelines. They also have issued Warning Notices to 15 Marketers in 2007 to have valid prescriptions or face severe penalties.

The FDA has Warned In 2002 and will attempt seizure of imported contact lenses coming into the U.S. illegally that are for the purposes of cosmetic purposes. The FDA Updated the information in 2009, which includes a video on those that use these for Halloween effects making the dangers all too real. Furthermore, recent legislation has made it illegal to market decorative contact lenses as over-the-counter products. But again, as I have stated in the past, with FDA resources so scarce, it is difficult to enforce the laws surrounding contact lenses.

So though this latest story is new and recent, apparently the laws are not, nor has this problem just begun. But it seems with the release of the Lady Gaga video, this set off the firestorm of sales we are now seeing today, which has warranted more media attention and FDA and FTC warnings.

This lack of concern for our health by these overseas contact manufacturers, is a prime example of exploiting our youth with their desires to emulate movie and music stars which use these lenses to enhance their appearance, all for a buck. If you operate a business in this country, the laws are clear and should be followed, which as a beauty store owner, they know, or should know what they are doing, is illegal. As many of us have heard the quote at some point, depending on our years on this earth, "ignorance of the law is no excuse."

All contact lenses must be issued with a prescription since they must be fitted for the shape of the cornea, instructions for proper care are issued, along with instructions for safe application and how long they should be kept in before removal to keep the delicate eye safe.

The Aftermath

Now Erica Barnes is paying the price from just wearing her lenses overnight, where bacteria was able to flourish causing a serious infection. Doctors say it was from improper fit and from being advised by the sales girl at this "nameless" beauty store, she could simply use (unsanitary) tap water for cleaning them.

Due to the infection, she now has corneal scarring, and without a transplant will have ongoing excruciating pain and blindness in the eye most affected. Ulcerations of the eye are also a probability if these lenses are used.

Take Action

Hopefully, this store will be held accountable by legal means for offering these for sale without prescription. Media attention is definitely making the information widely available, however, not everyone, especially our youth, pay attention to the news. And in the spirit of an impressionable teenage girl, they want what they want when they want it, especially if it is the latest fad. I only wish they had named the beauty chain that did this in order to give them a wake up call, you cannot do this without serious ramifications. Our health is at risk and they are practicing illegal behavior which caused harm, without sanctions.

Please spread the word to our young daughters or grand daughters. Educate them about the likelihood of infection or worse, if they purchase these cosmetic contact lenses without a doctors care. Also, the way these are promoted is definitely toward our young girls. They are sold in storage cases resembling cartoons such as Hello Kitty.

What young girl doesn't know all about this favorite cartoon cat?
Looks fun doesn't it, like dress up?
What young girl doesn't enjoy dress up with makeup and the whole deal just to emulate either her mom or her favorite movie star?

This kind of beauty comes at too high a price by sacrificing our eyes and possibly losing our eyesight. Treat the eyes with gentle care, but if you must have this look or your daughter wants this look, guide her and make sure your eye doctor is involved, and be fitted properly, along with receiving proper care instructions of the lenses and your eyes.

To see and read the stories behind this latest fashion trend phenomenon causing a hazard for the eyes, click on the links below. Video is included with the stories for further details on the stories.

ABC News Good Morning America on $20.00 Contact Lenses Cause Corneal Scarring Video at the top of the article should begin playing automatically or you will need to wait for complete loading before clicking on the arrow for playing it. The video is dated, but the latest article is the most recent casualty of what can go seriously wrong.

Shops Selling Contact Lenses Like Eye Candy To view video you can click on it at the bottom of the article. Includes interview with eye doctor.

Be Safe, EDUCATE!