Certainly you have known someone who can brighten any room-- just by leaving!
I'm afraid that we've ALL known someone like that (and I am afraid, at times, we've also BEEN that person.)
Years ago I was listening to Dennis Waitley--the "Psychology of Winning" guy--and he made this statement: "I want to be the kind of person who makes others say, 'I like myself best when I'm with you.'"
I liked that idea. I decided to become that kind of person, for my own happiness and for those around me. On some levels, I think I have even made some progress there. I want to share with you today some of the keys I have found helpful in becoming that "I Like Me Best" kind of person:
1. "If you can't say anything nice..."
"...don't say anything at all." If you want to really help people, give up trying to correct them. Instead, compliment them on their strengths. Will they still make mistakes that, to you, are obvious and need correcting? Sure, but I have found that there is ALWAYS someone willing to tell others where they are failing, it is rare to find someone who will tell others where they are succeeding.
2. Be Optimistic
Everyone likes to be around the "realistic optimist". The "RO" is a person who can acknowledge that everything isn't always great, but that somehow we will all make it through. Knowing that trials and setbacks are both inevitable as well as temporary makes you an asset to the people around you.
3. Be Funny (--even Silly!)
When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? That was TOO LONG AGO. Learn some jokes and tell them. Watch a comedy on TV. Go into Burger King and put on the cardboard crown. You would be amazed how everyone around you will respond--and how much better you will feel.
4. Give it away
Go ahead and be frugal when it comes to your bills, your clothes or whatever else you want to save money on--just be generous with PEOPLE stuff. Give a 25% tip to the waitress who served you that great meal. Give $5 to a kid you see at church. Give away hugs like you get paid for each one. Take someone out to lunch--TODAY.
5. Live in the Moment
This is a tough self-actualization step for many people: STOP WORRYING ABOUT TOMORROW. Instead, live in today. Live in right now. Live as if tomorrow will worry about itself. After all, what can we do tomorrow until tomorrow gets here? All we can do is whatever is before us today.
6. Love Deeply
This is the most important tip for happiness.
Sure, you love your spouse, you love your kids. But what about the people you work with? What about your neighbors? If you love deeply I will guarantee you a couple things: You will be disappointed and hurt, but you will ALSO find happiness from some people who will deeply love you back. Trust me, it's worth it.
Someday I hope that you and I get to meet and know one another. I have a feeling that I might be telling you, "I like me best when I'm with you."
Major Lipstick Brands Contaminated with Lead
by: David Gutierrez, staff writer
(NaturalNews) More than half of all major brand-name lipsticks may contain lead, according to tests conducted by an independent laboratory on behalf of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Thirty-three brand-name red lipsticks were purchased in Boston, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Hartford, Conn. and tested for lead. Of these, 61 percent contained lead in detectable amounts, from 0.03 up to 0.65 parts per million (ppm). One-third of the lipsticks tested contained lead in concentrations higher than 0.1 ppm, which is the cutoff point set by the FDA for lead in candy.
According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, lead in lipstick is just as directly ingested into the body as lead in candy. Lead is a potent neurotoxin that has been shown to cause mental damage including learning disabilities, increased aggression and language problems. It is particularly dangerous to a developing organism and can cross the placenta, placing children and pregnant women at particularly high risk.
The brands with the highest lead concentrations were L'Oreal's Colour Riche "True Red" and "Classic Wine," with 0.65 and 0.58 ppm, respectively. Next came Cover Girl's Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red" (0.56 ppm), and Dior Addict's "Positive Red" (0.21 ppm).
"The good news is that the tests show it is possible to make lipstick without lead," the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics said. "Thirty-nine percent of lipsticks tested had no detectable levels of lead, and cost doesn't seem to be a factor. Some less expensive brands such as Revlon ($7.49) had no detectable levels of lead, while the more expensive Dior Addict brand ($24.50) had higher levels."
According to Stacy Malkan, author of "Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry," lead in cosmetics is particularly dangerous because daily use can cause the toxin to build up in the body.
"Repeated, daily exposures to low levels of lead add up - and they add up on top of lead from paint and drinking water, which is especially a problem in low-income communities," she said. "There's no excuse for lead in lipstick or toys. Companies should act immediately to reformulate lead-containing products."
(NaturalNews) More than half of all major brand-name lipsticks may contain lead, according to tests conducted by an independent laboratory on behalf of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Thirty-three brand-name red lipsticks were purchased in Boston, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Hartford, Conn. and tested for lead. Of these, 61 percent contained lead in detectable amounts, from 0.03 up to 0.65 parts per million (ppm). One-third of the lipsticks tested contained lead in concentrations higher than 0.1 ppm, which is the cutoff point set by the FDA for lead in candy.
According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, lead in lipstick is just as directly ingested into the body as lead in candy. Lead is a potent neurotoxin that has been shown to cause mental damage including learning disabilities, increased aggression and language problems. It is particularly dangerous to a developing organism and can cross the placenta, placing children and pregnant women at particularly high risk.
The brands with the highest lead concentrations were L'Oreal's Colour Riche "True Red" and "Classic Wine," with 0.65 and 0.58 ppm, respectively. Next came Cover Girl's Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red" (0.56 ppm), and Dior Addict's "Positive Red" (0.21 ppm).
"The good news is that the tests show it is possible to make lipstick without lead," the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics said. "Thirty-nine percent of lipsticks tested had no detectable levels of lead, and cost doesn't seem to be a factor. Some less expensive brands such as Revlon ($7.49) had no detectable levels of lead, while the more expensive Dior Addict brand ($24.50) had higher levels."
According to Stacy Malkan, author of "Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry," lead in cosmetics is particularly dangerous because daily use can cause the toxin to build up in the body.
"Repeated, daily exposures to low levels of lead add up - and they add up on top of lead from paint and drinking water, which is especially a problem in low-income communities," she said. "There's no excuse for lead in lipstick or toys. Companies should act immediately to reformulate lead-containing products."
Should You Be Worried About What's in Your Cosmetics?
by: Flora Stay, D.D.S., citizen journalist
(NaturalNews) Stores stock thousands of brands of cosmetics to help us look like the latest Hollywood actress. We bought the ads and the products lock, stock and barrel to the tune of $200 billion in retail sales in the year 2000. According to TNS Media Intelligence, just the ad sales in 2006 for the cosmetics industry was higher than any other industry with a staggering 2.2 billion dollars.
These cosmetics in pretty containers that we dish out lots of money for, are advertised using psychological factors in ads to motivate us to buy them, no matter what the price. The higher end cosmetics offered in stores base their price on hand-holding, and the brand they have built with their packaging and advertising campaigns.
These companies claim they spend millions on research and use more expensive ingredients. However, truth be known, it's how the advertisement looks and whether it successfully calls us to action, that sells us rather than the ingredients.
It is shocking to learn the FDA does not assess the safety of cosmetics and the industry has been left to police themselves. The basic ingredients used are mostly the same whether it's purchased at a high end counter in a fancy package, or for a tenth of the cost at a low end store.
As consumers, what you need to know is that there are ingredients in high end or inexpensive cosmetics that could cause health concerns. For example, the following is a small list of ingredients that could cause allergies and possibly lead to chronic illness, yet found in many cosmetics. Others are known toxins:
Pthalates - Known toxin. Found in many nail polish, including expensive brands
Alcohol - Dries the skin
Salicylic acid - Revered for many uses, can cause allergies
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - This is an industrial detergent and can cause allergies
As wise consumers, we must become educated before buying cosmetics and skin care products with our hard earned money.
As you can see, consumers must be aware and become educated before going for the pretty package. There is a good websites that sheds light on this subject: Environmental Working Group (http://www.ewg.org) . EWG's website (www.cosmeticdatabase.org) even rates cosmetic brands for safety. Go there to check yours.
Dr. Flora Stay is the author of Secret Gateway to Health, Clinical Professor at University of Southern California School of Dentistry and founder of Cleure (fusion of Clean & Pure), (www.cleure.com) is the trusted company for chemically safe personal care and cosmetic products. You can receive a FREE e-book "Product Labels, A Cautionary Tale" to help you learn how to become wise shoppers and avoid products with toxic ingredients. Just go to (http://www.cleure.com) right now and download this e-book.
(NaturalNews) Stores stock thousands of brands of cosmetics to help us look like the latest Hollywood actress. We bought the ads and the products lock, stock and barrel to the tune of $200 billion in retail sales in the year 2000. According to TNS Media Intelligence, just the ad sales in 2006 for the cosmetics industry was higher than any other industry with a staggering 2.2 billion dollars.
These cosmetics in pretty containers that we dish out lots of money for, are advertised using psychological factors in ads to motivate us to buy them, no matter what the price. The higher end cosmetics offered in stores base their price on hand-holding, and the brand they have built with their packaging and advertising campaigns.
These companies claim they spend millions on research and use more expensive ingredients. However, truth be known, it's how the advertisement looks and whether it successfully calls us to action, that sells us rather than the ingredients.
It is shocking to learn the FDA does not assess the safety of cosmetics and the industry has been left to police themselves. The basic ingredients used are mostly the same whether it's purchased at a high end counter in a fancy package, or for a tenth of the cost at a low end store.
As consumers, what you need to know is that there are ingredients in high end or inexpensive cosmetics that could cause health concerns. For example, the following is a small list of ingredients that could cause allergies and possibly lead to chronic illness, yet found in many cosmetics. Others are known toxins:
Pthalates - Known toxin. Found in many nail polish, including expensive brands
Alcohol - Dries the skin
Salicylic acid - Revered for many uses, can cause allergies
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - This is an industrial detergent and can cause allergies
As wise consumers, we must become educated before buying cosmetics and skin care products with our hard earned money.
As you can see, consumers must be aware and become educated before going for the pretty package. There is a good websites that sheds light on this subject: Environmental Working Group (http://www.ewg.org) . EWG's website (www.cosmeticdatabase.org) even rates cosmetic brands for safety. Go there to check yours.
Dr. Flora Stay is the author of Secret Gateway to Health, Clinical Professor at University of Southern California School of Dentistry and founder of Cleure (fusion of Clean & Pure), (www.cleure.com) is the trusted company for chemically safe personal care and cosmetic products. You can receive a FREE e-book "Product Labels, A Cautionary Tale" to help you learn how to become wise shoppers and avoid products with toxic ingredients. Just go to (http://www.cleure.com) right now and download this e-book.
Choosing Products That Promote Beauty and Well Being
by: Barbara Minton, Natural Health Editor
(NaturalNews) Millions of Americans are adversely affected each year by a silent from of chemical warfare that's taking place every day within the comforts of our own homes. While we worry about the chemical weaponry of terrorists and lead-contaminated imported toys, we are literally poisoning our immune systems with thousands of toxic chemicals that are known carcinogens, hormone disrupters, and cancer-causing agents.
It starts with your morning routine. If you are a man, you will probably use shampoo, soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, hair gel or styling products, shaving cream, and aftershave or cologne. A typical day for a woman starts much the same, with the added possibilities of shower gel, body and face cream, lotion, moisturizer, make-up, hair spray, perfume, and nail polish. By the time you have made it to the door, you have swallowed, inhaled and absorbed through your skin hundreds of toxic chemicals, some of which have been proven to be deadly to laboratory animals and many of which are known to be carcinogens.
If you are suffering from dry flaky skin, persistent skin irritations, rashes, sinus problems, allergies, asthma, respiratory ailments and other health problems that never seem to get cured, it may be time for you to examine the negative effects your personal care products are having on your health. It's great to exercise and watch what you eat, but you must also watch what you put on your body and even what you use to clean your house if you want to achieve optimal health.
Any substance you put on your skin, or inhale will enter your bloodstream just as surely as if you had swallowed it. Once these chemicals enter your bloodstream, they are perceived by your immune system as foreign and not recognizable, and they are perceived by your liver as toxins. When your immune system and liver are dealing with toxic chemical overload they aren't available to do the jobs they were intended to do. That's why people who insist on putting toxic chemicals into their bodies suffer from frequent bacterial and viral infections, other mysterious maladies, and even cancer.
Have you ever taken a close look at the ingredients in your personal care products? Whatever you are seeing probably includes water. Is there anything else on that label that you recognize as a naturally occurring substance you might actually want to put inside your body? If it doesn't occur in nature, it shouldn't be inside of you, because you are a natural being.
Kiss My Face Corporation makes a wonderful soap bar that lathers up and cleans just fine. The only ingredients on its label are olive oil, water and salt. There are no toxic chemicals or fragrance. That's what a label should look like. How does the label on your soap look?
No matter what the advertisements try to make you think, fragrance does not come from flowers or anything else natural. More than 4,000 chemicals are used in fragrances, many of which are waste products from the petroleum industry. Several of them are known to cause cancer, birth defects, infertility, and brain and central nervous system damage including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's.
Since so many products are now scented, the number of people who are made ill by fragrances is steadily increasing. Babies and children are especially vulnerable along with those recovering from illness or disease. Chemical fragrances are everywhere: laundry detergent, fabric softeners, dish washing liquids, suntan products, sunscreen, incense, lotions, moisturizers, lip balms, almost every personal care product, and more. It's even found in many products labeled as unscented because it is contained within a compound when that compound is added to the product.
Exposure to scented products can cause the persistent symptoms that mystify people, such as chronic aches and pains, headaches, allergies, swollen glands and lymph tenderness, heart palpitations, memory, fatigue, asthma, nausea, and neural-motor functioning including dizziness, and fainting. Exposure in children and even adults can cause learning and behavioral problems, attention deficit and hyperactivity in addition to any of the other symptoms. Continued exposure to chemical fragrances along with other toxic chemicals can cause development of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Disease. When you have this disease, the slightest whiff of a toxic chemical makes you so ill you cannot function. Your ability to interact with the rest of the world is seriously compromised.
It's tempting to say to your self that these products must be alright or the 'government' wouldn't let them be sold, but this isn't true. The personal care products industry is not supervised. The FDA does not require manufacturers to register their products or to file safety data on the ingredients they use in them. They are free to put in as many toxic chemicals as they want. The only thing that stops them is reaction from the public. A few years ago, magazines came with scented strips advertising the latest perfumes. So many people were sickened and complained that the strips were discontinued. If enough people refuse to buy toxic products, manufacturers would stop making them.
Products you use while taking a shower are particularly dangerous since you are using them at a time when your pores are opened by hot water, allowing quick and easy access to your bloodstream. A look at the ingredients in your shampoo may be shocking. There are more than 100 toxic chemicals traditionally used in shampoo, and most brands contain 20 to 30 of them in addition to chemical fragrance and dyes.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a dominant ingredient in almost all shampoos. In addition to its toxic effects on your immune and detoxification systems, SLS has been shown to corrode the hair follicles and impede hair growth. It has been blamed for premature hair loss. The Material Safety Data Sheet provided by the U.S. government says exposure to SLS can lead to burning, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting. The American College of Toxicology says that SLS stays in the body for up to five days and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain.
While there are many natural alternative substances available that will clean and beautify you far better than these toxic concoctions, the large corporations that produce personal care products won't use them because it would cost too much money and interfere with their profits. They even try to disguise their cheap chemicals with tiny amounts of natural ingredients that are prominently featured on the front of the bottle. This is done to deceive you into buying what you think is an item that promotes health. But turn the bottle over and you will see a mind boggling list of toxic ingredients.
If you have decided that you don't want to pay your hard earned money to a corporation that strives to deceive you and tell you lies, you will find that discovering how to replace your toxic products with products that promote good health is a very difficult task. No matter what it says on the label, there are virtually No products in any of the discount stores, traditional supermarkets, or drugstores that are not filled with health compromising chemicals.
Some supermarkets featuring organic or health sections carry Burt's Bees products. These are certainly far preferable to those produced by the large corporations, but Burt's Bees has recently been bought out by Clorox Corporation, so its quality may soon be compromised. For now, some of Burt's Bees products are safe, and some contain toxic ingredients such as fragrance, endocrine system disrupting glucose oxidase, and borax (the active ingredient in most ant poisons).
You will have a better chance of finding products that promote health at a health food market. But even there, you can't just walk in and buy what appeals to you on sight. Many products marketed as 'natural' contain high levels of toxic ingredients. Whole Foods Market publishes a list of ingredients not allowed in the foods they sell, but many of these ingredients are contained in their personal care items. Apparently it is alright with them if the toxins enter you body through your skin instead of your mouth.
When you try to replace your personal care products with ones that promote health, you will find that almost every item you pick lists ingredients that sounds like chemicals. The only way to be sure of what you are buying is to research these ingredients. Here is a website where you can easily research many of these ingredients using their search box: (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/) .
Many people have found that the easiest and most cost effective way to shop for health promoting products is online using one of the large supplement companies such as Lucky Vitamin or Vitacost. Each of these carries an amazing array of the personal care and cosmetic products typically found in health food stores.
There is one line of products that stands out above the rest. Aubrey Organics consistently provides items that are of very high quality and free of toxins. Many of their lotions and shampoos are highly scented with natural oils. Of course, these products are fairly expensive, but if you order them online there is a substantial savings.
Kiss My Face makes that luscious olive oil soap without scent or in several scents created from chemicals. Many of their other products contain an array of toxic ingredients.
Jason's is good for toothpaste, making several flavors without fluoride or significant toxic chemicals. But again, much of their line contains objectionable ingredients.
Cosmetics made entirely from minerals are gaining in popularity as witnessed by the astounding growth in Bare Essential shops. Mineral cosmetics provide the affects of traditional cosmetics and don't contain toxic chemicals. There are several other companies that sell cosmetics made from minerals. Their products are available at health food stores and online.
It's not easy to make the change from disease promoting personal care products to those promoting health. It seems to require some trial and error, a lot of time to do research, patience, and a commitment to paying higher prices for the products you use. But once the change is made and these products become as familiar to you as the ones you used to buy, it will be easy from that point on. You will realize that you have made a significant investment in your future health and freedom from disease, and you will feel proud of yourself. You will know that it's all a matter of priorities.
After you have found products in every category that you really like and seen how good you feel using them, you probably won't even consider returning to the old brands. You will feel good about spending your money on products made by a company who knows its future rests in producing products that keep you healthy, rather that a corporation that sees you only as someone to be exploited. And you may realize that looking your best can be achieved only with the vibrant glow of good health shining from your insides out.
(NaturalNews) Millions of Americans are adversely affected each year by a silent from of chemical warfare that's taking place every day within the comforts of our own homes. While we worry about the chemical weaponry of terrorists and lead-contaminated imported toys, we are literally poisoning our immune systems with thousands of toxic chemicals that are known carcinogens, hormone disrupters, and cancer-causing agents.
It starts with your morning routine. If you are a man, you will probably use shampoo, soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, hair gel or styling products, shaving cream, and aftershave or cologne. A typical day for a woman starts much the same, with the added possibilities of shower gel, body and face cream, lotion, moisturizer, make-up, hair spray, perfume, and nail polish. By the time you have made it to the door, you have swallowed, inhaled and absorbed through your skin hundreds of toxic chemicals, some of which have been proven to be deadly to laboratory animals and many of which are known to be carcinogens.
If you are suffering from dry flaky skin, persistent skin irritations, rashes, sinus problems, allergies, asthma, respiratory ailments and other health problems that never seem to get cured, it may be time for you to examine the negative effects your personal care products are having on your health. It's great to exercise and watch what you eat, but you must also watch what you put on your body and even what you use to clean your house if you want to achieve optimal health.
Any substance you put on your skin, or inhale will enter your bloodstream just as surely as if you had swallowed it. Once these chemicals enter your bloodstream, they are perceived by your immune system as foreign and not recognizable, and they are perceived by your liver as toxins. When your immune system and liver are dealing with toxic chemical overload they aren't available to do the jobs they were intended to do. That's why people who insist on putting toxic chemicals into their bodies suffer from frequent bacterial and viral infections, other mysterious maladies, and even cancer.
Have you ever taken a close look at the ingredients in your personal care products? Whatever you are seeing probably includes water. Is there anything else on that label that you recognize as a naturally occurring substance you might actually want to put inside your body? If it doesn't occur in nature, it shouldn't be inside of you, because you are a natural being.
Kiss My Face Corporation makes a wonderful soap bar that lathers up and cleans just fine. The only ingredients on its label are olive oil, water and salt. There are no toxic chemicals or fragrance. That's what a label should look like. How does the label on your soap look?
No matter what the advertisements try to make you think, fragrance does not come from flowers or anything else natural. More than 4,000 chemicals are used in fragrances, many of which are waste products from the petroleum industry. Several of them are known to cause cancer, birth defects, infertility, and brain and central nervous system damage including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's.
Since so many products are now scented, the number of people who are made ill by fragrances is steadily increasing. Babies and children are especially vulnerable along with those recovering from illness or disease. Chemical fragrances are everywhere: laundry detergent, fabric softeners, dish washing liquids, suntan products, sunscreen, incense, lotions, moisturizers, lip balms, almost every personal care product, and more. It's even found in many products labeled as unscented because it is contained within a compound when that compound is added to the product.
Exposure to scented products can cause the persistent symptoms that mystify people, such as chronic aches and pains, headaches, allergies, swollen glands and lymph tenderness, heart palpitations, memory, fatigue, asthma, nausea, and neural-motor functioning including dizziness, and fainting. Exposure in children and even adults can cause learning and behavioral problems, attention deficit and hyperactivity in addition to any of the other symptoms. Continued exposure to chemical fragrances along with other toxic chemicals can cause development of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Disease. When you have this disease, the slightest whiff of a toxic chemical makes you so ill you cannot function. Your ability to interact with the rest of the world is seriously compromised.
It's tempting to say to your self that these products must be alright or the 'government' wouldn't let them be sold, but this isn't true. The personal care products industry is not supervised. The FDA does not require manufacturers to register their products or to file safety data on the ingredients they use in them. They are free to put in as many toxic chemicals as they want. The only thing that stops them is reaction from the public. A few years ago, magazines came with scented strips advertising the latest perfumes. So many people were sickened and complained that the strips were discontinued. If enough people refuse to buy toxic products, manufacturers would stop making them.
Products you use while taking a shower are particularly dangerous since you are using them at a time when your pores are opened by hot water, allowing quick and easy access to your bloodstream. A look at the ingredients in your shampoo may be shocking. There are more than 100 toxic chemicals traditionally used in shampoo, and most brands contain 20 to 30 of them in addition to chemical fragrance and dyes.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a dominant ingredient in almost all shampoos. In addition to its toxic effects on your immune and detoxification systems, SLS has been shown to corrode the hair follicles and impede hair growth. It has been blamed for premature hair loss. The Material Safety Data Sheet provided by the U.S. government says exposure to SLS can lead to burning, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting. The American College of Toxicology says that SLS stays in the body for up to five days and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain.
While there are many natural alternative substances available that will clean and beautify you far better than these toxic concoctions, the large corporations that produce personal care products won't use them because it would cost too much money and interfere with their profits. They even try to disguise their cheap chemicals with tiny amounts of natural ingredients that are prominently featured on the front of the bottle. This is done to deceive you into buying what you think is an item that promotes health. But turn the bottle over and you will see a mind boggling list of toxic ingredients.
If you have decided that you don't want to pay your hard earned money to a corporation that strives to deceive you and tell you lies, you will find that discovering how to replace your toxic products with products that promote good health is a very difficult task. No matter what it says on the label, there are virtually No products in any of the discount stores, traditional supermarkets, or drugstores that are not filled with health compromising chemicals.
Some supermarkets featuring organic or health sections carry Burt's Bees products. These are certainly far preferable to those produced by the large corporations, but Burt's Bees has recently been bought out by Clorox Corporation, so its quality may soon be compromised. For now, some of Burt's Bees products are safe, and some contain toxic ingredients such as fragrance, endocrine system disrupting glucose oxidase, and borax (the active ingredient in most ant poisons).
You will have a better chance of finding products that promote health at a health food market. But even there, you can't just walk in and buy what appeals to you on sight. Many products marketed as 'natural' contain high levels of toxic ingredients. Whole Foods Market publishes a list of ingredients not allowed in the foods they sell, but many of these ingredients are contained in their personal care items. Apparently it is alright with them if the toxins enter you body through your skin instead of your mouth.
When you try to replace your personal care products with ones that promote health, you will find that almost every item you pick lists ingredients that sounds like chemicals. The only way to be sure of what you are buying is to research these ingredients. Here is a website where you can easily research many of these ingredients using their search box: (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/) .
Many people have found that the easiest and most cost effective way to shop for health promoting products is online using one of the large supplement companies such as Lucky Vitamin or Vitacost. Each of these carries an amazing array of the personal care and cosmetic products typically found in health food stores.
There is one line of products that stands out above the rest. Aubrey Organics consistently provides items that are of very high quality and free of toxins. Many of their lotions and shampoos are highly scented with natural oils. Of course, these products are fairly expensive, but if you order them online there is a substantial savings.
Kiss My Face makes that luscious olive oil soap without scent or in several scents created from chemicals. Many of their other products contain an array of toxic ingredients.
Jason's is good for toothpaste, making several flavors without fluoride or significant toxic chemicals. But again, much of their line contains objectionable ingredients.
Cosmetics made entirely from minerals are gaining in popularity as witnessed by the astounding growth in Bare Essential shops. Mineral cosmetics provide the affects of traditional cosmetics and don't contain toxic chemicals. There are several other companies that sell cosmetics made from minerals. Their products are available at health food stores and online.
It's not easy to make the change from disease promoting personal care products to those promoting health. It seems to require some trial and error, a lot of time to do research, patience, and a commitment to paying higher prices for the products you use. But once the change is made and these products become as familiar to you as the ones you used to buy, it will be easy from that point on. You will realize that you have made a significant investment in your future health and freedom from disease, and you will feel proud of yourself. You will know that it's all a matter of priorities.
After you have found products in every category that you really like and seen how good you feel using them, you probably won't even consider returning to the old brands. You will feel good about spending your money on products made by a company who knows its future rests in producing products that keep you healthy, rather that a corporation that sees you only as someone to be exploited. And you may realize that looking your best can be achieved only with the vibrant glow of good health shining from your insides out.
Add Chemical-Free Color to Cheeks With Miessence Blush Powder
by: Aria Milan, Skin Care & Body Care Editor
(NaturalNews) The act of blushing is associated with the glow of being in love and has always been considered an alluring quality. Throughout the ages, women have applied color to their cheeks to capture the beauty of the blushing effect. The perfect shade of blush is a prize find. The right color for cheeks can mean the difference between a healthy, youthful glow and a sick pallor. Finding "just the right color" can be a challenge in and of itself, but narrowing the search to include finding the right blush in an all natural cosmetic can be a frustrating endeavor. Most cosmetics on the market are awash with harmful chemical additives. One could deduce that these chemical additives play a key role in the texture and "feel" of the cosmetic. If chemical allergies aren't a factor, conventional blushes feel great and the color lasts for hours. With many natural and organic cosmetics, one doesn't have to worry about absorbing toxins, but these products usually don't look and feel as natural on the face, and they tend to cake. Miessence is a line of organic body care and cosmetic products that offers a pure mineral blush which gives cheeks a beautiful, natural color.
The mineral blush powders come in two types of finishes -- Satin and Silk. The Silk colors have a matte finish and is great for daytime use. The Satin colors have a shimmering effect and is perfect for evenings out. There are three colors in all and each color has a Satin and Silk version available. The difference in shades between the Satin and Silk colors are significant so in actuality, there are 6 colors to choose from -- Ginger Blossom Satin, Ginger Blossom Silk, Apricot Dew Satin, Apricot Dew Silk, Desert Rose Satin, and Desert Rose Silk. These colors offer enough of a choice for people of different skin colors, from very fair to dark, to pick a shade that will match their skin tone. According to the Miessence catalogue: the Silk colors look very light in the the containers but darken when applied and the Satin colors look like how they appear in the jars.
I tried the Ginger Blossom Satin blush powder and I was surprised to find that it went on very smoothly and naturally. It livened up my face but didn't over-power my cheeks with color. This blush was natural enough for me to use during the day and had a lovely shimmer to it. The first time I tried it, I applied too much but felt confident that the color would fade after a little while like so many other blush products do. After a few hours, I looked in the mirror and had a double-edged surprise -- on the one hand, the color hadn't faded so it looked over-applied but the plus side is that the color stayed put on my cheeks really nicely. I can fairly say this is the best mineral blush powder I've used and the shimmering color adds a vibrant glow to my face.
I've tried many natural cosmetics in the past and I've been disappointed with almost every product. The challenge I've found with natural cosmetics is that the texture just doesn't feel right and the color choices aren't enough to find the right shade to match my skin tone. I imagine this is true for a lot of people. The easy way would be to just continue using conventional make-up products, except for one uncomfortable truth: conventional cosmetics contain dangerous chemical ingredients that are carcinogenic and endocrine disruptive. What a lot of people are left with is the choice to look really good by using toxic products or sacrifice the optimum look for much healthier alternatives.
This does not hold true any more when it comes to Miessence blush powder.
The ingredients of the blush powder are:
* Mica
* Sericite Mica
* Organic Rose (Rosa Damascena) Essential Oil
* may contain Iron Oxides
These are very simple ingredients which makes me feel that my search for a good blush powder is over. When shopping around for cosmetics, it's best to avoid products that contain Coal Tar Dyes, PEG, Talc, Dimethicone, and Parabens, just to name a few. Taking the time to switch to natural cosmetics from toxic products is well worth the time and effort not just for your health but also for your beauty in the long term. Many of these harmful chemicals also cause skin irritation and free-radical damage that can lead to premature aging.
For a natural look with this blush powder, apply it with a blush brush and when more color is desired, apply with a sponge. The only drawbacks I found was that it comes in a loose powder and for those who are used to hard powders, this takes a little while to get used to and is a little messy. Also, the containers are a little small, about .21 ounces or 6 grams. Overall, I recommend this product as it is a wonderful blush and is softly scented with rose oil. The price of this blush is "higher end" at $22.95 but is worth it. To order this product, go to (http://www.miorganicfamily.com/). Be sure to select the destination of where you want your order shipped as this is an international company and the currency will reflect the destination country. In upcoming articles, I will be reviewing the Miessence foundation and lip creme.
Look beautiful naturally!
Update: Since I last wrote this review, I've been informed that Miessence has reformulated their blushes and have blended both the Silk and Satin effects in three colors -- Desert Rose, Apricot Dew, and Ginger Blossom. I have tried the new blushes and they work even better! These blushes have the combined effect of shimmer and matte so it's appropriate for both day and evening wear. When the light reflects off the cheeks, the shimmer effect is very noticeable but during natural lighting (when the sun shines during the day) the blush is toned down as the matte effect is more prominent. Desert Rose has a warm brown/pink color to it, Ginger Blossom is a nice all-around pink shade and Apricot Dew is a radiant pink with an uplifting apricot hue to it. These new blushes are highly recommended and are very versatile.
(NaturalNews) The act of blushing is associated with the glow of being in love and has always been considered an alluring quality. Throughout the ages, women have applied color to their cheeks to capture the beauty of the blushing effect. The perfect shade of blush is a prize find. The right color for cheeks can mean the difference between a healthy, youthful glow and a sick pallor. Finding "just the right color" can be a challenge in and of itself, but narrowing the search to include finding the right blush in an all natural cosmetic can be a frustrating endeavor. Most cosmetics on the market are awash with harmful chemical additives. One could deduce that these chemical additives play a key role in the texture and "feel" of the cosmetic. If chemical allergies aren't a factor, conventional blushes feel great and the color lasts for hours. With many natural and organic cosmetics, one doesn't have to worry about absorbing toxins, but these products usually don't look and feel as natural on the face, and they tend to cake. Miessence is a line of organic body care and cosmetic products that offers a pure mineral blush which gives cheeks a beautiful, natural color.
The mineral blush powders come in two types of finishes -- Satin and Silk. The Silk colors have a matte finish and is great for daytime use. The Satin colors have a shimmering effect and is perfect for evenings out. There are three colors in all and each color has a Satin and Silk version available. The difference in shades between the Satin and Silk colors are significant so in actuality, there are 6 colors to choose from -- Ginger Blossom Satin, Ginger Blossom Silk, Apricot Dew Satin, Apricot Dew Silk, Desert Rose Satin, and Desert Rose Silk. These colors offer enough of a choice for people of different skin colors, from very fair to dark, to pick a shade that will match their skin tone. According to the Miessence catalogue: the Silk colors look very light in the the containers but darken when applied and the Satin colors look like how they appear in the jars.
I tried the Ginger Blossom Satin blush powder and I was surprised to find that it went on very smoothly and naturally. It livened up my face but didn't over-power my cheeks with color. This blush was natural enough for me to use during the day and had a lovely shimmer to it. The first time I tried it, I applied too much but felt confident that the color would fade after a little while like so many other blush products do. After a few hours, I looked in the mirror and had a double-edged surprise -- on the one hand, the color hadn't faded so it looked over-applied but the plus side is that the color stayed put on my cheeks really nicely. I can fairly say this is the best mineral blush powder I've used and the shimmering color adds a vibrant glow to my face.
I've tried many natural cosmetics in the past and I've been disappointed with almost every product. The challenge I've found with natural cosmetics is that the texture just doesn't feel right and the color choices aren't enough to find the right shade to match my skin tone. I imagine this is true for a lot of people. The easy way would be to just continue using conventional make-up products, except for one uncomfortable truth: conventional cosmetics contain dangerous chemical ingredients that are carcinogenic and endocrine disruptive. What a lot of people are left with is the choice to look really good by using toxic products or sacrifice the optimum look for much healthier alternatives.
This does not hold true any more when it comes to Miessence blush powder.
The ingredients of the blush powder are:
* Mica
* Sericite Mica
* Organic Rose (Rosa Damascena) Essential Oil
* may contain Iron Oxides
These are very simple ingredients which makes me feel that my search for a good blush powder is over. When shopping around for cosmetics, it's best to avoid products that contain Coal Tar Dyes, PEG, Talc, Dimethicone, and Parabens, just to name a few. Taking the time to switch to natural cosmetics from toxic products is well worth the time and effort not just for your health but also for your beauty in the long term. Many of these harmful chemicals also cause skin irritation and free-radical damage that can lead to premature aging.
For a natural look with this blush powder, apply it with a blush brush and when more color is desired, apply with a sponge. The only drawbacks I found was that it comes in a loose powder and for those who are used to hard powders, this takes a little while to get used to and is a little messy. Also, the containers are a little small, about .21 ounces or 6 grams. Overall, I recommend this product as it is a wonderful blush and is softly scented with rose oil. The price of this blush is "higher end" at $22.95 but is worth it. To order this product, go to (http://www.miorganicfamily.com/). Be sure to select the destination of where you want your order shipped as this is an international company and the currency will reflect the destination country. In upcoming articles, I will be reviewing the Miessence foundation and lip creme.
Look beautiful naturally!
Update: Since I last wrote this review, I've been informed that Miessence has reformulated their blushes and have blended both the Silk and Satin effects in three colors -- Desert Rose, Apricot Dew, and Ginger Blossom. I have tried the new blushes and they work even better! These blushes have the combined effect of shimmer and matte so it's appropriate for both day and evening wear. When the light reflects off the cheeks, the shimmer effect is very noticeable but during natural lighting (when the sun shines during the day) the blush is toned down as the matte effect is more prominent. Desert Rose has a warm brown/pink color to it, Ginger Blossom is a nice all-around pink shade and Apricot Dew is a radiant pink with an uplifting apricot hue to it. These new blushes are highly recommended and are very versatile.
Teens and Toxic Skin Care: A Parent's Responsibility
by: Al G Smith, citizen journalist
(NaturalNews) No one has ever said that being a parent is an easy job. In the 21st century there are many reasons why successful parenting could be said to be more difficult than ever. Thanks to the impact of modern marketing methods, exploited so successfully by the cosmetics and personal care industry, teenagers are increasingly encouraged to utilize synthetic chemical laden products to solve their perceived `socially embarrassing`, but perfectly natural, adolescent problems. Helping to educate your children in suitably subtle, but effective ways, has never been more urgent as yet more evidence emerges about the toxic load youngsters are already carrying as a result of using higher than average levels of skin, hair and body care and cosmetics products.
Disturbing news has recently emerged from the ongoing research published by the respected Environmental Working Group (EWG) in September 2008, that parents need to take note of. If you have teenagers, in particular, you will know that they are at a difficult and vulnerable time of life, when their own bodies are in a state of turmoil and constant development. Amongst the numerous challenges of impending adulthood is the development of natural body-smells, and minor skin eruptions, caused by glandular and hormonal disturbances, which can make any teenager feel self-conscious. These issues can lead to many teens being liable to apply deodorants liberally and frequently, and also to use a variety of commercial creams and lotions. Teenagers are also tempted to experiment with all sorts of cosmetics without paying much attention to the ingredients used to manufacture them.
The EWG`s research has confirmed that teenagers do indeed use more `substances` on their skins than the average person. This means that during this vulnerable physical and emotional time they can be exposed to a whole host of potentially harmful chemical components regularly used in the manufacture of body, skin and hair product in the majority of typical, off-the-shelf brands.
If you are the main provider of skin, hair and body care products for your children to use then it is your direct responsibility as a parent to ensure that you are using the safest products available – even if these safer alternatives do cost a little more. Surely no parent would want to justify continuing to provide something that might be slowly poisoning their children`s skin and bodies.
If ignorance is truly bliss than perhaps this is the excuse for those parents who are less proactive about getting adequately informed. Perhaps they simply do not know or realize what an array of toxic chemicals are commonly found in the products that their child or teenager may be using every day. For others, perhaps they are happy to accept the claims made by certain `official` sources - often with politically and/or commercially invested interests to protect - that currently there is insufficient evidence of any harm that these products or ingredients might cause.
Most responsible parents will go out of their way to make sure that they are adequately informed so that they can properly care for their offspring. When this is not the case not, it begs the question: "how soon does such an attitude become tantamount to neglect?" Only an individual parent`s conscience can provide the answer, perhaps.
But if this helps you to make more informed purchasing decisions, or to make more strenuous efforts to inform and educate your own teens about their personal shopping practices, you should be aware that EWG research has shown that teens tend to use an average of 17 body/skin/cosmetic products a day compared with adult use of an average of 12 products. The study indicated that, across the United States, teenage girls are already typically contaminated with a wide variety of known toxic chemicals routinely used in many personal care and cosmetic formulations. Some of the toxic ingredients identified at elevated levels in blood and urine samples included:
Phthalates – Often used in the manufacture of plastic products, they can be absorbed both into susceptible products and also the body via various means. Known to be toxic (though played down by `official Government sources`) phthalates are potentially cancer causing and disruptive to natural hormones and may affect normal gender development and fertility.
Triclosan – Widely used in liquid hand soaps, toothpaste, anti-bacterial creams and other so-called `body care` products. It is a chlorophenol that is registered as a `pesticide` by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It progressively increases in its toxic potential through accumulation as it is very hard to get rid of once absorbed by the body. It is known to cause cause irritations, trigger allergic reactions and is also potentially carcinogenic in humans.
Parabens – A `family` of carcinogenic chemicals (e.g. methylparaben; propylparaben and others), These chemicals are also known to have disruptive effects on hormones and they were found in all of the sample of 20 teenage girls studied by the EWG.
Fragrances – Synthetic fragrances such as `musk` are frequently used in the popular, cheaper brands of perfumes, toiletries and cosmetics (typically favored by pocket-money-spending teens), These synthetic perfumes can trigger allergies and sensitivities, and have also been shown to cause cancers in mice.
These are just a `handful` of common constituents found in many personal care products - ranging from soaps, deodorants, hand lotions, body creams, toothpastes, anti-microbial blemish creams, and so on, right through to cosmetics of all kinds.
As yet there are still relatively few skin, hair and body care products on the market that can truly claim to be safer alternatives for adults to use, let alone vulnerable teens and younger children. This is because the majority of off-the-shelf products rely heavily on synthetic chemical for preservation, coloring, fragrance and as `bulking` agents, amongst other things. Some truly natural product ranges are, however, emerging but they have to be hunted-down. With effort you can find new, ethically-inspired brands that utilize the wisdom of ages and entirely natural formulations to ensure their preservation and safety for use for all age-groups. For example, you might browse the information about the certified organic products supplied via http://www.saferalternative.com, and examine the product range originally formulated through the diligence of one concerned Mother who knew she wanted to be absolutely certain that the products her three children used were as safe as could be humanly produced.
But do not make the bland assumption that every other product on the high-street, or online, that calls itself 'natural' or 'organic' actually lives-up to the apparent claims or implications made by marketing campaigns, brand names and images. Only by reading the small print, specifically the ingredients label, on your body, hair and skin care products, can you become properly informed about what is really used in their manufacture.
Even so, the ingredients listings on many labels, regularly prove to be barely legible, and will often contain items that are either hard to decipher, and even more difficult to pronounce. Another trick that manufacturers frequently use in listing ingredients is to `imply` natural derivations by mentioning natural-sounding words and phrases. It is up to every parent to do their due diligence and familiarize themselves with the names and potential health risks associated with common components in hair, skin, body care and cosmetics. For this purpose (if, as a regular Natural News reader, you do not have it already) a free ebook is downloadable from: http://www.gonando.com/healthier-li... that lists and identifies the major toxic, synthetic chemical ingredients of particular concern that could appear on your personal care labels.
It is never easy to educate or inform teenagers – who naturally `know it all` already. But if you can persuade your teen to read a resource that allows them to learn for themselves about the health risks posed by some of the ingredients in their favorite skin care and cosmetics products, you might just help them to avoid unnecessary, further exposure to toxic substances that could potentially cause their health to suffer in years to come.
(NaturalNews) No one has ever said that being a parent is an easy job. In the 21st century there are many reasons why successful parenting could be said to be more difficult than ever. Thanks to the impact of modern marketing methods, exploited so successfully by the cosmetics and personal care industry, teenagers are increasingly encouraged to utilize synthetic chemical laden products to solve their perceived `socially embarrassing`, but perfectly natural, adolescent problems. Helping to educate your children in suitably subtle, but effective ways, has never been more urgent as yet more evidence emerges about the toxic load youngsters are already carrying as a result of using higher than average levels of skin, hair and body care and cosmetics products.
Disturbing news has recently emerged from the ongoing research published by the respected Environmental Working Group (EWG) in September 2008, that parents need to take note of. If you have teenagers, in particular, you will know that they are at a difficult and vulnerable time of life, when their own bodies are in a state of turmoil and constant development. Amongst the numerous challenges of impending adulthood is the development of natural body-smells, and minor skin eruptions, caused by glandular and hormonal disturbances, which can make any teenager feel self-conscious. These issues can lead to many teens being liable to apply deodorants liberally and frequently, and also to use a variety of commercial creams and lotions. Teenagers are also tempted to experiment with all sorts of cosmetics without paying much attention to the ingredients used to manufacture them.
The EWG`s research has confirmed that teenagers do indeed use more `substances` on their skins than the average person. This means that during this vulnerable physical and emotional time they can be exposed to a whole host of potentially harmful chemical components regularly used in the manufacture of body, skin and hair product in the majority of typical, off-the-shelf brands.
If you are the main provider of skin, hair and body care products for your children to use then it is your direct responsibility as a parent to ensure that you are using the safest products available – even if these safer alternatives do cost a little more. Surely no parent would want to justify continuing to provide something that might be slowly poisoning their children`s skin and bodies.
If ignorance is truly bliss than perhaps this is the excuse for those parents who are less proactive about getting adequately informed. Perhaps they simply do not know or realize what an array of toxic chemicals are commonly found in the products that their child or teenager may be using every day. For others, perhaps they are happy to accept the claims made by certain `official` sources - often with politically and/or commercially invested interests to protect - that currently there is insufficient evidence of any harm that these products or ingredients might cause.
Most responsible parents will go out of their way to make sure that they are adequately informed so that they can properly care for their offspring. When this is not the case not, it begs the question: "how soon does such an attitude become tantamount to neglect?" Only an individual parent`s conscience can provide the answer, perhaps.
But if this helps you to make more informed purchasing decisions, or to make more strenuous efforts to inform and educate your own teens about their personal shopping practices, you should be aware that EWG research has shown that teens tend to use an average of 17 body/skin/cosmetic products a day compared with adult use of an average of 12 products. The study indicated that, across the United States, teenage girls are already typically contaminated with a wide variety of known toxic chemicals routinely used in many personal care and cosmetic formulations. Some of the toxic ingredients identified at elevated levels in blood and urine samples included:
Phthalates – Often used in the manufacture of plastic products, they can be absorbed both into susceptible products and also the body via various means. Known to be toxic (though played down by `official Government sources`) phthalates are potentially cancer causing and disruptive to natural hormones and may affect normal gender development and fertility.
Triclosan – Widely used in liquid hand soaps, toothpaste, anti-bacterial creams and other so-called `body care` products. It is a chlorophenol that is registered as a `pesticide` by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It progressively increases in its toxic potential through accumulation as it is very hard to get rid of once absorbed by the body. It is known to cause cause irritations, trigger allergic reactions and is also potentially carcinogenic in humans.
Parabens – A `family` of carcinogenic chemicals (e.g. methylparaben; propylparaben and others), These chemicals are also known to have disruptive effects on hormones and they were found in all of the sample of 20 teenage girls studied by the EWG.
Fragrances – Synthetic fragrances such as `musk` are frequently used in the popular, cheaper brands of perfumes, toiletries and cosmetics (typically favored by pocket-money-spending teens), These synthetic perfumes can trigger allergies and sensitivities, and have also been shown to cause cancers in mice.
These are just a `handful` of common constituents found in many personal care products - ranging from soaps, deodorants, hand lotions, body creams, toothpastes, anti-microbial blemish creams, and so on, right through to cosmetics of all kinds.
As yet there are still relatively few skin, hair and body care products on the market that can truly claim to be safer alternatives for adults to use, let alone vulnerable teens and younger children. This is because the majority of off-the-shelf products rely heavily on synthetic chemical for preservation, coloring, fragrance and as `bulking` agents, amongst other things. Some truly natural product ranges are, however, emerging but they have to be hunted-down. With effort you can find new, ethically-inspired brands that utilize the wisdom of ages and entirely natural formulations to ensure their preservation and safety for use for all age-groups. For example, you might browse the information about the certified organic products supplied via http://www.saferalternative.com, and examine the product range originally formulated through the diligence of one concerned Mother who knew she wanted to be absolutely certain that the products her three children used were as safe as could be humanly produced.
But do not make the bland assumption that every other product on the high-street, or online, that calls itself 'natural' or 'organic' actually lives-up to the apparent claims or implications made by marketing campaigns, brand names and images. Only by reading the small print, specifically the ingredients label, on your body, hair and skin care products, can you become properly informed about what is really used in their manufacture.
Even so, the ingredients listings on many labels, regularly prove to be barely legible, and will often contain items that are either hard to decipher, and even more difficult to pronounce. Another trick that manufacturers frequently use in listing ingredients is to `imply` natural derivations by mentioning natural-sounding words and phrases. It is up to every parent to do their due diligence and familiarize themselves with the names and potential health risks associated with common components in hair, skin, body care and cosmetics. For this purpose (if, as a regular Natural News reader, you do not have it already) a free ebook is downloadable from: http://www.gonando.com/healthier-li... that lists and identifies the major toxic, synthetic chemical ingredients of particular concern that could appear on your personal care labels.
It is never easy to educate or inform teenagers – who naturally `know it all` already. But if you can persuade your teen to read a resource that allows them to learn for themselves about the health risks posed by some of the ingredients in their favorite skin care and cosmetics products, you might just help them to avoid unnecessary, further exposure to toxic substances that could potentially cause their health to suffer in years to come.
How To Choose Products That Keep You Beautiful And Healthy
by: Barbara Minton, Natural Health Editor
(NaturalNews) Millions of Americans are adversely affected each year by a silent from of chemical warfare that's taking place every day within the comforts of our own homes. While we worry about the chemical weaponry of terrorists and lead-contaminated imported toys, we are literally poisoning our immune systems with thousands of toxic chemicals that are known carcinogens, hormone disrupters, and cancer-causing agents.
It starts with your morning routine. If you are a man, you will probably use shampoo, soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, hair gel or styling products, shaving cream, and aftershave or cologne. A typical day for a woman starts much the same, with the added possibilities of shower gel, body and face cream, lotion, moisturizer, make-up, hair spray, perfume, and nail polish. By the time you have made it to the door, you have swallowed, inhaled and absorbed through your skin hundreds of toxic chemicals, some of which have been proven to be deadly to laboratory animals and many of which are known to be carcinogens.
If you are suffering from dry flaky skin, persistent skin irritations, rashes, sinus problems, allergies, asthma, respiratory ailments and other health problems that never seem to get cured, it may be time for you to examine the negative effects your personal care products are having on your health. It's great to exercise and watch what you eat, but you must also watch what you put on your body and even what you use to clean your house if you want to achieve optimal health.
Any substance you put on your skin, or inhale will enter your bloodstream just as surely as if you had swallowed it. Once these chemicals enter your bloodstream, they are perceived by your immune system as foreign and not recognizable, and they are perceived by your liver as toxins. When your immune system and liver are dealing with toxic chemical overload they aren't available to do the jobs they were intended to do. That's why people who insist on putting toxic chemicals into their bodies suffer from frequent bacterial and viral infections, other mysterious maladies, and even cancer.
Have you ever taken a close look at the ingredients in your personal care products? Whatever you are seeing probably includes water. Is there anything else on that label that you recognize as a naturally occurring substance you might actually want to put inside your body? If it doesn't occur in nature, it shouldn't be inside of you, because you are a natural being.
Kiss My Face Corporation makes a wonderful soap bar that lathers up and cleans just fine. The only ingredients on its label are olive oil, water and salt. There are no toxic chemicals or fragrance. That's what a label should look like. How does the label on your soap look?
No matter what the advertisements try to make you think, fragrance does not come from flowers or anything else natural. More than 4,000 chemicals are used in fragrances, many of which are waste products from the petroleum industry. Several of them are known to cause cancer, birth defects, infertility, and brain and central nervous system damage including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's.
Since so many products are now scented, the number of people who are made ill by fragrances is steadily increasing. Babies and children are especially vulnerable along with those recovering from illness or disease. Chemical fragrances are everywhere: laundry detergent, fabric softeners, dish washing liquids, suntan products, sunscreen, incense, lotions, moisturizers, lip balms, almost every personal care product, and more. It's even found in many products labeled as unscented because it is contained within a compound when that compound is added to the product.
Exposure to scented products can cause the persistent symptoms that mystify people, such as chronic aches and pains, headaches, allergies, swollen glands and lymph tenderness, heart palpitations, memory, fatigue, asthma, nausea, and neural-motor functioning including dizziness, and fainting. Exposure in children and even adults can cause learning and behavioral problems, attention deficit and hyperactivity in addition to any of the other symptoms. Continued exposure to chemical fragrances along with other toxic chemicals can cause development of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Disease. When you have this disease, the slightest whiff of a toxic chemical makes you so ill you cannot function. Your ability to interact with the rest of the world is seriously compromised.
It's tempting to say to your self that these products must be alright or the 'government' wouldn't let them be sold, but this isn't true. The personal care products industry is not supervised. The FDA does not require manufacturers to register their products or to file safety data on the ingredients they use in them. They are free to put in as many toxic chemicals as they want. The only thing that stops them is reaction from the public. A few years ago, magazines came with scented strips advertising the latest perfumes. So many people were sickened and complained that the strips were discontinued. If enough people refuse to buy toxic products, manufacturers would stop making them.
Products you use while taking a shower are particularly dangerous since you are using them at a time when your pores are opened by hot water, allowing quick and easy access to your bloodstream. A look at the ingredients in your shampoo may be shocking. There are more than 100 toxic chemicals traditionally used in shampoo, and most brands contain 20 to 30 of them in addition to chemical fragrance and dyes.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a dominant ingredient in almost all shampoos. In addition to its toxic effects on your immune and detoxification systems, SLS has been shown to corrode the hair follicles and impede hair growth. It has been blamed for premature hair loss. The Material Safety Data Sheet provided by the U.S. government says exposure to SLS can lead to burning, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting. The American College of Toxicology says that SLS stays in the body for up to five days and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain.
While there are many natural alternative substances available that will clean and beautify you far better than these toxic concoctions, the large corporations that produce personal care products won't use them because it would cost too much money and interfere with their profits. They even try to disguise their cheap chemicals with tiny amounts of natural ingredients that are prominently featured on the front of the bottle. This is done to deceive you into buying what you think is an item that promotes health. But turn the bottle over and you will see a mind boggling list of toxic ingredients.
If you have decided that you don't want to pay your hard earned money to a corporation that strives to deceive you and tell you lies, you will find that discovering how to replace your toxic products with products that promote good health is a very difficult task. No matter what it says on the label, there are virtually No products in any of the discount stores, traditional supermarkets, or drugstores that are not filled with health compromising chemicals.
Some supermarkets featuring organic or health sections carry Burt's Bees products. These are certainly far preferable to those produced by the large corporations, but Burt's Bees has recently been bought out by Clorox Corporation, so its quality may soon be compromised. For now, some of Burt's Bees products are safe, and some contain toxic ingredients such as fragrance, endocrine system disrupting glucose oxidase, and borax (the active ingredient in most ant poisons).
You will have a better chance of finding products that promote health at a health food market. But even there, you can't just walk in and buy what appeals to you on sight. Many products marketed as 'natural' contain high levels of toxic ingredients. Whole Foods Market publishes a list of ingredients not allowed in the foods they sell, but many of these ingredients are contained in their personal care items. Apparently it is alright with them if the toxins enter you body through your skin instead of your mouth.
When you try to replace your personal care products with ones that promote health, you will find that almost every item you pick lists ingredients that sounds like chemicals. The only way to be sure of what you are buying is to research these ingredients. Here is a website where you can easily research many of these ingredients using their search box: (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/) .
Many people have found that the easiest and most cost effective way to shop for health promoting products is online using one of the large supplement companies such as Lucky Vitamin or Vitacost. Each of these carries an amazing array of the personal care and cosmetic products typically found in health food stores.
There is one line of products that stands out above the rest. Aubrey Organics consistently provides items that are of very high quality and free of toxins. Many of their lotions and shampoos are highly scented with natural oils. Of course, these products are fairly expensive, but if you order them online there is a substantial savings.
Kiss My Face makes that luscious olive oil soap without scent or in several scents created from chemicals. Many of their other products contain an array of toxic ingredients.
Jason's is good for toothpaste, making several flavors without fluoride or significant toxic chemicals. But again, much of their line contains objectionable ingredients.
Cosmetics made entirely from minerals are gaining in popularity as witnessed by the astounding growth in Bare Essential shops. Mineral cosmetics provide the affects of traditional cosmetics and don't contain toxic chemicals. There are several other companies that sell cosmetics made from minerals. Their products are available at health food stores and online.
It's not easy to make the change from disease promoting personal care products to those promoting health. It seems to require some trial and error, a lot of time to do research, patience, and a commitment to paying higher prices for the products you use. But once the change is made and these products become as familiar to you as the ones you used to buy, it will be easy from that point on. You will realize that you have made a significant investment in your future health and freedom from disease, and you will feel proud of yourself. You will know that it's all a matter of priorities.
After you have found products in every category that you really like and seen how good you feel using them, you probably won't even consider returning to the old brands. You will feel good about spending your money on products made by a company who knows its future rests in producing products that keep you healthy, rather that a corporation that sees you only as someone to be exploited. And you may realize that looking your best can be achieved only with the vibrant glow of good health shining from your insides out.
(NaturalNews) Millions of Americans are adversely affected each year by a silent from of chemical warfare that's taking place every day within the comforts of our own homes. While we worry about the chemical weaponry of terrorists and lead-contaminated imported toys, we are literally poisoning our immune systems with thousands of toxic chemicals that are known carcinogens, hormone disrupters, and cancer-causing agents.
It starts with your morning routine. If you are a man, you will probably use shampoo, soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, hair gel or styling products, shaving cream, and aftershave or cologne. A typical day for a woman starts much the same, with the added possibilities of shower gel, body and face cream, lotion, moisturizer, make-up, hair spray, perfume, and nail polish. By the time you have made it to the door, you have swallowed, inhaled and absorbed through your skin hundreds of toxic chemicals, some of which have been proven to be deadly to laboratory animals and many of which are known to be carcinogens.
If you are suffering from dry flaky skin, persistent skin irritations, rashes, sinus problems, allergies, asthma, respiratory ailments and other health problems that never seem to get cured, it may be time for you to examine the negative effects your personal care products are having on your health. It's great to exercise and watch what you eat, but you must also watch what you put on your body and even what you use to clean your house if you want to achieve optimal health.
Any substance you put on your skin, or inhale will enter your bloodstream just as surely as if you had swallowed it. Once these chemicals enter your bloodstream, they are perceived by your immune system as foreign and not recognizable, and they are perceived by your liver as toxins. When your immune system and liver are dealing with toxic chemical overload they aren't available to do the jobs they were intended to do. That's why people who insist on putting toxic chemicals into their bodies suffer from frequent bacterial and viral infections, other mysterious maladies, and even cancer.
Have you ever taken a close look at the ingredients in your personal care products? Whatever you are seeing probably includes water. Is there anything else on that label that you recognize as a naturally occurring substance you might actually want to put inside your body? If it doesn't occur in nature, it shouldn't be inside of you, because you are a natural being.
Kiss My Face Corporation makes a wonderful soap bar that lathers up and cleans just fine. The only ingredients on its label are olive oil, water and salt. There are no toxic chemicals or fragrance. That's what a label should look like. How does the label on your soap look?
No matter what the advertisements try to make you think, fragrance does not come from flowers or anything else natural. More than 4,000 chemicals are used in fragrances, many of which are waste products from the petroleum industry. Several of them are known to cause cancer, birth defects, infertility, and brain and central nervous system damage including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's.
Since so many products are now scented, the number of people who are made ill by fragrances is steadily increasing. Babies and children are especially vulnerable along with those recovering from illness or disease. Chemical fragrances are everywhere: laundry detergent, fabric softeners, dish washing liquids, suntan products, sunscreen, incense, lotions, moisturizers, lip balms, almost every personal care product, and more. It's even found in many products labeled as unscented because it is contained within a compound when that compound is added to the product.
Exposure to scented products can cause the persistent symptoms that mystify people, such as chronic aches and pains, headaches, allergies, swollen glands and lymph tenderness, heart palpitations, memory, fatigue, asthma, nausea, and neural-motor functioning including dizziness, and fainting. Exposure in children and even adults can cause learning and behavioral problems, attention deficit and hyperactivity in addition to any of the other symptoms. Continued exposure to chemical fragrances along with other toxic chemicals can cause development of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Disease. When you have this disease, the slightest whiff of a toxic chemical makes you so ill you cannot function. Your ability to interact with the rest of the world is seriously compromised.
It's tempting to say to your self that these products must be alright or the 'government' wouldn't let them be sold, but this isn't true. The personal care products industry is not supervised. The FDA does not require manufacturers to register their products or to file safety data on the ingredients they use in them. They are free to put in as many toxic chemicals as they want. The only thing that stops them is reaction from the public. A few years ago, magazines came with scented strips advertising the latest perfumes. So many people were sickened and complained that the strips were discontinued. If enough people refuse to buy toxic products, manufacturers would stop making them.
Products you use while taking a shower are particularly dangerous since you are using them at a time when your pores are opened by hot water, allowing quick and easy access to your bloodstream. A look at the ingredients in your shampoo may be shocking. There are more than 100 toxic chemicals traditionally used in shampoo, and most brands contain 20 to 30 of them in addition to chemical fragrance and dyes.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a dominant ingredient in almost all shampoos. In addition to its toxic effects on your immune and detoxification systems, SLS has been shown to corrode the hair follicles and impede hair growth. It has been blamed for premature hair loss. The Material Safety Data Sheet provided by the U.S. government says exposure to SLS can lead to burning, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting. The American College of Toxicology says that SLS stays in the body for up to five days and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain.
While there are many natural alternative substances available that will clean and beautify you far better than these toxic concoctions, the large corporations that produce personal care products won't use them because it would cost too much money and interfere with their profits. They even try to disguise their cheap chemicals with tiny amounts of natural ingredients that are prominently featured on the front of the bottle. This is done to deceive you into buying what you think is an item that promotes health. But turn the bottle over and you will see a mind boggling list of toxic ingredients.
If you have decided that you don't want to pay your hard earned money to a corporation that strives to deceive you and tell you lies, you will find that discovering how to replace your toxic products with products that promote good health is a very difficult task. No matter what it says on the label, there are virtually No products in any of the discount stores, traditional supermarkets, or drugstores that are not filled with health compromising chemicals.
Some supermarkets featuring organic or health sections carry Burt's Bees products. These are certainly far preferable to those produced by the large corporations, but Burt's Bees has recently been bought out by Clorox Corporation, so its quality may soon be compromised. For now, some of Burt's Bees products are safe, and some contain toxic ingredients such as fragrance, endocrine system disrupting glucose oxidase, and borax (the active ingredient in most ant poisons).
You will have a better chance of finding products that promote health at a health food market. But even there, you can't just walk in and buy what appeals to you on sight. Many products marketed as 'natural' contain high levels of toxic ingredients. Whole Foods Market publishes a list of ingredients not allowed in the foods they sell, but many of these ingredients are contained in their personal care items. Apparently it is alright with them if the toxins enter you body through your skin instead of your mouth.
When you try to replace your personal care products with ones that promote health, you will find that almost every item you pick lists ingredients that sounds like chemicals. The only way to be sure of what you are buying is to research these ingredients. Here is a website where you can easily research many of these ingredients using their search box: (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/) .
Many people have found that the easiest and most cost effective way to shop for health promoting products is online using one of the large supplement companies such as Lucky Vitamin or Vitacost. Each of these carries an amazing array of the personal care and cosmetic products typically found in health food stores.
There is one line of products that stands out above the rest. Aubrey Organics consistently provides items that are of very high quality and free of toxins. Many of their lotions and shampoos are highly scented with natural oils. Of course, these products are fairly expensive, but if you order them online there is a substantial savings.
Kiss My Face makes that luscious olive oil soap without scent or in several scents created from chemicals. Many of their other products contain an array of toxic ingredients.
Jason's is good for toothpaste, making several flavors without fluoride or significant toxic chemicals. But again, much of their line contains objectionable ingredients.
Cosmetics made entirely from minerals are gaining in popularity as witnessed by the astounding growth in Bare Essential shops. Mineral cosmetics provide the affects of traditional cosmetics and don't contain toxic chemicals. There are several other companies that sell cosmetics made from minerals. Their products are available at health food stores and online.
It's not easy to make the change from disease promoting personal care products to those promoting health. It seems to require some trial and error, a lot of time to do research, patience, and a commitment to paying higher prices for the products you use. But once the change is made and these products become as familiar to you as the ones you used to buy, it will be easy from that point on. You will realize that you have made a significant investment in your future health and freedom from disease, and you will feel proud of yourself. You will know that it's all a matter of priorities.
After you have found products in every category that you really like and seen how good you feel using them, you probably won't even consider returning to the old brands. You will feel good about spending your money on products made by a company who knows its future rests in producing products that keep you healthy, rather that a corporation that sees you only as someone to be exploited. And you may realize that looking your best can be achieved only with the vibrant glow of good health shining from your insides out.
FDA Regulations Permit Toxins in Cosmetics
by: Jo Hartley, citizen journalist
(NaturalNews) The FDA Handbook is the standard for regulations in the US regarding the manufacture of food and drugs, including cosmetic and skin care products. It is interesting to learn that this handbook actually allows the use of known harmful ingredients in the creation of cosmetic and skin care products.
In fact, almost any ingredient is permissible in cosmetics and body care products, as evidenced by these quotes from the FDA Handbook:
"With the exception of color additives and a few prohibited ingredients, a cosmetic manufacturer may, on his own responsibility, use essentially any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without approval."
"Although not prohibited by law or regulation, in addition, the manufacturers of cosmetic fragrance products have voluntarily agreed to not use or to limit maximum use levels of certain selected ingredients which have been found to cause depigmentation, irritant, neurotoxic, or phototoxic or other allergic reactions."
Mercury is permissible in cosmetics and other products, even though mercury is easily absorbed through the skin and will accumulate in the body. Mercury in any form is extremely toxic. Mercury poisoning can result from inhalation, ingestion, injection, or absorption through the skin.
"The use of mercury compounds as cosmetic ingredients is limited to eye area cosmetics at concentrations not exceeding 65 parts per million of mercury calculated as the metal (about 100 ppm or 0.01% phenylmercuric acetate or nitrate) and provided no other effective and safe preservative is available for use."
Nitrosamines are known carcinogens. Nevertheless, the FDA permits their use. Amines and their derivatives are typically present in creams, lotions, shampoos and hair conditioners. The nitrosation may occur during manufacture or during product storage.
"Cosmetics containing as ingredients amines or amino derivatives, particularly di- or triethanolamine, may form nitrosamines if they also contain an ingredient which acts as a nitrosating agent as, for example, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol, Onyxide 500), 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane (Bronidox C) or tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane (Tris Nitro), or if they are contaminated with anitrosating agent, e.g., sodium nitrite."
Dioxane is also permissible in products by the FDA. Dioxane irritates the eyes and mucous membranes. Prolonged exposure is considered toxic to the liver and kidneys.
"Cosmetics containing as ingredients ethoxylated surface active agents, i.e., detergents, foaming agents, emulsifiers and certain solvents identifiable by the prefix, word or syllable 'PEG', 'Polyethylene', 'Polyethylene glycol', 'Polyoxyethylene', '- eth-', or '-oxynol-', may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane. It may be removed from ethoxylated compounds by means of vacuum stripping at the end of the polymerization process without an unreasonable increase in raw material cost. In rodent feeding studies conducted for the National Cancer Institute, 1,4-dioxane was found to produce cancer of the liver and the nasal turbinates. It also caused systemic cancer in a skin painting study. Skin absorption studies demonstrated that dioxane readily penetrates animal and human skin from various types of vehicles."
Of note is the fact that it has been determined that when products containing dioxane are applied to the skin, most of the dioxane evaporates into the air and may not be actually absorbed into the skin. Many products analyzed have been found to contain dioxane. Some products contain as much as 100 ppm.
(NaturalNews) The FDA Handbook is the standard for regulations in the US regarding the manufacture of food and drugs, including cosmetic and skin care products. It is interesting to learn that this handbook actually allows the use of known harmful ingredients in the creation of cosmetic and skin care products.
In fact, almost any ingredient is permissible in cosmetics and body care products, as evidenced by these quotes from the FDA Handbook:
"With the exception of color additives and a few prohibited ingredients, a cosmetic manufacturer may, on his own responsibility, use essentially any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without approval."
"Although not prohibited by law or regulation, in addition, the manufacturers of cosmetic fragrance products have voluntarily agreed to not use or to limit maximum use levels of certain selected ingredients which have been found to cause depigmentation, irritant, neurotoxic, or phototoxic or other allergic reactions."
Mercury is permissible in cosmetics and other products, even though mercury is easily absorbed through the skin and will accumulate in the body. Mercury in any form is extremely toxic. Mercury poisoning can result from inhalation, ingestion, injection, or absorption through the skin.
"The use of mercury compounds as cosmetic ingredients is limited to eye area cosmetics at concentrations not exceeding 65 parts per million of mercury calculated as the metal (about 100 ppm or 0.01% phenylmercuric acetate or nitrate) and provided no other effective and safe preservative is available for use."
Nitrosamines are known carcinogens. Nevertheless, the FDA permits their use. Amines and their derivatives are typically present in creams, lotions, shampoos and hair conditioners. The nitrosation may occur during manufacture or during product storage.
"Cosmetics containing as ingredients amines or amino derivatives, particularly di- or triethanolamine, may form nitrosamines if they also contain an ingredient which acts as a nitrosating agent as, for example, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol, Onyxide 500), 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane (Bronidox C) or tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane (Tris Nitro), or if they are contaminated with anitrosating agent, e.g., sodium nitrite."
Dioxane is also permissible in products by the FDA. Dioxane irritates the eyes and mucous membranes. Prolonged exposure is considered toxic to the liver and kidneys.
"Cosmetics containing as ingredients ethoxylated surface active agents, i.e., detergents, foaming agents, emulsifiers and certain solvents identifiable by the prefix, word or syllable 'PEG', 'Polyethylene', 'Polyethylene glycol', 'Polyoxyethylene', '- eth-', or '-oxynol-', may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane. It may be removed from ethoxylated compounds by means of vacuum stripping at the end of the polymerization process without an unreasonable increase in raw material cost. In rodent feeding studies conducted for the National Cancer Institute, 1,4-dioxane was found to produce cancer of the liver and the nasal turbinates. It also caused systemic cancer in a skin painting study. Skin absorption studies demonstrated that dioxane readily penetrates animal and human skin from various types of vehicles."
Of note is the fact that it has been determined that when products containing dioxane are applied to the skin, most of the dioxane evaporates into the air and may not be actually absorbed into the skin. Many products analyzed have been found to contain dioxane. Some products contain as much as 100 ppm.
Cosmetics
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
"Make-up" redirects here. For other uses, see Make-up (disambiguation).
For other uses, see Cosmetic.
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.
Assorted cosmetics and toolsCosmetics ( pronunciation: cosmetic (help·info)) are substances used to enhance or protect the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and gels, deodorants, baby products, bath oils, bubble baths, bath salts, butters and many other types of products. Their use is widespread, especially among women in Western countries. A subset of cosmetics is called "make-up," which refers primarily to colored products intended to alter the user’s appearance. Many manufacturers distinguish between decorative cosmetics and care cosmetics.
The manufacture of cosmetics is currently dominated by a small number of multinational corporations that originated in the early 20th century, but the distribution and sale of cosmetics is spread among a wide range of different businesses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which regulates cosmetics in the United States[1] defines cosmetics as: "intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions." This broad definition includes, as well, any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product. The FDA specifically excludes soap from this category.[2]
Contents
[hide]
1 History
2 Criticism and controversy
3 Makeup Types
4 Special Effects
5 Ingredients
5.1 Organic and Natural Ingredients
6 Cosmetic Careers
7 See also
8 References
9 Further reading
History
Main article: History of cosmetics
An 1889 Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec painting of a woman applying cosmetics to her faceThe first archaeological evidence of cosmetics usage is found in Egypt around 3500 BC.[citation needed] The Ancient Greeks and Romans also used cosmetics. The Romans and Ancient Egyptians used cosmetics containing poisonous mercury and often lead. The ancient kingdom of Israel was influenced by cosmetics as recorded in the Old Testament—2 Kings 9:30 where Jezebel painted her eyelids—approximately 840 BC. The Biblical book of Esther describes various beauty treatments as well.
In the western world, the advent of cosmetics was in the Middle Ages, although typically restricted to use within the upper classes.
Cosmetic use was frowned upon at some points in Western history. For example, in the 1800s, make-up was used primarily by prostitutes, and Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup improper, vulgar, and acceptable only for use by actors.[3] Adolf Hitler told women that face painting was for clowns and not for the women of the Master Race.[citation needed]
By the middle of the 20th century, cosmetics were in widespread use by women in nearly all industrial societies around the world.
Cosmetics have been in use for thousands of years. The absence of regulation of the manufacture and use of cosmetics has led to negative side effects, deformities, blindness, and even death through the ages. Examples of this were the prevalent use of ceruse (white lead), to cover the face during the Renaissance, and blindness caused by the mascara Lash Lure during the early 1900s.
The worldwide annual expenditures for cosmetics today is estimated at U.S. $19 billion.[4] Of the major firms, the oldest and the largest is L'Oréal, which was founded by Eugene Schueller in 1909 as the French Harmless Hair Colouring Company (now owned by Liliane Bettencourt 26% and Nestlé 28%, with the remaining 46% are publicly traded). The market was developed in the USA during the 1910s by Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Max Factor. These firms were joined by Revlon just before World War II and Estée Lauder just after.
Like most industries, cosmetic companies resist regulation by government agencies like the FDA, and have lobbied against this throughout the years.
Criticism and controversy
Further information: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005
During the 20th century, the popularity of cosmetics increased rapidly.[citation needed] Especially in the United States, cosmetics are used by girls at an increasingly young age.[citation needed] Many companies[who?] have catered to this expanding market by introducing more flavored lipsticks and glosses, cosmetics packaged in glittery, sparkly packaging and marketing and advertising using young models.[citation needed] The social consequences of younger and younger beautification has had much attention in the media over the last few years.
Criticism of cosmetics has come from a variety of sources[who?], including feminists, animal rights activists, authors and public interest groups. There is a growing awareness and preference for cosmetics that are without any toxic ingredients, especially those derived from petroleum, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and parabens.[5]
Numerous published reports have raised concern over the safety of a few surfactants. SLS causes a number of skin issues including dermatitis.[6][7][8][9][10]
Parabens can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis in individuals with paraben allergies, a small percentage of the general population.[11] Animal experiments have shown that parabens have a weak estrogenic activity, acting as xenoestrogens.[12]
Prolonged use of makeup has also been linked to thickening eyelashes.[13]
Synthetic fragrances are widely used in consumer products. Studies concluded from patch testing show synthetic fragrances are made of many ingredients which cause allergic reactions.[14]
Makeup Types
This section is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. You can help by converting this section to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (August 2008)
Lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner, lip plumper, lip balm, lip conditioner and lip boosters.[1]
Foundation, used to smooth out the face and cover spots or uneven skin coloration. Usually a liquid, cream, or powder.[1]
Powder, used to set the foundation, giving a matte finish, and also to conceal small flaws or blemishes.
Rouge, blush or blusher, cheek coloring used to bring out the color in the cheeks and make the cheekbones appear more defined. This comes in powder, cream, and liquid forms.[1]
Bronzer, used to give skin a bit of color by adding a golden or bronze glow.[1]
Mascara is used to darken, lengthen, and thicken the eyelashes. It is available in natural colors such as brown and black, but also comes in bolder colors such as blue, pink, or purple. There are many different formulas, including waterproof for those of us prone to allergies or sudden tears.[1]
Eye liner, eye shadow, eye shimmer, and glitter eye pencils as well as different color pencils used to color and emphasize the eyelids (larger eyes give a more youthful apprearance).[1]
Eyebrow pencils, creams, waxes, gels and powders are used to color and define the brows.[1]
Nail polish, used to color the fingernails and toenails.[1]
Concealer, Makeup used to cover any imperfections of the skin.
Also included in the general category of cosmetics are skin care products. These include creams and lotions to moisturize the face and body, sunscreens to protect the skin from damaging UV radiation, and treatment products to repair or hide skin imperfections (acne, wrinkles, dark circles under eyes, etc.). Cosmetics can also be described by the form of the product, as well as the area for application. Cosmetics can be liquid or cream emulsions; powders, both pressed and loose; dispersions; and anhydrous creams or sticks.
Special Effects
In addition to over-the-counter cosmetic products, recent years have seen an increasing market for prescription or surgical cosmetic procedures. These range from temporary enhancements, such as cosmetic colored contact lenses, to major cosmetic surgery. To temporary fashionable enhancement belongs application of false eyelashes or eyelash extensions, in order to enhance the natural eyelashes and make eye appearance more attractive.
Many techniques, such as microdermabrasion and physical or chemical peels, remove the oldest, top layers of skin cells. The younger layers of skin left behind appear more plump, youthful, and soft. Permanent application of pigments (tattooing) is also used cosmetically.
Ingredients
Main article: Ingredients of cosmetics
Eye shadow being applied
Broadway actor Jim Brochu applies make-up before the opening night of a play.
The chin mask known as chutti for Kathakali, a performing art in Kerala, India is considered as the thickest makeup applied for any artform.While there is assurance from the largest cosmetic companies that ingredients have passed quality tests and official regulations, and are therefore generally safe to use, there is a growing preference for cosmetics that are without any "synthetic" ingredients, especially those derived from petroleum. Once a niche market, handmade and certified organic products are becoming more mainstream.
Ingredients' listings in cosmetics are highly regulated in many countries. The testing of cosmetic products on animals is a subject of some controversy. It is now illegal in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and a ban across the European Union is due to come into effect in 2009.
Organic and Natural Ingredients
The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with USA and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.
Even though many cosmetic products are regulated, there are still health concerns regarding the presence of harmful chemicals within these products[citation needed]. Aside from color additives, cosmetic products and their ingredients are not subject to FDA regulation prior to their release into the market. It is only when a product is found to violate Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) after its release that the FDA may start taking action against this violation.[15] With many new products released into the market every season, it is hard to keep track of the safety of every product. Some products carry carcinogenic contaminant 1,4- dioxane. Many cosmetic companies are coming out with "All natural" and "Organic" products. All natural products contain mineral and plant ingredients and organic products are made with organic agricultural products. Products who claim they are organic are not, unless they are certified "USDA Organic."[16][17]
Cosmetic Careers
This section is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. You can help by converting this section to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (August 2008)
An account executive is responsible for visiting all counter sales and doors. They explain new products and "gifts with purchase" (free items given out upon purchase of a certain cosmetics item that costs more than a set amount).
A cosmetician is a professional who provides facial and body treatments for clients. The term cosmetologist is sometimes used interchangeably with this term, but most commonly refers to a certified professional. A freelance makeup artist provides clients with beauty advice and cosmetics assistance -- usually paid by the cosmetic company by the hour.
Professionals in cosmetics marketing careers manage research focus groups, promote the desired brand image, and provide other marketing services (sales forecasting, allocation to different retailers, etc.).
Those involved in cosmetics product development design, create and refine cosmetics products. Some positions that fall under this category include chemists, quality assurance and packaging people.
Jump to: navigation, search
"Make-up" redirects here. For other uses, see Make-up (disambiguation).
For other uses, see Cosmetic.
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.
Assorted cosmetics and toolsCosmetics ( pronunciation: cosmetic (help·info)) are substances used to enhance or protect the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and gels, deodorants, baby products, bath oils, bubble baths, bath salts, butters and many other types of products. Their use is widespread, especially among women in Western countries. A subset of cosmetics is called "make-up," which refers primarily to colored products intended to alter the user’s appearance. Many manufacturers distinguish between decorative cosmetics and care cosmetics.
The manufacture of cosmetics is currently dominated by a small number of multinational corporations that originated in the early 20th century, but the distribution and sale of cosmetics is spread among a wide range of different businesses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which regulates cosmetics in the United States[1] defines cosmetics as: "intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions." This broad definition includes, as well, any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product. The FDA specifically excludes soap from this category.[2]
Contents
[hide]
1 History
2 Criticism and controversy
3 Makeup Types
4 Special Effects
5 Ingredients
5.1 Organic and Natural Ingredients
6 Cosmetic Careers
7 See also
8 References
9 Further reading
History
Main article: History of cosmetics
An 1889 Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec painting of a woman applying cosmetics to her faceThe first archaeological evidence of cosmetics usage is found in Egypt around 3500 BC.[citation needed] The Ancient Greeks and Romans also used cosmetics. The Romans and Ancient Egyptians used cosmetics containing poisonous mercury and often lead. The ancient kingdom of Israel was influenced by cosmetics as recorded in the Old Testament—2 Kings 9:30 where Jezebel painted her eyelids—approximately 840 BC. The Biblical book of Esther describes various beauty treatments as well.
In the western world, the advent of cosmetics was in the Middle Ages, although typically restricted to use within the upper classes.
Cosmetic use was frowned upon at some points in Western history. For example, in the 1800s, make-up was used primarily by prostitutes, and Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup improper, vulgar, and acceptable only for use by actors.[3] Adolf Hitler told women that face painting was for clowns and not for the women of the Master Race.[citation needed]
By the middle of the 20th century, cosmetics were in widespread use by women in nearly all industrial societies around the world.
Cosmetics have been in use for thousands of years. The absence of regulation of the manufacture and use of cosmetics has led to negative side effects, deformities, blindness, and even death through the ages. Examples of this were the prevalent use of ceruse (white lead), to cover the face during the Renaissance, and blindness caused by the mascara Lash Lure during the early 1900s.
The worldwide annual expenditures for cosmetics today is estimated at U.S. $19 billion.[4] Of the major firms, the oldest and the largest is L'Oréal, which was founded by Eugene Schueller in 1909 as the French Harmless Hair Colouring Company (now owned by Liliane Bettencourt 26% and Nestlé 28%, with the remaining 46% are publicly traded). The market was developed in the USA during the 1910s by Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Max Factor. These firms were joined by Revlon just before World War II and Estée Lauder just after.
Like most industries, cosmetic companies resist regulation by government agencies like the FDA, and have lobbied against this throughout the years.
Criticism and controversy
Further information: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005
During the 20th century, the popularity of cosmetics increased rapidly.[citation needed] Especially in the United States, cosmetics are used by girls at an increasingly young age.[citation needed] Many companies[who?] have catered to this expanding market by introducing more flavored lipsticks and glosses, cosmetics packaged in glittery, sparkly packaging and marketing and advertising using young models.[citation needed] The social consequences of younger and younger beautification has had much attention in the media over the last few years.
Criticism of cosmetics has come from a variety of sources[who?], including feminists, animal rights activists, authors and public interest groups. There is a growing awareness and preference for cosmetics that are without any toxic ingredients, especially those derived from petroleum, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and parabens.[5]
Numerous published reports have raised concern over the safety of a few surfactants. SLS causes a number of skin issues including dermatitis.[6][7][8][9][10]
Parabens can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis in individuals with paraben allergies, a small percentage of the general population.[11] Animal experiments have shown that parabens have a weak estrogenic activity, acting as xenoestrogens.[12]
Prolonged use of makeup has also been linked to thickening eyelashes.[13]
Synthetic fragrances are widely used in consumer products. Studies concluded from patch testing show synthetic fragrances are made of many ingredients which cause allergic reactions.[14]
Makeup Types
This section is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. You can help by converting this section to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (August 2008)
Lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner, lip plumper, lip balm, lip conditioner and lip boosters.[1]
Foundation, used to smooth out the face and cover spots or uneven skin coloration. Usually a liquid, cream, or powder.[1]
Powder, used to set the foundation, giving a matte finish, and also to conceal small flaws or blemishes.
Rouge, blush or blusher, cheek coloring used to bring out the color in the cheeks and make the cheekbones appear more defined. This comes in powder, cream, and liquid forms.[1]
Bronzer, used to give skin a bit of color by adding a golden or bronze glow.[1]
Mascara is used to darken, lengthen, and thicken the eyelashes. It is available in natural colors such as brown and black, but also comes in bolder colors such as blue, pink, or purple. There are many different formulas, including waterproof for those of us prone to allergies or sudden tears.[1]
Eye liner, eye shadow, eye shimmer, and glitter eye pencils as well as different color pencils used to color and emphasize the eyelids (larger eyes give a more youthful apprearance).[1]
Eyebrow pencils, creams, waxes, gels and powders are used to color and define the brows.[1]
Nail polish, used to color the fingernails and toenails.[1]
Concealer, Makeup used to cover any imperfections of the skin.
Also included in the general category of cosmetics are skin care products. These include creams and lotions to moisturize the face and body, sunscreens to protect the skin from damaging UV radiation, and treatment products to repair or hide skin imperfections (acne, wrinkles, dark circles under eyes, etc.). Cosmetics can also be described by the form of the product, as well as the area for application. Cosmetics can be liquid or cream emulsions; powders, both pressed and loose; dispersions; and anhydrous creams or sticks.
Special Effects
In addition to over-the-counter cosmetic products, recent years have seen an increasing market for prescription or surgical cosmetic procedures. These range from temporary enhancements, such as cosmetic colored contact lenses, to major cosmetic surgery. To temporary fashionable enhancement belongs application of false eyelashes or eyelash extensions, in order to enhance the natural eyelashes and make eye appearance more attractive.
Many techniques, such as microdermabrasion and physical or chemical peels, remove the oldest, top layers of skin cells. The younger layers of skin left behind appear more plump, youthful, and soft. Permanent application of pigments (tattooing) is also used cosmetically.
Ingredients
Main article: Ingredients of cosmetics
Eye shadow being applied
Broadway actor Jim Brochu applies make-up before the opening night of a play.
The chin mask known as chutti for Kathakali, a performing art in Kerala, India is considered as the thickest makeup applied for any artform.While there is assurance from the largest cosmetic companies that ingredients have passed quality tests and official regulations, and are therefore generally safe to use, there is a growing preference for cosmetics that are without any "synthetic" ingredients, especially those derived from petroleum. Once a niche market, handmade and certified organic products are becoming more mainstream.
Ingredients' listings in cosmetics are highly regulated in many countries. The testing of cosmetic products on animals is a subject of some controversy. It is now illegal in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and a ban across the European Union is due to come into effect in 2009.
Organic and Natural Ingredients
The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with USA and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.
Even though many cosmetic products are regulated, there are still health concerns regarding the presence of harmful chemicals within these products[citation needed]. Aside from color additives, cosmetic products and their ingredients are not subject to FDA regulation prior to their release into the market. It is only when a product is found to violate Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) after its release that the FDA may start taking action against this violation.[15] With many new products released into the market every season, it is hard to keep track of the safety of every product. Some products carry carcinogenic contaminant 1,4- dioxane. Many cosmetic companies are coming out with "All natural" and "Organic" products. All natural products contain mineral and plant ingredients and organic products are made with organic agricultural products. Products who claim they are organic are not, unless they are certified "USDA Organic."[16][17]
Cosmetic Careers
This section is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. You can help by converting this section to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (August 2008)
An account executive is responsible for visiting all counter sales and doors. They explain new products and "gifts with purchase" (free items given out upon purchase of a certain cosmetics item that costs more than a set amount).
A cosmetician is a professional who provides facial and body treatments for clients. The term cosmetologist is sometimes used interchangeably with this term, but most commonly refers to a certified professional. A freelance makeup artist provides clients with beauty advice and cosmetics assistance -- usually paid by the cosmetic company by the hour.
Professionals in cosmetics marketing careers manage research focus groups, promote the desired brand image, and provide other marketing services (sales forecasting, allocation to different retailers, etc.).
Those involved in cosmetics product development design, create and refine cosmetics products. Some positions that fall under this category include chemists, quality assurance and packaging people.
Football Video Games 201 Learning the more Advanced Football Game Plays
Mastering the more advanced plays in football video games.
From Rich Reed, About.com
In Football Video Games 101 the basic tips were written to help those new to Football video games enjoy the experience more. It also had a few helpful tips even for the more experienced players to learn a few things they may not have known. This is a follow-up to Football 101 and if you have tried the tips in 101 with success, then you will get more out of Football 201. While the numbers may make it sound like college courses in the sport, it really is more of a way to help readers know which one they need to start with.
The following tips are more advanced and are meant to be used for online or offline play. These football tips and strategies will work but will also require practice. If you expect to read over this once and be able to pull all of the moves off perfectly, then you may be in for a long session. In time you will find the following tips and strategies will improve your game. The strategies outlined here will work with Madden 06 , NCAA and the 2K series of football games. Of course a few of the tips will need to be adjusted based on the game you’re playing. If you are simply looking for cheat codes then refer to the Top Football Games article for Madden and NCAA, and find 2K within the cheat areas.
Football Passing – Pro Style
Okay, by now you have turned off the auto passing feature and know how to throw a short pass to the open man. If not, please go back and refer to the 101 write-up. Now you should already be able to get 5-10 yards per passing play and that is great, but now we will discuss the Pro way of passing and we will focus on increasing every pass play to at least 10-20 yards. Also after getting the ball to the open man how to stretch out the play a few more yards by running the ball after the catch to really make the play Pro-like.
Let’s start with a personal favorite play of mine, the shotgun formation hook play. By now you know how to pick the play and the right formation. In the shotgun formation blitzes and coverage is harder to read... or is it? No, not really. You will want to still read the coverage and probably the A.I. If playing against the CPU , it will be either in a coverage set or a 4-3 or dime defense. Look for the weakness and then snap the ball. Faking a snap is just a waste of time and the same rules apply here. You will want to count to five and snap the ball. In a hook play the receivers will run to the outside lanes then hook back into the center of the felid. You will want to take the snap, look for the best man’s route and pass the ball to him right as he is making the cut back to the center of the field.
There are a few reasons to open up the passing game with this on play one. If playing against a friend or online, the player will start to pick coverage plays and this will exploit the running game later. Secondly, if you are playing against the CPU, they will change as well since they were programmed by humans. Now when you have this play down and can make it consistently you will want to try and gain more yards by also running after the pass play. A quick juke move (deceptive move) and you should get at least 4-8 more yards by running at first.
There are several good shotgun passing plays and for the sake of time you will want to switch up the plays each time after learning them; switch plays often, normally on 1st and ten. It’s expected that a running or option play will be picked. This is a great time for a shotgun passing play and will throw off the defense. While the shotgun formation is great, do not forget about the regular long passing plays in a normal passing play. The same count and rules apply. Just remember that there is less room. Use the Quarterback’s ability to shift out of the pocket if you need time for the open man to get open. Still use the trick of switching plays from the right, left and center to make your plays less predictable.
From Rich Reed, About.com
In Football Video Games 101 the basic tips were written to help those new to Football video games enjoy the experience more. It also had a few helpful tips even for the more experienced players to learn a few things they may not have known. This is a follow-up to Football 101 and if you have tried the tips in 101 with success, then you will get more out of Football 201. While the numbers may make it sound like college courses in the sport, it really is more of a way to help readers know which one they need to start with.
The following tips are more advanced and are meant to be used for online or offline play. These football tips and strategies will work but will also require practice. If you expect to read over this once and be able to pull all of the moves off perfectly, then you may be in for a long session. In time you will find the following tips and strategies will improve your game. The strategies outlined here will work with Madden 06 , NCAA and the 2K series of football games. Of course a few of the tips will need to be adjusted based on the game you’re playing. If you are simply looking for cheat codes then refer to the Top Football Games article for Madden and NCAA, and find 2K within the cheat areas.
Football Passing – Pro Style
Okay, by now you have turned off the auto passing feature and know how to throw a short pass to the open man. If not, please go back and refer to the 101 write-up. Now you should already be able to get 5-10 yards per passing play and that is great, but now we will discuss the Pro way of passing and we will focus on increasing every pass play to at least 10-20 yards. Also after getting the ball to the open man how to stretch out the play a few more yards by running the ball after the catch to really make the play Pro-like.
Let’s start with a personal favorite play of mine, the shotgun formation hook play. By now you know how to pick the play and the right formation. In the shotgun formation blitzes and coverage is harder to read... or is it? No, not really. You will want to still read the coverage and probably the A.I. If playing against the CPU , it will be either in a coverage set or a 4-3 or dime defense. Look for the weakness and then snap the ball. Faking a snap is just a waste of time and the same rules apply here. You will want to count to five and snap the ball. In a hook play the receivers will run to the outside lanes then hook back into the center of the felid. You will want to take the snap, look for the best man’s route and pass the ball to him right as he is making the cut back to the center of the field.
There are a few reasons to open up the passing game with this on play one. If playing against a friend or online, the player will start to pick coverage plays and this will exploit the running game later. Secondly, if you are playing against the CPU, they will change as well since they were programmed by humans. Now when you have this play down and can make it consistently you will want to try and gain more yards by also running after the pass play. A quick juke move (deceptive move) and you should get at least 4-8 more yards by running at first.
There are several good shotgun passing plays and for the sake of time you will want to switch up the plays each time after learning them; switch plays often, normally on 1st and ten. It’s expected that a running or option play will be picked. This is a great time for a shotgun passing play and will throw off the defense. While the shotgun formation is great, do not forget about the regular long passing plays in a normal passing play. The same count and rules apply. Just remember that there is less room. Use the Quarterback’s ability to shift out of the pocket if you need time for the open man to get open. Still use the trick of switching plays from the right, left and center to make your plays less predictable.
Football Basics 101 - A Guide to Football Video Games Basics
Learn the Basics of Football Video Games
By Jason Rybka, About.com
Get the Most out of ANY Football Video Game You Play!
It is football season for the video game industry. Sports fans are drooling to get their hands on the latest copies of the NCAA and NFL games like Madden 2006 and NCAA 2006. Some gamers want to play them but are afraid the games will be too hard for them. Perhaps you're reading this right now and had a bad experience in the past either online or offline.
Well hopefully the basic tips and info below will get you back into the game and you will find that it's not that complicated as long as you learn the basics. The more advance tips all use these basic tips and strategies. Those that are not new to football may even find a few helpful tips in this article. So let's get ready for the kick off.
First and Ten to Your Football Games' Success
Just because sports titles are becoming more complex it doesn't mean you have to make it hard on yourself to gain the win!
Sports games are becoming more complex and now have more added features than ever before. While this is great, don't let the new features fool you. The basic game is still the same as it was from the very first football game ever made. You just need to know how to read the offense and defense. That's right, read them like a book. It may sound impossible, but there is a way to learn even the basic set plays and play like a pro with a little practice.
Disable that darn auto-pass feature!
The first thing most gamers try is the easy mode. It doesn't matter if the game is on PC, Xbox, PS2, GameCube, or a handheld; Madden, for example, has a help mode. Gamers get used to playing with this on and then get frustrated when playing against a friend or online. First tip turn off any auto passing mode. You won't learn how to do it if you can just snap the ball, wait and then have the AI throw the ball for you. Now that you are on your own in passing, let's look over the basics of the passing plays.
Use the basic plays!
Basic plays are sometimes more effective than the complicated ones. The reason is simple; nobody is expecting it. Use this to your advantage. While learning read the game manual cover to cover! Now let's get into the first few offensive plays and tips. Most games out there have the same plays to choose from. While it looks different, it's just fancy graphics and enhancements. The basic plays have never changed and this is one key to being able to compete and enjoy the game at the same time, no matter what year the game is released. You have short passing plays, normal, and long ones to choose from. Regardless what the X's and O's show these will never change in the basic plays. You need to be able to read your own players first.
Passing — Rookie Style
Using the short pass is an effective play once you master the timing!
The button layout is almost the same in any game or version. The "A", "X" or "Square" button hikes the ball. Then icons will show up above your receivers, each one will have a different button above them. This represents what button will pass the ball to them. Let's go over a short pass of 5-10 yards, a simple but effective play. You choose a passing play with short yardage. Now most mistakes are made not in the execution of the play but the timing. A great little tip is to snap the ball count to five and pass to the player on the right side of the field. Note that this will not guarantee a successful completion every time. It will teach anyone learning the game the right timing of the game and of the defense but more on that later on. Practice the same play a few times until you complete a few passes and it seems almost too easy.
Passing becomes so simple you will be 'reading' the defense subconsciously!
You're almost certain to see the defense tip the ball or miss your receiver by inches when trying this at first. Also know that the games now have pressure sensitive buttons. This simply means the longer you hold the passing button, the harder the throw will be, adding speed and distance. For now count to five and tap the button that fits the icon to the right side of the field. Sounds too simple right? The great part of doing this is that you will find yourself reading the defense without even knowing it. The next time you have the ball repeat everything exactly the same only this time pass to your receivers on the left side of the field. You will of course find yourself moving around and at first be quick to throw but in time you will learn how to use those moves to your advantage.
By Jason Rybka, About.com
Get the Most out of ANY Football Video Game You Play!
It is football season for the video game industry. Sports fans are drooling to get their hands on the latest copies of the NCAA and NFL games like Madden 2006 and NCAA 2006. Some gamers want to play them but are afraid the games will be too hard for them. Perhaps you're reading this right now and had a bad experience in the past either online or offline.
Well hopefully the basic tips and info below will get you back into the game and you will find that it's not that complicated as long as you learn the basics. The more advance tips all use these basic tips and strategies. Those that are not new to football may even find a few helpful tips in this article. So let's get ready for the kick off.
First and Ten to Your Football Games' Success
Just because sports titles are becoming more complex it doesn't mean you have to make it hard on yourself to gain the win!
Sports games are becoming more complex and now have more added features than ever before. While this is great, don't let the new features fool you. The basic game is still the same as it was from the very first football game ever made. You just need to know how to read the offense and defense. That's right, read them like a book. It may sound impossible, but there is a way to learn even the basic set plays and play like a pro with a little practice.
Disable that darn auto-pass feature!
The first thing most gamers try is the easy mode. It doesn't matter if the game is on PC, Xbox, PS2, GameCube, or a handheld; Madden, for example, has a help mode. Gamers get used to playing with this on and then get frustrated when playing against a friend or online. First tip turn off any auto passing mode. You won't learn how to do it if you can just snap the ball, wait and then have the AI throw the ball for you. Now that you are on your own in passing, let's look over the basics of the passing plays.
Use the basic plays!
Basic plays are sometimes more effective than the complicated ones. The reason is simple; nobody is expecting it. Use this to your advantage. While learning read the game manual cover to cover! Now let's get into the first few offensive plays and tips. Most games out there have the same plays to choose from. While it looks different, it's just fancy graphics and enhancements. The basic plays have never changed and this is one key to being able to compete and enjoy the game at the same time, no matter what year the game is released. You have short passing plays, normal, and long ones to choose from. Regardless what the X's and O's show these will never change in the basic plays. You need to be able to read your own players first.
Passing — Rookie Style
Using the short pass is an effective play once you master the timing!
The button layout is almost the same in any game or version. The "A", "X" or "Square" button hikes the ball. Then icons will show up above your receivers, each one will have a different button above them. This represents what button will pass the ball to them. Let's go over a short pass of 5-10 yards, a simple but effective play. You choose a passing play with short yardage. Now most mistakes are made not in the execution of the play but the timing. A great little tip is to snap the ball count to five and pass to the player on the right side of the field. Note that this will not guarantee a successful completion every time. It will teach anyone learning the game the right timing of the game and of the defense but more on that later on. Practice the same play a few times until you complete a few passes and it seems almost too easy.
Passing becomes so simple you will be 'reading' the defense subconsciously!
You're almost certain to see the defense tip the ball or miss your receiver by inches when trying this at first. Also know that the games now have pressure sensitive buttons. This simply means the longer you hold the passing button, the harder the throw will be, adding speed and distance. For now count to five and tap the button that fits the icon to the right side of the field. Sounds too simple right? The great part of doing this is that you will find yourself reading the defense without even knowing it. The next time you have the ball repeat everything exactly the same only this time pass to your receivers on the left side of the field. You will of course find yourself moving around and at first be quick to throw but in time you will learn how to use those moves to your advantage.
Football Video Games 201 Running, Defense, and Players as Weapons in Football
Running plays, defense, and using players as weapons in football video games.
From Rich Reed, About.com
Football Running – Pro Style
Now that you’re starting to pass like a pro what about you’re running game? The biggest mistakes any player makes when playing any football game is just handing off the ball for every running play. It’s not only predictable, but you can do better with variations. Try and run more option plays, or pitch the ball off instead of the stale hand off play. As the games get more complex, the more options become available to you as the quarterback.
This style of running will make you totally unpredictable. Everyone is expecting a run, so why not make it harder to cover? Your running back is great for short distances and the occasional long yardage play. Big deal, so how about an option to your best tight end? If he has great hands then he will get more yards. Several players never use the tight end for running plays and this is a shame. You’re on a pro level now so use every weapon you have available to you.
Okay, you now have the right idea and have practiced but may find yourself only getting 5-6 yards per play. How do you stretch that to 10-15 yards or more? You need to use the lanes and know how to read them to see what opens up. A lane is a free space where you have a blocker or two to protect you as you bolt up the field. Fancy moves work but the more fancy the move, the more chance of a fumble. In other words, keep it simple first. There are times for fancy jukes and fake-outs, but for now just use the whole team as a weapon for running. Hey, I told you it was for Pro players and welcome to the Pros, rookie!
Using the Rest of the Players as Weapons?
Yes, your blockers are the best chance to have a wide open lane to the end zone or long yardage. This may be the hardest part of learning the offensive sets and plays. You will notice that while you can switch control after throwing the ball, the other players are still around and have their jobs. While football games are not at the stage where you can control more then one player at a time, you still can use them like they are controllable.
Here's a quick example: If you fake out or make a move, you may open a small lane and gain a few yards. If you allow a player to make a block for you, it opens a bigger amount of space for you to then make your move and find that open lane. It is complicated but that’s as simple as I can make it. With practice in an exhibition mode, over time you will soon be able to create running plays when there seems to be no possible way. The field looks tied up but wait for that blocker to create that small bump for you and wham its downtown; just you and the ball. I am not saying you will get a touchdown on every running play, but I can promise your average yards will increase by 25-35 percent after a few games.
Football Defense – Pro Style
Football Video Games 101 touched on defense but just a small bit. Hopefully you have tried using different players for blitzing by changing the highlighted player. If not go back and get used to doing this. Personally, I hardly ever get out of the 4-4 defensive sets and you may read this and say are you crazy. While the debate is still out on this, I can say that I have never had more than 21 points scored against me online or offline. I also have gone a whole season giving up less than 9 points per game and that included the playoff games. I don’t say this to brag, but I say it to prove a point; the 4-4 set can be changed or disguised so easily it makes it the perfect defense for any offense.
Red dog or the full out blitz plays work great, but there are a few formations that will surprise you that work well. Let’s say it is 1st and 10 on the 45 yard line on the opposing team's side. Most players would use either a blitz or coverage formation here. A good choice but what about a punt return or a goal line formation? It may sound crazy but with a little tweaking and a few adjustment in the formation, the crazy looking defensive set will actually freeze either the CPU or a human player.
This can and will backfire at times, so you need to adjust the set quickly. Move or highlight the line in a quick fashion to look like a regular formation. If you cannot do this fast enough, use the fastest defensive player and set him right between the center and the player to the right or the left. A few steps back allows him to get a running start. Right as the snap has started, bum rush the quarterback. Chances are even if you miss the sack, the coverage team will collapse on the offense leaving them scratching their heads. See you can adjust without ever leaving a great defensive set, but this also depends on the team you are using and learning which sets work best takes time.
From Rich Reed, About.com
Football Running – Pro Style
Now that you’re starting to pass like a pro what about you’re running game? The biggest mistakes any player makes when playing any football game is just handing off the ball for every running play. It’s not only predictable, but you can do better with variations. Try and run more option plays, or pitch the ball off instead of the stale hand off play. As the games get more complex, the more options become available to you as the quarterback.
This style of running will make you totally unpredictable. Everyone is expecting a run, so why not make it harder to cover? Your running back is great for short distances and the occasional long yardage play. Big deal, so how about an option to your best tight end? If he has great hands then he will get more yards. Several players never use the tight end for running plays and this is a shame. You’re on a pro level now so use every weapon you have available to you.
Okay, you now have the right idea and have practiced but may find yourself only getting 5-6 yards per play. How do you stretch that to 10-15 yards or more? You need to use the lanes and know how to read them to see what opens up. A lane is a free space where you have a blocker or two to protect you as you bolt up the field. Fancy moves work but the more fancy the move, the more chance of a fumble. In other words, keep it simple first. There are times for fancy jukes and fake-outs, but for now just use the whole team as a weapon for running. Hey, I told you it was for Pro players and welcome to the Pros, rookie!
Using the Rest of the Players as Weapons?
Yes, your blockers are the best chance to have a wide open lane to the end zone or long yardage. This may be the hardest part of learning the offensive sets and plays. You will notice that while you can switch control after throwing the ball, the other players are still around and have their jobs. While football games are not at the stage where you can control more then one player at a time, you still can use them like they are controllable.
Here's a quick example: If you fake out or make a move, you may open a small lane and gain a few yards. If you allow a player to make a block for you, it opens a bigger amount of space for you to then make your move and find that open lane. It is complicated but that’s as simple as I can make it. With practice in an exhibition mode, over time you will soon be able to create running plays when there seems to be no possible way. The field looks tied up but wait for that blocker to create that small bump for you and wham its downtown; just you and the ball. I am not saying you will get a touchdown on every running play, but I can promise your average yards will increase by 25-35 percent after a few games.
Football Defense – Pro Style
Football Video Games 101 touched on defense but just a small bit. Hopefully you have tried using different players for blitzing by changing the highlighted player. If not go back and get used to doing this. Personally, I hardly ever get out of the 4-4 defensive sets and you may read this and say are you crazy. While the debate is still out on this, I can say that I have never had more than 21 points scored against me online or offline. I also have gone a whole season giving up less than 9 points per game and that included the playoff games. I don’t say this to brag, but I say it to prove a point; the 4-4 set can be changed or disguised so easily it makes it the perfect defense for any offense.
Red dog or the full out blitz plays work great, but there are a few formations that will surprise you that work well. Let’s say it is 1st and 10 on the 45 yard line on the opposing team's side. Most players would use either a blitz or coverage formation here. A good choice but what about a punt return or a goal line formation? It may sound crazy but with a little tweaking and a few adjustment in the formation, the crazy looking defensive set will actually freeze either the CPU or a human player.
This can and will backfire at times, so you need to adjust the set quickly. Move or highlight the line in a quick fashion to look like a regular formation. If you cannot do this fast enough, use the fastest defensive player and set him right between the center and the player to the right or the left. A few steps back allows him to get a running start. Right as the snap has started, bum rush the quarterback. Chances are even if you miss the sack, the coverage team will collapse on the offense leaving them scratching their heads. See you can adjust without ever leaving a great defensive set, but this also depends on the team you are using and learning which sets work best takes time.
Top PC Game Accessories
By Dave Spohn, About.com
Peripheral gizmos and gadgets seem to be a natural fit for gamers, most of whom would sooner die than part with their favorite mouse or gamepad. The latest toys for computer games include egonomic input devices, 3D glasses, and precision mouse pads. These accessories can dramatically improve the way we interact with games and, in some cases, make us more competitive.
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Shooter fans are known to demand the utmost precision and reliability from their pointing device. Logitech has answered the call with a series of high performance gaming mice, with the G9 Laser Mouse leading the way. This mouse features interchangeable grips of different widths and stores up to 5 custom profiles in onboard memory. The G9 can be set to different resolutions up to 3200 dpi, and it has a good variety of buttons.
Peripheral gizmos and gadgets seem to be a natural fit for gamers, most of whom would sooner die than part with their favorite mouse or gamepad. The latest toys for computer games include egonomic input devices, 3D glasses, and precision mouse pads. These accessories can dramatically improve the way we interact with games and, in some cases, make us more competitive.
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Shooter fans are known to demand the utmost precision and reliability from their pointing device. Logitech has answered the call with a series of high performance gaming mice, with the G9 Laser Mouse leading the way. This mouse features interchangeable grips of different widths and stores up to 5 custom profiles in onboard memory. The G9 can be set to different resolutions up to 3200 dpi, and it has a good variety of buttons.
Gaming for Money: Online Games of Skill
By Dave Spohn, About.com
It's common knowledge that you can gamble online, but games of skill are also becoming a very popular way to put your money where your mouse is. Along with the usual single-player Web games that offer cash prizes, a growing number of sites are now letting users compete for a wager in multiplayer games and tournaments. As enjoyable as a free game of online chess or pool can be, having a little money riding on the outcome can certainly make it more thrilling.
Casual games and traditional board games are the mainstay of this industry, which earns revenue by several means, including both through advertising and competition entry fees. Word games like Bookworm and puzzle games like Bejeweled are quite popular. Arcade, trivia, and card games are also frequently played for a wager or prizes.
Winning Big, Losing Small
Although there is usually no limit to how much you can win, there are often limits to how much you will be allowed to lose in given period of time. Tournament payouts can be quite substantial, but don't expect to make a career out of it, because most games are played over relatively small wagers.
To participate you will need a credit card or a PayPal account. Assuming you come out ahead, this is how you collect your winnings. Some sites start you out with 5 dollars worth of "practice money," which gives you a chance to try out the system without taking any risks. Once you have an account with the site, you can usually still choose to practice or play in free tournaments to hone your skills.
Isn't That Gambling?
The legality of playing online games varies from one region to another. In the U.K. they have adopted a regulatory approach to the online gaming industry rather than passing laws against it. In the U.S. rules governing sweepstakes, contests, and tournaments with entry fees or prizes are determined by each state, not the federal government. For this reason, skill game sites generally do not offer their services to residents of Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland and Tennessee. Some states equate all forms of online gaming for money with gambling.
Online gaming is a relatively new activity, so in many areas the technology is still ahead of the law. Few precedents have been set, and there is ongoing debate about the distinction between games of skill and gambling. For example, some states consider poker a game of chance, while in others it is labelled a game of skill. Consult a local authority if you want to know for sure what the legal status of playing online games for money is in your area.
Fair Play
As you would expect, all the leading sites that allow you to compete for cash have policies in place to discourage cheating and do what they can to enforce these rules. They are constantly watching for players that are using computer scripts or other methods to gain an unfair advantage. At the same time, cheaters are always looking for new ways to abuse the system, so undoubtedly, a certain amount of cheating still goes on. In some cases the game sites have been accused of banning accounts and withholding winnings from alleged cheaters with no evidence. There aren't really any simple solutions to these problems. I recommend playing on a site that you trust and reporting any suspicious activity you come across.
It's common knowledge that you can gamble online, but games of skill are also becoming a very popular way to put your money where your mouse is. Along with the usual single-player Web games that offer cash prizes, a growing number of sites are now letting users compete for a wager in multiplayer games and tournaments. As enjoyable as a free game of online chess or pool can be, having a little money riding on the outcome can certainly make it more thrilling.
Casual games and traditional board games are the mainstay of this industry, which earns revenue by several means, including both through advertising and competition entry fees. Word games like Bookworm and puzzle games like Bejeweled are quite popular. Arcade, trivia, and card games are also frequently played for a wager or prizes.
Winning Big, Losing Small
Although there is usually no limit to how much you can win, there are often limits to how much you will be allowed to lose in given period of time. Tournament payouts can be quite substantial, but don't expect to make a career out of it, because most games are played over relatively small wagers.
To participate you will need a credit card or a PayPal account. Assuming you come out ahead, this is how you collect your winnings. Some sites start you out with 5 dollars worth of "practice money," which gives you a chance to try out the system without taking any risks. Once you have an account with the site, you can usually still choose to practice or play in free tournaments to hone your skills.
Isn't That Gambling?
The legality of playing online games varies from one region to another. In the U.K. they have adopted a regulatory approach to the online gaming industry rather than passing laws against it. In the U.S. rules governing sweepstakes, contests, and tournaments with entry fees or prizes are determined by each state, not the federal government. For this reason, skill game sites generally do not offer their services to residents of Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland and Tennessee. Some states equate all forms of online gaming for money with gambling.
Online gaming is a relatively new activity, so in many areas the technology is still ahead of the law. Few precedents have been set, and there is ongoing debate about the distinction between games of skill and gambling. For example, some states consider poker a game of chance, while in others it is labelled a game of skill. Consult a local authority if you want to know for sure what the legal status of playing online games for money is in your area.
Fair Play
As you would expect, all the leading sites that allow you to compete for cash have policies in place to discourage cheating and do what they can to enforce these rules. They are constantly watching for players that are using computer scripts or other methods to gain an unfair advantage. At the same time, cheaters are always looking for new ways to abuse the system, so undoubtedly, a certain amount of cheating still goes on. In some cases the game sites have been accused of banning accounts and withholding winnings from alleged cheaters with no evidence. There aren't really any simple solutions to these problems. I recommend playing on a site that you trust and reporting any suspicious activity you come across.
On MMOGs and Skill
By Dave Spohn, About.com
It's not uncommon to see MMORPGs criticized for being games that are decided solely on the basis of how much time you put into leveling your character, rather than your incredible skill as a player. We're all familiar with this argument, raised once again in a recent article on GamerDad. The author extolls the virtues of PlanetSide because it brings the manual aim and fast reflexes required by shooters into a massively multiplayer online environment. Even if it's not entirely fair to say that RPGs require no skill, it does bring up some interesting points about what makes a game enjoyable.
Before I go any further, I should point out that game "skill" is not necessarily limited to one's proficiency with mouse, keyboard, and joystick controls. Knowledge of what works best in different situations, team organization, even the ability to be diplomatic with enemies, could be considered valuable skills in many games. Nevertheless, it is apparent that a lot of gamers find typical RPG combat somewhat lacking, so it's worth looking at the relative strengths and weakness of combat in these very different types of games.
Sandwich Combat
Online RPGs have become notorious for what is often described as "sandwich combat," meaning that the process essentially involves pressing attack, pressing special attack, going to make a sandwich, coming back to see how the battle is progressing, and, if necessary, pressing your other special attack, then proceeding to the next target. The implication is that the player's role in combat is so insignificant that they don't even have to be at the controls. Because your character fights automatically in most RPGs, and because your character's level and equipment is typically more important than the combination of special attacks you use, you can't rely on your mouse accuracy to survive.
Furthermore, it's evident that the quasi-turn-based combat borrowed from pen and paper RPGs relies heavily on random numbers and statistics, with the computer rolling the dice and calculating the outcome at a rate never dreamt of when D&D hit the market. Part of the problem here is that seeing a natural 20 race by in the chat window isn't quite as exciting as actually rolling one on a 20-sided die. Another issue is that RPG confrontations tend to be statistically predetermined. It may be mathematically impossible for a 10th level character to overcome a 50th level character, regardless of the relative skills of the players involved. Just the other day I was playing a MMORPG where someone attacked a more powerful player while he was away from his keyboard as a joke. The absent player's character proceeded to automatically defend itself from the attack, and ended up killing the attacker, even with no one at the controls. Not only was it funny, it was a shining example of sandwich combat.
Of course, there is always a chance that two groups of characters that are relatively evenly matched meet on the battlefield, and that the combination of a strength buff and a carefully planned cleave attack does determine the outcome of the fight. Unfortunately, this is the exception rather than the rule.
It's not uncommon to see MMORPGs criticized for being games that are decided solely on the basis of how much time you put into leveling your character, rather than your incredible skill as a player. We're all familiar with this argument, raised once again in a recent article on GamerDad. The author extolls the virtues of PlanetSide because it brings the manual aim and fast reflexes required by shooters into a massively multiplayer online environment. Even if it's not entirely fair to say that RPGs require no skill, it does bring up some interesting points about what makes a game enjoyable.
Before I go any further, I should point out that game "skill" is not necessarily limited to one's proficiency with mouse, keyboard, and joystick controls. Knowledge of what works best in different situations, team organization, even the ability to be diplomatic with enemies, could be considered valuable skills in many games. Nevertheless, it is apparent that a lot of gamers find typical RPG combat somewhat lacking, so it's worth looking at the relative strengths and weakness of combat in these very different types of games.
Sandwich Combat
Online RPGs have become notorious for what is often described as "sandwich combat," meaning that the process essentially involves pressing attack, pressing special attack, going to make a sandwich, coming back to see how the battle is progressing, and, if necessary, pressing your other special attack, then proceeding to the next target. The implication is that the player's role in combat is so insignificant that they don't even have to be at the controls. Because your character fights automatically in most RPGs, and because your character's level and equipment is typically more important than the combination of special attacks you use, you can't rely on your mouse accuracy to survive.
Furthermore, it's evident that the quasi-turn-based combat borrowed from pen and paper RPGs relies heavily on random numbers and statistics, with the computer rolling the dice and calculating the outcome at a rate never dreamt of when D&D hit the market. Part of the problem here is that seeing a natural 20 race by in the chat window isn't quite as exciting as actually rolling one on a 20-sided die. Another issue is that RPG confrontations tend to be statistically predetermined. It may be mathematically impossible for a 10th level character to overcome a 50th level character, regardless of the relative skills of the players involved. Just the other day I was playing a MMORPG where someone attacked a more powerful player while he was away from his keyboard as a joke. The absent player's character proceeded to automatically defend itself from the attack, and ended up killing the attacker, even with no one at the controls. Not only was it funny, it was a shining example of sandwich combat.
Of course, there is always a chance that two groups of characters that are relatively evenly matched meet on the battlefield, and that the combination of a strength buff and a carefully planned cleave attack does determine the outcome of the fight. Unfortunately, this is the exception rather than the rule.
Battlefield Vietnam Review
By Dave Spohn, About.com
Let me begin by saying, no, it's not an expansion pack, I repeat, NOT AN EXPANSION PACK for Battlefield 1942. Battlefield Vietnam, though it bears more similarities to Battlefield 1942 than just its name, is an entirely new stand-alone game and Battlefield 1942 is not required to play.
Now that we've cleared that up, you may have noticed that military themed first-person shooters are everywhere these days. Given the flood of titles and expansion packs that have been released in this area lately, one has to wonder how many such games the market can support. I couldn't help marvelling at the ad for Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault on the back of the Battlefield Vietnam CD case.
Subsequently, your first impression of Battlefield Vietnam is likely to be one of deja vu. Battlefield 1942 players will find most of the features and game modes they are familiar with in a very immersive jungle setting. If you haven't played BF 1942, the appeal of the game, in a nutshell, is that you can commandeer a wide variety of vehicles, including tanks, ships, and planes, on the front line. For the most part, this is accomplished with a very simple set of standard FPS controls which minimize the learning curve.
Battlefield Vietnam does not stray from this successful formula. It effectively takes the vehicular warfare we love from '42 into the chopper-filled skies of Vietnam, but it doesn't attempt anything as revolutionary as its predecessor did.
What's New
One thing you're likely to notice right away is the music. EA has licensed a bunch of popular protest songs from the Vietnam era, which go a long way toward recreating the atmosphere. Sound in the game is very well done, from the authenticy of the gun shots and helicopter chops to the ability to blast the soundtrack from vehicles in the game. No reviewer yet has failed to mention that approaching the battle in a Huey pumping out "The Ride of the Valkyries" is somewhere up there with, say, free beer.
The graphics have also been stepped up a notch. There is plenty of jungle vegetation to hide in and the terrain of Vietnam is well replicated. Models are a little smoother, the pixel-shaded surfaces are nice if your system is up to it, and explosions are more spectacular than ever. Even reloading your weapon is a treat, as the animations for this are now probably as accurate as those in America's Army.
Of course, better graphics means slower graphics. It may be more stable than BF 1942 was when it was released, but it would appear that there is still a significant amount of optimizing to be done. Prepare to do some tweaking to get acceptable performance with the detail cranked up.
It wouldn't be the Vietnam War without helicopters, and there are a variety of these available to both sides. Some of them have the ability to airlift other vehicles into combat, although this requires some rather precise flying which I have yet to witness in action. I was able to do it on an empty server, but the helicopter controls seem overly sensitive even with a joystick, and you'll see plenty of players having a difficult enough time just staying in the air while under fire, never mind trying to drop a tank gently on the ground.
The basic classes of soldier, bazooka/heat-seeking missle man, engineer, and sniper remain, but the beloved medic is noticeably missing in action! On the other hand, because each class now gets to choose from two primary weapon kits, you actually have more options than BF 1942 offered. There is also bit more variety to the weaponry available to the two sides and, although it's a little too early to say for sure, I suspect there are lingering balance issues. The M60/LAW combination seems particularly lethal at this point. As you can imagine, there is a lot of air power in the game, but there appears to be anti-air mechanisms capable of keeping the role of infantry interesting.
Let me begin by saying, no, it's not an expansion pack, I repeat, NOT AN EXPANSION PACK for Battlefield 1942. Battlefield Vietnam, though it bears more similarities to Battlefield 1942 than just its name, is an entirely new stand-alone game and Battlefield 1942 is not required to play.
Now that we've cleared that up, you may have noticed that military themed first-person shooters are everywhere these days. Given the flood of titles and expansion packs that have been released in this area lately, one has to wonder how many such games the market can support. I couldn't help marvelling at the ad for Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault on the back of the Battlefield Vietnam CD case.
Subsequently, your first impression of Battlefield Vietnam is likely to be one of deja vu. Battlefield 1942 players will find most of the features and game modes they are familiar with in a very immersive jungle setting. If you haven't played BF 1942, the appeal of the game, in a nutshell, is that you can commandeer a wide variety of vehicles, including tanks, ships, and planes, on the front line. For the most part, this is accomplished with a very simple set of standard FPS controls which minimize the learning curve.
Battlefield Vietnam does not stray from this successful formula. It effectively takes the vehicular warfare we love from '42 into the chopper-filled skies of Vietnam, but it doesn't attempt anything as revolutionary as its predecessor did.
What's New
One thing you're likely to notice right away is the music. EA has licensed a bunch of popular protest songs from the Vietnam era, which go a long way toward recreating the atmosphere. Sound in the game is very well done, from the authenticy of the gun shots and helicopter chops to the ability to blast the soundtrack from vehicles in the game. No reviewer yet has failed to mention that approaching the battle in a Huey pumping out "The Ride of the Valkyries" is somewhere up there with, say, free beer.
The graphics have also been stepped up a notch. There is plenty of jungle vegetation to hide in and the terrain of Vietnam is well replicated. Models are a little smoother, the pixel-shaded surfaces are nice if your system is up to it, and explosions are more spectacular than ever. Even reloading your weapon is a treat, as the animations for this are now probably as accurate as those in America's Army.
Of course, better graphics means slower graphics. It may be more stable than BF 1942 was when it was released, but it would appear that there is still a significant amount of optimizing to be done. Prepare to do some tweaking to get acceptable performance with the detail cranked up.
It wouldn't be the Vietnam War without helicopters, and there are a variety of these available to both sides. Some of them have the ability to airlift other vehicles into combat, although this requires some rather precise flying which I have yet to witness in action. I was able to do it on an empty server, but the helicopter controls seem overly sensitive even with a joystick, and you'll see plenty of players having a difficult enough time just staying in the air while under fire, never mind trying to drop a tank gently on the ground.
The basic classes of soldier, bazooka/heat-seeking missle man, engineer, and sniper remain, but the beloved medic is noticeably missing in action! On the other hand, because each class now gets to choose from two primary weapon kits, you actually have more options than BF 1942 offered. There is also bit more variety to the weaponry available to the two sides and, although it's a little too early to say for sure, I suspect there are lingering balance issues. The M60/LAW combination seems particularly lethal at this point. As you can imagine, there is a lot of air power in the game, but there appears to be anti-air mechanisms capable of keeping the role of infantry interesting.
Gaming for Money: Trading Game Assets
By Dave Spohn, About.com
One of the most interesting and unexpected things to arise from online gaming is the birth of real-world economies based on the value of persistent world game characters and items. When Ultima Online and EverQuest characters started appearing on eBay, a lot of people found it hard to believe that anyone was willing to exchange actual money for game items that are, after all, largely imaginary. Nevertheless, trade in these digital goods continues to grow, and it has already gone from being a pastime pursued only by a handful of hard-core gamers to being a fledgling industry in its own right.
Time is Money
We've all heard it said that time is money. This is no less true when it comes to persistent world online games. Under normal circumstances, it can take months or even years to work a character into the upper ranks of a game like EverQuest, or acquire some rare item that only drops on, say, the Plane of Complete Annihilation. I guess it should come as no surprize that many people are willing to spend a little extra to get there faster. In fact, since you're paying by the month to play in most cases anyway, purchasing what you need to get straight to the end game may even be cost effective for some people.
Enter eBay
For those who are serious about trading in game economies, the epicenter of activity is Category 1654, Internet Games, on eBay. While not every item in the category is a game item (lately I've noticed quite a few manuals on how to make big money trading game items), it remains the most popular auction for virtual marketeers. Dr. Edward Castronova, an economics professor at California State University, has been compiling statistics related to the category, and in 2004 it racked up over $22 million in total sales. Several entrepeneurs have taken notice of this and started other auctions and currency exchanges that specialize in virtual game property.
Players and Publishers React
To be sure, not all online game publishers, or players, for that matter, are happy with the real-world trade in game assets. Sony has been quite firm on this issue, and they've successfully had SOE game items removed from eBay. Blizzard has sternly reminded World of Warcraft players that it is against their policy as well, and that anyone caught doing it will be banned. Naturally, the trade in gear for these games continues through other auctions, and it seems unlikely that either company has the power to eradicate it completely. Other game companies have taken a more hands-off approach, condoning and sometimes even facilitating the exchange of cyber goods.
One can easily imagine the assortment of potential problems this trend creates for game developers and gamers alike. Many people equate it with cheating, and consider it unfair that a player can buy their way into game status that would otherwise take many game hours to achieve. For the developer, it can escalate into a customer service nightmare. Support staff will find themselves on the receiving end of complaints about bad transactions and rip-offs, while cheaters are provided with an economic incentive to hack and exploit the game.
One of the most interesting and unexpected things to arise from online gaming is the birth of real-world economies based on the value of persistent world game characters and items. When Ultima Online and EverQuest characters started appearing on eBay, a lot of people found it hard to believe that anyone was willing to exchange actual money for game items that are, after all, largely imaginary. Nevertheless, trade in these digital goods continues to grow, and it has already gone from being a pastime pursued only by a handful of hard-core gamers to being a fledgling industry in its own right.
Time is Money
We've all heard it said that time is money. This is no less true when it comes to persistent world online games. Under normal circumstances, it can take months or even years to work a character into the upper ranks of a game like EverQuest, or acquire some rare item that only drops on, say, the Plane of Complete Annihilation. I guess it should come as no surprize that many people are willing to spend a little extra to get there faster. In fact, since you're paying by the month to play in most cases anyway, purchasing what you need to get straight to the end game may even be cost effective for some people.
Enter eBay
For those who are serious about trading in game economies, the epicenter of activity is Category 1654, Internet Games, on eBay. While not every item in the category is a game item (lately I've noticed quite a few manuals on how to make big money trading game items), it remains the most popular auction for virtual marketeers. Dr. Edward Castronova, an economics professor at California State University, has been compiling statistics related to the category, and in 2004 it racked up over $22 million in total sales. Several entrepeneurs have taken notice of this and started other auctions and currency exchanges that specialize in virtual game property.
Players and Publishers React
To be sure, not all online game publishers, or players, for that matter, are happy with the real-world trade in game assets. Sony has been quite firm on this issue, and they've successfully had SOE game items removed from eBay. Blizzard has sternly reminded World of Warcraft players that it is against their policy as well, and that anyone caught doing it will be banned. Naturally, the trade in gear for these games continues through other auctions, and it seems unlikely that either company has the power to eradicate it completely. Other game companies have taken a more hands-off approach, condoning and sometimes even facilitating the exchange of cyber goods.
One can easily imagine the assortment of potential problems this trend creates for game developers and gamers alike. Many people equate it with cheating, and consider it unfair that a player can buy their way into game status that would otherwise take many game hours to achieve. For the developer, it can escalate into a customer service nightmare. Support staff will find themselves on the receiving end of complaints about bad transactions and rip-offs, while cheaters are provided with an economic incentive to hack and exploit the game.
Evolution of Gaming : Graphics vs Gameplay
If you are old enough to remember the early days of computer gaming you know there were a lot of great games that were fun because of the exceptional gameplay and not just the graphics. Gaming started to become a little more popular in the 90s once people started buying computers. In the early 90s games like Maniac Mansion, X-com 1, and Civilization were extremely hot because of their addictive unique gameplay. Today gaming is mainstream and marketed towards a mass audience. In order to market to everyone, many games these days focus on the graphics and special effects rather than unique gameplay. You see many games that seem to be carbon copies of each other with slightly different twists.
These days, a lot of games try to be as realistic as possible and have the most textures and polygons jammed in to wow your eyes. In order to market to everyone, many games these days focus on the graphics and special effects rather than unique gameplay. Although there is nothing wrong with a game with beautiful graphics, once the novelty of the graphics runs out, the gameplay is what keeps you playing. You see many games that seem to be carbon copies of each other with slightly different twists. There are a few games like Halo 2 where the developers obviously spent a lot of time fine tuning to make sure the gameplay was as enjoyable as possible. With Halo 2, the two things that give it an edge in my opinion is the fact that the movement of players is slower than most games and the weapons are highly balanced. Also, rather than throwing tons of multiplayer maps at the player, the developers focused on making a limited number of quality maps.
Freeware games are an option for people on a small budget who value gameplay over graphics. A freeware game is simply a game that is completely free with no fees attached. Freeware developers usually don’t have the million dollar 3d engines to run their games so they must make the games as fun as they can without all the bells and whistles of retail games. These developers make games simply for the love of making them and sometimes come up with some unique and quality games that are definitely worth a look. Especially considering that these games are completely free. These games span all the categories of retail games from Massively Multiplayer to 3d First Person Shooter. Some companies also release production quality games as freeware because they decide not to put the game into production or as promotion.
These days, a lot of games try to be as realistic as possible and have the most textures and polygons jammed in to wow your eyes. In order to market to everyone, many games these days focus on the graphics and special effects rather than unique gameplay. Although there is nothing wrong with a game with beautiful graphics, once the novelty of the graphics runs out, the gameplay is what keeps you playing. You see many games that seem to be carbon copies of each other with slightly different twists. There are a few games like Halo 2 where the developers obviously spent a lot of time fine tuning to make sure the gameplay was as enjoyable as possible. With Halo 2, the two things that give it an edge in my opinion is the fact that the movement of players is slower than most games and the weapons are highly balanced. Also, rather than throwing tons of multiplayer maps at the player, the developers focused on making a limited number of quality maps.
Freeware games are an option for people on a small budget who value gameplay over graphics. A freeware game is simply a game that is completely free with no fees attached. Freeware developers usually don’t have the million dollar 3d engines to run their games so they must make the games as fun as they can without all the bells and whistles of retail games. These developers make games simply for the love of making them and sometimes come up with some unique and quality games that are definitely worth a look. Especially considering that these games are completely free. These games span all the categories of retail games from Massively Multiplayer to 3d First Person Shooter. Some companies also release production quality games as freeware because they decide not to put the game into production or as promotion.
Halo 2 Multiplayer Tips for Beginners and Advanced players
Here are some general tips from an advanced player for all of you who are looking for an edge in this game. You may know some or all the things in this article depending on your skill level. Even if you are an expert player this article should help you remember the fundamental that make you a good player. This article focuses on individual fighting tips, perhaps a future article will address team strategy.
Weapon Combos:
From close range you can hit for a lot more damage when holding two weapons. From a distance, the battle rifle is the weapon of choice if you cannot get your hands on a sniper rifle. My favorite combo for quick kills is the plasma rifle/smg combo and the pistol/smg combo. If you aim at the opponents head and they don’t aim at your head, like most people, they will be wondering how they died so fast. The plasma rifle combo is better against multiple opponents and the pistol is more effective against single opponents. This is because the pistol runs out of ammo quickly. If you can find a plasma pistol, the plasma pistol/smg combo is not bad, but it leaves you vulnerable if you miss the charged shot or if there are multiple opponents.
Plasma Pistol/Battle Rifle:
This in my opinion is the ultimate combo. If you are at close to medium range, hit them with the plasma pistol and shoot them in the head with the battle rifle. At long range, pick them off with the battle rifle. This is a frustrating combo to fight against when the opponent is good. This is one of the reasons you see a lot of Human Slayer games now.
Grenades:
This is one of the things that separate good players from weaker ones. It takes a lot of practice to become an expert with grenades, but it is one of the easiest ways to kill someone. Use common sense, throw the grenade where the player will be not where they are right now. If you see someone running towards you, backup behind a wall and throw a grenade in their path. If you are surrounded, try to get off two grenades and you will sometimes get several kills. If you hit someone with a frag grenade, and you hit them in the head with a battle rifle, they die in one shot.
Melee:
If you are shooting someone and you can walk up to them, melee them if you can. Sometimes it is better to back up rather than melee. For example if you are dual wielding and did not get the first shot off against a single wielder, back off so you kill him rather than get meleed. Don’t forget that you lunge slightly when you melee, so use that to your advantage.
Where to walk:
Try to flank people as much as possible. For example if you are on top of big base sniping and you see someone on the radar coming up, look through or jump through the hole behind you and take them out. On ivory tower, if you are at the top and see someone coming from dark side, jump down a level and flank them. Do not run into rooms with more than one enemy, let them come to you or weaken them with grenades first, it is much easier to kill them that way.
Summary: The #1 tip I can give you is to aim for the head no matter what weapon you are using, except the shotgun. You will kill them a lot faster. Other than that, learn the maps and the weapon combos that work best in different situations.
Weapon Combos:
From close range you can hit for a lot more damage when holding two weapons. From a distance, the battle rifle is the weapon of choice if you cannot get your hands on a sniper rifle. My favorite combo for quick kills is the plasma rifle/smg combo and the pistol/smg combo. If you aim at the opponents head and they don’t aim at your head, like most people, they will be wondering how they died so fast. The plasma rifle combo is better against multiple opponents and the pistol is more effective against single opponents. This is because the pistol runs out of ammo quickly. If you can find a plasma pistol, the plasma pistol/smg combo is not bad, but it leaves you vulnerable if you miss the charged shot or if there are multiple opponents.
Plasma Pistol/Battle Rifle:
This in my opinion is the ultimate combo. If you are at close to medium range, hit them with the plasma pistol and shoot them in the head with the battle rifle. At long range, pick them off with the battle rifle. This is a frustrating combo to fight against when the opponent is good. This is one of the reasons you see a lot of Human Slayer games now.
Grenades:
This is one of the things that separate good players from weaker ones. It takes a lot of practice to become an expert with grenades, but it is one of the easiest ways to kill someone. Use common sense, throw the grenade where the player will be not where they are right now. If you see someone running towards you, backup behind a wall and throw a grenade in their path. If you are surrounded, try to get off two grenades and you will sometimes get several kills. If you hit someone with a frag grenade, and you hit them in the head with a battle rifle, they die in one shot.
Melee:
If you are shooting someone and you can walk up to them, melee them if you can. Sometimes it is better to back up rather than melee. For example if you are dual wielding and did not get the first shot off against a single wielder, back off so you kill him rather than get meleed. Don’t forget that you lunge slightly when you melee, so use that to your advantage.
Where to walk:
Try to flank people as much as possible. For example if you are on top of big base sniping and you see someone on the radar coming up, look through or jump through the hole behind you and take them out. On ivory tower, if you are at the top and see someone coming from dark side, jump down a level and flank them. Do not run into rooms with more than one enemy, let them come to you or weaken them with grenades first, it is much easier to kill them that way.
Summary: The #1 tip I can give you is to aim for the head no matter what weapon you are using, except the shotgun. You will kill them a lot faster. Other than that, learn the maps and the weapon combos that work best in different situations.
Ten Things You Should Know in Video Games
BloodRayne | It’s Zero Hour | Midasplayer | The latest in online gaming | Computer Games
You are not an hardcore person in playing video Games and if you want to know the facts which I set hereunder, there are many attraction in playing video which I may share an idea to those wish to play video games:
1. Two giant video games company, that is ATARI and SEGA having its own unique historical. Why unique? Because ATARI is a company formed in United States Of America but was only using its Japan name, while SEGA means Service Games a company formed in Japan as its Headquarters. Was founded in 1954 by David Rossen an American National. This man is an Ex- army who fought during Korean war. Names of those wellknown person who founded SEGA after Rossen is OKAWA and HIDEKI SATO.
2. Many Japanese language were used in video Games Industry. Three Japanese langguage very popular that is ATARI were taken from Japan Go Games which has the same meaning as "check" ( Syamat ) in playing chess. Nintendo is another video games giant company "Good Luck" which they belief will bring them to heaven. KATANA is a console Video Games produced by SEGA in 1998 which has it meaning "Sword".
3. Nobody expert that sony the first to produce Radio Transistor which is now a video Games manufacturer number one. In 2002 Sony dominated the world market in video games followed Nintendo and Microsoft. It started in 1995 from their first product named playstation. About three billion video games were sold through out the world.
4. Not only the songs were listed as Evergreen, Playing video games is not excluded. Two video player has it "Evergreen" where people playing without limitation of time that is PACMAN and Tetris. PACMAN were produced by Namco in 1980 having its verses as M/S PACMAN only to be played in House. SUPER PACMAN were targeted in Japanese Market and PACMAN PLUS (New Verses) using Coca Cola Tin as a new bonus replacing the Original bonus using fruits. Tetris were introduced in 1989 when it was sold out by Nintendo through it product called Game Boy. Very unique, Tetris invented by Rusia and at the same time dominated by the United States Of America and Japan. Both Games were very popular without considering its status, ages and peoples in General.
5. Sega is always in frontline in manufacturing Video Games though it has failed to promote its marketing. As an example, SEGA has first introduced in the world playing video by using technology 16-bit, which is known as Genesis in 1989 that were failed to overcome the market when Nintendo introduced SUPER NES PACKAGE (Nintendo Entertaintment System) on the same year. In 1995 SEGA once again in frontline when its invented video player by using technology 32-bit SATURN but was later being "Cut Off" by Sony when its Playstation product were introduced in the market on the same year.
6. Although SEGA cannot overcome worldwide marketing but at least the "Tiredness" were paid when its another product DREAMCAST were selected as the most best Inovative product in 1999 by POPULAR SCIENCE MEGAZINE. This is because Dreamcast were the first console that can be played online through Telephone. This System is known as SEGA NET allowing Players all over the world playing through ONLINE.
7. Nintendo ever made analysis jointly with other world video equipments producers. As an example, Nintendo has jointly with SGI (Silicon Graphic Inc.) in producing player to be used with console N64. Nintendo also has jointly with IBM and produce console Gamecube in 1999.
8. Although ATARI were not known at this time, but its name were famous in the end of 1970’s and through out year 1990’s. Playing console Pong were best selling item 1975 while Konsol 2600 identified as the longest ever in market in 1977 until 1990. Colour system Playing video were the product of ATARI, the first in 1989 and were known as LYNX.
9. Game Boy player were the product of Nintendo very successful in video Games history where 100 millions unit were sold worldwide since it was introduce in Global market in 1989. Nintendo also invented Communication System which is known as MOBILE ADAPTER GB allowing customers Communicating Game Boy to cellular Telephone and also allowing customer playing game online and also opening Email anda transfer of File.
10. Playstation 2 were the product of Sony in year 2000, and it is believed that the first Console using technology DVD.
You are not an hardcore person in playing video Games and if you want to know the facts which I set hereunder, there are many attraction in playing video which I may share an idea to those wish to play video games:
1. Two giant video games company, that is ATARI and SEGA having its own unique historical. Why unique? Because ATARI is a company formed in United States Of America but was only using its Japan name, while SEGA means Service Games a company formed in Japan as its Headquarters. Was founded in 1954 by David Rossen an American National. This man is an Ex- army who fought during Korean war. Names of those wellknown person who founded SEGA after Rossen is OKAWA and HIDEKI SATO.
2. Many Japanese language were used in video Games Industry. Three Japanese langguage very popular that is ATARI were taken from Japan Go Games which has the same meaning as "check" ( Syamat ) in playing chess. Nintendo is another video games giant company "Good Luck" which they belief will bring them to heaven. KATANA is a console Video Games produced by SEGA in 1998 which has it meaning "Sword".
3. Nobody expert that sony the first to produce Radio Transistor which is now a video Games manufacturer number one. In 2002 Sony dominated the world market in video games followed Nintendo and Microsoft. It started in 1995 from their first product named playstation. About three billion video games were sold through out the world.
4. Not only the songs were listed as Evergreen, Playing video games is not excluded. Two video player has it "Evergreen" where people playing without limitation of time that is PACMAN and Tetris. PACMAN were produced by Namco in 1980 having its verses as M/S PACMAN only to be played in House. SUPER PACMAN were targeted in Japanese Market and PACMAN PLUS (New Verses) using Coca Cola Tin as a new bonus replacing the Original bonus using fruits. Tetris were introduced in 1989 when it was sold out by Nintendo through it product called Game Boy. Very unique, Tetris invented by Rusia and at the same time dominated by the United States Of America and Japan. Both Games were very popular without considering its status, ages and peoples in General.
5. Sega is always in frontline in manufacturing Video Games though it has failed to promote its marketing. As an example, SEGA has first introduced in the world playing video by using technology 16-bit, which is known as Genesis in 1989 that were failed to overcome the market when Nintendo introduced SUPER NES PACKAGE (Nintendo Entertaintment System) on the same year. In 1995 SEGA once again in frontline when its invented video player by using technology 32-bit SATURN but was later being "Cut Off" by Sony when its Playstation product were introduced in the market on the same year.
6. Although SEGA cannot overcome worldwide marketing but at least the "Tiredness" were paid when its another product DREAMCAST were selected as the most best Inovative product in 1999 by POPULAR SCIENCE MEGAZINE. This is because Dreamcast were the first console that can be played online through Telephone. This System is known as SEGA NET allowing Players all over the world playing through ONLINE.
7. Nintendo ever made analysis jointly with other world video equipments producers. As an example, Nintendo has jointly with SGI (Silicon Graphic Inc.) in producing player to be used with console N64. Nintendo also has jointly with IBM and produce console Gamecube in 1999.
8. Although ATARI were not known at this time, but its name were famous in the end of 1970’s and through out year 1990’s. Playing console Pong were best selling item 1975 while Konsol 2600 identified as the longest ever in market in 1977 until 1990. Colour system Playing video were the product of ATARI, the first in 1989 and were known as LYNX.
9. Game Boy player were the product of Nintendo very successful in video Games history where 100 millions unit were sold worldwide since it was introduce in Global market in 1989. Nintendo also invented Communication System which is known as MOBILE ADAPTER GB allowing customers Communicating Game Boy to cellular Telephone and also allowing customer playing game online and also opening Email anda transfer of File.
10. Playstation 2 were the product of Sony in year 2000, and it is believed that the first Console using technology DVD.
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