Black denim style at its best.

In this busy world, dressing up in a suit, and tie isn’t always the most comfortable look. Hence, why I really enjoy denim! I’ve been known to sport denim at the most conservative restaurants to black tie galas. I follow and recommend 5 essential elements for wearing denim at its best.

The 1st is the quintessential denim jacket, and I don’t mean the Marlboro man jacket. Designers have re-created the denim jacket into motorcycle, military, and dinner jacket styles that compliment your new day look and evening attire. By incorporating this one element, you can completely transform your overall style.

2nd essential element, is to LAYER denim without matching denim colors. As an example, light wash denim worn with a light wash denim shirt is not stylish. Instead, opt for dark denim jeans, paired with a light wash denim shirt with black boots, and silver accessories. This gives a polished and updated look to a classic style found in every man’s wardrobe.

3rd on my essentials list, is the length of your jeans. We want to avoid looking as though we’re treading water with our attire. In other words, make sure your denim has a slight break at the bottom, similar to what you expect with properly fitted dress pants. Jeans at right length will elongate, and provide a taller, fashionable appearance. By paying attention to this simple detail, you’ll be able to show off those new Prada boots.

My 4th element is all about dressing up denim. This is the easiest method to pull off, and will carry you far while looking stylish and comfortable. Heads will turn when you add a blazer, tie, and French cuffed shirt, with dark denim jeans. You’ll walk into the fanciest of restaurants and events looking sophisticated and polished. If you’d rather nix the blazer, try a button down shirt, vest, and tie, for a refined appearance that matches your comfort requirements.

The 5th, and final element on my list, is selecting the right shoes. Tennis shoes, hiking boots, or flip flops are not acceptable in achieving the denim look for 2011. The best forms are dress boots, oxfords, or an updated loafer. A few of my favorite designers that provide great options are, Kenneth Cole,  Mark Nason, Gucci, and Cole Haan. Having the right shoes, makes a big difference when wearing denim to upscale venues.

Hope to see you at The Denim Bar!

Are parabens safe?

The EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has released an opinion suggesting that butylparabens and propylparabens are safe in cosmetic formulations.

Victory is now being proclaimed by many that support the use of parabens. Is this true? Are parabens really safe?

The assessments are documented in the public report, “Opinion on Parabens”, which I obtained a copy from the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association. The SCCS team, an independent scientific committee, conducted an in-depth analysis on a variety of safety concerns and past scientific studies.

Concerns reviewed:

• The use of parabens and the development of breast cancer.
• Endocrine system (glands / hormones).
• Dermal absorption and biotransformations.

Summary of SCCS opinions:

• Butylparabens and propylparabens are safe when individual concentration does not exceed 0.19%.
• Methylparabens and ethylparabens current safety opinions and recommended usage levels remain the same.
• Isopropyl, isobutyl, phenyl, benzyl, and pentyl paraben components were not reviewed because of insufficient data to identify safe limits.
• Requests a skin metabolism study for additional analysis.

My assessments and questions:

• The SCCS team only analyzed prior studies performed by other organizations, which are documented in their report. A few of the studies contained insufficient or conflicting data and thus, SCCS found results questionable and possibly inaccurate.Beyond the requested skin metabolism study, should prior studies be retested following regulated guidelines in order to accurately assess safety?
• The controversy within this industry is overwhelming and confusing. I question the use with any debatable ingredient when alternatives are readily available.
• I find the animal testing practices documented in this report very disturbing. Are animal rights alone, enough to justify reducing or avoiding ingredients that require animal testing to validate safety?
• We have a choice. I prefer to lower my overall reliance on synthetic ingredients, and favor natural resources for reasons beyond potential toxicity concerns.

Did you know?

1. The correct name for a wrinkle is “dermatologic corrugation”.
   Bet a beer on that one!

2. The FDA doesn’t recognize and regulate the term “cosmeceutical”.
   Companies can make this claim any time and as desired. It’s up to the consumer to determine if a product’s promoted benefits are valid.

3. An adult has 21 to 25 square feet of skin.
   That’s surface area by the way.

4. Your skin sheds about 60,000 dead cells every minute.
   Can you guess how many pounds you lose each year?

5. The top layer of skin renews every 28 to 40 days, depending on your age.
   Use a new product for 30 days to determine any benefits before tossing.

6. On a hot day you can sweat up to 3 gallons of water.
   We’re wondering how this fact was tested.
   
   
7. You should use a full bottle of sunscreen every day at the beach.
   Use 1 oz for each application before the beach and every two hours thereafter. Your 5 oz bottle of sunscreen should last one full day under the sun.

8. Personal care products don’t require premarket approval.
   Learn to decipher ingredient lists.

9. Blackheads are not dirt. They’re pores clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells.
   Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) will help remove clogged pores.

10. Cleopatra used crocodile dung and donkey’s milk in her skin products.
    We hope it wasn’t for cleansing.

Alone - in the woods.

Alone in the woods with no animals around, only trees, leaves, and bugs are to be found. Ok, maybe you spotted a squirrel, snake, or a mouse. Is that what you expected?

Face the facts. Your human scent will scare most wild life. Follow the techniques used by outdoorsmen if you’re going to invest time and money into camping, hiking, photography, and especially when exploring nature by observation.

Animals stay alive by avoiding predators and you’re one, regardless of your activities. It’s not enough to be silent and avoid becoming detected. You must blend in with natural surroundings for optimal results.

Not hiking anytime soon? Our tips will help control odors throughout the day and at the gym.

Tip 1 – Avoid Scented Products

Fruit baskets and lavender gardens are not typical forest finds. Most lotions, deodorants, and other personal care products are loaded with foreign aromas. Nix the scent by using products that avoid perfumes, fragrances, and essential oils.

Tip 2 – Use Scent Control

Many scent control products are different from deodorants, because they focus on odors beyond the sweat inspired aromas caused by bacteria.

Find scent control products at outdoor and sports related stores. Review the ingredients and instructions to validate skin use or if product is only intended for outwear and sports gear. Some products may contain chlorophyll or coloring agents that can stain clothes.

Try our Sport Fix Body Spray (available January, 2010). It’s a natural blend of ferment, sodium bicarbonate, and plant extracts. Our spray is designed to help control skin odors, including B.O.

Tip 3 – Avoid Odors

Avoid gasoline, smoke, and foods that yield strong odors and behave like glue by adhering to everything it touches.

Tip 4 – Use The Right Soap

We find that scent-free soaps with absorbent materials perform better. Look for sodium bicarbonate, magnesium, clay, or carbon ingredients. Our Sport Fix Soap is loaded with activated bamboo carbon that fights odor and dissolves dirt.

Tip 5 – Stay Down Wind

Outdoor experts are fully aware about the importance of staying down-wind. Position yourself facing the wind to reduce the chances on becoming detected.

Tip 6 – Wear Earthy Colors

Blend in with your surroundings by wearing shades reflecting the season and environment. Take extra precautions during hunting season to avoid being confused as an animal. During this time, we suggest that you avoid wearing white so you’re not mistaken as part of a deer’s tail. Instead, wear bright colors such as orange, and stay on the trails.

Tip 7 – Be Safe

Getting close by becoming undetected can yield exciting experiences. As you enjoy the outdoors, remember that animal’s behavior cannot be controlled. Be smart, play safe and follow the rules. Check out the US Forest Service’s site for information and guidelines from the experts.

At Raw Materials we’re passionate about extreme lifestyles at the gym and in the wild. Highly active men and women encounter environmental and physical stress that require skincare solutions beyond the basics. We develop and promote natural face and body products designed for those that live life to the edge.

We’re not…

This is not another blog using scare tactics to support natural claims. It’s your choice to define what’s right for you. Frankly, not all synthetic ingredients are harmful and not all naturally derived ingredients are safe. We’re natural because we prefer the nutritional components and eco-friendly alternatives found in botanical resources.

We’ll share a few concerns, but we feel that the controversy between natural and synthetic products are similar to politics. Both the far left (natural) and far right (traditional) have a tendency to promote facts and claims that support their cause.

We will…

Our blogging goals are to offer information, tips, and industry news relevant to skin health and lifestyles of our readers. We encourage you to share comments and suggestions that expand awareness for all.

- the Raw Materials Team & our founder, Anna Beekman