55 woman this month | July 2012 | Snail gel Purified snail goo has been found to contain excellent regenerative properties, which aid in skin firmness and wrinkle correction. Michael Todd Cosmetics spurred the use of this weird and slimy ingredient with the Knu Anti-Ageing Tri-Complex in 2009. Cow dung Since ancient times, cow dung has been used in skincare products to improve the appearance of the skin. The dung is dried out and then the nutrient-packed portions are extracted and added to facial creams. Scientists in Japan have also found a way to produce a vanilla-scented fragrance out of cow dung by heating it under high pressure. Beer This smelly drink is, strangely, a wonderful hairwash. Its vitamin B and natural sugar content add volume and help your locks to shine. Beer is also jam-packed full of protein, which is great for strength and growth Beetle Bye If you love to rock red lipstick, then this secret ingredient may haunt you slightly. Cochineal beetles are often crushed up and processed to create carmine; a red dye that is common in lipstick, blush and even Starbucks’ strawberry Frappuccino! Fish eggs Caviar is one of the most exclusive delicacies you can eat, but how about using it in your hair? Fish eggs can be found in some hair products, due to their strengthening and moisturising properties. Because of its high levels of calcium, protein, selenium, iron, magnesium, vitamins and omega-3s, it’s supposed to soften and smooth hair. Hair care brand Alterna certainly believes in Caviar’s hair rejuvenation powers; they have a whole line of Caviar products. Bird poop The “geisha” facial that is popular in the states is a highly sought-after treatment that harnesses the goodness of nightingale droppings. The droppings are dried, blitzed with UV light (for extreme sanitation) and then crushed into powder. This particular waste product contains special properties that leave skin cleansed, moisturised, silky-smooth and bright. Snake venom This is used as a somewhat scary alternative to Botox and provides a long-lasting anti-wrinkle treatment that is thought to reduce signs of ageing. At Sonya Dakar’s Beverly Hills Spa, the skincare expert uses synthetic snake venom developed to mimic the paralysing effect of a temple viper’s venom. Lanolin grease This is the grease animals have in their fur. It is a thick greasy product secreted by woolbearing mammals to help shed water from their coats. It is scraped off from their coats and used in an array of products, including shaving cream, shampoo and lipstick. In fact, over 100 lipsticks on the market contain lanolin, including brands Revlon and Estée Lauder. Fish scales If you’re a fan of shimmery lip and nail products, you may be shocked to discover that it is often fish scales which are used to achieve this effect. Usually referred to as “pearl essence” on ingredient lists, this component actually comes from the herring. Human Semen Spermine, found in human sperm, is a strong anti-oxidant that helps clear and smooth skin. A Norwegian company found a way to synthesise it and now you can have a spermine facial to assist in smoothing out lines and wrinkles. The ingredient is increasingly found in everyday skincare products as well. Whale Bile The byproduct of whale digestion, called ambergis, has long been used in perfumes. It’s earthy and musky aroma provides the ideal base note for the ingredients. Although this isn’t hugely common worldwide anymore, it is thought that a lot of French companies still use it, supposedly including Chanel! Bird feathers Anyone with knowledge of the beauty industry will be familiar with the word ‘keratin’, associated with strong, smooth and shiny locks. There is a type of keratin that is found in bird feathers and is also used in shampoos and hair products. Because the amino acid chains in bird feathers are supposedly silkier than in human hair, they can make hair appear shinier and healthier. Snail gel Bird feathers
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