Recently in women Category

Mined minerals used in cosmetics are vastly superior to liquid formulations - more healthy, more natural and recommended by dermatologists - according to a puff piece for bareMinerals in the February issue of British Airways' "Shop" magazine.

In a risibly pseudo scientific piece which should be used in journalism school for critique purposes, the beauty reviewer writes of the "100% natural formulation":

"The secret lies in a blend of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide ..., mica (light reflective, conceals imperfections), iron oxide (adds pigment) and bismuth oxychloride ... that result in a hydrating protective and perfecting hybrid of skin care and make-up ..."  

How can it have happened that I am the designated driver for the road trip from Houston to San Antonio for NPRA?

I've always managed to cadge a lift (ride) before, but this time I have been out-manoeuvred.

This is bad news for all concerned because:

• I don't like driving on the other side of the road
• I don't like driving strange cars
• My passengers have already said they are no good at navigating
• Hertz at the Galleria cannot supply satnavs
• It spoils the whole "Thelma and Louise" aspect of the traditional Texas road trip

(photo: BFI)

Ethylene Nelson, 93, a former US Navy nurse and White House employee, has been celebrated for her fortitude and long and varied life in this article in the Jamestown Post Journal of 7 March 2011, and spotted by our data team who have "ethylene" on google alert.

Long-time readers of the Blog were already aware that Ethylene can be a girl's name, from the fact that we showcased John Hiatt's hit song "Ethylene, my Ethylene, my love for you is just obscene .."

(photo: Jamestown Post Journal)

John Baker and Nigel Davis of ICIS London were invited to the House of Commons yesterday evening for the UK industry launch of the UNESCO/IUPAC sponsored International Year of Chemistry (IYC).

John tells the Blog:

"We heard a sparky address on the importance of women in science and technology from Esther McVey, MP for Wirral West, who was recently appointed chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Chemical Industry.

The need to encourage children into the sciences and STEM subjects as well was addressed by Joydip Sanyal, the CIA's young ambassador of the year, introduced a schools competition as part of IYC and sponsored by INEOS, which aims to make pupils think about why science is important to their lives.

The event was sponsored by Johnson Matthey and hosted by the UK's CIA chemical trade body. A shame that the proceedings were somewhat overshadowed by the fact that Pfizer announced on the same day it is closing its UK R&D facilities in Sandwich, Kent with the loss of 2,400 jobs." 

The beauty pageant for the title Miss Plastic 2010 sounds like something that is open to employees of polymer manufacturers, rather like Miss Atom in the Russian nuclear industry, but is in fact for surgically enhanced ladies.

The contest is held where else but in Budapest, Hungary, which will come as no surprise to those of us who witnessed the Pearl of the Danube beauty pageant during EPCA 2010 in Budapest.

Miss Plastic 2010 will be chosen from 22 contestants in the national round of the competition, and prizes are awarded to both the beauty queen and her surgeon, according to this article in the Metro.

The Blog can't wait to cover the next stage of the competition, which will be Miss Plastic Universe.

(photo: Metro)

The ICIS team in Budapest for EPCA were astonished to walk into the middle of the "Pearl of the Danube" beauty pageant in the lobby of their conference hotel on Sunday night.

Will Beacham, deputy editor of ICB, took some amazing photos at the President Hotel of the pageant, which had originally been mistaken for an auction by one of the Blog's sales colleagues.

Some of the younger members of the ICIS editorial team joined the Pearl after-party on a boat on the Danube. At least two male reporters were seen pole dancing in the early hours, Will tells me.

Click here for Will's video of the EPCA Opening Cocktail Party on Sunday night.

Tupperware's top North American saleswoman is a fabulous blonde drag queen, performing as Miss Dee W Ieye, who sells so many plastic storage products in her raunchy parties that she has beaten all competition for the fourth consecutive year.

Actor Kevin Farrell does a 50-minute routine, for a minimum of 30 people at each party and minimum sales of $1,500. He says understandably: "I don't want to spend an hour putting on make-up for six girls."

Showing an acute grasp of plastics demand in an economic downturn, he adds: "Everyone needs to maximize their grocery dollar in today's economy ... Tupperware's exceptional reputation and my down home charm and girl next door looks keep my Tupperware business THRIVING in a down economy. $20,000 in average monthly sales keeps me at the top of the sales chart!"

Julia Meehan of ICIS London took part in the London Marathon, and survived to write a chemical-related article for ICB. Here the Blog brings you an abridged version...

To wear and what not to wear is a fashion dilemma faced by most modern working women, but in my wildest dreams I did not imagine that I would spend so much time deliberating about what I would wear on Sunday 25 April, the day of the London Marathon.

During my marathon training in the harsh winter months, plenty would be going through my mind.

Would I be fit enough to run the full 26.2 miles (42km)? Would my recurring Achilles injury flare up early on in the run? Would it rain and my feet be covered in blisters as a result? Should I wear my old faithful Asics running shoes or my whiter-than-white yet-to-be-broken-in new pair? What if it was too hot and I collapsed with dehydration? How would I feel when I saw my family at the 19 mile point? Would I reach my fundraising target of £3,000 ($4,512, €3,542)?

Sandra Bullock looked divine in a purple plastic Bottega Veneta gown at Monday night's Golden Globes in Los Angeles, according to a PlasticPossible retweet from my fellow blogger Doris of Green Chemicals fame.

In this red carpet video, Sandra Bullock tells the world that her dress is made of plastic - she's about two minutes in.

(photo: Rex)