Did you know that many common cosmetics have been linked to many forms of cancer, birth defects, infertility and allergies?

I had no idea until I took on the relatively undemanding task of researching a company for a blog post. What I learned doing that was cool but what I learned after that blew me away. I had never heard of Dawn Mellowship and her book Toxic Beauty and so some of the claims being made seemed a bit grand. Then I read Dawn Mellowship's blog.

Keep reading to find out about Dawn Mellowship, her book and how one company (not connected) may be able to help Thanet reduce the area's cancer rate. Especially the rate of breast cancer.

Could women actually be giving themselves cancer with the make up their use? This question and many others are addressed in the fourth book by Dawn Mellowship.

Every year the average make up user absorbs an estimated 2 kilograms of chemicals through beauty and cosmetic products.

Chemicals found in lipsticks, skin lotions and hair dyes have been linked with tumours, cell mutation, allergies, reproductive complications, endocrine disruption, birth defects and cancer.

Dawn Mellowship asks isn't it time we all paid more attention to exactly what goes into the eye shadows, body washes and deodorants we love to use? Which is a good question.

This compelling and timely book tells you the key chemicals you should avoid, reveals just how natural 'organic' beauty products really are, and features a directory highlighting the health issues surrounding a wide range of products, from hair gel to sunscreens. Dawn Mellowship is no flash-in-the-pan author as well as writing books she is a freelance journalist, ethical stylist and web designer. She was features editor of the women's lifestyle magazine Tonic and her writing has appeared in New Consumer The Daily Mail and Natural Health Magazine.

As an example 1,2-propylene oxide which is used as a fragrance has been linked along with 2,4-diaminoanisole sulphate (an aromatic amine used in hair dyes), titanium dioxide (a white pigment used in sunscreens, mineral make-up and other cosmetics) and others with the rise in the rate of breast cancer. We put this stuff on our bodies and the legislators that should be asking hard questions are not saying anything.

Having realsied that the average make up manufacturer is not so much interested in our health as they are in shareholder value (duh - should've been obvious to most) I started to see things in a new light. After speaking to a GP from Thanet who has switched exclusively to the Nicole Miller make up range from Melaleuca Inc a 25 year old direct marketing company from America I realised that this is something that we all need. The reason she tried the range was the health promises but the reason she switched was the quality of the product.

By all accounts we are talking about a quality that at the very least matches the leading make up brands but at the price of "Body Shop" or "Boots No. 7". I'll be the first to admit that this means not so much to me but after interviewing a number of make up users (including some of my impressive array of sisters) I can say that there appears to be true value being offered here.

Now I am not a doctor nor am I a trained beautician (although you never can tell with bloggers). So I can not tell you hand on heart that not a single compound identified by Dawn Mellowship is absent from this range. In truth I have not got my copy of her book yet so I have not even read it.

Yet I do know of a company that is doing things differently.

What I can tell you is that Melaleuca UK (and Melaleuca worldwide) bill themselves as "The Wellness Company". I can tell you that their Eco Sense cleaning product range contain no harsh cemicals, are kind to the environment and as well as coming in tiny long lasting packages work just as effectively as any other. I know this because I use them. I am one of Melaleuca's customers.

I can tell you that the Melaleuca is a recipient of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award which is granted only to companies with a long history of exemplary business practices. I can tell you that everyone I have spoken to who has tried their products loves them. I do not mean to say that they like them I mean that they hoenest-to-goodness love the products they buy.

It does not take a genius to work out that a company dedicated to wellness and not using deadly chemicals in their products would, at a time when most products could be raising the risk of your getting cancer, improve the health of Thanet.

As a result I have asked Melaleuca to come down and demonstrate their make up range to the people of Thanet. On the 21st of December this year (2009) there will be a launch party in Thanet celebrating the arrival of this new make up range.

For health and safety reasons the venue in question will hold only 150 people but for those lucky 150 people there will be a chance to see and test the products, to talk to people from the company and to see what all the fuss is about. There will be a price draw on the day where one person will be able to go home with a whole load of Nicole Miller make up.

If you want to get the chance investigate a make up range that is actually good for you, including getting your hands on some free items and a chance to win a big old hamper of goodies then you nbeed to get to this launch party.

This make up range is not available in the shops and can only be purchased directly from the manufacturer (that's what direct marketing means). This means that you will want to take down their contact details and to do that you need to get along to the launch party because it is unlikely to be repeated.

The launch party will take palce in the cafe at Sure Start Children's Centre Millmead on the 21st December 2009 at midday (going on until 2:30pm). You will find a full buffet, and several fun activities including make overs and free make up advice. It is free to get in but the venue limit is around 150 people which means that you will need to get in early before they start turning people away.

To reserve a place (so you have a chance to get in even if it's full) then you you need to RSVP "yes" to the event on facebook ASAP.

UPDATE: Due to complications and the timing of this event so close to Christmas Melaleuca UK have had to pull out. I will be pushing for a similar event to run in the new year so watch this space.