PÜR MINERALS WINS THE 2008 ALLURE BEST OF BEAUTY AWARD

Last night, Pür Minerals was named a winner of the 2008 Allure Best of Beauty Awards recognizing the most effective beauty tools and treatments in the industry. With great fanfare and excitement, the brand’s multi-tasking cornerstone product, 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup, beat out the rest of the beauty elite for the eco-friendly honor of “Best Natural Selection.”

Established in 1996 with its signature stamp of approval, the Allure Best of Beauty Award is considered to be the most prestigious and influential distinction in the health and beauty industry. Award recipients are selected not only by Allure editors, but also by readers of the well-known beauty and fashion magazine. “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this honor!” exclaimed Pür Minerals President Joli Baker. “Winning an Allure Best of Beauty Award is one of the greatest compliments in our brand’s history.”

See what everyone is raving about and discover the one-minute makeup miracle for yourself!

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Makeup Do's and Don'ts

Every woman is different, so, naturally, every woman’s makeup choices are going to be different. Still, there are a few rules that every beauty queen should abide by when applying makeup. We’ve polled our Pür Minerals makeup experts and come up with the top do's and don’ts to keep you looking your best.

DO:

• Moisturize before applying your makeup. Hydrated skin creates a smooth canvas for better makeup application and a lasting look, as opposed to the flaky, cakey look of makeup on dry skin. 

• Top your lipstick with a gorgeous gloss. Unless you’re going for a matte look, lip gloss is a must-have makeup tool to give your lips a kick. It will make your lipstick last longer and impart a brilliant shine.

• Use a dark eye shadow as a liner. Shadows have been masquerading as eyeliners for quite some time in the beauty industry. This favorite trick of makeup artists creates a velvety, blended look.

• Update your makeup with the seasons. Your skin tone is likely to change from summer to fall, so you should replace your foundation accordingly. Refreshing your makeup collection will help maintain your skin’s health and keep you up to date with the latest seasonal beauty trends.

DON’T:

• Use a harsh cleanser or toner. This will strip your skin of its essential oils and cause over drying and irritation. Even if you have an oily complexion, it’s best to use a gentle cleanser.

• Apply your makeup in poor lighting. Bright, evenly distributed light will help you avoid any makeup mishaps. Put your makeup on in front of a mirror that’s next to a window.

• Wear thick foundation all over your face. This will create a mask-like effect that’s better suited for Halloween. Pressed formulations provide a natural-looking alternative to liquid foundations.

• Be afraid to experiment. The beauty industry is ever-changing, so there’s no reason for your look to stay static. Try new color combinations and products to find out what works best for you, and have fun with your makeup.

How to Create the Pür-fect Smoky Eye

Classic yet modern, both elegant and edgy, the smoky eye is arguably the coolest thing that you can do with your makeup for fall. And this season, the beauty staple has returned with a street-chic, everyday appeal that’s great for day or night. Follow these simple steps to achieve the most fashionable of all eye looks.

1. Begin by moisturizing the delicate skin around your eyes. Use either your daily moisturizer or an eyelid primer to hydrate skin and prevent creping.

2. Next, line your upper lash line with a waterproof eye pencil. Start from the inside and work your way out, lining a little thicker in the middle. Lightly smudge your pencil strokes.

3. Blending is crucial when applying shadow. Use a soft, neutral shade, such as Pressed Mineral Shadow in Moon Pearl, to create a base. Apply over your entire lid up to your brow bone.

4. Starting at your lash line, apply a deep, bold shade, making sure to blend in with your eyeliner. Use the Crease Brush to blend the shadow into the crease of your eyelid with a sweeping motion.

5. For added depth and dimension, layer on another vibrant shadow shade into the crease and highlight the outer corners of your eyes. Blend upward for a smoky effect, but be sure to keep the darkest shades below the crease of the eye, especially during the day.

6. Finish off your smoky eyes with a lengthening, thickening mascara.

Remember to have fun with your look. Gray and black shadows and liners are perfect for a smoky eye, but you’re choices aren’t limited to these classic colours. Try deep brown and bronze shades to pull the look off during the day, or jewel tones like purple, green and blue to turn up the heat at night.

What’s Your Best Cut?

Finding the Right Hairstyle for Your Face

Choosing the right hairstyle is like looking for that perfect dress: you want one that flatters your shape and emphasizes your best features. Forget the latest styling products and straighteners, the shape of your face is your key to getting great hair. Whether your face is oval, round, square or heart-shaped will determine the ‘do that suits you best.

Oval
An oval face is typically slightly longer than it is wide, with a rounded hairline. Hairdressers love this shape, because you can pretty much wear any style with it. Both short and long cuts work well with an oval face. But if you’re a bit on the oblong side, just be sure to avoid a super-long style that drags your face down. A short bob that falls right below the chin is always a sure bet for an oval face, and sweeping bangs are an excellent way to draw attention to your eyes. 

Round
A round face needs a style that adds a little length. If you have a full face and a round chin, consider a cut with angles or layers for a slimming, lengthening effect. Since you want to minimize your roundness, steer clear of short curls or anything that will add more width and volume to your face, such as blunt bangs.

Square
The best haircut for a square chin and face is one that softens your strong, angular jawline. Loose waves, curls and wispy layers will all elongate the face and de-emphasize your square jaw. A side part is another great way to give your face a little height and add an element of asymmetry to offset your boxy features. Stay away from short bobs and straight bangs; the geometric lines will only make your face look more square.

Heart-Shaped
A heart-shaped face is characterized by a wide hairline that tapers down into a small chin. To avoid making your delicate chin look pointy, don’t go too short or wear severe layers. Opt instead for soft, longer layers or side-swept bangs to frame your face and highlight your eyes and cheekbones. This will add width to your narrow chin, creating the illusion of a balanced oval shape.   

Get a FREE Brow Perfection Kit from Pür Minerals

Did you ever think you could achieve the look of perfect brows? With the Brow Perfection Kit you can. Starting today, receive a FREE Mineral Brow Perfection and Eyebrow Brush with any purchase of $35 or more!

Shape, define and fill in your eyebrows with this multi-tasking Mineral Brow Perfection. The shaping wax forms, smoothes and conditions brow hair while the micronized mineral brow powder fills in eyebrows and frames the eye with a natural look—never fake or drawn on. For pür-fect brows every time, dip the Eyebrow Brush into the wax and brush backward against hair growth to fluff the brow.   

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Scents for the Season: The Best Fall Fragrances

The days of summer are winding down. That means it’s time to trade in your airy, summery fragrance for a fall scent with a little more edge. Here are our top picks for the season of romance and sophistication.

COCO MADEMOISELLE by Chanel
Modern and spirited, Coco Mademoiselle is the 21st century interpretation of Chanel’s popular Coco fragrance. The elegant blend of orange, bergamot, and jasmine is laced with deeper notes of patchouli and roots of vetiver. Why we love it: it reflects Coco Chanel’s love of the pure and simple.

THE BEAT by Burberry
Burberry’s newest fragrance is vibrant and feminine, a floral scent with smoky undertones of musk and wood. Creative Director Christopher Bailey calls the fragrance a must-have fashion accessory for the woman that is “feminine, effortlessly cool and has a sense of mystery.”

ROMANCE by Ralph Lauren
The scent is rich and alluring with a crisp, timeless quality that’s undeniably Ralph Lauren. Infused with tangerine, chamomile and freesia, as well as ginger, violet and musk, the fragrance was designed to capture the essence of love. Warm and romantic, it’s a fabulous fit for fall.

EUPHORIA by Calvin Klein
Nobody does drama like Calvin Klein. Euphoria combines unconventional fruits and florals with seductive, earthy notes. Fragrance highlights include black orchid, liquid amber, mahogany, and lotus blossom. It’s exotic without being overpowering, and the bottle is especially sleek.

The Beauty Diet

Taking care of your skin isn’t just about which daily moisturizer you use or what kind of eye cream you put on at night. Rather, skin fitness speaks to all of your lifestyle choices—and that includes the foods that you eat. A well-balanced diet not only contributes to the health of your heart, but it helps you achieve a smooth, radiant complexion, so that you can look and feel your best.

The key ingredients of your beauty diet include:

Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and leafy vegetables are supercharged with vitamins and antioxidants. The greener the better, so swap out that iceberg lettuce for spinach and start giving your skin the nutrients it needs. 5 - 9 servings a day will help get you on the right track.

Lean Proteins
Healthy proteins like fish and free-range chicken firm your skin and strengthen your hair, teeth and nails. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish (especially salmon and tuna) at least twice a week. If you’re a vegetarian, turn to avocados, hummus, peanut butter and whole grains to help smooth out and prevent wrinkles.

Fab Fats
Omega-3 fatty acids provide essential oils that condition skin and reduce inflammation. In other words, the fats found in almonds, flax seeds, hazelnuts and olive oil lead to a smooth, clear complexion. Omega-3 can also be taken as a daily dietary supplement in the form of fish oil or flax seed oil capsules.

Water
Drinking a minimum of 8 glasses of water each day is a crucial part of achieving perfect looking skin. With its superior detoxifying properties, H2O cleanses and purifies pores, in turn diminishing acne and blemishes. Whereas dehydrated skin tends to have a dry, sallow appearance, drinking a sufficient amount of water will help you attain a fresh, dewy complexion and an even skin tone.

Complement your beauty diet with healthy, mineral-based makeup and skin care from Pür Minerals.

What’s All the Buzz About Foundation Primer?

Lately, foundation primers seem to be popping up more frequently at cosmetic counters, beauty boutiques and salons. Although primers are relatively new to the beauty scene, they’ve already secured a pretty solid following. You may be asking yourself, “How does it work? Do I need a primer? Which one should I choose?” Well not to worry, here’s a quick how-to guide complete with everything you need to know about primers.

What is Foundation Primer?
Just like the name implies, this liquid beauty solution primes the skin for foundation application. A primer is used to set makeup and even out the skin tone. An effective foundation primer neutralizes skin discolorations and diminishes imperfections for a flawless, long-lasting look.

Choosing a Foundation Primer
Not all primers are created equal. Some formulas use harsh chemicals that can have the reverse effect on skin, causing irritation and breakouts. Mineral-based primers are best, because they nourish your skin and provide antioxidant protection. Your primer should serve a very specific function: to help achieve a smooth, even complexion. If the sole purpose of your primer is to make your makeup last longer, then you may want to reconsider your foundation.

Primers are an excellent beauty solution for people with acne and rosacea. They’re also ideal for concealing age spots, dark circles and freckles. At Pür Minerals, we have two foundation primers designed to perfect your complexion by targeting specific, common skin conditions. For those who wish to camouflage blemishes and redness, we recommend Colour Correcting Primer in Green. And for those seeking to neutralize discolorations that aren’t red, Colour Correcting Primer in Peach will do the trick.

How to Apply Foundation Primer

1. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, bacteria or debris.

2. Next, apply your daily facial moisturizer to hydrate your skin and allow for better absorption.

3. Once your face is cleansed and moisturized you can apply your foundation primer. Use your fingers to smooth a dime-sized drop over your skin. You’ll want to apply the primer to your whole face, paying special attention to problem areas. Massage the primer into your skin wherever you see any discolorations and let it dry for about two minutes.

4. After the primer has been fully absorbed, you’re ready to apply your foundation and powder. Your foundation should go on easily and smoothly, leaving you with a flawless finish.