Fall 2009 Fashion Trends

Sky-High Boots
Boots have always been a staple for fall, but this season, designers are taking it to a whole new level with over-the-knee and thigh-high boots going mainstream. From stylish suede to luscious leather, this sexy trend is available in a variety of heel sizes and colors. Tip: Avoid chunky heels and patent finishes, which can look too over the top.

Cold Shoulder
A carry-over from spring, the one-shoulder trend is back with an edgy new twist for fall. In addition to the elegant, asymmetrical tops and gowns that graced the fall runways, this season brings slits, slashes and carefully constructed cutouts. Designed for a subtle allure, this fashion-forward style allows women to show some skin and still leave plenty to the imagination.

Military Style
We love a woman in uniform. This fall’s military fashion takes the cake as one of the season’s hippest, most innovative trends.  An offshoot of the bohenmian luxe trend, the look takes the form of vests, peacoats and cropped jacks with gold detailing and ornate trims for a rock n’ roll style with a feminine flair. Wear it with skinny pants or leggings over-the-knee boots or stilettos for a killer ensemble.

Sequins & Metallics
Think sequins are just for evening? Think again. This season, sequins and shimmering metallics are shining bright on both evening and daywear. Spotted adorning stylish tees as well as blazers, vests and sleek menswear-style suits, the look can be dressed up or dressed down to bring a bit of glam to the everyday.

Fall Fragrance Guide

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.

GUCCI by Gucci
The perfect complement to your nude, matte lips and sultry, smoky eyes, this chic scent exudes confidence and beauty. It’s a chypre floral fragrance with citrusy notes of guava and pear, a heart of Tahitian tiare flower and a woodsy base note of musk and honey.  

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, uplifting 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 BEAT by Burberry
One of Burberry’s newest fragrances, The Beat 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.”

Get Fall's Hottest Looks

 See how to get fall’s hottest runway looks with our expert application how-to videos.Be the Expert!

Top Trend: Chrome-Plated Lids
The smoky eye returns, now in provocative, steely shades of chrome, charcoal and gunmetal. Pair silvery-gray shadows with barely-there powder and soft, pink lips for a chic, fresh-faced look.   

Get the Look! Ashley is wearing:
Pressed Mineral Shadow in Chrome Cryolite
Mineral Eye Defining Pencil in Smoky Graphite
Pür Intensity Gel Eyeliner in Carbon
NEW Pout Plumping Lip Gloss in Crystal Pink

WATCH THE VIDEO

Top Trend: Nude, Matte Lips

Perfect for day or night, matte lips in nude hues are versatile and effortlessly stylish. Balance this elegant, up-to-the-minute look with a natural cheek and a pop of crisp colour to accentuate the eyes.

Get the Look! Lynnette is wearing:
Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick in Sheer Zircon
Mineral Lip Pencil in Natural Calcite
4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup
Pressed Mineral Shadow in Champagne Citrine

WATCH THE VIDEO

For more top trends, shop The Colour of Pür Fall 2009 Collection!

Pür Minerals August 2009 Newsletter

Refresh Your Look
With summer on its way out, now is the time to refresh, revitalize and put a new spin on things for the new season. From the latest fall runway trends to the season’s tried-and-true beauty staples, we’ve got the scoop on how to spice things up and add some life to your look—without breaking the bank.

Rejuvenate Your Skin
A smooth transition from summer to fall starts with good skin care. The temperature changes between seasons can take a toll on skin, so it’s a good idea to switch up your beauty regimen and prep for the cooler, drier weather. After months of sun worshipping (tsk-tsk), exfoliating regularly during the fall will help restore clarity and colour to dull, lifeless skin and remove all of the dead skin cells and impurities that can clog pores and cause breakouts. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub like Pür Polish one to two times weekly to encourage new cell growth and follow with a hydrating body crème to lock in moisture. 

Restyle Your Makeup Bag
Restyling your makeup bag with a few key products can help transform your entire look. Add a pop of colour with a vibrant, shimmering lip gloss or turn to a vivid, jewel-toned eyeliner for a fresh, modern take on the classic smoky eye. A departure from fall’s traditionally somber hues of onyx and charcoal, this season’s shades are playful and pigment-rich for a lighter, brighter look with an unmistakable elegance.

Pür Tip: Since your skin tone and texture tend to change slightly from season to season, fall is the perfect time to update your makeup bag with a new foundation. A neutral shade that blends in with your skin tone (test the colour along your jaw line to find your perfect match) will give your complexion that flawless, fresh-faced look.

 Update Your Wardrobe
The anticipation and excitement over new fall fashions is unparalleled by any other season. And with a plethora of new styles to choose from this fall, designers are not disappointing. But just because you’ve got some fabulous options, doesn’t mean you need to go out and get a whole new wardrobe. Instead, select several of the most versatile and wearable trends to incorporate into your existing wardrobe. Invest in a new little black dress—this season’s LBDs are sexy and elegant with a bit of an edge—or retire your tattered fall coat and add a sleek, military-style pea coat to your collection—a top trend for fall. A handful of sophisticated separates that you can mix and match is enough to beef up your wardrobe and help you create a look that’s straight off the runway.

From the Expert
“You don’t need to buy dozens of new products to update your look for fall, just look for multi-purpose makeup and skin care. Try a mechanical pencil that you can use as an eyeliner, lip liner and brow enhancer. Trade in your liquid foundation for a multi-tasking formula that also serves as your powder, concealer and sun protection, such as our 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup which will also help you achieve fall’s flawless, matte-finish look.” Joli Baker, Pür Minerals President


More Tips for a Fabulous Season

Renew Your ‘Do – Your skin isn’t the only thing that suffers from harsh UV rays. The sun can dry hair out resulting in split ends and bleaching. A short, stylish bob is a great way to revitalize your locks, but if you’re not ready for such a drastic cut, trim off about two inches to keep your hair healthy.

Get into a Routine – The vacation is over—now it’s time to get back into the swing of things. That means getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet and staying active. This will keep your skin looking radiant and healthy, and help repair any damage that you may have done over the summer.

For expert makeup and skin care advice, sign up for the FREE Pür Minerals monthly E-Newsletter!

A Lesson in Lashes

There once was a time when I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing false eyelashes. Despite the fact that I have relatively short lashes with virtually no natural curl, I thought the whole idea was a little costumy. Well, ladies and gentleman, I take it all back. During a recent trip to the mall, I sucked it up and decided to enter the bold world of fake lashes. My conclusion: If you think that false eyelashes are ridiculous, think again!

These days, eyelash imposters come in all different lengths, thickness and sizes to help achieve different looks and work with your particular eye shape. Fake lashes can look natural and help take your eye look to the next level. Those of you who are intimidated by this wispy beauty tool, fear not. Our Pür Minerals beauty experts are here to help you achieve luscious lashes in a flash!

Fake Lashes for Beginners
The first thing to consider is what kind of look you’re going for. The occasion and time of day will factor into what kind of lashes you choose. If you’re going for a dramatic, evening look, a full set is appropriate. Individual false lashes are also a great way to subtly punch up your look. Look for an eyelash set in a length that’s as close as possible to your actual lash length. Trimming the lashes down can be tricky and can cause the lashes to appear blunt. 

Melissa’s Pick: Shu Uemura Soft Cross False Eyelashes. Natural-looking and elegant, these lashes pump up the volume with a criss-cross design that makes eyelashes appear thicker.

How to Apply Your Falsies
Start by holding the lash band up to your eye. If it’s too long, use a pair of nail scissors to trim the edges of the band (not the lashes) to fit your lash line. Next, apply the glue to the band and place at the inner corner of your eye. Work your way to the outer corner, gently pressing down to set the lashes in place.

After waiting a few moments to let the glue adhere, use an eyelash curler to help blend your natural lashes and the fake eyelashes together. Then, apply eye pencil along your lash line to camouflage the band and help achieve a more natural look. Finally, apply a single coat of lengthening, thickening mascara and viola, lash-tastic eyes in flash!

To remove the false eyelashes, use a gentle makeup eye makeup remover such as Mineral Melt by Pür Minerals. Infused with 12 all-natural oils, this makeup remover nourishes lashes and is safe for even the most sensitive eyes. 

Get the Look: No Makeup Makeup

You remember that classic makeup motto, less is more. Well, for those of us who weren’t born with a flawless complexion, there’s the no makeup makeup look. Here are a few quick and easy tips on how to lighten up and rock your barely-there beauty.

FACE & CHEEKS
A fresh-faced, matte finish is always in style for fall, and this upcoming season is no different. The key to creating the perfect makeup look is to make it look like you’re not wearing any. The last thing you want is a cumbersome, pore-clogging foundation. Pressed formulations will still give you the coverage you want, but without weighing down your skin or looking greasy after a few hours. Once you’ve got your foundation on, add a hint of peachy or light pink blush (we love Pressed Mineral Blush in Natural Bornite for this look) to the apples of your cheeks for a fresh-faced, rosy glow. Blend well. Cheeks should like slightly flushed like you just ran up a flight of stairs (not like you just ran a marathon).

EYES
Pastels and earth-toned eye shadows are best for a chic, natural eye look. Pick a base shade and a highlighter that complement one another. For example, pair a pale pink with a soft yellow or a tan hue with a light, bronze colour. Sweep the base color (the lighter of the two) over your entire lid. Then, apply the highlighter to the inside corners of your eyes and just under the brow bone. If you do apply eyeliner, choose a natural brown or taupe hue like 3-in-1 Universal Pencil in Natural. Top off your easy-on-the-eyes look with a single coat of black mascara.

LIPS
First, apply a softening balm like Mineral Lip Revival to ensure that your lips stay soft, supple and hydrated. Top off your pout with a neutral or peachy-pink gloss—avoid red or burgundy shades. Matte lips and a fresh face also work well together. Try a neutral lip tint like Mineral Lip Tint SPF 15 in Sandy Quartz, or mattify your lips by dabbing a little 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup over your lipstick or gloss. Hint: This will also help set the lip colour for more staying power.

Back to School Beauty Tips

So, you spent the summer sleeping in late and slacking off…well, maybe that was just us. But whether you were visiting friends, working hard at your job or traveling the world, the reality is setting in: school is back in session. Here are a few simple beauty tips to help you get back into the swing of things and look great for the school year.

Get into a Routine
The carefree summer months can take a toll on your body and skin. To look and feel your best for fall, you’ll need to get back into your regular routine. That means getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet and staying active. This will keep your skin looking radiant and healthy, and help repair any damage that you may have done over the summer.

Your daily skin care routine should consist of washing your face with a gentle cleanser each morning and evening,followed by a vitamin-rich moisturizer. And just because summer is over doesn’t mean you can skip on the sun protection—always use a daily moisturizer with SPF.

Don’t Follow Too Closely
Sure, you want to be fashionable, but that doesn’t mean that you should follow every trend that’s out there. A neon green skirt paired with zebra print ankle boots is hardly fit for the classroom. The same goes for your makeup. Don’t try to combine too many different looks at once, or you’ll end up a fashion victim instead of a trendsetter.

Instead, pick one trend and work around it. For instance, if you’re going for smoky eyes, opt for nude or berry-stained lips. If you’re going for dramatic red or super-shiny lips, wear soft, natural eye shadow.    

Trim Down
Your hair, that is. A new cut is the perfect way to keep your hair healthy and make a statement in school. Short, cropped bobs and pixie cuts are fun, stylish ways to keep your locks in check. Those with long, flowing strands or straight, sleek 'dos can simply cut off an inch or two to help maintain your mane.

Shop Pür Minerals for all your back to school beauty must-haves!

Work Out While You Walk?

Imagine a shoe that could increase leg, calf and gluteal muscle activity, improve your posture, mimic the gait of barefoot walking but with more muscle load and improve muscle tone. If you think it sounds crazy, then get yourself to your nearest department store and check out FitFlops.

I was walking through my local Macy's looking for a new pair of fall boots (perhaps a little prematurely, but boot season is almost here) when I stumbled upon these biomechanically engineered “flip flops with a built-in gym.” The science behind the shoe basically boils down to the fact that the design of the shoe sole activates slow-twitch (fat-burning) muscles in the legs for a longer period of time, thus burning more fat.

In addition to making it easier for people to stay in shape, the company touts reduced lower back pain as a major benefit of the wellness-promoting shoes. First launched in London in 2007, these chunky sandals have been making huge waves here in the U.S. this spring and summer with celebrity fans including Jessica Biel, Oprah and Heidi Klum. They come in a variety of brights, pastels and metallics to suit your footwear fancy and start at about $45—not a bad price to pay for a virtually effortless leg workout.

Get a FREE Mineral Glow!

Get a FREE, Full-Size Mineral Glow with your purchase of 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup!

Just enter promo code GLOW at checkout.

Bronzed Goddess Must-Have
Keep your sun-kissed colour year-round with this golden bronzing powder, infused with antioxidants for a natural, healthy glow. Pür Tip: Use Mineral Glow as an eye shadow or add to your favorite lip gloss for a hint of bronzy brilliance.

Not valid on 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Split Pans. Offer valid through 8/14/09 at PurMinerals.com, or while supplies last. This offer cannot be combined with any other Pür Minerals offer or promotion. Not valid on prior purchases. Pür Minerals reserves the right to discontinue or modify this offer at any time.

How to Keep Your Summer Glow

Summer may be on its way out, but that doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to that perfect tan you worked so hard on all season. Here are a few tips on how to get a gorgeous, sun-kissed glow year round.

Exfoliate
To keep your tan going strong, start by removing dead skin cells with a gentle exfoliator. This will help repair the damage that was caused by the sun’s UV rays and allow your golden colour to shine through. Exfoliate 1-3 times per week to keep your skin healthy and radiant. Your face requires special care, since it generally receives the most sun exposure, so be sure to use a soothing, facial-quality exfoliator.

Pür Pick: Pür Polish. This exfoliating scrub is infused with vitamins, citrus oils and aloe to keep skin shining. Plus, its gentle enough for the face and body.

Moisturize
Hydrated skin will retain that beautiful, bronzed shade for a longer period of time. Moisturizing on a daily basis also eliminates any rough patches or discolorations for a smooth, even skin tone. To get the best results, try using a self-tanning  moisturizer all over your body that gradually tans the skin over time. The idea is to maintain your tan, not necessarily to intensify the colour.  

Pür Pick: Get a Little. It smells great, leaves skin super-soft and subtly deepens the skin tone in just 3-5 days.

Top Off Your Tan 
A bronzing powder is a perfect way to keep your complexion glowing all year long. Use a mineral-based bronzer that won’t clog your pores or cause irritation. Avoid formulas with dihydroxyacetone, which can dry skin out. Don’t go overboard; opt for a bronzer that’s just a shade or two darker than your skin tone. A natural-looking, golden hue will warm up your complexion without leaving you orange and streaky.

Pür Pick: Mineral Glow is free of skin-drying chemicals and contains antioxidants to keep skin healthy and glowing. The warm, golden undertones work with all skin tones for a natural, sun-kissed look.