Win a Pür Prom Makeover for You and Your Friends!

Prom season is almost here, which means galas, gowns and glamour! And with Pür Minerals, you can be the envy of your high school.

Enter the Pür Prom Makeover contest on Facebook for a chance to win a FREE makeover for you and two of your best friends.

We’ll even fly one of our professional makeup artists to your hometown to get you glammed up in the comfort of your own home! And if that weren’t enough, we’re giving away $150 worth of Pür product FREE to two second prizewinners!

Contest ends 3/8, so enter the Pür Prom Makeover contest today!

Red is the NEW Black!

Well at least for all of us at Astral Brands and Pür Minerals—proud national supporters of Go Red For Women. With my friends, Katie Hoppel and Liz Young, finalist on The Biggest Loser, I joined host Kelly Sutton on Fox 17 Tennessee Mornings in celebrating women with "Beauty—Pür and Simple" makeovers and sharing the unspoken truth that heart disease is the number one killer among women. Awareness + Research + Education = Prevention. Break the silence, share the facts with those you love and wear RED!

Setting the Record Straight on Mineral Makeup

As a company committed to women’s beauty and well-being, nothing is more important to Pür Minerals than the health and safety of our customers.

In a recent segment of The Doctor Oz Show, the editorial staff claimed that loose minerals, such as mica, in mineral makeup posed a health risk despite an admitted lack of any supporting evidence. We’d like to assure the Pür Minerals community that there has been no credible scientific evidence that supports allegations that loose minerals in mineral makeup exist in such quantities as to pose a health threat through inhalation.

However, for those still skeptical of loose minerals, the daytime doctor does support the usage of pressed formulations, like those found in the Pür Minerals line, including our 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup. By binding pure mineral pigment with skin-nourishing ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E, our pressed mineral powders eliminate Dr. Oz’s loose mineral concerns to put your mind—and body—at ease.

Five Ring Fashion

Every four years, the Winter Olympics captivates a worldwide audience and, at least for a few weeks, we’re able to rise above our global woes and come together in the spirit of the games.  While the sports and the ceremonies surrounding them certainly take center stage, the role of fashion has grown substantially in the recent years. From the opening ceremony to the ice rink, the look of the games has come to embody the finest in performance and style.

Ralph Lauren, who won the U.S. Olympic contract in 2008, will dominate the opening and closing ceremonies. The U.S. team’s debut outfit pairs a red-striped navy puff jacket with a white turtleneck and matching pants with “2010” emblazoned along the calf. A knit cap with the U.S. flag and moose pattern design completes the look. For the closing ceremony, the American designer will unveil a 1930s-inspired look reminiscent of his 2008 “newsie” ensemble for the Beijing summer games. Featuring a navy and red shawl-collar sweater and matching newsboy cap, RL brings a modern sensibility to the classic “prep” look. (See the look here.)

The high fashion trend doesn’t stop at the ceremonies, however. Designer Vera Wang, who created outfits for past Winter Olympians Nancy Kerrigan and Michelle Kwan, designed five costumes for the world’s reigning mens figure skating champion, Evan Lysacek. The gold medal hopeful’s outfits for both the long and short programs are “black…modern and sophisticated.” However, beyond that, Wang leaves the details to Lysacek’s choice and the public’s imagination.

For American medal winners (and fans who want to capture the experience), Nike created the U.S.A. Medal Stand collection. The victory stand look features a navy-fade hooded down jacket with matching pants and accessories (available at nikestore.com). Meanwhile, Nike Canada Corp. partnered with the Vancouver Organizing Committee to create Team Canada’s 2010 hockey jersey. The new look celebrates the nation’s rich winter sports heritage while maintaining its modern functionality.

Pucker-Up, Valentine.

Last week I confessed that I love any excuse to bust-out my red lipstick, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion for a sexy, bold pout. Whether you’re on a romantic date, shaking what your mama gave you at the club or having an anti-Valentine’s girls’-night-out; red lips are super hot and will definitely make a statement. Many women shy away from this classic yet daring look in fear of looking like a sleazy circus clown. Fear not! Rouge is not a ruse. With a little know-how and proper technique, you can wear your crimson smile with confidence!

Don’t Overdo Your Look

We tend to blame make-up faux pas on red lipstick, but trust me, the lip color is only a red herring. When some ladies pull-out that little tube of red wonder, all constraint is lost and every cosmetic impulse is indulged, like a four-year-old getting into mommy’s vanity. She has on her red lips, blue eye shadow, and enough blush to paint a house. The lesson? Balance is key. If you plan on wearing a bright lip color, your eyes shouldn’t be overdone. Neutral tones, shimmery colors, or even a subtle smoky eye compliments red lips quite well. Focus more on lines and lashes than color to make your eyes pop without going overboard.

Pucker Preparation

Since red is such an eye-catching color, your kisser need to be flawless. Dry, chapped, cracked lips simply won’t do, so be sure to moisturize them with an effective lip balm, like Pür Balm or Mineral Lip Revival. Before applying your flirty, fiery lipstick, use a lip liner that is close to your natural lip color. This will prevent bleeding and fading. Some women also like to add a light dusting of translucent face powder to create a solid foundation for the color. Once you’re all prepped, it’s time to go wild!

So Many Shades!

Many women may think that they can’t wear red lipstick because of their hair color or skin tone. Wrong! Fire Engine red is not the only shade out there, ladies. There are many hues with varying undertones that can compliment any complexion. Pür's Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick comes in many different reds, from a bright Red Ruby to a deeper Spice. If you have warmer skin with olive or yellow undertones, go for reds with brownish, tawny elements. Bluer shades, like berry reds, cherry and plum tones, are better for cool skin colors with pink or red undertones. Nowadays, many women mix colors to obtain a desired effect with a lip brush.

Finishing Touches

Before leaving the house for your Valentine’s Day merriment, blot your kissable lips with a tissue. Add a second layer of lipstick for extra protection against fading. You can add a little gloss, if you want to go all glitzy glam, but just remember that less is more. Lastly, double check that there is no lipstick on your teeth - that red smudge on your pearly whites can definitely kill the magic. Here's to having a fiery Valentine's Day!

Hot Rocks Featured in Marie Claire!

From pastel pink leggings to banded updos, the ballerina look took center stage on this spring’s runways, according to March's Marie Claire. In an article titled “Ballet Basics,” the fashion and beauty authority laid out the season’s hottest rising stars, singling out Pür Minerals’ Hot Rocks as part of the look du jour.

Pür’s three-dimensional multitasking makeup complements the airy, dance-inspired look perfectly with a warm, luminous blend of petal pink and shimmering pearl pigments. The newest addition to the Pür Rocks line, Hot Rocks carries on the line’s legacy of versatility—offering a variety of shades for lips, eyes and cheeks—and the brand’s promise of beauty, pür and simple.

To apply, dip your brush into the rocks to unlock their pure pigment. Draw circles on the lid of the box and dust onto the skin. Apply to cheeks with a Powder Brush for a soft, subtle glow and to eyes with a Shadow Brush for a vibrant burst of colour. To use as a lipstick, simply choose a shade and draw directly onto lips for the pür-fect pink pout.

Desert Island Beauty Picks

You know the rules: if you were stuck on a desert island and could only take three (albums, movies, people), which would you pick? Well, today the topic is beauty. And, ignoring the more daunting implications of a Lost-type lifestyle, we’re going to lay down three multitasking must-haves no beauty bag should be without. Ever.

4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup
Your foundation, concealer, powder and SPF 15, Pür’s all-in-one makeup miracle gives you a flawless complexion in just 60 seconds. Made with the finest micronized mineral pigments and good-for-your-skin ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E, this multitasking pressed powder creates a naturally radiant look that nourishes the skin and shields it from harmful UV rays (a key feature for the island castaway).

3-in-1 Universal Mineral Makeup Pencil
Line and define your lips, eyes and brows with expert ease with this smudge-proof, budge-proof mineral makeup pencil. Self-sharpening and featuring a brow brush for perfectly sculpted arches, the 3-in-1 Universal Mineral Makeup Pencil is the Swiss-army knife of beauty tools. With four gorgeous, natural shades to choose from, there’s a pencil for every skin tone.

Pür Rocks
With a kaleidoscope of organic jewel tones in a unique, three-dimensional design, Pür Rocks is a treasure chest of eye, lip and cheek looks. Combine hues with a Powder or Shadow Brush for multidimensional cheeks and eyes or apply as a crayon to instantly intensify lips and contour eyes in pure prismatic colour. With pür-fectly blendable shades of garnet and pink zircon, you’ll be able to keep your look fun and fresh for months on end.

Have your own desert island picks? Share them. Leave a comment with your top three Pür must-haves.

Seeing Red

As a way to celebrate our kick-off for the Go Red For Women campaign, all of us here at Pür Minerals participated in National Wear Red Day. It was a very festive Friday that was full of surprises, perfect for supporting such an important cause. All around the office, people were wearing their hearts on their sleeves, sporting crimson tops and blue jeans, all in the name of wiping-out heart disease, which is the number one killer of women (And you, too, gentlemen!). Being in the beauty industry, of course plenty of us took our looks to the next level with red jewelry, accessories and make-up. I wore a red ribbon in my hair and carried my red, leather handbag, and I love any excuse to bust-out my red lipstick!

Many individuals, companies and even entire cities participate in National Wear Red Day, but I must say that “Project Runway”, the popular fashion design show on Lifetime, definitely got me into the Go Red spirit with its special, Go Red For Women episode, entitled Design Your Heart Out. The designers were paired with women who have been affected by heart disease, and they had to create a red evening gown for these brave and inspiring ladies. The episode was sponsored by Campbell's AdDRESS Your Heart program, and the designers had one day and 100 dollars to complete their look. The winning gown will be worn at the Red Dress Awards on February 10, during New York Fashion Week, and the dress will also be available to buy on Project Runway’s website for a limited time.

Amy Sarabi won the challenge last night, draping her model in a chiffon, full-length gown with an empire waistline and ruching at the top. Jesus Estrada’s short, tight mini dress received much criticism from the judges and subsequently got him voted off the show. Of course somebody has to lose every week, but I really feel that despite that, everybody on that show was a winner last night. Every one of those women looked, happy, healthy and gorgeous, and that in itself is a victory. Besides, the whole point of the challenge and everything it represents is to raise awareness and increase prevention of a nationwide killer, heart disease. Being fashion forward is simply a delightful bonus.

Mineral Mudd Masque is a Fashion Reader Fave!

It’s one thing when a magazine’s beauty department gives you a nod. It’s a whole other thing when its readers cry out your name. So, when Fashion magazine announced our Mineral Mudd Masque was a Reader Fave in its 8th Annual Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards, we were speechless. The best solution in such a situation? Let someone else do the talking:

 “It feels like it’s vacuuming my pores, and my skin feels so smooth afterwards.”
—Jennell B., Fashion reader

Using a unique form of bentonite clay, Mineral Mudd penetrates deep to draw out pore-clogging impurities as it lightly exfoliates the skin.  (You can actually feel the suction as it dries.) Free of harsh chemical dyes, this gentle mud masque rinses off with warm water to reveal a healthy glow and silky smooth feel. Great for everyone, this product is an absolute must-have for those with oily, combo or breakout-prone skin.

Pop Culture’s Perfect Storm: Fashion Week Meets “Jersey Shore”

I’m all for combining guilty pleasures. That’s why I was thrilled when the New York Post hinted at a possible merger of two of this year’s arguably biggest pop sensations—Fashion Week and MTV's “Jersey Shore.” Alright, so Fashion Week isn’t exactly a guilty pleasure, but the fake bake boardwalk crew certainly is. And with their indulgently un-PC first season at an end, fans everywhere are looking for their next fix.

According to the Post, the cast is demanding tickets to shows for the weeklong fashion preview, which starts February 11. While celebrities—even pseudo-celebs—pining for ground level access to fashion’s biggest event isn’t anything new, what is exciting—and some would argue frightening—is who’s pulling for the reality stars.  Michael Schweiger, a manager for several of the cast members, says at least three designers approached them with offers to attend and even—gulp—model in a few of the Bryant Park shows. Just imagine JWoww strutting down the runway in all her orange-dipped glory.

Designers were understandably divided on the issue.  While some welcomed the publicity and encouraged the crew to come as they are—gelled bouffants and all—others worried that “the situation” (pun definitely intended) might distract viewers from the collections they’re trying to promote.

Whatever the outcome, however, thousands of fans (this one included) will be on the lookout for any excuse to keep the party alive while the gang gears up for another season of drama, debauchery and delightfully lowbrow mischief.