Foundation: How to Properly Apply

Foundation is one of the most commonly used cosmetics, providing skin with a soft, even tone, while also covering up minor blemishes and discolorations. Some foundations, such as the 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation with SPF 15 from Pür Minerals can also nourish the skin, while protecting it from damaging elements, such as harsh winds and exposure to harmful UV rays.

Before applying foundation, it’s important to prepare your skin properly. Start by cleansing thoroughly with a product such as the Revitalizing Facial Wash from Pür Minerals in order to remove all dirt and oil that may have accumulated over the course of the night.

Next, apply a moisturizer, like Pür Minerals Moisture Infusion, to create a protective barrier over your face that traps moisture within the skin for a healthy looking complexion. Allow the moisturizer to soak in for about two to three minutes before applying your foundation.

While you can apply foundation with bare fingers, we recommend you use a sponge or makeup brush to ensure that you get a soft, smooth application. Specially designed for Pür Minerals 4-in-1 Mineral Foundation, the Chisel Makeup Brush is perfect for this process. Start by drawing small circles on your forehead, cheeks, chin, nose, eyelids and lips. Then blend outward, making sure that the color matches your skin's natural tones.

As you spread the foundation, move the brush in a downward motion, ensuring that the coat is uniform and even across the skin. Be careful not to leaves any splotches or bare spots. You will also have to apply the foundation to your neckline in order to create a seamless natural look.

Pür Xtra: How to Wear Bright, Bold Colors

Springtime is all about brightening up your look with bold, brilliant color. This week on Pür Xtra, professional makeup artist Tamra Compton demonstrates how to tastefully take your look to a brighter spectrum without going overboard. See how below or on Facebook and YouTube.

 

Application Tips for Putting on Lipstick

Lipstick is always the final touch to the perfect look, and while there's no definitive method to putting on lipstick, we can offer a few suggestions to perfect your application technique.

Insiders know that the secret to getting your lip color to stay on longer is to brush a bit of powder onto the lips before adding the lipstick itself. Because all Pür Minerals lipsticks have hydrating ingredients, you won’t have to worry about your lips drying out.

There are a multitude of Pür MineralsMineral Shea Butter Lipstick shades to choose from. A tip for selecting shades: if you need to downplay a yellowish tint to your teeth, try choosing something with a bluish undertone, like Pink Diamond, Frosted Tilasite or Raspberry Quartz.

Most women apply lipstick straight from the tube, but applying with a lipstick brush gives you more precise coverage, filling in areas that a quick swipe won’t reach. Lining your lips with a complementary Mineral Lip Pencil is a great way to ensure that you fill in the entire lip area without going outside your natural lip line. Filling in your lip with a lip liner will also help your lipstick color stay on longer.

Using a Mineral Lip Pencil, line the top lip from the center and follow the line of the lip in downward strokes. Pür Tip: to make thin lips look fuller, hug the very outside edge; for overly plump lips, keep well within the edges for a slimmer effect. Then, using a Lip Brush, apply an even coat of mineral lipstick. Remember to lightly blot away excess product when finished.

Pür Tip: If you're planning on spending the day in the sun, try a lip tint with SPF like Pür MineralsMineral Lip Tint, which has an SPF of 15, to protect you from the outdoor elements.

Pür Minerals and The Mommy Factor

We love our fans—especially when they share the love. This month on the parenting lifestyle blog, The Mommy Factor, blogger and Pür fan Nikki “gets back into makeup” with the Exotic Oasis Spring 2011 Collection. Here’s her story:

“This year I'm learning how to use makeup again. Yeah. When I learned that the Pür Minerals Spring 2011 collection was inspired by the allure of the tropics and featured exotic colors, I had to review them. Spring is the perfect time to be use color in makeup.

‘These vibrant shades for spring breathe life into any beauty routine,’ says Pür Minerals resident makeup artist Jackie Gomez. ‘From island-inspired hues to exotic shades, the new Pür palettes are a great way to transition from winter to spring.’

Last year during a Pür Minerals Fall 2010 Collection event, I met celebrity makeup artist, Jackie Gomez (seen right), who introduced me to the line. During the event, Jackie explained how Pür Minerals is free of talc, chemical dyes, petroleum-based oils and fillers. This makes this line of makeup great for all skin types. Jackie also showed me how to start introducing makeup to my mommy lifestyle. LOL. I confess since becoming a mom, wearing makeup hasn't been much of an option.

But this year makeup IS an option and on some days a must! So if you’re a mom like me looking to get back into wearing makeup, let me share with you what the Pür Minerals Spring 2011 collection has to offer… Read More

Pür Minerals Remembers Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor, the sultry screen goddess who personified the glamour of 1950s and 1960s Hollywood, passed away yesterday at age 79. A giant of film, fashion and beauty, Taylor captivated audiences worldwide with such iconic performances as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (for which she won an Academy Award) and the eponymous star of Cleopatra.

However, Taylor’s fame isn’t limited to the silver screen. A passionate humanitarian, she helped start the American Foundation for AIDS Research following the death of her close friend and former costar, Rock Hudson. And her own Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation has raised millions to help combat the disease worldwide. In 1992, she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award—the last of her three Academy Awards—for her outspoken philanthropy.

In 2004, Taylor announced that she had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The disease, along with its multiple treatments, took a toll on the aging star, and she was finally admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center when new symptoms emerged in February 2011.

"We have just lost a Hollywood giant," said longtime friend, Elton John. "More importantly, we have lost an incredible human being."

The star of over 50 films, Elizabeth Taylor will forever be synonymous with natural grace, beauty and compassion. She will be greatly missed.

Pür Xtra: Bigger, Brighter Eyes

Creating eyes that “pop” is easier than you think. This week, pro makeup artist Tamra Compton shares her secret to bigger, brighter looking eyes using only three products—Pür Intensity gel eyeliner, Mineral Eye Pencil and Hello Bright Eyes. See how below or on Facebook and YouTube.

 

Who’s On the Royal Guest List

The most awaited wedding of the year finally released its guest list. As Prince William and fiancée Kate Middleton prepare to tie the knot next month, all eyes are on the royal couple’s star-studded ceremony. From surprise celebs to passed-over politicians—Pür’s got the scoop on who made the cut and who got snubbed.

Save the Date
A-listers David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John and Kanye West each received invitations. William met Beckham while attending the World Cup in South Africa, and the two became fast friends. John is a close family friend who famously sang “Candle in the Wind” at Princess Diana’s funeral.  As for Kanye—William’s a big fan.

Other notable additions include Kate’s ex-boyfriend Rupert Finch and William’s purported longtime love, Jessica Craig. While inviting former flames to a wedding might raise more than a few eyebrows, according to Katie Nicholl of the Daily Mail, “William’s exes are his very, very close friends. [Kate] doesn’t have a problem with them.” Once can only hope William feels the same way toward Finch.

Sorry but…
While the royal role call reads like a who’s who of the world’s foremost politicians and diplomats, there were a few glaring exceptions. Don’t look for the Obamas or French President Nicolas Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni at Westminster Abbey. Their names never made the cut.

While omitting the leaders from two of Britain’s closest allies came as a surprise, few were shocked to learn that William’s aunt Sarah Ferguson never got one of the 1,900 gilted invites. The ex-wife of William’s uncle Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Ferguson, or “Fergie”, was frequently the subject of tabloid scandal during her tumultuous divorce.

Training to Become a Makeup Artist

If you love putting on your own makeup and are constantly doing styles for your friends as well, a career as a makeup artist might be right for you. Training is surprisingly easy, at the high end requiring only a high school diploma or GED and a nine-month to one-year program at cosmetology school. However, in many states you don't need formal schooling to get certified. As long as you have an eye for color and know how to work with different skin types, you're practically already there.

Whether you're looking for a career in salon makeup, media makeup or special effects and theatre makeup, you’ll need a portfolio. Start by keeping before and after shots of your friends and family with looks you’ve created. A great way to hone your skills and build a portfolio, without a degree in cosmetology, is to volunteer as an apprentice somewhere like your local mall. Keep your portfolio varied to show off the different styles you can create.

You'll also need a healthy, well-rounded makeup kit. One of the most important parts about rounding out your kit is a good set of brushes. If you don't have the perfect applicators for foundations, eye shadows and blushes, then your work will suffer! The Five Piece Lucite Brush Collection from Pür Minerals is a great place to start. It includes five essential brushes and comes in a sleek case that will fit nicely in your kit. We also carry a range of high quality, specialty brushes, developed specifically to round out the makeup artist kit.

With a strong ambition and the right tools, you'll be on your way to the glamorous life as a makeup artist in no time!

How to Apply Mineral Foundation

Applying mineral foundation in the morning should be more than just a routine; it should be a ritual—a quiet, special time to pamper your skin and indulge in daily beautification.

First, begin by thoroughly cleansing your skin, removing any dead cells that may have accumulated while sleeping. After gently towel drying, apply a moisturizing agent, like Pür Minerals Day Complex SPF 20, to keep your skin looking supple and healthy.

To conceal the look of any redness, acne or other skin irritations and imperfections, apply Pür Minerals Colour Correcting Primer in the green shade using the Maximum Coverage Brush, before applying your mineral foundation.

Once you’ve properly prepped your face, it’s time to apply your mineral foundation. We recommend Pür Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Foundation with SPF 15. Free of irritating chemical dyes, alcohol, fragrance, talc and preservatives, this good-for-your-skin formula is your mineral foundation, concealer, finishing powder and sun protector all in one.

To apply, dip the Chisel Brush into the mineral foundation and draw circles in the lid of the compact to remove any excess powder from the brush. As you apply the mineral foundation to your face, sweep the brush in downward strokes over your skin to achieve a smooth even blend. You can also use the Utility Makeup Brush to apply foundation to small and hard-to-reach areas.

Don’t forget to lightly dust your neck and décolleté to give your skin a smooth and even tone.

Pür Xtra: Brighten and Bronze with Marble Powder

Is your look stuck in winter wonderland? Bring it up to speed with a touch of sun and a hint of springtime brilliance. This week, makeup maestro Tamra Compton shows how Pür’s Marble Powder can help bronze and brighten up your look. See how below or on Facebook and YouTube.