Your 2011 VMA Recap

Last night marked the 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards, and if you weren’t tuned in to the latest hurricane coverage, preseason football or an especially emotional Extreme Home Makeover (we had to keep switching in between commercial breaks), you might have missed it. Never fear, we’ve got your bite-sized recap right here—from the night’s biggest winners to the best dressed and more.

The Biggest Winners
Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Adele were the night’s biggest winners. In addition to Video of the Year (for “Firework”), Perry shared two awards with Kanye West for their “E.T.” collaboration. Gaga’s “Born This Way” earned the eclectic performer Best Female Video and Best Video with a Message, while Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” racked up a trio of tech-y and dance awards.

The Best Dressed
Two words: Selena Gomez. The 19-year-old Disney star stepped things up with a breathtaking Julien MacDonald gown that brought it all—black lace, filigreed frills and a hip-hugging, full-length train. At an event known for being flashy, Gomez brought a classic elegance more befitting an Oscar or Grammy appearance. Way to keep it classy!

The Big News
If you haven’t heard already, yes, Beyoncé is expecting. The “Run the World (Girls)” singer showed off her baby bump on the red carpet with hubby Jay-Z and during her live performance of “Love on Top,” where she dazzled (literally) in a purple sequined tuxedo.

What was your favorite VMA moment?
Share it with us below.

Fall Beauty Sneak Peek

With temps lingering in the upper eighties and nineties, it’s hard to imagine fall happening any time soon. Yet, despite the steam bath that’s soaked most of the country, fashion and beauty mavens everywhere are making the switch from summer to fall—and Pür is no exception. Wanna know what’s in store from the pressed mineral pioneer? You can catch a glimpse in our NEW Natural Knockout Kit.

Natural Knockout
This five-piece color collection with quilted, ultrachic makeup bag will get you ready for fall in no time. In addition to our popular Spice Marble Powder and Impact+ Mascara, this limited-time kit gives you an exclusive sneak peek with TWO NEW shades for eyes and lips—Mineral Eye Defining Pencil in Hidden Treasure and Pout Plumping Lip Gloss in Pearl Dust.

How big a deal is it? At just $28 (a $93 value), you can bet these kits are going fast. So act now if you want to be the first to rock fall’s hottest shades!

Shop Natural Knockout Kit >

Captivating Cat Eyes in Three Easy Steps

Few eye looks are as seductive as the sultry cat eye. In addition to the requisite tools—gel eyeliner (black), a flat eyeliner brush and mascara—you’ll need a healthy dose of confidence to own this classic runway look.

Step One: Line Your Lashes
Using your gel eyeliner and eyeliner brush, trace your lash line from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner, flicking the line up at the end. Make sure you follow the lash line as closely as possible to create the proper effect. (You can also create a “path” to follow using a mineral makeup pencil. Just be sure to cover your guide line completely with your eyeliner gel.) Once both eyes are lined, use your brush to even out the ends.
 
Step Two: Add Mascara
This scene-stealing look is all about drama. Play it up with a volumizing mascara like Triple Impact. Start with a light coat and curl as you comb. For high drama, try press-on lashes and embrace your inner diva!

Step Three: Bold Brows
You’ll need bold brows to capture this classic look. For those on the threadbare side, get ‘em in shape with a brow definer like Mineral Brow Perfection.  Use the shaping wax to “fluff” up those arches and the mineral brow powder to fill them in.

Smoky or Sheer?
While the classic cat eye has typically been shadow-free, a more contemporary trend pairs this smoldering look with a smoky finish. For smoky cat eyes, apply darker shades around the socket to make your eyes pop. “Flick” color from the outer corner of the eye (in the direction of your eyeliner) up to the brow bone. This creates a large, almond-shaped—truly cat-like—effect. Smudge the edges and apply a lighter coat to eyelids, if desired.

What’s ‘The Situation’ with Abercrombie?

It seems chiseled abs and no shame for flashing them to a camera are not enough to keep ‘The Situation’ from Jersey Shore in Abercrombie & Fitch’s good graces. The fist-pumping, super tanned, party boy from the MTV show was offered an anti-endorsement deal. Abercrombie & Fitch announced in a press release they are willing to make a "’substantial payment’ to Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino or any cast member who stops wearing its clothing on the popular MTV reality show." Ouch!

Sorrentino has been seen on the show and out-and-about wearing Abercrombie & Fitch, but it wasn’t until the brand’s CEO, Mike Jeffries, was told Sorrentino wore neon green AF-label sweat pants in a recent episode that Jeffries offered to pay Sorrentino to refrain from wearing Abercrombie & Fitch on the show. You would think a brand that markets itself with buff, half naked models in-store and racy catalogs could handle ‘The Situation’, but the Jersey boy’s rough, foul-mouthed, partying ways are apparently "contrary to the aspirational nature of the brand."

How does Sorrentino feel about all this? Well, he Twittered a link to CNN, reporting the clothing company’s stock went down 9% yesterday, and he so eloquently retorted “Looks like Abercrombie got themself into a Situation!”

25% Off All Summer Items!

Summer is almost gone, but these products are hotter than ever! To help you make the most of the season's end, we’re offering 25% off all summer specials. From portable color palettes to scent-sational skincare, get ‘em now before they’re gone forever.

Nature’s Paradise
This limited-edition color kit packs six exotic eye shadows, a peachy coral blush and a multipurpose bronzer into one two-tiered compact with mirror and mini Powder Brush. That’s eight shades for the price of two! Work them into your everyday routine and give your look a fresh new twist.
Was $28.00
Now $21.00
Shop Now >

Petal Pout Lip Gloss Sticks
Part gloss, part jumbo pencil, our Petal Pout Lip Gloss Sticks combine the megawatt sheen of a liquid gloss with the application ease of a lip pencil. Infused with rich emollients and vitamin E, these super-hydrating sticks go on buttery smooth for color that conditions all day. Pucker up!
Was $12.00
Now $9.00
Shop Now >

All-Over Glow
This summer, we super-sized our popular Mineral Glow bronzing powder, and Pür fans everywhere went wild. Now, we’re slashing the price on this beloved bronzer, so you get even more sun-kissed goodness for less. But act fast—a product with this big of a following won’t last long.
Was $28.00
Now $21.00
Shop Now >

Body Butter Lite
A lightweight version of our original Body Butter formula, Body Butter Lite absorbs quickly to lock in moisture with a super-soothing blend of aloe vera, cocoa butter, sunflower seed oil and other natural botanicals and vitamins. And did we mention the fresh citrus scent? Yummy…
Was $22.00
Now $16.75
Shop Now >

Pür Minerals on Say Yes to the Dress

Fans of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress have something new to look forward to. Yesterday, Pür Minerals wrapped up shooting on a blog episode for the show’s website. Shot at Atlanta’s premier bridal salon, Bridals by Lori, the online-exclusive piece, turns the focus to bridesmaids and how to create stunning, do-it-yourself looks that look like the work of a professional makeup artist.

Bridesmaids and Special Occasion Managers Krystle Arnold (left) and Courtney Means (right) on set at Bridals by Lori

Want to get the looks seen on the episode? Pür will be offering exclusive kits featuring each of their products used, along with how-to tips and behind-the-scenes videos. Tune into TLC.com in two weeks to catch Pür on-set and in action, and get the looks seen on the show right here on purminerals.com.

Balloons for the Bride?

Party balloons are one thing, but an entire inflatable dress? That’s exactly what some boutiques are offering brides on an “air tight” budget. Those who can’t afford custom couture but still want a one-of-a-kind dress can now stretch their budgets further with a handmade gown constructed from hundreds of twisted and tied balloons. So, if the thought of squeaking down the aisle doesn’t burst your bubble, then a puffy procession could be for you. (Just make sure the groom doesn’t look too “sharp”.)

Image by Rie Hosokai (a.k.a. Daisy Balloon)

What's In A Name?

If you’ve ever scratched your head trying to decipher the ingredients on the back of a makeup compact or skincare bottle, you’re not alone. With hard-to-read names that stretch on forever, it often seems like ingredient labels are designed to leave all but a select few in a foggy-eyed daze. You shouldn’t need an advanced degree to know what you’re putting on your skin. For that reason, we’ve translated some of the most common—and beneficial—ingredients you’re likely to come across.

Aloe Barbadensis = Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is among man’s oldest natural remedies, renowned for its soothing, hydrating properties.

Butyrospermum Parkii = Shea Butter
Made from the nuts of the African Karite tree, shea butter helps soften and condition the skin.

Camellia Sinensis = Green Tea
Green tea extract is a popular antioxidant shown to help fight free radical inflammation.

Retinyl Palmitate = Vitamin A
An ester of retinol, this skincare ingredient is prized for its antioxidant and rejuvenating benefits.

Simmondsia Chinensis = Jojoba
The oil from this Southwestern shrub’s seeds help hydrate the skin without clogging pores.

Tocopheryl Acetate = Vitamin E
This form of vitamin E has powerful antioxidant benefits, particularly in defense against UV damage.

Mannequin Makeovers

Clothing retailers are investing more into their store design, specifically their mannequins. It’s not the first thing you notice when visiting a fashion boutique, but think about all the different types you see on display at varying shops. From body shape to facial feature design, there are many ways to show-off the latest fashions in a store. Mannequins are becoming more than just an human-shaped hanger, especially now that online shopping is at an all time high. There is more pressure on stores to create a customized environment that speaks to their target audiences.

A mannequin maker in Colorado is helping revolutionize the retail world with customized, more life-like mannequins. Some of them even move, which encourages the shopper to interact with the merchandise. These life-like displays are supposed to resemble the people who shop in these stores, or at least look the way shoppers imagine themselves.

I have to say, I like this idea. I know displays need to have a fit physique, but sometimes it gets a bit ridiculous. I hate it when I see a blouse on the mannequin that I think looks hot, and then realize the garment does not fit at all like the display because the shirt had to be draped and pinned onto a frail, tiny figure. Interactive, relatable marketing is getting bigger and bigger, and details that were once store design afterthoughts now need to evolve to make the shopping experience more personal.

Gifts Galore

Alright beauty buffs—brace yourselves for some serious swag (that’s “Stuff We All Get,” in case you didn’t know). For a limited time, take your pick from three fabulous freebies when you spend $25 or more at purminerals.com. And these aren’t just any gifts either, but some of our all-time bestsellers! So, get ‘em while they’re hot!

Pür Radiance

As its name implies, Pür Radiance is pure light. A super-versatile blend of light-reflective minerals and skin-soothing ingredients, this brilliant pressed powder gives a radiant glow to skin of all ages. It not only highlights and illuminates; it also hides lines and imperfections—what a bright idea!

Use code RADIANCE

Triple Impact Mascara

It’s been called the “stiletto heel of mascaras”, and for good reason. Triple Impact takes your lashes to a whole new level of intensity—longer, thicker and more luscious than ever before. Lightweight and long lasting, this multitasking mineral formula evenly coats each lash in bold, clump-proof color for instant day or night drama.

Use code IMPACT

Mini Mineral Glow

Our bestselling bronzing powder to go! Mineral Glow gives all skin tones a healthy touch of sun, thanks to rich, golden undertones that mimic your skin’s natural sun-kissed look. That translates to a totally believable tan that’s never orange or streaky. Grab this travel-sized fave before it’s gone!

Use code GLOW