Introducing the iPür Beauty App!

Ever wanted to try a shadow or lipstick but the closest beauty store wasn’t close enough? With the iPür Beauty App, you can! Sample new shades or mix and match different products for a whole new look—anywhere, any time.

The first handheld application of its kind, iPür Beauty turns your iPhone or iPod touch into a virtual makeup studio with you in the model’s chair. Simply take or upload a photo of yourself (or choose a model from our gallery) and choose the products you want to apply—iPür Beauty’s facial recognition software will keep your application flawless.

Layer on the colors and increase the intensity to dial up the drama. Share with friends on Facebook or locate the nearest retailer to bring your look to life. Giving yourself a makeover has never been easier!

Download the iPür Beauty App today!

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

Summer (in the Nude)

Summer is in full swing, and even though most people here in the ATL are complaining about the heat, I love this season. It is my favorite time of year by far. Maybe I’m just used to the temperature and humidity, since I’ve lived here most my life, but the thick, warm air feels great to me, like the atmosphere is a down comforter wrapped around me. It may flatten my hair a smidge, but I’ll still take it over winter!

My skin always looks and feels great at this time of year, with a healthy glow, and I become a cosmetic nudist, especially on the weekends. It’s like a vacation for my face after a long week of work and eyeliner (though I wear a lot less make-up at work this time of year, too). It’s therapeutic to waltz about with a naked face, knowing without all the bells and whistles I still look and feel wonderful.  The humidity, outdoor activities and extra do-it-yourself projects make applying all those lovely colors seem pointless. They will just melt away in the heat of the day.

While I claim to be a cosmetic nudist, that doesn’t mean I have nothing on my face. I still have  to protect and care for my skin, especially if I want it to look and feel this good in the future. I   wear a moisturizer with SPF, like Day Complex, and if I’m going to be out in the sun, I most definitely use a sunscreen. If I do have a blemish or two, or if I just want to lock-in the moisture and reduce shine, I’ll use a powder brush to lightly dust a fine layer of 4-in-1 on my  face. The stuff is just too great not to use, even on a naked day.  A carefree look can be empowering and fun, but remember to take care of that skin you’re in. A fresh face is beautiful, but sun damage and dry skin can spoil this simple pleasure. 

Summer Wedding Face Savers

You’ve saved the date, bought your dress and made all the arrangements for your trip to (enter summer destination here).  Then you check the temperature, and the beachside wedding that was a hot idea back in October is starting to look—well—HOT. Up against a sudden heat wave, how do you keep your fresh faced look from becoming a midsummer’s makeup meltdown? With a few tips from Pür Minerals.

Let Your Skin Breathe
Now is not the time to start slathering on liquid foundation. As the mercury climbs, pores open and chemical-based makeup starts to melt, creating a recipe for breakouts and irritation. Choose a mineral-based formula like Pür’s 4-in-1 Mineral Makeup with SPF 15 instead. Naturally lightweight, minerals won’t melt or settle into pores, and the added SPF will help safeguard your skin during those sunny photo shoots.

Pür Tip: Skin tone change in the summer? Use our 4-in-1 split pan to custom blend the right shade for the moment.

Create a Budge-Proof Base
The more eye color you layer, the greater the risk of unwanted smudging during an especially steamy reception. Before applying shadows, be sure to prep your eyes with Mineral Eye Prep. This nourishing, mineral-based formula not only neutralizes eyelid color, but also primes the skin for stay-all-day mineral makeup. Think of it as an insurance plan for those primped and pür-fect peepers.

Seal the Deal
Ever wish there was a way to freeze your look just the way you want it? Fortunately, you can. Loaded with over 70 essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, Fulvic Mineral Mist is your key to locking down your look when the weather just won’t cooperate. As an added bonus, Pür’s superhydrating formula is a lifesaver for frizzy hair and flyaways (hey, it can get humid out there). A few pumps are all it takes to look your best from the walk down the aisle to the last dance of the night.

True Blue

I’m a girl who likes experimenting with color, and being the adventurous, cosmetic connoisseur I am, I love to dabble in blue magic. What a great way to make a statement on your face, am I right? On Monday I wore my favorite, blue and teal, leopard print sweater. I can never wear the garment without accessorizing my eyelids to match, and I assure you I did not look tacky or gaudy. I understand many women’s fear of blue eye shadow, terrified they will end-up looking like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show, but be not afraid, ladies. With the right shades and techniques, you’ll no longer have the blues for blue.

The two biggest mistakes women make when attempting a blue lid is choosing the wrong hue and applying it too liberally. Though a peacock effect or dramatic, blue, smoky eye can be stunningly gorgeous, the adage “less is more” is a good rule of thumb for everyday use, especially if you’re not yet comfortable with wearing bright colors.

I absolutely love Pur Mineral’s Blue Lazulite eye shadow, a lovely, glistening shade of powder blue. Blue Lazulite is a very versatile shadow, its intensity ranging from a subtle cerulean shimmer to an intense, eye-popping, sparkly sky blue. Simply dust the powder on your lids one layer at a time, until you obtain your desired look. Play with the color and have fun! To create a darker look for evenings, I like to add a little Graphite eye shadow to the outer corner of my eye and blend it with the Blue Lazulite. I also use the Midnight Sapphire Mineral Eye Defining Pencil. You can pair it with blue shadow or rock it out in place of your typical brown or black liner, just to add a hint of blue to your lash line.

Once you’ve faced your fear of blue eye shadow, the sky is the limit for your color palette! Still afraid to take the colorful plunge? Test out your wildest eye ideas (or eye-deas, if you like puns as much as I do) with Pür Minerals’ Virtual Looks. For even more detailed instructions on how to utilize bold eye shades without going overboard, take a few tips from my buddy Tamra in her Pür Minerals instructional video, Color Pop, and let your hesitancy fade with each awesome shade!

Hold It Right There!

Ever got your look just the way you want it only to have Mother Nature rain on your parade? You are not alone. Between the heat and humidity, summer can be pretty unforgiving on hair and makeup. If only there was a way to freeze everything, right at that point of perfection. Say hello to Fulvic Mineral Mist.

Loaded with over 70 essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, Pür Minerals’ multitasking face and body mist may be the closet thing out there to a beauty pause button. In addition to rapidly rehydrating the skin, this unique formula helps set makeup and tame frizzy hair in an instant. Lightweight and non-greasy, Fulvic Mineral Mist won’t clog pores or weigh down skin or hair, making it perfect for all skin types. Keep it in the fridge for a quick cool down after a hot summer day or in your bag for an on-the-go pick-me-up.

"I spray this over my 4-in-1 foundation if my face feels dry during the day. It doesn't change your makeup and you instantly feel cool and hydrated. On a hot day or if you are having a 'hot flash,' it feels fantastic."
—Pür Fan, Nanaimo, BC

Has Pollen Got You Bawlin’?

So, I don’t know how everybody across the US is coping with allergy season, but here in Atlanta the pollen is out of control! We’ve had the rainiest winter I’ve ever seen,  and as a result, spring has most definitely sprung, flinging yellow dust all over my cat, my car and my face.  As I write today, I am staring out the window I can see from my desk, just hoping for rain to wash this mustard monstrosity away.Until then, we have to deal with all the nasty symptoms of seasonal allergies, including my focus point of the day, eye irritation.

Your eyes are the most expressive part of your face, and itchy, watery puffiness is the cosmetic kiss of death to most of us. Then we lose hours of sleep worrying and sniffling over it, adding dark circles to our new, unsightly look. I have been lucky enough to not suffer much from this bio-hazardous, pollen attack, but I had a cold a few weeks ago that had similarly gruesome effects. Sinus pressure made my left eye water constantly, and it was swollen and pink. On top of that, the skin on my face became dry and flaky, after I overdosed on an entire box of tissues. I looked like I was on the brink of death. Is pollen doing this to you? Are your eyes crying for help?

So many articles I read about allergy treatments focus on how to get well. That’s fine and dandy, but what about making those red, swollen bloodshot eyes look better in the meantime?

Just like many other minor ailments, the basic regimens for irritated eyes are simple. Drink plenty of water and try to get sufficient sleep. Proper hydration and rest will make you look and feel significantly better. Also, boost-up your vitamin C. I know allergies are not an illness, but vitamin C can still help fight your symptoms, act as a natural antihistamine and help prevent a case of the sniffles from evolving into an infection.

Placing a cold compress over your eyes can reduce inflammation and puffiness. A damp cloth, spa-style cucumber slices, chilled teabags or a cold compress bottle will also do. Be sure to protect your delicate eyes and face with sunscreen and sunglasses while you spend time outdoors. There’s no need to exacerbate your allergy symptoms, and if you’re having an especially hard time dealing with pollen this year, you may want to limit your time outdoors.

Cosmetically, there is much you can do to improve your allergy-stricken eyes. Use a make-upremover every night, like Mineral Melt or Quick Clean, paying especially close attention to your eyelids and lashes. When applying make-up, start with a good moisturizer and eye treatment, like Day Renewal Complex with SPF 20 and Tone-up.

Using a primer or our Mineral Eye Prep that help to neutralize skin discoloration and make applying eye shadow easier. And remember less is more, especially when your eyes could become agitated from excess make-up. I know allergy season is tough, but don’t let pollen cramp your style and put a damper on this beautiful spring. Soon enough we can toss away the tissues and eye drops and bust-out the bikinis and sun block for summer!

Winter Woes?

Are winter beauty challenges bringing you down and cramping your style? I try very hard to like winter, but as much as I focus on the holidays, fluffy coats, hot chocolate and snow, I just can’t get past the cold weather and its cosmetic cruelty. As air gets colder, it holds less water, and dry air means dehydrated skin and hair. Throw in a little wind and super-low humidity, and you’re looking at some serious winter woes from your head to your toes. Don’t let skin and hair problems keep you from looking your best! With relative ease, you can melt these icy crises away in no time!

Dull, Dry Skin?

It’s bad enough to lose your summer glow, but cold weather conditions can also make skin dry, itchy and dull. My face, hands, legs and even my feet feel the brunt of winter, and I’m a girl who loves her strappy heels and peep toe pumps. Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! I keep the Pür Body Butter with me all day, and special foot treatments, like Happy Feet, are a great remedy for cracks and dry cuticles. Eating foods rich in Omega – 3 oils are great for your skin, so adding flaxseed, nuts and fish to your diet could help, too. A self tanning lotion, like Pür Minerals Get A Little, can be a great replacement for your summer tan, but be sure to exfoliate beforehand. Irregular dry patches of skin can ruin that flawless glow. In a real pinch, I’ve misted myself with a little moisture spray and lightly dusted my legs and arms with Mineral Glow for a quick fix.

Chapped Lips?

Not only are cracked, chapped lips unappealing, but they hurt, too. Don’t pout! Just keep a reliable lip treatment handy, like Pür Balm or Mineral Lip Revival. Really deep cracks and splits may require special attention and should be treated with a healing ointment or petroleum jelly. Be sure to avoid flavored balms and glosses. They can irritate dry lips, and you may be tempted to lick your lips, which is a no-no!

Hair Static?

This happens to me all the time. The frigid air makes my hair go everywhere! I barely touch it or brush it against my coat or scarf, and poof! It’s practically standing on end. The first step to conquering those electrical locks is to shampoo less and use a good conditioner. Shampooing strips natural oils from your hair, so it may be a good idea to only wash it every other day. Definitely reduce any chemical treatments, like coloring. The old wives tale about rubbing a dryer sheet over your hair works for many people, or if your style allows for it, brushing-in a little hair spray or leave-in conditioner can keep those fly-aways in check. I’ve been known to squirt some moisture spray in my damp hair, like Fulvic Mineral Mist, before drying and styling.

Hide Holiday Stress in Three Easy Steps

There’s no denying that, for many, the holidays are the most stressful time of the year. Whether it’s the last-minute shopping blitz, booked social calendar or just a little too much merrymaking, the mad dash to the new year is often paved with sleepless nights. And at a time when we’re often pressured to look our very best, scrimping on z’s can easily sabotage our best intentions. Fortunately, even if you can’t catch your nightly eight hours, you can still look the part with a few tips and tricks from Pür.

Get Your Beauty Sleep
If visions of sugarplums are keeping you from counting sheep, your skin may suffer as a result. Nighttime is when your skin is most active, repairing and regenerating itself. By cutting your sleep time, you’re actually interfering with your skin’s normal metabolic activity. However, if you can’t commit to at least eight hours of shuteye, you can give your skin a little nightly boost with an intensive night cream like Mineral Moisture Complex. Loaded with nourishing vitamins and essential hydrators, this powerhouse moisturizer works hard to fight the signs of stress so you can wake up refreshed and radiant.

Lose the Bags
Under eye dark circles are a telltale sign that your holidays are spilling well into your nights. While lack of sleep isn’t the direct cause of dark circles (you can blame your genes for that), it can certainly make them more noticeable. Fatigue causes paleness of the skin, which allows the blood underneath to become more visible, creating the shadowing effect we call dark circles. Pür Minerals' Intensive Eye Treatment uses the revolutionary ingredient Occu-Derm™ to reduce the accumulation of hemoglobin responsible for unsightly under eye circles so you can greet the season bright-eyed and beautiful.

Let It Glow
In addition to dark circles, sleepless nights can leave you with a paler complexion. Burning the midnight oil not only affects your skin’s metabolism, it interferes with your entire circadian rhythm, which includes circulation. However, just because you might not be well-rested doesn’t mean you can’t look it. Give your skin a warm, healthy glow with a light-reflective mineral powder like Pür Radiance. Sweep over your face, neck and décolleté to brighten and awaken tired, pale skin. For an added touch of warmth, apply Pressed Mineral Blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend up to your hairline.

My Fair Lady

Makeup Tips for Light Skin

Whether you have naturally porcelain skin, or just a case of seasonal paleness, here are a few tips to help keep fair skin looking luminous and lovely all winter long.

SKIN: A protective day cream is a must for those with light skin tones. Choose a moisturizer with a double-digit SPF, such as Pür Minerals Day Renewal Complex SPF 20, to help block harmful UV rays and preserve skin’s health. Exfoliating regularly, especially during the winter, will help fair skin maintain that supple, milky radiance.

FACE & CHEEKS: Since discolorations tend to reveal themselves more on lighter skin, try prepping skin for makeup application with a colour correcting foundation primer. A green-tinted formula will help to even out the skin tone and offset any redness or imperfections, such as under eye circles or blemishes.

As for foundation, barely-there makeup looks best on fair skin. 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup in shades Porcelain and Light provide flawless, transparent coverage for ladies with very fair to fair skin. If you love having a sun-kissed look, lightly apply a bronzing powder for a natural-looking, golden glow. Top with a shimmering, pink blush to give cheeks a fresh, youthful flush.

EYES: Pastel eye shadows and subtle metallics go well with pale skin. Pink and lavender shades are a sure bet to complement those with fair hair and complexion, but if you really want to light up your eyes, try shimmering golds and yellows or smooth, sparkling blues and greens. Fair-skinned ladies with darker hair look great in amber, plum and golden-brown hues.

Pür Picks: Blondes should try Pressed Mineral Shadows in Rose Quartz, Violet Iolyte, Champagne Citrine, Sunstone, and True Emerald. Brunettes and redheads will look lovely in Amber, Rose Symesite and Fawn Fayalite.

LIPS: A lip gloss in a soft shade of pink will add just the right amount of polish to your pout. Deeper, berry tints can also provide a nice contrast to your skin tone, but look best with a matte finish. Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick in Black Amethyst is a romantic, berry-stained colour that flatters all skin tones and looks particularly stunning on those with light skin and dark hair.

While fair-skinned beauties should beware of over doing it with bold, over-the-top lip colour, a bright red lipstick can look glamorous and sophisticated when done right (think Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman). Again, matte lipstick suits this look best, since too much shine can appear harsh against pale skin.

Shop PurMinerals.com for more ways to make fair skin look fabulous.

How to Get Party Pür-fect Cat Eyes

Few eye looks are as seductive as the sultry cat eye. Whether worn alone or with a costume, this evocative eye look is total drama. 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 standout party favorite.

Line Your Lashes
Using your 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. We recommend Pür Intensity for the precision of a liquid liner with easy gel application. 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 your eye pencil. Just be sure to cover your guide line completely with your eyeliner.) Once both eyes are lined, use your brush to even out the ends.

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!

Smoky or Sheer?
While the classic cat eye has typically been shadow-free, you can give it a smoky effect by contouring the crease in darker shades. Pür Pick: Pressed Mineral Shadow in Midnight Jade. “Flick” color from the outer corner of the eye (in the direction of your eyeliner) up to the brow bone to create a large, almond-shaped—truly cat-like—effect. Use a makeup brush smudger to blend the edges and apply a lighter coat to eyelids, if desired.