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.

Balancing Lip and Eye Looks

Ever notice how some women look overly made up while others seem naturally accentuated? Creating the perfect look truly is a balancing act. When we look at someone’s face, we tend to focus on one feature at a time (usually the eyes or mouth). Hence, one of the biggest—and most common—makeup faux pas is playing up too many features at one time. Pairing dramatic eyes with loud lipstick makes the face look busy and creates a sense of confusion that’s anything but flattering. Even when glamming it up for an after hour get-together or a night on the town, remember that balance is key.

Dramatic Eyes:
Want to be the center of attention even when the lights are low? Make a bold eye statement. Layering bold, smoky hues, like Onyx and Plum Slate, will accentuate eyes well into the p.m. hours. But be sure to complement with a soft lip color. Natural, matte tones—only slightly darker than your lips—bring the focus back to where it should be (the eyes) without creating visual competition. Try Mineral Lip Tint SPF 15 in Sandy Quartz. This neutral, taupe hue suits every skin tone and gives lips a subtle shine with Olive Oil and Mango seed extract.

Bold Lips:
Add a touch of sophistication to your everyday look with a lip colour that “pops.” If you have fair skin, go for glossy, rose tones, like Rose Zircon Pout Plumping Lip Gloss. Medium skin: earthy reds (Red Ruby or Fire Opal Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick). Dark skin: rich wine hues, such as Black Amethyst lipstick. Remember to always balance bold lipstick with understated eyes. A shimmering nude eye shadow base with a sheer white highlight will complement a bold lip color without stealing any of its thunder.

Visit PurMinerals.com for more ways to accentuate your eyes and lips.

How to Design the Perfect Smoky Eye

Classic yet modern, both elegant and edgy, the smoky eye is arguably the coolest thing that you can do with your makeup for fall. And this season, the beauty staple has returned with a street-chic, everyday appeal that’s great for day or night. Follow these simple steps to achieve the most fashionable of all eye looks.

1. Begin by moisturizing the delicate skin around your eyes. Use either your daily moisturizer or an eyelid primer to hydrate skin and prevent creping.

2. Next, create a base by applying a soft, semi-neutral shade of eye shadow. Use an eye shadow brush to sweep over your entire lid up to your brow bone. 

3. Then, add depth and definition by applying a bolder shade into the crease of the eye. Use the Crease Brush to work the shadow into the crease of your eye with a sweeping motion. (This should be a back and forth, windshield wiper motion.) Remember, blending is crucial.

4. Line your upper lash line with a waterproof eye pencil or gel eyeliner, depending on the amount of intensity you're going for. Start from the inside and work your way out, lining a little thicker in the middle. To take your smoky eye to the next level, go back over your eyeliner with a complementary eye shadow shade. Apply it over top of the liner and blend the colours together to achieve that sultry, smoky effect.

5. Finish off your smoky eyes with a lengthening, thickening mascara.

Remember to have fun with your look. Gray and black shadows and liners are perfect for a smoky eye, but you’re choices aren’t limited to these classic colours. Try jewel tones like purple and green for a fresh, modern take on the classic smoky eye. Check out our Get the Look page for more tips on how to create fall's colourful smoky eye.

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!

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.

Are You Misusing Your Moisturizer?

We’ve all got them: tubes, pumps and jars of moisturizers. Some shuffling precariously around in handbags, threatening to burst at the next hefty jostle, others gathering dust in the back of medicine cabinets (I myself have a shoebox full tiny bottles—trophies from hotel stays that I’m sure I thought would make great on-the-go hand creams). The point is, they’re there when we need them. When it’s dry out, when we’re traveling—even at the office—we’re prepared to take on dry skin whenever, wherever it rears its ugly, chapped head.

However, I was recently surfing WebMD (a favorite pastime of mine) when I came across an article on the causes of dry skin. While most were familiar enough (dry weather and long, hot showers, for instance) one stood out for being so seemingly counter-intuitive. It suggested that all my efforts to tackle dry skin—in the car, at the office, on the town—were inherently flawed, and that the gallons of moisturizer that I had drenched upon my dry, cracked skin over the years were doing little good if any.

I had been misusing my moisturizer.

The good virtual doctor went on to explain that, like a sponge, the skin is most absorbent when already moist, and that the best time to moisturize is right after bathing, when the skin is still damp (not drenched) and the pores are opened. This traps in the moisture, allowing it to do the most good, and for a longer duration. Heeding the online health guru’s advice, I started applying my Pür Body Butter directly after showering and immediately noticed a difference. No longer am I fumbling through cluttered desk drawers and glove compartments for loose, trial-sized liquid relief. And my skin has never felt better.

For more ways to get silky-smooth skin, view the complete Skin Care Collection at PürMinerals.com.

Makeup for Your Hair Color

To find your perfect makeup palette, remember to take into account your hair color and complexion. Especially if you’ve recently changed the hue of your ‘do, hair color can be an excellent guide to help determine which makeup shades will work best for you.

BLONDES
Flaxen-haired beauties should avoid wearing too many dark colours (a little drama here and there is fine) which can appear overly harsh. Whether you’re platinum, golden or ashy blonde, soft, pastel shadows and peachy-pink blushes will help brighten up your complexion and complement your locks. In lieu of black eyeliner, opt for a deep chocolate brown shade, such as Pür Minerals Eye Defining Pencil in Chocolate Mica. Avoid nude mattes on the lips, as these can wash you out. Instead, try a luscious coral lipstick or a sheer, rosy gloss like Pout Plumping Lip Gloss in Rose Opal.

BRUNETTES
Dark brown and black hair tends to make skin look pale, so you’ll want to stick with deep, rich hues to liven up your complexion. The envy of blondes everywhere, you can pull off ultra-glam red lips with ease. For a gorgeous everyday look, wine, burgundy or berry-stained lips look lovely with dark hair. We recommend Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick in Black Amethyst, a deep, berry tint for day or night. For the cheeks, choose a blush with blue undertones like Cherry Opal. Opaque eye shadow shades of bronze, plum and mocha will add definition to your eyes without appearing too dark.

REDHEADS
Complement your auburn or fiery red tresses with a warm complexion, best achieved with blushes in peach, apricot or rose with brown undertones. Peach, copper and light brown hues also work well on your lips. Try a matte lipstick or lip tint like Mineral Shea Butter Lipsticks in Crystal Peach and Rose Sandstone, or Mineral Lip Tint SPF 15 in Sandy Quartz. Red hair and green eye shadow is a classic colour-combo. Mossy green and sparkling emerald shades, such as Pressed Mineral Shadows in Moss Mesolite and True Emerald, with make eyes come alive.

Shop an array of colours for eyes, lips and cheeks at PurMinerals.com. 

Shiny v. Matte Lips

Shiny lips are truly a makeup classic. A clear or tinted gloss can give lips just the right amount of definition during the day and create the perfect pout for an evening out, especially during the summer. Glosses and balms are great for moisturizing lips as well, and many formulas now contain SPF. The key to a perfect shine is to find a gloss that looks and feels natural, never sticky or tacky. Lip gloss is a must-have beauty tool for those with thin lips. It has a natural, plumping effect that makes lips appear bigger. That being said, those with extremely full lips may want to avoid going super-shiny.

With the nude lip trend recently gracing the runways, matte is back. Matte lipsticks give lips a smooth, shine-free texture and often contain the ingredient kaolin. Matte certainly looks fashionable in a nude colour (this super-chic trend is going to be big for fall), such as Mineral Lip Tint SPF 15 in Sandy Quartz or Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick in Sheer Zircon, but those with fair skin may want to go with a pale pink to create more of a contrast between your lipstick and your skin tone. Berry-stained and red matte lips are also great for fall. Check out Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick in Black Amethyst and Red Ruby. BEWARE: If lips aren’t properly moisturized, matte lipsticks can appear dry and flaky. This can be easily avoided by using a lip treatment or lipstick that hydrates lips with conditioning ingredients, such as shea butter.

Application:

Those seeking shiny lips can apply gloss alone or over lipstick. During the day, I like to wear a peachy-pink gloss and contour my lips with a neutral liner that matches my skin tone. You can also give your gloss a little extra staying power by filling in your entire lip with lip liner and then topping it with gloss. At night, apply a clear or lightly tinted gloss over your lipstick to get a brilliant shimmer.

To get perfectly chic, perfectly matte lips, follow these steps:
1. Begin by moisturizing your lips. Using a conditioning lip cream to remove any flakes of skin and fill in lines for smooth application.
2. Next, contour your lips with a lip pencil. Begin at one corner of your top lip and follow your natural lip line to the other corner, then repeat on the bottom lip. If you’re going for nude, matte lips, use a nude liner. If you’re creating a colorful matte look, choose a shade that matches your lipstick.
3. Fill in your lip shape with the liner. This will enhance the matte appearance of your lipstick and help your lip colour stay on longer.
4. Finish off the look by applying your lipstick. Use a lip makeup brush for application so as not to disturb the liner.      

To get a gorgeous shine or a matte finish, view the Lip Collection at PürMinerals.com.