"The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog"

Beauty Quick Tip: How to Prevent Your Eye Liner From Smearing

Don't you just hate it when you take the time to expertly apply your eye liner only for it to smear a few hours later?  Want a really easy way to keep your eye liner in place?  I thought so.  Please read on...

First, apply your eye liner to the top lash line by working into base of the lashes.  Next, take a smudger brush (I prefer a synthetic flat type of brush for this as opposed to a rounded bristle brush) and smudge out the eye liner into the base of the lashes.

Next, using the same brush, choose the same color of eye shadow as your liner and apply the shadow directly over the eye liner.  The powdery consistency of the shadow will help absorb any oils/waxes from the liner and make it stay put for hours and hours.

If you'd like to go for a unique look, use a different color of shadow over the eye liner.  For example, if you use a black or smoke colored liner, use an emerald green or sapphire blue shadow over top.  The effect is really pretty and allows you to get creative with different eye looks without spending a ton of time doing so.  By the way, you can follow these same steps on your lower lash line too!  Give it a try today and see what you come up with!

In need of some great natural mineral cosmetics?  Don't forget to check out PRIIA Cosmetics...we've got what you're looking for!

Question: Was this post helpful to you?  Let me know-I'd love to hear from you!

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Cheers!

-Kelley (a.k.a The Mineral Makeup Coach)
Licensed Esthetician & Owner/Formulator of PRIIA Mineral Cosmetics

A Unique Way to Say "Thank You!"

A few weeks ago my daughter turned 10 and wanted something special for her party favors.  Her party was themed around makeup, so I thought it would easy to come up with favor ideas since I formulate cosmetics.  Should I make eye shadow favors? Nah.  Blush? Nah.  Lip balm?  YESSSSS!  The only problem was...I DON'T MAKE LIP BALM.  However, I knew of someone who did.  Enter Emily Caswell of GCDSpa.com to the rescue!

Emily has an amazing niche business where she makes personalized 'thank yous' for your guests.  Just take a look at the favors she did my for my daughter's party.  They were ADORABLE!  Everyone at the party was so impressed as was I.  So much so, that I wanted to tell YOU, my readers, about Emily and her amazing small business.  Read on...

"When people ask me what I do, I usually say something like, "I make lip balm!" or "I make party favors!" Which are both true, but what I SHOULD tell them is that I help people to say thank you so they can make others feel special. This wasn't always my job description.

In 1996 I left a biotech lab job to start my own business. I have a background in biology and enjoyed working in the lab, but I wanted to be able to work from home once I had kids. I had always done design work on my own and so I started working with local businesses on their print designs and websites. For about 8 years I created lots of print ads and brochures, business cards, product labels, and other packaging, as well as helping businesses to find customers online. In the fall of 2004 I got together with a friend to make some spa products for holiday gifts. I created labels and packaging for our sugar scrubs and bath salts the same way I'd made them for my clients'

products. When we gave away our gifts and ended up with orders, I realized I might be able to combine my lab experience with my design work (and still be able to work from home). Within a year I started GCDSpa.com and was making gifts from my home "lab."

Some of my first design clients had been in the wedding industry, so I'd spent a lot of time designing for weddings. I knew how special brides felt when they had gifts personalized just for them, so I started by offering custom wedding and bridal shower favors. Pretty soon I added birthday party and baby shower designs. Now I design for girls nights out, bachelorette parties, anniversaries, and divorce parties, too. (Everyone should feel special!) Over time I've added more product options, flavors, designs, and colors.

There are lots of businesses making custom party favors and gifts, so I've worked hard to offer something more. I have very low minimums for personalized work, and have a wide selection of flavors, fragrances, and designs. (I even make totally new designs and flavors for unique party themes.) I send emails with samples of artwork so my customers can approve them before I put together their favors. I also wrap and decorate each favor so they arrive fully assembled for customers who are pressed for time. And when time is really of the essence, I offer rush order service, too!

I love everything about my work, but one of the best parts is coming up with fun theme ideas. Of course this  time of year there is lots of inspiration from the colors of Fall, as well as the flavors and scents that remind us of the season. Apples have become such popular favors, particularly decorated candy and caramel apples, and I love making my own version of these favorites. It may be corny, but I think the "Apple-y Ever After" theme is adorable for bridal showers. My customers also have come up with some terrific themes. For example, last year I designed favors for an apple-themed baby shower, with tags that read: "The Apple Has A Stem On It!" (Clearly a baby boy shower!) Autumn holidays also provide their own inspiration. I've enjoyed making favors for Halloween parties, particularly for "Ghouls Night Out," and I even make Spooky Juice lip balm just for those events. And since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I also create a lot of favors to offer "Hope for Hooters," featuring pink owls and Pink Lady lip balm to benefit breast cancer research.

Though I offer lots of products, my focus is making tiny thank-yous in personalized packages. I love that expressing something as simple as gratitude can help people feel appreciated and special. It's a part of my job that never gets old!"

 So, if you're ever in need of a unique and special way of expressing your gratitude, give Emily a call or check out her site at www.GCDSpa.com .  I'm sure you'll be thrilled with her work!  I know I was and so were a gaggle of little 10yr old tweenie boppers.

Get the most up-to-date beauty, makeup and skin care information delivered right to your inbox!  Subscribe to The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog today.

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Cheers!

-Kelley (a.k.a The Mineral Makeup Coach)
Licensed Esthetician & Owner/Formulator of PRIIA Mineral Cosmetics

 

Summer is Ending but Your SPF Usage Shouldn't!

Summer is winding down and the kiddies are headed back to school.  For some, that means the SPF gets put away on a shelf somewhere until next summer.  DO NOT DO THIS.

We are exposed to ultraviolet light ALL YEAR ROUND.  This means we should be protecting our skin from sun damage 24/7 365 days a year.  Driving in the car, walking into the store and sitting by a window are all sneaky ways that photo damage can occur.

Many people think that if they don't get a burn, they don't get damage.  That's NOT true.  UVB rays cause the burn but only reach the skin's surface.  UVA rays penetrate all the way down into the dermis (deepest layer of skin) and cause hyperpigmentation (brown spots) and the breakdown of collagen and elastin.  This leads to wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin and uneven skin tone.

Did you know that the SPF rating on your bottle, jar or can of sunscreen is ONLY for UVB rays?  The SPF doesn't account for UVA rays.  The FDA is currently working on regulation for a system to rate sunscreen's effectiveness against UVA rays.

Most over-the-counter sunscreens contain chemicals such as oxybenzone and avobenzone.  Chemical sunscreens ABSORB the sun's rays and scatter them within the body.  Also, chemical sunscreens begin to breakdown as soon as they are exposed to light.  They need to be applied 20-30 minutes PRIOR to sun exposure and they need to be reapplied frequently to be effective.  Don't be fooled into thinking that an SPF 50 is BETTER than an SPF 30.  The amount of increased protection between the two is only about 2%-4% , yet it takes tons more chemicals to make an SPF 50.  You don't need all of those additional chemicals getting into your body.  Stick with an SPF 30 and look for one that states "BROAD SPECTRUM PROTECTION".

In my opinion, the best sunscreens are those with physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.  These prevent the sun's rays from getting into your skin- the rays literally bouce right off.  They can applied as soon as you are exposed to light and they don't have the tendency to breakdown. Plus, zinc and titanium don't cause sensitivies like chemical sunscreens can.  Unlike the formulas of days gone by (think lifeguards with white goo smeared on their faces), today's physical sunscreens are more sheer and made to go on smoothly without leaving all of that ugly residue.

My favorite SPF product is by a company called IMAGE.  Their sunscreens are all physical blockers plus they  are chock full of good-for-your-skin ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, skin hydrators and green tea.  Plus, they are all paraben-free.  IMAGE is a professional-only product but you can contact them directly to find out which salons in your area carries the line.

So, there you have it.  Be sun smart ALL YEAR ROUND not just in the summer months.  You'll be glad you listened to me. ;-)

RELATED POSTS:
The Truth About Layering Sun Protection Products
It's Official- Indoor Tanning Beds DO Cause Cancer

Get the most up-to-date beauty, makeup and skin care information delivered right to your inbox!  Subscribe to The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog today.

If you enjoy reading The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog, please feel free to share the home page with your friends using this link: http://tinyurl.com/5eqd9q.

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Cheers!

-Kelley (a.k.a The Mineral Makeup Coach)
Licensed Esthetician & Owner/Formulator of PRIIA Mineral Cosmetics

Can Oily Skin Be Dry At The Same Time?

True or False: Oily skin be also be dry at the same time.

Answer: True.  The dryness that is felt is actually dehydration which is a skin condition (not a skin type).  The surface of the skin is lacking water.  This condition is usually caused by using and overcleaning with harsh soaps, too much sun exposure, overly hot water and either using the wrong type of moisturizer or non at all. 
To treat this type of condition, stay away from harsh facial cleansers containing sulfates and alcohol that strip the skin's surface of it's natural lipid barrier.  Instead, look for a mild foaming cleanser with natural surfactants from plant derived oils and extracts such as Decyl Polyglucose which is made from corn, glucose and starch.

If you decide to use a toner after cleansing, use one that will balance the skin's pH and is free from alcohol and synthetic fragrance.  Natural hydrosols are wonderful as toners. One of my favorites is organic rose water hydrosol. 

For moisturizing and sun protection, look for products that are non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) and non-acnegenic (won't cause breakouts).  They should have a lightweight texture to them.  Oily dehydrated skin needs humectants (water binders) not emollients.  Oily skin makes enough of it's own natural emollient in the form of sebum.  The best humectant ingredients to look for are: sodium PCA, glycerin and my favorite, hyaluronic acid.  All of these ingredients not only attract water to the skin, they bind it there.  Typically these ingredients are found more in serums as opposed to traditional moisturizers.

Related Posts:
The PERFECT Skin Care Routine
Your Skin Type Vs. Your Skin Condition
Cleansing Your Skin With The Oil Cleanse Method

Get the most up-to-date skin care information delivered right to your inbox!  Subscribe to The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog today.

If you enjoy reading The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog, please feel free to share the home page with your friends using this link: http://tinyurl.com/5eqd9q.

Tweet with me on Twitter!
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Cheers!

-Kelley (a.k.a The Mineral Makeup Coach)
Licensed Esthetician & Owner/Formulator of PRIIA Mineral Cosmetics

Are YOU Fun & Flirty?

For Spring/Summer 2011, PRIIA Cosmetics launched new products that were called the "Fun and Flirty" collection.  New products include: Creme mineral foundation, two new lippie colors (Twisted Papaya & Vixen Violet) five new mineral satin shadow shades and a new blush color, Primrose.

The response to the new collection has been fabulous!  Here's what one of our latest customers had to say about our new creme mineral foundation:

"It has such a great silky texture, it is very lightweight, but gives a good coverage. Considering my skin condition, I'd say medium to full coverage. For others that don't have a problematic skin, or blemishes it would be a full coverage! It blends perfectly and absolutely matches my skin tone. Cream foundations are especially good for those with dry skin, but I believe this one would be good for any skin type. I just applied a very thin layer of powder foundation and magic is done! I look like I just had a good 7 hour night's sleep. It's all so well blended, totally natural looking and feeling. Yes, it feels fabulous!!! Kelley, you have done an AMAZING job. Thank you! I've looked for you all my live and I'm so happy I found you!" - Stefi Petkova, MN

If you haven't tried our latest collection, hop on over to www.priia.com and get your hands on some FREE samples (yes, I said FREE).  We're pretty sure you're going to love us. ;-)

RELATED POSTS:
Customers Are Talking About PRIIA Cosmetics

To learn more about PRIIA Cosmetics please  Subscribe to The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog today.

If you enjoy reading The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog, please feel free to share the home page with your friends using this link: http://tinyurl.com/5eqd9q.

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Cheers!

-The Mineral Makeup Coach

 

A New Direction for PRIIA Cosmetics?

When I started PRIIA Cosmetics, it was (and still is) my goal to help wowen by creating and offering a line of healthy, natural and artisan-quality cosmetics to the masses.  I also opened the opportunity for business owners and licensed professionals to start their own mineral makeup businesses by purchasing wholesale and using either the PRIIA branded name or going the route of private label.

Recently, I've been contacted by a few customers who have asked if there were any business opportunities for people who aren't licensed professionals or business owners.  Basically, they wanted to know if there were any PRIIA "consultant" positions available; in otherwords, direct sales.  In my mind, I immediately recoiled.  Why?  Well, in a former life, I was involved with many different companies selling anything from candles, to cosmetics, to cleaning products, etc.  I remembered the feelings of having to force myself to just walk up to strangers at the mall or a "home party", introduce myself and get them to listen to my sales pitch.  I absolutely DREADED that.  My stomach would cringe, my palms would sweat and my mouth would get dry.  However, I needed to make the sale because I needed to make money. So, I mustered up the courage to open my mouth.  Don't get me wrong, it's not that I wasn't successful with these companies; I was.  I made good money, earned some free trips but I always longed for something better.  I didn't want to be out doing "parties" and lugging stuff around in my trunk.  I didn't want to have to buy inventory,  process orders, make deliveries or worry if a "party" would cancel on me.  Worse yet, I didn't want to beg someone to host a party for me. The idea was that I was supposed to be doing a home-based business, yet I was constantly out delivering products, going to meetings, etc.  I wasn't really home much at all.  I longed for a business opportunity that I could truly work from home and around my schedule but I never really found it.

Well, fast forward many years- I'm now a licensed esthetician and have my own salon as well as natural cosmetics business (PRIIA).  I don't work from home per se, but I do call the shots and I'm OK with that.  However, I KNOW that there are women out there who are looking for an opportunity like I was many moons ago.  Maybe some of them just want to make a little extra money each month and maybe some want to quit their jobs and be at home full-time with their children.  I'm considering creating an opportunity with my company, PRIIA Cosmetics, which will offer just that.  If I do, it will NOT be a typical direct sales party plan or any type of multi-level pyramid gig.  There won't be any parties to plan, inventory to buy, orders to process or products to deliver. It will be a true opportunity to work from home at one's own pace and around one's personal schedule. The investment to get started will be either be no investment, a very low investment or a choice of both...I haven't decided yet.  I'm still mulling over the entire scenario.

I have to tell you, I am soooooooo sickened by all of the work-from-home scams that are out there as well.  There are many unscrupulous individuals & companies out there today who are preying upon those who are truly looking for something better in their lives.  All you have to do is google 'work from home' and you'll get a zillion searches to come up; most of which are scams.  But, people are desperate today and it's easy to fall victim to some slick sales page that promises you're going to make $1000+ per day by just clicking a button.  It doesn't work that way ladies- believe me, I know.  The scammers and theives are the only ones making that kind of money because you've opened up your bank accounts to them in the hopes of making a better life for you and your family.  True homebased businesses do require you to WORK.  However, it's my goal to create an opportunity that allows you to work SMARTER not harder.

If you've tried PRIIA, you already know that it's a great product.  Some of you have sent beautiful testimonials after using the line and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sincere and kind words.  Many of you have recommended PRIIA to your family and friends- and again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising I could ever hope for.  I believe now is the time to start rewarding you personally and financially for your referrals and also rewarding those clients who buy PRIIA's products based upon your recommendations.

Here's what I need to know from YOU:  Is there any interest at all from you about the above proposed business opportunity?  I want hear your thoughts, ideas and opinions. What do you think???  Please leave a comment for me.  Thank you!

Cheers!
-Kelley (a.k.a. The Mineral Makeup Coach)

 

Happy 2nd Anniversary PRIIA Cosmetics!

 

Two years ago today PRIIA Cosmetics launched it's natural mineral cosmetics on the internet.  A lot has happened over the past two years including significant growth.

We want to celebrate our 2 year mark with you by having a site wide sale!  From now through midnight 3/18/2011, you can receive a 15% off discount when you shop at www.priia.com !  Simple enter Happy15 upon checkout.  Also, when you spend $75 or more, you will receive *FREE Priority Mail shipping.

Now is the perfect time to stock up on your favorite PRIIA Cosmetics products.  If you're a newbie to PRIIA, all of our sample sizes are also part of the sale.

As the owner of PRIIA Cosmetics, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued loyalty and support.  I love formulating these products as much as you love wearing them. ;-)

Happy Shopping!  Feel free to share the sale discount code with family and friends.

PS- We now have a PRIIA Cosmetics Facebook Fan Page.  Come visit with us and click the 'like' button to get all of our updates about sales, giveaways, new products & more.  We'll be announcing some BIG stuff in the coming weeks. ;-)

Cheers!

-The Mineral Makeup Coach

*Free Priority mail shipping offer is only valid for US residents.

Do YOU Know What You're Really Putting On Your Face?

A friend and fellow esthetican, Valerie Tukey, recently posted some very interesting information on one of Lancome's popular anti-aging creams.  You'll be shocked when you discover that you're paying top dollar for GARBAGE.  You can check out Val's Face Book Fan Page here: Aesthetics By Valerie.

 

"I used to work for Lancome. And then I went to school and became a licensed, board certified skin care professional who actually knows a thing or two about skin and skin care. Would you ask a parrot to give you skin care advice? No? Are you sure about that? Because that's what you're doing when you buy skin care at department store or at the mall. Everything you're told is well-scripted information that is being "parrotted" back to you by sales people. Let me repeat that -  SALES PEOPLE.    

Let's take a look at what's really in one of the best selling products at Lancome. 

At the whopping price of $80 for a 1.7 oz cream and $95 for a 2 oz, you'd expect this stuff to not only make your skin younger, but for it to cook you dinner and do your laundry!

The truth is, while this cream smells delightful fragrant and oh-so-French, while it feels like butter going onto your skin, while it often comes with a groovy free gift, it's a very VERY overpriced face grease. 

Not only does it NOT contain any cutting edge, modern and proven age-fighting ingredients, it DOES contain TONS OF PRESERVATIVES. Holy canolies, half way down the ingredient list is a potent anti-microbial, and then they added another 5 paraben preservatives.  

Seriously, Lancome? Really?! Why is that? Oh wait, I remember...It's because often we'd have product sitting on the shelves for up to 12 months before it was sold. Gotta make sure there's no mold in that year-old cream that Mrs. Jane Q. Public might want to buy so she can get her lousy free gift. 

Newsflash: the free gift ain't free. Part of the cost of your $95 pays for that gift. Comprende, amiga? I mean, really, what are you thinking? How do you expect poor Lancome to pay for that big expensive counter and all the staff? And their uniforms, their salaries, their 4 times a year allowance for makeup? Oh, don't forget the multiple full-page advertisements in Allure and Cosmo, and the commercials, and wait! You gotta pay Gweneth Paltrow and the supermodel for being spokespeople!  Don't forget the pretty packaging; the expensive glass jars and metallic lids that you'll toss in the trash. 

You're paying $95 for silicone, some basic emollients, emulsifiers, vaseline, corn oil, vitamin E, a ton of preservatives, fragrance, and dyes. WOW, what a deal!" :( 

See for yourself: 

WATER/AQUA - self explanatory

HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE - synthetic polymer skin conditioner 

CYCLOPENTASILOXANE - a form of silicone, used for slip

PETROLATUM - also known as Vaseline

CETYL ALCOHOL - fatty alcohol used as an emollient

GLYCERIN - a humectant, attracts water to the skin

GLYCERYL STEARATE SE - emulsifier, helps product ingredients blend together

PEG-40 STEARATE waxy solid emollient

MYRISTYL MYRISTATE - skin conditioner (comedogenic)

HYDROXYPROLINE - used to bind water in the skin 

ZEA MAYS KERNEL EXTRACT/ZEA MAYS - CORN!

TO-COPHERYL ACETATE - vitamin E

SODIUM HYDROXIDE - regulates pH level

STEARIC ACID - emulsifier

CAFFEINE - used to enhance skin's appearance by reducing flaking and enhancing suppleness 

ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE - protects the product from UV degradation

CHLORHEXIDINE DIGLUCONATE - powerful antimicrobial 

SORBITAN TRISTEARATE - emulsifier 

 DISODIUM EDTA- a form of preservative, a chelator

RUSCUS ACULEATUS ROOT EXTRACT/RUSCUS ACULEATUS - butcher's broom extract, an anti inflammatory 

METHYLSILANOL MANNURONATE - emmolient

SOYBEAN PROTEIN/GLYCINE SOJA - skin conditioner 

PALMITIC ACID - emulsifier

ETHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, ISOBUTYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, 5 paraben preservatives! 

FRAGRANCE / PARFUM, fragrance 

BLUE 1/CI 42090, YELLOW 5/CI 19140, RED 4/CI 14700, B5949/2 - colorants

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on this article?  Let me know by leaving your comments below!

Thanks for stopping by!

If you enjoy reading The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog, please feel free to share the home page with your friends using this link: http://tinyurl.com/5eqd9q.

Tweet with me on Twitter!
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Cheers!

-The Mineral Makeup Coach

Esthetically Yourz Spa Now Open!

Most of you already know that I'm a licensed esthetician and that in addition to formulating PRIIA Cosmetics, I also own a skin care spa.  Well, we moved the spa to a new address in September of this year and we just had our grand re-opening on December 4th.

Everything went great and my spa has turned out to be more than I had hoped for.  I love it, my clients love...what more can an esthetician ask for???

 

We offer so many fantastic treatments such as facials, peels, massage therapy, professional teeth whitening, spray tanning, non-surgical face lifts and so much more!  We also carry the entire line of PRIIA Cosmetics of course. ;-)

So, if you're in the Lehigh Valley area of PA or close to it, please stop by and check us out.  You can view our spa's web site by visiting: www.EstheticallyYourz.com .

For all of my friends, family and special people in my life, THANK YOU for all of your love and support through everything.  You mean the WORLD to me!

Cheers!

-The Mineral Makeup Coach

PRIIA Cosmetics is having a Grand Re-Opening Sale!

That's right! We're back up and running!

Enjoy some fabulous savings from now through midnight on 10/31/10!  Check out our "What's New" page for all the "spooktacular" deals!

Thank you for your patience and loyalty!  Enjoy your discounts!

Cheers!

-The Mineral Makeup Coach