Posted by Joanna Mariani on Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 09:22 AM
If you have oily skin like I do, when summer approaches, so does the dreaded face shine. For me, this is the worst part about the season (that, and mosquitoes). To help you enjoy your summer looking as fresh as a daisy, here are some tips I’ve discovered to combat excess oil.
First, our product expert Christine, recommends that we soak up excess oil using blotting papers. The cute case fits easily in the tiniest bag, and doubles as a business card holder! To read more, here’s a link to our blog on blotting papers.
After removing the excess oil, apply a mattifying powder. We have a few choices at jane iredale, so to help you decide I have written a little about each of them.
The first is Beyond Matte, which is an HD mattifying powder that comes in four different shades: Lilac, Peach, Translucent, and Dark. Beyond Matte is ultra water proof and because it is HD approved, its finish gives you a nearly perfect complexion. I recommend this if you are going to be in front of a camera or for a really special night out. To learn more about it (why Lilac?!) you can read our blog post about Beyond Matte.
If you are anything like me, the times you need shine control the most are when you are out and about. I like to keep a Brush-Me Matte in my purse for just these times. Brush-Me Matte is a loose powder, dispensed through the attached brush, so there is no fuss, and no need to carry an extra brush! To apply Brush-Me Matte, simply twist the brush to 'unlock' the flow and let the powder into the bristles, then lightly brush it on your face. Twist to 'lock' (important for keeping your purse clean!), pop the top back on and toss it back in your purse, so easy!
The last option for great shine control is my personal favorite, PureMatte. If you are a PurePressed Base fan, you will probably love PureMatte. It looks very similar to PurePressed Base and is applied in the same way, using the Handi Brush; check out the video below for a quick tutorial of how to apply. Pure Matte uses rice starch to absorb any excess oils in your skin. I apply PureMatte as soon as I finish my makeup in the morning. This helps prevent shine from developing. If I do start to see any shine, that’s when I turn to my trusty Brush-Me Matte.
I hope this gives you hope for conquering your shine this summer. If you have any tricks for minimizing shine, please share them with us!
Posted by Joanna Mariani on Wed, Apr 25, 2012 @ 01:25 PM
The very first product ever created by Jane for the jane iredale makeup line, was Amazing Base. Amazing Base began being marketed in 1994 and was absolutely revolutionary for its time. It was weightless, good for your skin, contained a broad spectrum sun protection SPF 20...and it is still all of these things! Nearly 20 years later, Amazing Base continues to be one of the great hero products of the jane iredale makeup line. That is why today I wanted to write about this product, one of the most powerful tools you can have in your makeup bag, for everything from everyday coverage to major concealing.
Basics:
When you first open your brand new Amazing Base, you will notice that there are a series of holes in the top plastic, covered by a clear sticker. I recommend poking 4-5 of the holes in that sticker at first, screwing the top back on, tipping the foundation over and gently tapping the bottom 3 times. When you flip Amazing Base right side up and carefully unscrew the top, you should have enough powder for your first application. If you feel you need more powder during your application process, you may pop more holes or peel that sticker off all together.
Once you have the powder in your cap take your Chisel Powder Brush and press it into the cap, wiggling the brush back and forth to evenly distribute the powder onto the brush. Turn the brush over to the other side and do the same thing. Once you have the powder on your brush bristles, gently tap off any excess. Then begin your application by gently patting the side of the brush bristles on your face. To watch this application for yourself take a look at the video below.
When you are finished, spritz with Hydration Spray to set the minerals and adhere them to your skin. For many of you this one layer is enough coverage, but for those of us who suffer from fussy skin, one or two more layers, applied using the same technique, may be necessary.
Beyond:
Amazing Base currently offers the most coverage of any of the jane iredale foundations, and it is “amazing” for covering scarring, heavy bruising or even tattoos.
We get asked about tattoo coverage a lot, especially from brides who may be looking to cover tattoos that show when wearing their gown. This may not be for everyone, but if this is something you need, here are the steps:
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Using the Camouflage Brush, apply a layer of Disappear Concealer over the tattoo by gently pressing the brush on the skin.
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Tap some of your Amazing Base into the cap.
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Take your Flocked Sponge and press it into the cap picking up some of the powder.
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Place your powdered Flocked Sponge over the tattoo and press down, then roll off, as if you are stamping the tattoo. Continue this until the entire tattoo is covered.
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Spritz with Hydration Spray and let dry.
You will probably need to repeat these steps 1-2 more times to cover the tattoo. Remember: any camouflage technique will help cover your tattoo from a social distance. Using makeup for heavy coverage, whether it be for tattoos, bruising, scarring, or a severe skin condition, will help better conceal the area, but it will never be absolutely perfect.
I hope this blog was helpful to many of you who have lots of questions about Amazing Base and also the technique of covering tattoos. Please feel free to ask any more questions below, or post your own before and after tattoo coverage pictures on our Facebook page!
Posted by Joanna Mariani on Thu, Mar 29, 2012 @ 03:10 PM
Spring makeup this year is all about soft pastels and rosy pinks. Here’s a beautiful makeup look that you can rock this spring and all year long!
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Start by applying either PurePressed Base or Amazing Base as your foundation. It is important to ensure you have full sun protection, especially as the days get longer and sun exposure increases.
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Using your ring finger, gently swirl your fingertip along the surface of Petal Lid Primer, picking up a little bit of the primer. Then gently rub your finger on your entire eyelid and brow bone. Be sure not to use too much, as it may cause your eye shadow to crease. You shouldn’t be able to see the primer on your eyelid after applying it; if you do, then it’s too much.
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Using the Large Shader Brush, apply the lightest shade of Sweet Spot PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple to your entire eyelid and brow bone, completely covering the Petal Lid Primer.
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Using the Deluxe Shader Brush, apply the middle shade of Sweet Spot to your entire eye lid. Avoid covering the inner portion of your eye where your top and bottom lash line 
meet. Leaving this inner portion lighter will keep your eyes looking awake.
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Take your Crease Brush and use it to apply the darkest shade of Sweet Spot in your crease. The best way to do this is by gently brushing the Crease Brush onto the shadow; next, make one big swoop in your crease. Then move the brush back and forth in your crease, blending well. This shouldn’t look like a stripe but should help emphasize the point between your eyelid and brow bone.
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Using the Eye Shader Brush, tap it into the darkest shade of Sweet Spot and use it to cover the outer portion of your eyelid. Draw with the brush diagonally from where your crease line ends on the outer portion of your eyelid, down to the portion of your lash line just above your pupil. Fill this area in and blend well.
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Line your top lash line with the Basic Brown Eye Pencil and the bottom of your lower lash line, if you choose. When lining your bottom lash line, be sure not to go any further than three-quarter inches from the outside corner; if you completely line your bottom lash line, it will make your eyes look smaller and tired looking.
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Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner, followed by Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara in Espresso.
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Apply Cotton Candy PurePressed Blush to the apples of your cheeks using the Dome Brush. To find the apples of your cheeks, smile big and wide! The apples are the round part of your cheeks that pop out when you smile.
For a little extra glow, apply Rose Dawn Bronzer using the White Fan Brush to your cheekbones, forehead, and down the center of your face.
I hope you enjoyed this look! Please share your pictures on our Facebook page at facebook.com/janeiredale.
Posted by Joanna Mariani on Fri, Mar 09, 2012 @ 03:49 PM
At jane iredale, we all have our favorite makeup products and our own unique way of using them. Unfortunately, most of the time, on this blog, you only get to read one perspective. That is why today I reached out to 5 women in our marketing department and asked them each to send me their favorite makeup product and how they apply it. I hope you enjoy reading the diverse answers and are inspired!
My foundation of choice, and the one product I never leave the house without applying, is Amazing Base. I love the soft, luminous finish that it provides. In the winter I have terribly dry, red skin. Amazing Base covers the red spots completely so I never feel self-conscious. I apply Amazing Base with the Chisel Powder brush all over my face and neck and finish with a spritz of POMMISST – my hydration spray of choice because of the delicious scent. ~Jacqui, Marketing Coordinator
Mystikol. I use it every day. It can be as quick and easy as a swipe across the lash line, or as
sophisticated as I can devise (and I am creative with my eye makeup, it’s my favorite!). For more intense or precise application, I use the detail brush to wiggle it into the lash line, draw a winged cat eye, or smoke it out. I also use that Detail brush (just swipe it on the applicator tip) to apply Onyx or Lapis to the waterline. The color is intense and stays all day. I use it for everything from the most made up looks (smoky eyes) to the most laid back: with a dash of Eye Gloss for subtle, stay-put makeup when I am snowboarding. The great range of colors and intensities allow me all the versatility I need, and it STAYS PUT, because even though I love to play with my makeup in the morning, I don’t want to worry about it for the rest of the day. ~Angelica, Manager of Digital Marketing and Business Development
Moonglow Quad Bronzer - I lo
ve Moonglow! It’s my go-to product because it gives me a beautiful, natural looking glow. It’s also a great multi-tasker because it can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks- so versatile! I like to use the White Fan brush to apply Moonglow however; the Dome Brush can be used as well. I just pinch the top of the bristles of the White Fan brush together and swirl the brush around picking up all of the stunning, golden-bronze shades and then, I give the brush a quick tap against the side before sweeping the brush across my cheeks and down the front of my face starting at the middle of my forehead moving towards my chin. You’re instantly radiant with a touch of shimmer thanks to the 24-Karat gold flakes! ~Laura, E-commerce Manager
Next to PurePressed Base, the In Touch Complete highlighter is my new favorite product. 
Once I’ve got my foundation on and my skin tone evened out I use the highlighter to brighten things up. Working moms need all the help they can get to look awake and refreshed and this product does the trick! I use it on the tops of my cheekbones for a youthful glow and on my brow bones to open up my eyes. It also has a delicate citrus smell which is really uplifting in the mornings. I absolutely love this product! ~Connie, Marketing Communication Specialist
Complete In Touch Highlighter is my ‘go to’ product morning, noon and night. A quick application (with my finger) to the lids and my eyes look brighter and I feel energized (even when I’m not)! ~Jules, Promotion Support Manager
My absolute favorite product is the Champagne Silk Eye Gloss. I wear it every single day as a primer for my eye shadow, my makeup never budges and it lasts for many, many hours. I swipe the Eye Gloss over my entire lid using the doe foot that comes with it. I then blend it gently with my finger, just enough to even out the application, but not so much that I take it off. ~Joanna, Digital Marketing Communication Specialist
Please comment below with your own favorite product and how you like to apply it!
Posted by Joanna Mariani on Fri, Mar 02, 2012 @ 02:47 PM
The Spring 2012 makeup collection from jane iredale features two beautiful new Eye Glosses. If you haven't tried them yet, I'm here to say that once you do you will absolutely fall in love! They are so incredibly versatile, plus they do not smudge and do not fade. Today I want to share some of the great ways you can use Eye Glosses, and I hope you will return the favor and share your own tricks and tips.
The most popular way to use Eye Gloss is simply to add a wash of color to your eye lid. Some of the glosses, such as Champagne Silk, Lilac Silk, Peach Silk and Grey Silk, are more sheer. Brown Silk, Green Silk, Mauve Silk, Wine Silk, Pink Silk and Aqua Silk Eye Gloss are more heavily pigmented. Whether you are going for a run, or to work for the day, or dancing till the wee hours, this stuff will not budge! There are 3 ways you can apply Eye Gloss:
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Using the doe foot that comes with the Eye Gloss;
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Using your finger, squeeze a little gloss onto the doe foot and then pick it up with your ring finger and gently pat onto your eye; or
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Using the Sculpting or Camouflage brush, sqeeze a little gloss onto the doe foot and pick it up with the brush. If using the Sculpting brush apply by moving the brush in small circles, if using the Camouflage brush apply by moving the brush in short criss cross motions.
Keeping the setting power in mind, make sure you blend your Eye Gloss well. If there are any streaks they won't be going anywhere until you wash your face, so be sure to soften any edges before it drys, you can do this by gently patting the edges with your ring finger.
My favorite way of using Eye Gloss is as a primer. I apply a very sheer layer of Champagne Silk Eye Gloss every morning from my upper lash line to just under my eyebrow. I then apply my eyeshadow as usual on top of it. Not only does my eyeshadow stay put, but the Eye Gloss slightly intensifies the color of my eyeshadow so I can get the same look with less makeup; or use a bit more shadow and really see the color pop.
I introduced my mom to the Eye Gloss as a primer and she called me in shock saying, she had slept in her makeup (which I do not reccommend, even with jane iredale) and when she woke up her eyeshadow looked exactly how it did when she applied it the morning before. Yeah, that's staying power!
Our Marketing Manager, Honey found some great ways of playing with the Eye Glosses in our Spring Video featuring Aqua Silk Eye Gloss, Rio Just Kissed Lip Plumper and Rose Dawn Bronzer. She uses Brown Silk Eye Gloss on her lid and then using the Detail brush she lines her lower lash line with Brown Silk and her upper lash line with Aqua Silk Eye Gloss, it is gorgeous! You can watch the video below.
I hope this post inspired you to play with one of our favorite products, and answered some of your Eye Gloss questions. Please feel free to comment below, I love to hear from you!
Posted by Joanna Mariani on Thu, Feb 23, 2012 @ 12:53 PM
We have received a few questions regarding dry winter skin and makeup application, so I thought this would be a great place to share what I do during this season. While there many of different fantastic moisturizers out there, here are a few makeup tricks that can also combat the look and feel of dry skin.
Try adding a tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation under your powder. Liquid Minerals is my go-to foundation for the dryer months. I love the extra moisture I get with it and I feel that it offers me better coverage, especially when applying my PurePressed Base over it. I always wear my base over Liquid Minerals to ensure I have SPF coverage. Here is the best way I have found to apply Liquid Minerals:
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Squirt two pumps onto the back of your hand.
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Using your Foundation brush mix the product in a circular motion until all the ingredients are combined.
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Apply Liquid Minerals it to your face in criss-cross motions with your brush, be sure to work it in well for best results.
While I’m usually a PurePressed Base girl, during the dryer months I like to switch to Amazing Base. Amazing Base, as opposed to PurePressed Base, offers a more luminescent finish rather than a matte finish; this makes my face appear fresher at a time of the year when I do not have as much oil. This is how I like to apply Amazing Base:
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Gently tip Amazing Base over and tap on the bottom twice, knocking some powder into the cap.
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I then take my Chisel Powder brush and using all sides of the brush, wiggle the bristles into the powder, ensuring I pick it all up out of the cap.
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I then tap the brush on the cap to get off any excess powder.
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I apply Amazing Base by gently patting the sides of the brush on my face.
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I finish with a spritz of Hydration Spray, which helps to cover up any dry patches as well as set my minerals; D2O is my favorite for dryer skin.
The Complete In Touch Highlighter as well as the In Touch Cream Blushes are also fantastic for adding luminosity to your face. Think shimmer and gloss to freshen up your face and keep it glowing all year.
Last, but certainly not least, I am always sure to have my LipDrink handy. I love it for keeping my lips moist and it is especially great under Lip Fixations.
Posted by Joanna Mariani on Wed, Feb 01, 2012 @ 04:12 PM
Why clean your makeup brushes? There are three big reasons for doing so. The first is that dirty makeup brushes don’t perform as well. When your blush brush has so much powder on it that you don’t need to put any more on when you apply …well my friends, that’s no good. It can cause your makeup application to turn out looking very different than you expected: darker, more intense, or just plain muddy. The second reason to wash your brushes is that dirty brushes can transfer bacteria from our skin to our makeup products and back again. Cleaning your brushes regularly will ensure that you not only get rid of excess product but also bacteria and oils that have been transferred to your brush. That’s where we come to the third reason: caring for your brushes actually helps them to last longer. Brushes are a big investment, so we should be doing our best to protect them.
Optimally, we should wash our brushes once a week; I think I speak for most of us when I say that usually doesn’t happen. A realistic goal is to wash your brushes at least once a month. Below I have laid out the steps for washing your brushes in order to protect them and keep them lasting long. Today is the first of the month, so let’s try to make a goal together to wash our brushes on the first of every month.
Remember to love your brushes and they will love you back!
How to Clean Your Brushes
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Use warm water to saturate the brush hairs only. Be sure not to soak your brush as this will ruin it.
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Place a pea-sized amount of Truly Pure Shampoo & Conditioner, or any mild shampoo, into the palm of your hand and massage the cleanser into the hair. Do this until the cleanser has been completely dispersed among the brush hairs.
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Rinse the brush thoroughly until the water runs clear.
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Repeat as necessary.
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Create a ring with your index finger and thumb and pull the brush through the fingers while applying gentle pressure to remove excess water and maintain the brushes shape.
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Place on a towel and lay flat to dry. Never dry your brush in an upright position as this will loosen the glue that binds the brushes and lead to hair loss.
Never place your brushes in a sterilizer because it will permanently damage the
Posted by Joanna Mariani on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 @ 12:31 PM
I couldn’t help but be inspired by winter when creating this makeup look. Whether you love it or not, it’s hard to deny the beauty of white fluffy snow and the way it sparkles when the sun hits it. However, winter also means shorter days and sometimes tired eyes, which is why I also love this look to wake up and brighten my face.
• To keep my face moisturized during the winter, I always like to start with Dream Tint, which is a tinted SPF 15 moisturizer (click here to learn how to best apply Dream Tint). For extra coverage you can always add PurePressed Base or Amazing Base on top.
• Apply Champagne Silk Eye Gloss to your eyelid and the lower part of your brow bone, I like to use the doe foot that comes with the Eye Gloss to apply it. Just be sure the edges are blended well so that there are no harsh lines, you can do this using your fingers.
• Apply the white end of the White/Pink Highlighter to your brow bone using the side (not the tip), this will give you a much softer look. While still using the white end, highlight the inner corner of your eye and line your bottom lash line.
• Line your top lash line with the black Black/Brown Pencil. If you feel the line is too harsh you can soften it by dragging the Smudge brush gently back and forth over the line.
• Apply PureLash Extender and Conditioner followed by PureLash Lengthening and Thickening Mascara in Brown Black. Brown Black will give you a softer look, but if you love bold lashes use Jet Black instead.
• Using the White Fan brush, pinch the top of the brush so that the hair comes together. With the brush still pinched, gently swirl it in all the colors of Sunbeam. Release your hold so that the fan is now open and lightly apply Sunbeam to the apples of your cheek in a sideways sweeping motion.
• Using the Pink end of the Pink/White Highlighter, line your Cupids Bow (the little dip at the center of your top lip) this will give you a beautiful soft pout.
• Finish your look with Sugar Plum PureGloss.
I hope you love this winter look as much as me. If you try it please let me know and we would love to see your pictures on our Facebook page!
Posted by Joanna Mariani on Thu, Jan 19, 2012 @ 01:20 PM
This Chinese New Year makeup look was inspired by the year of the Dragon. According to the Chinese Zodiac*, “…the Dragon is the mightiest of the signs. Dragons symbolize such character traits as dominance and ambition. Dragons prefer to live by their own rules and if left on their own, are usually successful. They’re driven, unafraid of challenges, and willing to take risks. They’re passionate in all they do and they do things in grand fashion.” *http://www.chinesezodiac.com/dragon.php.
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Using the goWarm Eye Steppes, apply Beach eye shadow to your entire eyelid up to your brow bone using the Deluxe Shader brush.
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Apply Sunshine to your eyelid only using the Deluxe Shader brush.
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Using the Crease brush, apply Steamy to your crease.
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Apply Sandals to the outer corner of your eye using the Eye Shader brush, and blend well.
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Moisten your Angle Brow brush or Eye Liner/Brow brush using either water or a Hydration Spray. Using the brush, line your top and bottom lash lines with Mojito.
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Finish your eyes with PureLash Extender and Conditioner and Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara in Black Ice.
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Using your fingers or the Foundation brush, apply Confidence In Touch Cream Blush to your cheeks.
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Line your lips with the Spice Lip Definer.
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Finish your look with Passion Lip Fixation.
I hope you love this bold look as much as I do! If you try our Chinese New Year look we would love to have you upload a picture to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/janeiredale.
Posted by Joanna Mariani on Fri, Jan 06, 2012 @ 09:44 AM
Concealer is the unsung hero of our makeup bag. It discreetly helps us hide any perceived flaws or distractions we may not like so we can stop obsessing about them (you know we do!) and focus on enhancing our best features. Different problems call for different solutions, so this week I’m going to discuss our different concealers and what they do, to help you find the best one to suit your needs.
Active Light- Active Light adds light to your face wherever you need it. It brightens under-eye circles and also contains buckwheat extract to reduce puffiness and cucumber extract to soothe. It has a light texture and is relatively sheer. It can also be used on other areas of your face that you want to brighten, like the bridge of your nose, top of cheeks, or brow bone.
How to apply: My favorite way of applying Active Light is to place small dots under my eyes and then gently pat it to blend, with my ring finger. A great trick is to draw short lines, like the rays of the sun, from the under eye area to the tops of cheekbones. This brightens dark circles and highlights all at once. A little goes a long way. Until you get used to using the right amount for you, check in a mirror 30 minutes after applying. If you have some creasing, pat gently with the ring finger and apply a little less next time.
Best use: Active Light is best to use if you have slight under eye discoloration or puffiness and is perfect to create a brighter, more wide-awake look.
Circle/Delete- Circle/Delete is very emollient in texture and provides more opaque coverage. It is nourishing and helps hold in moisture. Due to its texture it is important to keep this concealer away from your lower lash line if you are wearing eye liner, as it may cause your eye liner to smudge. Circle/Delete is not only great for deeper under eye discoloration, but also works well to lighten the nasal-labial folds (puppet lines) around the mouth, to give a refreshed and lifted look.
How to apply: The best way to apply Circle/Delete is with the Camouflage brush. Using the brush pick up some of the concealer and apply using short criss-cross motions on the area you are trying to cover, this will allow the product to get into any tiny crevices and cover your under eye circles thoroughly. Continue to pat with your ring finger warming the product into my skin. As with Active Light, check for creasing after applying.
Best use: Circle/Delete is a good choice if you have dry or dehydrated skin, fine lines or darker under eye circles.
Zap&Hide- Zap&Hide is great for spot treatment of acne. It contains two sides; the Zap side treats acne spots while the Hide side is perfect for concealing your blemishes. The concealer comes in yellow tones, which are great for counteracting redness.
How to apply: You may apply this product directly to your skin. However, if you are breaking out you may choose to apply it using the Camouflage brush to prevent any bacteria transfer. Wash your brush with mild soap following the application.
Best use: Zap&Hide works best if you suffer from occasional breakouts, as it conceals while it heals.
Disappear- Disappear is a full coverage concealer that works best for more pronounced acne breakouts as well as redness and tattoo coverage. Green tea extract calms and protects against free radicals and acne bacteria.
How to apply: Squeeze a little Disappear onto a Camouflage brush and apply to the area you are trying to cover. To cover tattoos, layer Amazing Base using the Flocked Sponge and Disappear using the Camouflage brush to receive the fullest form of coverage.
Best use: Disappear is best used if you have redness, acne or tattoos.
I hope this was helpful in answering any question you may have on what concealer to choose for each distraction. If you have any other concealer questions, please post them below!