Posted by Angelica Chayes on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 @ 10:21 AM
I'm sorry for the delay in postings, but I have just been on vacation (YAY!). I thought it would be fun to see what we bring with us in our makeup bags when we travel.
I love traveling light. I'd rather go without than be weighed down. The few things I pack are soft knitted separates that can be mixed and matched endlessly, and don't need ironing: a jersey dress, a cardigan, leggings, skirt, tanks. This can last me two weeks! My makeup kit is similar:
- Powder-Me SPF.
- PurePressed Base (used as foundation, sun block, and concealer. Really, it is my new favorite concealer, applied with the Sculpting Brush to my under eye circles and the redness around the corners of my nose).
- Pommisst Hydration Spray - brilliant for dry planes, in a travel-friendly 2 oz. bottle.
- Double Dazzle for a touch of shimmer on the lids or full cocktail party eyes; as well as lip color when needed.
- Black Pencil for the water line and lash lines.
- Lip Drink.
While this may sound like vacation packing (and it is) I use this formula for business travel as well. I might add my favorite Uniqlo blazer and one eye shadow triple instead of the Glimmer Gold.
My dear friend and colleague Laura is always prepared for everything, and her travel makeup kit proves it. When travelling, she will be equally confident on a hike in the woods or at a red carpet event, because in her Quilted Makeup Bag she packs:
- Deluxe Travel Size Dream Tint
- Active Light
- PurePressed Base
- Moonglow
- So-Bronze 3
- 2 Hydration Sprays- Pommisst and D20 (WHY? Because she likes to have options)
- Lid Primer
- 2 Longest Lash Mascaras – Black Ice and Espresso
- PureLash Extender & Conditioner
- 2 Cream to Powder Eyeliners- Black Plus and Black/Brown
- Champagne Eye Gloss
- PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple – Brown Sugar (this is the one I would bring too. it is so versatile!)
- Perfectly Nude Eye Shadow Kit
- Double Dazzle
- Powder-Me SPF
- 4 PureGloss (depending on the season…) Apricot Fizz, Cotton Candy, Soft Peach, Pink Candy
- 2 Lip Definers- Nude and Spice
- Lip Drink
- Pencil Sharpener
- 10 Brushes: Blending, Camouflage, Handi, White Fan, Detail, Deluxe Shader, Crease, Smudge, Deluxe Spoolie, Eye Brush/Comb
I wrote to Jane while she was on vacation to see what she had packed. She wrote back:
- PurePressed Base
- D20
- brown XXX but you can't say that yet (sorry friends, this is a soon-to-be released product. I will fill this in later, after we release it!)
- Powder-Me, too, of course.
- Lash Conditioner and Lengthening Mascara,
- oh and Whisper Blush which I can also use on my eyes.
Now it's your turn. Please share your travel tips! What do you bring in your makeup kit when you travel?
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Fri, Jun 04, 2010 @ 11:29 AM
Every makeup artist I have ever spoken to says eyebrows are the most important facial feature. All angles of the face are determined by the brows: they can lift the eyes; narrow or widen the face. While there is a lot of opportunity here, it is important to let your natural shape be your guide. It is probably close to optimal for your face and anything too drastic can look unnatural. Here are some techniques from our team of fabulous makeup artist educators.
Basic Shaping:
- The inner edge of the brow should line up with the outside of the corresponding nostril (A).
- The highest point of the arch should be just at the outer edge of the eyeball. (B)
- The outer brow should taper off to a point that intersects with an imaginary line drawn from the outer nostril past the outer edge of the eye (C), and you thought geometry wouldn't be useful later in life! It sounds complicated, but just follow the drawing.
Advanced techniques:
- You can lift an experienced eye with strategic eyebrow shaping! With an experienced eye, the lid has a tendency to be heavy. Extending the brow down to the "D" line can drag the lid down and make the eyes look tired. Instead, try feathering the brow upward and out from the arch to just above the outer corner of the eye (E). Please keep it natural, we don't want to create wings here!
- To minimize the curve of a round face, direct the outer third of the brow towards the top of the ear.
- If the face is square, direct it toward the middle of the ear. This helps balance the face.
- If the face is long, keep the brow more straight across, directing it above the ear.
- An oval face already looks balanced, but to enhance this harmony, you can direct the outer third towards the ear lobe.
Eyebrow makeup
No matter how full and perhaps even unruly your eyebrows are (hello!), a little eyebrow makeup works wonders for your look.
- At the very least groom them. Every morning when you do your makeup, run a Deluxe Spoolie Brush through them (it works much better than an old toothbrush, believe me I have tried them both).
- A bit of eyebrow wax will hold them in place beautifully.
- Most brows have some thin places that need to be filled in. Try the brow powders in our new Bitty Brow Kit, any appropriate shade of PurePressed Eye Shadow or a soft shade of Pencil (Taupe is a favorite). Comb the brows down and apply the color directly to the sparse patches on the skin. If the brow needs lengthening, apply the color with light feathery strokes.
- Brows can be colored and held in place in one step with PureBrow Gels. Lightly stroke the wand into the hairs, using a little at a time. Smooth with your Deluxe Spoolie Brush.
Tips:
- If you want to preview a new brow look before you commit to plucking, use White or Taupe Pencil (depending on your skin tone) to color over the places you intend to pluck out.
- Beware of over plucking, as too-thin brows can actually age you (gasp)!
- Nobody's eyebrows are totally symmetrical. Be careful of using stencils, as they can make your brows look unnatural.
- The hair and brow color should match pretty closely. PureBrow Gels can change the color of your brows, if you want. When my blonde sister goes very strawberry, she reaches for Auburn; or try the Bitty Brow Kit in Blonde.
- For silver-haired lovelies, try Longest Lash Mascara in Slate Grey on your brows. Or if you prefer powder, try Slate Brown PurePressed Eye Shadow.
So tell me, please! How important is brow maintenance to you? Do you DIY or do you have them shaped professionally? Do you wear eyebrow makeup? Pencil or powder?
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Thu, Jan 21, 2010 @ 11:11 AM
I may be nearly unique among all my friends and co-workers in that I LOVE winter. Here at the jane iredale home office, it is a winter wonderland. The frigid temperatures have us all outfitted in furry boots and furry hats, while snow-lined streets and snow-covered trees look absolutely beautiful.
What does not look beautiful is my winter skin. When temperatures plunge, the blood retreats to warm the core, leaving the face pallid. Dryness from indoor heat and outdoor winds adds to the dullness. I may feel invigorated, but I look like death!
Fortunately, where there's a beauty problem, there is usually a makeup solution. My answer to the winter doldrums? Blush and lots of it! My favorite for winter is In Touch Cream Blush because it is creamy and moist (and smells like chocolate). The shades look intense in the tube, but on the face they give such a fresh flush of color, it's like you've been sledding, throwing snowballs and sitting by the fire drinking cocoa.
Applying it is so easy: it can be swiped on straight from the tube and blended with the fingers. But to make a single tube last absolutely ages (and to keep those fingers clean), use the Foundation Brush or the Blending Brush. Apply blush from the tube to the brush, and then sweep the brush over the roundest part of your cheeks. Keeping it to the outer half of the cheeks really opens up the face.
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 @ 04:11 PM
Beauty means so many things to different people, but most of us identify with one (or many) icons of beauty and style. Do you see yourself as the easy-going beauty next door? Are you classically stylish with a quirky twist? Maybe you're a blonde bombshell, a sultry vixen, or a fearless trend-setter. Or maybe it depends on the day!
Whoever you are or would like to be, let your voice be heard! We have a fun poll on Facebook, and would love to know: who is your beauty icon?
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Fri, Oct 23, 2009 @ 12:32 PM
One of my favorite makeup looks this fall is the balanced face. Equal definition on lips and eyes looks sophisticated, sexy and polished.
Trend #2: Balanced Definition
Goes well with: Elegant day wear (think Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss); or skinny jeans tucked into knee length boots.
Our take:
Here are some shade combinations to try:
- Silver Lining PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple with Black/Grey Pencil; In Touch Cream Blush in Connection; Terra Cotta Lip Definer with Iced Mocha PureGloss.
- Khaki KrazePurePressed Eye Shadow Triple with Black/Brown Pencil; In Touch Cream Blush in Chemistry; Sienna Lip Definer and Hazelnut PureGloss.
- Cloud Nine PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple with Black/Grey Pencil; In Touch Cream Blush in Charisma; Rose Lip Definer and Rasberry PureGloss.
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Fri, Aug 21, 2009 @ 02:34 PM
Does blush disappear on your face? It used to evaporate on mine, so I always left the house looking like a clown, hoping it would last till noon. Recently, I was lucky enough to have my makeup done at an event by our makeup artist and educator, the amazing Kevin Mendelson. He told if my blush disappears, then my skin was dehydrated. I started using Dream Tint every day under my PurePressed Base (I used to just use it on weekends instead of foundation) and I also began taking omega fatty acid supplements. My skin looks more plump and smooth than it has in ages. Sometimes I even forget to moisturize after cleansing because it doesn't feel tight! Best of all, I applied my makeup at 8 o'clock this morning and I just checked in the mirror (it's 3 pm); I don't need a touch up. No more disappearing blush!
A natural flush makes you look awake, healthy and vibrant. For cheeks that are natural and glowing all day long, try this: after applying Dream Tint, but before foundation if you are wearing it. Smile to find the apples of the cheeks and then rub a streak or two of In Touch Cream Blush straight from the tube on the part that sticks out the most. To open up the face, place it no closer in than the iris of the eye. Use the Foundation Brush to blend in a circular motion, up and out towards the temple. If I am already (gasp) at my desk, I use my fingers to blend and it works just fine. Then go on to apply your regular foundation. You will look lit from within. How simple is that?
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 @ 10:43 AM
There was this great article from Yahoo and Real Simple showing four clothing colors that are universally flattering.
These colors are gorgeous, and you can see from the pictures below that they flatter quite different skin tones. If they look good on your body, how much better will they look on your face? It was easy to find these shades throughout our line; here are some of my favorites, try them out and have some fun:
Eggplant - Mauve Silk Eye Gloss; Cloud Nine PurePressed EyeShadow Triple
True Red - Carrie PureMoist LipColour; Crimson Lip Definer.
Teal - Azure PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple; Aquamarine 24-Karat Gold Dust
Mellow Rose - Antique Rose PurePressed Eye Shadow; Soft Peach PureGloss
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 @ 04:20 PM
I am always so proud of the amazing quality and versatility of our products, which makes them such a great value. This blog is dedicated to describing new and unusual ways our make-up can be used, but here are some strange-but-true alternative uses we gathered from blogs, Twitter, etc. Have some of your own? Don't be shy, post them here!
- Truly Pure, our makeup brush shampoo, makes an amazing sulphate free shampoo for your hair!
- Disappear takes the itch out of mosquito bites.
- The zap (clear) side of Zap&Hide smooths severely dry, flaky lips.
- Botanical Brush Cleaner makes a great DEET-free and pleasant smelling bug repellent (I personally can't stand the smell of Citronella).
- D20tames frizzies! I know we gals from the Northeast are suffering with bad hair this summer!
- Pommisstcan be used like Fabreeze, spray it on bedding and clothes for a sweet smell. D20 also keeps sweaters fresh when you pack them away for winter.
- Balancecan be used in a pinch as a substitute for deodorant; perhaps it is the Tea Tree Oil in it.
- One person wrote that when she had a skin rash, her doctor suggested she use something with Titanium Dioxide in it. She dusted herself with Powder-Me SPF and her skin felt better and it also helped camouflage the spots.
- One esthetician uses shades from our Super Shape Me Brow Kit to cover up her clients' roots between coloring
- Lip Drink conditions and tames unruly brows. This is great for busy-morning makeup!
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Mon, Jun 15, 2009 @ 09:50 AM
One of the things I love about jane iredale mineral make-up is how versatile it is. So I really got excited about this tip from one of our sales consultants: Mix an Eye Gloss in with your lip color to make it more color-stay. Her own favorite combination is to mix the Peach Eye Gloss with Clarity In Touch Cream Blush then top with In the Pink PureGloss. She says "It is my FAVORITE pale pink and it stays all night!
The combinations are endless: Some suggestions for Eye Gloss shades include Peach, Champagne, Lilac, and Wine Silk (especially lovely on darker skin tones). I mixed Lilac Silk Eye Gloss with Erin LipColour to create the perfect shade of cool, shimmery pink that complimented this gorgeous eye shadow look using Cloud Nine. And it lasted for hours. A bit of gloss or Lip Drink on top helps keep it moist.
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Mon, Jun 15, 2009 @ 08:04 AM
Whether you're using cream or powder blush, apply it to the apples of the cheeks, which is the part that protrudes when you smile. I know you've heard that part a million times but here is the key: apply color no closer in than the iris of your eye, and then blend up and out. This simple make-up technique really opens up the face and makes a huge difference (thanks Jane)!