Karma Mineral Cosmetics – achieving a flawless base with mineral make-up

Applying your make-up to achieve a flawless look can seem like an art form, and if you’re a beginner it can take some time to perfect but with the correct tools and some know how, anyone can achieve a natural daytime look or a glamorous look for evening. Follow these simple steps for getting started with mineral cosmetics.

Follow these golden rules to get your base primed before you begin to “paint your canvas”

• Practice makes perfect – persevere when you have time. Never try something new when you are limited on time or going out as it could end in a make-up disaster.
• Always start with a cleansed, moisturised face, including eye gel under the eyes and a good quality SPF 30+, covering all areas which will be exposed to the sun.
• Exfoliate with a gentle product every 3 days. Use gentle circular motions, avoiding the eye area, and use luke warm water to rinse.
• Follow up the use of cream cleansers with a spritz of rose or lavender floral water.

How to apply mineral powder to your kabuki brush:

1. Tap a small amount of mineral powder into the lid of your jar. You only need a little bit as we are going to repeat the steps. This helps eliminate the mess usually made when we add too much into the lid at once. Take your kabuki and gently press it into the powder, rolling and pressing the brush into the powder, to get coverage all over the top of it.  Stand the kabuki upright and tap the bottom of the handle onto a hard surface. This ensures the powder settles into the brush and gives you more to work with.

Achieving a flawless base:

Toning it down

1. If you have a tendency toward redness, you will need to use a neutralising concealer before applying your foundation. Take a spatula, scrape out a tiny amount of Karma Mineral Flawless Finish in yellow, and wipe on the back of your hand, blending with your fingertips to melt the minerals. Dab the concealer over the areas you require to cover, then gently blend with your fingertips. You can use a concealing brush at this step, instead if you prefer. Do not blend until the product has disappeared.

2. Using the same method as above, conceal the area under your eyes with Karma Mineral Flawless Finish in Apricot. Go very gently in the eye area, as the skin here is far more delicate.

3. For areas of pigmentation, such as freckles and sunspots, use Karma Mineral Flawless Finish in Apricot to conceal lightly. You can go back over these areas once you have applied your mineral powder foundation.

Getting even

Once you have neutralised your base, it’s time to even it all out with your mineral powder foundation. The key to getting a natural, even looking coverage is not just in the application, but also in the shade itself. It is vital to choose a shade that matches your tone, otherwise you will end up with an obvious line around your face. If you have been having issues with shading, keep searching for the correct one. Once you find it, you will be amazed at the difference it makes to your appearance. I am happy to assist you with finding your correct shade, and can provide a sample of foundation for you to try. Click here to read more about FREE samples.

4.Take your kabuki and follow the above application on how to apply mineral powder to your kabuki brush.

5. Start in one area, brushing in a downward motion and rotating the brush every few strokes, so as to use all the powder in the brush. Move around the face in small patches, rather than trying to cover the lot in one step. Remember, you are layering the powder, and taking time to build the right coverage will prevent you looking cakey and heavy. Continue steps 4 and 5 until the desired coverage is achieved. You should not see any traces of the neutralising concealer once the right coverage is reached. Avoid brushing too much powder over the eye area, instead save this area until the end, when you have the least amount on the brush.

6. Skin which requires additional concealing will benefit from going back over any problem areas with Karma Mineral Flawless Finish in the flesh colour.

Get set

7. Finally, to set your make-up in place, eliminate creasing, the appearance of large pores and fine lines, use Karma Mineral Finishing Powder. Use a large powder brush to dust on a very light amount, going back over if you feel you require more. Remember – it is always best to use less the first time and build up product to suit your requirements. You will see how the skin looks sealed once you use this powder, and can be assured your make-up will now stay in place for a lot longer. People with oily or combination skin will generally require a touch up and may like to carry the concealer or powder foundation if persistant redness starts to break through later in the day, also.

Next, I’ll bring you some tips on getting your glow on, just in time for summer! Everyone can achieve dewy, radiant looking skin, and I will show you how to do it.

For more information on the range, please view the site or request info via the contact page – www.karmabeauty.net.au

Please leave feedback, including anything else you would like me to write about to help assist you with using mineral cosmetics or beauty queries in general

Stay tuned for more tips and answers to frequently asked questions!

Karma Mineral Cosmetics – A must read for teens or anyone with skin

I was cleaning my bathroom today, when I realised I had missed a heap of old products when I was “spring cleaning” the house last month. These old products I’m talking about are probably fine, as far as many people would be concerned, and still able to be used for several months to come. They weren’t off. They were just opened and sitting on the bath, in a huge line up, within my peripheral so that I would use them every time I got out of the shower. But in reality they were just taking up space and collecting dust. You see, not that long ago, I was a hoarder. I would collect all sorts of body lotions, tanning products, colour cosmetics, you name it. I tried all sorts of brands, from expensive Aveda, Napoleon and Kryolan, through to Avon, Clinique and Mary Kay, right down to your everyday Priceline favourites. I wasn’t loyal to any one brand unless I was promoting it. I loved to try new things and if it smelled good or had a pretty label, sometimes that was enough to make me buy it!

Bye, bye harmful chemicals

Never the less, into the bin they went. I know what you’re thinking – “why throw so much money away?” Well, not that long ago, when I was an uneducated product hoarder, I would have said the same thing. As soon as I started becoming more involved in my mineral cosmetics business, I became so much more aware of labels and the ingredients that go into the products I am using. It shocked me to learn about what these ingredients are doing to our skin and body, and that they are allowed to go into everything we use, including baby products. Some of those nasties are responsible for causing and exacerbating conditions such as rosacea, acne, eczema, dermatitis, blackheads, etc, etc. It also shocked me to find out that many companies are calling their products a mineral product, despite containing minimal quantities of the good ingredients, and large quantities of the nastier ingredients.

Bearing the scars for a lifetime

Unfortunately, I know only too well how these ingredients can contribute to skin problems. I used skincare and cosmetics filled with them, from a very young age, and now have the scars to remind me on a daily basis, of how inferior ingredients, along with the sun, cigarettes and alcohol, are simply our skins worst enemies. After years of constantly powdering my skin with talc filled compacts, and skin blotting tissues from the Body Shop (the talc covered variety), I am now marred with large pores and lots of blackheads. Anyone who has those will know that they are not easy to get rid of, and the temptation to rid them ourselves will only lead to further scarring.  As well as that, my skin, which has always been oily and sensitive, is now suffering from a condition known as rosacea. When I was younger, I had no idea about this condition, and just thought my skin was a little bit sensitive. Thanks to embarrassing redness, I would constantly wear foundation to cover my face. And of course, being young, I bought the cheaper brands filled with higher amounts of damaging chemicals. Plus mineral cosmetics weren’t around back then. Due to the oiliness and breakouts I use to suffer from terribly growing up, I continued to use harsh skincare which was more likely stripping away and upsetting the delicate balance of the skin’s ph mantle, thus resulting in the condition which I am now left with today. I can’t help but think that if I had known what I know today, about the ingredients in all those products which I spent a small fortune on over the years, I would have a better looking skin and have saved so much money. Not only on product, but on the treatments I will now have to undergo in order to clear up my skin conditions. There’s nothing cheap about salon treatments, but unfortunately the truth is that they are the only way I am going to rid my skin of blackheads and treat my rosacea. And the toll problem skin can take on one’s confidence levels is another matter again. The cost of using inferior brands really does add up, and the scars can last a lifetime. This is what makes me so passionate about making people, in particular mums and teens, more aware of the potential damage that can be avoided through education and change.

It’s what’s inside that counts

So, to finish up, if you haven’t already, please read my first post “Mineral Cosmetics, what you may not be aware of”, and start becoming ingredient savvy. You really owe it to yourself to know what you or your loved ones are really using and what it is doing to your skin. We only get one lot of skin and only one chance at looking after it. What we do to it now will show in years to come. If you sunbaked when you were a teen, for example, you will have the sun spots to prove it today. Now, let’s see if you can bring yourself to “spring clean” your make-up kit and bathroom. Don’t let the luscious smells and pretty labels with their crazy claims stop you from giving them the boot. Instead, let your new found awareness drive you to make a change right now. A change which you will be thankful for now, as well as in many years to come. And remember – it’s what’s inside that counts. A pretty jar or fancy packaging isn’t going to make you look good in the long run, and you will only have to look at the ingredients to discover that.

Thanks for reading and please keep following my posts to learn more about skin, skin conditions and how we can better look after it.

If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to share it

 

 

 

In the bin!

 

Mineral make-up – can you achieve a perfect base with a mineral powder?

Many times I get asked if the mineral range I use will be good enough to hide flaws and still look natural. As soon as I get this question, I find out which brands of mineral products my client have used, and most times the usual brands come up (I won’t supply any names). What I will tell you, is that those are the brands that include some or all of the nasties that a good range of minerals should be void of. I have already named the ingredients you need to be wary of, in another post (see “Mineral cosmetics – what you may not be aware of”) and just to reiterate, the range I use, Karma Mineral Cosmetics, does not include any of those nasties. A product which has the addition of those ingredients will be contain a lot less mineral content and therefore not be able to provide the benefits that a pure mineral range can.

Personally, I am extremely fussy about what I put on my own skin, so I wouldn’t compromise the health of my clients by putting something on their skin that I wouldn’t use on myself. As a make-up artist, it’s important for me to use a brand, or range of brands that are suitable for all skin types, are long wearing and look good on the skin as well as in photographs.

Not all mineral products are made the same.

So getting back to the question at hand; my answer is a little complex. The range itself is a complete range of cosmetics, not just a mineral powder which promises to be an all in one product, like some. And there is a good reason for this. Some brands of minerals have included the ingredients which the Karma range is void of, such as talc, clay and bismuth. These ingredients are included to cheaply “bulk” up a product, absorb shine and give the product “slip” for a silkier application. Unfortunately, due to the chemical composition and size of these ingredients, this can result in blocked pores, and dry, irritated, itchy skin. Karma Mineral Powder Foundation, and in general, other ranges which are void of the above inferior ingredients, are excellent base products. Due to their content of pure, finely crushed minerals, they are a highly pigmented powder which results in a very impressive and versatile product that can be applied lightly to achieve a sheer finish, heavier to achieve a fuller finish, and even as a concealer for problem areas, when applied with a fine brush. Thanks to the addition of the mineral zinc oxide,  mineral powder foundation also offers sun protection. It should not be considered a substitute, however, for using a full spectrum sun block under your foundation.

Setting powder: In most cases, it’s highly recommendable to finish with a setting powder, as this gives the skin a smoother appearance, minimises the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores, plus keeps shine at bay. Some skin types, such as dry or normal, may find they are complete without the addition of a mineral setting powder, and this is fine. The most important rule anyone should note is the use of a moisturiser and sunscreen before applying your base. This is vital, and will not only protect your skin from the elements, but make a phenomonal difference to the way your base sits on your skin and wears during the day. You may also find it beneficial to use a primer over the top of your moisturiser before applying your base. These are great for increasing the wear of your base, but not absolutely necessary. It’s a matter of personal preference. As with cosmetics, primers tend to include some of the nasties I have mentioned previously, so please be aware of that when choosing your ideal primer.

Under eyes: Using your mineral powder foundation around the eyes is a big no no. If you use the same shade of foundation around your eyes, as you do on your face, you will end up with noticable rings, which will look cakey and unattractive. The skin under the eyes is a lot more delicate due to lack of sebaceous glands, therefore requires more hydration. For covering the area under the eye, I highly recommend using a creamier product, and one that is a shade lighter than your foundation. Using a powder based product under the eyes will only draw attention to fine lines, so if you do follow up your concealer with a setting powder, just make it a very light dusting around the eyes, otherwise it will look heavy and cakey. I’m going to talk more in depth about how to apply your cosmetics, which colours suit who, and how to camouflage imperfections, in several posts to come, so stay tuned for that shortly.

Concealers & neutralisers: Skin types with problems such as breakouts, pigmentation and redness from sensitivites and rosacea, will require the use of a concealing and neutralising product. Thanks to the pigment dense formulation, most skin imperfections can be easily covered with the mineral powder foundation alone. For a completely flawless finish, the use of these additional products is ideal. Karma Mineral Flawless Finish is perfect for providing the ultimate coverage and is safe for use on all skin types, including sensitive and rosacea types.

So, to wrap it up, mineral powder foundations can give you the ultimate base. The key is in the technique, the tools and knowing whether you need to use them in conjunction with a concealing and/or neutralising product. Please take a look at my other post here, on applying mineral cosmetics, for application instructions and tips.

For more information on the Karma Mineral Cosmetics range, please view the site – www.karmabeauty.net.au

Feel free to post a comment or a query here – I’d love to answer any other questions you have about mineral products or beauty in general. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more soon

Mineral cosmetics – what you may not be aware of….

If you haven’t heard about all the benefits of mineral cosmetics by now then one must wonder “where have you been?!” As a consumer myself I understand how confusing it can be when making a purchase. We see new brands hit the market constantly so our choices are endless. Whatever you may or may not know about mineral cosmetics it doesn’t matter because I have put together an article to get you up to speed on everything you need to know, including the good and the bad of mineral make-up and how to safely choose your products.

Don’t believe the hype:

Beware that just because a product mentions the word “mineral” in the name, it does not necessarily mean it is a pure mineral product. And don’t be fooled into thinking they all contain natural ingredients. Some companies still use harmful chemicals and only have to mention the word mineral to fool the more unsuspecting of us into thinking it must be good.

A lot of the commercial cosmetic brands jumped straight on the mineral bandwagon once word got out on how wonderful minerals are. And when they did, what do you think the number one thing was that stood out against their more natural branded competitors? Price! They retailed their goods at a fraction of the cost of the natural cosmetics companies, and the reason for this is because they use cheap and nasty ingredients to bulk up the product, and only a tiny amount of the pure mineral ingredients responsible for giving the product any integrity and our skin any benefits. And how do they retain sales despite selling lower quality goods? The same way commercial brands have done for years – clever marketing, big budgets, fancy packaging and pretty faces plus big name celebrities. Learn to look beyond that by equipping yourself with facts about what matters the most – the ingredients. After all, you’re paying for the product to make you feel and look good, not for packaging that’s only going to make your make-up bag look good! When you use products filled with chemicals and fillers you potentially buy into long term skin and body issues – not such a good look in the end.

Become ingredient savvy:

Learn about what goes into products and what they do to your skin and body. Once you know which ingredients to avoid, making purchases will be so much easier. Below are just a handful of common ingredients which you are likely to find if you pick up a couple of products you have in your make-up purse right now.

Some typical fillers include:

• Talc – known to block pores (comedogenic), linked to lung problems and known as being a carcinogen

• Kaolin – also known as clay; can be drying on the skin

Some harmful ingredients to avoid:

• Bismuth Oxychloride – a common addition to mineral powder foundations; known to cause itching, breakouts and irritation to some skin types

• Mineral oil – a by product of petroleum, used widely in cosmetics and skincare as well as baby care products; known as a skin irritant and to block pores.

• Dimethicone – used to give products slip, used widely in primers and many skincare products; can suffocate the pores by adding a layer over the skin, leading to skin breakouts and pore blockages.

• Parabens - used widely in skincare, cosmetics and hair products as a preservative; known to be linked to cancer.

• Isopropyl/alcohol - known to be ageing and drying on the skin.

A few extra things to consider when making a purchase:

• Is the brand cruelty free? You would be amazed to learn of some of the commercial brands still test on animals. This practice is totally unnecessary and should be banned.
• Are you paying extra for packaging and big budget marketing? It’s easy to get drawn in by pretty packaging but in the end it’s what’s in the jar that counts and in this economic climate value for money is what consumers should be investing in. 

I hope this helps clear some confusion about the differences between some of the leading brands of natural mineral companies and the commercial brands we have grown up with. Feel free to leave a comment or contact me with any queries. And be sure to take a look at the range in the Karma store; we offer a money back return on all goods plus personalised service over the phone, email, or if you live in Melbourne make a booking to see the range in the comfort of your own location  - http://www.karmabeauty.net.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41&vmcchk=1&Itemid=41

Please feel free to leave a comment or contact me personally