That’s the Beauty of it!

After tons of experimenting, mixing and re-mixing we have finally come up with our new “Zit Zapper” Blemish Stick!  Packaged in a glass roll on bottle, this formula will help dry up acne quickly and will reduce inflammation on existing blemishes!  Here are our tester’s comments! 

Did the Zit Zapper dry out your skin in the areas where applied?

Only on the first day of using it, after that, it was fine, but I do use a moisturizer as well out of habit.

It did dry out the area but I tried to just use as a spot treatment because of experience with other acne treatment sticks. I believe it will be useful with large inflammations.

Not at all

Somewhat but not bad!  But I like that because it helps dry up rid of the zit!

A couple of times I noticed the skin peeled where I had been applying it a couple times a day to a bigger zit.  But it just flaked off and was fine.

Did you have any adverse reactions to the Zit Zapper?No

No negative reaction or allergic reaction just a little dryness in the spot applied.

 

The first time I used it I had a bit of stinging but I haven’t since.

 

Not at all

 

None whatsoever. It’s great!

 

Other than a little dry a couple times, no.

 

 

Did the Zit Zapper bring your flare up to a head faster?

 

It seemed to work about the same as my 2% salicylic acid gel that I use, which was very impressive, but it worked very quickly when I paired these together.  

 

I was very pleased!

 

It actually reduced the flare up but when used it was on a very small blemish.

 

Yes

 

I don’t think so, but it calmed it down and dried it up and it was gone pretty quickly…quicker than if I had not done anything with it.

It did not seem to, no. As a matter of fact, it seemed as if the zit I developed never came to the surface at all.

 

While using the Zit Zapper, I noticed that one blemish quickly came to a head and then subsided.

 

It seemed to, yes.  Pimples that would normally take days to come to a head seemed would be gone after only a day or two.

 

 

Did any acne flare ups diminish faster once applying it?

 

It seemed to work about the same as my 2% salicylic acid gel that I use, which was very impressive, but it worked very quickly when I paired these together.  I was very pleased   I used it as a spot treatment by itself for a few days, and then I paired them for a few days to see the difference.

 

Yes the small blemish was reduced in size. I have yet to have a large flare up.

 

Yes!

 

It seemed to take almost as long as a normal zit to go away… about a week or so. It didn’t have miraculous results for me by any means. But one thing I did notice is that because the zit healed beneath the surface and never came to a head and bulged the skin at the surface, I didn’t end up with any hyper pigmentation after the zit had healed – which is a pretty nice bonus! My skin generally develops some kind of hyper pigmentation-type scarring after a large zit (as this one was) goes away because of the stretching of my darker skin. I’m glad I don’t have a mark after this zit!

 

I applied the Zit Zapper to an area of my chin that was threatening to break out and luckily, my skin did not break out.  Also, my blemishes are always associated with redness and inflammation.  Most of the time the inflammation is worse than the actual blemish.  I noticed that the Zit Zapper really cooled the inflammation and reduced the redness.  For me, this is probably the most helpful aspect of the Zit Zapper.

 

I had one deep hard zit on the edge of the bottom of my nose. Zit Zapper dried it up quickly (3 days max)

Did you notice any shrinking of pores after using the Zit Zapper?

 

I began using this on my areas that I do get blackheads, which is mainly my nose and cheeks, and it seemed to keep my pores really clean after exfoliating.

Yes there is a tightening feeling to the skin but you have to be careful to only apply to the problem area otherwise it might dry out the skin. I’m not sure it the pores shrunk in size. 

Yes, on my cheek area

My pores are definitely less inflamed.

 

I haven’t really had a flare-up since using it yet.

  

Did the Zit Zapper help with sloughing dead skin cells faster and regenerate softer smoother skin?

  

Yes, my skin tone looks more even.

 

I liked that the zit zapper helped dry out the blemish I had then it was easy to use a scrub cleanser to help slough off the dry skin.

 

Yes and in combination with the facial setting spritz it made my skin soft. 

 

That could possibly be why I didn’t end up with a hyper pigmentation mark after my zit healed.

 

I believe so!

What is your overall opinion of the new Zit Zapper Stick?

 

I really like the formula.  My skin is oily enough that it works as a good toner-like product as well as a spot treatment.  I’ve also noticed my skin hasn’t been as oily as usual, which further reduces the problem areas.

 

I am glad to have tried it. I feel it will be beneficial when I do get those large inflamed blemishes and will help with a quicker recovery. I also like that there isn’t a strong chemical smell or feel to the stick its easily applied and has a clean tea tree oil smell to it.

 

Nice product.  It is nice to know that there is a natural alternative for my sensitive skin.

 

I loved it because it worked very well, was easy to use, and didn’t show when used over makeup.  Smell took some getting used to but I am sure that can’t be helped.

 

I didn’t think it was a big deal at first, in fact, I’d wished it was a little stronger so that results would be quicker – but after my husband pointed out that the big zit I got didn’t leave a mark like they usually do, THAT’S when I became impressed! I don’t mind that I get zits, but I do mind that sometimes for a month or two afterwards I’m still seeing the “scar” leftover from the breakout, so my skin never seems flawless or nice. It’s disheartening. So if this thing can help keep me from getting those marks, when the breakout is gone I’ll feel much more confident. That is MAJOR!

 

It works great and smells good too! Thanks!

 

This is a wonderful product!  As I mentioned, my skin is incredibly sensitive.  To have a product that is gentle, natural and effective is amazing.  I plan to apply the Zit Zapper to my trouble spots on a daily basis to keep them under control. One thing I did notice about the product is that you really have to turn the tube upside-down to get the product out.  My neck is flexible so I am able to tilt my head and apply.  But if I had a stiff neck, I’d have trouble applying the Zit Zapper.

 

I LOVE IT!! GREAT JOB!!!

 

Personally, I love it. I like the fact you can direct the liquid to the exact spot with the applicator tip.

 

Works very well for me; I’d buy it again.  I like to keep my face-care routine as simple as possible, so this is great.  A quick application when needed and I’m done, and it seems to work well and quickly without drying out my skin too badly. 

 Check it out Here!

 

 

Tags: acne, acne fighter, anti-drying, blackhead, blemish, clearasil, effect-because, face, face-clear, flare up, oily skin, proactive, reduce acne, salicylic acid, spot-treatment, whitehead, zit

5 Trends in Natural Cosmetics

Every year, the makeup industry develops new and improved formulations of their popular products.  Currently, one of the hottest trends is natural cosmetics.  Rapidly gaining in popularity, natural cosmetics are taking the makeup industry by storm – and for good reason.

1.      Going organic

Many women are starting to go organic with the foods that they eat and the cleaning products that they use.  It is no wonder that they are also considering organics for their beauty products.  Organic and natural cosmetics, just like other organic products, do not include synthetic or man-made ingredients.  Many also avoid animal testing.  This makes natural cosmetics extremely popular with those women who are health and environment conscious.

2.      Natural colors

Another trend in natural cosmetics is natural colors.  Natural colors are very popular, since many natural cosmetics are designed to give a natural look, instead of a “made up” one.  Pigments are often derived from vegetables, fruits, herbs, and minerals.  With natural cosmetics, your berry-colored lipstick might actually get its coloring from real berries.

3.      Natural ingredients

Another trend in natural cosmetics is to opt for natural ingredients.  Traditional cosmetics often include manmade ingredients to create the consistency and bonding that the makeup needs in order to be easy to apply and wear well.  However, natural cosmetics use organic oils, minerals, clays, and other natural ingredients to have the same effect.

4.      Eliminating toxins

Many women are experiencing a growing concern about toxins that are being found in items that are used every day.  It seems that on nearly a daily basis, the medical or scientific community finds yet another commonly-used chemical that has been linked to cancer, birth defects, or debilitating diseases.  However, many of these ingredients are used in the products that we have come to depend on, like makeup, personal care products, and cleaners.  However, by choosing natural cosmetics, women can make an effort to help reduce or even eliminate their exposure to these toxins.

5.      Reduce allergens

Another common problem with traditional cosmetics is that women with sensitive skin can have a hard time wearing them without experiencing a reaction.  Some traditional cosmetics will make acne and other skin breakouts worse.  Natural cosmetics, on the other hand, have removed many of the chemical irritants.  As an added bonus, the natural ingredients found in natural cosmetics can actually be beneficial for skin.  Mineral makeup, for example, is rapidly growing in popularity and has been shown to help heal skin and reduce redness.  In fact, even women with Rosacea have been able to wear mineral makeup beautifully. 

If you are looking to try natural cosmetics, there is one thing to remember – as of yet, there is no set standard for natural cosmetics.  Be sure to do your homework and learn how to read ingredient labels before purchasing to make sure that you are indeed enjoying natural cosmetics ingredients.  Doing research on different natural cosmetic companies before you buy can help you to decide which ones are the best and offer the best skin care products for your needs.

Check out our new eye shadow colors.

Colors Shown starting at the top and working clockwise are: Blue Moon, Dragonfly, Muse, Sand Dollar, Meadow and in the middle is Star Light! 

Enjoy!

De

Tags: eyeshadows, Fall eyeshadow colors, highlighter, Mineral, Mineral Eye Shadows, powder shadows, white eye shadow

Why do they use Camel Hair in my Makeup Brushes?

Tags: application, Brushes, makeup application tools, mineral makeup, Mineral Makeup Brushes, natural hair, synthetic

 Makeup tools, which ones do I really need?

So you are still wondering what brushes you really need to purchase to get that perfect application when applying Mineral Makeup?  Well, to be honest you can get by with just three basic brushes if you need to. Of course it’s always fun to have a few extra brushes to play with! But, here are the three main brushes that you will want to invest in for starters!

The Kabuki - Real or synthetic hair, mini or large its all a personal decision.  Just be sure the brush hairs feel dense and the bristles are not too stiff.  I prefer the synthetic brushes as they are much softer on my sensitive skin and apply the minerals very well. Kabukis will typically give you a medium to full coverage in the least amount of steps.  I know what you are thinking too, synthetic brushes shed hairs and fall apart so quickly!  That was true just a few years ago but, today we have much better quality brushes that dont shed, and actually will last longer than natural hair brushes!
 
A Concealer Brush -  These are typically synthetic bristle brushes. They do not absorb as much as a natural hair brush so they are great for applying a liquid or dry concealer. My daughters like to mix some of their lotion along with a concealer to create their own liquid concealer.  They use the brush to apply the concealer to areas that have had breakouts and are slightly drier than the rest of their skin.  This is my favorite brush for applying my concealer to all those broken blood vessels that keep popping up as I get older.  

A Blush or Finishing Powder Brush - I typically use my Tapered Cheek Brush to apply my blush and then dip it into my Satin Finishing Silk to finish my daytime makeup routine.  If you dont have a Tapered Cheek or some other blush brush you can always use the Flawless Face or similar type of brush. Don’t worry about using the same brush for more than one thing, as long as there is not too much sheen in a product, brushes can be used for many different applications. 

So those are the three basic must have brushes in my opinion.  Some other brushes or tools you will want to eventually invest in are: 

Tweezers - Just spend the extra couple of dollars to get the good one! Well, unless you’re prone to losing them like my daughter. But, a good tweezer will get those fine little hairs and save you so much more money in the long run compared to waxing. Besides, waxing breaks down the collagen around the eyes and makes those droopy lids appear much faster than any of us want!

Eyelash Curler -  This is a must for me!  I have stick straight, white eyelashes that stick out like a sore thumb!  A quick curl and a coat of mascara will make your eyes pop and create a totally finished look to your makeup. Dont invest in the heated eyelash curlers they are harsh on your eyelashes just like a straightening iron and sometimes if used inncorrectly can cause burns to the eyelids.  My eyes tear up just thinking about it!

Eye Brow Brush/Comb -   Yes you need to tame those monsters! The comb is great when you need to hold the hairs that need to be trimmed instead of plucked and the brush works great when dipped in minerals to fill in those sparse areas that have been overplucked!

Eye Shadow Brush - Yes, I said brush.  Sponge applicators are ok for shadows that have tons of glitter but, brushes work just as well if not better!  You may choose to have a few different shapes and sizes as well.  I like using the Wet/Dry Brush for all over application and the Smudge Brush for getting into the crease of my eye.  Each brush has a specific job, but you can get by with one good quality brush to start with.  

Eye Liner Brush  -  Whether it is a Thin Liner, a Flat Liner or a Line and Smudge everyone needs a little definition to their eyes.  Find a brush that is comfortable in your hand at all angles and lining will be a quick and easy task! If you like a thicker line or cat eyes try a Lip Liner Brush.  It makes drawing the line much easier in one quick swoop.

Fan Brush - Fan brushes are nice but, not absolutely necessary. They remove loose eye shadow from under the eyes without streaking and can be used for applying Bronzers or Finishing Powders that contain a slight amount of sheen.

Alright, those are the basics of brushes. Just be sure to buy quality brushes the first time, so you dont have to keep investing in a new brush every few months. It will actually save you big money in the long run!

Next time I will go over the different hair types used in makeup brushes. In the mean time here’s a question for you.  Is a Camel hair brush really made out of Camel hair and if so what part of the camel do they get it from?

Tags: Beauty Tools, Brushes, Makeup Brushes, Mineral Makeup Brushes

Do I have to use all those Makeup Tools to apply my Makeup?

When I first starting experimenting with makeup at the age of 12, I used the brushes that came with the products.  Like those little sponge applicators or the teeny tiny blush brushes that came in my Bonne Bell Blush compacts.  I never understood how you were supposed to use one sponge applicator with 12 different eye shadows in the pallette? Well, over the years I started to get frustrated with those little brushes and the mess they would make. Or worse watching the sponge heads fall off the little plastic stick within a week.  So I did what any smart, savy girl would do, I started using my fingers!  I applied my eyeshadow with either my fingers or grabbed a q-tip to create some wet and wild looks. I applied my blush with my fingers and a cotton ball to smoothe it out, and well my foundation was liquid so what better than my fingers to apply that as well. Who needs a brush, I had fingers to create my perect makeup look! 

Well, slowly I learned that your fingers can work for awhile but, when you want a polished and precise makeup look you might have to invest in some tools.  So at the age of 15 with my babysitting money wadded up in my pocket,  I went to the local drugstore and looked in awe at the wall of makeup and all the tools that were used to make the process easier and promised glamourous results.  I wanted one of everything! I left the store with makeup sponges, fluffy long handled brushes, eye shadow brushes that promised to give you the exact look of Christie Brinkley’s eyes, an eyelash curler and of course a bottle of “Sun In” to create some beautiful  hair to finish the look.  (Special note - If your hair is already blonde skip the Sun In spray). 

When I got home I played for hours re-creating the looks in my teen magazines and couldn’t wait for my next trip to Walgreens to pick up a new beauty tool.  This continued for years and I was officially declared a beauty junkie! 

Over the years I have learned that you dont need a whole arsenal of tools to create a natural look or even a glam look. Yes, they are fun to have but, you just need to invest in some good brushes, and a few other tools to get that perfect look. 

So in this series we will call “Makeup Tools“, I am going to give you some helpful hints on what to buy for your makeup bag. The tools you will need, which brushes to use for specific makeup applications and which ones to spend a little more money on as well as an explanation on the different hairs that are used in makeup brushes.  

In the mean time, get out your brushes and makeup tools and clean them! Yes, you have to clean them, that is the first hint on taking care of your tools and making them last longer.  

 Dedicated to Your Beauty,

 De Nelson
 Owner 
 Mineral Silk and
 Balance Skin Care

Tags: Applicators, Kabuki, Makeup Brushes, Makeup Tools, Mineral Brushes, mineral makeup

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she’d done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, “But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!” I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye…

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 62. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, “Did you start at 1?”

3.. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, “Who was THAT?”

4.. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: “We used to skate outside on a pond I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony… We picked wild raspberries in the woods.” The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in.. At last she said, “I sure wish I’d gotten to know you sooner!”

5. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, “Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?” I
mentally polished my halo and I said, “No, how are we alike?” “You’re both old,” he replied.

6. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather’s word processor. She told him she was
writing a story… “What’s it about?” he asked. “I don’t know,” she replied. “I can’t read..”

7. I didn’t know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out
something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying, “Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these, yourself!”

8. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, “It’s no use Grandpa.. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights.”

9. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, “I’m not sure.” “Look in your underwear, Grandpa,” he advised, “mine says I’m 4 to 6.”

10. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, “Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today.” The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. “That’s interesting,” she said,  “how do you make babies?” “It’s simple,” replied the girl. “You just change ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’.”

11.. Children’s Logic: “Give me a sentence about a public servant,” said a teacher. The small boy wrote:
“The fireman came down the ladder pregnant.” The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. “Don’t
you know what pregnant means?” she asked. “Sure,” said the young boy confidently. ‘It means
carrying a child.”

12. A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past.
Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog.. The children started discussing the dog’s duties. “They use him to keep crowds back,” said one child. “No,” said another. “He’s just for good luck.”
A third child brought the argument to a close.”They use the dogs,” she said firmly, “to find the fire hydrants.”

13. A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. “Oh,” he said, “she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”

14.. Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but I don’t get to see him enough to get as smart as him!

15. My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over; you hear gas leaks, and they blame their dog.

Spring is the time of year I go through all my personal items including my makeup and start to purge. I can’t believe what ends up in my makeup drawer some days. We have a tall plastic bin in our bathroom cabinet that contains three drawers labeled with our names.  My daughters are always going through and grabbing something out of my drawer and forgetting to put it back.  But, there are also those days that I go to open my makeup drawer and find things I know I did not put in there.  Here is a list of most common things found in my drawer.

A used Q-tip with eye shadow on both ends
A safety pin
Gum or candy wrapper
Pencils
Loose change
Hair, Yuk!
An Empty Box of Hairpins
A Fuzzy Green Ball
Spilled Minerals as they forget to put the caps on!
And the worst thing I have ever found in my makeup drawer is somebody’s crumbs from their morning toast!

Now that my drawer has been cleaned, my brushes have been washed and the caps are put back on the minerals I am off to find a locking makeup case. 

I am also trying to prepare myself for my next project which will be opening the door to our hall closet and looking to see what has been thrown in there over the winter months. Trust me, Martha Stewart’s idea of labeling shelves and adding bins doesn’t work in our house.

So if you haven’t started you Spring Cleaning get going!
Here is a coupon code to use on your order to replace anything you are running low on, or if someone forgot to put the lid back on the jar and you have a rainbow of colors on the bottom of your bag or drawer!

 
Coupon Code is - springfling

Coupon is worth 15% off your total order.
 

Coupon is not valid on previous orders.
No minimum order purchase
No Extensions available for this coupon
Not valid with other coupons
Not valid on Gift Certificate purchases 

Offer Expires at Midnight on 5/17/09 EDT

Check Out Our New Items!

We decided on a name for our new Lip Plumper Lip Stick! Drum roll please…….

The name is Angelina! 

Will be adding to the line with more colors and they will all be named after Hollywood Starlets!

Check out Angelina Lip Plumper up for sale now!

 Velvet Brocade Bag to hold your Brushes & Minerals

Mesh Vinyl Bag - Great for Traveling!

Small Pointed Brush or the all Purpose Fan Brush

Dedicated to Your Beauty,

 De Nelson
 Owner 
 Mineral Silk and
 Balance Skin Care

http://www.mineralsilk.com

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny was one of my favorite stories when I was a kid. Actually all the books by Beatrix Potter were my favorites.  My parents bought me books all the time or brought me to the local library so I could fill my head with imagination. I still love to read today, I dont always get enough time but, when I pick up a book I litterally can not put it down until I finish it.  Which makes for some late nights but, to me it is always worth the time I am able to escape into another world and feel like I am there watching the characters lives unfold.   

What does this have to do with Spring Savings?  Nothing really, I just thought I would share a little bit of ME!  Now, back to the Spring Savings on the website.  Just enter this coupon code for 15% off your order from now until Sunday, April 12th.  A minimum $35.00 purchase is necessary and is not valid on sample packs or Gift Certificates.  Enjoy the wonders of spring!

Coupon Code is - hoptoit

Happy St. Patricks Day everyone!

I created a little Shamrock Scavenger Hunt for you to play.  If you are feeling the “Luck of the Irish” then start looking for the 10 shamrocks scattered throughout the website that match the one above.  Each Shamrock has a letter in the middle of it, unscramble the letters to create a word.  Send me the correct answer and you will be entered into a drawing for $50.00 worth of Free Merchandise!

Get Searching - Contest Ends March 23rd!