Particularly BIG

If you ask me what is the big thing in makeup line? I would say Mineral Makeup within a second, no second guess and no prizes for guessing.

This is the hottest makeup and so new that many are still wondering what is it?  Or should I say it is only new here especially in Asia cos mineral makeup has been around for a while in Europe and States - as early as 70s!  Few years ago I was still searching high and low for a source in Singapore.  There used to be none at all!!  Then you see more shops sprouting up.  My personal favourite has to be Sephora at Takashimaya.

What Is Mineral Makeup?

This all-natural wonder (totally in line with Pure Facial's motto of Naturally Beautiful - how can I not love it!) is stripped of artificial preservatives, dyes, talc and chemicals (sometimes replaced by ultra marine pigments) and contains only finely crushed minerals (naturally occurring minerals - like iron oxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and mica)

What are the Benefits?

Because these mineral have big molecules, they sit atop the skin without clogging pores, giving excellent weightless coverage with a few sweeps (but that also means coverage is not as fine as those good loose powders in the market which i love too).

They are also good for those with sensitive or post-surgical skin with their anti-inflammatory and UV filtering properties.

I will be devoting my next few post on mineral makeups to introduce this new wave - topics include:

Mineral Makeup Application

Look out for Pitfalls

Mineral Makeup Brands

Aren't you excited about the revolution?  Caring for your skin while on makeup!  I simply love mineral makeup!!! 

xoxo Jill

Hello 2009

Hihi, yes indeed a late start for pure facial!  The first Q is about gone.  But never too late.  Let me start off by sharing new new purchases : )  

1. Adidas Stella McCartney crumpled top

2. All Blacks - Dunno why my purchase on sunday ended all blacks!  Love the heels most

Stay tuned, the next topic is on mineral makeup!  

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

For this New Year party, why not try the smoky eye makeup you so wanted but has yet to?

Basic Smoky Eyes 

To get started:

- metallic eyeshadows

- eyeshadow sponge and brush

- eyeliner pencil

- eyelash curler

- mascara

- concealer

- nude lipstick

a) Outline top lid using eyeshadow sponge (just on below of where your double eyelid sits, draw a think line using the sponge)

b) Now shade below your lower eyelid, same sponge and colour

c) Blend with a clean eyeshadow brush to create smoke effect - blend focus on back of the lid, not the whole lid (so now the colour may extend beyond the double eyelid) 

d) Add another layer of eyeshadow under the double eyelid

e) Blend out all lines, focusing on socket area

f) Line your eyes

g) Smudge the liner, using eyeshadow sponge with eyeshadow, including lower lid

h) Darken eyebrow and mascara on both upper and lower lid to complete the look

i) Oh don't forget your nude lipstick

Happy New Year and Count Down to a Great Year Ahead.

Usher beautifully into the New Year!

Thanks Isabel for the great topic suggestion.

For Facial Appointment and Group Class on SkinCare and Makeup Workshop, please drop an email to purefacial@gmail.com

Is Wrinkles Knocking on Your Door?

Do not open the door!

Think again - Our skin is thirsty too, the next time you gulp down that glass of water.

Most of us take great pains to take care of our face, but hey face it! you body ages too and need the moisture it needs.

Don't ignore the other 95% of the body's skin, the next time you slapped on the moisturiser on your face.  Body care should be taken in totality.  Areas that are often exposed to the sun, air-conditioning and wind are most vulnerable to wrinkles and sun damage.

I was recently in San Francisco, when the wind blows, i literally feels that they are cutting through my skin and leaving evidence of lines behind.  

Have you seen a radiant "young" face, only to be betrayed by those sagging necks?  The decolletage area can be a giveaway to one's true age.

Treat yourself well from today.  To keep your skin hydrated and supple:

- Have regular exercise. ( radiance booster ; p )

- Healthy diet with lots of water and foods rich in antioxidants.

- No smoking please.

- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption

Delay the effects of ageing, remember your sun block before you step out today ; )

Do You Treat Yourself Well?

We often forgot about ourselves while we got entangled with family, work and other commitments in life.  I tried to play my best in every roles in life.  I suppose this draining and demanding hectic life is applicable to most of us.

So what do we sacrifice for our roles played?  The most easily forgotten and forsaken will be taking good care of ourselves.  We are often found in the dilemma of should i spend so much on time and money on myself?  on skin care products to facial treatments, to clothes, to shoes....or should i use the time and money to spend on courses for enrichment of the soul, on work to climb up the ladder further, on family...

Yes it's not easy, it's always a balancing act, i called it.  While i never ever skip my facial skin care routine, i am guilty of not taking care of my body.  I personally have to sometime forgo my time to moisturise my body, my time to exercise and i seriously do feel bad.  I do not want to live to regret when i see wrinkled, crumpled skin or suffer from bad health thereafter. 

So i will dedicate my next post on basic body care. 

Prevention is always better and cheaper than Treatments.

Oh by the way i just came back from the gym ; )

How About Anti-Ageing?

With Melamine fear looming over all foods especially on diary products, and thus the abstinence of diary products, we may be well on our way to anti-ageing diet. 

I recently started on my exercise regime once again - i was on the treadmill for 2 days consecutively.  To me, spending half an hour on the machine is a biggest deal.  Not feeling faint after the jog is another great deal.  Friends around me will know exercise and gym means a great deal of struggle and have to be dealt with great resilience.

But the results are great as well, the manifestation of glowing complexion, feeling good and toning up are probably well worth the 30 minutes of plain hell on the rigorous machine, i figured.

Anti-ageing diet + Exercise?  Am i on my way to the fountain of youth?

(blah...give me my cheese please)

Do You Scrub?

Do you scrub?  How often should you scrub?

Yes we live in a hectic world.  We have enough time just to do the basic, short of not bathing, not brushing teeth, not washing your face and hair...

I can fully apprehend especially with coco in my life now.  I raced for every single minute of my life to make the fullest use so that i can have some "mine" time.  It's amazing that I still have time to write! Perhaps that helps to keep me "connected".

Scrubbing / exfoliation is as basic as washing your face.  To me it's basic hygiene.  I know many skip the scrub due to "no - time", "i go for facial", "no necessary" etc.  But NO you need to scrub, at least twice a week.  That helps to remove grime that has settled deeper into your pores.  Yes, your beautician may be able to help clear the pores, but deep rooted black heads remover may "hurt" your pores.  Most importantly one should not deprive your skin of oxygen it needs to breathe.  With all blackheads and sebum settling in the pores, how healthy can your skin get?

The next time you skip scrubbing your face, think again.

(Having said the above, caution, not to over-scrub!)