What's New
Updated: June 8, 2008

Custom Blend Products
We're resuming Custom Blend matching. If you sent in an order during May, it will be processed before new orders coming in. We apologize for the delay. Please allow 6-8 weeks for your custom blend order to be shipped. We will notify you as we ship and will contact you with any questions. Please note that if your order was received in May, your credit card has not yet been charged but will be charged prior to beginning the matching process.

Summer Skincare
Wow! Summer is here! The weather ranges from hot to humid (and sometimes both) and going from freezing air conditioning to blistering heat doesn't help as it contributes to dehydrating your skin. Add this to the fact that no one really wants to be bothered doing anything extra for their skin in the summer and it sounds like a "quick and easy" skincare routine is just the thing you need.

First of all, it might be time to adjust to a less rich moisturizer. Yes, you've heard it before but here it is again, even if you have oily skin, a moisturizer doesn't make your skin more oily -- it simply helps keep your skin hydrated. (For long term prevention of fine lines and wrinkles.) It also helps protect your skin from environmental irritants and some moisturizers actually help inhibit oil production. You also MUST use a sunscreen. If you aren't using a sunscreen daily, even if you expect to be indoors, you'll be helping to age your skin.

Use the following table to 'adjust' your moisturizer for summer. If you need help, drop us an email. Select the moisturizer you are currently using and go down to the next lower one on the list if you need an adjustment.

Skin Type Moisturizer
Please note that moisturizers are listed from most moisturizing to most oil controlling.
Dry, Maturing Milk & Honey Moisturizer
Normal to Dry, Dry, Dehydrated Replenishing Moisturizer
Normal to Dry (more dry than normal) O2 Moisturizer
Normal Combination (this contains some oils) Soothing Moisturizer
Normal to Oily (maturing) and Normal Combination (oil-free moisturizer) Chamomile Moisturizer
Normal to Oily (oil-free moisturizer) Balancing Moisturizer
Normal to Oily (slightly more oily) (oil-free moisturizer) Calendula Moisturizer
Oily, Problem, Blemished (oil-free moisturizer) Purifying Moisturizer

If you are using the Botanical Night Creme and it's too rich (you wake up and your face and pillow are 'greasy'), try switching to the Azulene Night Creme and, if necessary, boosting it with the Hydrating Serum.

If your skin is Very Oily but is also maturing, use the Purifying Moisturizer and boost it with the Purifying Serum.

Shortcut Skincare Routine for Summer

  1. Cleanser
  2. Toner
  3. Botanical Bio-Peptide
  4. Advanced Lightening Creme (if necessary to combat dark spots)
  5. Gentle Resurfacing Lotion (contains SPF15)
  6. Eye Treatments (Firming Eye Gel, EyeBright Gel, Undereye Lightening Gel or Soothing Eye Gel) as needed
  7. Eye Creme
  8. Face Treatments (Firming Serum, Firming Complex, Vitamin C Serum) as needed
  9. Sunscreen (C'SPF30 Sunscreen Gel - unless you use the Gentle Resurfacing Lotion which also provides sun protection)
  10. Moisturizer

Additional 'Tips' for Summer Skincare

We are not overly excited about using AHA's during the day as they can make your skin more sensitive to light. Use them only at night as treatment options. If you really want to use them during the day, be absolutely sure you use a sunscreen.

If you get shiny mid-day, try using the Purifying Serum underneath your moisturizer (it helps slow oil production) and/or the Shine Control Serum on top of your moisturizer (it helps 'mop up' oiliness that sneaks through and prevents shine).

If you have oily skin, you may want to step up your drying masque (Camphor, Balancing or Purifying) to 2-3 times a week. Use it twice a week on your entire face and a third time just in the "T-zone".

Even if your skin is normal or drier, if you are noticing mid-day shine in the T-Zone, you may want to add the Camphor, Balancing or Purifying Masque once a week in the T-Zone.

Don't skip using a scrub regularly. The heat causes your skin cells to regenerate more quickly and dead surface cells can accumulate. Using a scrub (before you masque) helps keep your skin clear and your complexion bright. We recommend AT LEAST once a week. If your skin is more sensitive or is breaking out, the Therapeutic Buffing Creme is more gentle. If you have normal or oily skin (but are NOT breaking out) use the Honey Almond Scrub. Please don't scrub after you've been out in the sun (wait a day or two). (If the men in your family are having trouble with razor bumps or ingrown hairs, the scrub will help them too.) Make it as easy as you can, apply a small amount in the shower and gently rub in - let the grains do the work, you do NOT need to rub hard, just gently apply the scrub and rinse off with your fingers, the combination of the grains in the scrub and the gentle application and removal is enough to maximize the benefits of the scrub.

Summer Makeup
Okay, admit it! You love to look as fabulous as you can but just don't feel super-inspired to be bothered during the summer. This "common problem" has led to a 'shortcut' routine for makeup that gives the best of both worlds -- a natural look that is still 'finished' (in other words blemishes and imperfections aren't obvious to the entire world) but is still fast and easy.

Some of the 'regular' products have been adapted and for the summer, and are now available to you.

Shortcut Makeup Routine for Summer

  1. SensationalEyes Shadow Base or Anti-Oxidant Eyebase
  2. Mineral Eye Glaze, Mineral Eye Pudding (optional)
  3. Eye Liner
  4. Mineral Eye Light Concealer
  5. Cheek Stain
  6. Loose Mineral Powder Foundation (in refillable brush)
  7. WonderBrow
  8. Mineral Powder Bronzer (optional)
  9. Mascara (optional)
  10. Lip liner
  11. Lipstick or Lip Gloss

And Here's Why

The SensationalEyes shadow base is creamier, the Anti-Oxidant Eyebase is drier but either one will make your eyes look done, prevent your lids from looking shiny and provide sun protection. Use a makeup sponge to blend out for even coverage and so it doesn't cake up.

The Mineral Glaze is more sheer (comes in a gloss wand) and can just be brushed over your entire lid for a hint of tint. The Eye Pudding has more color, is more opaque and will provide color for your lids. The Eye Pudding comes in a glass jar but you can ask to have it sent in a Gloss Wand (your wand will ONLY be half full but it's easier to apply, and great for travel).

The eyeliner defines your eyes. You don't need to spend a ton of time on this but it does finish your eyes and many people can skip the mascara if they just line a bit. Pick a fairly neutral color and use a pencil that is very sharp for a fine line.

You may or may not have dark shadows but if you do (or your eyes look a bit sunken) you need concealer. The Mineral Eye Light Concealer helps improve undereye shadows (so it's skincare and makeup) and it's also a loose powder so it doesn't get cakey mid-day. Use the Camouflage Oval 8 Brush to put it on.

A hint of cheek color adds interest, definition and balance to your face. Dot a bit right on the cheek bones and spread it out with your finger tips. Ask to have it sent in a Gloss Wand (your wand will ONLY be half full but again, it's easier to apply and great for travel).

Mineral Powder Foundation. Get it in the refillable brush so you can carry it with you and dust generously with it. Not only does it include sun protection to help care for your skin, we can also increase the coverage if you need a more opaque powder. Until now the highest coverage available has been 'extra coverage'. We have added 'Extra+' coverage which doubles the opaqueness of the powder. Please be aware that it will make your powder slightly darker (because it is less sheer). Don't forget, if you spend time outdoors, you can also increase the sunscreen in your mineral powder. With the Extra+ coverage, you don't get as much coverage as liquid foundation but it's pretty close and if you use a concealer to cover any blemishes, it should do for most people.

WonderBrow. Are you coloring your hair (or is it graying)? Have you been in the sun and is your skin darker and your hair lighter? Almost everyone we see really does need a touch at the brows. The WonderBrow is brow wax - it shapes and colors in one easy product. Use the Angle Brow Brush to apply it.

Mineral Powder Bronzer. This is an optional choice for a hint of tint/color. You can use it instead of the Mineral Powder Foundation over your entire face or just use touches to warm up your skin for summer. Apply at the temples, cheeks and a slight hint along the jawline to achieve a 'sun-touched' look. For ease of use, order it in the Refillable Powder Brush or apply with the regular powder brush. It does have a hint of shine so if you are going 'bare', apply a touch to shoulders, collarbone and in your cleavage.

Mascara, if you need it - lavish it on. Get the top and the bottom lashes!

Lipliner. Yes, it sounds like an extra step but the liner will stain your lips so even if your lipstick/lip gloss is gone, you still have a hint of color. Outline your lips and fill in with the liner then top with lipstick or gloss. It will look 'flat' so even a touch of Vitamin E stick will soften it. Pick a liner color that's just a shade darker than your natural lips so it doesn't look 'made-up'.

Product Specials

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