haul // 100% Pure - Spring/Summer 2015

So, if you've perused my blog at all you may have realized that I LOVE my 100% Pure products.  In my ever-continuing search for all natural & pure skincare and makeup, this brand has been a staple for me.  They are a great company with amazing products that only have wonderful ingredients. I hadn't placed an order in some time and had been eye-balling their new water foundation so I decided to go ahead and get a few things. Well, a few things led to quite a few, but to be fair a couple were restocking purchases of items I now can't live without. :) Okay, let's get into it! 


Red Wine Resveratrol Eye Cream - 1 fl. oz.
 


The first time I tried this eye cream it was a free gift with order.  Since finishing that up, I've been using their Coffee Bean Eye Cream which I also love, but decided to switch it up.  I felt like I needed more wrinkle defense and less depuffing.  It's a rich & creamy, off-white cream and a little goes a long way.  I apply under my eyes in the morning after moisturizing and I apply under and on the lid at night, again after moisturizing.  It's not a miracle cream but I do notice that my fine lines are less noticeable and my eye area is smoother since using this. 


Fruit Pigmented Long Lasting Concealer: White Peach - 0.1 oz



This was a repurchase. I was on the search for a NATURAL moisturizing, yet long-lasting under eye concealer and this. is. it. my friends.  P.S. - You can also use it all over your face.  I have the world's driest under-eyes and every long-lasting concealer I've tried has accentuated this. Majorly. Horribly.  But this stuff is fantastic!  It's creamy but doesn't look shiny.  I can even set it lightly with translucent powder and still no crepe eyes, amazing!  If you don't set it, I'd say it could last a good 6 hours in normal indoor conditions, and if you do I've noticed it can last around 9.  If you do have oily skin, I'd definitely suggest setting it.  When it does start to wear away it's very natural and not noticeable, not patchy or streaky, like other brands.  I lightly apply under my eyes with my ring finger (I find this helps it melt in better than a brush) and on any spots after my foundation.  Then I lightly set with the translucent powder.  One more thing to note:  This is NOT a full coverage concealer.  With two "coats" I get a nice medium coverage.  But I prefer this, since I lean toward a more natural look. 


 Fruit Pigmented Healthy Skin Foundation: White Peach - 1 fl. oz. 
& 
Sheer Water Foundation: White Peach - 1 fl. oz.



I have been using a natural mineral foundation for years and love it, but I started noticing that my skin is getting drier as I get older.  During the past 6 months, my skin was looking dull and flaky even after exfoliating and applying moisturizing masks, etc.  I started using my tinted moisturizer from 100% Pure, which made my skin look better, but I desired a bit more coverage day to day.  That's where these foundations come in.  My intention was to mix them together.  I had read that the full coverage was indeed full coverage and the water was light, so in my mind mixing would get me medium coverage.  Obviously, haha.  Anyhow, I ordered both and have since been LOVING the combo.  It took a couple applications to find out the right ratio, but I have been liking just a bit of the full-coverage (about a lentil-sized amount) to a full squirt of the water.  I always make sure I apply my 100% Pure primer first and a few spritzes of rose water before applying the foundation mix.  It spreads more easily this way.  My skin glows now and I love it!! 


Black Tea Long Last Liquid Eye Liner - 0.23 fl. oz. 



 I haven't experimented much with this product yet. To be truthful, it intimidates me.  Haha.  I'm just not used to a liquid liner and need a little practice.  But I plan to perfect it!  Anyhow, I love that this liquid liner is all natural and made from micronized black tea leaves instead of harsh synthetic dyes.  It looks like a rich black color and pretty opaque.  It also claims to be long lasting and smudge proof.  I definitely hope so, since that is usually an issue for me and my oily eyelids. 


Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze: Lychee - 0.088 oz.

 I don't wear much lipstick or even any lip color, so when I do I love products like this.  Something moisturizing that gives a sheer wash of color.  There are many colors to choose from in this line, from cool pinks to corals to mauves.  Lychee is a mauve pink with warm undertones. It's one of those "my lips but better" colors.

Creamy Polish: Watermelon - 0.5 fl. oz.



From this purchase, I was probably most excited to get this product.  100% Pure recently added a natural nail polish line to there products.  All are "10-free" - free of formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and animal ingredients, which is the cleanest I've seen.  I chose this color because it got a lot of good reviews and because I don't have this color in my collection yet.  It's called Watermelon, but I think it pulls more orange than pink, and it also has micro shimmer in it.  I love it, it's a prefect color for spring/summer.


Because of my order total, I also got a free gift, the Vitamin C Serum, a $38.00 value!  I actually have wanted to try this product but wasn't willing to pay the price for it, so this worked out in my favor.  I've been trying this serum out for several weeks and, though I can't definitively say if it's making a difference in my skin, I have noticed that my skin is generally more bright and clear than it was before. I'll have to reevaluate once I finish it.


Also, I haven't included prices because 100% Pure recently went through some price increases, so check out the website for pricing info.

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 Well, that's it for this 100% Pure Haul.  Let me know if you've recently tried out any of their products, what you're loving or not, or what you're looking forward to trying out.  Next on my list... the new Eye Creamsticks and some more nail polishes!

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review // Signature Minerals

I've been using Signature Minerals makeup for a bit over a year now. I found it at the beginning of my switch to all natural products and I really love it.  I've wanted to post about this company for some time now, but I was waiting to place a new order before I did.  Well, I have, so here it is!

Signature Minerals' makeup is...

100% natural, silky smooth mineral makeup that is nice to your skin. It contains no toxins or irritants, so even those with sensitive skin, rosacea, and other skin conditions can use it.

  Since Signature mineral makeup cannot harbor bacteria and does not clog pores, it is an excellent choice for those suffering with acne breakouts, as well.

Signature Mineral Makeup is Gluten Free, Corn Free and Vegan, and has a natural SPF of around 15.

 I thought I'd show you some of my favorites.  :)  And don't forget to check out the swatches at the end!

Loose Mineral Foundation ($14-$18)

 

 

Signature Minerals foundation comes in 17 shades to cover to a wide variety of skin tones.  And of course you can always mix two to get your perfect shade, if necessary.  Before you buy a full size (they come in 30g & 20g jars and a 10g refill bag) you can order almost FREE samples to find your right shade.  Yeah, FREE...it's amazing.  All you pay is the $5 in shipping.  You can choose 6 samples from all of the foundations, correctors, blushes/bronzers and veils.  My perfect shade is 4.0, and then I just add a bit of warmth in the summer with bronzer.  These foundations are finely milled and go on silky.  I've found that the secret it to apply it is in several very light layers.  That way each layer can melt into your skin and it won't end up looking cakey.  I love to use my Eco Botan Artisan Kabuki Brush from Everyday Minerals to buff it in.   

It also lasts a good 8-10 hours.  Since my skin can be dry sometimes, using powder foundations can make my face feel tight.  So if I'm having one of those days then I'll make sure I moisturize really well, prime with my 100% Pure Primer and spray rosewater and aloe on my face before applying the foundation.  Then I'll spray my face again once I finish my makeup.  That seems to really help cut any dryness I might be having and set my makeup.  On normal days, I will get a little shiny in my T zone, but not as much as with a liquid makeup.  I just use a blotting tissue and I'm good to go.  

Loose Mineral Concealer & Corrector ($10-$18)

 

These 10 powders are specifically formulated to cover and visibly correct pesky problem areas, like under-eye circles, redness & blemishes.  There are 4 skin-toned concealers and 6 color correctors.  They come in 30g, 20g & 10g jars, plus 6g & 10g refill bags.  I actually don't use any of the concealers, but I am in LOVE with the Soft Mint Corrector.  It might be my most favorite thing from SM!  Since my fair skin is prone to redness, especially around the nose, this is a life saver for me.  Instead of having to pile on a thick layer of foundation to cover the redness, this pale mint-colored powder covers/neutralizes it in one light application.  Most days I actually apply this before the mineral foundation with the same Kabuki brush, although sometimes I'll do a light dusting at the end with a EcoTools Powder Brush.  My mom loves the yellow Sunshine Corrector for dark under-eye circles and she says it works so good, that people have asked here what she's been using.  
And that's always a nice thing!

Loose Mineral Concealer & Corrector ($10-$18)

 

Signature Finishing Veils are designed to minimize pores, control oil and reduce shine.  There are 5 to choose from, 3 tinted ones, a translucent and one that adds radiance to the complexion.  Again, they come in 30g, 20g & 10g jars, plus 6g & 10g refill bags.  I personally use the Angel Veil, a pale beige powder with yellow undertones.  Now, while I'm not sure that it really minimizes my pores, the kaolin clay & serecite in this powder does help control oil in my T-zone during the day and gives me a soft overall finish.  I apply the Angel Veil, mainly to my T-zone, with my fluffy powder brush after I finish my other face makeup.  A little goes a long way so you only need to tap the tiniest bit into the lid and you're good.  I have also tried samples of the Radiance and Translucent Veils.  I've found that the Radiance is a nice check highlighter, but a little too much all over for me.  If you have dull skin, it would be a nice perker-upper.  And I can leave the Translucent, it's not great at absorbing oil since there's no koalin, so I don't really see the necessity.  Keep in mind, the Angel jar above is old... a new full size Veil (20g jar) comes with a Rotating/Click Lock Sifter, like my pic of the Foundation and Soft Mint.

Mineral Bronzer ($10-$18)

 

These bronzers give a very natural finish and will not turn orangey on your skin.  They come in 30g, 20g & 10g jars, plus 6g & 10g refill bags. The 2 lighter non-shimmery shades are fairly neutral.  One of these, Goddess is my favorite.  It gives a nice amount of warmth in the summer and a subtle contour in the winter.  I have also tried samples of the 2 darker shimmery shades that lean toward golden brown hues.  These are obviously too dark for me, unless I were to self tan, so I just like to use them as eye shadows.  If you're naturally darker or self tan often, these would be beautiful on you.  I apply this bronzer with my E.L.F. Complexion Brush all over or my Real Techniques Angled Kabuki to contour.  I like this bronzer becasue it's buildable and blendable, so it's pretty hard to mess it up.  Again, the Goddess jar above is old... a new full size Bronzer (20g jar) comes with a Rotating/Click Lock Sifter.

Mineral Blush ($10-$14)

 

There are 18 shades of blush to choose from... matte, satin & shimmery... in a variety of colors.  They are available in 30g & 20g jars and a 6g refill bag. These SM blushes wear light but last all day, no streaking or fading.  They are silky and super pigmented so REALLY the tiniest bit gives a nice amount of color.  I suggest starting small and build up if desired.  I haven't bought a full size blush yet, but I did get some samples to try, including a beautiful matte coral and shimmery pink.  I have also tried a few others a while ago.  The only ones I haven't loved are some of the dustier tones, like Adobe Sun, Dusty Mauve & Buff Apricot.  They come off a little chalky looking on my skin.  I think these would be best for the fairest complexions.  And Rosewood is a little too deep for me, so I know it would be great for darker skin.  But I am loving Coral, Pink Jazz and Roseberry.   I apply these blushes with the EcoTools Tapered Blush Brush.  

 

Mineral Eye Colors ($5-$10)

(Larger jar above is Athena)

Signature Minerals offers dozens of highly pigmented eye shadows in a variety of colors, textures and finishes.  For easy ordering they are divided into finish categories on their website: matte, semi-matte, pearl, shimmer & metallic.  Right away, I can tell you that the pearl finish is my favorite.  Most of these shadows are super pigmented with high color payoff.  I'd say the only ones that lack a lot of richness are some of the matte shades, like Accent. They actually notate Accent as Semi-Matte and Cream & Taupe as Matte, however I feel like they should be switched.  Accent has no sheen, while Cream & Taupe have just a hint.  I've also tried Terre Medium before (a Matte), and it really is...matte.  This is probably my only qualm...I wish it was more clear what was what.  These shadows do tend to crease a bit by the end of the day, but as I've said before, they lack the chemicals that make commerical shadows pretty much permanent.  I just use a natural cream shadow base before, and that helps them last a good 8 hours.  The shadows are available in 10g & 5g jars, but you can also try unlimited samples for $2.50 each (approx. 1g product)

SWATCHES

Remember that swatches are usually much more pigmented so you can see the coloring. Real application can start much lighter and be built up.

Foundation, Bronzer, Corrector & Veils
(Keep in mind, several of these are hard to see...becasue they are made that way...so you don't see them!)

Blush & Extra Bronzers

Coral - True Coral (Matte)
Roseberry - Dusty rose with bare hints of shimmery pale raspberry
Pink Jazz - Cool rosey pink with a pearlescent shimmer
Rosewood - Earthy rose with a luminous glow
Adobe Sun - Warm earthen Clay (Matte)

Eye Shadows

Grey Fox - Brown with pearly silver/gray highlights
Majesty - Silvery brown with purple iridescence
Taupe - Warm brown with a hint of raisin (Sheen)
Cream - True golden cream (Sheen)
Athena - Shimmering golden pink (it's much lighter than shown on the website) MY FAV :)
Accent - Eggshell white (Matte)

 Signature Minerals makeup is non-irritating and I can firmly vouch for that, because I have very sensitive skin.  It has never given me a rash or made me break out.  The fact that it only has a handful of ingredients, was one of the main reasons I tried it in the first place.

The last thing I wanted to talk about was Signature Minerals' customer service.  They really care about their products and their customers and will do what is necessary to make them satisfied.  I got locked out of my account a few months ago, emailed them in the morning and by early afternoon of the same day I got a personalized email with a solution.  Then, in my latest order, I received a Lipstick (by Honeybee gardens) that I was not happy with.  I emailed SM again with my issue and a picture, and they gladly accepted my return of the lipstick.  I chose another shade, which I hope to get next week.  I just wanted to mention this quickly because I truly feel that a company's commitment to satisfaction is just as important as their product line.   And I love dealing with companies who recognize this.

If you're interested in trying out some of their products, I'm going to share this month's 25% off code with you (25snap). It does expire May 6th, so if you want the next month's code make sure you sign yourself up for the monthly newsletter!  You can find the sign-up on their homepage down on the left.

I do know that their pricing may go up a bit next month, due to an increase in their raw ingredients, etc. so be aware.  Hence the higher discount this month... usually it's 15-20% off.  That's why I stocked up on my must haves!!

Please don't hesitate to comment below or shoot me an email if you have any questions.  I'd love to hear from you!  :)