Beauty Blog
5 Unhealthy Toxins to Avoid
Does your make up contain these 5 unhealthy toxins? Have a look at your cosmetics for the offenders below. Toxin 1. Parabens (may be listed as Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl) Parabens are chemical elements primarily used as a preservative. Unfortunately they have been known to cause allergic reactions and skin rashes. There are also other possible links to serious health concerns. Rest assured that Nude by Nature takes great care to use naturally-derived alternatives to extend the longevity of our products. Toxin 2. Lead Unfortunately some cosmetic houses still use high amounts of lead in their lipstick formulations! When digested, lead cannot be processed by our bodies and can cause serious problems long-term. Rest assured that in Nude by Nature's Mineral Lipsticks you'll only find naturally-derived ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter and vitamin E (no lead!). Rest assured that Nude by Nature takes great care to use naturally derived alternatives to extend the longevity of our products. Toxins 3 & 4. Petroleum & PVP/VA Copolymer Petroleum can clog your pores. This in turn disrupts your body’s natural ability to moisturize its own skin, leading to dryness and chapping. Also watch out for PVP/VA Copolymer; petroleum-derived chemicals used in some cosmetics. Toxin 5. Carmine Not necessarily a health concern but is a colour used in cosmetics created from crushed beetles. Nude by Nature Make Up and Beauty Guru
How To: Contour
The art of contouring, like any make-up look, requires some know-how and practice. Whether it’s your first time or you’re simply trying to hone your craft, here are easy guides and video tutorials to achieve that naturally sculpted look. Become an expert on how to contour and highlight the face. Nude by Nature’s NEW Contour & Highlight Collection features 2 contouring options: Contour Fluid Trio ($39.95) and Contour Palette ($39.95). If you’re not sure which product is right for you, our first tip is to consider your skin type. If you have oily skin, using powder-based contouring products such as our Contour Palette will help add depth and definition to your face while controlling oil and shine. If you have dry skin, we recommend using a lightweight, liquid-based product such as our Contour Fluid Trio to hydrate and contour simultaneously. SHOP THE COLLECTION After selecting your contour product of choice, start with a fresh clean face and prime your skin with Airbrush Mineral Primer. The primer extends make-up wear and smooths the skin to create an even, luminous base for make-up application. The next step involves applying your desired foundation and/or concealer before contouring. This step is optional and dependant on what look you would like to achieve. For an every-day look, simply apply the BB 5-in-1 Miracle Cream or a lightweight foundation such as the Liquid Mineral Foundation or Natural Mineral Cover. If you’re after a full coverage look use the Pressed Mineral Cover and conceal any dark spots or blemishes using the Liquid Mineral Concealer. SHOP FOUNDATIONS For a simple guide, watch our “How to Contour” video with the face of Nude by Nature, Elyse Taylor. For a detailed guide, scroll down to view our Contour Fluid Trio and Contour Palette face guide. How To Contour Using The Contour Fluid Trio The Contour Fluid Trio are three shades in a fine fluid texture which melts into the skin to create a soft, dewy finish. For best results, we recommend using the Pointed Precision Brush for application. SHOP CONTOUR FLUID TRIO How To Contour Using The Contour Palette The Contour Palette has 3 matte shades to create depth and dimension that is buildable from a natural finish to a deeper intensity look. For best results, we recommend using the Ultimate Perfecting Brush for application. SHOP CONTOUR PALETTE Once you’re happy with your look, lightly brush a finishing powder such as our Mineral Veil or Pressed Mattifying Mineral Veil all over the face using a Finishing Brush, focusing on the T-zone and under the eyes to finish your look and extend your make-up wear. SHOP FINISHING POWDERS Love our NEW Contour & Highlight Collection? Don’t forget to join the conversation on Instagram by using #contourcollection We can’t wait to hear what you think!
How To: Highlight
When highlighting your skin with make-up, you should aim for that healthy, natural, ‘glow-from-the-inside’ look. It’s important to not go overboard by accentuating only the areas of your face that would naturally catch the light. Let us take you through a few simple steps on how to identify these areas and highlight like a pro. Nude by Nature’s NEW Contour & Highlight Collection features 2 contouring options: Highlight Palette ($39.95) and the Touch of Glow Highlight Sticks ($24.95). If you’re not sure which product is right for you, our first tip is to consider your skin type. If you have oily skin, using powder-based highlight products such as our Highlight Palette will give you the perfect glow while controlling oil and shine. If you have dry skin, we recommend using a lightweight, cream based product such as our Touch of Glow Highlight Sticks to hydrate and highlight simultaneously. If you want to intensify your luminosity, you might prefer to mix and match. You can do so by first applying the Touch of Glow Highlight Sticks then set your highlight using the powders from the Highlight Palette for added sheen. You can then pop your Touch of Glow Highlight Stick into your bag for touch-ups throughout the day. SHOP THE COLLECTION After selecting your highlight product(s) of choice, start with a fresh clean face and prime your skin with Airbrush Mineral Primer. The primer extends make-up wear and smooths the skin to create an even, luminous base for make-up application. The next step involves applying your desired foundation and/or concealer before contouring. This step is optional and dependant on what look you would like to achieve. For an every-day look, simply apply the BB 5-in-1 Miracle Cream or a lightweight foundation such as the Liquid Mineral Foundation or Natural Mineral Cover. If you’re after a full coverage look use the Pressed Mineral Cover and conceal any dark spots or blemishes using the Liquid Mineral Concealer. SHOP FOUNDATIONS Before we begin highlighting, our Highlight Palette and Touch of Glow Highlight Sticks come in 3 luminous shades to add dimension, colour and luminosity to emphasis facial features and it is important to understand the role of each shade and where it should be applied. Use the diagram and instructions below as a guide to assist you in application. Notice how we’re concentrating on the areas where light would naturally touch your face, keep within these areas for a ‘natural glow’ Bronze: This is used to add warmth, definition and depth. Apply this under cheekbones and to hairline, temples and jawline making sure you blend upwards. Rose: This is used to add a hint of radiant colour and warmth. Apply this onto apples of cheeks blending up the cheekbone. Champagne: This is perfect for instantly illuminating and adding sheen. Apply this to tops of the cheekbones, under the brow and bridge of the nose. Here’s a video to demonstrate how you can easily apply your highlighters: SHOP THE COLLECTION Once you’re happy with your look, lightly brush a finishing powder such as our Mineral Veil or Pressed Mattifying Mineral Veil all over the face using a Finishing Brush, focusing on the T-zone and under the eyes to finish your look and extend your make-up wear. SHOP FINISHING POWDERS Love our NEW Contour & Highlight Collection? Don’t forget to join the conversation on Instagram by using #contourcollection We can’t wait to hear what you think!
What is Mineral Makeup?
Every so often, a new type of cosmetic comes along and turns the make up market upside down. In the 70’s, sunless tanner was all the rage. Women everywhere were achieving a bronze glow in the privacy of their own bathroom. In the 80’s, the cosmetic industry could barely keep up with the amount of bright, colourful make up women were demanding. Heavy, black eyeliner was the “in” thing of the 90’s. And currently, mineral makeup rules the industry. Women want everything and anything “mineral”. "Mineral makeup" refers to products that contain natural minerals. These minerals are derived from the earth and are ground to a fine dust, so that they may be added to cosmetics. The main minerals being used in natural cosmetics are iron oxide, mica, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide. An important difference between mineral makeup and regular make up is that mineral makeup does not contain fragrances, dyes, preservatives, chemicals, fillers, or synthetic binders. The reason that many women suffer from so many skin problems is because, even though they wash their face, their make up contains irritating ingredients. You can spend a fortune on the best cleansers, moisturisers and skincare, but if your make up contains a bunch of chemicals, you are still going to have a problem. Most of the time, women are so concerned with how their make up looks, that they forget to think about what it contains. The skin on the face is fragile. Lathering it with chemicals, fragrances, preservatives, and other undesirables can cause a range of problems. While some of the trends that hit the cosmetics industry should be left behind, mineral makeup is one that will, hopefully, keep moving forward.
Benefits of Kakadu Plum For Your Skin
"Kakadu plum also known as Billygoat Plum or Gubinge is a flowering fruit that is found commonly in Northern Australia and is a store house of vitamins, antioxidants and many other nutrients. It is the highest source of Vitamin C and has lots of health benefits. It is also beneficial for your skin and the hair and is included in many of the skin care products and the hair care products. The Benefits of Kakadu Plum for Skin are: Anti-ageing The extract of kakadu plum fruit is rich in Vitamins C and E, folic acid and carotenoids, which reverses the effects of free radicals and reduce the symptoms of ageing. It also helps in reducing dark circles and the puffiness under the eyes. many of the anti ageing products contain extracts taken from kakadu plums. Cure pimples The high content of Vitamin C present in kakadu plum makes it an effective remedy for the treatment of pimples. it helps in clearing the bacteria responsible causing pimples on your face prevent the appearance of pimples in future. If you just mix kakadu fruit with some clay and apply the mixture on your skin. Let it remain on your skin for about 20 minutes and then wash off with water. This will flush off all the impurities and makes you skin clean and provides it an even tone. Using this face mask once in a week helps you to get rid of pimples as well as other spots on your face. It is also good for healing blemishes and provides a smoothening effect to the skin. Skin care Being a rich source of Vitamin C, kakadu plums form an important ingredient in many of the skin care creams, masks and lotions. Using it makes your skin glow naturally. it acts against the free radicals formed on your skin and protects your skin from the harmful effects done by them. You can prevent symptoms of ageing on the skin by using kakadu plums. Skin infections Those who have a sensitive skin are more prone to skin infarctions than other people. Infection of the skin causes itching, redness, rashes and even lesions in extreme cases. So you need to treat it without any delay. The inner bark of kakadu plum has the property to cure many skin infections and other problems of the skin. Its bark is also very effective in treating sores and boils and in healing wounds. Various fungal and bacterial infections are also treated by using the bark of kakadu plums. It is also very effective in treating psoriasis. Article Credit: Stylish Walks Experience the benefits of Kakadu Plum with our Pressed Mineral Collection today: Pressed Mineral Cover ($39.95 AUD) A mineral pressed powder foundation that offers medium-to-full coverage for up to 8 hours, with a semi-matte finish. SHOP NOW Pressed Matte Mineral Bronzer ($39.95 AUD) A pressed mineral powder bronzer designed to capture the warmth of healthy, sun-kissed skin with a semi-matte finish. SHOP NOW Pressed Mattifying Mineral Veil ($29.95 AUD) A translucent mineral pressed finishing powder that helps control shine while setting make-up in a semi-matte finish. SHOP NOW
Avoiding Acne
Acne is usually associated with hormone crazy teens, with 90% of adolescent experiencing acne problems. But acne affects more than just school kids... Many adults are still experiencing breakouts well into their 20’s and 30’s. There are loads of creams out there that can treat acne, but did you know there are easy ways to prevent it? 1. Keep your face clean Wash your face up to three times a day, but do not scrub. Use a mild natural cleanser and remember to pat dry, not rub. Avoid touching your face throughout the day. 2. Keep your hair away from your face All hair contains natural oils that can cause acne breakouts, so even if your skin isn’t oily, try to keep it off your face with a hair clip or accessory. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes. 3. Use natural cosmetics By using 100% naturally-derived mineral make up your skin does not get clogged or come in contact with chemicals, which means your skin is less irritated and congested. Naturally-derived mineral make up is also great if you forget to remove your make up before going to sleep, because even if you leave it overnight it won’t have a detrimental effect on your skin (like unnatural cosmetics will). You don’t need to go out and spend hundreds replacing all your make up and cosmetics. Something like the Starter Kit which looks after your complexion with a Mineral Foundation, Bronzer and finishing Veil will work wonders in a really short time. Team your mineral make up with a natural skincare regime for best results.
Hiding Puffy Eyes
After a late night have you woken up in the morning to heavy puffy eyes? The thought of facing the world when you don’t look your best is daunting. Not to worry ladies, we’re here to tell you some quick simple tips to deflate those eyes and have you looking fresh and flawless in no time. Now the first trick to a healthy natural make up look is all in the temperature... Placing anything cold over your eyes will help to reduce the puffing immediately as this dilutes the vessels in the skin surrounding the eyes and shrinks the pores for smooth clear skin. Simply try placing some slices of cucumber (preferably frozen for immediate relief) over your tired eyes for 10 minutes. If you don’t have a cucumber handy, an ice pack or cold face cloth will do the trick, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to face the day. If you have dark circles under your eyes apply Liquid Mineral Concealer and allow to dry for a minute before applying the rest of your mineral cosmetics. Here is to never having to worry about puffy eyes again!
The Ugly Truth about Bismuth
...and what it could be doing to your skin! If you’re a cosmetics fanatic or just a casual make up user you’ve probably heard of the ingredient bismuth. However, it’s come to my attention that not many make up lovers really know what it actually is or the effect it has on the skin. The truth is bismuth is an ugly filler that is chemically connected to arsenic and is much more popular than you think! You could have this damaging heavy metal element on your face right now! Here we expose the shocking truth about bismuth and how you can avoid it by using Australia's favourite natural make up brand Nude by Nature. What is Bismuth? Bismuth Oxychloride is a naturally occurring very heavy element found in nickel, tin and silver that’s primarily used to manufacture metal by-products. What may surprise you even more is that bismuth resembles arsenic chemically, yet it is commonly found in many cosmetics! That’s some heavy metal make-up! How can you tell? Bismuth has a very soft, silky feel when rubbed between your fingers. In cosmetics, bismuth is considered a pearlising agent and produces a high shine and gives you an unnatural glowing metallic finish that is white in colour with a slightly pink hue. Many women find this strange 'glowy' finish ugly, anyway! As it’s a very heavy element, this makes it difficult for many people to wear. It has to be forced into the pores via a buffing technique; otherwise it will slide off the face. Although many mineral make-up brands use this technique, not all contain bismuth. In fact, Nude by Nature is one mineral make-up brand that is proudly bismuth free! What is it doing to my skin? Many women will experience itchiness when wearing products containing bismuth, most noticeably when they sweat.This can often lead to nasty rashes and severe acne. Also, we can’t forget it is also akin to arsenic. If you'll get sick from ingesting arsenic, it would make sense that your skin would get irritated from having arsenic forced into it through an in superior mineral make-up brand that uses bismuth! Why do some mineral make-up companies use it? Many cosmetic companies use bismuth because it hides flaws, adds a radiant glow to the face and is a dirt-cheap filler! It also has binding qualities, so the make-up will "stick" to your skin and last all day! But you don’t need to put arsenic on your skin for a lasting finish! Nude by Nature’s award Mineral Cover Powder Foundation will stay ALL DAY without the use of harmful chemical fillers. How can I avoid the damaging effects of bismuth? Unfortunately, many women are attracted to mineral cosmetics due to their reputation for being good for sensitive skin, yet they use a brand that contains bismuth and are then turned off mineral make-ups forever! Some mineral make-ups claim to be “all natural” because bismuth is a natural compound, but never tell their users about the dangers of it! Go ahead, Google the top mineral make-up brands! You’ll be surprised just how many of the big names contain bismuth and other skin irritating fillers such as talc! Nude by Nature is all Naturally Derived and 100% bismuth free! You know you are getting a Bismuth-free product with Nude because of the lighter feeling powder that usually blends into the skin better and with less effort! You get the real benefits of mineral make-up without the damaging side effects of toxic fillers. With Nude we guarantee there is no cruelty to animals, no bismuth oxychloride, no irritation, and no worries. There is really no mineral make-up better for your skin! And if your thinking this is as good as it gets, we have news for you! Not only have you just discovered that Nude is the best mineral make up Australia has to offer, you can also get the best 100% naturally derived skincare and body range available. We pride ourselves on providing you with the best cosmetic and skincare range to keep the nasty chemicals and toxins away from your precious skin!
How Old is Too Old?
Out with the Old, in with the Nude! I thought we might have a little chat around hygiene. And no, I’m not talking body odour and bad breath, although they are incredible important to avoid! I’m referring to your cosmetics and how long you use them for. I know that when you purchase something it can sometimes disappear after a few uses under the sink to reemerge anew months, sometimes years, later. Is it safe to continue using it again? Hmmm let’s discuss. As a brand, Nude by Nature takes pride in providing products that are paraben-free (the preservative used in most cosmetics), this means that we need to use a naturally derived preservative system and it means that the POA is important. What’s a POA you might ask? Good question and one that surprisingly few people know the answer to. It means Period After Opening. Unlike milk there is no ‘used by’ date on cosmetics - instead they use a POA. On the back/bottom of all products you can see a little tub with a lid open that has a number in it. hat number means that from the day you OPEN the product, you have that many months to use it safely. It's Clean Out Time! I want you to think about your make up or skincare and how old it is and did you look at the POA? The main offenders of products that can get you into trouble are masks and scrubs that you use only occasionally - it’s easier to forget how old they are and unearth them from the medicine cabinet. Foundations and products used each day tend to be OK as we get through them well before they “go off”. Be very conscious of your mascara as it’s a breeding ground for bacteria and the eyes are more sensitive to contamination (attractive I know!). You should use your mascara for 3 months only - even though we know that sometimes when it's a bit old it gives better volume - but let's not be vain - let's be hygienic. Time to clean out!
5 Make Up Mistakes to Avoid
Do You Make These 5 Mistakes When Buying Your Make Up? As you make the switch to naturally derived products and begin to reap the benefits, we wanted to dispel a few make up myths that exist around mineral makeup. Mistake 1. Presuming natural products are less effective. For many women there has been an expectation that you have to pick between natural OR effective makeup. At Nude by Nature we have perfected the balance of performance and natural ingredients with our Award-Winning Mineral Collection so you don't have to compromise between the two. Mistake 2. Presuming all natural make up is formulated for sensitive skin. Some mineral brands still contain Bismuth, a mineral that can cause itching and irritation for those with sensitive skin. At Nude by Nature we substituted the Bismuth with Kaolin Clay in our Natural Mineral Cover to give coverage and the perfect skin finish without creating sensitivity. The use of naturally derived ingredients such as Jojoba Esters also hydrates and nourishes the skin, leaving you with makeup that is so pure and natural you could even sleep in it. Mistake 3. Thinking all “natural” brands are equally natural When you look at labels, you may find that some natural brands are still using chemical preservatives in their products. You can rest assured that with Nude by Nature you are buying 100% naturally derived products that are good for your skin. Mistake 4. Make up has to include chemical preservatives to prolong shelf life or maintain its colour A lot of make up brands contain parabens, chemical elements primarily used to sustain the longevity of the product, that can lead to side effects such as itching and rashes. Nude by Nature have taken great care to find and use only naturally derived ingredients that extend the longevity of our products, without chemicals and without irritation. Mistake 5. Natural cosmetics are much more expensive Nude by Nature is as reasonably priced as its chemical counter parts and knowing you that your skin is free from damaging chemicals is priceless!
How To: Wash Your Make-Up Brushes
Not sure how to look after your brushes? Here’s a tutorial we’ve prepared to show you how in 5 easy steps: For optimal brush condition and hygiene it is recommended to clean your make-up brushes weekly. For quick cleanse or to avoid contamination the best is to spray with an alcohol based brush cleanser such as our Pro Brush Cleanser. For breakout prone skin, it’s recommended to clean before each use to prevent the spread of bacteria and further breakout. For a more thorough makeup brush clean, it’s recommended to shampoo your brushes. This method is recommended at least every few months, ideally monthly depending on use: Pour out a small amount of soft shampoo into a shallow bowl. Soak the tip of the brush and gently swirl, being careful not to wet the base of the brush. Rinse the brush under warm running water pointing downwards. Repeat steps two and three until water runs clear from the brush. Use a cloth to wipe the brush clean, reshaping bristles as needed. Lay the brush flat on a cloth until completely dry. View our brush collection here.
How To: Find Your Shade
Being able to perfect your base is a fundamental make-up skill which all starts with finding the right foundation shade to match your skin tone. Once you’ve determined the correct shade, you’re setting yourself up for success! So let us take you through simple steps to help you determine your shade. Already know your shade? CHOOSE A FOUNDATION Before we begin, it’s important to understand your skin tone. Your skin tone is made up of your surface colour and undertone. Your surface colour can change depending on sun exposure and skin condition, however, your undertone never does. The best make-up shades will match both your surface colour and undertone so let’s split this into two steps: Your surface colour is essentially the colour depth of your skin. Using the below chart as a guide, determine your surface colour by categorising your skin depth into either Light, Medium or Dark. If you’re an in-between shadesuch as Light/Medium, consider where you’ll be spending most of your time this season. If you anticipate being outdoors in the sun, we would suggest selecting the darker shade and vice versa. Once you’ve determined your surface colour on the chart, it’s time to determine your skin tone. Your skin tone is the underlying colour underneath your skin which come in three basic hues: - Cool: Red or pink undertone- Warm: Yellow or olive undertone- Neutral Once you’ve found your undertone, using the chart, keep within the same row as your surface colour and navigate to the right of the chart to to match your skin undertone and find your shade. If you’re still not sure what your undertone is, here are some quick tricks: If you have very prominent veins, check the inside of your wrist and assess the colour. If your veins are more purple or blue, you’re cool toned. If they’re green, you’re warm toned and if you’re not too sure, you might be neutral. Although this is more of a loose guide, your eyes and hair colour can also help you determine your skin tone: Another method is seeing whether gold or silvery jewellery/accessories are most flattering on your skin. Warm tones look better in gold while cool tones look better in silver and those that are neutral can usually wear both with equal grace. The paper test is quite overly simplified but can sometimes take the guess work out of selecting your tone. Tie your hair back and wrap a white towel around your neck or hold a white piece of paper by your face. What colour does your face look next to the white? Warm tones will see a yellow, orange or gold hue whereas cool tones can see red, blue or pink. If you’re not too sure, you could be neutral. Generally cool tones tend to tan minimally but burn easily in the sun, whereas warm tones tan easily but do not burn. Hopefully by now, you’ve been able to determine the right foundation shade for you. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
