cosmetic tips

The reason many women stick with the same foundation for years is that it’s hard to shop for foundations in stores or online. The names and tones can also be confusing. We understand.  We took Kari to task recently to define our foundation numbers and provide some help. Natural-looking coverage should even out your skin tone, not change the color or cover it up.  For this reason, most of our shade range has a warmer, yellow tone. Our foundations lean on the warmer (yellow) side as cooler (pink) foundations tend to look like masks on the skin. I learned this...

I’m often asked why we do mineral makeup.  Easy answer, it’s versatile and lets me do many things with very few products.  A super-multitasker.  Some days call for a dry application. Others may require an even speedier application by mixing with SPF to save a step (and bonus, a foundation with SPF coverage). And, it’s also easy to blend with the Essential Serum or Essential Serum Balm for an easy touch up if needed. Mineral makeup is a bit old school, and yes, it can be a little bit messier than a compact powder but the ability to change the...

Parabens are a type of chemical preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, fungus, and other microbes. Manufacturers began using them in cosmetics and skin care products as a way to extend a product’s shelf life. Today you can find them lurking in everything from your shampoo and deodorant to your facial lotion and foundation under common names such as methylparaben, propylparaben, and ethylparaben. Though the European Union banned parabens in 2012 for health reasons, the FDA has declined to take similar action in the U.S. However, the agency continues to evaluate the risk based on published and...

When you’re trying to find the right foundation shade, it seems that everyone has a tip or trick for you to use. Next thing you know, you’re standing in the makeup aisle with swabs of random foundation colors painted across the inside of your arm and still unsure of which product is right for you. At Kari Gran, we believe that finding a natural looking foundation shouldn’t be complicated. We take a simple, three-step approach to choosing a foundation that will work for you all year round. How to find the perfect foundation shade: #1 - Compare it to the...

We get a lot of questions when it comes to making the switch from traditional liquid foundation to mineral makeup, including whether mineral makeup and oily skin is a good match. In order to properly answer this question, let’s dive a little bit deeper into the subject of how our bodies produce oil, why it may be producing too much of it, and whether using mineral makeup has any aggravating or mitigating effect. What is oily skin? At Kari Gran, we prefer to focus on the nourishing ingredients we all need rather than developing a complicated line of products that...

Mineral makeup has become a popular foundation and concealer alternative for women who are looking to go green with their beauty products without sacrificing coverage. This powder is packed only with the essentials, mixing together clean, naturally derived ingredients that nourishes your skin while providing a lightweight, breathable coverage that lasts throughout the day. More importantly, Kari Gran’s collection of mineral makeup never includes known toxic ingredients often found in traditional foundations, such as talc, synthetic fragrances, dyes, parabens, and nanoparticles. But when you choose a product that doesn’t include things like parabens, a common ingredient used to preserve makeup,...

I get asked quite often about the ingredient Mica and how we source it for our mineral cosmetic products. Mica is one of the most widely used ingredients in the entire global beauty industry; any product that makes you shimmer, sparkle, or glow most likely contains Mica. However, we’re aware the mining in the mica industry has raised concerns.  Roughly 70% of mica produced in India comes from two areas in India, and too often children are employed in the mining. That’s why we source our mica from a company that has a zero-tolerance policy toward child labor at all...

Foundation obviously plays a key role in any makeup routine because, well, it’s the foundation all else is layered upon. However, one of the more difficult things to do is select the right shade for your skin tone, as women are often overwhelmed by walls of 50 shades and beyond. At Kari Gran, we simplify it. Not only do we have a short list of ingredients that comprise our Mineral Foundation, but we also offer just 8 shades. Our experience shows this small curated spectrum still ensures a perfect fit for most, while not overwhelming anyone. Our foundation shades are simply...

The Art of Looking Great Without Really Trying As someone who spent a crazy amount of time in the bathroom during her early teens trying to apply my Maybelline mascara to every single lash, layering and layering, like I was about to hit the red carpet instead of the halls of junior high, this book intrigued me.  I’ll admit, I was hooked by the “Lazy” part of the title – who doesn’t want to look good with as little fuss as possible? Jenny Patinkin, the author, is a professional makeup artist who says her book isn’t actually about being lazy,...

Spring has arrived so let the cleaning begin! Whether you’re decluttering a la the KonMari method or deep cleaning, don’t neglect your makeup bag. From sitting on bathroom counters to spilled mineral makeup and grime from dirty brushes, it could really use some extra TLC. Here’s 7 easy steps to green spring clean your makeup bag: Start by emptying your makeup bag and grouping items by categories like brushes, face, eye, lips, etc. Make note of any products that are running low, missing or have doubles. Wash makeup brushes, sponges, applicators and your little white foundation spoon. The bristles on makeup...