Tag Archives: beauty

Hello PRIIA fam! My name is Lauren Maddison, I’m Kelley Maddison’s (PRIIA’s CEO) daughter. This is my introduction to all the blogging I will be doing from now on here at PRIIA, so I feel it’s important that I share a bit about myself.

While attending the University of Tampa last semester I was pursuing a business degree, however I became gradually unsatisfied with the copious amounts of meaningless work I was being forced to complete. I soon found myself in an incredibly disconcerting place, wondering if I was wasting my time, energy, and worst of all my creativity. After realizing that I was on my way down a rabbit hole of discontent only to become dispassionate, I decided to alter my career path. Because of PRIIA I am finally able to utilize all of the things I felt I was previously draining myself of. Throughout the articles I post I will be covering topics including but not limited to: all things acne, makeup application, general beauty tips, etc.

I’m deeply grateful to have the opportunity to work with such a beautiful company and community of customers. Thank you for your time!

The Right Way to Apply PRIIA’s Best-Selling Loose Mineral Foundation

Applying loose mineral foundation? Well all you need to do is ‘swirl, tap, buff’, right? WRONG. PRIIA’s loose mineral foundation is applied differently. It’s a better application process that is more kind & gentle to your skin (especially if you’re acne-prone) AND gives you better results!

PRIIA’s loose mineral foundation is already formulated to adhere really well to the skin so there’s absolutely no need to do any crazy swirling and buffing. All you need to do is our easy-to-learn 3-step ‘Stamp & Blend’ technique!

Dispense a few sprinkles of foundation into the lid of your jar OR into your Minerals Mate Tray.
Dip the head of our synthetic Flat Top Brush into the dispensed minerals making sure to really press the brush head into them. You want the minerals to be loaded well into the brush head.
Starting at the outside edges of your face, gently ‘stamp’ the brush head onto your skin and then go back and blend downward in one direction. Go back and repeat this process working toward the inside of your face until you reach your desired coverage. PS- blending downward also helps to lay fine facial hair flat giving the skin an overall better appearance!

That’s it! It’s so easy! Here’s a few extra tips to help with you this application method:

Before applying your loose mineral foundation make sure that any skin care products you’ve put on your skin have had a chance to fully absorb. If not, your minerals will adhere to spots making the end result look patchy and splotchy.
Apply our Acne-Safe Foundation Primer BEFORE loose mineral foundation application to increase the longevity of your foundation. All you need is a pea-sized or less amount of primer to get the job done.
Got large pores? Make sure to really press the foundation into the areas of your face that have enlarged pores (generally this is in your T-Zone). Basically, you’re “filling in the holes”. Don’t worry- our products will NOT clog your pores so press away!

Five Minutes to a FLAWLESS Face!

When you’re short on time but need to look flawless, here’s a super easy and fast way to get the job done in five minutes or less!

After cleansing and toning, apply our Acne-Safe Tinted SPF40 + Primer all over your face. This product serves as a substitute for a light foundation, SPF and primer all-in-one!
Tip: Be sure to wash your hands right after you apply this product as it may stain some fabrics.

Next, apply concealer to any areas that need some extra attention such as under the eyes and blemishes. You can use PRIIA’s creme concealer right out of the tube and blend with your fingers or you can use our loose mineral foundation with our Wet/Dry Concealer Brush.

Third, apply a light dusting of our Behave Finishing Powder in Tinted or Untinted all over the face. If you’re prone to excess oiliness during the day, use our HydraPrime Oil-Control Powder instead.

Fourth, apply a little bit of our Vacation In a Jar Loose Mineral Bronzer to areas where the sun would naturally “kiss” your face. Or use the bronzer just on the apples of your cheeks in place of your regular blush.

Next, apply our Lip Treatment Balm in Tinted or Untinted to keep your lips protected and feeling baby soft all day.

Lastly, apply one to two coats of your favorite mascara.

Voila! You’re done in five minutes or less!

How To Make A Custom Finishing Powder

At PRIIA, we have our BEHAVE Finishing Powder. It’s a wonderful product for setting your makeup look and mattifying your overall look. It’s perfect for balancing combination skin types. BEHAVE Finishing Powder is currently available in 6 shades. However, five of these six shades are being discontinued. The only shade we will continue manufacturing is the one called UNTINTED. It’s actually our best-selling “un-shade” finishing powder because it’s semi-translucent and won’t change the color of your foundation.

But, we know there are die-hard PRIIA fans who are going to miss our tinted finishing powder options. Don’t fret! If you really want a tinted finishing powder, it’s so easy to make a customized one. All you need are a few things:

BEHAVE Untinted Finishing Powder.
Your perfect PRIIA minerale-derm Loose Mineral Foundation.
A tray for mixing such as our Minerals Mate Tray.
Our Deluxe Powder Buffer Brush.

Simply take a little BEHAVE Untinted Finishing Powder and put it into one of the mixing wells in the Minerals Mate Tray. Sprinkle a few crumbs of your PRIIA minerale-derm Loose Mineral Foundation on top of the BEHAVE Untinted Finishing Powder. Gently stir the two powders together with a cosmetic spatula or even a Q-tip. Lastly, dip your Deluxe Powder Buffer Brush into your mixture and apply. Voila! It’s that easy! You can make your creation as dark or as light as you want by simply adjusting how much PRIIA Loose Mineral Foundation you sprinkle into the BEHAVE Untinted Finishing Powder.

If you have leftovers of your customized finishing powder creation, simply cover it with one of the Minerals Mate Tray lids. BAM! You’ve got finishing powder for the next day!

Breaking Out During Seasonal Changes

*Article posted with permission from Blooming Skin Care & Acne Clinic in Bloomington, Indiana.

Autumn Means Acne Flairs for the Blemish Prone
Acne flares seem more common in many of my clients during late September and October. Research surrounding seasonal changes done by French Endocrinologist Alain Reinberg supports that the lessoning length of daylight can trigger hormone fluctuations that contribute to acne flares. My theory, a little too much fun this summer has resulted in a delayed flare.
How could that be? It takes as little as 14 days or up to 90 days for a clogged pore to turn into a pimple. Realistically the stuff you’ve been doing or NOT doing for the last few months, (like you are using your customized home care) are probably contributing.

Think back to all the things you were doing just a few weeks ago.
Summer sun burns and tanning of all kinds can result in acne. They usually pop up several weeks later after those sundried dead skin cells have become trapped, yet again, in the pores.
Summer Heat & Humidity causes the stratum corneum to swell. This puts pressure on the fragile follicle walls.

A high carbohydrate diet – basically, processed foods like bread and refined grains that are quickly broken down into sugar – can have a terrible effect on skin. The theory is that refined carbs cause your insulin levels to spike, which in turn leads to increased sebum production and clogged pores.

Noncompliance! Skipping home care, even if it’s just a few times at camp or at a sleep over, allows cellular debris to start piling up in the pores once again. You may not notice breakout immediately but in the weeks and months to come.

Stress, the BIG one! Doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad stress. Moving, starting a new job, going away to college… all rank right up there as some of the top acne contributors.

1. Swimming Pools-chemicals used to clean pools contain ingredients that aggravate the follicle.
2. Summer Foods-Vacations and BBQ’s are full of acne causing foods. Although certain foods do not cause acne they are a major factor on your acne occurrence and severity.
3. Summer Heat-Bacteria loves a nice warm environment and the heat of summer is like heaven to P.Acnes Bacteria. Your clogged pores have had all summer to “grow” bacteria and now they are manifesting into acne lesions. This is why we tell you to ICE!
4. Sleep Overs/Camps-It’s really hard to stay on track with your home care routines with all this fun stuff going on. Inconsistent product usage WILL catch up with you!

If you find yourself breaking out and would like some guidance, schedule a consultation to start with Christy at Blooming Skin Care & Acne Clinic in Bloomington, Indiana or with your local esthetician.

How to Stop Makeup Slide

Every so often we have a customer contact us to say that no matter what they do their PRIIA makeup seems to ‘slide’ off within a few hours. The first questions we ask them are: “What skin care products are you using?” “What is your skin care routine?” “Which PRIIA minerale-derm products are you using?” We ask these questions because PRIIA’s formulas are made to adhere to the skin. We have thousands and thousands of customers who successfully use our products without incidence so we know that 9 times out of 10, makeup slide is due to ‘user error’.

More than 99% of the time we find out that customers are using inappropriate products for their skin type and/or they’re layering one product after the other and not letting those skin care products absorb properly. When you’re using skin care products that are too ‘heavy’ for your skin type or you haven’t given the correct products a chance to fully absorb, your makeup can’t adhere properly. This goes for ANY makeup- not just PRIIA.

Here’s how to correct the situation…

Make sure you’re using skin type appropriate products. Heavy, oily-based skin care products don’t absorb properly and tend to just sit on the surface of the skin. Likewise, skin care products that are too harsh can adversely affect the skin barrier causing an over-production of sebum throughout the day. When using appropriate skin care products don’t use too much. Use only the recommended amount. Too much of a good thing isn’t good. You’re simply wasting product AND money.
Before applying primer and/or foundation, wait AT LEAST 10-15 minutes for your moisturizer/SPF to fully absorb. Your skin should NOT feel wet or overly tacky. It should feel soft and mostly dry to the touch. While you’re waiting for your products to absorb go brush your teeth, get dressed, have breakfast, etc.
Once your skin care products have absorbed properly apply your makeup in light layers. Remember that you can always go back and add more but you can’t take away if you’ve applied too much to begin with.
When using our acne-safe primer only use a pea-sized amount (about a half pump’s worth) for the entire face and use less around areas of the face with a lot of creasing (i.e. the sides of the nose). We’ve had customers tells us that their using a couple pump’s worth at one time! WOAH…don’t do that! Again, too much of a good thing isn’t good.
If you’re an oily-skin gal, consider using our HydraPrime oil-control powder to ‘set’ your makeup and to help absorb oily breakthrough during the day. If you have combination skin, our BEHAVE Finishing Powder is a great product to help balance your complexion and complete your look.
Give your complexion a refreshing hydrating boost during the day with our Hydrating Skin Spritz! It instantly delivers moisture while helping to lock down makeup.

If you’ve tried the above suggestions and you’re still experiencing problems, consider making an appointment with a licensed skin care professional. They can examine your skin properly and assist you in choosing the correct products for your skin type and skin condition.

Acne-Safe Tinted Mineral SPF40 is here!!!

We are so excited to announce the launch of our new acne-safe tinted mineral SPF40!

It’s a 100% acne-safe physical sunblock that contains both Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which provides broad spectrum coverage from both harmful UVA and UVB rays.

This silky-smooth lightweight tinted SPF40 also doubles as a primer to help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines/wrinkles.

It’s also Water Resistant up to 80 minutes!

This product comes in one universal shade that is appropriate for most skin tones. If desired, you can mix a little of this product with your regular SPF to ‘lighten’ the tint.

Using a separate primer is NOT necessary after using this product since it already has a primer built into it. So, if you have our acne-safe primer, you don’t need to use that on the days you choose to wear the acne-safe tinted mineral SPF40.

This is the PERFECT product to use when you don’t want to be bothered putting on foundation but you still want a “finished” look!

How to use: Dispense a nickle-sized amount of our acne-safe tinted mineral SPF40 into your hands and apply evenly all over the face. Be sure to blend well. You can apply our foundations over top and/or just our HydraPrime or BEHAVE Finishing Powder to complete your look. *Thoroughly wash hands after application as this product may stain some fabrics.

Both full-size ($44) and sample sizes ($3.50) are available. We encourage all customers to purchase sample sizes BEFORE committing to full-size products. Get yours today at PRIIA.com!

Silicones: Do They Clog Your Pores?

Silicones. They’re either loved or hated. They’ve been demonized and they’ve been praised. Most notably, they’ve been accused of being comedogenic; meaning that they will clog your pores leading to acne breakouts. But is this true? Today we will separate fact from fiction and learn the truth about silicones and their role in the beauty and skin care industry.

Fact Versus Fiction:

Silicones are class of chemicals known as ‘polymers’. Two basic elements make up silicones: silicon and oxygen, chemically written as SiO. Silicon is 14th on the periodic table and is the 2nd most abundant element on earth.

Silicones DO NOT clog pores or enter the bloodstream via cosmetics, nor do they bioaccumulate in humans and animals. The molecule is too large to enter the pore just as in the case of petroleum jelly and is too large to pass through the cell membrane (necessary for bioaccumulation to occur). However, silicones can INCREASE the penetration of other ingredients in a formula and if these other ingredients are pore cloggers and irritants, then those are the culprits for breakouts, NOT the silicone(s). On the flip side, if a formula contains non-comedogenic ingredients that are extremely beneficial to the skin, silicones will help to penetrate them and this is excellent news. Time and time again, silicones in studies have been shown to actually INCREASE the healing of acne lesions and DECREASE the occurence of acne scarring. Silicones also lessen the time it takes for wounds to heal.

Silicones are non-irritating, non-sensitizing and they are extremely resistant to oxidation (they won’t go rancid). They are hostile towards microbial and bacterial growth which makes them an excellent wound-healing agent. Silicones are non-allergenic as well-they do not react with the body’s immune system. They are now being used as a replacement for latex (a very allergenic substance) in a wide variety of applications and are also used in treating Atopic Dermatitis and Eczema.

Another rumour circulating via internet pseudo science is that silicones ‘act as a plastic wrap’ and do not allow the skin to breathe. Absolutely false. Silicones do NOT suffocate the skin trapping bacteria and sweat, as most people have been led to believe via internet scare-mongering and fear tactics. Silicones actually allow for oxygen, nitrogen and water vapors to pass freely, also known as a ‘vapor permeable’ barrier. What silicones DO do is to prevent TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss): a leading cause of dry and dehydrated skin. The skin barrier is protected when silicones are applied topically. Protecting the stratum corneum is critical to skin health.

Silicones do NOT trap sebum (facial oil). They actually help to absorb excess oil and produce a mattifying effect to the skin. Silicones can blur the look of fine lines and enlarged pores. This is highly desirable amongst cosmetics users who have oily skin, large pores and are frustrated by oily breakthrough and their makeup not lasting throughout the day.

Silicones ARE biodegradable. They are not clogging up our environment, such as in the case of plastics. Silicones will break down into water, silicic acid and carbon dioxide. Low molecular weight silicones such as Cyclopentasiloxane will break down faster than higher weight silicones such as Dimethicone. Nonetheless, ALL silicones biodegrade and studies have proven that no adverse effects were discovered to soil micororganisims or plant life that was treated with soil containing high levels of silicones.

As you can clearly see, silicones in the use of cosmetics have gotten a bad rap, and for no good reason and without a shred of scientific proof. Those individuals demonizing silicones are simply uninformed and they continue to perpetuate false rumours which only confuses consumers.

The bottom line is this:

Silicones are non-comedogenic & non-acnegenic. They DO NOT clog pores OR cause acne breakouts.
Silicones are non-irritating & non-sensitizing.
Silicones are non-allergenic. They DO NOT cause allergic reactions.
Silicones ARE breathable.
Silicones are biodegradable.

References:
1. http://www.educatedtherapists.com/dimethicone-in-skin-care-separating-fact-from-fiction/

2. http://www.skininc.com/skinscience/ingredients/12-Silicone-Myths-Exploded-269445911.html

Oily Skin Part II: What Can You Do About It?

In last week’s article, you learned what facial oil is and I discussed what the causes of oily skin are. Today we’ll find out if there’s anything we can do about oily skin and what are the best ways to manage it.

First and foremost, you can’t stop your skin from producing oil. Short of taking a prescription drug like Accutane, you can’t just shut off your sebaceous glands. However, you can get your oil production under control. Here’s a few simple tips:

Get hydrated! Yes, drinking water is important to overall health but it’s not enough to keep your skin hydrated. You MUST use a hydrating product that’s going to draw moisture to the skin. Look for ones that contain Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid). This ingredient is like a tall glass of water for your skin. My favorite is HydraBalance by Face Reality Acne Clinic. Just like the name says, it HYDRATES and it BALANCES. I just LOVE this stuff!
Start using the correct products for your skin type. Steer clear of products that are too harsh and that can strip away the lipid barrier of the epidermis (top layer of skin). Likewise, don’t OVERUSE your skin care products. Washing your face twenty times per day isn’t going to get rid of the oil; it just compounds the problem. Oh and when you do wash your face, use TEPID water only. Water that’s too hot will leach moisture right out of your skin!
If it all possible, get a home humidifier installed to run during the cold months of the year. Dry indoor heating is horrible! It dehydrates the skin. If a home humidifier is too expensive, consider getting a small unit that you can run at night while you’re sleeping. A good brand is Honeywell. Just be sure to change the filter often enough to prevent mold & bacteria growth!
Don’t even think about using oil as a moisturizer. I hate to break this to you but oils DO NOT moisturize the skin. They only create a barrier that helps to prevent TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Hydrate your skin first with a water-based moisturizer and then you can use an emollient-type of product on top to seal in that moisture. My favorite is Clearderma by Face Reality Acne Clinic. I put their HydraBalance on first and then I put on a light layer of Clearderma. Voila! Instantly plumped and hydrated skin. Me likey.
I can’t believe I even have to say this but…STOP TANNING! It’s bad for you and your skin. Enough said.
Lastly, consider using an acne-safe oil-control product such as PRIIA’s HydraPrime oil-control powder BEFORE and AFTER foundation application. It’s specially formulated to absorb excess facial without over-drying the skin and it’s translucent so it won’t interfere with other makeup colors. Customers have reported that it helps keep the shine away for 6, 7 and even 8+ hours. *Before applying any makeup products, make sure you’ve let your moisturizer/SPF absorb into the skin. This means you’ll need to wait about 10-15 minutes. I’m sure you can think of something to do such as brushing your teeth, putting on your undies or checking your FaceBook and Instagram feeds…

Hey Kelley, what about those oil-blotting papers? Should I be using these?

Oh I have a love/hate relationship with oil-blotting papers. Why? Because they’re expensive! Plus, I’ve seen a few that contain ingredients (besides just paper) that can be a problem for acne-prone skin. Not to mention I’ve seen gals literally pressing these things into their faces. You don’t want to do this! Why? Because your face collects dust, debris and environmental pollution throughout the day. Pressing a piece of paper into your skin may collect some oil but at the same time you’re forcing all of that gunk into your pores and asking for an acne breakout. Ick. Instead do this:

Save yourself some $$$ and grab a few toilet protector sheets the next time you visit the ladies room. Don’t be embarrassed! They’re there for you to use. There are no rules as to how you use them, right? Cut them up into small squares and carry them in your purse. Voila! Oil absorbing sheets for free!
When you want to absorb some excess shine, GENTLY lay one of the sheets onto your oily spots and let the paper do the job of absorbing the oil. DO NOT PRESS it into your skin. When done, throw it out.
Lastly, mist a few pumps of PRIIA’s Hydrating Spritz on our Deluxe Powder Buffer Brush and lightly sweep across your face to refresh your makeup and give some extra hydration to your skin. *Optionally, you can dust on a little extra HydraPrime to help absorb oil throughout the rest of the day.

I hope you enjoyed these tips! Please feel free to share this post with anyone you know who’s dealing with oily skin!

Oily Skin: What Are The Causes?

Oily skin. It’s a love/hate relationship. For those of us who have oily skin, we love it because we show less aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. Yay! But we hate it for the inevitable shine breakthrough, enlarged pores and more often than not, acne breakouts. Boo.

What is facial oil?

The technical term is: sebum. Sebum is a material comprised of fatty materials secreted by the sebaceous glands. Sebum’s function is to protect the outermost layer of skin known as the epidermis against dehydration and bacterial invasion.

What actually causes oily skin?

It’s a genetic thing. If oily skin runs in the family, you’re more likely to also have it. Thanks Mom and Dad.
As the seasons change, so does our skin. In the heat and humidity, oily skin can go into overdrive. Likewise, in the cold months oily skin can become dehydrated from indoor heating which also ramps up oil production.
Using products that are too harsh for your skin (i.e. alcohol-based toners). If you strip away your skin’s natural lipid barrier, guess what? It’s going to work overtime (by producing more oil) to replenish itself.
Just like using incorrect products, over using the correct products is just as bad. No matter how much you try to wash, rub and scrub the oil away, it will come back and sometimes with a vengeance. Put away those wash cloths, facial scrubbers and any other “power tools” you’re using to banish the oil. As with anything in life, the key is finding balance.
Medications can cause havoc for those with oily skin; especially hormonal medications such as birth control and hormone replacement therapy drugs. Basically ANY medication can cause dehydration in the skin which will cause oil glands to kick into gear.
Ultraviolet exposure (a.k.a. sun tanning, tanning beds). Tsk Tsk. Please tell me you’re not doing this! Besides the obvious increased risk of developing skin cancer, sun exposure through sun burns and tanning (natural or artificial) sends a signal to the body that there’s a need for damage control. Can you guess what happens next? Yep. Oil glands to the rescue!
Too hot! As in you’re showering, bathing and washing your skin with water that’s too hot. Hot water literally strips away moisture from the skin causing TEWL (transepidermal water loss) which leads to dehydration. Dehydration = oil glands working some serious overtime to compensate for the water loss, even though water and ‘oil’ are two different things.
Hormones & Stress. Ugh. When hormones fluctuate and stress is high, oily skin can go nuts. Literally. A rise in androgen hormone levels (i.e. puberty, pregnancy, peri/pre menopause, as well diet) will cause oil glands to secrete an over-abundance of sebum.

In my next article I’ll discuss how you can bring balance to oily skin in just a few easy steps. Stay tuned!