Author: Iskra Banović

I’m Iskra Banović, editor of Blufashion and the voice behind its fashion, beauty, and lifestyle stories. Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle are my playground, but I'm just as likely to share the messy side of it all, like the time I tested a "must-have" skincare gadget and ended up with glitter stuck in my hair. I love turning trends and everyday finds into something useful (and fun) for real people.

Overview Amethyst is the widely known and very popular purple form of macrocrystalline Quartz and is, in fact, one of the most valuable forms of the common mineral. Amethyst is famous for its purple color, which is caused by iron impurities within the structure of the Quartz crystal. Beyond the traditional big four ‘precious stones,’ which are Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, Amethyst is probably the most recognizable and well-known type of gemstone to the general public. Amethyst is also the birthstone for February. Etymology & Sources The name ‘Amethyst’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Amethystos,’ which translates to…

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Simply Karen Mineral Makeup Kit

A very good mineral makeup kit for all skin types and skin tones. Even super sensitive skin can benefit from Simply Karen Mineral Makeup. Pros Natural minerals, without Bismuth OxychlorideCoverage lasts all-dayContains SPF15Covers well, even under eyes and on blemishesLarge shade selection Cons The brushes were not my favorites, but they were decent Description Manufacturer – Simply Karen, Inc.Kit available for all skin tonesFree makeup bag included with a kit60-Day GuaranteeMineral Powder contains SPF15Suggested Price – $59.98 Guide Review – Review of Simply Karen Mineral Makeup Kit While searching for natural, new, and/or little-known mineral makeup lines, I found Simply…

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Mineral Fusion Hydration Mist

Refreshing and chocked full of anti-oxidants makes this a must-have for summer, winter, or anytime your skin is feeling parched or stressed. Pros Contains natural extractsA bottle is a perfect size to carry with youVery hydrating and refreshingGreat to use for setting mineral makeupMist sprays evenly, with no heavy feel Cons I can’t think of any Description Manufacturer – Glo Professional MakeupAvailable alone or with the Fresh Face Starter KitWater-basedSize – 2 ouncesSuggested Price – $17.50 for individual bottleAvailable online or from Whole FoodsMade in the USA Guide Review – Review of Mineral Fusion Hydration Mist Recently I contacted Mineral…

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Mineral Fusion Fresh Face Intro Kit

If you love the feel of mineral makeup and long to keep your skin looking young, then Mineral Fusion is your brand. Pros The makeup is pressed instead of looseContains organic ingredientsContains vitamins and minerals to protect and help fight agingThe kit comes with a great hydration mistMost of the brushes are made of natural hair Cons Can be slightly messy, somewhat like other mineral lines Description Manufacturer – Glo ProfessionalIntro kit available in 4 tonesCan be purchased online or at Whole FoodsSuggested Price – $40.00 Guide Review – Review of Mineral Fusion Fresh Face Intro Kit I recently contacted…

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Saude Pele Radiance Booster

If there is only one new product that you can buy this year, Saude Pele should be it. Pros 100% natural vegan product, made with organic ingredientsContains antioxidants, such as Acai and Green Tea ExtractVery diverse and can be used anywhere and with anythingLong-lasting powerConcentrated, so a little bit goes a long way Cons I can’t think of any Description Created by – Christopher DrummondAvailable in two sizes (8g and 1g)Contains a customized SPFSuggested Price – $85.00 (8 grams) for the full set with travel container, spatula, sifter and flat top brush and $70 (8 grams) for the refill container…

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Pur Minerals 4-In-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup

A convenient mineral makeup that gives natural coverage and less mess. The SPF 15 is a great add-on, but the concealer portion of the 4-in-1 isn’t exactly perfect. Pros Gives 4 products in one compact, including SPF15Contains a makeup sponge and mirror underneathThe formula contains no parabens, preservatives, talc, or chemical dyesGreat for all skin types and agesCan be applied with a brush or sponge Cons The concealer concept doesn’t conceal as well under the eye areaContains Bismuth Oxychloride, which can irritate some skins Description Manufacturer – Pur MineralsShades – Available in 10 ShadesContains foundation, powder, concealer, and SPF in…

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Von Natur Mineral Makeup Review

If you are looking for truly natural and vegan mineral makeup, then Von Natur is your line. They offer a wide variety of colors in their foundation and very vivid colors in their eyeshadows. Pros Natural and veganContains sun protectionFragrance-free and cruelty-freeGreat for all skin typesGives a natural, yet finished look Cons I can’t think of any Description Manufacturer – Fioravanti Custom Products, LLCOffers a wide variety of shades to fit all skin tonesHas a very wide variety of organic face and body productsPrice – Powder foundation (10g) $27.99, Liquid foundation (1oz) $37.99 Guide Review – Review of Von Natur…

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Review of Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation

Not my favorite mineral makeup, but it will do in a pinch. Pros Good price pointGreat amount for the priceEasy to match shade if you already wear Mary Kay Foundation Cons Didn’t give much coverageVery powderyContains parabensThe primary ingredient is talc and cornstarchNo SPF listed Description Manufacturer – Mary Kay, Inc.Can be purchased online or via a Mary Kay RepresentativeAvailable in 6 shadesSize – 0.28 ouncesSuggested Price – $18 Guide Review – Review of Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation After trying countless amounts of different mineral makeup lines, I was informed by a reader that Mary Kay also has mineral…

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Maybelline Mineral Power Collection

Maybelline Mineral Power Collection Review With a great range of colors and products, plus a low price, Maybelline’s Mineral collection should be on everyone’s must-have mineral list. Pros Good shade selectionOffers a variety of mineral productsGreat PriceGood coverage and wearabilityContains no talc, oil or fragrances Cons I couldn’t think of any Description Manufacturer – Maybelline New YorkAvailable in numerous shades and productsCan be purchased online or at various retailers and drugstoresPricing varies Guide Review – Review of Maybelline Mineral Power Collection After trying Maybelline’s Mineral Power Naturally Luminous Blush and loving it, I knew I had to try the rest…

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Alice Cosmetics Mineral Makeup

Alice Cosmetics Mineral Makeup Review I have tried numerous mineral makeup lines, but Alice Cosmetics is now my official favorite. Pros Natural ingredientsNo parabens, bismuth, talc, or fillersGives a wide variety of foundation shadesOffers a full line of products and colorsGreat price on full-sized products, as well as cheap prices for sample sizes Cons I couldn’t think of any Description Manufacturer – Alice Cosmetics IncFoundation available in 2 economy sizesFull product line available, from blush to eyeshadow, mascara, foundation, and moreOffers a wonderfully made Buff Palette for easier mixingSamples available at a low price Guide Review – Review of Alice…

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how to exfoliate - Exfoliating Your Scalp

We all understand we need to exfoliate the dead skin cells off of our bodies. However, not all areas of the body should be treated the same. Your face cannot be exfoliated with the very same product as your feet, and vice-versa. Here we break down the body into 6 parts and talk about what is needed and how to exfoliate each area of our body safely and effectively. 1. How To Exfoliate Your Scalp Even if you are on top of exfoliating your body, you might not have ever thought about your scalp. Also if you do have dry…

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Dry Skin Brushing

Dry Brushing Skin Tips and Advice Dry skin brushing is a great way to get your skin looking great and feeling smooth. It exfoliates, tightens, encourages blood flow and even is thought by some to reduce cellulite. Read on to learn about dry skin brushing, how to dry brush, and what kind of skin brush to use at home. What Is Dry Brushing and What Brush Do You Need? Dry brushing is pretty straightforward and is pretty much what it sounds like – brushing your body with a dry brush. This skin care treatment is done on dry skin with…

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