Welcome to our new “Alima Pure Staff Favorite” series, where staffers pick their one, current favorite product. It is your chance to see what everyone “behind the scenes” chooses to wear, when they have the full line available to them. We started out with Robin, whose current favorite product is our Luminous Shimmer Blush in Garnet.
Robin is pregnant, and maybe partly because of that, or maybe because we haven’t had much sun here in Portland up until the last couple of weeks, she loves the brightness of Garnet, and the way it wakes up her complexion. She said, “I like Garnet because it’s a bright, refreshing pop of color for paler skin, perfect for when you want a rosy cheek versus a bronzed look.” Because she is expecting, Robin especially appreciates that she doesn’t need to worry about applying Garnet to her skin. ”It seems like pregnant women have to be careful about everything, but I know this doesn’t have any dyes or harmful chemicals in it.”
We have to admit, we were a little surprised that Robin chose Garnet. After all, it is a bright, vivid shade (one of our top recommendations for deep skin tones), and Robin has relatively fair skin. But once she showed us how great it looks on her, we were sold! Her application tip is to use a fluffy brush, like our #23 Kitten Brush. Several of us immediately added Garnet to our personal wish-lists. To her credit, Robin was surprised at our surprise. She told us, “You shouldn’t be afraid of color–try something new!” She’s right of course, and embracing a bright shade that we might otherwise overlook is a great way to break free from a color rut!
Sisters Jen Cortez and Becca Bighley opened The Hive in 2011 on NE Lowry Avenue in Minneapolis. They had a vision of “the open-air vibe of old-school beauty parlors; a cheery interior, a variety of magazines for inspiration, hot coffee and teas, outgoing individuals, and amazing hair care products.” In February of this year, they brought in Alima Pure to complete their product line-up.
AP: Can you tell us a little about your background and past experience?
Hive: I’ve (Jen) been a hairdresser for over ten years, and my sister Becca has been a hairdresser for over 5; we opened The Hive Salon last March where we focus on providing local, natural, and organic approaches to haircare and grooming. We’re one of the only dedicated Ammonia-Free salons in the area, and we eschew potentially toxic products and services, like ‘Brazilian Blowout’.
AP: What inspired you to open your shop?
Hive: I hit a point about 5 years ago in my career where I felt drained, sick, and tired. I would get headaches, nausea, burning eyes and more after only a few hours at work, and I would go home feeling like crap. Years of exposure were finally taking their toll on me. I was already buying organic food whenever possible, using non-toxic cleaning products at home, and had already begun switching to natural health and body care products on myself, so it seemed only right to break away and establish a salon where I could find, and provide the safest alternatives to conventional hair treatments.
AP: What other brands do you carry?
Hive: We carry haircare from Maxgreen Alchemy, Hairfix, John Masters Organics, Intelligent Nutrients, and Simply Organic- Intelligent Nutrients and Simply Organic are both Minnesota companies as well. We also carry non-toxic bug spray and environment aromas from Intelligent Nutrients, body care from John Masters Organics, and ammonia-free permanent hair color from Simply Organic.
AP: Why did you decide to carry Alima Pure?
Hive: Our goal is to become a ‘one stop eco-beauty shop’, so it was only natural to seek out a mineral makeup line. We chose Alima Pure because of their pure mineral bases; they’re so versatile! We love being able to wet the shadows and liners, or mix the pigments with beauty balms and serums, and the clients love that they don’t aggravate skin sensitivities.
AP: What do people love about your shop?
Hive: I think clients really love the open-air atmosphere in the salon- there aren’t any walls or partitions in the salon so it feels really bright and airy . Clients also love our forthcoming attitude about the ingredients we do and don’t use, and that we aren’t trying to sell hype .
AP: How do you define beauty?
Hive: Beauty is the ability to love yourself inside and out- no matter what!
AP: What are other little ‘don’t miss’ gems in your neighborhood?
Hive: I adore going to Sen Yai Sen Lek for Thai food and The Matchbox for coffee!
If you are in the area, definitely stop by The Hive and see what all the buzz is about! To find an Alima Pure store near you, please view our list of spas and boutiques that carry our products.
Ah, the power of purple and its ability to enhance your eye’s natural color and sparkle. That’s why this week we’re paying tribute to our powerfully pigmented and multidimensional Pearluster Eyeshadow in Amethyst.
Here are some little known facts about our Amethyst: it’s the birthstone of Alima Pure founder, Kate O’Brien; it’s Kate’s favorite Pearluster Eyeshadow color; and it was the third eyeshadow ever created here at Alima Pure.
01. “Amethyst” 8×10 print 02. Trellis pillow cover 03. Lavender Converse 04. Pearluster Eyeshadow in Amethyst 05. Venini Bollie Vase 06. Quartz 07. On the Street…After Chloe, Paris
Although we met Kristen Arnett just over a year ago, it seems as if she has been part of our Alima Pure “family” forever. We are thrilled to add her to our Naturally Gorgeous model roster!
As a green makeup artist living and working in New York City, she is one of Alima Pure’s biggest champions, spreading the word about our products here and abroad. And on a more personal level, as a former resident of our fair city, she “gets” our humor and appreciates how our surroundings have shaped Alima Pure. To say we are thrilled to have Kristen in our corner would be a vast understatement, and we’re sure you will love her as much as we do.
AP: What do you do for a living?
KA: I’m a makeup artist! I am also a beauty writer for various sites, a speaker and teacher for workshops whenever possible on the art of makeup. I’m the founding editor in chief of GreenBeautyTeam.com which began as personal project but is now its own whole job. So, the question is what don’t I do?
AP: Is there an interesting story about how you came to be a makeup artist?
KA: Yes, but then his article would be 10 pages long, at least. Let’s just say that at 13 years old I was making over everyone from my mom to my friends. I was transfixed by transformation. I think at least 70% of what I know about makeup came out of the zillion times I watched the instructional VHS tape that came with my mom’s order of Victoria Jackson Cosmetics. I sold makeup at a Merle Norman boutique while going to college and then worked for their headquarters after I graduated. Finally giving up a full-time job to become a freelancer involved a lot of risk taking. It hasn’t been an easy road but it has been totally mine.
The natural/green angle that developed is completely the fault of (fellow makeup artist) May Lindstrom who’s skin looked completely fabulous with just natural products. She’s the first person I had ever heard use the words “toxic” and “cosmetics” in the same sentence. I started listening, researching and became a convert. Of course she’s now an expert writer on Green Beauty Team too.
There’s more »
We are currently dreaming of the warm sun and vibrant colors of Maracaibo (truth be told, we aren’t seeing much sun here in Portland). Luckily, our bronzer and blush duo More Sun from Maracaibo adds that instant glow to channel the breezy, beach style of the Venezuelan city.
What we’re packing:
01. More Sun From Maracaibo Duo 02. Beach Blanket 03.Tortoise Sunglasses 04. LemLem Helina Dress 05. Nourishing Organic Lip Balm in Natural 06. Wide Brim Hat 07. Portable Medium Radio 08. Large Basket Bag
Here in the Alima office, we’re ready for summer. It has been a long, rainy winter, but we have had a few days of beautiful weather to whet our appetites and show us what we’re missing. This has led us all to get pedicures, do a little summer shopping and start planning how we will be creating our faux glows (because none of us really want to tan our faces). So, we sat down and figured out what blush goes just right with what bronzer to create the perfect “I just came in from the beach” look. Here are the bronzer and blush duos currently inspiring us.
More Sun from Maracaibo
For the fairest of the fair-skinned, try More Sun from Maracaibo. If you have avoided bronzers because they look dark and orange, or even dirty on your fair skin, Maracaibo is the bronzer you always thought didn’t exist. Alima Pure believes everyone, no matter how fair-skinned, deserves to be able to fake a sun-kissed glow, and Maracaibo goes beautifully with Luminous Shimmer Blush in Freja.
Aloha from Mauna Loa
If you have light skin, you might appreciate Aloha from Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa gives you a hint of matte warmth that never looks orange, and Leigh Luminous Shimmer Blush adds a pop of pure pink and a whisper of subtle shimmer to the apples of the cheeks. Who’s ready for drinks on the lanai? You are.
Tropical Glow from Trinidad
For deeper skin tones, Tropical Glow from Trinidad is your perfect summer pairing. Bronzer isn’t just for fair skin! The deep, matte bronze of Trinidad gives you the hue you can normally only accomplish with a week in the tropics. Then, Sospiro Luminous Shimmer Blush brings a lively flush to the cheek, so you look like you just came in from the surf!
Beachside in Belize
If you prefer a shimmer bronzer, we’ve still got you covered. Light- to medium-toned skins will do best with Beachside in Belize, a combination of our subtly shimmery Belize Bronzer and our cool, pink Satin Matte Blush in Raspberry. This duo is perfect for dancing barefoot on the beach after sunset…or for just looking like you could.
Seaside in Seychelles
Medium- to deep-toned skins will appreciate the depth of Seaside in Seychelles, an unbeatable combination of shimmer Bronzer Seychelles and Satin Matte Blush in Geranium. Subtle shimmer makes Seychelles resemble a fresh tan by candle light; while Geranium provides the pop of pink that normally occurs when someone remarks on your gorgeous tan.
To wear these duos, start with your bronzer and brush. We recommend our #23 Kitten Brush if you want the most subtle and natural glow, but you can also use the #21 Buff Brush or #17 Blush Brush. Apply your bronzer where the sun would hit your face; the cheekbones, forehead and along the jaw. Finish with a touch down the bridge of your nose. Then apply your blush just to the apples of the cheeks. (Can’t find your cheek apples? Smile! There they are!) Now you look like you have been outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine, even if you really have been sitting at your desk all day.
Most people with blue eyes already know, either through trial and error or just instinctively, how to make the most of them with eye shadows. But, if you are looking for a simple set to do it without having to put much thought into it, our 3 for $30 Best for Blue Eyes set is a great option.
We applied these shades to Noelle’s beautiful blue eyes to show you how effective they can be. We started with Vanilla Satin Matte Eyeshadow from her lashes to brow, using the #37 Eye Blending Brush. Then, with the #36 Pointed Crease Brush, Palomino Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow went on the lid and extended slightly into the crease. The #36 brush works great for packing more color onto the lid because of the compact shape of the bristles. The finishing touch was Luminous Shimmer Eyeliner in Illusion, applied with a damp #31 Fine Lining Brush. When Noelle looks into the camera, although not a lot of eyelid shows, but as you can see, it still emphasizes her beautiful blue eyes!
Noelle is also wearing her Satin Matte Foundation in Beige 2, Luminous Shimmer Blush in Freja and Organic Nourishing Lip Balm in Mango.
Inspired by our very own Color Balancing Powder in Pistachio, we put together a color story for this wonderful, spring color. Here are a few stylish objets d’art that have us thinking green.
The sun came out in Portland this past weekend. And it didn’t just come out, it came out with a vengeance, drying up the perma-puddles and sending sun-starved Portlanders in search of tank tops, shorts and pedicures. Then came the aftermath — photos on Facebook, with the caption, “maybe it will turn into a tan,” and a run on aloe vera gel at the drugstore.
But until it does turn into a tan, consider toning down your sunburn with Pistachio! Alima Pure’s Color Balancing Powder in Pistachio is perfect for toning down unwanted red, and although that usually refers to redness from rosacea or allergies, Pistachio is an equal-opportunity red-fighter; sunburn and windburn also fade away under this soft green powder.
Of course, having Pistachio in your collection doesn’t mean that you should skip the sunscreen…far from it! But sometimes, no matter how hard you try to reapply, you end up with too much sun. When you do, just buff on Pistachio with your #15 Flat Top Foundation Brush, #21 Buff Brush or #25 Foundation Brush, and follow with your regular foundation. Or, if your sunburn is on your body, skip the foundation and just let Pistachio do all the work. You’ll be amazed at how efficient it can be!
In observance of Earth Day, Alima Pure is offering one of our favorite products as a gift with purchase this week! At our office, we try to be as environmentally thoughtful as possible. We recycle; we have office flatware, cups and plates; we tote reusable water bottles; and we try to eliminate as much waste as possible.
One of the easiest changes for some of us has been switching to reusable shopping bags. For the “big” grocery trip, this is usually a no-brainer; you just have to remember to take your bags into the store from the car. Once you are in the habit, having reusable bags on hand is pretty easy. The impromptu trips, however, were finding us in need of a bag! You know the situations: you need a head of lettuce and a dozen eggs on the way home from work, or you slip into the drugstore to stock up on a few essentials. We usually don’t even think about needing a bag until the store associate begins bagging our products into a wasteful plastic bag. (Or a paper bag if you are inside the city limits of Portland or a growing number of other cities!)
Our solution to this little issue is having a handy tote that fits inside a small pouch right inside our handbags. This way, as soon as the clerk begins to put our items into plastic, we can say, “Oh wait! I have my own bag!” Having a bag as bright and adorable as the one pictured here is an added bonus, and it just so happens to be our Earth Day gift with purchase, offered this week only.
Baggu makes some of our favorite bags; we love them because they are roomy and strong, and come in a wide variety of fun colors and prints. We enjoy them so much, we had some made just for our customers! With any order totaling $75 or more (placed now until Monday, April 23 at 2 pm PST) you will receive a bright green Alima Pure Baggu bag, while supplies last. And, if you’re curious about just how much a Baggu bag can hold, follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter this week!
