


Mineral Indulgence
Defining Beauty Naturally!
Frequently Asked Questions

Mineral Indulgence Cosmetics and Skin Care
Natural Products Create Naturally Healthy Hair
Skin Tone Analysis: Finding the right foundation for you!Tips for a smoother complexion!
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Underneath the surface of our skin and appending our hair follicles are small glands called Sebaceous Glands. These glands produce our body's natural oil made of triglycerides and cholesterol, which is called Sebum. Sebum is very important to the health and elasticity of your skin. It gives waterproofing qualities, acts as a protectant and helps maintain skin texture. It is also your skin's natural hydrator or moisturizer. Without it your skin would dry out and crack which would allow harmful bacteria into your body. So in other words, the condition of your skin can be a life and death situation. This is why diabetics must work extra hard to keep their skin from cracking and drying out.
Very dry skin involves a lack of sebum to the skin cells. Although many people experience dry skin from time to time, there are a number of reasons why your sebaceous glands would not be able to produce enough sebum to maintain healthy, well hydrated and protected skin. Some examples include water quality, poor diet, environmental factors, hereditary factors, age, disease and exposing skin to unnatural substances. Such circumstances either strip away the skin's natural sebaceous defense or will hinder the skin's ability to maintain itself or produce what it needs to be able to continue its functions properly. Believe it or not, many ingredients included in products and sold in stores can contribute to skin damage and health risks. Toxins used to formulate products that are being manufactured by large companies have shown various degrees of being hazardous. Unfortunately, the health and beauty industry is not required by the government to educate or inform consumers about the potential dangers of ingredients that they include in their products. Many environmental protection organizations are working to encourage laws that would force companies to provide this type of information. In the meantime, consumers must be aware and take precautions when choosing products for their skin and hair. Even products labeled "natural" will often times contain "unnatural" fillers, preservatives and chemicals. For this reason it is always important to read labels and research ingredients so you know what you are putting on and in your body. Lotions are usually created by what is called an emulsion process. This means that during manufacturing, water and oil are combined to act as a hydrator for skin. If your skin is already dehydrated (or dry), it will rapidlly absorb any lotions that you apply to it because of its self defense mechanism for making sure that your body is well protected. Your skins job is to drink, drink, drink! It doesnt know what it is drinking, so its up to you to make sure that nutrients, vitamins and healthy ingredients are used in the products that you put on your skin. This is why it is always important to know what you are putting on your skin. If the lotions that you apply to your skin contain chemicals such as parabens (commonly used as preservatives) or fillers (ingredients used to bulk up the product so it appears that you are getting more than you really are getting) then you are actually doing more harm than good. If you are using a product that is 100% butter (Cocoa, shea, mango ect) then this can also cause a problem. Remember, your skin is looking for hydration first and foremost, not softeners. You may enjoy the soft texture but your skin can actually be dry while having a soft feel. Natural butters act as softeners and conditioners but they cannot hydrate or provide water to your skin. You will still need to incorporate water into your skin care regimen which is accomplished by using quality lotions and drinking an ample amount of liquids. A good lotion is created by using a formula that best addresses all of the skin care issues. It balances the need for moisturizing, softening, elasticity, and conditioning while working with your skin as it does its own thing as well. Lotions should not be watery and should be thick enough to sit on the tip of your finger but thin enough to easily spread without living a white residue. After applying lotions your skin should slightly glisten for a short period of time but remain non ashy for the remainder of the day. Depending on how dry your skin is, you should only need to use one application of lotions to your skin at a time. If you use a lotion with fragrance and the scent is heavy and lingers all day long, chances are that it is not a natural based fragrance. Natural products can contain fragrances that are not toxic, however these products generally leave a very faint or slight fragrance if any at all. Many companies use fragrances that are not required to show the names of chemicals used to create them. Therefore some artificial fragrances can be used to disguise many chemicals that you would not want to use on your skin. Mineral Indulgence uses toxin free fragrances for our product line and many of these scents are derived from natural plant and fruit extracts. Remember what you put ON your skin is the same as what you put IN your skin. Do not put on it what you wouldn't put in it. Read the labels and ask questions before using products that are designed for your body. |
Mineral Indulge Shea & Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Lotion is an excellent hydrator and conditioner for normal to extra dry skin. It contains vitamins, minerals and natural skin softening butters that help to replenish the skins level of moisture. Available in Honey Almond, Vanilla Cream, Cucumber Melon, Demure, Japanese Blossom, and Peaches of a Dream. Purchase on our Skin Care page.
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Gone are the days where makeup appeared to be so thick that you could slice it with a knife. Most women now prefer the natural look and apply their make up sparingly. However,application is not the only thing that matters when using cosmetics. Quality products that contain natural ingredients can play a major role in your skin's appearance and health. In day light, heavily applied make up can look unnatural. If you prefer to wear makeup to even out your complexion, or to accentuate your eyes or lips, it is wiser to stay away from heavy applications that can emphasize what you would want to hide.
When applying makeup for wearing during the day time it is best to apply it near a window or under fluorescent lighting. A night on the town, would only require an extra coat of mascara, eyeliner or an extra dab of lipgloss/lipstick. Makeup should also be applied to freshly cleaned skin that has been toned or moisturized. Allow the moisturizer to soak into your skin prior to applying powders or foundations. This concept is very much like a painters canvas. A fresh clean canvas will yield better results and a smoother appearance. If you have oily skin, refrain from using products that contain mineral oil, since this will only make your problems worst. Look for products that say oil free or those that only contain natural plant oils such as jojoba or grapeseed. Those who have dry skin can use a heavier (not oiler) moisturizer that should contain Vitamin E, jojoba or shea. Oils derived from plants are not the same as man made oils. They are actually better for your skin due to the vitamins that are naturally found inside of them. To keep your skin healthy, avoid using products that contain different parabens, talc and mineral oil! These are known toxins and could lead to skin problems that get worst over time. Mineral cosmetics are unique in that they do not contain many of the added fillers that may lead to breakouts and allergic reactions. They are an excellent choice for those who have acne, oily, dry or even normal skin due to their ability to help balance the skin's natural properties. Quality mineral based products should also contain ingredients that are nourishing for your skin. Our line of mineral powders and foundations are created from ingredients that help condition your skin on the surface while providing nutrients for healing from within. |
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Ever wonder the scientific reason for relaxers ability to turn kinky hair straight?
One of the reasons that Black hair is kinky wavy or curly, is because of hydrogen bonds between the proteins (keratin) that make up your hair. These bonds are naturally weak and can be enhanced or "curled" easily by water. That is also why straight hair can curl when it is wet. Shampoos and conditioners sold in stores that straighten hair work because they keep moisture from penetrating the hair strands. These products do not do anything chemically to your hair except coat them with various types of petroletum based oils that keep your hair from absorbing water. That is also why your hair feels especially soft and smooth after using these products. This feeling is due to a petroletum grease slick! Petroletum, however is a form of gasoline and does not have the capability of actually nourishing your hair. The main reason hair is curly is because the keratin proteins contain amino acids called cysteines. These cysteines link to each other by disulfide bonds (two sulfur atoms connected to each other). The more disulfide bonds, the curlier the hair. All hair has disulfide bonds but it is the shape of the hair strand itself which determines both how many and in what way the disulfide bonds are put together. Hair strands that are round have fewer disulfide bonds and the bonds are more aligned with one another thus the hair is straight. Hair strands that are flattened and look more oval like have a greater number of disulfide bonds, which are also connected askew, therefore the hair is more curly. The shapes of hair strands depend on the person. Some people have round pores from which their hair grows, while others have more flattened pores. Round pores make round hairs, flat pores make flattened hairs. This can also depend on genetics and the ethnicity of individuals. The shape of these hair strands are dependent on the person and are therefore difficult to permanently change since it will eventually grow out in its natural state again. Relaxers simply break these disulfide bonds and cap them so that they cannot chemically reform due to water or humidity. Many relaxers use a reducer or a base (the opposite of an acid) to break and cap these bonds. However, so called gentler and safer commercial relaxers are still based on the same chemical reactions of breaking the disulfide bonds and capping them . Disulfide bonds are not affected by water so, when you break the bonds and cap them (in the case of relaxers) they will not go back to their original state. Perms which, intentionally curl hair, chemically increase the number of disulfide bonds by using an oxidizer to uncap the naturally caped sulfides in straight hair. One chemical (a reducer) can make your hair straight, while another chemical (an oxidizer) can make your hair curly. Perms and relaxed hair both eventually go away, not because the bonds reform, but because your original hair grows in, replacing your straightened or curled hair with what you born with. These chemicals, however, have a tendency to damage your hair, until eventually your hair starts to thin and break after using them for a period of time. Using relaxers over years will also eventually cause your natural hair to grow thinner and weaker each time your new growth comes in. This is one of he reasons why many 50 and above women, who routinely used relaxers, start to notice that their hair grows back much more thinner as time goes on. |
Mineral Indulgence Natural Henna Hair Coloring FAQ
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Should I try a test strand first?
Yes. Mix about 1 tsp henna with 1 tbsp boiling water. Apply to 1" section of hair (enough to wrap around a finger). Wrap in plastic wrap. Leave on for require time (see timing). Rinse off, shampoo and dry.
Can henna be used on grey hair?
If you have over 10% grey, we suggest doing a "test strand" first.
Can I relax after henna?
Henna coats the hair shaft and, in some cases, prevents the chemicals in the relaxer from penetrating. Prior to a relaxer, remove henna.
What is the best way to remove henna?
To help remove henna from the hair shaft apply warm mineral oil to the hair. Leave on 20-25 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Shampoo out. This procedure is good prior to using a perm or chemical tint/color.
Is henna safe to use over a chemical tint?
Yes. If the hair is in excellent condition, henna can be used over a chemical tint. However, this is not it's purpose. Henna should never be used over bleached or white hair.
Will henna lighten hair?
No. Henna does not contain any lightening chemicals.
How often can I use henna?
Neutral henna can be done every 4 weeks. All other shades can be used every 4 to 6 weeks.
Special Recipes & Hints
Coffee: To help tone down red tones, deepen brown-red tones, or cover grey, substitute coffee for water. Use brewed, black coffee (not instant or decaffinated). After coffee is brewed, bring to a boil. Mix with henna.
Apple Cider Vinegar: To help color hold on grey hair, add 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar to henna mixture.
To deepen red shades: Red, sherry, mahogany, or burgundy can be deepened by mixing in a darker shade. For exampl, 3/4 cup mahogany + 1/4 cup dark brown = Dark Auburn
Dry Hair: Add 1 egg, 2-4 tbsp olive oil, or 2-4 tbsp plain yogurt to henna mixture. These natural ingredients not only condition, but help with the application and rinsing process.
Henna Shades:
Black - True, deep black tones (ebony)
Sherry- Rich red tones (light auburn)
Mahogany - Woodsy red tones (medium auburn)
Burgundy- burgundy brown tones (dark auburn)
Dark Brown - Rich brown tones (sable)
Neutral (conditioner) - Deposits no color on the hair. It can be used as a conditioner about once a month. It adds body and shine to dull hair. The hair color seems brighter because the hair has more shine.
Note: Henna has no lightening action. The shade you choose will depend on the hair color (natural or tinted) that you already have.
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