The StarShine Company

Unfortunately, we haven’t had much time to work on our blog lately since we’ve been so busy!  Hopefully we will be able to get back to blogging really soon, until then please be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you can find out what’s new with The StarShine Company.  The September newsletter is definitely one you won’t want to miss!  Sign up today!

And be sure to visit The StarShine Company for all your Hand Dipped Incense, Perfume Oil and Mineral Makeup needs!  The best and biggest variety of scents and colors!

In July we will be launching a new scent.  Blueberry Pomegranate is on the menu!  It’s a strong, bright scent perfect for summertime, but this one is going to be great all year round as well.  We describe it as a refreshingly tart and tangy blend of ripe blueberries and juicy red pomegranate.  Fans of pomegranate scents will definitely have to try this one, and those who aren’t huge on pomegranate, should still give it a whirl especially if you like strong fruity scents!  This one might just change your mind.

As with most of our scents, it’s available in both our Hand Dipped Incense Sticks and Cones as well as our Perfume Oils.  And if you aren’t sure about it, try it out in our large sample size before committing to a larger size!  With over 500 different scents to choose from (and new ones added regularily…) how can you go wrong?!

We even have a special listing wear you can try more than one sample at a time.  Check out our  Sample Specials.  Or if you are sure you’d like the larger size, save a little by purchasing multiples, see our Roll On Specials!

When I first started using makeup, I never gave germs a second thought, nor did I think I had to toss old makeup for any reason.  Unfortunately though, makeup doesn’t last forever!  Here are some approximate expiration times of makeup in general.

1.  Foundation - Has an approximate shelf life of 18-24 months.  If you purchased a foundation that is free of preservatives, the shelf life will be significantly less.  Be sure to check your packaging or with the manufacturer.

2.  Mascara - Will typically last about 2 months.  If your mascara, clumps, dries out or smells bad, do not use it… toss it out.

3.  Lip Pencils - About a year, dipping the tip in alcohol before and after each use will help kill any germs.  But even with the alcohol trick, still toss it after a year.

4.  Powders - If kept nice and dry, they can last a long time.  About two years as long as fingers or water has never been incorporated into the product.  That means applying the product right after the shower.  Always use clean brushes, Q-Tips or if you prefer finger application you tap out the product you need and don’t dip your finger right into the jar.  If you are a sponge user, sponges are known for breeding bacteria, always use a clean sponge.  If you powder has developed a smell, or changed colors, toss it!

5.  Eye Shadow and Blush (pressed) - About six months to maybe a year if stored properly and maintained, after that toss it.  And again, do not incorporate water directly into the product.  If you like to use eye shadows as eyeliners by adding a foiling serum or water, do that in a separate clean container or the back of your hand.  If the product doesn’t transfer color as well or develops a smell, toss it.

6.  Eye Pencils - Approximately 3 months.  Sharpen before using and dip in alcohol before and after each use to maximize shelf life.  If color no longer transfers easily, the color has changed or the product smells bad, it’s time to say goodbye.

7.  Brushes -  Clean your brushes frequently to increase their lifespan.  Clean with baby shampoo or your favorite brush cleaner.  Alcohol can dry out the bristles, so while some recommend this, I recommend limiting it since it can actually wear down your brushes sooner.  When the bristles on your brushes no longer want to hold pigment, bend, fall out, fan outwards, it might be time to find a new brush.

To remove any doubt about when you purchase a makeup product, write the date on the container with a permanent marker or put a strip of masking tape on the product and write a date on that.  You can write either the date you purchased it or write the expiration date, just be sure you remember which you write, by indicating that on the label as well!  A good example is writing “Exp: 8/30/10″, then you’ll have no doubt about when you should toss it.

We’ll have another handy article about cleaning your brushing soon!  Be sure to “follow us” (see left column) so you’ll know when that article comes out.  Keeping your brushes clean can even help those who suffer from acne!

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That’s right, we love Twilight here at The StarShine Company, so who better than Kristen Stewart to write a “Get the Look!” article about?  Alright you might prefer to be reading about Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner, but we love Kristen too!  And she does wear her makeup brilliantly!  Even though the theaters will be dark on June 30th for Eclipse, you still might want to try this look yourself!  After all, you never know who may be lurking outside in the darkness after the movie lets out. 

Kristen is wearing a gorgeous, eye-catching, shimmery grayish purple color on her lids with brownish peach above the crease.  Which you can see a little better in our “zoomed” in picture (below).  I think this look works because as you can see her cheeks have a similar brownish peach dusted on, which ties the slightly unusual look together.

Want the look?  We’ve got just the stuff to get a look similar to Kristen’s.  You’ll want to start with a nice dark black liner (our “Reaper” works perfect for lining!) along both the top and bottom lash line, followed by “Dreary” across your lids and a thin smudge around the bottom of the eye as well.  Finish the look with a touch of “Sunset” just above the crease and a touch on the inside corner of the eye lid.

         
(Pictured Left to right Dreary and Sunset)

(Photograph from Glamour Magazine Online)

Here’s another great DIY recipe!  This recipe will give you the soft, supple hands and feet you desire, and there is no better time to try this recipe than summer time when you are showing off your feet in your favorite sandals!!

Here’s what you need:

• 2-3 Tbs. Sweet Almond Oil (Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil or Apricot Oil may be used)
• 8-10 Fresh, Ripe Strawberries.
• 1-2 Tsp. Course salt (Sea Salt, or Kosher Salt)

Blend strawberries in a blender until smooth.  Mix all your ingredients together in a large bowl until oil is well incorporated into your blended strawberries.  Carefully stir in the course salt taking care not to break up the pieces too much.  You can double or triple the recipe to make more, but it is not recommended to store this DIY exfoliant.  Use mixture the same day you prepare it, store it in the refrigerator until ready to use, but you may want to let it sit out and return to room temperature before use, otherwise it may be a little chilly!  Toss any unused portion, or make a friend or your husband try it!

To use:  Gently massage onto your hands and feet.  Do not use much pressure as the salt can be too harsh for some.  After a little practice you’ll figure the right way for you to use this product.  Rough skin may be able to handle a harder massage.  Let the mixture rest on your hands and feet for a few minutes before rinsing.  Be careful if you are doing this in your bathtub, as the oils can make your tub slick.

Some experts rave about the benefits strawberries may have in beauty care.  Yes, that’s right!  Not only are strawberries good for you as far as your nutrition is concerned, they may actually help you look beautiful on the outside too.  Strawberries contain salicylic acid that can help rid the skin of dead skin cells.  They may also help reduce the look of large pores and give your skin a bright, beautiful glow.  Some even claim that using strawberries in their beauty routines, may help counteract aging.

At The StarShine Company, we also believe that scent has a lot to do with how you feel.  Wearing a Strawberry scent can really help lift the spirits because of it’s fresh and fruity scent.  We carry several different scents that have a strong note of strawberry!  Some of our favorites perfume oils and highly recommended strawberry scents are,  Strawberry (of course!), Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Cheesecake and Strawberry Musk.  And no one does samples better than we do!  All of the above scents are available in our large perfume oil sample size as well, just so you can be sure you like it!

Let us know if you try the recipe!  We’d love to hear from you!!

Just quick little post to inform you of a little one day event we are running.  Today we reached over 1400 hearts on Etsy.  If you aren’t familiar with Etsy, think of hearts as like a bookmark, or a “like” similar to Facebook.  It’s a pretty big milestone!

To celebrate we are having a little sale on our Mineral Eye Shadows, choose 4 for $14.00 and our Perfume Oils choose 4 for $14.00.  Tomorrow (6.18.2010) this offer will be gone!  So get to it!  No rainchecks, must be purchased today (or part of tomorrow until I take the offer down).

ENJOY!

(P.S. Rather purchase on Etsy?  We will have the listings up there to, we’ll hide them in the “Limited Time” category.  If you have any trouble finding them… let us know!)

And we thought we had some weird ones!  We would have classified our Tomato Leaf and Kentucky Tavern as unusual perfume scents, but we found some that really take the cake!

Picture above is “Beetroot” carried by a company called Demeter.  They also carry other unusual scents such as, “Earthworm”, “Mildew” and “Play-Doh”.  Hmm!  Do people really buy and wear these scents, or are they more of a gag gift?  Another interesting scent we stumbled upon is a scent created to smell like Burger King flame broiled burgers.  It’s (not so) creatively called “Flame”.

Now who doesn’t want to smell like Burger King?  Sarcasm?  Yes, maybe a little.  OK, so it’s intended for men, but still!  Sure, guys like burgers, but do they really want to wear their burgers?

So out of sheer curiosity, if we were to carry some unusual scents such as mentioned above, would you be interested?  Let us know!  We’d love to hear from you, and who knows maybe you’ll be able to order that “Bacon” or “Beef Jerky” scent you’ve been dying to wear!  Or send your Mother-In-Law some “Fresh Dirt” for her birthday.

Comment below and let us know what you think!

Here we are sharing another great recipe with you!  We don’t know about you, but a relaxing rose bath sounds perfect right about now.  What is it?  It’s a relaxing bath in Roses (or Rose Water)!

Here’s what you need:

• 1 Cup Rose Petals or Rose Water*
• 1/2 Cup Coconut Milk (Or regular Milk, if Coconut Milk is not available)

*Rose water can be purchased at many health food stores.

If you are using rose water, mix your ingredients together in a large bowl or jug.  Pour the mixture into the warm bath before you slip into it, and stir mixture into the bathwater with your hand.

If you are using rose petals you can add the petals and coconut milk directly in your warm bath water.  You may want to lightly “crumple” your petals to break them just a bit, to allow the floral scent to seep out of the petal and into your bath water a little easier!

Then relax in your beautifully scented warm milky bath!  You may want to lightly rinse your skin afterward, but that is optional!

We hope you enjoy this DIY bath recipe!  Please let us know if you try it and like it!

Don’t forget to apply some fragrant Rose Perfume Oil after your bath so you can smell like roses all day long!  Visit The StarShine Company for other great scents too!

This might be my favorite collection we’ve created yet.  We’ve kept things vegan and used only high quality, highly pigmented minerals and mica (as usual!) to create these 12 fantastic shades.

Each color in our Goddess Collection has a unique sheen.  It’s a bit shimmery and a bit pearly, it’s Goddess-like!  You have to try them to see what we mean, pictures do not capture the true beauty of these colors!  They are available at The StarShine Company online at a special price, right now!

Top Three Picks you MUST try:

There are so many scents out there can help with minor ailments or with your mood.  Regardless of whether the scent is a synthetic scent or an essential oil, they can both have a place in helping you feel better and uplift your mood.  Here are a few suggestions:

1.  Sleep:  Having trouble sleeping?  Try a nice calming Lavender scent.

2.  Anxiety:  Nervous about that upcoming presentation?  Try some Sandalwood at bed time to help you relax, and wear your favorite Sandalwood perfume during the day to help you stay relaxed.

3.  Mild Depression:  Try sweet, floral Ylang Ylang.

4.  Concentration/Focus:  Try Peppermint, Grapefruit or Lemon scents.

5.  Invigorate:  Try Ginger or Jasmine.

6.  Set a Romantic mood:   Try Rose or Gardenia.

7.  A Memory:  Want to be comforted by Grandma’s fresh baked cookies?  Muffins?  Cakes?  Try baked goods scents like Chocolate Chip Cookie, Strawberry Cheesecake or Blueberry Muffin.  Ahhhh!

Try any of these scents, or choose from over 500 other scents to help with your mood.  And as always we offer our great scents in both our Hand Dipped Incense and our Perfume Oils.   Visit The StarShine Company today!