NS is an acronym for Nature’s Source.  When the company was founded in 2005, we wanted a name that described the basis of what we are about.  We simply use “nature’s sources” to derive the best cosmetics available.  Mineral cosmetics are not a new concept.  For thousands of years minerals have been used for cosmetic application. The cosmetic industry uses celebrities and media hype to convince consumers that it is natural to pay higher prices for makeup that neither looks as beautiful, or has the longevity of NS Minerals to downplay the simple concept that nature sources us with a myriad of practical uses. Although the formulation of which ingredients to combine to make the best mineral cosmetics is complicated, the concept that natural is better, isn’t complicated at all.

Pure mineral makeup uses your natural body chemistry (oils) to adhere to the skin, therefore improving the stay-power and health of the skin.  Liquid makeup can clog your pores and trap bacteria beneath the surface. NS allows your skin to breathe while still offering skin tone coverage and protection without causing breakouts. NS has also added a proprietary mineral complex of ingredients that are natural nutrients for the skin. This unique blend helps fight aging and acne, while also encouraging new, healthy cell growth and hydrating the skin. NS Mineral make-up has a lightweight coverage and is easier and faster to apply than liquids and creams. It also has minerals that naturally protect your skin from the sun and impurities in the air.

NS Minerals uses safe natural ingredients that actually have health benefits for your skin. The NS complex also provides essential mineral nutrients that are beneficial to hydrating and protecting your skin.  The minerals also provide a natural sunblock for daily SPF protection.  Since daily sun damage is what causes most dark spots and wrinkles, it’s important to shield yourself every day. NS will not cause acne and helps to calm redness in the skin.

NS Mineral foundation looks and feels much more natural, without sacrificing any of the coverage! It also smooths and evens out skin tone, giving the look of naturally flawless skin, rather than the look of a caked on mask of makeup. Not all mineral makeup covers the same. Just like any product each company has differently sourced ingredients and formulas. NS is made to mesh and grab on well to oils, offering superior coverage. The type of brush you use, and the amount you put on determine the amount of coverage. You can also blend NS with any face lotion or eye cream to get a heavier coverage, although most don’t need to. You can also wear NS as a tinted moisturizer.  Tutorials are available on the NS Minerals’ YouTube™ channel to show how easily you can blend our products to your individual needs. Over the years, customers have repeatedly stated that NS has a superior natural look and coverage, as well as a better longevity than competing mineral product lines.

Mineral makeup is simply minerals that are mined from the earth and treated, coated and refined to produce cosmetic grade pigment, safe to use on the skin. These pigments used alone are considered natural but when mixed with chemicals, dyes, and cosmetic fillers they no longer can be called natural. This is what most cosmetic companies do, which results in a short shelf life and quicker consumption. Mica, titanium dioxide, zinc and iron oxides are minerals often used in conventional cosmetics even if only in trace amounts, but NS is PURELY minerals.  At Nature’s Source we don’t add any unnecessary ingredients.  The purity makes your product last longer and keeps you from having to reapply throughout the day.

Drug store brands are mass manufactured and focus on giving you less content and filling their products with cheapened ingredients to give you a “better” price point and ultimately sell more product. The best recommendation we can give is to COMPARE the net weight, and ingredients. We encourage everyone to just see for themselves. If a mineral foundation has 5 grams (half of our content) and is filled with talc and other unnecessary fillers for $14, NS actually gives you more product for a better price when you compare.

Remember that if the brush is cheap or free, you are probably getting what you paid for. The better the quality of the brush (the softer the bristles, and the more tightly compact) the better the application of makeup. Additionally, cheaper brushes often result in faster use of the makeup, unnecessarily. It is always a good idea to invest in quality brushes.  NS Minerals carries only the highest quality brushes possible.  We make our brushes as affordable as possible, because it’s significant to the quality of how the makeup is applied.  Using a tapered, short handle brush works the best to apply the foundation all over the face (which is why we recommend our Kabuki for a nice medium coverage). NS brushes are specially made to pick up loose powder, apply and blend evenly on the face.  The concealer brush is excellent to apply in a concentrated spot where more coverage is needed (under eye, blemishes, dark spots, etc.).  A large eye shadow brush is good for an all-over color or to highlight the eyebrows.  A smaller eye shadow brush is good for putting a darker color in the crease or getting contrast when blending multiple colors.  The angled liner brush is perfect for wetting and mixing with the pigments to transform any of them into an eye liner.

Almost any mineral or herb, no matter how beneficial or pure, can give someone an adverse reaction.  There is no single product on this planet that will be a “one size fits all”.  Everyone’s skin and body chemistry is unique.  At NS we strive to make our formulations as friendly as possibly to any skin type.  A lot of companies use propaganda techniques claiming certain ingredients are bad for your skin, and that they do not contain them, and some ingredients that are commonly used will remain controversial. Rest assured, we make sure our ingredients are cosmetic grade and as safe as possible.  Minerals have been used for thousands of years SAFELY.

Sometimes companies overuse the ingredient “Bismuth Oxychloride” and some people don’t react well to it. Many of those who are unable to wear other brands that contain it can wear NS Minerals because it uses substantially smaller amounts. The inability to wear mineral makeup was often a result of a reaction to the excess of the ingredient. It is very rare we have customers react to our products. Bismuth Oxychloride is key to keep the makeup from having a “chalk-like” appearance so if you decide to go with a brand that doesn’t use it, make sure to test the look of the product first. Occasionally someone will be allergic to the Titanium Dioxide that provides sun screen, but generally mineral make-up, very seldom causes an allergic reaction.  Mineral ingredients are on the periodic table of elements and they are refined into a cosmetic ingredient that is excellent at making the make-up smoother and giving you better coverage.

NS Minerals uses only MICA as a carrier to our pigments as opposed to talc used by other cosmetics and has far inferior quality. While the minerals in the makeup like mica, may have natural sheen, it has the best application and adhesive qualities. There are many types of Mica and refining processes and because NS uses only the best refined Mica, our pigments contain sheen. Consequently, don’t carry matte colors because less refined Mica results in mineral pigments losing their blending and stay-power. We recommend the use of an eye primer, (which is already a must have), but when blended with pigment using a brush or finger, tones down the shine significantly.

If you’re worried that sparkly make up isn’t appropriate for your age, we understand.  Just know that it isn’t!  We would recommend steering away from NS Nightlife Single Pigment because those contain an ingredient that appears very glittery. Our pigments look amazing on mature skin, and make the eyes pop. Definitely use the eye primer for the best matte look and protects from creasing and fading. Remember, blending is the key!

Every skin type can benefit from Nature’s Source Mineral Makeup.

Oily skin: Mineral Makeup is great for oily skin. Liquid foundations contain oils, additives and fillers that can clog the pores and cause breakouts. The Advanced Oil Control Setting Powder contains rice powder and a new ingredient that are excellent at absorbing excess oils throughout the day. Its pH is also at its best to provide all day oil absorption and keeping your skin balanced.

Dry skin: Mineral Makeup leaves your skin with a flawless look and because there is no talc (that is used in pressed foundations) Nature’s Source will not settle in tiny lines and wrinkles, which can make your skin look dry and old. The foundation can blend beautifully with any moisturizer to create a tinted moisturizer at any desired strength in color. The unique trace minerals complex found in our foundation have hydrating qualities for the skin. We also recommend our Green Tea Setting Powder for those with dry skin. The Green Tea Setting Powder consists of actual Green Tea extracts which make for a potent and excellent formula. Green Tea is an anti-inflammatory, and hydrates the skin.

Sensitive skin: People who are sensitive to makeup are most likely sensitive to all the fillers that are in cosmetics. Nature’s Source has no fragrance, no oils, no fillers, and no chemical dyes to irritate skin. We recommend the Green Tea Setting Powder for this skin type as well.

Rosacea:  Titanium Dioxide acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and has no ingredients that will irritate this condition. It covers up redness phenomenally, so those with this condition are receiving the coverage they need to feel better about their skin, without aggravating the condition. We recommend the Green Tea Setting Powder because of its anti-inflammatory qualities.