To My Dear Customers,
Today, it was brought to my attention that some customers maybe confused in regard to our mineral makeup samples based on the differences in the amount of mineral powders they receive in the jar. So I decided to write a brief overview of the differences depending on the category of each mineral makeup sample chosen.
In each category, there is a description of the amount one will receive in bold red and that photos are full size product and not an indication of the amount a customer will receive in their sample. Also, the estimated amount given is with a decimal point of the fractionated number. Basically this is equivalent to 1/10th of the value weight to slightly more actually, a customer would receive in a full size product.
Sample size of the eye colors however, seems to be the primary focus of receiving the least amount. In this category or any other category, it is reflected in the amount needed to test the product for approximately a week.
Eye colors for instance, are highly pigmented mica, and if used correctly should last for the time specified at the page exampled, approximately 7 days or more depending on usage with a standard eye shadow brush.
This is why portion size in the other sample categories will contain more, and they will also vary according to the parts of the face where applied, with the overall face being the largest area to eyes being the smallest, and reflects why foundations and mineral veils practically fill the jar to capacity. Also if using the foiling method for eyes or moist method for face, the color application and coverage will be more intense, whereby needing less product again.
Samples will also only last according to usage, dependent on how heavy or light an application technique is used.
It is my sincerest hope this has explained in detail why our generous sample sizes are prepared the way they are for the convenience of the customer. I am confident that a sample size of any mineral makeup category purchased will be sufficient to experience and gain the best results to make an informed decision on whether or not an individual color or product will work for you.
Thank you to all of my loyal customers and to those joining us in the future.
Hi Everyone,
As many of you know we have some new and exciting additions coming in 2011 as was announced several weeks ago. Researching shampoo and conditioner for ONATI, developing new Lip Pencils, and the new creation of more eye colors. Yes, it is an exciting time for us as we continue to grow and enjoy the many new customers which have joined the Sterling Minerals Family.
The one thing which has remained a constant for more than 3 years, are our prices. However, with the coming new year, we can no longer maintain our current price structure, so an unavoidable price increase will occur in order to continue to provide the excellence and continued expansion of products everyone has come to expect from us. With the ever increasing costs, of not only in research and development, but the many ingredients providing unsurpassed results in skin health, these incremental increases to us can no longer be absorbed entirely….the transition will be gentle, I promise….no sticker shock!
Some examples of real increases to us:
Our specialized key ingredients such as Boron Nitride powders have increased as much as 33%. Rice Powder increased 7%. Methicone has increased 11%. Some Micas have also increased (varies). Packaging, including the new convenient recloseable sifters increased our cost by 32%. Botanical Ingredients in some instances have increased by 15%. The biggest hit in the ONATI line was our Honey Foaming Cleansing Gel, as much as 30%, yet we are only increasing to the equivalent of our Revitalizing Cleansing Lotion even though it still exceeds manufacturing costs of the cleansing lotion. The remainder of ONATI will not increase at this time.
The very ingredients which are what make our mineral makeup products so exceptional for skin, are also the hardest hit. Along with those listed above, Jojoba Oil for instance, experienced a shortage this fall and increased our costs as much as 35% on our last bulk purchase.
Keeping Brand Integrity
For those that know me, I am unwilling to sacrifice the composition of my formulas, whereby reducing their value to you because key ingredients have jumped unsurprisingly and inevitably in cost. So as of the first of the new year, a surprisingly small increase will be completed on select products since not all products will see an increase at this time. Also I am pleased to still be able to offer my products well below my competitors of similar premium makeup brands, and I will continue to never cut corners to save a buck or charge a handling fee to cover hidden costs.
With my sincerest “thank you” to everyone for your years of support, I will continue to provide wonderful products which are made with love and a desire to offer my clients the best in skin health they can possibly enjoy without compromising the proven benefits of the ingredients which comprise our formulations. Remember, many of the improvements we have made over time have also come from you, our customers. Your shared ideas are always welcomed. Everyone will also continue to enjoy the FREE gifts we provide with your qualified purchase of Sterling Minerals and ONATI Skincare.
I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and wishing all the best for the upcoming 2011.
Cheers!
Hi Everyone,
I am so happy to announce the final changes are pending on our new website design, and I am truly excited about the re-launch of Sterling Minerals Cosmetics.
The latest updates are going to be completed this weekend, August 28th and 29th. The changes are going to be quite striking, and very aesthetically pleasing when customers return to our site next Monday.
The new look is going to be very user friendly, still easy to navigate, yet more engaging with better color photography of all our mineral makeup, making it easier to determine the color that is right for you. There will be less scrolling required which provides a more pleasurable and faster shopping experience for all.
During the changeover, you may experience some intermittent updates on parts of the site, while others will still resemble the old site. However, during the changes, shopping is still available and these changes will not interfere at any time with your shopping experience. The cart functionality is not effected by these changes.
So please don’t hesitate to continue shopping this weekend, and if you decide to wait it out over the weekend, then I look forward to your return to our new updated mineral makeup and skin care online store.
Thanks to all my great customers, past, present and future! Hope you all enjoy the new and improved Sterling Minerals!
Cheers!
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to briefly cover some things about why there have been some significant changes to my website, and why they have been occurring since the first part of 2010.
This is getting done as my web team has time and I have the time to get them the latest information. It is a constant state of a “work in progress”. Plus as we progress forward, much of the information becomes antiquated as the industry thrives and changes.
In dealing with the FDA, I have found it to be a quagmire of varying interpretations of the regulations. I have spent countless hours in phone conversations with the FDA: Cosmetics and Color division, only to have further confusion instilled when asking for clarification. In most cases you can get a completely different answer on a different day than the last.
It is clear that cosmetics cannot cross the line of OTC (over the counter) drugs, such as making claims that using a certain skincare or makeup product will heal or cure something without the proper clinical trials. But as to how far a company can go in conveying an intended purpose is the fine line that many cross, perhaps unintentionally.
The Federal Trade Commission is less confusing and their language is far from ambiguous. The FTC states that no products offered as a cosmetic can be represented as curing, clearing up or healing, including providing ingredient lists with the inference of doing same for its’ intended purpose. Complete controlled clinical studies must be performed on the combined formulation of ingredients since potency and efficacy may not be retained, or may be altered from the individual ingredients’ purported benefit, depending on composition of the completed formula.
SPF Claims Or Natural Sunscreen Protection
The same goes for SPF claims in mineral makeup or other skincare products without the FDA testing required to prove benefit. This testing is not only expensive, but it is also subjective to how much of a product is applied, rarely achieving the actual SPF Rating due to application technique. Mineral Powders for instance, rarely will reach the levels claimed due to how little is used, and is a key factor in not pursuing our SPF Rating at all.
We all know what titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are used for and the FDA endorses these as broad spectrum sunscreens. However, without a company’s own clinical tests, they cannot even make a claim to offering natural sun protection, based on what I stated above.
Herbal Extracts And Essential Oils
Individual Herbal Extracts and Essential Oils cannot be described as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, or anti-fungal unless noted in a preservative context. Otherwise it gives the inference that it will do something for problem skin.
Are we all aware of what most organic and natural products will do for us emotionally and physically?….YES! Do we recognize their Holistic benefits as provided by other resourced data?….YES! Can I claim it on my site and shout it from the rooftops?….NO!
So, in accordance with FTC mandates, this is where I will comply since nothing is open to interpretation.
Let me clearly state this is being done voluntarily and I have not received any “warning” letters from FDA or FTC. I simply wish, as always, to conduct business in a transparent and ethical manner. Truth in Labeling continues to be a part of my business ethic.
For the full story, including litigation against the FDA for Ambiguous Language and Censorship, letters from the FDA, Federal Court Rulings and a bit of humor, visit my Skin Care Guide, FDA & FTC Compliance: Wading Through The Muck!
Customer Testimonials
I love receiving all of your letters telling your stories of how our products worked for your skin. Regardless of how wonderful you feel our products are, we are unable to place testimonials on our site which contain raves claiming that our products cured, cleared up or healed the affliction, according to the FTC. In doing this, it connotes it is an OTC drug! The FDA in this regard, well forget about it.
So, if you should enclose a testimonial which contains language that will be construed as implying our products are OTC drugs, then this part will be edited out and you will see at the bottom of the testimonial, “Edited For Content Due To FDA Regulations.”
In order to remain in compliance, I will always continue with updating the site anytime there is an important change within the industry.
So I wish everyone continued enjoyment of our products and any benefit you feel they do for your skin and complexions, and it will just be between us as to, if any, improvements you may reap when using them.
Click On Photo To Enlarge
Why I Love My Backyard!
After a long and busy week, stresses can take their toll on my psyche and physical being.
Build up of stress and being so busy at times makes me forget to take time out for me…..sometimes waiting until the weekend instead of tiny breaks throughout a day. But when I do forget about the little things that matter such as some R&R, I make up for it on weekends completely turning vegetable.
Not having a vacation for several years now due to growth of our businesses, my hubby and I decided to create our own oasis within our home. So now when we both are feeling taxed and just want to take some time to refocus and visit, we retreat to our backyard.
The sight and sound of water moving and spilling into a small pool while enjoying the singing finches, and watching the plants sway in the breeze with their expressive blooms exploding in the warm air, is enough to make the mind empty and the body appreciate the lazy sprawl on a recliner for a long afternoon snooze.
This is how I decompress these days and why I have been waiting for summer to arrive all these months. Early morning coffee with hubby, with breakfast on the patio. A great way to spend the weekend!
What do you do to decompress or take a break from the hectic schedule you may keep?
Hello Everyone,
Last Friday I was forced to temporarily suspend our “Free Sample” offer due to a very rare issue with delayed emails reaching us after packages have already shipped. Apparently emails get caught up in a loop on the clients’ server and are only released once the issue clears. Unfortunately, some delays in receipt of requests have been as long as 48 hrs after the order was placed.
I am now looking into making this selection occur within our cart with a comments section which will be reflected right on the invoice. This will hopefully put an end to the confusion of email requests and circumvent technical issues related to them.
Overwhelmingly, my customers have not had email issues when requesting their samples. And those that have been with us a long time, know I always make every effort to remedy a situation where the possibility of a glitch occurred and will honor offers when it’s feasible. However, in rare instances, before I am afforded the opportunity to do so, I have received demands, rudeness and attitudes of entitlements in this regard, basically creating little opportunity for a resolution or compromise.
This is very disheartening to me since my business is my passion first, and my livelihood second. My customers best interests are first and foremost! All of the free offers are a courtesy I love to provide as my sincerest gratitude to my customers. I would give hugs instead if I were able to meet everyone in person, so my free gift offers are the proverbial “Thankful Hug“! In fact in many cases, with great appreciation, I have combined the FREE offers despite the disclaimer statement on the page.
My Continued Offer To You:
During the interim of getting this improved, for those whom wish to continue to write to us for free samples, I will do my best to honor that request and see to it they are included in the order, which has been 99.9% of the time. I just ask everyone to please realize there has never been a guarantee of delivery, so they may or may not be included depending on shipping time frames as it pertains to receipt of your email or non receipt of it, human error or simply availability. Things happen and technology has glitches, and some things are simply beyond my control. However, rather than discontinue a service altogether based on a couple of mishaps, I hope to improve on it with the new feature in the cart and simplify the free gift policy to avoid future confusion. My goal will always be to provide ZERO mishaps!
So if the minimum order totals are met of $45.00 on full size mineral powders for two free mineral makeup samples, or $55.00 on ONATI full size skincare products for free Grecian Secret Body Souffle sample, please feel free to to shoot us an email right after your order naming your color or scent choices. Or perhaps give us a call just to make sure we get it, if you like!
Thank you so much for your understanding and patience in this matter as I work to iron out some wrinkles in this process.
I sit at my desk this morning feeling overwhelming gratitude as I ponder my next article for the Skin Care Guide. As many have come to know me over the past several years, probably realize how much I truly enjoy writing, and I get to use my Blog as a place I can be myself and share my two cents on many issues.
Some issues I like to write about, interjecting facts with humor, or just to simply create a fun piece, and then there are some I don’t like to deal with! Life is not always rosy and can prove to be challenging, even for me. But I trudge through, working even on the more difficult stories that may put a knot in my gut, keeping it real, knowing that I may not have everyone concurring with my ideals. In rare instances, I unwittingly create controversy. Regardless, it has always been about keeping my readers’ best interests at heart which keeps me motivated to write those in depth articles.
After all I don’t do it to just to do it or to have something to do out of boredom, but because it is a true labor of love…..and I do mean labor. Sometimes taking me weeks or months to bring a single article to fruition depending on the research involved. I have always been about debunking myths in my industry, including over inflated claims on many products sold on the market today and conveying those findings to my readers.
It is this dedication I have practiced which has others in my industry taking notice and appreciating my candor and stance against those that want to sell by perpetuating fear!
Last week I was invited to join an expert panel of industry insiders from the U.S. and the U.K. involved in manufacturing and research and development which in large part are made up of scientists, herbalists, aromatherapists and chemists. It seems they too have enjoyed my articles based on sound science through the dissemination of the facts without scaremongering, instead of recycling old fallacies that hover on the internet for ad infinitum which most of, I might add, is mainly for marketing purposes to sell products.
I have had the opportunity to share many ideas and thoughts with my esteemed colleagues through LinkedIn on a professional level. However, I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be selected to join them in bringing forth truth based knowledge to offset in large part, those that have set out to control our industry using our government to do it with. Or use junk science to promote an agenda against the entire Personal Care Products Industry as a whole. And with all of that, I felt a certain responsibility to consumers to help them determine what was fact versus myth. An example was defeating the Colorado Personal Care Products Safety Act several months ago.
I hope everyone will visit this excellent resource for information surrounding our industry and begin to weigh sound science with junk science. Remember, there always is two sides to a story and typically those built on negativity get the most interest, sadly. But proponents for sound science are finally pushing back against those that do not give accurate information, or in most cases incomplete or antiquated data.
Hope to see you there!
Clickable Icon Below To The Site
