Hollywood Secret: Primer!

So now that we've talked about many of the skin care sets that Mary Kay has, we can move into make-up. Everyone knows Mary Kay for make-up, even though they should know Mary Kay for it's skin care.

There is a secret that many use in the fashion and model industry as well as Hollywood. This secret helps keep your make-up fresh. It's called PRIMER! Mary Kay has 4 different primers, each with a specific task. Using them all will help you look flawless all day.

The first is Foundation Primer ($16, plus tax). This is a light gel that absorbs into the skin easily. Yes, I tried this product to see what it feels like. This formula is oil free and has minerals in it to help absorb oil. Additionally, this product will make pores, fine lines and wrinkles appear smaller. As a bonus, it has an SPF 15. The main benefit of Foundation Primer is that it helps extend the wear of your foundation. For more information, check here:

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Face/Primer/Mary-Kay-Foundation-Primer-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-15-/110601.partId?eCatId=10548

Another primer is Timewise Age-Fighting Lip Primer ($22, plus tax). If you notice, this is a Timewise product, which means it's anti-age and anti-wrinkle. According to studies 100% of women had an improvement of fine lines around the lip area after using this product. That is everyone, just in case you didn't catch that part. Additionally, this product helps keep your lipstick and lip gloss in place--on your lips. This is a definite product to check into.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Lips/TimeWise-Age-Fighting-Lip-Primer/100706.partId?eCatId=10014

Eye Primer ($12, plus tax). This product is for eye color. For those who want to prevent creasing and smudging of eye color, this is the product for you. This product is suitable for all skin types and even contact lens wearers can use it. NOTE: Mary Kay sells cream eye colors. A primer is not needed for those. Just for the mineral eye colors.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Eyes/Eye-Care/Mary-Kay-Eye-Primer/130901.partId?eCatId=10545

Mary Kay Lash Primer ($15, plus tax). This product helps make your lashes fuller when used as a base coat under mascara. This product can also be used alone for a natural lash look. Helps keep lashes curled and extends the wear of your mascara.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Eyes/Mascara-/-Lashes/Mary-Kay-Lash-Primer/130902.partId?eCatId=10544

I hope this information was helpful! Using any of these products will help you create a flawless look. It's time we shared this information so it's no longer a Hollywood secret!

As always, I welcome comments and questions! www.marykay.com/dmanor

Take care!

Skin Care Sets: MK Men's Set

Okay, we've talked about age-fighting, advanced age-fighting and sets for teens. We now need to talk about men. We know that most men could use some serious skin care attention (not that most would admit that). Mary Kay has a men's line that is great for men, especially those not used to a skin care regimen. There are four items in the MK Men's Skin Care Set: MK Men Face Bar, MK Men Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 25, MK Men Shave Foam and MK Men Cooling After-Shave Gel. And just in case the men are worried, the packaging is not pink. It's a very masculine black and silver.

MK Men Face Bar ($14, plus tax). The MK Men Face Bar preps the skin for shaving, removes residue left from shaving and is the first step in reducing the signs of aging.


http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Mens/MKMen-Face-Bar/100603.partId?eCatId=10662

MK Men Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 25 ($22, plus tax). Men need moisture for their skin, just like women do (although most men would not admit it). Additionally, the sun is the number one cause of the signs of premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles. A product with an SPF is essential in reversing or preventing the signs of aging.






http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Mens/MKMen-Moisturizer-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-25-/100606.partId?eCatId=10662

MK Men Shave Foam ($10, plus tax). I know some men might wonder why this shave foam is $10. First of all, it's the best one I've ever used. I never feel razor burn when using this product. It also last a long time, so I don't feel like I am getting ripped off. Makes shaving smooth and easy and my face feels great!

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Mens/MKMen-Shave-Foam/100608.partId?eCatId=10662

MK Men After-Shave Gel ($14, plus tax). Even though my skin feels great after I use the MK Men Shave Foam, this is another of my favorites. I don't feel like I need the After-Shave Gel since the Shave Foam leaves my skin feeling great. But this is an extra bonus on top of a great shave. Prevents my skin from getting irritated so I don't regret shaving the next day. When I was in the army, I had to shave every day. The After-Shave Gel and the Shave Foam helped out a lot.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Mens/MKMen-Cooling-After-Shave-Gel/100602.partId?eCatId=10662

Unfortunately, there isn't a single link where you can buy these as a set. But these products are meant to be used together and should be. All four products together are $60, plus tax. This is a great set to get any man in your life as a gift. And there still is time to shop before Christmas if you need any last minute ideas.

Feel free to ask any questions, post any comments or just say hi! I look forward to hearing from you. www.marykay.com/dmanor.

Take care!

Skin Care Sets: Mary Kay Acne Fighters Set

Hello again everyone! We are still talking about skin care sets. Lately, we've been talking a lot about anti-age and anti-wrinkle sets. Today we are going to the opposite end of the spectrum and we'll talk about something that most teens worry about (and some adults worry about it, too). ACNE!

Mary Kay has a set that targets the causes of acne and helps clear up the skin. Everyone wants clear skin, the teen, the adult and even those who are older. Both men and women want clear skin. So, this blog should be interesting to many people. The set consists of Velocity Cleanser, Velocity Moisturizer, Blemish Control Toner #3 and Acne Treatment Gel. The set is $42, plus tax. Very affordable.

Velocity Cleanser ($10, plus tax) deep cleans the face without removing essential oils from the skin. It also exfoliates and refreshes the skin.

www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Blemishes-/-Acne/Velocity-Facial-Cleanser/100801.partId?eCatId=10657

Blemish Control Toner #3 ($13, plus tax) reduces the number of pimples and blackheads and eliminates excess oil.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Blemishes-/-Acne/Classic-Basic-Blemish-Control-Toner-3-oily-/100202.partId?eCatId=10657

Acne Treatment Gel ($7, plus tax) penetrates the pores and eliminates blackheads, pimples and other blemishes. The Acne Treatment Gel also prevents new blemishes.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Blemishes-/-Acne/Mary-Kay-Acne-Treatment-Gel/100401.partId?eCatId=10657

Velocity Cleanser ($12, plus tax) softens and smooths the skin. The moisturizer also controls excess oil.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Blemishes-/-Acne/Velocity-Lightweight-Moisturizer/100802.partId?eCatId=10657

When I first started using Mary Kay products, my recruiter gifted the entire Men's line to me, so I could try the products. They were great. But once I started selling Mary Kay, I decided to try the other skin care lines to see which I liked best. I LOVED Velocity for a long time. It was the set I used until I started thinking about anti-age and anti-wrinkle. I use Timewise now, but I still think Velocity is great!

This set is perfect for the teens. If a teen has relatively clear skin, the Cleanser and the Moisturizer might be enough, with the Acne Treatment Gel as a spot treatment. Anyone with blemish prone skin should use all four products. For more information on the set, look here:

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Blemishes-/-Acne/Mary-Kay-Acne-Fighters-Set/100110.partId?eCatId=10657

And remember, the products are guaranteed. You can trade them out or get a refund anytime. And since we are talking about blemish prone skin, Mary Kay does have a medical relations department if you ever use something that causes a major reaction. It is rare, but I wanted to mention it anyway.

As always, I hope to hear from you. www.marykay.com/dmanor.

Take care!

Skin Care Sets: Timewise Repair Volu-Firm

Okay, so we are still talking about sets. Let's talk about the newest one. Timewise Repair Volu-Firm Set. This is the highest line of anti-age and anti-wrinkle in the Mary Kay line. This set is no joke. It launched in the early fall, this year. I've used this set over the last three months. I am younger than the recommended age, but I wanted to see how this product works for myself. Awesome is just not good enough. This set is made for those over 50 years of age, for those who have visible signs of aging or for those looking for the top of the line in skin care.

There are 5 products in this set. We've talked about 4 of them in earlier posts (see Cleansers, Day/Night Solutions and Eye product posts from earlier this month).

This is the second skin care set that has the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. This is a big deal. Mary Kay will stand behind this product. If it does not do everything they claim, you can get your money back. And if Mary Kay doesn't refund your money, then Good Housekeeping will. It's that good. Definitely worth a try. Ask yourself, what do you have to lose (other than wrinkles)?

Here are some of the benefits based on a 12 week study:

91% had less noticeable deep lines and wrinkles (NOTE--not FINE lines--DEEP ones)
86% said the skin look lifted
98% had less undereye puffiness (almost everyone)
93% said the skin looked more even toned
93% said they had a significant improvement in overall appearance

While using advanced wrinkle analyzer technology the following was found:

86% had a decrease in the appearance of average wrinkle length
81% had a decrease in the appearance of average wrinkle width

As a personal user, I can tell you for certain that the fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes are gone. I'm 38 years old and people still think I'm in my twenties. I also noticed the two deep lines in my forehead are fading. I can't be more pleased.

One thing I can tell you is that my skin does feel a bit more oily than when I use the regular Timewise Miracle Set. I have combination skin, anyway. Someone with dry skin my not notice as much. Also, older skin tends to be more dry. This set will help with that. I find that if I use the Microdermabrasion twice per week and the Classic Skin Care #3 Mask for oily skin twice per week, I keep the oiliness down to a minimum.

This set retails for $199, plus tax. So, this isn't cheap. It's the most expensive line in Mary Kay at the moment. If you look for comparable products with other companies, they start at $400. The discount lines that are less expensive than Mary Kay don't have all the benefits that the Timewise Repair line has. So, you are either missing benefits by buying something cheaper, or you are spending too much money by paying more. If you buy the products separately, you pay $36 more. So, it saves you money to buy the set.

For more information on the set, check out this link:

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Advanced-Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Repair-Volu-Firm-Set/100906.partId?eCatId=10655

For information on individual items in this set, look here:

Timwise Repair Volu-Firm Foaming Cleanser ($25, plus tax)

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Advanced-Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Repair-Volu-Firm-Foaming-Cleanser/100901.partId?eCatId=10655Timewise Repair Volu-Firm Foaming Cleanser

Timewise Repair Volu-Firm Day Cream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($50, plus tax)

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Advanced-Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Repair-Volu-Firm-Day-Cream-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-br-SPF-30-/100903.partId?eCatId=10655

Timewise Repair Volu-Firm Night Treatment with Retinol ($50, plus tax)

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Advanced-Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Repair-Volu-Firm-Night-Treatment-With-Retinol/100904.partId?eCatId=10655

Timewise Repair Volu-Firm Lifting Serum ($70, plus tax)

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Advanced-Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Repair-Volu-Firm-Lifting-Serum/100902.partId?eCatId=10655

Timewise Repair Volu-Firm Eye Renewal Cream ($40, plus tax)

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Advanced-Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Repair-Volu-Firm-Eye-Renewal-Cream/100905.partId?eCatId=10655

As always, I welcome questions, comments and product reviews. www.marykay.com/dmanor.

Take care!

Skin Care Sets: Timewise Miracle Set

We've talked about basics and some supplements. It's time to put things together. Mary Kay has a series of Skin Care sets met to meet specific needs. Today, we will talk about the Miracle Set. This set is perfect for those college age and older. Even if you don't have fine lines and wrinkles, it's better to prevent them than it is to repair them. This is the set to keep you beautiful your whole life.

The Mary Kay Miracle Set consists of 5 items. Mary Kay Timewise 3-in-1 Cleanser, Timewise Day Solution, Timewise Night Solution, Timewise Age-Fighting Moisturizer and any Foundation. It starts from $104, plus tax (price depends on your foundation).

The Timewise Miracle Set boast the following 11 benefits:

Cleanse, exfoliate, freshen, energize, hydrate, smooth, firm, soften,  protect, rebuild and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Can your current skin care program do all that? If not, give this one a try and see how it compares to your current skin care program. If your skin care program can do all of this, let's see if I can save you money.

The Day and Night Solutions are good for all skin types. Remember that the Cleanser and the Moisturizer have Normal/Dry and Combination/Oily formulas. Check out my earlier post on Foundation to know which to choose that will best meet your skin care needs.

If you'd like to try the Timewise Miracle Set, but don't want to over commit yourself, pick the Trial Version for only $44, plus tax. You'll get a 1 month supply, just long enough to see how this product works for you. As a bonus, this set is airline travel ready!!!

As an even bigger bonus, the Miracle Set is great for sensitive skin INCLUDING those who suffer from Rosacea. It does NOT cure Rosacea. So let's be clear. But it does not aggrivate the skin if you suffer from Rosacea. It's definitely worth a try.

Even better, the Timewise Miracle Set has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. This is HUGE!!! Mary Kay will already refund your money if you don't love this product. But the Good Housekeeping people stand by the Miracle Set as well. How can you go wrong? Does your skin care
routine have the Good Housekeeping Seal? And in case I have not sold this one enough, here are the results of  a 12 week study using just the Miracle Set:

83% had a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
up to 25% improvement in skin elasticity
100% had softer more supple skin (that's everyone, by the way)
46% had an improvement in more even skin tone.

Rosacea Benefits (two week study)
95% showed an improvement in skin texture
80% showed a more even skin tone (that's 4 out of 5--woo hoo!)
60% showed improvement in skin redness (that's 3 out of 5--still not bad!)

I hope this convinces you to at least try the Miracle Set. Remember, if you are not 100% satisfied, return it. Get your money back (or get some other products you like better). It's that simple!

I love this company!!!

For more on the Miracle Set, check out my website here:

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Miracle-Set-normal/dry-/100752.partId?eCatId=10654#false

For the Normal/Dry Trial Set:

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Trial-Miracle-Set-normal/dry-/100755.partId?eCatId=10654

For the Combination/Oily Trial Set:

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Trial-Miracle-Set-combination/oily-/100754.partId?eCatId=10654

And I am always available for questions or comments. www.marykay.com/dmanor.

Take care!

Supplements: More for the Eyes

So we've talked about eye creams that help moisturize and that are anti-age and anti-wrinkle. We've talked about dark circles and puffiness. Now it's time to talk about some other eye products.

Oil-free Eye Make-up Remover ($15, plus tax). This is a Mary Kay Best Seller! If you want to easily remove all of your eye make-up AND leave your lashes in place, this is the product for you. Beauty experts also use this product to remove lip make-up. Just remember to shake up the bottle first. This makes an AWESOME gift!

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Eyes/Eye-Care/Mary-Kay-Oil-Free-Eye-Makeup-Remover/180101.partId?eCatId=10545

Indulge Soothing Eye Gel ($15, plus tax). The Eye Gel is perfect for a little extra pampering around the eyes. Use as a spot treatment to soak into the skin or add a thin layer and use it like a mask. If you want an instant perk up for tired eyes, this is what you should use.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Eyes/Eye-Care/Indulge-Soothing-Eye-Gel/180102.partId?eCatId=10545

Brow Gel ($10, plus tax). One way to finish framing the face is to set the brows. Use on top of your pencil or mineral eye color to hold the color and keep the brows in place. Dries soft and natural (not stiff like hair gel). Helps brows appear fuller as well.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Eyes/Brow-Care/Mary-Kay-Brow-Gel/130106.partId?eCatId=10022

Lash & Brow Building Serum ($38, plus tax). This is a new product in the Mary Kay line. If you thought of using something like Latisse, try Mary Kay Lash & Brow Building Serum first. It's definitely cheaper, does not require a prescription and you can return it if it doesn't work. Will build fuller, healthier lashes and brows.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Eyes/Brow-Care/Mary-Kay-Lash-Brow-Building-Serum-/130108.partId?eCatId=10022

Again, I hope you find this information useful. Please share, post comments or ask questions. I'd love to hear from you.

As always, my website is www.marykay.com/dmanor

Take Care!

Supplements: Microdermabrasion and Replenishing Serum +C

Okay, so we've covered the basics and the very basics. Now we are moving into supplements. Some of these are still strongly recommended for all skin types and all skin care regiments. But, you can pick and choose from these items as you need them. Or use them for a bit of needed pampering.

Timewise Microdermabrasion ($55, plus tax as a set). Mary Kay's Microdermabrasion has two steps to it. Step 1 is Refine ($30, plus tax). This step is after your cleanser and before any Day or Night treatments. You need a very little amount of this product. A little goes a long way.

Did you know that dead skin cells around the pores make the pores look bigger? The Refine step buffs away these dead skin cells almost instantly making the pores appear smaller. The "buffer" beads are all the same size and none are jagged. So this doesn't hurt or irriate the skin.

The Refine step is recommended once or twice per week. You won't need it more often than that. Mary Kay also recommends not using any masks on the same day as the Microdermabrasion.

Step 2 is Replenish($25, plus tax). Replenish is required after Refine. Refine has the antioxidants and botanicals which replenish the skin with vital ingredients after the skin is buffed clean.

Both of these steps are Timewise--so they are anti-age and anti-wrinkle.

Set http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Microdermabrasion-Set/100723.partId?eCatId=10654

Refine http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Microdermabrasion-Step-1-Refine/100724.partId?eCatId=10654

Replenish http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Microdermabrasion-Step-2-Replenish/100725.partId?eCatId=10654

Another great Mary Kay product is the Timewise Replenishing Serum +C ($55 plus tax). This is a lightweight serum packed with antioxidants and vitamin C.  Replenishing Serum +C is meant to eliminate free radicals which cause premature signs of aging.

This product is used twice per day, with just three pumps each. It is also meant to go on after your Day and Night products, but before your moisturizer. If you are using the Microdermabrasion Set, those two products are first. Again, this is another anti-age and anti-wrinkle product.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Replenishing-Serum+C-/100744.partId?eCatId=10654

My wife loves the Microdermabrasion. It is her favorite product from Mary Kay. She did have one professional facial. The salon worker asked her if she uses a microdermabrasion product of any kind. At the time, my wife said no, but her husband recommended one. The salon worker told her she had a smart husband. True story!

I am a big fan of the Microdermabrasion Set as well, but I do love the Replenishing Serum +C. While attending Seminar for Mary Kay, they gave us a three day sample of the Replenishing Serum +C so we could try it before the product launched. This is the FIRST product I fell in love with on the very first use. My skin feels amazing using it.

As always, feel free to ask me any questions. I love to answer and help. You can contact me here or through my website. www.marykay.com/dmanor
Take care!

Continuing Basics: Day Solution and Night Solution!!

Okay, now that we've talked about the very basics; cleanser, moisturizer and foundation, it's time to talk about a few extras that should still be considered in any everyday skin care routine (I would say beauty routine, but that might turn off some men who clearly need to read this).

Timewise Day Solution with SPF 35 ($30, plus tax). This is a lightweight serum that blends into the skin quickly. The main purpose of this product is to protect the skin from the elements that harm the skin--sun damage, pollution, etc. In addition, there is an SPF 35 that is recommended by the FDA to prevent skin damage. Did you know that the sun is the leading cause of premature aging and skin damage? Why not defend against it?

This product goes on after your cleanser and before your moisturizer.  This product is NOT a moisturizer by itself. I've had a few  customers skip the moisturizer thinking that the Day Solution is good enough on it's own. While it is a necessary step, it's not a moisturizer.

This product has anti-age and anti-wrinkle properties. This product is recommended for those using Timewise Cleanser and Timewise Moisturizer but anyone of any age can use this product. You can save $5 on this product if you buy it as part of the Miracle Set.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Day-Solution-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-35-/10054113.partId?eCatId=10654

Timewise Repair Day Cream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($50, plus tax). This is a new product that debuted in the summer of 2012 with the entire Timewise Repair line. This product is meant for those over the age of 50, for those with visible signs of skin damage or premature aging or those who want the top of the line in skin care can also use this product.

Unlike the Timewise Day Solution, The Timewise Repair Day Cream is a moisturizer as well. So you can protect and moisturize your skin in one step. You will save $36 if you buy the entire Timewise Repair system than if you buy the products individually.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Advanced-Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Repair-Volu-Firm-Day-Cream-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-br-SPF-30-/100903.partId?eCatId=10655

Timewise Night Solution ($30, plus tax). I love this product. It's a clear solution with vitamin filled capsules. The pump breaks open the capsules to put fresh vitamins in the serum only as you use it. This prevents the breakdown of the vitamins over time as the product waits to come to you.

A friend of mine described the Night Solution as her "boyfriend in a bottle". When she uses this product, she imagines tiny little construction men repairing her skin while she sleeps. This product helps to reverse the damage to the skin from the day.

Timewise Night Solution is used between your Cleanser and Moisturizer. You will also save $5 on this product if you buy it with the Miracle Set (this would be a total of $10 when you add the Day Solution).

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Night-Solution/100736.partId?eCatId=10654
Timewise Repair Volu-firm Night Treatment With Retinol ($50, plus tax). Again, this is a new product that launched this summer with the Timewise Repair Line. Another lightweight product that repairs the skin from the damage which occurred during the day.

I had to look up Retinol. Here is what I found:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinol

Again, you will save money on this product if you purchase it as a skin care system instead of individual items. This product is intended for the same customers as its Day Cream counterpart.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Concern/Advanced-Age-Fighting/TimeWise-Repair-Volu-Firm-Night-Treatment-With-Retinol/100904.partId?eCatId=10655

I hope you find this information helpful. I am available for questions, comments or product reviews at anytime. Feel free to share this information with anyone you think could benefit (and that includes other Mary Kay Consultants). Feel free to message me here or visit my website: www.marykay.com/dmanor

Take care!

Back to Basic: Foundation!!!

So if we've already talked about food for the skin and moisturizer for the skin, it's time we talk about shelter! In other words, your foundation. You've just cleansed your skin, added moisturizer--now put something on top to keep all that good stuff in and prevent the bad stuff from returning.

Mary Kay has a host of foundations, 7 different types of foundation to meet your skin care needs. I am 100% certain you will not only find the right type, but the perfect shade. Nobody should know you have foundation on. If you do it right, nobody will know. That's the point, right? Make them all think you were born with that skin. So here are the foundations, starting with least coverage and building to the most coverage.

Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 ($18, plus tax). Sheer; 6 shades. This is a lightweight moisturizer with a hint of pigment to even out skin tone. As an added benefit, there is an SPF of 20. This is the perfect summer foundation, since it not only protect from the sun, but adds moisture to the skin. The Tinted Moisturizer will not hide all imperfections since it is a sheer coverage, but it will even out skin tone.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Face/Tinted-Moisturizer/Mary-Kay-Tinted-Moisturizer-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-20-/Ivory-1/10054328.partId?eCatId=10013

Mineral Powder ($18, plus tax). Sheer; 12 shades. This is is a lightweight foundation, with build-able coverage. You can add layers of this foundation to build the coverage you want. This foundation also helps with shine and oil control. Best if applied with the Mineral Powder Foundation Brush
($10, plus tax).

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Face/Foundation/Mary-Kay-Mineral-Powder-Foundation/Ivory-0.5/111210.partId?eCatId=10012

Pressed Powder ($14, plus tax). Sheer; 6 shades. Another sheer coverage foundation, but fits into any of the Mary Kay Compacts (from $16, plus tax). Build-able coverage and great for oil control and shine.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Face/Mary-Kay-Sheer-Mineral-Pressed-Powder/Ivory-1/111305.partId?eCatId=10005

Cream-to-Powder ($14, plus tax). Medium; 10 shades. Cream-to-powder moves into the medium coverage category. This foundation applies like a cream foundation offering more coverage and hiding more imperfections. Then, this foundation dries like a powder, so it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. This foundation also fits into any of the Mary Kay Compacts (from $16, plus tax).

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Face/Foundation/Mary-Kay-Creme-to-Powder-Foundation/Ivory-0.5/110308.partId?eCatId=10012

Medium Coverage Liquid Foundation ($15, plus tax). Medium; 20 shades. Mary Kay Medium Coverage Foundation is a liquid foundation specifically marketed for oil control. If you have oily skin, but like a liquid foundation, this is the one for you. Goes on best if applied with the Liquid Foundation Brush ($10, plus tax).

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Face/Foundation/Mary-Kay-Medium-Coverage-Foundation/Ivory-100/110915.partId?eCatId=10012

Timewise Liquid Foundations ($20, plus tax). Medium; 23 shades. There are two formulas for this foundation. Timewise Luminous-Wear Foundation, for those with Normal to Dry skin and Timewise Matte-Wear Foundation, for those with Combination and Oily Skin. These are Timewise foundations,
so they have the anti-age and anti-wrinkle properties. These are made for those ladies who like liquid foundation and are using either the Timewise Skincare line or the Timewise Repair Skincare line. Best if applied with the Liquid Foundation Brush ($10).

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Face/Foundation/TimeWise-Luminous-Wear-Liquid-Foundation/Ivory-1/111418.partId?eCatId=10012

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Face/Foundation/TimeWise-Matte-Wear-Liquid-Foundation/Ivory-1/111518.partId?eCatId=10012

Cream Foundation ($16, plus tax). Full; 11 shades. Cream Foundations are full coverage foundations. Mary Kay's Cream Foundation is made for those with severe dry skin or those who wish to hide imperfections. My own personal opinion would be that this foundation would also make a drag queen very happy. Those with Oily skin will not like this foundation. Those who are not used to wearing foundations at all will also most likely not like this foundation since it will feel heavy to them.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Makeup/Mary-Kay-Day-Radiance-Cream-Foundation/Antique-Ivory/110402.partId?eCatId=10003

Again, I am so looking forward to answering any questions that you might have. Please feel free to send me a message or check out my website. www.marykay.com/dmanor

Take care!

Back to Basics: Moisturizer!!!

So now that we've talked about finding the right cleanser, we should now talk about finding the right moisturizer. Think of cleanser as food for your skin. Moisturizer is the water for your skin. Even those with oily skin need moisture. You just need the right kind. Did you know that a loss of firmness in the skin is usually just a sign of a loss in moisture? Try using one and seeing how your skin firms up in reaction to the moisurizer.

Mary Kay has 8 different moisturizers to meet your skin care needs. Here is a breakdown of what Mary Kay offers (and yes, don't forget that prices are subject to change at anytime).

Velocity Moisturizer ($12, plus tax). This moisturizer is paired with the Velocity Cleanser and is geared for the teen. It's a lightweight moisturizer that blends in easily. The cleanser and the moisturizer together are part of Mary Kay's acne treatment line (adding the Classic Line #3 toner and the Acne Treatment Gel). There are no anti-age or anti-wrinkle properties in the Velocity line.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Velocity-Lightweight-Moisturizer/100802.partId?eCatId=10026

Botanical Effects Moisturizer ($16, plus tax). The Botanical Effects line is targeted for those 18 to 25 years of age--so your typical college student. There are three formulas, one for Dry skin, one for Normal skin and one for Oily skin. There are no anti-age or anti-wrinkle properties in the Botanical Effects line. And again, the packaging is made from recycled materials for those who find this important. This line is also hypoallergenic, fragrance free and dye free.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Mary-Kay-Botanical-Effects-Hydrate-Formula-1-Dry-Skin-/100217.partId?eCatId=10026

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Mary-Kay-Botanical-Effects-Hydrate-Formula-2-Normal-Skin-/100218.partId?eCatId=10026

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Mary-Kay-Botanical-Effects-Hydrate-Formula-3-Oily-Skin-/100219.partId?eCatId=10026

Timewise Moisturizer ($22, plus tax). Timewise has three separate moisturizers, depending on your skin type. There is one moisturizer for Normal to Dry skin and another moisturizer for Combination and Oily skin. Mary Kay also has a third moisturizer for all skin types with an SPF of 30. So you can moisturize and protect the skin on your face daily.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/TimeWise-Age-Fighting-Moisturizer-normal/dry-/100708.partId?eCatId=10026

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/TimeWise-Age-Fighting-Moisturizer-combination/oily-/100707.partId?eCatId=10026

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/TimeWise-Age-Fighting-Moisturizer-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-30-/10054102.partId?eCatId=10026

MK Men's Moisturizer with SPF 25 ($22, plus tax). Yes again, we are talking about skin care for men. More and more men are concerned about it. Men's skin, on average, tends to be more oily when compared to the skin of women. So there is a moisturizer in the Men's line that is geared for the man. Additionlly, this moisturizer has and SPF of 25 in it to protect the skin from sun damage.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/MKMen-Moisturizer-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-25-/100606.partId?eCatId=10026

Again, you might need trial and error to find a moisturizer that works for you. Remember, every product purchased from Mary Kay is guaranteed. If you don't like it for any reason, exchange it or return it for a refund. Not a single Consultant will be upset about the return. That's what we are here for! To make you the happiest customer you can be!

Check out my website for more information. And if you have a question, please ask. I love to answer! www.marykay.com/dmanor

Take care!

Back to Basics: Cleanser

It's been a while since I've made any posts here. So let's get back to the basics. CLEANSER!

The fundamental part of any great skin care routine is  cleanser. Obviously, it cleans the face of impurities and preps the skin for what comes next. A good skin cleanser will also pull impurities out of the pores. The cleaner your pores are, the smoother your skin looks and feels.

So, how do you choose a cleanser? First, you need to figure out what your goals are. Second, you try a cleanser and yes--it might be by trial and error.

Mary Kay has 10 cleansers to meet your needs. So which one is the right one? Here is a break down (by the way, all prices are subject to change after this post). Follow the links to learn more about each product.

Velocity Cleanser (retails for $10, plus tax). This cleanser is geared towards the teen. Velocity Cleanser is great for soaking up excess oil and cleaning the pores. It has a slight fragrance, but it's great for both teen boys and girls. There are no anti-age or anti-wrinkle properties in Velocity Cleanser.




http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Velocity-Facial-Cleanser/100801.partId?eCatId=10026

Botanical Effects Cleansers (retails for $14, plus tax). These cleansers are geared towards the college student. There are three formulas. Formula 1 is for those with Dry Skin. Formula 2 is for those with Normal to Combination Skin. Formula 3 is for those who have oily skin. There are no anti-age or anti-wrinkle properties in the Botanical Effects Cleansers. Packaging is made from recycled materials, for those that worry about the environment.







http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Mary-Kay-Botanical-Effects-Cleanse-Formula-1-Dry-Skin-/100205.partId?eCatId=10026


http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Mary-Kay-Botanical-Effects-Cleanse-Formula-2-Normal-Skin-/100206.partId?eCatId=10026

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Mary-Kay-Botanical-Effects-Cleanse-Formula-3-Oily-Skin-/100209.partId?eCatId=10026

Timewise Cleanser (retails for $18, plus tax). The Timewise Cleansers are geared towards those between 25 and 50 years old. This is the first skin care line from Mary Kay with anti-age and anti-wrinkle properties. Many at age 25 might wonder, "why would I use a product for wrinkles when I don't have them?". It is easier to prevent wrinkles than it is to repair them. Timewise comes in two formulas and one bar. One formula is for those with Normal to Dry Skin. The other is for those with Combination to Oily Skin. The bar is made for those with Normal to Oily Skin. If you prefer a lather to your cleanser, choose the bar. It comes with a soap dish, too! My wife loves the bar (and I like it, as well). But I do like the gel cleanser for Combination to Oily Skin.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/TimeWise-3-In-1-Cleanser-normal/dry-/100703.partId?eCatId=10026

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/TimeWise-3-In-1-Cleanser-combination/oily-/100702.partId?eCatId=10026

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/TimeWise-3-In-1-Cleansing-Bar-with-soap-dish-/100704.partId?eCatId=10026

Timewise Repair (retails for $25, plus tax). This is the top of the line in skin care. The Timewise Repair line just launched this year and is for those over 50, those with visible signs of skin damage (regardless of age) or those who want the top of the line in skin care. This creamy cleanser makes a rich lather. By the way, I think this is my favorite new cleanser from Mary Kay!

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/TimeWise-Repair-Volu-Firm-Foaming-Cleanser/100901.partId?eCatId=10026

MK Men's Cleansing Bar (retails for $10, plus tax). Yes, Mary Kay has a men's line. And yes, men need skin care, too! More men are turning to good skin care, anyway. It's about time. This is great for those men just getting used to a skin care routine. Cleanses the face and preps it for the issues men ace, such as daily shaving.

http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/MKMen-Face-Bar/100603.partId?eCatId=10026



Mary Kay Facial Cleansing Cloths ($15, plus tax). For those of you who are just looking for something you can take on the go, on the plane, to the gym, etc, this is perfect for you! And this one is great for all skin types.


http://www.marykay.com/dmanor/en-US/Skin-Care/Mary-Kay-Facial-Cleansing-Cloths/180205.partId?eCatId=10026

So, just figure out which of these you think works best for you. It's okay to make a mistake along the way to finding your ideal cleanser. And don't freak out if you break out slightly on day two through five. It's just the cleanser pulling the impurities out of your skin.

Follow the links to find out more information about each product. And BONUS--if you don't like any of your purchases, Mary Kay will refund your purchase. Just talk to the Consultant who sold you the product. She (or he) will be happy to fix your order. And just know that the Consultant doesn't lose any money when you return items that you don't like. Besides, you won't come back to buy more later if you are not completely happy!

Send me any questions you have either on this blog or through my website, www.marykay.com/dmanor. I LOVE answering questions.

Take care!

The Perfect Mary Kay Party

If you've met a Mary Kay Consultant before, no doubt you were asked to host a party. It's always interesting to hear the reactions to this request. It's not as complicated as you may think. I have a few suggestions to make the party easy (and if you use ALL of my suggestions, your work will take about 10 minutes).

First of all, you need a date, time and location. Most ladies like to have the party at their house or apartment. It just makes things easier for the host and all the guests usually know where to go. Plan for an hour and a half. The first 30 minutes, the Consultant will work with you, the hostess and make you gorgeous before the party starts. Every Consultant likes to arrive BEFORE the guests. This gives us time to set up and ask you about your guests. The hour is for your guests (some Consultants like to get out faster--all the better).

You do NOT need to clean your house top to bottom, pull out the good china to serve refreshments on or change to the "guest" towels in the powder room. Since most of the people you invite to your party are your friends, chances are they have been to your house before and seen it in every condition. Your friends are coming to your party to have fun, not check out your cleaning skills. Trust me, most don't care (except for the hostess).

In order to have a successful party, you need to have guests show up. People are busy these days, even in the recession. People forget. Most people need an invitation and 2 reminders to remember to come to any event (not just a Mary Kay event). You do NOT need to plan a party months out in advance. A week or two is really all that is needed. Remember, you will never plan an event that is convenient for all your guests. Just know that some will not be able to come no matter when you schedule it. Just pick a date and time that works for most.

If you host a party with me, I will do the initial invite plus the two reminders. I'm sure if you ask your Consultant, she'll be happy to do the same. You don't need to do anything except provide me the guest list. A guest list includes the name, phone number and preferably the email address of each guest. Most of the time, you can get this off your smart phone. I do understand that some people want permission to give out their name and number. If that is the case, than please get their permission first.

Just be aware that some of your friends will try to talk you out of holding a Mary Kay party for many reasons. They hosted a party before and it was terrible. They didn't like the product. Someone they knew was allergic 20 years ago. If YOU really want to have a party, don't let them talk you out of it. Which is why I suggest you invite 10 people. That should guarantee that 4 will show up. The other six will either be busy, not interested or forget to show up.

If I can, I like to send an email invitation, that includes a personality quiz (which you can post on Facebook and get more interest in your party), the current Mary Kay catalog and the Virtual Make-over. The Virtual Make-over tool is a great way to look at the different make-up styles on various models (or your own picture!). But more on the Virtual Make-over tool in another blog. In addition to the email invitation, I like to call and introduce myself over the phone to your guests. This helps me to get to know them and find out what they are interested in learning. My call also lets them know that a man is the Consultant. It makes a better party. Finally, if I have enough time before your party, I like to send out a post card reminder.

If I do not get the guest list from you, the party does not usually happen. The hostess is frustrated as to why nobody showed up. It then becomes hard to give away any product for free, since the Consultant is not making any money. It is not a win-win situation. The guest list is the single most important step in hosting a successful party.

So who do you invite? You invite friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, people from church, your child's teacher--anyone who you think would like a night out with the girls. The more you invite, the more you will have at your party. It's also a good idea to invite the skin care divas, the make-up goddesses and anyone who might be interested in selling Mary Kay. That usually leads to more sales, which means you get more for free!

So, to wrap things up . . . the Perfect Mary Kay Party has a hostess who decides on a date, time and location with the Consultant and gives a list of guests to the Consultant as soon as possible (the same day or the next day after the party is scheduled is easiest and you won't forget). The Consultant takes care of the invitations, the introductions and the reminders. The Consultant sets up, shows everyone a great time and gives away free product to the hostess. The hostess is only responsible for the guest list. No cleaning, no food preparation, no invitations are necessary. Do them only if you choose. Parties can be in person and even online (although the online parties tend to sell less and aren't as fun).

My Introduction

My name is Daniel Manor. I am a MALE Mary Kay Consultant in East Point (Atlanta), Georgia. Yes, there are a few of us out there. I called the company in the spring of 2011 and they told me there were approximately 5300 male Consultants in the US who are selling Mary Kay. It's an impressive number, if you consider that there could be at least 100 male consultants per state.

So, why do I sell Mary Kay? Isn't there another job out there that is much more "manly"? Couldn't I find something better to do? Is it hard to sell lipstick all day? Very good questions.

Let's address the first one. Why do I sell Mary Kay? To answer that question, I need to let you know more about how I came into Mary Kay. I was an ice skater while I attended college. The president of the skating club was a Mary Kay Sales Director. She is still my recruiter, but she is no longer a Director. She is part of the National Guard and took a position there that took her away from Directorship. Her name is Annette. Annette "bothered" me a few times about selling Mary Kay. Has anyone "bothered" you to sell Mary Kay? Perhaps, you should take a look before you make a rash decision, like I did.

I kept telling Annette "no", not knowing anything about the company or why she asked me to sell Mary Kay. I also had a decent job at that time, making over $10 per hour while in college. I paid my bills, paid for school and had money enough to spare for skating lessons and whatever else I wanted. I did not need something like Mary Kay. Annette still asked from time to time, like when she was working on becoming a Director or when she was "winning a car". Had I known what those involved when she asked, I might have been more willing to help--or at least listen.

In any case, I lost that decent job. After being unemployed for 2 months, I could only get a job as a swing manager at the local McDonald's. I went from $10.50/hour with benefits to $7 per hour without benefits. Not to mention that two months with no salary took a chunk of my savings. I slowly got behind in some of my bills, but did what I could to stay ahead.

That's when Annette called me and said she'd take me to lunch (on her dime) if I just listened to her about Mary Kay. Since money was getting tight, I figured at least I'd get lunch for free that day. I decided to meet with her.

Annette let me know that Mary Kay Consultants from day one make 50% commission on everything that they sell. That I understood right away. Sell $100 and I get to keep $50. But I didn't think of myself as a salesman. So, maybe this wasn't for me. I listened on anyway.

Annette also let me know that she earned her car from the company and drives pretty much for free (Mary Kay pays the taxes, title, registration and I think 80% of the insurance--I'll have to double check that figure). So other than a few maintenance items like oil changes and gas--and the remainder of the insurance, you drive the car for free. This was a tempting idea, especially when you get a new car EVERY two years. I like free cars and I've never had a NEW car. Yes, Mary Kay still has the pink Cadillac, but they also have a white Chevy Malibu and a silver Toyota Camry or a silver Chevy Equinox (NOTE--these are the cars as of August 2011 and they change periodically). Many laugh at me when I tell them I will drive a pink Cadillac when I earn one. Why not? It's free! I don't care what color it is. It's also free advertising. Bonus!

Annette continued to tell me about the commissions you can earn once you add team members. I wasn't sure about recruiting people, either. I mean, there is just a stigma to the concept of recruiting people to your team no matter what business it is. I would have to address this issue, since the only way to earn a car or become a Director is to recruit people. But this was not my biggest concern at the moment.

I think the thing that worried me the most was, what if I cannot sell the products I buy? I mean, what would I do with 50 lipsticks and 100 eye shadows if I could not sell them. Annette let me know that Mary Kay has a buy back program. If I do my best to sell the product and I find out it's just not for me OR if I find I love the company but just can't sell anything, Mary Kay will buy my products back from me. They would give me 90% of what I paid for it. I figured that was a fair risk--10%.

I thought I'd give Mary Kay a try. Actually, my goal was to show Annette that she was 100% wrong about me and that I am a terrible prospect for a Consultant. I went to some meetings and met some other people who sell Mary Kay. For most of them, I was the only male Consultant they had ever met. I was almost an instant celebrity. Many people wanted to talk to me or ask questions. At least, the Consultants and the Directors did. It made things a bit more fun. It's still fun to this day, going to Mary Kay events as one of a few male Consultants. There are spouses there, supporting their wives, but few of those men sell Mary Kay. The attention is FUN!

So part of the answer as to why I sell Mary Kay is because I knew I would not be stuck with products if I could not sell them. And I figured I could at least try. I was sold on the company a few months later, when my sister came to visit. Dianne was in the US Army, working on her training. She had a break and decided to come see me in Utah, instead of go home to see the rest of the family. I was at school, so not anywhere near home. Dianne said she wanted to try some Mary Kay products.

Dianne and I got together. I was the most "green" person you could ever think about. She was asking all kinds of questions that I did not know the answer to. I looked them up in my Consultant handbook. I found most of the answers there. When we got to foundation, Dianne's answer was, "I don't wear foundation. I don't like it". I had to respond, "well, you checked the box 'even skin tone and reduce redness in the cheeks' on the profile card. According to the book, foundation will solve that problem. So, just give it a try and if you hate it, don't buy it." Dianne was game. So we went though the skin care facial and got to the foundation. She was skeptical, but put some on. After we had the foundation blended, she looked at herself in the mirror and said, "I've never looked this good before". And we had NO MAKE-UP ON! I was sold at that point. If I could get my sister to think she looks good, I wanted to do that all the time with EVERYONE.

I decided that I needed to learn more about the products I was selling. I barely knew anything when Dianne and I met. So I went to all the training I could. I didn't want to rely on the handbook forever. I also had one customer who wanted a color make-over. I had no idea what colors to recommend for her. I didn't want to be in that situation again.

Okay, next question. Isn't there something more "manly" that I could be doing? Well, I am not anywhere close to the typical all American boy. How would someone define a "manly" type of work, anyway? Something women cannot do? There is no such thing. Women proved that back in the 1960s. In addition, women can still give birth to children, something men will never be able to do. So no matter what men do, women will always have one thing men cannot.

But as far as work goes--should there be divisions? Men's work/women's work? Most feminists would say no. I have no interest in feminism, but I do have to agree that if women are capable of conquering the workplace, men should be able to do the same thing--regardless of the area of work. The bonus with my career of choice--I get to work with women all day. I get to teach them how to take care of their skin, how to bring out their best features and how to love the way they look. They love to see me and I love to see them. It's win-win. Why would I want to work with men all day when I can do this?

In addition, haven't men been selling everything since we understood what it was to be a salesman or a merchant. Men have sold everything and will continue to do so. Why not something like skin care or lipstick? Women use it up and want more, which means they will be coming back. That works for me!

Is it hard to sell lipstick all day? I don't know the answer to that since I don't try to sell lipstick all day. There are so many more interesting products in the Mary Kay skin care line that I don't have to worry about trying to sell a lipstick. Those who know Mary Kay know which lipstick they like and know they can get it from me. I talk to them about everything else. It's a skin care system, proven to fight the signs of aging. And it works. If not, it's 100% guaranteed. If any of my customers are not happy, they can trade what they don't like for something they do like OR they can just get a refund. How easy is that? Mary Kay reimburses me with new product, so I lose nothing. In addition, since I sell it I also use it. Why wouldn't I? I am pointing out all of the benefits at every appointment. I have no interest in aging either even if age is more distinguishing on a man.

So, there you have it. I sell Mary Kay because I decided to take a chance and I love it. I love the product. I love that I work from home. I love that I can earn prizes for my work. I love that I work with women all day and help them feel great about themselves.

I plan on sharing my experiences in Mary Kay on this blog. I also plan on letting people know about the great products we have and the great opportunity Mary Kay is as a career. Feel free to ask any questions. I'd love to hear from you.

Check me out on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and soon I'll be on Youtube!

Have a great week!

Mary Kay Daniel