From The Beauty Brains Forum Member: Pas71
I have really oily skin and live in a humid climate, so I was super excited to have the chance to review Neutrogena’s Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation
Feeling flaky
First, any flakiness you have will be extremely noticeable when using this product. I don’t usually notice flakiness with my oily skin, but I do get it at times because I use such strong anti-acne products. However, when using a liquid foundation, the flakiness is usually concealed… not so with powder foundations. The first time I used this product (on top of a moisturizer and primer, mind you), my face was a mess! All you could see was what looked like dry, flaky skin. The product and its somewhat rough sponge applicator flaked my skin all over. So, I immediately washed it off and exfoliated my face the best I could. I then tried the product again with better results. If you decide to try it, please be sure to exfoliate well before using!
Tiny texture
Second, it seems the texture of the powder is not fine enough. After applying what I needed to give me a bit of coverage, the powder was very noticeable on my face. This was solved by taking a big fluffy brush and basically buffing it out. However, I was then left with less coverage than I was hoping for and far less coverage than I would get with my semi-sheer liquid foundation.
Questionable coverage
Which brings me to my next point: the level of coverage. Though Neutrogena claims that the product is build able to the desired level of coverage, it is not. If you put more than a sheer dusting on, the texture of the powder is far too noticeable. And, the sheer dusting doesn’t do a whole lot for skin like mine that needs some coverage. I did get better results when using a liquid concealer on problem areas prior to putting on the mineral foundation, but I still did not get the even-looking result that I do with liquid foundation.
As for oil control, this product actually passes my high standards. When using this with a light moisturizer and my foundation primer, I found my skin to be far less oily than normal, even in the humidity! I hardly needed to blot my face while wearing this, which is definitely a plus in my book.
Overall, I really can’t see a difference between this product and a regular pressed powder. In fact, that is what I’ve decided to use it as and it’s doing quite well controlling the shininess in my T-zone that I am used to getting by 10am. In sum, I would recommend this product for someone who doesn’t need too much coverage and whose skin is not particularly dry.
What do you think about about mineral foundations? Leave a comment and let us know. Or, you can start a thread and talk to Pas71 directly in the Beauty Brains Forum. And if you’re interested in getting free goodies of your own, join the Forum now and show us you’ve got what it takes to be a Beauty Brainiac!
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Gina Says:
I tried Bare Minerals a couple of years ago and honestly I hated it. My skin was oily, and well it just looked a damn mess with that on it. I then moved on to Stila, which I still use on occasion, but for some reason I thought I would give the mineral stuff another run. My skin is more balanced and under control than it used to be, and now I just love the stuff. My skin seemed to have gotten super sensitive, and this stuff doesnt irritate it, and covers up the redness that I get on occasion in a few spots. Bottom line…if you have oily skin, or dry skin I dont think it is a good product for you. If you are fairly normal/even, it is great.
Gloria Says:
I don’t think mineral foundation gives the natural clean and even face that a matte liquid foundation can. My sister has normall/even skin, but mineral foundation made her face more oily and shiny. For me? It looked weird.
Andrea Says:
My sister tried this powder once, I think because she liked the self-contained applicator. She didn’t like the coverage either and she has normal skin with little need for coverage.
Jill Says:
I’ve tried just about all of the new so called mineral foundations and my experience has been the same as the one you described with the Neutrogena product. In addition, my major complaint with these products is that they all have sparkly dust (silica?) in them which only enhances and illuminates enlarged pores and variances in skin texture. Fine if you have perfect skin and want to glow in the dark! Now I will share with you what I have found to be the perfect powder substitute for liquid makeup. Revlon’s long wearing pressed powder compact does the trick for me, esp. during the humid summer months…nice even coverage (without those annoying sparklies)and enlarged pores vanish! Best of all, it LASTS! The new “mineral sheers” are just another gimmick marketed to all of us hopefuls looking for the next best thing. Try the Revlon powder and save your money.
E.D. Says:
I use the Bare Escentuals foundation. I have very dry skin, but as long as I exfoliate regularly, it works for me.
Marie Says:
I think if you try the cheaper types of mineral makeup you are going to be disappointed. Best to try out a mineral makeup at a counter and see what it does for you. I’ve used Bare Essentials with great results (I have a read nose and red cheeks which is hard to cover with regular liquid foundation without resorting to a green concealer as I have fair skin). I found B.E. looks natural and covers extremely well. I also think the technique of buffing (circular motion) really helps with the application.
C.L Says:
I have to agree with Marie. I have acne along with rosacea, including broken capillaries in my cheeks, and I find Bare Essentials is a pretty good solution. Seems to calm my skin down, does not promote acne. Excellent coverage, although it is important to apply in light layers so as not to look cakey. Tends to look better when applied over moisturizers and after about 10 - 20 minutes of absorbing oils on skin. If you don’t like the silica enhanced shine you can dust over it with their “mineral veil” which seems to do the trick (and also absorbs oil).
I did not think the Neutrogena product went on as well.
The only drawback with Bare Essentuals: a really primative application system. The sifter has holes that are too large for some of the minerals, leaving you with a jar full of exploding powder in the lid. Messy in the bathroom.
M.S Says:
I have been using Bare Essentuals for over a year now and love it. I have acne and I think that it actually helps with it. I do however have oily skin and sometimes have to re-apply the mineral veil to absorb the shine. Otherwise, it is the best product for me.
Pas71 Says:
I should mention that the container in the picture is not the one that I tried. Mine came in a compact with a sponge applicator.
I’ve been meaning to try Bare Essentuals for some time. Next time I’m in a Sephora where the MAs aren’t too busy, I think I’ll give it a go.