Mineral Makeup: Name Your Favorite Brands

by Mid Brain on March 8, 2008 · 377 comments

Are you curious about natural mineral makeup?

The Beauty Brains are researching mineral based makeup products for an upcoming project and we want to make sure we look at the brands that YOU are interested in. If you have questions about specific mineral makeup brands, let us know and we’ll be sure to include them in our analysis.

Just leave a comment with the brand name and we’ll look into it for you. And stay tuned to the Beauty Brains next month for more details!

–Mid Brain

Tell us the brands of mineral makeup you’re interested in!

{ 4 trackbacks }

The Fabulous Formula
March 26, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Is Mineral Makeup Okay For Oily Skin? | The Beauty Brains
July 3, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Is Mineral Makeup Okay For Oily Skin? | Beauty Secrets Blog
July 3, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Is Mineral Makeup Okay For Oily Skin? | 1800blogger
July 5, 2008 at 11:35 am

{ 373 comments… read them below or add one }

interestedbeauty March 8, 2008 at 10:10 am

i am interested in the use of bismuth in mineral make up. I have been told that this is a cheap filler in mineral make up, and that is why after using make up for a while, you can become itchy.

Lilia March 8, 2008 at 10:32 am

I’ve been buying Silk Naturals available online and would like to learn more about it. Thanks.

viannee March 8, 2008 at 10:34 am

I tried signature minerals and my skin liked it. I’ve been hearing a lot of raves about monave, silk naturals and joppa. i hope you can add it. thanks. :)

Anna March 8, 2008 at 10:54 am

I use Bare Minerals eyeshadows, Physician’s formula and L’oreal mineral face powders.

Pam March 8, 2008 at 11:00 am

I used Jane Iredale Pure pressed Base almost daily for about three years. I have rosacea, seb dermatitis, and overall sensitive skin. It never was irritating. I am satisfied with the coverage of my redness, and the color, Warm Silk, is very natural and a great match. It is very expensive, and since in the last year my skin has improved I have started using a liquid makeup that is more affordable, and has better coverage. I can tell you three things about the Jane Iredale that you might find useful. I live in Florida, and the saleswoman tod me to get the pressed base, not the loose mineral foundation, because in our humidity the loose one might get caked up. I never tried a loose version, so I don’t know if that would have happened. Another thing: I have always had blackheads, and while using this makeup I tried to get rid of them using BHA exfoliant, with no success. I wonder if this was because the titanium dioxide in this makeup worsened the clogging of my pores. Lastly, a few times I dropped the compact and the powder broke apart. (Not every time I dropped it, though.)

Lynn March 8, 2008 at 11:22 am

I love bare minerals. All the products are great.

Sue March 8, 2008 at 11:40 am

I’ve used Physician’s Formula (it was on sale :-) ). I don’t know WHY it covers well or WHY it lasts longer than my liquid foundation but I’d like to learn. I’d also love to know more about other brands people like.

Candice March 8, 2008 at 11:49 am

Bare Escentuals

Diana March 8, 2008 at 11:49 am

I’ve tried Bare Escentuals, Jane Irendale and Meow Cosmetics in the past. I think I like Jane Irendale the best but it is also the most expensive.

GothicRapunzel March 8, 2008 at 12:00 pm

I’m curious about everyday minerals, and I’m curious to see how the different mineral makeup companies stack up against each other.

Elaine March 8, 2008 at 12:13 pm

I’m very interested in what you find regarding mineral makeups, in fact what defines it as “mineral” vs. other powder foundations. I have been using Clinique’s Superpowder Double Face Makeup for years and love it. The mineral makeup marketers love to say how bad the talc in other powders is, but talc is a mineral too!

spartan March 8, 2008 at 12:25 pm

i am currently experimenting with meow and youngblood. i’m hoping you can help answer what mineral foundation is best for over-50 skin and roseacea.

Clara March 8, 2008 at 12:27 pm

I luv Valana Minerals. Great selection of colors that doesn’t make me look pale or chalky.

Isabel March 8, 2008 at 12:45 pm

I just saw that Avon now has a line of mineral makeup. I use Bare Escentuals but am wondering how’s the Avon line since it’s more affordable.

Anna March 8, 2008 at 12:53 pm

I want to mention something interestng I was told about Bare essentials eyeshadow by a Sephora sales rep. She told me that there was no expiration date for the eyeshadows, since “it was impossible for them to go bad” she told me they they could be used indefinitely.
I don’t know, sounds a little hokey to me!

girl150 March 8, 2008 at 2:10 pm

I’d like to learn more about L’Oreal and Mary Kay mineral make-ups.

dancerjodi March 8, 2008 at 2:46 pm
anonymiss March 8, 2008 at 3:02 pm

Another Everyday Minerals user here. Would love to hear your thoughts on this very affordable mineral makeup. I definitely prefer it to some of the more expensive brands (and not only because of the price). Bare Escentuals, for example, feels gritty compared to Everyday Minerals, IMO.

Ani March 8, 2008 at 4:56 pm

I’d like to hear about the drugstore brands, Physician’s Formula particularly.

koko March 8, 2008 at 5:11 pm

I was recently diagnosed with rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis, and my dermatologist instructed me to stick with noncomedogenic products. I had been using Bare Escentuals (Bare Minerals) and though I’m not sure it was exacerbating my conditions, I did notice that it made my skin itchy. I had heard anecdotally that BE was noncomedogenic, but could not find this claim on any of their packaging. So I began hunting for a new mineral makeup. The only ones I could find that are labeled as noncomedogenic are Jane Iredale and Youngblood. I’ve swtiched over to Jane Iredale as a result, and I’ve noticed that my skin is not itching. I’d like to know what it is about some mineral makeups that causes itching (I’ve read that it has to do with bismuth and/or parabens). And I’d also like to know whether mineral makeup is in fact “good for your skin,” which is what so many purveyors of this stuff claim. Lastly, I’d like to know whether the amount of natural sunscreen in these products–titanium dioxide, etc.–is sufficient to obviate the need for a separate sunscreen product, and whether it provides broad spectrum protection.

Marnie March 8, 2008 at 5:19 pm

I have been using Bare Escentuals for a while and I liked the look, but felt that after a few hours it looked somewhat caked (but I might be using too much). I esp like their concealer and brush. I just bought Jane Iredale loose powder foundation because I had heard rave reviews, but I find that the coverage isn’t as good. Neither product seemed to “help” my skin as they claim (same blackheads, same acne bumps, same blotchiness). They both do look fantastic on camera.

Sage March 8, 2008 at 6:22 pm

I am very curious about the Bare Escentuals product called RareMinerals Skin Revival Treatment. I honestly think it’s a total crock but the way they are marketing it is genius. I tried it and found it to do pretty much nothing. And you should see the literature that comes with this stuff — such a load of utter fiction (“we use ancient soil” blah blah blah). But I’d love to read what you uncover about this. Thanks.

Carol Ann March 8, 2008 at 6:45 pm

I love Bare Escentuals Bisque. I use it for concealer and for foundation. It’s the only thing that makes my skin look flawless and stays on. I am 51, with dry skin and rosacea. It covers the rosacea and the dark pigmentation around one of my eyes.

Lillybeth March 8, 2008 at 7:57 pm

Mary Kay’s mineral foundation (been in the states for ages but being launch in New Zealand in May…) and Avon’s too. Please!!?! Comparisons would be AWESOME. Thanks so much.
xx
Lillybeth

Lisa March 8, 2008 at 9:04 pm

I use Philosophy’s supernatural. I have notice increased breakouts in the last year I wonder if it is due to the mineral makeup. I have been using it for 3 years first bare minerals now philosophy because of the application sponge. I do not think the makeup is better for me but i do like that i do not feel it on my face. I am considering trying Laura Geller’s baked foundation as an alternative. if you have any knowledge about this line it would be very helpful.Thanks.

lina March 8, 2008 at 9:37 pm

Everyday Minerals

Mary-K March 8, 2008 at 9:43 pm

Mary Kay Cosmetics has recently launched a great mineral powder foundation as well as mineral powder color products. I love how my skin looks like it is naturally flawless rather than just “covered up” with other foundations.

Mindy March 8, 2008 at 9:50 pm

J. Lynne Cosmetics has some nice trial sizes. http://www.jlynnecosmetics.com/ I still haven’t found a good color match, however.

Cara March 8, 2008 at 9:53 pm

Another vote for Everyday Minerals. I personally used the foundation, concealer and finishing dust.

I also wanted to say that I just discovered this site the other day and I am loving it. It appeals to both my girly and geeky sides.

Miss Laura Mars March 8, 2008 at 10:09 pm

Physician’s Formula vote!

Cassie March 8, 2008 at 11:19 pm

I love everydayminerals.com as well. It’s so affordable and it has been a wonderful product to use. I also like their shadows and blushes.

Marie March 9, 2008 at 12:29 am

I’ve used Bare Escentuals which I found to cover very well. Currently I’m using Silk Naturals & The Natural Source but I don’t find that they cover as well as BE.

Christi March 9, 2008 at 1:03 am

Almay has a new mineral foundation — Pure Blends — and I’d like to know how much these powders are or aren’t appropriate for sensitive skin since that is a focus in the brand’s reputation.

And this segues into my next question which is: Could you give a rundown on ingredients that are commonly used and what their purposes are?

Thanks so much.

Busylizzie March 9, 2008 at 6:04 am

Hi! I’ve only used Physician’s Formula so far, and would love to hear how it stacks up. Thanks.

Izumi March 9, 2008 at 6:17 am

I’ve been curious about Dr.Hauschka makeup. The SA told me that it’s been a mineral-based makeup line long before all the hype surrounding mineral makeup.

Pam March 9, 2008 at 9:28 am

Meow Cosmetics, Alima, and Pure Luxe are smaller brands that a lot of people seem to like. I’d love to know how they rank against the big guns!

Betty March 9, 2008 at 9:44 am

I use Neutrogena mineral make-up. Please let us know if mineral make-up is better for mature, dry skin prone to whiteheads, than liquid foundation. Thanks

Lynnette March 9, 2008 at 9:46 am

Jane Iredale and Glo Minerals, please.
–PAM– if you drop the compact, the powder will break apart. NO need to toss it though, as you can just make it inot a powder. That will not constitute it being a loose. Any product that is dropped in the compact should break. ;-)
buenos dias,
Lynnette

Joanie March 9, 2008 at 9:48 am

Audrey Morris

Aruna March 9, 2008 at 10:00 am

I like urban decay’s hallucination shade. love it actually, heavy coverage or light depending on what you want. more yellow base than most pinky ones and best of all… no glitter.

Lucia March 9, 2008 at 10:12 am

Bare escentuals, it makes my skin look fabulous

Monica March 9, 2008 at 10:40 am

I have tried Bare Minerals, Glo, Jane Iredale and Arbonne. Bare Minerals caused itching. By far my favorite was Jane Iredale but the price was a bit steep. I was told by a Jane Iredale rep to apply the minerals in downward strokes to create a more “matte” vs glowing look. She explained that the minerals are tiny flakes, and when aplied in downward strokes it creates application perfection. The individual mineral “flakes” lie like fish scales, overlapping slightly, which creates a smooth finish. I noticed everywhere else they suggest application with a swirling motion of brush. Would love to hear your thoughts on application…I currently use Arbonne and have been very happy with their mineral makeup line and cost.

Catarina March 9, 2008 at 10:45 am

I am curious about Laura Mercier and Bare Escentuals. Thanks!

Cathy March 9, 2008 at 11:07 am

SheerCover

Misty March 9, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Bare Escentuals, Philosophy Supernatural, Neutrogena Pressed Minerals, Garden Botanika (brand new), Almay, Pur Minerals

Jessica March 9, 2008 at 12:04 pm

I love Pure Luxe Cosmetics. You can buy 1.00 samples that come in little containers, not the messy plastic bags.

Alcy March 9, 2008 at 12:48 pm

Jane Iredale because they have a pressed foundation.

gaflower March 9, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Jane Iredale gets my vote! I am an aesthetician student and we use it at our school…great coverage…perfect color matching and the product lasts quite a long time. I personally would pay a little more for the perfect color and coverage….correct on using downward strokes in application also using a flat bronzer type brush! You can also purchase sample sizes online to try before you buy!

Donna frederick-Neznek March 9, 2008 at 2:12 pm

I started out using Bare Minerals.
I was very pleased with them until one day @ the Spa, when I tried the True line of minerals. I found them to be more “natural” looking and comparative in price. This was only the second mineral i have tried, but i have seen a big difference in opacity between True & Bare Minerals. I still use a cream concealer prior to application as I have found neither really gives me the coverage I desire. Is there something out there that gives the coverage (sans concealer) without the look of build-up?

EMiriamD March 9, 2008 at 3:47 pm

In addition to the usual suspects I’m interested in Kathleen Minerals Cover-Silk mineral foundation, which comes in both powder and liquid form. The Makeup Artists Choice website, which is where I first saw this line, says it does not contain bismuth. Curious to see what the Beauty Brains have to say about it!

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