Sophia’s mineral malady: I am still trying to find a Mineral Makeup shade match. I have ordered many many sample kits from Everyday Minerals. Several shades, or mixes rather, work fine for a couple hours, but they all deepen in color,and by the end of the day I am either green or orange, and I just look dirty.
I have found that blotting seems to help decrease the darkening– it does seem to be a function of excess oil production, and I am working on my skin health and maintenance, but I am wondering is Mineral Makeup just not suitable for those with oily skin?
The Right Brain’s enlightening reply:
Thanks for your question Sophia, it gives me a chance to remind Mid Brain that we’re STILL WAITING FOR OUR MINERAL MAKEUP REPORT! Remember, the one you promised us back in March? Come on, it’s been MONTHS! MONTHS already!! Ok, now that I’ve got that out of my system, here’s a theory on why Mineral Makeup doesn’t look good on your oily skin.
True mineral makeup consists of ingredients like titanium dioxide, kaolin, talc, and mica. It doesn’t contain any kind of oil or binders. So, when you put this powder on your face it will absorb more oil from your skin than other types of makeup that already contain oil. Oil wets the pigments and makes them appear darker. Traditional liquid foundations and blushes the pigments are already “pre-wetted” so they don’t get any darker from your skin oil.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Compared to makeup that contains oil, Mineral Makeup is more likely to look darker when it comes in contact with your skin oils. If you have oily skin and you don’t like the way pure mineral products look on you, maybe you should consider a conventional liquid or cream makeup base. Has anyone else in the Beauty Brains community had this problem with Mineral Makeup.
Want to know more about Mineral Makeup? SO DO I! And if we don’t see a report SOON we’re going to have an opening for a new intern here at the Beauty Brains. (Yes, Mid Brain, I’m talking about you!)
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Mindy Says:
I know you wouldn’t really get rid of Mid Brain, but holy crap! There are a bajillion mineral makeups out there. I’m glad I don’t have to test them all. (I’ve actually tried quite a few and they are not for me.)
Mid Brain Says:
Thanks for sticking up for me, Mindy. It’s not easy being the littlest Beauty Brain!!
Leah Says:
when can we expect the report on mineral makeup???
viannee Says:
I’m with Mindy.
I have a little suggestion for Sophia. Try to get a foundation that’s one or two shades lighter than your skintone. That way, when the MMU absorbs the oil and it darkens, it will blend with your skintone.
Barbara Says:
I use Bare Minerals and I have fairly oily skin. I’m 41 now, so it’s less so, but still oily. I have found that it lasts much longer if I use the PrimeTime but even without it looks just fine.
Felicia Says:
I had this problem too. My skin can get oily enough for you to see your reflection in my forehead. What I did was switch to a shade a touch lighter than my skin tone, and use the Smashbox Photofinish primer underneath. Good luck with that!
Christina Says:
I’ve had this problem with mineral makeup too because my t-zone gets quite oily. But I’ve figured out a way to fix it!!!! what I do is apply mineral foundation that is a shade lighter onto my t-zone, and for the rest of my face I apply the shade that perfectly matches my skin. The mineral foundation on my t-zone darkens within about half an hour and everything looks even! Don’t know if it will work on others, but definitely give it a try!
Joni Says:
I have oily skin and used a few other off brands of the mineral makeup and had this same discoloration problem. However, for some reason I haven’t had this problem when I use Bare Minerals. Several of my friends have oily skin which is prone to breakouts (especially when we use liquid makeup) and haven’t had this discoloration problem either. I think Bare Minerals should start giving me some kick backs for all the people I’ve recommended their product to.
It will be interesting to hear Mid Brain’s report on mineral makeup. I’m interested to see why Bare Minerals doesn’t cause this problem (in my experience) but the other brands that I’ve tried (drugstore imitations) do. Perhaps it has something to do with the ingredients used for pigmentation?
BTW Right Brain since there are a ton of different mineral makeups out there, you should probably ,help Mid Brain rather than publicly chastise her.
Hexicon Says:
I really, really wanted to like Everyday Minerals due to their generous free sample policy, but I also found that the colors turned strange on me. Bare Escentuals did not make a color light enough for my very fair skin.
I’m glad that others have had luck experimenting with buying lighter than the skintone, but that sounds like a lot of trial and error and purchasing to me. I think you’re better off finding a formula that works for you. I’ve used Jane Iredale and the new Prescriptives very successfully, with no discoloration problems (but, I did have to use a different color than my usual in Prescriptives). If you are very oily the pressed Jane Iredale might be better. In addition to being a great SPF, MAC Prep + Prime SPF 50 works very well under MM.
Mid Brain Says:
Yay Joni! I adore the Left and Right Brain but sometimes they don’t appreciate how much work this intern job really is!
Zingiber Says:
I have very oily skin, and though liquid foundation may be “pre-wetted”, it does turn orangey (not to mention gunky and melty)on me. Mineral powder makeup stays on and looks nice all day, and I also use Bare Escentuals.
Sophia, I would suggest you try just using Mineral Veil and perhaps blush without the foundation. If you use a moisturizer, leave it off in the morning.