MetaChat - a rave about mineral powder foundation [Disclaimer: girl-talk inside]

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11 April 2008

a rave about mineral powder foundation [Disclaimer: girl-talk inside] →[More:]

I have just recently discovered the wonder that is mineral powder foundation, and I would like to say: omg, where has this stuff been all my life?! It's quick/easy to apply, doesn't look cakey or goopy or mask-like, it evens out spots, blotches, dark circles, it doesn't settle in (and enhance) scars, lines or pores... and (my biggest foundation pet peeve of all) it doesn't transfer all over my clothes or onto the mister.

I quit wearing much makeup in my late 20s and have always LOATHED foundation, to the point where I refuse to wear it for any but the most special of special occasions. Certainly not as a daily-wear item. However, I will confess that as an erstwhile girly-girl fashionista young adult, I do respect the idea of looking nice, especially if work requires it, or god forbid we go out somewhere.

A couple weeks ago the local pharmacy had a 2-for-1 special on some mineral powder makeup, so being unable to resist such an impulse temptation (oooo, shiny! pretty boxes!!), I picked up some foundation and a "highlighter" in a coppery-gold-ish tone that could do double duty on eyes or as blush.

A colleague had recently mentioned something about how wonderful she thought mineral powders were, and I remember saying something like "oh, sure, but you're 23. That stuff would make my 40-year-old skin look like beef jerky..." To which she responded "probably not; my mom wears the same brand I do". Apart from being a little nonplussed at the "mom" reference, I figured whatthehell, it's only fifteen bucks.

omg awesome, best $15 ever spent. I'm highly tempted to just throw out all my other liquid foundations/powders/crap. There's a bit of a learning curve on the application step, but holy toledo, so far it seems like it's better for my skin than anything else I've ever put on it, even moisturiser (no drying, no flaking, no oil, no shine, no breakouts or bumps). All that and it has sunscreen built in, which is important in this region. Also, my skin is uber-sensitive and I've not yet been able to locate a sunscreen or SPF moisturiser that doesn't suck (stings, goopy, causes breakouts, feels like shit, smells weird, whatever...)

TPS, I expect you to weigh in with an opinion. Also: could you please explain what the fuck is up with that awful heavy 'foiled' eyeshadow look I've seen recently? Has anyone EVER looked good in that mess?

post by: lonefrontranger at: 16:03 | 81 comments

Just popping in to say that I misread your title as being about the Mineral Power Foundation, which would make a nifty band name.

posted by bmarkey 11 April | 16:09

tis OK bmarkey, I completely agree! This thread can be about band names. or monkeys typing Shakespeare, too, for that matter.

*runs off to form band*

posted by lonefrontranger 11 April | 16:11

Howdy! I don't have much experience with mineral powder foundations- I bought one at the drugstore (Maybeline), but I think it might be the wrong color, so I haven't been wearing it much. I probaby will give it another try, sooner or later.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 16:11

I bought some but everytime I put it on it looks weird. It's the right color, I think I just don't know how to put it on.

posted by Claudia_SF 11 April | 16:16

I've been wanting to try, but have been chicken.

What's the best way to apply it?

posted by Specklet 11 April | 16:23

Claudia: when they say "a little goes a long way" they really weren't kidding. Good quality brushes (I had them already) help, too. IMO, the brush that came with the product is pretty much crap.

TPS, the stuff I bought had a little translucent plastic card above the display with all the shades on it, that you hold up to the underside of your wrist; the shade that 'disappears' is the right one. Seems to work.

posted by lonefrontranger 11 April | 16:23

Specklet: If you have good makeup brushes (you do, right?) then take a medium-to-large powder brush or "kabuki" brush, and dip it in the loose powder sitting in the top of the sifter. You want to get a nice even coating of powder into the brush, then (this is key): shake/tap off the loose stuff back into the sifter. Start on the bridge of your nose and work outward with short, circular strokes. It's easier/quicker than it sounds once you figure it out. I do one quick, light layer overall, then go back and touch up anywhere I have blotches, etc. When I get the dreaded bad dark circle days (margaritas, yo), I dip the tip of my little finger in the loose powder and use it as a 'concealer pen', then blend with the brush.

posted by lonefrontranger 11 April | 16:29

Yea, I've done that before with the liquid foundations, and it worked really well. I don't think they had the cards wherever I bought the mineral stuff.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 16:29

TPS, I'm curious as to your take on cheap-vs.-expensive makeup brands? For years I was a Lancome devotee, but I got sick of shelling out $35 just for eyeliner pencil. And, recently I've been finding decent stuff at the drugstore or Target. Probably made by Cambodian slave labour out of the corpses of Chinese babies, but still.

posted by lonefrontranger 11 April | 16:34

when they say "a little goes a long way" they really weren't kidding

I was wondering about other people's experience with this. I ordered a little sample-size foundation from one of the online mineral make up companies, and I really liked it, but they billed it as enough for an entire month, and I wore it daily for, like, three months, and still hadn't really finished the thing.

I really liked the mineral foundation (though I've been going through a "no make-up" phase for the past several months and haven't been wearing it). But one of the things that attracted me to it was the sunblock factor, and I couldn't figure out if it was effective as a sunblock if I was wearing only about one quarter of what they seem to assume people should wear.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 16:38

I don't use a whole lot of expensive stuff at the moment, makeup wise. I'm happy with my cheap stuff from the drugstore and Mark by Avon. I have used Trish McEvoy mascara in the past, which is $20-something a tube, but then I figured, eh, it's not that much better than drugstore brand, so now I'm back to Maybeline mascara and that's fine. I go back and forth, for the most part.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 16:39

dip it in the loose powder sitting in the top of the sifter.

So, do you turn the container over with the lid on, and then put it right side up and take the lid off ...?

posted by Claudia_SF 11 April | 16:40

I'm gonna get me some. Thanks for the tip!

posted by Specklet 11 April | 16:43

And I just remembered the sample that I ordered was free, and so maybe it was a good idea to share that info with people.

Everyday Minerals has a thing where you can order 3 foundations, 1 blush, and 1 concealer, for free, though you have to pay for shipping. Ordering a bunch of different colors was helpful, as I think I ended up liking a color that I would have assumed was too light for me.

And now that I look at that page, I see they're saying the sample size is 3-6 applications, so it probably didn't last me three months. But I think it did last at least a month. And I liked the foundation enough that I ended up ordering a full-sized one.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 16:44

I couldn't answer that occhi, but in my case, I'd think the light layer I'm currently using would have to be a lot more effective than what I usually wear, which is nothing. I hate sunscreen so much. HATE. Hate the breakouts, hate the smell, hate the slimy, sticky feeling, hate the stinging, the running-in-the-eyes, the clouding-of-the-contact-lenses, all of it.

posted by lonefrontranger 11 April | 16:45

Mineral powder makeup is awesome. I'll never go back to liquid. I have tried a few other mineral foundations, Loreal and Neutrogena, but I personally find that Bare Escentuals is the best. I just ordered another pot from Sephora a week or so ago. It's so natural looking and actually covers flaws beautifully. The nice thing is, if you forget to wash your face, you can sleep in it.

If you buy the BE kit, specklet, it comes with a instructional DVD. I never watched the DVD because I have seen the demonstration so many times on QVC and such. Basically, you tap a little powder in the cap, swirl with a brush, tap again to release any excess and apply starting at the center of the face and work out toward the chin and hairline. It's great stuff. I also love Bare Escentuals' lipsticks and lipgloss and bronzer (called Warmth). A little Warmth goes a very long way. Be careful if you ever get your hands on this stuff.

There are mineral foundations sold where you don't have to pour and tap, like Neutrogena and Loreal. My esthetician uses a mineral and brush all-in-one, but I can't remember what it is called.

Bare Escentuals is now sold in Target.

The things I consistently splurge on is hair and foundation. There is no price too high for good hair. ;-)

posted by LoriFLA 11 April | 16:45

lfr, I'm the same way with sunscreen. I just bought a new moisturizer with sunscreen, because the facial cleanser in the same line suddenly (like, overnight) made my skin gorgeous, but the stupid sunscreen/moisturizer made me start breaking out again. I have not found a single sunscreen that doesn't make my face break out.

Plus, I tan easily (and look better with a tan) and rarely burn unless I decided to sit outside in the full sun for three hours, and so I just don't really have much incentive to mess with it.

I will regret this when I'm old and wrinkly, I'm sure, but carpe diem and all that.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 16:50

I have been long sworn off talc now, and only ware bare minerals face makeup when I do. Welcome to the club!

posted by Ambrosia Voyeur 11 April | 16:51

Neutrogena Ultra Sheet Dry Touch Sunblock. It is DA BOMB.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 16:52

I don't think the BE offers that much sun protection.

Colorscience offers SPF. I got a sample of this at a girly luncheon not too long ago in "clear". I have not tried it yet. Probably because it is clear. I do like the idea of sunscreen in powder form. It would eliminate all the problems LFR listed.

posted by LoriFLA 11 April | 16:52

ooh, I am so buying that Neutrogena sunblock, TPS. I think my mom just bought some. Thanks for the reminder.

posted by LoriFLA 11 April | 16:55

occhiblu: I try to stay fair and avoid sun damage, so I use neutrogena oil-free 55 SPF on my face. Since it's so strong, I don't have to use much and so it doesn't make me break out, which is just miraculous. If you haven't tried it, you oughta!

posted by Ambrosia Voyeur 11 April | 16:55

Hmmm: I might cave as our makeup-shop has a similar offer on shiny boxes and I have been curious since so many have recommended the stuff (that sunscreen thing was the clincher for me - did not know that and totally need that all the time) - the only reason I stayed away was the constant bombardment of advertising for the stuff around here with the words minerals and all natural. Uranium is flippin natural and Cleopatra would have died from poisioning using all that natural charcoal and copper dust used around here eyes if it hadn't been for that snake. ;) Also, minerals are a lot of different things, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, fluorine, toxic in high concentrations etc. “Minerals” includes base and precious metals, coal, salt - I don't want any of that on my face.
I guess I'm wary of advertising - since I know what kind of research brings out "visable difference after just two weeks" - and kinda recoil every time I see "natural" in advertising. Or my current fave "our meat is 100% beef with no additives" which really tells you zip about the hamburger patties and what might go in them. It's a little word trick they pay us shit for. (I'd love to say they pay us handsomly, but the money goes to guys in suits, you know, who have real jobs. Writing isn't a real job.)

posted by dabitch 11 April | 16:55

I think I was using that Neutrogena sunblock, or another from the same brand that was all "matte" and "non-greasy" and "won't clog pores." I liked it the best of any sunscreen I've used, but it still made my face really unhappy.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 16:56

Hey, occhiblu- for the Everyday Minerals sample, do you get to pick the shades? I can't figure it out.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 16:59

and dagnammit why don't they sell that neutrogena sunscreen around here? I seriously need 55+ and a hat when I leave the house and everything that has SPF in it from cheap to scientific to dang expensive makes me break out PLUS doesn't protect enough. I'm all freckles in five minutes if I don't follow the shade of trees around. Argh!

posted by dabitch 11 April | 17:00

TPS, yeah, if you click on the gray splotches, it'll take you to a page with all the shades, and you pick one.

You have to go through that process with each of the gray splotches, which is kind of annoying.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 17:01

Oh, and the semi-matte finish was recommended to me for the Everyday Minerals.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 17:07

dabitch, I agree, I was leery of the marketing as I had kind of the same reaction. I mean, poison ivy is "natural" and "organic" after all. So are things like peppermint oil and citrus oils, which are both serious irritants to a lot of skin types (mine included) and they are in freaking EVERY THING.

occhiblu, I've used the Neutrogena sunblock and it made my skin break out too :p The real pisser? I NEVER had any acne as a teenager/young adult, only after I turned 30. Grrr, so not fair.

o, and for the record I finally, FINALLY just a couple of months ago figured out what was causing the majority of my weird acne episodes: peanuts. What. The. Fuck?! No more Thai food for me :(

posted by lonefrontranger 11 April | 17:13

Ok, I have no idea what color foundations I should try on the Everday Minerals page. I picked some, and then I'm reading what celebrities they think should use what shades, and I'm way off- I doubt I could use the same foundation as Jennifer Connelly. Ahhhh, help!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 17:20

Ok, who wants to take a guess at what colors on this page I should try? Here is my face, in several different lights.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 17:24

It would be really helpful if they had human models for every foundation color; seeing the powder in a pile never helps me.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 17:29

Teeps, I dunno if that would work well over the net, but does it help if I tell you that I was surprised by how the shade of mineral foundation I wound up with was a shade or 2 darker than the shade I've been buying in liquid foundation, by the same company even. L'oreal, for the record.

The other thing about mineral foundations is that apparently a lot of women buy 2 colours and blend them to make a perfect 'custom' shade. Which could get expensive, but not if you get lucky like I did and find them 2-for-1 at the drugstore.

posted by lonefrontranger 11 April | 17:32

I've been using BE for almost three years, I absolutely love it. As I have a tendency to redness, I use this as a base, with the BE light over the top, and a dusting of BE Mineral Veil.

I recently bought a little pot of the L'Oreal mineral makeup for the office. I don't usually wear makeup at work (I don't need to meet the public, and I really can't be arsed to 'put a face on' at 5.30am before I leave the house) but it's so easy just to swirl this over my face in 30 seconds at my desk and it completely evens out my skin tone. I don't even need a mirror for it.

There are lots of tutorials online to show you how to apply mineral makeup properly. But it's easy-peasy. If I can do it, anyone can.

posted by essexjan 11 April | 17:32

They seem to have more colors now than when I ordered.

I think I chose a category and just ordered three likely candidates from it. The nice thing is that you can mix the colors when you get them, so if nothing quite matches, you can doctor it a bit.

The "match your celebrity skin tone" thing is odd. I can't picture anyone's skin coloring well enough to figure that one out.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 17:35

TPS, "Multi-tasking neutral" and "light" ? That's my best assessment.

I am white, yellow undertone, and fair to medium complexion. I would probably choose the two above and Medium Beige Neutral. Aren't you glad I told you what I would choose?? Aren't cha? :)

posted by LoriFLA 11 April | 17:36

For years I was a Lancome devotee, but I got sick of shelling out $35 just for eyeliner pencil. And, recently I've been finding decent stuff at the drugstore or Target. Probably made by Cambodian slave labour out of the corpses of Chinese babies, but still.

There are two German-based supermarket chains in the UK, Aldi (which you have in the US) and Lidl. Their skincare is made by Nivea but packaged under other names. I use Lidl's Q10 Night Cream which costs £1.89 (a little under $4). It's identical to the Nivea one in everything but price.

Aldi's skincare recently came out out top in blind testings against high-end brands.

posted by essexjan 11 April | 17:39

I have been using ID Bare Minerals for about a year now, I luuurve... I dont think I will ever go back to liquid foundation.

posted by meeshell 11 April | 17:41

Also, TPS, I'm not sure if you saw that if you hover your cursor over the shades, they give you a description? I think that's what I followed; the descriptions seemed closer to reality than the on-screen shades.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 17:41

Yea, I was trying that; but then the celebrities they were saying for each tone in the matching section really threw me.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 17:44

If it helps, I could certainly see you using the same shade as Jennifer Connelly.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 17:47

Oh, it's just so hard. This is probably why I don't bother with foundation most of the time- too hard to pick colors!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 11 April | 17:52

eh, TPS pick 3 that sound close, get the free kit and to hell with the celebrity matching confusion. Who cares what they wear anyhow.

anyway, it's free, how bad could it be?

posted by lonefrontranger 11 April | 18:02

Ooh, I didn't see Light Neutral. I like that shade for me. I will have to order some samples when I get home. Where is the link on the page where you find your celebrity match?

posted by LoriFLA 11 April | 18:03

So I think I found a couple shades that are likely for me in the Everyday Minerals site, but now: what formula choice do I want? And I probably want some blush, too, don't I?

posted by Specklet 11 April | 18:14

Do I need finishing powder? Hope me!

posted by Specklet 11 April | 18:22

So I think I found a couple shades that are likely for me in the Everyday Minerals site, but now: what formula choice do I want? And I probably want some blush, too, don't I?

You want semi-matte. And I think you're actually required to get the blush and concealer (or highlighter), too; they won't let you check out until you've chosen all five shades.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 18:23

(That was assuming you're getting the sample kit. If you're ordering a la carte, you can probably order whatever you like!)

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 18:23

Well, i did it. i've been wondering if this stuff would work for me. i bet i should have chosen a wider range of colors.

posted by ethylene 11 April | 18:26

Ahhh I see. Thank you!

This thread came at a perfect time: I was just about to buy my normal expensive foundation.

posted by Specklet 11 April | 18:27

I tried BE a few years ago and it sat in my (large) pores and looked horrible. Really horrible.

But y'all are converting me, maybe I'll try the sample too. But (when I wear it) I like creamy and gel blushes. Can you put a creamy or moist blush over it?

Oh, and everything on the face of the planet breaks me out but I've had considerable luck with this sunscreen. I only use a tiny bit and it's great, totally not gloopy or heavy and has never made me break out.

posted by birdie 11 April | 18:55

birdie, somewhere in the many inexcusable hours I have spent watching inexcusable reality and make-over television, I think a make-up artist gave a tip that mineral make-up requires a lot of buffing with the brush in order to ... activate? melt? blend? I have no idea what magical mystical property gets activated through the buffing process, but a great deal of buffing seemed to be required.

posted by occhiblu 11 April | 19:05

I've only gotten halfway through this thread, but I had to put my two cents in quickly.

I use BareEscentuals also, and I love it. My friend turned me on to this last year, and I'm only on my second pot. When it comes to application, I tap a little into the lid, and swirl my kabuki brush in it, then sweep it on my face. You really only need a teeny bit. Wait a couple of minutes for it to "settle", then see if you need a scooch more. They also have a "mineral veil" that you can top off with (it's even lighter in texture), which also looks good if you want to freshen up at the end of the day. I've slept in it, too, and it's never caused me to break out (which I occasionally still do, even at 41). In fact, I think my skin looks better since I started using it.

That and I also credit Oil of Olay. The Total Effects line, anyway. People are always surprised that I'm in my 40's. I've been told I look 10 years younger.

Birdie, I have used a cream foundation under my BareEscentuals, especially if I have really dark circles, an acne scar, or a bad breakout. But I'll only use the cream just on what I want covered up, then BE all over. Remember, just really, really lightly.

posted by redvixen 11 April | 19:35

I've never been big on foundation because it's just too thick and cakey and I really don't think my skin needs much covering. But I've been wanting to try these powder foundations. I'm totally getting one of these kits - thanks, occhi!

posted by rhapsodie 11 April | 21:00

Er,rum, occhi, are you still in the SF area? 'Cause maybe we could trade, you could hope me learn how to put on the minerals, and I could I donno sue someone for you or buy you a beer.

posted by Claudia_SF 11 April | 21:29

Thank you, ladies!
I got the sampler that occhi linked to, also.

I've been curious about this stuff, but never wear makeup unless it's a very special occasion. I'd be happy to toss out a lot of old crappy stuff. Yes, I know I should have already.

posted by lilywing13 12 April | 00:04

I got the sampler that occhi linked to and some other stuff. I don't wear full make up very often. (I never wear blush...ordered a color to use on my eyes.)

posted by fluffy battle kitten 12 April | 00:16

Dammit, now y'all have ME looking at the EM site. And I don't wear makeup. Like, ever.

Somebody help me pick out shades? I'm pretty sure I fall in the "cool" category (I'm so cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month...) but damned if I know what exactly. Pics of me here. I have got a fairly yellow cast to my skin that I'm not sure shows up in photos. Multi-tasking neutral? What else? I'm rubbish at this color stuff.

I will say that I really really love Revlon's Just Bitten Lip Stain. It lets me put a little color in my lips while still looking natural. And I can't be arsed to mess around with lip liner and reapplying regularly, so a hit of this stuff in the morning and then a smudge of chapstick if/when I feel like it for a tiny bit of shine. I generally run with the Cherry Tart color, if that helps with color selections.

posted by Fuzzbean 12 April | 01:14

Oh, and my skin has a crazy dry-shiny thing going on, especially in the forehead region. It's not actually oily, it just reflects light like anything. So what finish would that mean?

posted by Fuzzbean 12 April | 01:17

Er,rum, occhi, are you still in the SF area? 'Cause maybe we could trade, you could hope me learn how to put on the minerals, and I could I donno sue someone for you or buy you a beer.

Ha! And Yay! I'd be happy to offer any help I could, but the thing is, I'm totally confident about doing my own make-up, but I have no f'ing clue about messing with anyone else's face. I feel like I have a decent grasp of what *I* need, but I've been unable to generalize that particularly well.

That said, I'd be happy to help. Email me if you're serious.

posted by occhiblu 12 April | 03:20

occhiblu, thank you, I ordered the sample kit. I am skeptical, because I have The Clint Eastwood skin, and feel like I need liqiudy drenching stuff, and have stopped with the powder a few year ago because I felt like it aged my look, and this is, really, some kinda powder, but hey! that's a total bargain way to give this stuff a try.

Cool! So very very cool, like my skin tone.

posted by rainbaby 12 April | 06:11

They ship to Canada, yay! That, uh, means that I ordered the sample kit as well.

occhiblu, you really should ask for a kick-back.

posted by deborah 12 April | 13:16

I, too, just filled up my sample pack. I've been wanting to try the mineral powder, but wary of splurging when the colors are so tricky to discern. I saw that sampler offer, then forgot who offered it.

Thanks to occhi: you just solved the mystery!

I wear laughably small amounts of make-up, but this should be a fun experiment. Yay!

posted by Elsa 12 April | 13:55

Hee. You know, I actually found the site through a recommendation from tangerine, I think, many months ago -- she should be getting the kickback! For, um, all the free products! :-)

posted by occhiblu 12 April | 14:27

For, um, all the free products! :-)

If I like the samples, I'm planning to splurge on the stuff.

Samples = brilliant marketing. When a company offers free samples (or free with shipping, like these), it persuades me, rightly or wrongly, that they're confident of their product's excellence. I've noticed I'm far more likely to buy something if the manufacturer offers a sample first.

posted by Elsa 12 April | 17:11

What about when they throw in some additional free stuff along with your regular paid order?

posted by box 12 April | 17:21

We'll send you the colours we don't like, box.

;-P

posted by deborah 12 April | 17:39

What about when they throw in some additional free stuff along with your regular paid order?

In my mind, that functions like a sample: it's a chance to try something new with no risk. It's great marketing, or great service (which is more rare).

When I worked in a boutique, I would sometimes toss in a lagniappe with a good customer's big purchase. It would always be proportionate to the amount they spent, and it would be an item the customer was curious about: a new brand of tights, a camisole, or just a tube of the lip balm all of us in the shop raved about.

If they liked it, next time they needed it, they'd buy it from us. If not, they still appreciated the little treat, and that sort of goodwill from customers is invaluable.

Heck, my favorite restaurateur does the same; once in a while, he brings us a taste of something new --- the appetizer special he's so proud of, a newly acquired port, a tiny plate of a specialty item. Often, he does it after we've ordered, so he's not trying to upsell us, just to expand our world a bit.

Next time we dine there, maybe we order the [appetizer/port/specialty item], maybe not... but notice that I just called him my favorite restaurateur. What he's doing --- it's working.

posted by Elsa 12 April | 18:05

I ordered the Everyday Minerals sample kit. I've been wondering about this type of makeup as my extreme sensitivity to most makeup ingredients just makes my eczema worse as it conceals it. So I've gotten used to just wearing a little bronzer and eye makeup as opposed to full coverage, but lord knows that some days I could use a little more coverage than a dusting of bronzer (especially when I'm tired/stressed). This is just another reason why I love MetaChat.

posted by SassHat 13 April | 02:41

I just saw that Signature Minerals offers a sample pack as well.

Unlike the Everyday Minerals sampler, which set up a template of 3 foundation colors, one concealer color, and one blusher color, it looks like SM's sampler allows you to pick any six products available in sample size. That allowed me to try a wider range of foundation colors, which is my primary concern.

I paid US$5.35 for shipping (higher rates to Canada and overseas).

Was I the only one for whom the Everyday Minerals site went wonky? Items kept magically appearing in my cart when I clicked from page to page, reappearing even after I deleted them. Not a big deal, but irritating.

Whee! I'm disproportionately excited to have makeup winging its way toward me in the mail! Thanks, y'all, for giving me a coquettish thrill of girlihood!

posted by Elsa 13 April | 17:03

Finally got around to ordering my kit. If I thought foundation was hard to choose, I should have taken at a look at the 41 blush options. lol. Can't wait! And all for less than $4!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 13 April | 20:25

*squeals* I know!

In addition to the SM sampler I mentioned, I ordered EM's sampler and the baby 'buki brush, and it was still just $10.14 US.

As you mentioned upthread, TPS, the foundation descriptions really flummoxed me. I ended up searching online for photos of the various celebs and comparing them with photos of myself, and I hope it worked.

I really can't thank y'all enough, especially lonefrontranger and occhiblu. For some time now, I've been meaning to toss all my old cosmetics and maybe update my look a bit, and this thread nudged me over the edge. Next thing to toss: mascara!

I'm assuming you'll all be equally helpful when the stuff arrives and I find out I'm clueless about applying it.

posted by Elsa 13 April | 21:01

Occhi, I am serious, I will email ...

posted by Claudia_SF 13 April | 21:34

I actually found the site through a recommendation from tangerine, I think, many months ago -- she should be getting the kickback!

And I found it through a recommendation from my friends Malinda and Monica, so maybe they should be getting the kickback!

Shortly after I ordered my samples I found myself going through a long no-makeup phase, and completely forgot I had them. So I still have most of mine. You people have inspired me to take them out and start experimenting with them.

posted by tangerine 14 April | 00:41

This is great - I just ordered mine too and am bookmarking this thread so that when it arrives, I can read the descriptions of how to apply it. I never ever wear foundation of any sort. Like lonefrontranger, I never had acne of any sort until my 30s and now I have some scarring from it which would be nice to cover up a bit.

Thanks for posting all this, I'm so excited for it to arrive!!

posted by Sil 14 April | 14:01

ditto

posted by krix 16 April | 19:00

Gah. Just looked at this thread, but I am still going to stick with my normal expensive creamy Prescriptives stuff. Dunno why. Think I'm just set in my ways. And too afraid of the orange line look.

posted by brina 16 April | 20:01

omg people, I wish I'd seen this thread before dropping money on a BE kit at Sephora. BE isn't too bad - I really like the concealer brush and using the stuff as a spot concealer, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything as an allover foundation, it just sits there and looks powdery and I can still see spotty bits and some huge pores. And then I got really terrible dryness for a few days after first using it, so now my face is oily/flaky to boot and I'm paranoid after reading all the reviews about bismuth oxychloride. Consumer guilt manifesting itself?

If anyone is still reading this - what kind of makeup brushes are you using?

posted by casarkos 03 May | 12:08

Hi, casarkos! Saw this in "recent comments, and thought I'd pop in, though I'm a total novice with the mineral make-up. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will come along.

I ordered a mini-kabuki brush along with my samples, but it sounds like an big dense blush-brush would work.

At first, my mineral make-up was sitting all powdery on my skin; on essexjan's advice, I tried buffing more. She advised buff-buff-buffing to "activate" the minerals. That sounded like a lot more buffing than I was doing, so I tried it: circling the brush lightly but firmly over and over the same spot before moving on. It did indeed make the finish a good deal smoother.

For me, liquid makeup camouflaged the tiny flakes of my skin; mineral powders emphasize them. If I'm wearing the mineral stuff, I must exfoliate and moisturize, then wait for my skin to dry thoroughly before I apply it. This is, frankly, a pain in the neck; I'm used to putting liquid makeup on damp moisturized skin, so that's how my morning routine works.

I ordered both of the sample kits linked here, and I was really impressed with how quickly they came and how nice the kits were. I'm very susceptible to hives and rashes, so I was worried, but had no reaction at all. (Incidentally, both those websites claim the makeup is free of bismuth oxychloride. Dunno about the BE stuff, but that should be easy to find out.)

That said, I'm not as wowed by this stuff as others are, but that might be my skin: I'm 38; maybe the others have younger skin, or nicer skin, or moisturize better.

posted by Elsa 03 May | 13:15

Incidentally, there was a little follow-up here.

posted by Elsa 03 May | 13:21

casarkos - I get dry and flaky and I don't like it much either. I have dry skin, so that might be it too. Also, it feels like the stuff stings. Don't know if that's all the buffing but I've decided that me and minerals plain don't agree and that will have to do.

posted by dabitch 03 May | 13:25

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