Mineral makeup is a great option for natural coverage because it’s often more forgiving than liquid foundations and easier to match your skin tone. Still haven’t tried it? Check out my three personal favorites. They diffuse light and give skin a soft glow and a more natural look, which makes mineral makeup a favorite among celebs. Even those of us with acne scars can enjoy mineral makeup by pairing it with a good concealer where needed.
Bare Minerals Get Started, $60
Bare Minerals by Bare Escentuals
Bare Minerals by Bare Escentuals has the best coverage among all of the mineral makeup I have tried. You have to buff it on with a tightly packed kabuki brushfor the best results. The Original Bare Minerals Foundation has shimmer which can accentuate lines if applied to heavily, but gives skin a pretty glow. The Matte Bare Minerals is better for older skin and a more refined look. The Matte version tends to get a little cakey though so you have to spend some extra time blending the foundation into your skin. The Get Started Kitsare a great value since they include two foundation shades, brushes, warmth (a bronzer) and mineral veil (a translucent powder that sets the foundation).
M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, $26
M.A.C. Mineralize SkinFinish
M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural is my daily go-to powder in the morning. I pair it with M.A.C. Select Cover-up concealer for a flawless, fresh complexion. The purse-friendly solid powder compact is perfect for travel and is way less messy than loose powders. My only gripe about the compact is that there is no mirror. There is a great range of shades (which is usually the case for M.A.C.), so it’s easy to find the right shade for your skin.
Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder, $32.50
Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief
Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief is a very sheer powder, but you can apply it with a nylon foundation brush or concealer brushfor better coverage. It works well over foundation or concealer and light layers can be applied throughout the day to alleviate oiliness and redness.
Also check out Clinique’s Urgent Relief Creamto calm red skin as a result of an allergic reaction or irritation. It works very quickly to eradicate bumpiness, rashes and discoloration. I can attest to the face-saving qualities of its predecessor, Clinique’s Exceptionally Soothing Cream for Upset Skin (discontinued). When I tried on a department store blush and immediately turned bright red, itchy and bumpy right before I was due to present a research project, the Clinique girl saved me with that cream. Within 20 minutes I was almost back to normal and not itchy at all. Keep a tube at home if you have sensitive skin. It also works well on beard burn!
love the mineral make up!