The Right Mineral Foundation for You

With all the varieties of mineral makeup available today, you might be wondering how to find the best brand for you. And what is the best way to apply it for your skin type and tone?

Easy as pie!!

Brands:

There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of mineral makeup brands available. I do sell my own brand, but this site is not about promoting that specifically. I want you to find the brand right for YOU, whichever that may be.

Basically we can break them down into several categories. Large, multi-national companies that you see on tv (think Bare Escentuals (not spelled bare essentials) and Sheer Cover).

Then there are other companies who are still large and well-known, but have recently jumped on the mineral makeup band wagon. You can find these brands at your local grocery/drug store most likely.

Then there are many, many, MANY smaller companies, most run by families that you can find on the internet. Some have local stores. Some of these people manufacturer their own colors like I do, but some simply buy from a bulk supplier (like me) and resell.

Quality and prices range vastly.

I recommend trying various brands and seeing what you like. The benefit of smaller companies is that they usually offer samples or sampler kits that you can try before buying a full size jar of makeup.

If you have severe problems like acne or rosacea and need full coverage, you will want a thicker, more matte mineral makeup. Some companies will call these concealers or cover ups. They come in loose powder format like the mineral foundation. If you have normal skin and only need light coverage, then any brand will work, but you can get away with using a shinier or more sheer brand.

To Apply:

Swirl-Tap-Buff...

That's it!

That's all there is to it!

Tune in next time... Just KIDDING!

I'll break it down for you.

You need a kabuki brush for application. Get a good quality brush.

Now, pick up a small amount of mineral foundation on your brush and swirl it around in the jar lid to evenly distribute the powders. Tap the handle onto the lid to settle the powder down into the bristles. Make sure the brush bristles are facing upward toward the ceiling when you do this.

Then begin rubbing the brush (applying pressure) onto your face, starting at the outer edges of your jaw. You don't want to begin applying the powder directly onto the center of your face, as it will congregate more into the wrinkly areas.

Pick up more mineral foundation and swirl, tap, buff as you need to. Apply one layer for very sheer, light coverage of the mineral foundation. Apply two or three layers for more coverage.

Tapping on your final layer will help to give even more coverage if you need it.

The pictures below show the progression from bare face to complete foundation to full-face complete makeup.

Apply everything else (blush, bronzer, eye color, finishing powder), then go back with your concealer brush once more if any blemishes are still showing.

If you do choose to use a concealer in addition to your mineral foundation, then I recommend that you apply that first, then top with your foundation. You will end up using less foundation this way and saving money in the long run. Plus you'll look more light and natural because you won't be caking on many layers.

Choosing the Proper Color

This is going to take some experimentation, depending on the brand you get. The good news is, that mineral foundation blends easier into your skin color than traditional liquid makeup. So you can "get away" with using various shades. I switch around and mix mine a lot. So don't get too stressed about it.

If you have very pale, almost white skin, get the lightest color your favorite company offers.

On the opposite end, if you have really super dark skin, get the darkest shade they offer.

Most people will be in between.

If you have light skin and rarely tan, but do have a hint of color to your skin, get the second to lightest shade the company offers. You might have to buy several samples to start to find the perfect TONE. We'll discuss that shortly.

If you have any coloring to your face at all, or if you tan, you will want to pick a shade in the medium to deep range of the company.

Now, that was the easy part. The harder part is choosing the correct TONE of your foundation.

If you have strong pink tones, get a shade that says Pink, Cool, Rose, etc.

If you have strong yellow tones, get a shade that says Olive, Warm, Peachy, Golden, Beige, etc.

Most people fall in between. If you just cannot decide on your skin tone, then perhaps you are neutral. Get a natural or neutral shade.

Keep in mind that loose mineral foundation can be mixed by simply dumping two shades in a baggie and tossing around. So feel free to do so if you need to customize your own perfect shade.

You can also apply one shade, and then another on top.

NOTE: Mineral makeup has a tendency to deepen JUST slightly after mixing with the oils on your face (30 minutes to an hour and you will notice this). So apply the shade you think you need and leave it on for at least an hour, I'd say. Make sure to have the same moisturizer on that you will normally use.

Then check to see the color. If it remains true and you cannot see it at all, then it is the correct color.

If you can see anything at all (orange, white, brown, etc), then it is the wrong shade. Save it for a friend, or use it for something else.

(Use light mineral foundation shades for creamy highlighting eyeshadow or brightening around the eyes. Use darker shades for bronzer or contour under the cheek bones and jaw. There is no need to ever throw any makeup like this away. If stored properly, it lasts for years).

Troubleshooting:

--If you find you are applying many coats and still not getting the coverage you like, several things might be wrong.

1. You might need a concealer or cover up mineral powder in addition to your foundation. These generally give thicker coverage.

2. You might simply have a sheer foundation that just WON'T cover no matter how many layers you apply. Buy another brand with more coverage. Search till you find the perfect brand for you.

3. You might need a different brush. Cheap brushes just won't give you good coverage. You need a thick, luscious kabuki brush for excellent coverage.

--If your face looks chalky or made up...

1. You might need to choose a darker shade of makeup.

2. You might be applying too much foundation. Apply thin, light layers, and stay away from wrinkly areas as much as possible (around the eyes, nose and mouth).

3. You might have a bad brand of makeup that just looks chalky no matter what. Find a brand that is creamy and silky, yet gives great coverage.

4. You might not be buffing enough. Buff, Buff, Buff away. The more you buff, the smoother and creamier the makeup will look.

--Your foundation looks orangy...

1. You might have a foundation shade that is too dark. Go lighter or try mixing in a lighter shade to just barely adjust your current shade.

2. You might have a shade that is too warm or beige for you (yellow-toned). Go for a more natural, neutral, rose, cool or pink shade of makeup.

--Your mineral foundation makeup doesn't last all day.

1. You might have a faulty brand. Try other brands.

2. You might need to apply either a primer or concealer first. These usually contain clay or some form of moisture/oil-soaking properties. They will give your foundation better stick-ability.

--Large pores... common complaint!

1. To cover large pores, just take a flat concealer brush and after applying your makeup, just smooth it flat in one direction by sweeping your concealer brush over the problem areas.

2. Stipple more mineral foundation onto the area with your concealer brush (meaning: do little taps with your brush held perpendicular to your face), if need be, then smooth out again.

--Skin looks either dull or too shiny...

1. Your foundation will have a certain finish to it. Some are shiny, others are matte and others like mine, are in between. Choose your favorite based on the look you want.

2. To correct the shininess or dullness of your mineral foundation, you can also applying a finishing powder. Use a matte finisher to soak up oil and give a smooth, flat finish. For a more dewy, shimmery look, simply dust on some shimmer powder.

--Itching skin from wearing the foundation

1. Bismuth oxychloride irritates some people's face... if your foundation contains this, it might be the culprit. Switch to a bismuth-free brand.

2. You might be allergic to other ingredients in mineral makeup. Try changing brands or applying a primer before your natural foundation.

--Wrinkly skin looks more wrinkly with mineral makeup

1. Exfoliate well while washing your face. Then apply a great anti wrinkle cream. Allow that to soak in a minute or two. Then buff on a light layer of the minerals.

2. Avoid areas that wrinkle, as much as possible, smoothing the makeup well on your entire face and neck.

3. Finish with a glossy powder for light-reflecting properties.

And lastly, just have fun with your makeup. Play with it. Try different brushes, different brands and different techniques until you are thrilled with the results!

Nobody knows your skin like you do, so nobody can pick out the perfect shade and type as best as you can!!!

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