By Jenny Rapson | Leave A Comment
Mineral makeup has exploded in popularity in the last couple of years. Have you jumped on the bandwagon? With more and more cosmetics companies offering mineral makeup at a less expensive price, now may be the time. Here are some of the pros and cons of this new trend in cosmetics:
Pros:
- The foundation coverage is heavy and long-lasting
- A little goes a long way, allowing you to use less product (this goes for the foundation as well as blushers and eye shadows)
- The foundation can be layered in areas that need more coverage, but still has a lightweight feel
- The minerals are actually good for your skin – some companies even advertise that you can sleep with their makeup on
Cons:
- The selection of colors is more limited to colors that occur in nature, so some women of color may not find the right shade for their skin
- The powder is very fine and may settle in lines and wrinkles, so it may not be good for women with those skin issues
- Many (but not all!) mineral powders contain bismuth oxychloride which can irritate very sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin and want to try mineral makeup, look for one that does not list bismuth oxychloride as an ingredient.
I’ve been using mineral makeup for about a month now and I love it. The coverage is amazing and it feels so lightweight! Another benefit I’ve found is that it is much quicker to apply than liquid foundation, and as I mentioned earlier, I can use smaller amounts of both the foundation and the color products. Higher-end cosmetics companies sell their mineral foundations for anywhere from $30-$60, but now many drugstore lines such as Neutrogena, Physician’s Formula, and Maybelline are selling them for $8-$15, and Mary Kay has recently introduced a mineral line priced from $6.50 for eye shadows to $18 for foundation.
Jenny is a SAHM of two who blogs about her adventures in motherhood with her cousin Emily at Mommin’ It Up!
Photo: Jenny Rapson
ABOUT Jenny Rapson
Jenny Rapson is a SAHM of two great kids. She loves fashion, is a makeup junkie, and can be found b{read more}
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I love mineral makeup and am currently using Maybelline Mineral Power. I’ll check into the bismuth thing, but the Maybelline doesn’t irritate my skin and I’m pretty sensitive.
Finally talked my mother into using mineral 2 years ago, and by talked I mean forced because she had the heavy foundation jawline thing going on. She thanks me every time I see her and she looks great.
I discovered Bare Essentials two years ago and I fell in love after the first time I used it. It is so easy to use and blend. And the powder sucks up all the oil my face produces.
But the best part is that when I forget or am just to exhausted to wash my face before bed my skin doesn’t revolt overnight. Perfect for this busy mom!
April, I too use the Mary Kay mineral line (if you couldn’t tell from the picture!), I LOVE it!
I was soo skeptical when I first started using the mineral powder, but it really is amazing. I am glad so many others feel that way as well!
I purchased mineral makeup (whatever they had at Costco) when I first got pregnant, knowing what pregnancy does to my face (puffy, dark circles, pasty, etc.) I LOVE it. It’s the first makeup I’ve ever been able to wear 2 or 3 days in a row without breaking out. I can make the coverage as thin as I want, which is nice for me (I have fairly “young” skin, so not much is needed…yet
)
I lurve my Bare Minerals!
I have never worn foundation, always just powder, because I don’t like the way it feels. Bare Minerals conceals the huge pores on my nose better than anything. It does last forever… but I ran out months ago.
I tried the knock off kind from Maybelline, HATED IT! Heavy and gross compared to the real stuff.
Great post girly girl! ~xo
I. love. My MaryKay mineral foundation! The only downside for me is that if you can’t hold your breath long enough, you’ll be breathing it in. But it is so much quicker than liquid foundation, and my husband loves it because it doesn’t look cakey like liquid foundations can. It makes you look like you’re just naturally that beautiful!
I’ve tried Neutrogena and Maybelline, and I like the Maybelline product. I don’t like the brush, however, so I would suggest that people buy their own. Another “pro” for mineral makeup is that it provides natural protection from the sun.
I’m a bare minerals FREAK!!!! I LOVE Bare Escentuals and my skin has gotten so much better since I’ve been using it. I swear by it, I live by it:)
WOW – I love that there are so many fans of mineral makeup … I used bare minerals for a bit, but needed to find a better color match (I have olive skin) – but didn’t take the time because I was frustrated with how “messy” it was on my counter top and floor. Was it just me, am I just a slob, or does someone have the perfect secret about how to not make a mess when putting it on? I would love to start using it again and can’t decide if the mess is worth it.
THANKS!!
I love my bare minerals too! Beachmom, I don’t know if this will help, but I shake the container before opening it and then tap it right side up on the counter. That usually gets all the poweder in the correct location without making a mess. I also still have the box from the starter kit I bought a year ago and I hold my containers over the box when I tap the brushes so if a little falls out it goes into the box instead of my counter.
For fine lines, a primer is supposed to help keep the mineral powder from “sinking in”. My mom swears by her primer!
I’ve been using Bare Minerals for three years and I love it. I don’t think I can ever go back to wearing liquid foundation. I have my mom and stepmom hooked as well. The stuff looks really expensive but it lasts FOREVER. Well worth the money.
I used bare minerals for a while but love PUREAnada.ca much better. They sell to us and canada.. all natural. No talc or fillers like the neutrogina and what not. I use their foundation/blush/bronzer/and shadows/liner.
Ok, mineral stuff. I’ve seen the infomercials. Read the adverts in magazines. The number one reason I never wear foundation is: I sweat. A lot. Forever with a handkerchief dabbing my upper lip and forehead. So is this stuff suitable for a Sweaty-Betty like me?
One benefit of the facial perspiration is I have great skin, and I say that at 36. So I don’t really need it. But on those nights I really want to look my best – could this work for a woman who tends towards the dewy look?
Found your via Hotfessional, linked in too.
I’m hooked on L’Oreal True Match Mineral powder – it’s excellent. They were one of the first to bring out minerals over here in the uk, and although lots of other companies are also jumping on the bandwagon, in my opinion this is definitely the best.
I think Mineral Make-up is the greatest thing since peanut butter. I am 56 years young and I have very sensitive skin. I wasted more money on finding make-up that I could wear without it causing sometimes instant burning, rash, swelling and bags of fluid settling under my eyes. The first I tried was Bare Minerals. Even though it was expensive….I was ecstatic. I am in heaven now that L’Oreal and others have come out with the Mineral line. If I can’t find the right tint, I will buy two different and mix them to get the right one.
I Praise GOD for Mineral Make-up.
Yay, Jenny! Your first article! Good luck and congrats!
I love my Almay mineral makeup. I tried to use the L’Oreal one, but when I start to heat up and sweat it makes my entire face itch. It also felt heavier than the Almay ones does.
I love to use the Almay mineral makeup and use Physicians Formula brozer for a little color on my cheeks.
Nice article, Jenny! Very good points. I’m an Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay and LOVE the mineral products. You’re absolutely right about how quick and easy the foundation is to apply. It’s my must-have product!