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April 23, 2008, 4:30 pm
I'm a former beauty editor/beauty writer (Lucky, Ladies' Home Journal, Jane.com) and I've tried scores and scores of foundations over the years. Finding a great foundation was always difficult: my skin is sensitive and breaks out easily, but because I have rosacea and pigmentation issues, I need something that will provide ample coverage without feeling heavy and cakey. Once I tested BareMinerals, however, I was hooked -- it's lightweight, covers like a dream, doesn't make skin break out, and even helps your complexion appear dewy and airbrushed. It is my number one, Holy Grail, miracle product, and I recommend it to every woman I meet.
It can be difficult to get used to powder foundation, but once you get the hang of it, it's surprisingly easy. My recommendations:
1) Don't take the tape off the inside lid; either peel it back a teeny bit with your finger nail, or poke a small hole in it with a needle or paperclip. This prevents a big mess later!
2) Use the different brushes for different looks. My favorite brush is the Handy Buki, which gives more thorough, flawless coverage; the Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush is great for the capillaries around the nose and for dabbing on zits. The Flawless Foundation Brush is good if you're looking for lighter coverage.
3) If you have dry skin, use moisturizer or primer a few minutes before applying; this will help prevent the powder from settling into any fine lines.
4) Oilier complexions can use an oil-controlling primer (such as OC Eight) to keep the minerals from looking too shiny late in the day.
5) Don't be afraid to use a lot, and to "Swirl, Tap, Buff" several times. The more you apply, the more airbrushed and flawless you'll look! April 23, 2008, 4:30 pm
27 of 31 people found this review helpful.
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March 11, 2008, 9:24 am
I used to work at a beauty supply and makeup store, and let me tell you--this is the most oversold, overrated foundation ever. Let me tell you why. When you come into the store, and try on the makeup, granted it does look great. Many of the foundations have a great yellow undertone, that you don't get with a lot of other foundations (that sometimes sway over to the pinker tones). Also it is so easy to blend, that most people, however inexperienced, will be able to make their skin look great with a good coverage foundation. So yes, when you put it on, you look good AND (added bonus!) you feel like you're doing your skin a favor by using something that is so natural. So 9 times out of 10, the customer will buy it. This is where the positivity ends. I don't know if it's just me, or because I happen to touch my face a lot throughout the day (do I?) but this foundation comes off within two hours. This, to me, is the worst thing a foundation could do! Also, if you buff too much, which I've seen people do, it makes your face look almost shiny. I really don't know what all the hype is about with this makeup. March 11, 2008, 9:24 am
24 of 30 people found this review helpful.
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June 4, 2008, 3:54 am
I was iffy on the mineral makeup craze to begin with but I thought if it was a more natural look I'm all for it...but there is NOTHING natural about this product. If you have pores fuggitaboutit this is NOT the product for you. The iridescent shimmer that it produces on the skin is horrifying! I was out on a lunch date eating in an out door cafe and happened to glance in some silverware (you do it too..admit it) and I was floored by my GLOWING face... it looked like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz had sucked face with me!!! I only wore the foundation at night when I knew I'd be in low light areas.......NOT happy. June 4, 2008, 3:54 am
14 of 16 people found this review helpful.
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January 20, 2008, 1:30 pm
I finally bought it on a whim after watching the infomercial a million times. I also heard wonderful things about it from word of mouth, so I wasn't prepared for how disappointed I would be with this. I used it for over two weeks, thinking that maybe my application technique was off. I really really tried to like this product and get into the whole natural mineral makeup thing. Even after trying all possibiities, it still falls flat of being a good product, at least for me. I find it settles into large pores and although you could add more coverage with more powder, the more you add the more plastic your skin starts to look. Yuck! I don't like the overall look, or the feel, or the mess, or the low quality brushes they force you to buy.
A lot of people seem to like this product a lot, but I'm just not one of them. January 20, 2008, 1:30 pm
14 of 17 people found this review helpful.
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March 13, 2008, 7:04 pm
I do not know what the hype is all about. It is very messy and not easy to apply. Why? Because, when you first apply it, it doesn't seem heavy (it makes my skin look really good and natural upon application), but as the day wears on, it gets cakey and heavy feeling, it also settles in to the creases around my eyes. Even if I where to apply a lite coat to my face...my face ends up looking oily. It doesn't last all day... it kind of melts away and looks blotchy. The "healthy looking sheen/glow" it claims to give, makes my face oily looking. In fact, when I use a darker shade during the summer month that I tan, the darker shades give an "ashy" looking sheen instead of the "glow." Also, after I apply the BM foundation and the BM blush and the BM Warmth Bronzer.... all the layers can be pretty thick and heavy and it doesn't look at all natural or flattering on me. March 13, 2008, 7:04 pm
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.
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May 26, 2008, 1:06 am
I really like BM foundation.
I've been using BM foundation for years now. After letting my moisturizer sink in, I apply it with either a small, fluffy powder brush or--for heavier coverage--with a kabuki brush. I then lightly conceal any spots using a concealer brush.
The coverage can go from light to full depending on how many layers you apply and what brush you use. After applying, skin looks close to flawless and and slightly radiant (not matte, but not shiny and dewy either). However, the foundation starts to wear off after a few hours (especially on the T-zone) so when I look at my face close-up, the foundation looks patchy in spots. So while this is the best foundation I've tried, it's not perfect. I wish it would last longer and maintain the flawless look. May 26, 2008, 1:06 am
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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February 11, 2008, 5:19 pm
I've tried all sorts of tips and tricks to try and make this work...applying after a light dusting of Mineral Veil, applying over a gel moisturizer instead of an emolliant-based moisturzer, allowing my moisturizer to set for 10 minutes before applying, etc. No foundation is worth all these experimental applications. Easy as Swirl, Tap, and Buff?! Far from it. I'm considered to have a "good" skin even by dermatologists and STILL this foundation exaggerated every pore, line and blemish I had. If I could score this a zero I would but these ratings won't let me. February 11, 2008, 5:19 pm
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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April 28, 2008, 6:25 am
In the course of my 51 years on this planet I have spent hundreds of dollars on foundations. I have finally stopped the search. BareMinerals is by far the best foundation I have ever used. It covers age and red spots and looks very natural. I like how you can blend your own shade by mixing the different shades together. The powder is so light, you feel like you are wearing nothing on your face. The minerals have never caused my skin to break out or become irritated. I get compliments on my complexion all the time and for 51 years old, that's not too bad. April 28, 2008, 6:25 am
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.
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November 26, 2007, 5:30 pm
I have tried to use this product. Supposedly, it is for people with sensitve skin. Well, it makes my face itch, then I break out in a red rash. I tried it two different times with the same reaction. The makeup is shiny which is not really great for hiding lines. I know a lot of people really like this product, but if you want to wear something not so shiny, or itchy, Jane Iredale, Glo minerals, and Aromaleigh have a better product. In fact, Aromaleigh is better AND cheeper! November 26, 2007, 5:30 pm
9 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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June 1, 2008, 12:01 pm
I am so pleased with this foundation and all of the products I have purchased so far. My make-up has never looked better. It gives me a glow that stays with me all day. All of the other brands of make-up I have tried over the years have never lasted and looked so good at the end of the day. My husband is amazed as to how great my face looks at the end of my busy work day! My face does not get that oily feeling that some of the other brands would leave me feeling with around mid-afternoon. I also love the way I can easily apply the make-up with the assortment of brushes I have purchased. Overall, it is a fast and easy way to get this mother of six out the door fast and looking great in no time! June 1, 2008, 12:01 pm
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
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