If you are new to the line, then I suggest getting one of the bareMinerals Get Started Kits. A Get Started Kit has everything you need including 2 shades of SPF 15 Foundation, a Mineral Veil, an All-Over Face Color, a Full Flawless Face Brush, Flawless Application Face Brush, Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush, a how-to dvd, and a gift-size bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper. My introduction to mineral makeup came from a kit like this, although mine came with a kabuki brush. I’ve used the brushes with all the other mineral makeup that I’ve tried over the past few years. Really nice brushes and the bareMinerals makeup is my personal favorite mineral foundation. The kits come in Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, Dark, and Deep.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Get Started Kit in Fair
$60

ULTA carries a big selection of Bare Escentuals bareMinerals makeup products. Take a look here to see for yourself.

Image credit: ULTA.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Fun in the Sun Mineralize Kit
$59.50

The Fun in the Sun Mineralize Kit consists of 3 color products and a little mini buffer brush. There’s a Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne (Shimpagne? What color is that?), Blush in Nuance (Nuance?), and the eye shadow is a duo called Play on Plums (okay, probably purples). I can’t see any information listed about the ingredients in the makeup. The Play on Plums shadows are described as “Bronzed burgundy mono/Peachy gold with pink and bronze veining (Frost).”

Pinkzapoppin! Mineralize Kit
$59.50

The Pinkzapoppin! kit contains Skinfinish in Light Flush, a blush in Dainty, and the shadow duo is Love Connection. Love Connection is a “Pale beige with gold and blue veining/Warm gold mono (Frost).”

Image credit: M.A.C Cosmetics.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

I loved that powder. I loved the big fluffy brush that I used with it.  That’s when I realized that makeup was fun, that the tools, the powders, the glosses – they were toys for big girls.

Bare Escentuals has a few fun new makeup products available. These products are available for a limited time and you can only find them at Sephora. They are packaged in bright shiny containers – an early holiday treat just for you.

The Radiance Rocks are very similar to the makeup pot idea. Three solid mineral rocks are in each case. They come in Bronze, Champagne, and a Warm Rose. Included in the package is a Kabuki Brush.

Three glistening bareMinerals Radiance Rocks are compressed together solely by water—resembling minerals in their most natural state. Simply swirl the Heavenly Kabuki Brush on top of rocks, and buff these gorgeous 100% pure bareMinerals shades on your eyes, cheeks, and body. The result is a glimmering, sheer wash of color with a refreshing, cooling sensation.

How you use the rocks is up to you. Try a single color alone or use your brush to swirl the colors together. After reading the reviews, I see that some people actually rub the rocks on their faces. When they dry, they can be “recharged” with water. The effect you get with this product is a sheer, glow. If you are looking for something more dramatic, then take a look at the Bare Escentuals All Over Color.

Image credit: Sephora.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

What exactly is mineral makeup and does it live up to the company claims?

Mineral Makeup is made from the minerals mica, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide. These are the same ingredients that foundation makeup has been made of for years. Experts are divided on whether the mineral makeup is in fact better for your skin.  Some believe that the ingredients are no more pure than traditional makeup, while other experts, manly dermatologists, say that it’s a safer bet for sensitive skin because it’s free from fragrance, binders, synthetic dyes, and preservatives.

Of the ingredients in mineral makeup, zinc oxide is known to be calming for inflammatory conditions like acne or rasacea. In these cases, mineral makeup can be a real blessing. I can say that my own experience supports this claim. I still have breakouts and a bit of redness on my chin. I can use mineral makeup and it diffuses the redness and does not aggravate my breakouts.

On the other hand some mineral makeups contain the ingredient bismuth oxychloride. It’s not from the Earth, instead it’s a byproduct of lead and copper processing.  It can irritate skin and cause cystic acne as well as aggravate rosacea. If you have sensitive skin, look for a formula that does not contain bismuth oxycholoride.

Many mineral makeups claim to have an SPF because of the use of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in the formula. I always use an additional sunscreen. People put their makeup on differently. Some women need a heavy coverage, while others are looking to cover only problem areas. A separate sunscreen will ensure that you are getting the SPF coverage you need, no matter how much makeup you apply.

Another claim many companies make is that their makeup is safe to sleep in. Don’t buy it. Do not sleep in your makeup. Wash and moisturize every night. That’s the only way to maintain truly healthy skin.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Pretty by Nature

bareMinerals has a new set, that is only available at Sephora, called the bareMinerals Happiness Collection. It’s a 9-piece set of color products that contain Happybelle.

What is Happybelle?  Well, it’s a complex made of a plant extract that is supposed to “induce a sense of happiness.”  Happybelle is “believed to mimic the effect of endorphins.” 

It sounds psychedelic, but it’s totally natural, 100% pure bareMinerals. Gives you the glow of pure happiness coming from within your skin for a natural high—think yoga for your face.

The products infused with  Happybelle include Glee Radiance All-Over Face Color, Euphoria Eyecolor, Happiness Eyecolor, and Hallucinate Liner Shadow. The collection also had a Black Flawless Mascara, 100% Natural Lip Gloss in Berry Rush, a Feather Light Brush, an eyeshadow brush, and a clutch. The brushes and the clutch are all in “happy” shades of pink. It’s a cute set and I want one.

The products were all made without Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances or Dyes, and absolutely no Phthalates.

And there’s more. Each collection has a ticket that enters you in a contest – the Get Lucky Contest. The prize is a lifetime supply of bareMinerals SPF 15 foundation. For more contest details, click here.

Image credit: Sephora.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Origins has come up with something special in their new mineral makeup – it’s like a breakfast for your face. Breakfast for your face?  Yes, it does sound silly, but their new Multi-Grain™ Makeupcontains the nutrient-rich ingredients organic oatmeal, soy, tapioca, rice flour, barley, wheat germ, pomegranate, gogi berry, and the vitamins C and E.

Sounds like it lays a healthy base on your face, doesn’t it? Origins polled users of the foundation and 91% thought that their skin looked “naturally radiant,” while 78% saw an instant improvement in the appearance of their complexion.

Multi-Grain™ Makeup
$25

It’s oil-free, talc-free, fragrance-free and contains an SPF14. It’s available in 5 shades that range from light to deep-toned.  To use the mineral foundation, you apply a small amount with a brush, in a series of light layers until you achieve your perfect coverage.

Right now Origins is offering an online special buy. Get a free foundation brush with purchase of their Multi-Grain™ Makeup. It’s a vegan brush and it was specially designed to work with the makeup. After the promotion, the brush will be available for $22.

Image credit: Origins.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Years later, the very first mineral makeup brand that I used was also Physicians Formula. They’ve perfected their formula and developed the Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Makeup. The line is eco-friendly as well as good for the skin. It’s free of harsh chemicals, synthetic perservatives, paraben, and GMOs. Their patent-pending paper compact  uses 93% less plastic than a traditional powder compact. Every product is cruelty-free. It’s the very first makeup line to recieve ECOCERT® organic certification in the US.

Physicians Formula Organic wear is a good choice for people who are looking for mineral  makeup that is affordable and easy to find. It’s carried in many drug or discount stores. They have a good selection of it at my local Target.

The line includes liquid and powder foundation, powder, matte finishing and bronzing veils, bronzers, blusher, concealer, tinted moisturizer, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, lip gloss, lip veil, and makeup remover.

If you are new to the line, a good place to start would be the Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer. It is available in 4 shades that cover light to tan complexions. It’s a lightweight moisturizer with an SPF of 15. It contains organic fruit water, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, and shea butter to moisturize the skin. 

The 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush is all you need for accenting cheeks and giving the skin a healthy sun-kissed glow without the sun. It’s available in 4 combos – 2 light bronze/blush choices and 2 deeper bronze/blusher choices.

Follow this up with a Matte Finishing Veil for a “soft-focus” finish. A finishing veil is the last step for creating a smooth complexion. It minimizes the appearance of pores, eliminates shine, and keeps your look fresh longer.

Image credit: Organic wear Makeup.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

The mineral powder is available in a loose form and it’s enriched with gems, minerals, and vitamins. This includes Prescriptives R.E.C. complex, which is Radiance Emitting Crystals formed by a combination of Calcite, Amethyst, and Rose Quartz. It’s free of bad for you ingredients like talc, fragrance, and wax.

The colors include a light shade for highlighting, a medium shade, and a dark shade for creating depth in the crease, or lining eyes. They have a multi-tonal, iridescent look.

Image credit: Prescriptives.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

The kit that I chose was the Light Kit, but the foundation is really more of a medium, which works fine for this time of the year when my light skin has a tan. I loved the eye shadows – a creme, a pink, and a brown – they are universally flattering and natural-looking. The eyeliner is a dark brown and it was very easy to apply – touch the flat brush (included in the kit) into the pot of liner, then lay it against the lash line to apply the color. It would work very well for an evening smokey eye, as well. You can apply the eye makeup with a dry brush for a subtle look or with a wet applicator for a more dramatic look.

The kit is well worth the $24.99, in face, in fact, I think it’s worth a whole lot more. The makeup was felt good on my skin, cool and light on a hot day, and the colors were perfect for me. The brushes were pretty fair. I used my own eyeshadow brush, rather than the applicators that they offered, but the kabuki and the retractable brush worked well.

Kit contains:

*Mineral Foundation, in Light, has a golden hue
*Mineral Bronzer, in Sun Kisse, a slightly rosey brown
*Mineral Eyeshadow in Linen, light linen-like with a sheen
*Mineral Eyeshadow in Petal, a light, soft pink
*Mineral Eyeshadow in Cashmere, a cocoa color with a little sparkle
*Mineral Pressed Eyeliner, in brown, a deep dark brown
*4 Applicators – a kabuki brush, a retractable blush brush, a two-sided applicator with sponge-tip on one end and a flat eyeliner brush on the other, a two-sided brush with eye shadow brush and a small narrow brush at the other end.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Bare Mineral’s mineral foundations are among my favorite. The colors are flattering and the coverage is wonderful.  Each kit contains 2 foundations in the sample size foundations in the same color family, a mineral veil, and a mini kabuki brush.

Available in Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, Dark, and Deep.  Purchase the foundation now and get a free sample size Rare Minerals Facial Moisturizer.

Image credit: Ulta.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature