Oct 16

Yes, you too can learn to cut through marketing fluff and discover the best mineral makeup for your skin.

Just imagine how many of us have been trying to find that ultimate beauty product, that miracle in a box, something that would instantly transform us into a more beautiful and glamorous person we deserve to be. We all strive for the best and, preferably, for the least amount of money. Yet, what is the outcome of the time and cash so eagerly spent shopping for beauty?

Of course you know that, although it has been on the market since the late 70’s, mineral makeup is all the rage. Thousands of women wanting more from their makeup and looking for something that’s actually good for their skin have bought the idea of ‘makeup so pure you can sleep in it’. A spectrum of celebrities from Angelina Jolie to Madonna are into it. And yes, some claims of the best mineral makeup are near miraculous.

The manufacturers say that their products not only last longer than ordinary makeup, but actually heal skin, provide natural sunblock and are, generally, so safe that can even be used on sensitive skin after plastic surgery. Renowned dermatologists have proclaimed this hypoallergenic makeup variety as a welcome breakthrough for women suffering with oily or dry skin, acne, rosacea and broken capillaries. But there are also some critics saying that mineral makeup products are no different and contain the same ingredients which technically have been used for years. Confusing, isn’t it?

Well, you are probably wondering whether even the best mineral makeup is going to be the right solution for your skin. Truth is, there are only few things that you need to know and you will inevitably find the best suited mineral makeup that will continue to impress you time after time and again.

Best Mineral Makeup: Things You Need to Know

The reality is that there are two major camps amongst brands and companies using mineral makeup formulas; those that are eliminating main ‘irritants’ – like fragrances, binders, synthetic dyes, paraben preservatives and other synthetic fillers, maintaining the original intent of pure mineral makeup at the core, and those that actually add synthetics to their formulas.

Since there are no regulations for what constitutes ‘mineral’ makeup, any product with minerals as a primary element can be marketed as such, even if it contains a set of ‘less natural’ ingredients.  So, if you really want to identify the best mineral makeup then carefully read the ‘lines’ on the back of a product you are about to buy.

The second big division is, within the ‘pure’ mineral makeup camp, between mineral makeup formulas using bismuth oxycholoride and/or talc, and those that do not. Bismuth oxychloride is frequently used to ‘bulk up’ mineral makeup products as a filler or binder. Yet, the fact of the matter is that bismuth, although a mineral, is a byproduct of lead and copper processing, hence, arguably ‘natural’. Some dermatologists consider it to be and irritant which could cause itching and rashes, as well as cystic acne if applied excessively. It is quite obvious then that those of you with ultra-sensative, acne or rosacea prone skin should avoid this ingredient even if it promisses that pearlizing, ‘candlelight glow’.

Talc, on the other hand, is a legitimate makeup mineral that has been used in cosmetics since before written history as a filler, to bulk up makeup products. Conventinal makeup, for example, is likely to have some percentage of this mineral in it. In fact, lots of makeup lines have labeled themselves as ‘mineral makeup’ because they contain large amounts of talc. The problem is it’s also a common allergen. So, if your skin is already unhappy wearing mainstream cosmetics, avoid products containing this ingredient.

Just one more element to be mindful of – mica. As the anti-aging component, which deflects attention from any skin irregularities and reflects light out of wrincles, mica is normally considered to be a welcome ingredient in the best mineral makeup. However, even finely ground mica can cause micro tears in the skin, especially around nose and mouth. But only if you happen to have an exuisitely sensitive skin, for the rest of us it’s not an issue.

Truth is, whether you have normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive or dark skin, the best mineral makeup is available to you now. It’s in your reach, all you need to do is treat yourself.

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Sep 16

At the beginning of the millennium, evolution of cosmetic TV infomercials triggered substantial demand for mineral makeup cosmetics. What started as an info ad for Bare Minerals powder makeup became an undeniable trend or a ‘must have’ range of products for most of the big brands including Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, and Lancome. Shiseido have even developed a super luxurious line of mineral makeup cosmetics with their Cle de Peau.

However, the massive influx of mineral makeup brands and products onto cosmetics market created more fuzz and confusion then ever before. With ideals, aspirations and expectations behind the primary mineral makeup formulas (developed in the 70s) stretched and tweaked by marketing specialists, it has become easier to pick up a disappointing product rather than to discover the best mineral makeup.

First of all, there are still companies that bluntly add chemicals and synthetic preservatives to their questionably ‘pure’ mineral makeup formulas. Second, there are plenty of brands with products containing very questionable mineral ingredients. Initial attempts by FDA to better regulate the market led to immediate, yet not surprising tendency to cover any combinations of dubious ingredients under a seal of trademark secrets. And with default stipulations of cosmetics industry standards permitting any product containing less than 1% of chemical ingredients to be considered natural, none of the claims of pure, natural or mineral makeup cosmetics on labels can be taken as straight forward.

Therefore, before you renew your staple stock of cosmetics be wise and look at the list of ingredients on every tube or tub you are about to buy. If you are uncertain, get in touch with the company’s customer services and you will either receive a reply that will wipe away your doubts or, in worse case, not. Silence is often a loud reply, so, either way, you will have enough information to base your decisions on and make sure that your aspirations for beauty won’t have negative consequences for health.

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Sep 5

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear someone mentioning ‘mineral eyeshadow‘? While mineral makeup, in general, is associated with earthly colors and natural, almost nude effect, we tend to forget the spectacular array of colors and shades provided by nature. With mineral eyeshadows you can combine the lightweight, hypoallergenic, as well as non-comedogenic properties of chemical free mineral makeup with amazing spectrum of colors to choose from.

If that would not be enough, you will be awed by the versatility of application of mineral eyeshadow. Just by using different cosmetic brushes you can employ the same mineral powder as an eyeshadow or an eye liner. Different effects can be achieved by applying eyeshadow dry or wet, for a more intense and dramatic effect. And for those in a hurry, daytime mineral makeup can be instantly turned into an evening wear just by slightly wetting the already applied mineral eyeshadow with a damp brush. Here are just some extra tips on selection of and application of mineral eyeshadows.

While, usually, a good starting point for mineral eyeshadow selection is the color of your own eyes and skin tone, try to avoid exact matching of eye color with shadow. Simply by using a slightly contrasting shade you will add an extra dimension to your look.

You probably are aware that black is visually slimming, the same applies to eyeshadows; darker shades will make the eyes smaller, but the lighter ones will make them stand out more. Just be aware when deciding on the right ‘trick’ for the particular shape of your eyes.  If you can buy a small selection of mineral eyeshadow colors that are relevant to the look you’re after and blend them together to create an extensive collection. Trust me you’ll love the mineral eyeshadow colors that will be just right for you, especially, since you can easily mix different colors to create your own, unique shades.

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Aug 25

 

Whatever you might think, but creating a flawless looking face is a tough, yet not impossible challenge. The key to it is a mineral foundation makeup that hides flaws and imperfections using the most appropriate formula and color. 

 

With large volume of mineral foundation makeup formulas available, it has become feasible to locate any globally diverse shade. Mineral foundation makeup blends blue, violet, green and gray cosmetic pigments together with the primary reds and yellows, allowing to create the best match for individual skin tones.

Professional makeup artists tend to use three or more shades to create the desired flawless effect. The tip here is not to overpower natural redness of the skin with more yellow tones or vice versa, it will only make the skin appear unnatural.

Whilst sampling, test a strip of color between the jaw line and the outer edge of the face, it will help to identify the tone that blends the best and see whether a lighter or darker shade is needed. Most department stores will have specialists able to assist in finding the most suitable mineral foundation color, just be aware that the in-store florescent lighting is likely to skew visual appearance of any makeup product, hence try to perform a daylight test before committing to any purchases.

I am sure you’re aware that facial skin tones can change according to environmental background of your personal or professional routine, therefore it might be a good idea to have more than one mineral foundation makeup shade at hand. Luckily, there are mineral foundation makeup products out there that incorporate strips of several shades within a set, which of course provides added versatility of use. However, make sure that your foundation blends in nicely with the neck and any exposed areas of your chest as well, do not focus on the face alone.

While mineral foundation makeup will even out the skin tone without caking and clogging of pores, only the right color will ensure a natural and not a mask like look. Therefore, try to test different mineral foundation makeup brands to identify your best.

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Aug 16

 

Jane Iredale has truly upscaled mineral makeup with this 24-Karat Gold Dust. Sparkly and loose this glamorous shimmer can be easily applied to cheeks, forehead, eyelids, lips, as well as body or hair when mixed with moisturizer or gel. It is available in eight luxurious shades:

  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Aquamarine
  • Pink
  • Lilac
  • Green
  • Champagne
  • Bronze

I tried it in Bronze which gives a sort of back-from-the-beach glow if used as a blush. The powder is unbelievably fine and that makes it easy to blend with nearly anything. I’ve mixed a very small amount with a lotion to create a hint of the same glow on the skin. I also used it as an eyeliner by taking a larger amount and sweeping a line across my lashes, and it can be layered on top of a different color for shimmer. If used as eye shadow, you can make the color appear opaque by wetting it slightly. Extremely versatile. 

If you are wondering about the ingredients, the list is, unbelievably, three items long:

  • Mica
  • 24-Karat Gold Leaf
  • Iron Oxides

You know it as well as I do that an ingredient list that short is rare indeed, and it’s comforting to actually be able to read and recognize what all of those things mean. The 24-Karat gold leaf is food-grade, so it is extremely safe to use, and adds a healthy glow (nothing like a drag-queen glitter) that looks right either day or night. The jar is much larger than I expected, and it will probably last me a year the way I’m using it. Just to give some measure for comparison, I have a sample size mineral foundation in a slightly smaller container that I’ve been using daily for about three months now and it’s still half full. With a price tag of $15, this is truly the case of ‘a little goes a long way’.

Rating: ***** Luxurious, as well as versatile both in form and function.

 

 

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