Reviews for Mineral Powder Makeup: How to Choose the Best

Mineral makeup seems like the newest fad in makeup products. Nearly every makeup manufacturer has a product line dedicated to this new mineral phenomenon . However, is it all it's cracked up to be? Or, is it just another advertising gimmick?

Well, it sounds like a test is in order. I like light coverage when it comes to makeup. However, I do have red blotchy skin with some acne from time to time (yes, I'm a woman with hormones!). I used to use liquid foundation with powder on top. I had troubles blending this into my jaw line and looking a little "done up". I then went to just a translucent powder (no foundation). While this definitely looked more natural, I wasn't able to hide my flaws (especially those that would just "pop up" in the morning when I woke up!). Next, it was on to those foundation and powder all-in-one. Now, this was definitely easy to apply, but I was stuck back with my original problem of blending around my jaw line. So... I then moved to the mineral powder makeups. Below is a review of those I tried and a listing of others I've yet to try. However, before I get to that, let me give a little more general review of the mineral powder makeups.

Mineral makeups are pure, no talc or other chemically driven creations. As the marketing goes, this means that your skin is able to be more healthy. Instead of agents that clog your pores, mineral makeups allow your skin to breathe and give you essential vitamins for good skin health.

How well does it work? Well, each product varies a little, but most of them have a few things in common. The powder is ultra fine... and feels really light on. You are able to control how much you put on with the brush, so you can have a lighter natural coverage during the day or a heavier coverage for an evening affair.

PROS: Mineral makeup definitely feels better on the skin and feels more natural. It is easier to blend (including around the jaw line) because of the fine powders. Even when the makeup is off, your skin feels more supple and radiant. Most have sunblock in them to help you keep wrinkles at bay.

CONS: Mineral makeup will run you a couple more dollars per product at the checkout counter. Either it's the genuine ingredients or the newest fad that's marking up the price.

Reviews of products I tried:

Almay Pure Blends: Lowest price (~$5-$10 at Long's). However, I ended up returning this product to the store. The "wand" stores the makeup and you push a button to automatically load the brush. This function did not work right at all. The powder was okay, but impossible to get out.

Fresh Minerals: Recommend you buy the whole kit (foundation, bronzer, powder, 2 eye shadows, and brushes) (~$30 at Costco). Covers the best. Powder is ultra fine and blends evenly. Powder is a little darker than my natural tones, so it looks like I'm a little tanner than I am. It's looks good because it blends well around the jaw line (no make up line). The kit is great, all work really well together. A nice, clean natural look. However, it is a little difficult to cover blemishes. Would recommend another product for this and apply before using the foundation and powder.

Loreal's Mineral Powder: Not bad for the price (on sale ~$10, regular $15 at Target). A little heavy for mineral makeup, though. Easy and quick to apply.

Other mineral makeup:

Bare Minerals (as seen on TV)

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers

Sheer Cover (as seen on TV)