Mineral makeup has seen a surge in popularity, and it's easy to see why. Clever marketing campaigns that claim that mineral makeup is better for your skin, will last longer and will cover better has women flocking to purchase mineral makeup. While the reviews on the different brands of mineral makeup are mixed, knowing more about this revolutionary style of cosmetics can help you choose the brand and style of mineral makeup that would be best for you to try.
History
Minerals have been used for thousands of years on the skin. The ancient Egyptians used minerals from the earth to protect their skin from the harsh sun. It was this knowledge that spawned mineral makeup; Diane Ranger, owner of the cosmetic company Colorescience coined the term "mineral makeup" in 1977 after researching the Egyptians' use of minerals on their faces. She later created Bare Escentuals by combining minerals to create a face powder from natural ingredients. The company remains one of the most recognizable names in mineral makeup.
Ingredients
While the combination of ingredients is different for each mineral makeup brand, each has some common ingredients. Titanium dioxide is one of the base minerals for mineral makeup. It offers sun protection, and lends a fair color to the makeup. Talc is the mineral that gives mineral makeup its adhesive quality and moisturizing effects. Other ingredients may include kaolin clay for oil absorption, zea mays (cornstarch) for texture and sericite mica for shine. The exact formula will depend on the brand that you choose, but most mineral makeups will have an ingredient list on the packaging.
Application
Mineral makeup is not applied to the face like traditional liquid makeup. Instead of rubbing it on the face, you use a large, fluffy brush and work it onto the face in small, circular motions. The amount of coverage is up to you, as it has light to moderate coverage after the first application, but additional applications can give you more coverage. You can also apply it with a smaller brush for full coverage as a concealer.
Brands
A variety of brands of mineral makeup exist on the marketplace as of 2009. Some of the more popular brands include: Bare Minerals, Sheer Cover, Everyday Minerals, Jane Iredale, PUR Minerals, ColorScience Minerals and Youngblood, along with mineral makeup branding under some of the largest makeup brands; Cover Girl, Maybelline, Avon and Mary Kay.
Price
Cost for mineral makeup varies among different brands, but you can expect to pay $10 to $25 for one pot of foundation, as of 2009. The price doesn't automatically discern the quality. Some of the reviews for less expensive formulas, like Everyday Minerals, are comparable to those of more expensive brands like Bare Minerals. Most of the brands offer free samples, so test-driving the makeup before you purchase it can help you make the best decision.
Member Comments