The battle of the Mineral Make-up!

[Meezer]

I know we have a lot of mineral make-up users out there... so what have you tried and what were your findings?

I've been using mineral make-up since... whew...1999 or so. It's always been Bare Escentuals for me. This is probably b/c it's easy for me to access. However, I'm constantly reading about other mineral MU and since I'm running low on my container of BE.... :eureka:

So please... dish!

[Delila]

I've tried a bunch of them, and keep going back to Aromaleigh. I've got lots of pink in my skin tones, and no other line makes a shade even remotely close to my actual skin tone. I've got hopes for Alima, but samples haven't yet arrived. I'll probably wind up posting about it whether you want me to or not.

Hey! I just discovered all the cool smilies on this board! Look! :whoa:

:parp: :snail: :cloppy: :chicken: :sheep: :moo: :frog: :robin: :kiss:

[SmallVoice]

I used BE until DD dumped it out. I simply haven't replaced it.

From what I've read, it's really easy to make yourself. And if you don't have that inclination, there's plenty of small soap and B&B folks that are making mineral makeup.

Here's a link to Etsy with search results. I'll also try to get a list of some other on-line sellers.

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search=mineral+makeup&location=both

[ShanaMaidela]

I have only tried Aromaleigh and Everyday Minerals. I prefer the everyday minerals. It gives me a better cover (I have acne prone skin) and a dewier (?) complexion. They are both really great companies to deal with. :happy:

[justgreen]

I've used a bit of Pure Luxe stuff, which i like. I also have Suncat's MMU and it is sooooo soft and silkey. Last night, i put on moisturizer and then just a hint of Suncat's blush, then a bit of her veil, buffed it in with a flocked sponge and it was barely there, but all my flaws were either covered or muted.

[SpiralingWaves]

I've only used BE and SunCat's MMU. I like them both, but lately I've been using SunCat's. Her SunShine (foundation pdr) gives my face a nice glow. I don't need to use a lot. I've been using her sample for quite a while now. Currently I am really enjoying SunCat's SunTan (bronzer type color) mixed with SunGlow (peachy pink blusher). I use it on my cheeks and eyes ~ it enhance my fake tan nicely, lol. I'd say the colors work well for most everyone. And as Justgreen mentioned, SunCat's MMU is soft and silky. And I love that fact that it is SPF 20 for coverage.

[Shermie Girl]

I love BE. It is my HG makeup. :happy:

[Stephanie]

Cory was my first and I couldn't handle the texture. It made my skin so dry I didn't stick with it long enough to find out if there was a good color match for me. Keep in mind that it was my first and most people say there's a learning curve to applying MMU.

Geografx (http://geografx-cosmetics.com/) was my second and it was a slam dunk winner. I have flat out neutral skin and Sechelleys is the perfect match ( Light Neutral Ivory). The application was a breeze and it covers incredibly well. The customer service is always a delight. Her color MMU is to die for, too.

I've been interested in BE, but mostly because it's mainstream and the advertising is pretty. :lafhard:

[bowie]

I like that with BE I can order from QVC and send it back if it does not work out.

I love Aromaleigh, very sheer and lots of colors to choose from. The samples last me a good long time!

[Stephanie]

Bowie, is that QVC's general policy with cosmetics??? If so, I may have to give it a shot... Hmmm... :happy:

[Delila]

Stephanie,

Just butting in: I've read enough about the trouble people have had with QVC that I've decided to shop elsewhere whenever I get the chance.

FYI: there's an ebay seller with an ebay store called 'Colorful Sprinkles' that specializes in selling BE samples. They seem to have a good reputation on some of the delphi boards, FWIW. If all you want is to try it out, I think that's the way I'd go. Overall, I think it'd be easier than buying, testing and returning to a retailer, but maybe that's just me. :)

[bowie]

Bowie, is that QVC's general policy with cosmetics??? If so, I may have to give it a shot... Hmmm... :happy:

It is! I also like that you can get *kits* and save some money that way as well :grinhappy:

[bowie]

Stephanie,

Just butting in: I've read enough about the trouble people have had with QVC that I've decided to shop elsewhere whenever I get the chance.

FYI: there's an ebay seller with an ebay store called 'Colorful Sprinkles' that specializes in selling BE samples. They seem to have a good reputation on some of the delphi boards, FWIW. If all you want is to try it out, I think that's the way I'd go. Overall, I think it'd be easier than buying, testing and returning to a retailer, but maybe that's just me. :)

Yes, colorful sprinkles is great. Great customer service and she has pretty much most of the BE shades out there.

www.colorfulsprinkles.com

[Delila]

Oh, thanks bowie,

I didn't realize there was an actual website, I'd only ever seen Colorful Sprinkles on ebay. Thanks. :happy:

[Stephanie]

Oh, wow! Thank you! She really does love BE. :lafhard: Lots of stuff to choose from. :grinhappy:

[CurlyBrunette]

Great site bowie, I will be ordering from her in the future. I like the fact that she takes paypal and the Q doesnt. Anyway, I like BE, and SunCats MMU. I also used Mineral logics that I ordered from Shop NBC a long time ago and it was OK but I like the others better. Its not as silky as SunCats which in my opinion is the silkiest and I love her SunTan and SunGlow on my skin. I am not sure I would ever go back to liquid foundation again.

[wonderlywroughte]

Cory was the first one I found with a color that matched me. Very good coverage, but was pretty thick when applied and had a tendancy to look caky in spots.

Monave didn't really match me, and it would settle into pores and it would crease up if I furrowed my brow or smiled :boggle:

Aromaleigh is my current favorite. Smooth, light, lovely! :grinhappy:

[curls2grow]

To the BE users -- do you use a kabuki to apply the foundation, or do you use other types of brushes? I am tempted to try samples from Colorful Sprinkles, but I think I might go to the BE boutique near me to nail down what color(s) might work best, then I can play with the samples at home and drive myself crazy again going through sample-mania. :lafhard:

ETA: Jane Iredale was the first brand of MMU I tried and once I found my best shades, I've been very pleased with it. If I do experiment with BE, it will be just for fun, not because I'm displeased with JI (the only downer is the price, but I use it up so slowly and it replaced 3 products for me, so I've made peace with the cost).

[kimberlily]

I've been using BE for about a year now, but I have to admit, I'm not a fan. Their concealers don't cover my undereye circles, and the foundation is rather blah, IMHO. I'm tempted to try SunCat's MMU,but funds are short right now so I am sticking with the BE until I get some cash.

[bowie]

I was not thrilled with BE foundation. It always smudged off. But that may have been due to how I applied it?? Anyway, I don't use foundation just cover-up now.

[hairbrain]

I use BE and love it; although Im almost out of my
darker color and want to try one of the other brands...

are the other brands categorized similarly to the BE
i.e. Light, Fairly Light...etc.
How do they compare color-wise? Is the Light from one brand
pretty much the same as the Light from another ?
KWIM ?

Im almost out of the Light and didnt want to spend a fortune on a
new one... :purplex:

[Rain]

I tried one of BE's starter kits. It was...eh. The lightest foundation is too dark for me though and Warmth looks like dirt on my skin. When I have a natural sunkissed glow, it's pink without any brown at all. :purplex: It was a good deal anyway because I needed the brushes and I found out I really love Mineral Veil. That and liner-shadow are the two BE things I use just about every day.

I tried Monave. They don't really make a foundation color light enough for me and it tends to cake up. I like their brushes though.

The final MMU I've tried is Aromaleigh. I love them because they have my color! They have a few foundation colors that work for me, which is still amazing to me because I just don't get that anywhere else. Their blushes work for me and don't make me look like a clown like so many do. I love the eye lusters (or whatever they're called). They've got just enough sparkle. I can wear them to work, I can layer them on a bit more heavily for nighttime and I never look like I'm wearing teenage glitter. I love their lipsticks too. Dahlia is a great neutral red. By that I mean it's not warm or cool toned but it's not exactly a neutral color in the other sense of the word. It has *pow*. And I used to really love their stick eyeliners but they're out of my favorites and it doesn't look like they are coming back. :pirate:

[shawngal]

So far I've tried BE(made my skin itch and burn), Everyday Minerals(which I adore), Valerie(nice shadows but the foundation didn't agree w/ my skin), Pure Luxe(a little chalky but not bad), Twisted Fayte(haven't tried the foundation but the eyeshadows are hit and miss as far as coverage but they do have some fab colors) and Bombshell Bath(the shadows are to die for). I still have a huge list of ones I want to try that look like they have good colors for my pale self(Cory, Aromaleigh, Alima and a couple others) but so far, I'm really loving the EM the best.

[icydove]

I've tried Cory, Geografx and Pure Luxe. I found an exact match with the Pure Luxe and couldn't be happier :) I didn't like the texture/smell of the Cory Foundation, although I love one of their blushes (Devilish). I only tried a couple of Geografx samples that pgw sent me, so I didn't really give them a fair shake.

[ShanaMaidela]

Ok, so I got sucked in by the BE infomerical. :ooh: I hope I am one of the ones that love it because it isn't cheap. They do have a 60 day money back guarantee so I figured I couldn't go wrong. The warmth and mineral veil is what sold me. It looks really nice. I hope to get it in a few days, so I will be able to compare it to the everydayminerals.

[Zoey]

I tried 8 different mmu before finding my holy grail. It's a new line called Everyday Minerals. The coverage is flawless and the color selection fantastic (I found a match for my hard-to-match yellow toned Asian skin). It's also very affordable. They offer a free sample kit (you just pay S&H, which is pretty minimal; for me in CA, it was $3.51) and you get 3 foundations, 1 blush, and 1 finishing powder or concealor. My sister, who does not wear a lick of makeup, is hooked on this line now because it looks and feels so natural.

[aisling]

Interesting topic for me, I haven't tried MMU yet, only a few brands are sold here and they're both hard to find and extremely expensive. I think I'll order samples from Pure Luxe cosmetics, from what you've told they have OK products, some very good even and important to me is that they accept PayPal and ship internationally, not all of the MMU companies say anything about international shipping.

[Delenn]

I tried Aromaleigh but I couldn't get a good color match, then I tried Pure Luxe and we had a winner so that's what I've been using lately. I'm interested in trying Suncat's in the future, everyone raves about it.

[justgreen]

I tried 8 different mmu before finding my holy grail. It's a new line called Everyday Minerals. The coverage is flawless and the color selection fantastic (I found a match for my hard-to-match yellow toned Asian skin). It's also very affordable. They offer a free sample kit (you just pay S&H, which is pretty minimal; for me in CA, it was $3.51) and you get 3 foundations, 1 blush, and 1 finishing powder or concealor. My sister, who does not wear a lick of makeup, is hooked on this line now because it looks and feels so natural.

You enabler:gurn: I just ordered the sample kit.:grim: :purplex:

[Carolyn]

I was not thrilled with BE foundation. It always smudged off. But that may have been due to how I applied it?? Anyway, I don't use foundation just cover-up now. Bowie, I've found that with BE if I use a sponge to smooth things out after applying the BE foundation with a brush, I can get a nice smooth look. I also think there is a big learning curve with loose mineral powders.

[Elyce]

QVC's return policy on everything is 30 days, whether you open/test the product or not. I once bought an electronics item for a gift; purchased it in the spring but by Christmas that person had already gotten the same thing. I sent it back to QVC and got a full refund. This is maybe like 6 months later (in that case, the package had never been opened). I have heard of people having problems with QVC but have never experienced anything but outstanding customer service. (I buy mostly BE from QVC, not many of their other products.)

I use Bare Escentuals, I have tried a few others but none had anywhere near the quality, coverage, and silky real-skin look and feel of BE. And BE has so many choices, especially for eyeshadow. I keep thinking they will have to re-run some earlier colors with a new name, like, how many colors are there in the universe?? But the newest colors I have gotten are different and unique, some have become my favorites although I already had tons of their eyeshadows.

Also, a BE eyeshadow will literally last you forever, even if your DD shares them, like mine does!! How they get from my room to hers is a total mystery, of course!! :innocent:

Oh, and I use the kabuki brush from Cat Cosmetics, it is the softest one I have ever used. Close second place is the Bobbi Brown kabuki. I don't like the BE kabuki, it's a bit rough on my (probably overly sensitive) skin. The Cat kabuki is expensive but a good investment, I've had mine for 2 years now and it's so worth it.

www.catcosmetics.com

look under 'tools'

[DaughterofEve]

Hey, someone said you can make your own mineral makeup fairly easily? My curiousity's piqued! can someone tell me how this works?
I use Cory right now, and it's the only MMU I've tried as yet. I like it well enough, because people can't usually tell that I'm wearing it, they just think that my acne's gotten better. >.<

[hairbrain]

Oh, and I use the kabuki brush from Cat Cosmetics, it is the softest one I have ever used.
Ive heard this before...Im thinking of getting one.

I went to the website, and you can sign up for their newsletter
and get in on the Secret Sale June 15-22.
hmmm

that is one expensive brush there. How are the bristles as far
as shedding goes ?

[hairfitness101]

Hey, someone said you can make your own mineral makeup fairly easily? My curiousity's piqued! can someone tell me how this works?
>.<

I'd love to be able to make my own too. But I'd have to still order everything online which defeats my purpose of wanting to make my own. I hate paying shipping.
BTW: BE lovers, I've seen kits s old at Target!

I've tried Aromaleigh: had an awful allergic reaction to it. I tried it twice to make sure and yep, that's what it was. Awful!

I've tried Must Have Minerals (now called Lumiere), and their products make me breakout. I liked them at first, particularly because they have a primer. But it didn't take long to have problems. And their customer service is awful. Kits take forever to arrive.

And I've tried EM. This is the best out of the three I've tried. But I still can't get it right. The color is spot on but the semi matte is chalky to me, and the original glo slides off of my face by noon and looks strange on me. I could also feel it floating on my skin. I don't like that at all. The concealer seems to do a great job for about 2 hours.

Honestly, I got fed up, and went back to Loreal feel natural liquid. I'm tired of wasting money. I may try Suncats though, with all the great reviews here.
[/URL]
(http://www.skincarebycarol.com/whymineralmakeup.htm)
[URL="http://www.musthaveminerals.com/"]

[justgreen]

Ive heard this before...Im thinking of getting one.

I went to the website, and you can sign up for their newsletter
and get in on the Secret Sale June 15-22.
hmmm

that is one expensive brush there. How are the bristles as far
as shedding goes ?

I've gotten most of my brushes here (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZbellabrush). I love my kabuki brush! But I also have a wonderful flocked sponge that I use as the final touch that makes everything look airbrushed. If you watch Bella's , she will have more kabuki brushes for sale and alot of the time, she lists them as 'buy it now'.:geek:

[Delila]

...

that is one expensive brush there. How are the bristles as far
as shedding goes ?

My Cat kabuki sheds, but I'm confident that if I went to the hassle of returning it that they'd be happy to replace it. I've found them to be quite good with customer service issues. :) I'm lazy, however, and haven't gotten around to it.

[SunCat]

I used Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup for about 7 years and really liked it. I would buy 2 different colors the fair and the light and mixed them together, the fair was too light and the light was too yellow so I found that blending them in the lid worked great. BE then came out with Fairly Light which I really liked until they started adding Bismuth Oxychloride to some of their foundation colors and Fairly Light was one of them, I broke out into red itchy bumps all over my skin. At that point I decided to start making my own and haven't use anything else since.

I only purchased my BE from QVC which has a 30 day unconditional moneyback, no questions asked policy. I have been shopping with QVC for 18 years and have never had a problem with them and I have purchased thousands of dollars worth of items. I have returned very few things and there was never a problem in doing go, they even refund the shipping and handling cost when you return something.

[SunCat]

Hey, someone said you can make your own mineral makeup fairly easily? My curiousity's piqued! can someone tell me how this works?
I use Cory right now, and it's the only MMU I've tried as yet. I like it well enough, because people can't usually tell that I'm wearing it, they just think that my acne's gotten better. >.<

Yes it is fairly easy to make your own mineral makeup I have been making my own MMU for just over a year now. There are several online sources for everything you need to make mineral makeup and some of the companies even have kits that you can buy. You have to be careful as some of the companies that sell the minerals treat them with chemicals and add other things to them that are not natural. I get my supplies at TKB Trading in California and order them online.

The hardest part of making your own mineral makeup is getting the formulation down and getting it well mixed. I just starting mixing different things together until I got something I liked. I tried several different methods of mixing my MMU and found that a mortor and pestal works the best. I have a large marble one that I use.

Cory's line of MMU doesn't have mica in it so the coverage is heavier and it doesn't have that "glow" you get from mica. Some people can be sensative to mica also. My formulation has more Titanium Dioxide than mica so I feel it has a good balance with coverage and a natural glow to the skin.

[hairbrain]

thank you, Justy and Delila for the info ! :whoohoo:

SunCat, I also use the Light, and Fairly Light shades of BE..
which colors in your line is comparable to those ?

[SunCat]

thank you, Justy and Delila for the info ! :whoohoo:

SunCat, I also use the Light, and Fairly Light shades of BE..
which colors in your line is comparable to those ?

I only have one foundation color which is a light/medium neutral color which is called SunShine and a multi tasking color that is lighter which I call SunLight. I use the SunShine foundation alone or mix it with the SunLight.

I don't feel that you should have to search and try several different colors to find one that works. So I made a kit using neutral based colors that can be blended together to work for almost everyone.

[hairbrain]

Thank you SunCat,
you'll be hearing from me soon...
:whoohoo:

[enitsirk]

I just want to step in to say hello to suncat (:hi:)..and say this:

I don't use make up..never really have. However, mineral make up appeals to me. And make up kind of sounds fun =p

SO- a couple questions...for suncat (as I think I'd try ordering from her because heaven knows I can't deal with deciding what color scheme I need! All I know is that I'm not very light or very dark skinned..no extremes :lafhard: ) and others.

First of all- what are the basics a beginner would need...brushes (I suppose a kabuki ? :) ) and the actual make up..what are the things you'd get to try and see if you even like it/would use it before going ahead and buying the make up to use often?

Secondly..how long does MMU tend to last?

and..

*whispers to suncat* I've been to your site and am quite idiotic and can't figure out how to order? Also..I got to your site from an LHC link and didn't bookmark it :eek: so will you do me a favor and post a link here (sorry if I just didn't see it) / in your siggy/ profile..*please* :innocent:

[Zoey]

You enabler:gurn: I just ordered the sample kit.:grim: :purplex:

LOL you're welcome :lafhard: I just can't believe fantastic this product is. It is such high quality yet priced so affordably. The foundations and blushes are wonderful! I've only tried one eyeshadow but I've read reviews that the e/s are not very pigmented.

These were the mmu that I tried before where I either could not get a good color match and/or the quality was mediocre:
Aromaleigh
Bombshell Bath
Physician's Formula
Philosophy
Bare Minerals (the bismuth in it made me want to scratch my face off!)
MMU

I'm missing a few more that I can't think of now because I'm so tired. I really hope you like EM!

[DaughterofEve]

Thanks for the info, Suncat. Maybe when I run out of the Cory stuff I'm using now I'll look into something else with mica, just for fun.

[Karen]

I am new to MM. I bought the BE starter set a few weeks ago and do love it. All except the Warmth, which is awful. I agree with Rain, it looks like dirt on my skin. I look better in pinks. Any recs?

I don't like how expensive it is too. Which places are cheaper?

[SunCat]

I just want to step in to say hello to suncat (:hi:)..and say this:

I don't use make up..never really have. However, mineral make up appeals to me. And make up kind of sounds fun =p

SO- a couple questions...for suncat (as I think I'd try ordering from her because heaven knows I can't deal with deciding what color scheme I need! All I know is that I'm not very light or very dark skinned..no extremes :lafhard: ) and others.

First of all- what are the basics a beginner would need...brushes (I suppose a kabuki ? :) ) and the actual make up..what are the things you'd get to try and see if you even like it/would use it before going ahead and buying the make up to use often?

Secondly..how long does MMU tend to last?

and..

*whispers to suncat* I've been to your site and am quite idiotic and can't figure out how to order? Also..I got to your site from an LHC link and didn't bookmark it :eek: so will you do me a favor and post a link here (sorry if I just didn't see it) / in your siggy/ profile..*please* :innocent:

I just added the link to my siggy. I will also PM you.

I use the Bare Escentuals Brushes as they are not dyed and don't leave that "dirty" look that some black brushes can as the dye comes off of them. I orderd my brushes from QVC. If you decide to give the BE brushes a try today is the day to order from QVC as it is their 20th birthday and everything you order today, if you use a credit card is on 5 easy payments. Here are the brushes I would recommend to get started.


Kabuki Brush for foundation application (I use the Baby Buki Brush) The kabuki brush has compact bristles which hold the minerals better and apply the foundation more evenly and with better coverage
Foundation Brush or smaller fluffy brush for applying blush and finishing veils. The longer bristle brushes apply the minerals lightly and work great for blushes and veils where you want a light application.
Small Concealer Brush for applying concealers and covering redness and any darkness on your face. I like to use the taklon synthetic brushes for concealers and any flaws I want to cover up especially dark eye circles
Eyeshadow Brush I like to use a small angled brush for the eye area
Eyeliner Brush I like to use a short handled eyeliner brush I find it easier to use than the longer handled onesMineral makeup lasts a long time as you only need to use a small amount. As for lasting power I find MMU stays on until I take it off.

Most mineral makeup companies have samples that you can try before you buy the full size products.

The quality of the brushes make a big difference I would suggest you purchase brushes that are made for mineral makeup application.

[pgw]

I've used mineral make up for a couple of years and these are the brands I've tried:

Aromaleigh - It was chalky on me and seemed to disappear as the day wore on. Plus, I never found a color that really matched. But, I do use Aromaleigh eye shadow in Kiss. It's the only place I can find that color and I love it.

Cory - I can't really remember why I didn't like this. I think it gave me the same chalky look and couldn't really find a color to match my skin. Although I don't use the foundation, I do use their light green color corrector. Geo doesn't have one. Aromaleigh does, but it doesn't give me good coverage and I end up having to use too much.

BE - This was the first mineral make up I tried. I didn't like the "glow" it gave me and it made me break out. I liked the foundation color so much that I was applying it over a thin layer of Aromaleigh to get the color but prevent the break out. This seemed a little counter productive so I went on to another brand. I still use warmth.

GeoGrafx - has been my HG so far. I mix two colors of foundation to get a good match. It's smooth, goes on well, and stays with you till you take it off. I also use their blush.

I use a Chanel #8 kabuki brush that Dulci recommended and it works really well with little or no shedding. You can find them on ebay if anyone is interested.

For a little change of topic. I read some rave reviews on Rare Minerals and ordered some. OMgosh. This stuff just about killed my face. I broke out with these hideous red bumps and splotches. At first I thought I was having some type of flare up not connected to the minerals but when I gave it another try, I had the same reaction. So, here I sit with a $60 container of unusable minerals. In hindsight, I should have been more careful knowing BE foundation made my face break out. But NOTHING like Rare Minerals. Believe me, it was awful. Well, something good did come out of the experience . . . I now own a baby bukie and it's just too cute.

Over and out.

[enitsirk]

Oooh! Thanks SunCat!!

I'll definitely have to go a looking for some brushes to get...your advice and the links are greatly appreciated :whoohoo:

[SunCat]

pgw it was probably the Bismuth Oxychloride in the Bare Escentuals and the Rare Minerals that broke you out, it does the same thing to me that is why I quit using BE when they started adding the Bismuth. Mineral makeup companies use Bismuth to give added shine and as a filler since it is less expensive. Busmuth Oxychloride is a known skin irritant.

[CurlyCare]

I have dryish, sensitive skin. Aromaleigh worked well for me, but I had a tight feeling on my face that I didn't like. I tried Cory and it was so much worse! Next I tried JLynne, which I still really like and use. I was ready to buy full-sized JLynne when I tried MAD on a whim. Now that is my favorite. I had no tight feeling at all with MAD. The coverage is sheer. JLynne is also sheer, but not as sheer as MAD, so if I want a little more coverage, I still reach for JL.

Everything I've said so far is about the foundations. In terms of colors, I've got some Cory (don't much care for the heavy texture, but if I want that color, I just apply lightly), some JLynne (very pretty, subtle, maybe too subtle for me most days), and a growing collection of MAD (Chocolate Mint is practically a special effect and Mango makes my eyes look sooo brown!).

Now, for the plugs for my favorites. MAD is currently having a sale. From now until June 30, orders over $20 get 20% off. JLynne will give you 10% off your first order if you put in my referral code RCP95303. I do get a bonus as well, but I wouldn't have signed up for the referral program if I didn't love this makeup.

[kimberlily]

I'm giving some serious thought to Pure Luxe. I think BE sucks and I don't want to give up on MMU based on one brand.

I saw in a flyer today that L'Oreal is now making MMU. I won't get excited about it though, even though their foundations are usually nice. Info here: http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemID=78607/Bare_naturale_powdered_mineral_foundation/L_Oreal/Powder/

[aisling]

Kimberlily, I just ordered samples from PureLuxe and this morning I had an e-mail telling me it's been shipped. Now I'm sitting here and waiting, let's see how long it will take to cross the Atlantic.

I like their wide range of colours, I think I'll be able to find some I really like.

[Shell]

I'm giving some serious thought to Pure Luxe. I think BE sucks and I don't want to give up on MMU based on one brand.


I found their colors great and their service fast and friendly--but it irritates my eyes. My eyes are very sensitive though, and most things irritate them--so this may not be the case for you.

I like BE the best so far, though PureLuxe was beautiful (see above). Cory was too thick and caked up. Sandra's Minerals were nice, but I didn't manage to order any colors that matched; she was great on line, very helpful and patient. Lady Ottoline (from TLHC) sent me some Aromaleigh samples which I liked the coverage of, but the colors were all wrong. Pampered Princess was also nice (wrong colors).

My skin is hard to match, so I've decided to go with a neutral approach, and have just ordered SunCat's Sunbeam Discovery Kit, with a couple of add ons.

I love MMU, and will never wear anything else. I have never found a liquid foundation that matched, or gave any kind of natural-looking coverage on me.

pgw--Thanks for the review of RareMinerals; I have super sensitive skin, but I've been dying to try it, especially after reading Dulci's reviews. It'll be easier to resist now (it's not really in my budget anyway)!

[SpiralingWaves]

I saw in a flyer today that L'Oreal is now making MMU. I won't get excited about it though, even though their foundations are usually nice. Info here: http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemID=78607/Bare_naturale_powdered_mineral_foundation/L_Oreal/Powder/

Yes, I saw this at the drugstore the other day. I think it has talc in it. I could be wrong though.

[Dulci]

...For a little change of topic. I read some rave reviews on Rare Minerals and ordered some. OMgosh. This stuff just about killed my face. I broke out with these hideous red bumps and splotches. At first I thought I was having some type of flare up not connected to the minerals but when I gave it another try, I had the same reaction. So, here I sit with a $60 container of unusable minerals. In hindsight, I should have been more careful knowing BE foundation made my face break out. But NOTHING like Rare Minerals. Believe me, it was awful...

Oh no! :purplex: The first few times I used it I got itchy/tingly, then my face was flaky for the first week, but after that it was all good. Put it up for swap, either here or on the LJ BE forum, I bet it will go fast.

I tried several different MMUs, but settled on BE because I found my color match, I wear the #3 Medium.

[annarose]

How is MMU for covering dark under eye circles with alot of wrinkles there also? I would think the powder would settle into the fine lines?

[SunCat]

How is MMU for covering dark under eye circles with alot of wrinkles there also? I would think the powder would settle into the fine lines?

MMU is great for covering dark circles and fine lines and wrinkles. Make sure you blend it in well. Using a lighter color on the lines and wrinkes will help them appear less noticable. To cover the dark circles also use a lighter color and a yellow based color and blend that well and make sure to apply it to the inside corner of your eyes by your nose.

I don't find that MMU settles in my fine lines and wrinkles but makes them appear less noticeable and it reflects light away from them. Just don't use to much and blend it very well.

[Ivytwine]

I've sampled from several different companies. I just finished a full-size foundation from MAD Minerals which looks very natural. However, I've gone back to Monave and am currently sampling the regular foundation and concealer foundation in shades Ashlie and Amy. I think Monave is ultimately my favorite mineral foundation because the coverage is great and the pink shades aren't too pink - great for my reddish rosacea looking skin.

For eye shadow I've found that Aromaleigh is the best for staying put and not creasing.

[Unnamed]

So far I've only used BE and Philosophy's MMU. The first...I'm not sure agrees with my skin and their lightest shade is too dark...grr. The Philosophy is closer, but I've only used it a couple times and not long enough to know if my skin will protest. I do think I like the smoothness of the coverage more than the BE, though.

Right now, I'm planning to get some samples from Aromaleigh to see if I can finally find a foundation shade that matches (as I'm a bit on the pale side...).

[Hairstorm]

I am watching this thread with great interest...

[enitsirk]

I tried 8 different mmu before finding my holy grail. It's a new line called Everyday Minerals. The coverage is flawless and the color selection fantastic (I found a match for my hard-to-match yellow toned Asian skin). It's also very affordable. They offer a free sample kit (you just pay S&H, which is pretty minimal; for me in CA, it was $3.51) and you get 3 foundations, 1 blush, and 1 finishing powder or concealor. My sister, who does not wear a lick of makeup, is hooked on this line now because it looks and feels so natural.

Zoey, I know you posted this way earlier in the thread..but thanks for posting it.

I'm still very interested in this thread and bet that I'll be trying multiple lines before I decide on one (if it's even right for me) ..I know I love the sound of suncat's stuff..

But free was the right price for me when it comes to my first sample kit :calm:

I ordered one a few days ago and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival...and just..Thank you for posting about the sample kit :whoohoo:

ETA:
And thank you justgreen for posting about ordering it..it was actually your post I saw first and got confused wondering what I missed =p

[Zoey]

You're welcome. I hope you like EM. But everyone's skin type and preferences are different, so you really may need to try at least a few before deciding on one that works out best for you.

[enitsirk]

You're welcome. I hope you like EM. But everyone's skin type and preferences are different, so you really may need to try at least a few before deciding on one that works out best for you.

:nods:

I know....but it's just awesome to start out trying one for free :whoohoo:

:lafhard:

[Snow White]

The only one I've tried is Cory. At first it seemed like it dried out my skin, but I changed what moisturizer I used and that solved that. (Went to using something natural) I really like Cory's sample sizes. I ordered two samples of the blush I really like and that's enough to last me a long time. I have 3 or 4 blushes from her that I like so I'm covered for a good long time. She also had a foundation that matched my skin, but I don't wear it much. I just don't have the time to spend doing a lot with hair and makeup right now. I have some eyeshadows from Cory also. If I was more into wearing makeup I'd like to try other mineral makeup lines.

[birdiefu]

I think I saw someone asking about MMU places for those with darker skin. I've heard good things about ada (http://www.adacosmetics.com/index.html) on another forum for those interested.

[rossjen]

I have only tried 2 brands of mineral makeup: I ordered some samples from Aromaleigh last year, but neither of them matched well. They were either too dark or too peachy. A couple of weeks ago, I ordered the sampler kit from Everyday Minerals. I finally experimented with the colors in the kit today, and I've found my match in Golden Fair. The price is better also. I will be sticking with this brand, I love it so far.

[Hairstorm]

I just ordered the Everyday Minerals samples too! I'm looking forward to it! :)

[Stephanie]

YAY! Hairstorm's getting into it! :D

[bowie]

I just saw an ad today that L'Oreal has come out with their version of mineral makeup. :ginger:

[justgreen]

But free was the right price for me when it comes to my first sample kit :calm:

I ordered one a few days ago and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival...and just..Thank you for posting about the sample kit :whoohoo:

ETA:
And thank you justgreen for posting about ordering it..it was actually your post I saw first and got confused wondering what I missed =p

You are very welcome! I ordered one too and I got it today!:geek: The color are magnificent, I can't wait to use them and blend them with other colors!

[SunCat]

Mineral makeup is very adicting, it should come with a warning label :lafhard:

[enitsirk]

Mineral makeup is very adicting, it should come with a warning label :lafhard:

...just like hairtoys, right??

You know..I'd have so much more money if I had never found LHC, and now TBB.


This is horrible:pissed:




...I love it. :whoohoo:

[kimberlily]

Bowie, I saw an ad for the L'Oreal MMU, but looked into it. It has talc in it, which from what I understand, disqualifies it as a true MMU. Same for Neutrogena's MMU.

[justgreen]

...just like hairtoys, right??

You know..I'd have so much more money if I had never found LHC, and now TBB.


This is horrible:pissed:




...I love it. :whoohoo:

*sigh* I couldnt agree with you more. But then, I'd also be torturing my hair and body with chemicals. Bleh. *justy whispers...I love it too:lafhard: *

[ShanaMaidela]

I just got my BE kit yesterday. I've got to say, I'm dissapointed. I don't think it is all it's cracked up to be. I think everydayminerals was better. I put it on yesterday and today. I mean the Bare minerals covers ok but it isn't any better than the other. And it seems to be drying out my skin. I think I'm going to send it back....but then I have to give up the nice little travel compact they sent with it. *wail*

I should have just stayed with everyday....

[Valorie]

MM is soo addictive..I used to work as a makeup artist and I always used mm myself b/c it just looks so much better and more natural
Anyway...I used to use bare minerals, then jane iredale, and have been hooked on glominerals...it just goes really well with my skin and no breakouts. I have been sampling though lately to find other things and sampled essential minerals, valerie beauty, and am still waiting for my corey samples! I know she was away for a while so they are behind...but I put my order in at the end of may!!!
Anyway..I didn't order dark enough samples in essential minerals( and I am pretty pale) so it looks chalky for that reason and it difficult to tell. I really liked the coverage of Valerie beauty but my pores are seeming to react strangely to it, like they are larger around my nose??- maybe just hormones and stress, but I am going to try the lighter coverage foundation. I really want to try cory but if it doesn't come soon I will have to email them my new address...
I don't think BE would agree with me because my skin hates cornstarch. It makes me break out pretty bad and I don't like the look of makeup with cornstarch on my skin....
I still want to try Aromaleigh and Twysted Fate too...
Definately an addiction!:drool:

[quiet1]

Can someone provide me with a little direction, since it sounds like some of you are pretty familiar with the range of MMUs out there?

I'm just wondering which to try as I have very pale, but neutral skin, and looking on the web a fair number of things are talking about either pink or yellow undertones even in the lightest shades, and that makes me a bit nervy as that has in the past always meant a poor match for my skintone. :)

So who does nice light neutral colours and decent samples to try out? :)

[hairfitness101]

For everyone using the Everyday Minerals, have you tried their Kabuki brushes? Did or Do you like them? Are they soft? Do they shed? If not, who's Kabuki would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

Their makeup looks and sounds amazing and thanks to all the raves here, I'm going to try it. I was thinking that I would go ahead and buy the $28 kit because it comes with brushes and full size products of everything I need. I really need some makeup asap so the free kit, although very tempting, only has 2-3 uses and no brushes. I have a feeling this may become my HG product. And if not, its a lot better than spending 65$ on a kit like many other sites.

[SunCat]

Quite a few of the more popular makeup companies are coming out with mineral makeup since it is now the "in thing". They add a few minerals to it and call mineral makeup, check the ingredients.

[enitsirk]

For everyone using the Everyday Minerals, have you tried their Kabuki brushes? Did or Do you like them? Are they soft? Do they shed? If not, who's Kabuki would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

Their makeup looks and sounds amazing and thanks to all the raves here, I'm going to try it. I was thinking that I would go ahead and buy the $28 kit because it comes with brushes and full size products of everything I need. I really need some makeup asap so the free kit, although very tempting, only has 2-3 uses and no brushes. I have a feeling this may become my HG product. And if not, its a lot better than spending 65$ on a kit like many other sites.

I'll let you know what I think when I get the sample kit. I actually grabbed their kabuki with my sample kit since it was only 6 bucks and I wanted to make sure that when the sample kit came, I had something to use with it =p

And I figured if I don't like it- it's 6 bucks and I can get another one elsewhere. If I do like it...hey! A kabuki for 6 bucks :p

Keep in mind that I have no experience with brushes though, so if *I* like it you might not. I suppose that could go for not liking it too.

[Shell]

I got my sample kit from Everyday Minerals and I really like it. I found their coverage to be more sheer and natural looking than BE's, and I have a very close color match in Medium Summer. I really like their Natural blush shade. It looks really light and like it won't do anything, and though it doesn't really add much color, it does really give definition. I am really impressed with their product, and if SunCat's doesn't work out (which I seriously doubt), I will order from them.

As far as brushes go, I have a pink kabuki from Sandra's which I love, a fan brush from Pure Luxe which is nice, and a mini kabuki cheapie from Target which sheds, but otherwise is okay. It just sheds after washing, not with use. I also have a lip brush from Pure Luxe which I like, as it is retractable. I expect I should order a proper mini kabuki from somewhere, as I really like it for blending.

[hairfitness101]

Thank you both. I've seen only great reviews for Everyday minerals so I thought it would be a safe bet. The only negative I've read is that their kabuki was scratchy (1 person said that), but it looks so nice on the website, and like you said, its only $6. I paid more for that at Walmart and took it back the next day. It shed more than a dog. It was terrible. But I don't want to pay $20 either from some unknown site. Definitely let me know when you get your sample kit. I can't wait to hear your reviews. Let me know how long it took to get your order too. Some companies aren't very good about that. I've heard that they are though.

Shell, thank you for the comparison as well. I like to hear the differences so I can make an educated choice. I like EM website and that they have 3 different types of foundation to choose from. My skin is different every season and really need products like that. I can't wait to try them. Payday this Friday!!!!

[justgreen]

Hairfitness, I posted this (http://cgi.ebay.com/Quality-Full-Sized-Cute-Pink-Goat-Hair-Kabuki_W0QQitemZ9532626730QQcategoryZ33925QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) in the kabuki thread. I have one and I love it! It's goat hair, soft, doesn't shed and doesn't bleed (I tested it yesterday).

[hairfitness101]

Oh, those are too cute! I love that they are pink. I'm going to have to get one of those, and one of those retractable ones. Oooo, I can't wait. Thanks for the link.
p.s. Just wanted to say, I love that avatar. How funny. :happy:

[justgreen]

Oh, those are too cute! I love that they are pink. I'm going to have to get one of those, and one of those retractable ones. Oooo, I can't wait. Thanks for the link.
p.s. Just wanted to say, I love that avatar. How funny. :happy:

Poke pokehttp://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/justgreen_/lifeispain.gif

*justy forms a new club*
The Pink Kabuki-ers

I think we can take over the world :gurn:

[hairfitness101]

I'm all for that! :secret:
:happy:

[Hedera]

Poke pokehttp://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/justgreen_/lifeispain.gif

*justy forms a new club*
The Pink Kabuki-ers

I think we can take over the world :gurn:

*sigh*
I only wish they had purple ones, too....;)

And all you enablers made another victim: I ordered the Everyday Minerals sample pack (and a baby Kabuki also).
I can't wait to get it! :happy:

[Elyce]

Ive heard this before...Im thinking of getting one.

I went to the website, and you can sign up for their newsletter
and get in on the Secret Sale June 15-22.
hmmm

that is one expensive brush there. How are the bristles as far
as shedding goes ?

Hairbrain, I am so sorry! I just saw your question about the Cat kabuki brush, I don't know how I missed it before. Please forgive!

You know, I can't say I have ever seen one shed strand off my brush. I guess it must shed, but nothing I have ever noticed.

I wash mine monthly (about) with a brush cleaner (or gentle shampoo), and regularly swipe it on a baby wipe between washes to keep it clean. After washing, I am careful to dry it laying flat so the water doesn't drip down into the ferrule (handle) where the bristles are glued in.

The Cat is soooo soft, but still densely packed, so it provides really outstanding coverage.

The Cat kabuki went on sale last year for $25. Still a lot, but I wouldn't trade mine for anything. I signed up for the sale email too, I'll get another kabuki if they ever go on sale again.

Sorry again for not getting back to you sooner :innocent:

[SunCat]

Hairfitness, I posted this (http://cgi.ebay.com/Quality-Full-Sized-Cute-Pink-Goat-Hair-Kabuki_W0QQitemZ9532626730QQcategoryZ33925QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) in the kabuki thread. I have one and I love it! It's goat hair, soft, doesn't shed and doesn't bleed (I tested it yesterday).


Thank you Justy for testing your brush and since it doesn't bleed, I just ordered one. I love shopping :lafhard: I use goat hair brushes for my water colors and they are very soft, they are undyed, and I love them.

[enitsirk]

Oooh..doesn't bleed? I am so getting one of those pink kabuki brushes if I actually use my MMU. Maybe even if I don't..they are just too cute to pass up :whoohoo:

[justgreen]

Thank you Justy for testing your brush and since it doesn't bleed, I just ordered one. I love shopping :lafhard: I use goat hair brushes for my water colors and they are very soft, they are undyed, and I love them.

I washed mine in cold water. I wash everything in cold water...LOL...except my chubby body.:lafhard:

[Shell]

I want to join the pink kabuki club! I love mine, and it's fun to use to. I have had no shedding or bleeding from mine at all.

I am really loving the Everyday Minerals, and just got SunCat's stuff, but haven't really played with it yet.

[justgreen]

I want to join the pink kabuki club! I love mine, and it's fun to use to. I have had no shedding or bleeding from mine at all.

I am really loving the Everyday Minerals, and just got SunCat's stuff, but haven't really played with it yet.

Welcome to the Pink Kabuki club, Shell!:lafhard:

[enitsirk]

Quickie update.
Got my EM sample kit with baby buki today.

I really don't like the brush..it was shedding like crazy and was really scratchy...it made my cheek hurt :purplex:

As for the minerals..I'll get back to you after I try a few more times :grinhappy:

For one thing I'm friggin horrid at getting a bit into the cap without spilling all over the place :whyme:
But their samples are very generous so it's okay.

Anyway..after a bit more of trying with the baby buki I think I'll be joining the pink kabuki club :grinhappy:

[Hedera]

Quickie update.
Got my EM sample kit with baby buki today.

I really don't like the brush..it was shedding like crazy and was really scratchy...it made my cheek hurt :purplex:



Yikes, that's a pity! :purplex:

I think I read somewhere that washing it (with something gentle, shampoo etc) helped a lot.

[enitsirk]

Yikes, that's a pity! :purplex:

I think I read somewhere that washing it (with something gentle, shampoo etc) helped a lot.

Oooh..thanks! I'll try washing it before I try the make up again and report back *looks for a smiley with hand to forhead* :grinhappy:

[Shell]

Quickie update.
Got my EM sample kit with baby buki today.

I really don't like the brush..it was shedding like crazy and was really scratchy...it made my cheek hurt :purplex:

As for the minerals..I'll get back to you after I try a few more times :grinhappy:

For one thing I'm friggin horrid at getting a bit into the cap without spilling all over the place :whyme:
But their samples are very generous so it's okay.

Anyway..after a bit more of trying with the baby buki I think I'll be joining the pink kabuki club :grinhappy:

I think applying it with the lid of the sample containers is impossible. Get a small shallow bowl or a teacup and then tap a bit of the powder into that. Then swirl the brush in the powder, tap the brush on the side of the cup and then apply. That way you don't spill everywhere, and you get a good coating on your brush. I love my pink kabuki by the way. (Very subtle enabling--don't you think?)

[Zoey]

Quickie update.
Got my EM sample kit with baby buki today.

I really don't like the brush..it was shedding like crazy and was really scratchy...it made my cheek hurt :purplex:

As for the minerals..I'll get back to you after I try a few more times :grinhappy:

For one thing I'm friggin horrid at getting a bit into the cap without spilling all over the place :whyme:
But their samples are very generous so it's okay.

Anyway..after a bit more of trying with the baby buki I think I'll be joining the pink kabuki club :grinhappy:

I agree that the EM brushes are horrid! A full-sized kabuki (which isn't on their website anymore) came with one of my kits. It was awful. The brushes are not densely packed like kabuki bristles are supposed to be. It functioned like a regular loose powder brush. It barely picked up any minerals and pretty much dusted all the minerals OFF my face.

A few of my $5 drugstore kabukis were better than the EM one. My sister just received a baby kabuki last week with her EM order and believe it or not, the baby kabuki is actually an improvement over their full-sized kabuki. Sorry I didn't warn you about their brushes. I didn't realize you were going to order one.

[justgreen]

I think applying it with the lid of the sample containers is impossible. Get a small shallow bowl or a teacup and then tap a bit of the powder into that. Then swirl the brush in the powder, tap the brush on the side of the cup and then apply. That way you don't spill everywhere, and you get a good coating on your brush. I love my pink kabuki by the way. (Very subtle enabling--don't you think?)

Oh, tres subtle!:lafhard:

[Dulci]

I think applying it with the lid of the sample containers is impossible. Get a small shallow bowl or a teacup and then tap a bit of the powder into that. Then swirl the brush in the powder, tap the brush on the side of the cup and then apply. That way you don't spill everywhere, and you get a good coating on your brush...

I agree, using the lid is impossible. I use a 2$ glass candle holder dish from WalMart, it is thick, square glass with a large circular indentation to hold a fat candle, it works great!

[kimberlily]

I got my Pure Luxe samples today. I'm excited, and can't wait to play with them! Thanks for the tip to put the powder in a dish - I can see myself wasting a lot trying to use the sample containers :lol:

[enitsirk]

I agree that the EM brushes are horrid! A full-sized kabuki (which isn't on their website anymore) came with one of my kits. It was awful. The brushes are not densely packed like kabuki bristles are supposed to be. It functioned like a regular loose powder brush. It barely picked up any minerals and pretty much dusted all the minerals OFF my face.

A few of my $5 drugstore kabukis were better than the EM one. My sister just received a baby kabuki last week with her EM order and believe it or not, the baby kabuki is actually an improvement over their full-sized kabuki. Sorry I didn't warn you about their brushes. I didn't realize you were going to order one.

Oh that's fine..hehe..it wasn't that expensive and you live and learn, right??

Shell- thanks for the tip about a shallow dish..I was just htinking about that this morning. I'm glad I'm not just inept at using the sample containers =p

ETA:

Hey Miss "I LOVE BELLA BRUSHES" I have a question ;)

I was thinking of getting the foundation/concealer duo to be shipped with pink buki if I get it (due to suncat's rec)..but says good for cream and liquid applications. Soooo...are they good for mineral make up or no?

[justgreen]

Oh that's fine..hehe..it wasn't that expensive and you live and learn, right??

Shell- thanks for the tip about a shallow dish..I was just htinking about that this morning. I'm glad I'm not just inept at using the sample containers =p

ETA:

Hey Miss "I LOVE BELLA BRUSHES" I have a question ;)

I was thinking of getting the foundation/concealer duo to be shipped with pink buki if I get it (due to suncat's rec)..but says good for cream and liquid applications. Soooo...are they good for mineral make up or no?

Who has the foundation/concealer? Suncat? Her stuff is mahhhhhhhvelous! I also bought some 'eraser' from PureLuxe that I am in love with. It goes on creamy, feels like silk, and dries to a soft powder. I use it as a primer, after my moisturizer. It helps fill in pores, hide spots, dark circles, etc. It's not as natural as their make-up, but it feels soooooo good. You can get a sample here. (http://www.pureluxecosmetics.com/wst_page9.html) They also have it in powder form. I'm still using the sample, but I ordered the 5g jar of it not too long ago. The sample will probably last me another 3 months. You don't have to use alot , it spreads well .

DOH! You are talking about brushes! GAH! *justy thwacks herself* I would go for it, from Bella. I was thinking about ordering the concealer myself! Thanks for reminding me! I have CRS=can't remember sh*t.

[SunCat]

I saw their concealer brushes I have a taklon brush that I use to apply my concealer with and I really like it. The minerals go on creamier with the taklon than the natural bristles and give you more coverage. I like to use them on and around my eyes and to cover any problem areas.

[justgreen]

I did something different today with my MMU. I received the Everyday Minerals this week and one of the foundations was sun tan. I applied my 2 drops of jojoba on my face, and then applied my primer (pureluxe eraser). I put some of the EM tan on my blush brush and applied it to my cheeks, my nose and chin. Then I applied a thin veil (Suncat's) all over my face and a little more of the tan over that to give it the suntan look. I used my flocked sponge to give it an airbrushed look. Very light on the make-up, no concealer and it looked pretty good!

*pink kabuki yeah!*

[SunCat]

Who has the foundation/concealer? Suncat? Her stuff is mahhhhhhhvelous! I also bought some 'eraser' from PureLuxe that I am in love with. It goes on creamy, feels like silk, and dries to a soft powder. I use it as a primer, after my moisturizer. It helps fill in pores, hide spots, dark circles, etc. It's not as natural as their make-up, but it feels soooooo good. You can get a sample here. (http://www.pureluxecosmetics.com/wst_page9.html) They also have it in powder form. I'm still using the sample, but I ordered the 5g jar of it not too long ago. The sample will probably last me another 3 months. You don't have to use alot , it spreads well .

DOH! You are talking about brushes! GAH! *justy thwacks herself* I would go for it, from Bella. I was thinking about ordering the concealer myself! Thanks for reminding me! I have CRS=can't remember sh*t.

Actually I do have a concealer/flaw eraser/color corrector called SunRise :grinhappy:

[SunCat]

I also tried something different with my MMU today. I used SunRadiance mixed with SunTan and applied it all over my face after applying my foundation. Gave me a sun kissed look without being too dark.

[hairfitness101]

Welcome to the Pink Kabuki club, Shell!:lafhard:

Can I join too? I just went on a little shopping spree.:drool: I bought some MMU from EM, I bought a pink kabuki from Bella and I bid on the body brush and retractable brush. I just know I'm gonna love this stuff! Actually, my wonderful DH did the spending, I did the buying. :innocent: I soooo can't wait.

[Stephanie]

Oooh! Good to know about the taklon for concealors. I'm also dying for a baby buki and a pink kabuki. This is such a wretched habit... You all are absolutely horrid. Enablers. *snort*

So EM is the place to get the baby buki? Anyone else carry them?

[hairfitness101]

I'm not sure where you can get a baby buki. The pink one I just ordered is from here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Quality-Full-Sized-Cute-Pink-Goat-Hair-Kabuki_W0QQitemZ9532626730QQcategoryZ33925QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and it is a full size buki. I've read sort of littered through this site and LHC that the brushes that come with EM are terrible so I didn't want to take any chances with my new makeup. I wish I knew what to do with the brushes that will be coming with my kit though. I hate to waste stuff.

[pgw]

Oooh! Good to know about the taklon for concealors. I'm also dying for a baby buki and a pink kabuki. This is such a wretched habit... You all are absolutely horrid. Enablers. *snort*

So EM is the place to get the baby buki? Anyone else carry them?

I know Bare Escentuals have them. There are lots of them listed on ebay. That's where I purchased mine.

[justgreen]

I know someone, I think a page back, said EM brushes were horrible.

[Shell]

I also tried something different with my MMU today. I used SunRadiance mixed with SunTan and applied it all over my face after applying my foundation. Gave me a sun kissed look without being too dark.

Such a good idea, maybe I'll try this. I am having a hard time mastering the use of bronzers--thanks.

[Shell]

I know someone, I think a page back, said EM brushes were horrible.

I don't know--they're not as nice as my pink kabuki--but they're okay. I'd say they are a step or two up from drugstore brushes.

[SunCat]

I got my Pink Kabuki Brush yesterday it is so cute!!! Yes, cute counts for me :lafhard:

I washed it, I always wash everything before I use it, in warm water using my Chagrin Valley Soap Bars, it did not bleed and it only shed like 2 hairs, pretty good. I will be using it today and will report back with the results.

QVC (QVC.com) carries a full line of Bare Escentuals brushes including the baby buki that I use. The baby buki's are stiffer and denser than a full size kabuki brush and not as soft. I have also purchased BE brushes from this eBay seller Laurie's Shop (http://stores.ebay.com/Lauries-Shop_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm)

[justgreen]

Think Pink!:whoohoo:

[Stephanie]

Awesome. Thanks, pgw. :grinhappy:

I guess it's an ebay day. :rolleyes: :lol:

Okay...I'll officially be a part of the Pretty Pink Kabuki Club once it arrives home. :lafhard:

[physicschick]

I haven't been following this thread, but it seems better to post here and keep the information all together than to start a new thread.

I sent Everyday Minerals an e-mail looking for color recommendations (since they don't have free samples of eye and lip colors). The person who wrote back was very friendly and helpful. She recommended a few things, and she acknowledged that there are some gaps in their color options. They're still developing more colors, so she passed my ideas on to their product development people. Cool!

--physicschick

[enitsirk]

I haven't been following this thread, but it seems better to post here and keep the information all together than to start a new thread.

I sent Everyday Minerals an e-mail looking for color recommendations (since they don't have free samples of eye and lip colors). The person who wrote back was very friendly and helpful. She recommended a few things, and she acknowledged that there are some gaps in their color options. They're still developing more colors, so she passed my ideas on to their product development people. Cool!

--physicschick

Very cool :whoohoo:

Another good thing about them :gurn:

On another note, says on their site that there will be more brushes in July..*wonders how the quality of those will be*

[hairfitness101]

Just a quick question about mineral makeup. Can you use the eyeshadows as a mascara (adding a little water maybe to make it more of a liquid)? I have a mascara wand that came with a set of brushes I bought years ago. I hate using the chemical laden ones from the store but know one seems to sell all-natural ones , on the mineral makeup sites.

[SunCat]

Just a quick question about mineral makeup. Can you use the eyeshadows as a mascara (adding a little water maybe to make it more of a liquid)? I have a mascara wand that came with a set of brushes I bought years ago. I hate using the chemical laden ones from the store but know one seems to sell all-natural ones , on the mineral makeup sites.

I have experimented with MMU and water it will coat your lashes but it won't stay on, it will flake off and if it gets damp or wet will just run off your lashes. Mascara needs something to seal it onto the lashes and this doesn't happen. I also tried mixing in MMU with titanium dioxide, beeswax and jojoba oil. That didn't really work either, it did coat my lashes but it didn't stay on like mascara should. So I just gave up and continue to buy Bare Escentuals Mascara. I hear that Kiss My Face makes a great natrual mascara but I haven't tried it.

[SunCat]

I love my new Pink Kabuki it worked very well and the finish it gave my makeup was fantastic. The brush was very soft and the coverage it gave was good. I am very pleased the only thing I didn't like was the coverage around my nose and eye area, the brush was a little big for that so I used one of my smaller concealer brushes. I am hoping for a Pink Baby Kabuki brush from her.

[hairfitness101]

Suncat, have you ever tried Aloe Vera gel for the mascara? I will definitely look into the "Kiss my Face". If my local health food store doesn't carry it (I don't remember seeing it) I can ask them to order it for me. Or maybe I'll just check out their site.

I definitely can't wait to get my pink Kabuki now! It should be here soon.

[justgreen]

I'm so glad ya'll are pleased with your Pink Kabuki! I also hope BellaBrush comes out with a baby 'buki! We should rename this title "the battle of mineral make-up/The pink kabuki club"!

[Abanilla_Surfer]

Can I join the pink kabuki club? I got mine this week along with my first ever set of MMU from Suncat (I just had to try it after reading all your posts). It's such fun playing. I'm not much good at makeup, I don't wear it often enough, but this blended so well even I could do it. I was worried I'd used too much but it kinda melted into my skin and you couldn't tell I was wearing makeup. Well you could because I never look that good naturally. But it wasn't obvious. It stayed on really well too. The temp here is about 100 degrees and I was sat by the pool with no problems.

[justgreen]

I had ordered a sampler kit from EveryDay minerals and I received it last week and have been playing. Today I put my PureLuxe Eraser Primer on after my 2 drops of jojoba oil had melted into my skin. Then I applied a very light buffing of the EM foundation. I then used Suncat's Suntan for blush and swept across my nose and chin with it. I also used Suncat's Veil, it's my favorite of the three I have. I lightly wet my fingertips *barely* and tapped them across my face. That kind of helped 'set' it. Then I used my flocked sponge and blended it , very lightly. It's amazing how LITTLE of any of the MMU you have to use . Plus, if you are 'glowing' a little too much in the heat, all you do is barely blot with a tissue and 99% of the MMU stays on your face.

I love Suncat's stuff and the EM is good too. I felt nothing wearing it. I felt kind of itchy when I used the regular Pureluxe stuff, barring the cream ERaser. You just have to find what works for you. And hail to the Pink Kabuki!:whoohoo:

[LittleFlower]

Can I play too? I'll be ordering EM samples very soon :)

[Shell]

Can I play too? I'll be ordering EM samples very soon :)

Play away! Justy is organizing an enablers club--she's prez.

Think pink!

[LittleFlower]

Alas, I don't think I can join the pink kabuki club as the shipping for that alone is not worth it for me :depressed: I'll probably get the baby kabuki from EM instead.

[hairfitness101]

Its official! I got my pink kabuki today. And is it awesome. I also got my EM starter kit today. Looooooove it!

LittleFlower, don't feel bad. The brushes that came with the EM aren't bad at all. I like my pink kabuki better but mainly because of size. It spreads the minerals very nicely with no streaking or line of demarcation. The brushes from EM are only slightly "less soft" than the p.k.. And the EM brushes do shed a little but not bad at all considering price, or in my case, it came with the starter set. So I will use one for blush and one for the eyebrow bone/eyeshadow area. The P.K. will be for my foundation. I'd like to get a purple one for the finishing dust but will have to use the p.k. in the meantime.

As for the EM, Wow! I can't believe how little of product it takes to make up my face. And that's with breakouts and having to conceal. My hope is that with the EM, my breakouts will decrease and maybe stop all together. I think what caused the breakouts this time is that a woman at work gave me some MaryKay samples-cleansers etc. and my sensitive skin didn't like it at all. The EM finishing dust is wonderful. A nice sheer, healthy glow, not shiney, or fake looking. Very nice.

I did find her colors to be a bit light from the way it looked on the site. So I will have to order some more foundation in a darker shade in med.beige summer I think. I ordered one in light (original glo) and the medium beige (in semi-matte). I like the original glo formula better. Its more comfortable-flexible feel to it. I think the original glo looks more natural on me. But both of these are non-cakey, non-irritating, and not tight at all! Aromaleigh I cannot wear for those reasons. I wish EM had body powders too. I will have to order that from somewhere else. I'm thinking from http://www.musthaveminerals.com/ .
I'd like to try their sample kit too (Veena Velvet for sensitive or mature skin-although I'm not that mature :lafhard: ) just to compare.

[justgreen]

Hey HF! I really like the EM too. I like one of the foundation's really well. Isn't this fun? It's amazing how little is 'less', you know what I mean?

[hairfitness101]

I sure do! And the more I think about it, I think I may just stay with the EM rather than venturing out to other brands right now. I love their prices and their products are true to their word.

I was just checking out their site again, and I think I could use the bronzer as a body powder/shimmer. If its too brown, I can add some of the finishing powder to it to make it just right.

I love how their products can be mixed and matched and you don't have to worry about some of them not being safe for the eyes or the lips like some mineral makeup sites. And EM has a really good selection of colors for blushes and eyeshadows. That will be next I think for my wish list. :soppy:

And I can say that if it doesn't make me sneeze, make my eyes twitch, get hives, or give me trouble breathing, it is pretty darn safe. And its done none of that stuff. So unless you live in a bubble, I would say this is great for sensitive skin sufferers like myself.

[justgreen]

I agree. If it feels like you've got something on, or it gets itchy, I don't want it. I'm going to order some of EM's other stuff, when my money tree blooms again.:gurn: Right now, I'm dying to have a bottle of Mary Kay's Angelfire (discontinued).:pissed:

[Hedera]

I've received my free EM samples today! :whoohoo:
Along with the seperate, bigger Kabuki brush (the 'pretty pretty' ultimate buffer that got such rave reviews on the Makeupalley) which I had bought seperately on Ebay.

I still need to play around with them a bit more, but so far I really like them! Usually I don't wear any foundation because I don't like how the liquid stuff looks and feels, but this stuff is great - and unlike the other mineral make-ups I've tried, it makes my pores look smaller rather than larger.

I got the baby kabuki as well (decided to shop for a better brush after reading the bad reviews) and it's actually not too bad - very cute, could be softer but it's not horrible, and mine doesn't shed so far.
I'm thinking of using one of the slightly darker foundations as a kind of 'bronzer', just to accentuate forehead, cheekbones etc, and I can use the Babybuki for that and buff it in well.

The 'Ultimate Buffer Kabuki' from Ebay is clearly of much better quality though - it's really amazing how little foundation you need for good but still natural-looking coverage!

I'll be playing with the minerals I have for a few days, and then post a thorough review here (I have several eye shadows as well).
Not sure if it's better to do that in this thread, or start a new one for reviews of specific products...

[justgreen]

I've been doing like Steph does, wearing a bit of MMU to bed. This afternoon, after my shower, I applied my 2 drops of jojoba oil to my face, let that sink in a while, then applied a very light coating of eraser primer. The only reason I applied this, it's sooooooooo soft, I love the way it feels on my face. Then I applied a very light dusting of dark tan foundation across my cheeks, nose, chin and forehead, followed by a dusting of Suncat's veil. I then 'set' it with damp fingertips and blended with my flocked sponge. It feels like I have nothing on my face.:soppy:

[aisling]

I have to ask the experts here for some advice. I recieved my PureLuxe samples last week and the foundation colours are a big hit, perfect for me, but I have a problem. I have a very greasy forehead and now in the summer, my nose is also kind of shiny. The mineral stuff just rolls off in a few hours from those areas and gathers in creases, like on the side of my nose, while it sits just perfect on my cheeks. Any ideas? Any brand/product you can recommend?

[hairfitness101]

Aisling, I don't have any experience with PurLuxe products but I wonder if you might need a primer first. Or you could use the finishing powder as your primer. Actually, I did that last night myself, then applied some foundation, then a little finishing powder again.

I usually have dry skin but during the summer, I always wake with the greasies. I'm still learning how to do my MMU and didn't want to wait till the morning rush before work to test that method out. But I have no greasies this morning. Actually, my face looks healthy natural, like I don't have any on-but I know better. :whoohoo: Also, are you using a matte formula? I know EveryDayMinerals has one, meant for oilier skin types. I've been using the semi-matte with good results. HTH's some.

[justgreen]

I always use a primer . I use PureLuxe's ERaser, it also comes in powder form, that might be to your advantage. I too, use a matte foundation from Everyday minerals and it's working well on my oily t-zone.

[aisling]

Thanks for the advice! Justy, thanks to you I did order the PL Eraser as a lotion (creme?), it's nice in the rest of my face but definitely helps the mineral foundation to roll off from my forehead.

EverydayMinerals offers a free sample kit, I think? I definitely have to check out their matte foundation, sounds like that could be something for me.

[justgreen]

EverydayMinerals offers a free sample kit, I think? I definitely have to check out their matte foundation, sounds like that could be something for me.

Yes, it's free, but you pay $3.50 for the shipping, which is a steal! They let you pick 3 foundation colors, 1 concealer and 1 blush. Be sure to order their finishing veil. I didn't know about it and I need to order it. It's supposed to be completely translucent, not pearly/shimmery. I think it's $10 for a full size of it. When my money tree blooms (in a week or so) I'm going to buy it.

Isn't this fun?:geek:

[aisling]

Ohh yes, it's way fun :lafhard: I ordered samples from them already, I had some difficulties chosing foundation colours, I hope I get a good match with the ones I chose. Their finsihing veil sounds great, I don't need more shimmer in anything. The shipping was of course a bit more for me, but not much, $6.95 I think.

This way I'll end up with a huuuge amount of MMU samples, what's better than that?

[kimberlily]

Alas, I don't think I can join the pink kabuki club as the shipping for that alone is not worth it for me :depressed: I'll probably get the baby kabuki from EM instead. Have it shipped to me ;) I can send it with your hairstick bags :lol:

[LittleFlower]

Have it shipped to me ;) I can send it with your hairstick bags :lol:

:lol: Sneaky enabler! It seems like the 'buy it now' has ended though. Anyone know if she takes credit card? Malaysia doesn't support PayPal yet, sigh.

[justgreen]

:lol: Sneaky enabler! It seems like the 'buy it now' has ended though. Anyone know if she takes credit card? Malaysia doesn't support PayPal yet, sigh.

Justy the enabler to the rescue! Here's (http://cgi.ebay.com/Quality-Full-Sized-Cute-Pink-Goat-Hair-Kabuki_W0QQitemZ280001939200QQihZ018QQcategoryZ339 25QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) another 'buy it now' auction. She also takes checks and Money Orders.:lafhard:

[LittleFlower]

Thanks justy! However I'm still a bit doubtful as I don't know if checks/MOs from here are recognised over in the US. Maybe I'll get one later on when my friends in the US come back here. Thanks for all the not-so-subtle enabling :lol:

[Unnamed]

Hope this is okay here....

Is Aromaleigh still the lightest for foundation shades? I had pretty much narrowed samples down to getting some from AL, but that was over a year ago, so I don't know if others have popped up. I noticed they also added another sample colour, so they now have two lighter than their lightest primary 'level' (and another sample for me to buy :ooh:).

If they are, anyone wanna prod me into finally getting samples? I have sort of narrowed it down, but...well, like I said, it's been over a year since I had originally planned to get some and since I don't have anything that really matches/works, I don't know what has a better chance of working. :depressed:

[hairfitness101]

Well, I'm afraid I'm not much help as far as "fair shades." I'm at about a med. to dark olive now. But I can relate to having trouble matching just right.

I was on Aromaleigh's site yesterday and it looks to me, she has the fairest of shades. I think her samples would be a good bet for you. The only problem I had with her products is that I was allergic to something in them- but I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin. Which is a real shame. I love her color choices. Particularly the new eyeshadows. I think they were called "metallics" or something like that.

Wow! I am loving the EM, and if you haven't already tried them, they have free sample kits. You only pay a few bucks for shipping. Her colors are lighter than they appear on her site. It may still not be light enough for you but you can't beat the price. And you could use the foundation as an "all over color" to warm your skin-over top your foundation. So it wouldn't be a waste.

FYI- I found a new use for the finishing dust. Its great as a body powder. It makes a great glowy-but not shiny, look to your skin. Arms, decollete/chest, etc. And best thing about it is, no color. Its just a healthy glow and lets your skin color shine through. But it certainly makes my tan look nice.

[justgreen]

I had bought some mineral makeup a few months back, on ebay, from Chimesdr (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZchimesdr). It included a veil and I tried it today. It's great, I like it alot and it feels like the EM , like I'm wearing nothing. She gives you BIG 20gram pots with the little sifter thingys. All I did was tap the closed lid, then I use the minute amount on the inside of the lid and it was enough.


I think I paid $10 for 2 20gram foundations and 1 20 gram veil. Shipping was not bad, $2.50.

[Hairstorm]

I'm back! Here are the results of my EM sample color tests:

Indoor pic at window,
Outdoor pic,
Outdoor forearm pic

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/J12/DCP_5706bb.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/J12/DCP_5707bb.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/J12/DCP_5709bb.jpg

I rubbed a streak of each color on my cheek, my neck and the inside of my forearm and looked at them in daylight.

The Golden Fair seems the best match for my skin tone, although the shade (light/darkness) is a bit light.

The other colors are too warm for me. They look orange on my skin. I guess my skin is a cool yellow? (I'm not really sure what my skin color is anymore!)

Initially, I thought Golden Fair was wrong before because I applied it over sunscreen. That made it go on too thickly and look masklike.

Athough Golden Fair is a good match for my cheeks, my t-zone and neck are a bit darker. It might be better to try to match those, but I don't think EM has the right colors for me (the darker colors are too warm).

Also, the Golden Fair is in original glo formulation, and when I removed my sunglasses, it had smeared under the nose pads. I don't think matte or semi-matte did that.


I too, found the Finishing Dust is wonderful.

The blush color I chose is Chit Chat. It's too dark as a daytime blush. Even applied with a very light hand I looked harlotty. I ended up wiping it off. However, I found it makes a good lip color. I dip my finger lightly in the jar and rub it on my lips. Then I put some vitamin E oil over it. It lasted through toothbrushing! This only works if you're following your natural lip line.

HTH!

[Stephanie]

WOW, Hairstorm! That Golden Fair just blends right in! Excellent match! Thank you for posting those pictures!

Are you sure the Golden Fair won't work for your T-zone? I wonder what it looks like with a completely finished face (blush or bronzer, lips, etc).

[justgreen]

Hairstorm, I agree with the Golden Fair. YOu can always mix a bit of darker color with it, so it won't be so pale.:lafhard:

[Unnamed]

Hairstorm--I, too, think the golden fair is a good match/blends right in. If it seems too little light for some places places, you can maybe mix it (perhaps with the light? as that doesn't look too bad on your neck, so maybe try a mix of those two) for the other areas. But I definitely think the Golden Fair is a great match, even on it's own. :lafhard:


I was on Aromaleigh's site yesterday and it looks to me, she has the fairest of shades. I think her samples would be a good bet for you. The only problem I had with her products is that I was allergic to something in them- but I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin.
Yeah, it looks like AL might be a good match (I figure it'll either be alabaster or some kind of mix), but I'm a bit worried about my skin, as I have oily skin and very acne prone, and I don't use a moisturiser as I've never found one that doesn't make both worse. :ooh: I figure I'm getting two samples of the Alabaster if I go with them, but I still haven't decided which formula to go with for the bulk, as while oily, some parts of my face can get rather dryish/flakey.

Wow! I am loving the EM, and if you haven't already tried them, they have free sample kits. You only pay a few bucks for shipping. Her colors are lighter than they appear on her site. It may still not be light enough for you but you can't beat the price. And you could use the foundation as an "all over color" to warm your skin-over top your foundation. So it wouldn't be a waste.
Are EM's shades are close to BE's? I never considered EM because it looks like they break their levels down the same way. The cheap samples are tempting, but as I haven't found another use for the BE foundation I have, I'm thinking they might do just that. I used to be able to use a blush as an all-over colour depending on the blush (when I tanned slightly...haven't tried it lately, as I'm paler now), but foundations or foundation colours usually look 'wrong', and I look just as sickly as if I put on a bright orange (or other warm colour) shirt.

[SunCat]

Golden Fair with the Summer Light will be great for you. The Golden Fair seems a little light on your chin area and blending the two together should work great. I love playing with MMU and mixing colors or even just using different ones for different areas of the face. I use the same brush then apply the other color if I don't mix them in the lid. I do this especially on and around my eyes. I use 4 different colors on my very dark purple/blue undereye circles layering each one and blending well.

[Hairstorm]

Thanks for the feedback Steph, Justy, Unnamed and Suncat! :grinhappy:

I took your advice and tried some blending. I put sunblock on my neck, which whitened it up some. ;) Then I put the Golden Fair all over. (Side note: my nose was a little sweaty when I was applying and the makeup went on too thickly and looked pearlescent there.) Then I mixed some Light with the Golden Fair and put on my forehead, jowls and jawline. Then I put some L'oreal powdered makeup (it's a little darker and slightly less orange) on the triangle of jawbone near the ears. A hint of some old blush I had lying around, brown eyeshadow and the Finishing Dust. I put the Finishing Dust on my neck too. Whew!:sweatdrop: But it's fun!:whoohoo:

This looked a lot more natural than the big white moon that results from just using the Golden Fair alone. Thanks! :flower:

I'm still keeping an eye out for a little darker color that is browner, rather than orange.

[justgreen]

This looked a lot more natural than the big white moon that results from just using the Golden Fair alone. Thanks! :flower:

I'm still keeping an eye out for a little darker color that is browner, rather than orange.

Isn't this fun? I know I keep saying that, but I'm having a ball with this make-up.

Hairstorm, you should probably avoid any peach tones, I do.

[hairfitness101]

Are EM's shades are close to BE's? I never considered EM because it looks like they break their levels down the same way. The cheap samples are tempting, but as I haven't found another use for the BE foundation I have, I'm thinking they might do just that. I used to be able to use a blush as an all-over colour depending on the blush (when I tanned slightly...haven't tried it lately, as I'm paler now), but foundations or foundation colours usually look 'wrong', and I look just as sickly as if I put on a bright orange (or other warm colour) shirt.

I've never used BE. I have heard though that EM's products out perform BE's and their prices are much better. If you try the sample kit, definitely use the Matte. I get dry skin in winter and combo skin during the summer. So I tried both the original glo and the semi-matte. And I've even been considering my next order, buying the matte because I've had to retouch it a little bit during these muggy days. Makeup stays beautiful though, I just get paranoid that it won't look perfect.

I would also say that the finishing dust should be used VERY sparingly. I only use it on the babybuki that came with the kit and only a few flecks. Then you get that natural baby skin type glow, rather than Fairy-esc. Unless that's what you are going for of course. :grinhappy: FYI- I found that by using a small amount of cornstarch mixed with the foundation as my last finish swipe-makeup stays perfect and natural. (Its been really hot and muggy) I only use a small amount though because I don't want to look ghostly. And the EM melts into your skin so let it set a few minutes before your next layer of foundation. You may find you don't need another layer. It makes a big difference. I'm glad I finally tried them. I have not been dissapointed yet! And I'm picky.

[justgreen]

I haven't been disappointed with EM either. I'm using a bit from Suncat and Voila also. I'm only using the Voila veil because I didn't order any from EM, which will be rectified as soon the tree (money) blooms.:lafhard:

I also dampen my fingers a bit and tap them over my face to 'set' it, then use my flocked sponged , LIGHTLY, to get an 'airbrushed' look.

We went to a softball game yesterday at noon. HOT HOT HOT but I had an umbrella. When we got home, my nose was a bit shiney , so i just took a kleenex and lightly tapped it on my nose. Nothing came off on the kleenex, except the moisture.:lafhard: The make-up withstood Wyoming sun! We are at almost 6000 feet above sea level, so the sun is much more brutal.

[hairfitness101]

Oh wow, I like the idea of using a tissue to blot. I've been reapplying foundation but maybe I don't need to do that. It will last much much longer too that way. I haven't had any makeup rub off on anything either. Not on the phone, my clothes etc. I'm lovin' that!

I also like your idea about lightly tapping some water on to set it. I sometimes use my rosewater spray afterwards to do the same thing. I just love how it feels and smells. I'll have to try the flocked sponge afterwards too. Thanks for sharing the great tips.

[justgreen]

I just bought some pink lip gloss from Chimesdr (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9527557588&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1). I couldn't pass it up at that price.

CONTAINS..SHEA BUTTER, GLYCERIN, CASTOR OIL, KAbUKI OIL, AND BEES WAX.

[LittleFlower]

Sorry for the newbie question, but what's a flocked sponge and what does it do? Is it the same as a foundation/2-way cake sponge or does it give a different effect the way kabukis differ from powder brushes? I've only ever applied foundation with my fingers or a 2-way cake sponge and never heard the word 'flocked' except on TBB. In fact I had a totally different impression of what a kabuki looked like until I finally saw a picture :sweatdrop:

I'm very encouraged to hear that MMU stands up well against hot weather because the heat we get here just threatens to kill me.

[justgreen]

Sorry for the newbie question, but what's a flocked sponge and what does it do? Is it the same as a foundation/2-way cake sponge or does it give a different effect the way kabukis differ from powder brushes? I've only ever applied foundation with my fingers or a 2-way cake sponge and never heard the word 'flocked' except on TBB. In fact I had a totally different impression of what a kabuki looked like until I finally saw a picture :sweatdrop:

I'm very encouraged to hear that MMU stands up well against hot weather because the heat we get here just threatens to kill me.

Look here (http://images.google.com/images?q=flocked+sponge&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images)and you'll have your pick of many sites to visit.

Yes, it's quite different and gives an airbrush effect.

[LittleFlower]

Thanks justy :grinhappy: I did have a look at google images before I posted but I couldn't tell if they had a different surface texture from regular foundation sponges. I don't think I've seen any sold here though... but that's no big surprise :grim:

[shawngal]

For those of you intersted in Mineral Makeup, I've uploaded an Album in my Fotki for Mineral photos. right now it just has eyeshadows and blushes but I'll add foundations and powders in the next couple of days.

Hope it helps someone. : )

http://public.fotki.com/shawngal/mineral_makeup/

[SunCat]

Littleflower a flocked sponge is not as dense as a regular makeup sponge and has a raised texture, some more than others. I have used them for MMU application and I don't like the heavy coverage they give. Others really like them so it depends on what you like and the degree of coverage you are after. I like a natural flawless look and I didn't get that from the flocked sponge. I prefer a kabuki brush to apply my MMU foundation.

[justgreen]

Thank you for explaining the difference, SunCat.:lafhard:

I've never even tried my flocked sponge to apply MMU, I've always used it last, to gently buff my face, gives it an airbrushed effect. I have a neighbor who has white blotches on her face, I think I'll tell her to try using the flocked sponge and see if that helps her.

[summer-time]

I just bought samples of GeoGrafx shadows (thank you Stephanie :) ) , I'm psyched.
If they work out and I like them, I have found a new shadow line. :grinhappy:

[LittleFlower]

Thanks SunCat for satisfying my curiosity :nosey: :flower:

[SunCat]

You are very welcome, glad I could help :happy:

[quiet1]

I'm getting ready to order some mineral makeup samples (probably going to start with lilylolo since they're a UK company) and I have a question about shades- Normally, I am Very Very pale, and so I'd order samples of the palest 3 or 4 colours (depending on the undertone range they offer- I register as different undertones with different lines) however as it's summer and I have psoriasis (which responds well to UV) I've been spending a bit of time outside and I'm getting a bit tan.

My question is would it be a better plan to get samples of foundations for the colour I normally am, and then some bronzer to darken it up as needed at the moment, or should I try to guess what shade I am now, and get more samples later when the tan fades?

[LittleFlower]

My EM samples arrived today - Yay! Now I can go home tomorrow and play with them over the weekend :drool:

[SunCat]

I'm getting ready to order some mineral makeup samples (probably going to start with lilylolo since they're a UK company) and I have a question about shades- Normally, I am Very Very pale, and so I'd order samples of the palest 3 or 4 colours (depending on the undertone range they offer- I register as different undertones with different lines) however as it's summer and I have psoriasis (which responds well to UV) I've been spending a bit of time outside and I'm getting a bit tan.

My question is would it be a better plan to get samples of foundations for the colour I normally am, and then some bronzer to darken it up as needed at the moment, or should I try to guess what shade I am now, and get more samples later when the tan fades?

I would suggest that you get a foundation color that you would normally wear then use a darker shade to mix in. A good tan shade would be a good choice. Some bronzers can be orange or look dirty on the skin.

[quiet1]

I would suggest that you get a foundation color that you would normally wear then use a darker shade to mix in. A good tan shade would be a good choice. Some bronzers can be orange or look dirty on the skin.

That's what seemed to make sense to me, since I know you've said before it's easy enough to mix mineral makeup shades if necessary.

Thanks for confirming before I go spending money. :) (I have a hard enough time finding foundation as it is- everyone likes their pink undertones or their yellow undertones and as far as I can tell, I'm really very neutral, so lots of stuff just goes pink or yellow on me.)

[VickieVixie]

Yay, first post! I'm new to mineral makeup and started with some EM samples. Now I'm in love! And maybe slightest obsessed, cuz I just ordered samples from both MAD minerals and Pure Luxe.

But I noticed that MAD and Pure Luxe have some eye color shades that have the same name and similiar coloring. For example, I ordered a Chocolate Mint from MAD based on one of the girls' post here, and found that Pure Luxe also carries a Chocolate Mint, similiar descriptions but swatches looked different. Anybody else noticed it?

[justgreen]

Bumping this to let you know Everyday Minerals is unveiling a whole new line of taklon and goat hair brushes that can be seen
I need to fertilize my money tree.:purplex:

eta: I forgot to mention the prices....are really reasonable!

[hairfitness101]

I just wanted to add that if you are using the EveryDay Minerals and find that you need a little more coverage, I found that if you mix equal parts concealer and foundation (I have the spring concealer and med. foundation), that you get a "dual action" type foundation. It also made it a little more matte. I like it like this much better. I was having problems with shine but this solved it.

I first dab with my concealer brush in dark areas, eye circles-that sort of thing. Then buff in the foundation/concealer mix. I don't do it the way the site said. I start at forehead, then nose area, chin, and then around face. This seems to work better than the other way. And I put a bit more in lid than I was. From a few flecks to about half a dime size worth. I was afraid to use too much but i wasn't using enough apparently.

And I only have to apply it once using this method rather than 3x. Its still important to use a light hand but don't be afraid to add a bit more to lid. Its taken me a few weeks to get this application right but this is really working. Just thought I'd share.
P.S. I do this on a dry face. Site testimonial said she got good results on slightly moisturized face but that didn't work for me at all. It was streaky and didn't spread right.

[Unnamed]

I've had my Aromaleigh samples for a bit, but I can't see how they really are on my face (either colour or otherwise) due to my sun allergy. :sweatdrop: I did put a couple of the shades I got on my neck and wrist, though, and...discovered that I actually have a tan on my face/neck right now from the last several months of driving to/from work. So it looks like one matches my slightly tanned neck, and the other matches the rest of me. :ooh:

Having MMU samples to play with and skin that won't let you is not at all fun. :pissed: I even cleaned my brushes.

[justgreen]

From my hair journal today:

I wore my hair down today, I am having an excellent second day hair! I tried out my new shades of EM that came yesterday and I found my match, finally! It's Medium Tan , mixed 50/50 with the concealer, thank you HairFitness, for that tip! Then I used the darker tan foundation as a blush because I didn't want any sparklies. I applied the veil on my t-zone only, found that tidbit (http://www.everydayminerals.com/finishing-dust.html)on their website. I love this stuff, if feels like my face is naked but it's not!http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif

[Hairstorm]

I'm not sure MMU is for me. It seems to be too drying for me and the crepey wrinkles make me look 100 years old, lol. Or perhaps the problem is I need a new moisturizer (w/o coconut!)

[justgreen]

I'm not sure MMU is for me. It seems to be too drying for me and the crepey wrinkles make me look 100 years old, lol. Or perhaps the problem is I need a new moisturizer (w/o coconut!)

I've been using plain old jojoba oil as a moisturizer. 2-3 drops does my whole face. Be sure you are applying light layers of MMU, you might be putting it on too heavy?

[Hairstorm]

Thanks Justy, I'll try those suggestions! :)

[KeenKitty]

I really didn't like the mineral makeup. I've tried Physicians Formula and Bare Minerals and they tended to makemy face break out! So i don't use anything on my face. No makeup. gross but better than acne at 28!

[VickieVixie]

Thanks hairfitness! I will try your tip out tomorrow morning. But so far I'm still having some problems with shine breakthrough. I've switched to Medium Matte from Everyday Minerals but it's still not controlling the oil, but I ordered an Eraser from Pure Luxe, when it arrives I'll see if that helps. Right now I use a pore filler from a Korean Com. SkinFood which is white, pasty, and just blah-ing....

Maybe I should get a kabuki brush? Right now I'm using DHC powder brush which I think is too small.....Any suggestions?

[justgreen]

Thanks hairfitness! I will try your tip out tomorrow morning. But so far I'm still having some problems with shine breakthrough. I've switched to Medium Matte from Everyday Minerals but it's still not controlling the oil, but I ordered an Eraser from Pure Luxe, when it arrives I'll see if that helps. Right now I use a pore filler from a Korean Com. SkinFood which is white, pasty, and just blah-ing....

Maybe I should get a kabuki brush? Right now I'm using DHC powder brush which I think is too small.....Any suggestions?

You could join the pink Kabuki (http://cgi.ebay.com/Quality-Full-Sized-Cute-Pink-Goat-Hair-Kabuki_W0QQitemZ280009137309QQihZ018QQcategoryZ210 21QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Quality-Full-Sized-Cute-Pink-Goat-Hair-Kabuki_W0QQitemZ280009137309QQihZ018QQcategoryZ210 21QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)club. :lafhard:

I have an oily t-zone also and I always do a cold wash on my face before applying anything. This helps close those pores.:geek:

[hairfitness101]

I have an oily t-zone also and I always do a cold wash on my face before applying anything. This helps close those pores.:geek:

What a great tip! I will try that in the morning. My makeup always goes on best, on clean skin but the cold water is a great idea. It will wake me up too.

[LittleFlower]

Just realised I haven't replied to this thread. I got my EM samples and after much experimenting I find Light is the most accurate shade for me if worn without sunscreen. If I do use sunscreen it emphasizes the pinkish cast but without, it's much less obvious. The Spring concealor is perfect for my skintone and although the blush is a bit too rosy for me I can get it to work if I use a very light hand. I use the too-dark shades as a night treatment. Overall I am just very happy to finally find a quality, affordable makeup that will never aggravate my acne!

[justgreen]

I'm fairly sure the EM has sunscreen already in it.:lafhard:

[Clare-Dragonfly]

Okay, I think you can officially call me enabled :lafhard: The only problem is I don't know WHAT I've been enabled to buy!

-Aromaleigh
Pros: Really light foundation colours. Cool lip glosses and eyeliners that I want to try.
Cons: More expensive than any of the others.

-Everyday Minerals
Pros: Free samples. Really cheap kabuki brush (at least compared to Aromaleigh's!)
Cons: The foundations all look too dark for my skin. Bad reviews on the kabuki brush.

-SunCat
Pros: Everyone raves about it. Not too expensive. I would be supporting an LHC/TBB member :grinhappy:
Cons: Again, afraid it would be too dark for my skin.

-Pink kabuki
Pros: IT'S PINK! :whoohoo:
Cons: I don't know how much I'll actually wear makeup (since I don't wear any at the moment) so I don't know if it's a good investment. Also, I'd have to... like... sign up for an eBay account or something crazy like that. :ooh:


So... help me decide what to order first! :boggle:

[physicschick]

-Everyday Minerals
Pros: Free samples. Really cheap kabuki brush (at least compared to Aromaleigh's!)
Cons: The foundations all look too dark for my skin. Bad reviews on the kabuki brush.
How fair are you? I'm about as fair as anyone I know in real life, but the EM foundation works for me. It goes on lighter than the picture on the webpage of the powder, if that's what you're worried about.

By the way, any off-color foundations you get don't have to go to waste. You can apply them at night as a skin treatment. (That's what LittleFlower and I have been doing. :happy: )

For brushes, I got a cheap set from Wal-Mart for $5, just to play with. They shed, and I don't have a kabuki brush, but it's quite adequate for just playing with foundation colors.

--physicschick

[VickieVixie]

Thanks for the tip, justy! I'll try that tomorrow morning.

So I just got more samples from Everyday Minerals to get the right shades (but I ended up mis-ordering a few I already had....Oops?) and sample multi-colors from MAD minerals and eraser and kaleidoscope and foundation samples from Pure Luxe.....I'm EASILY enabled. Will post reviews.

So LittleFlower and physicschick, how does this "night treatment" thing work? Do you use a puff or brush to apply as the last step of your skincare routine? Sounds like Rare Minerals :P How are they working so far??

[physicschick]

Vickie, I just brush it on after showering, moisturizing, and waiting a few minutes for my skin to dry. Then I go to bed, and the minerals do their wondrous trick of absorbing sweat and oils.

In the morning, I wash my face again if I remember, but usually the minerals have been rubbed off enough that it doesn't matter--even if they were the wrong color, you can't tell anymore.

--physicschick

[LittleFlower]

^^^^^ Yeah, everything she said :) I usually do this on nights when I didn't wear any makeup during the day. But that's just a personal preference.

[kayanl]

I've always been interested in MMU, but I haven't had very good luck with it so far. Cory had the perfect shade of foundation but it was waaay too drying and my face ended up feeling like it was going to crack apart into a million pieces and BE was too shimmery and orange to pass off as a 'natural no make up' made up look.

You guys are such enablers! I've gone and jumped on the bandwagon and ordered a sampler kit from Everyday Minerals. I hope this will be my HG since everybody here seems to have had such good experiences with them. :whoohoo:

[SunCat]

Okay, I think you can officially call me enabled :lafhard: The only problem is I don't know WHAT I've been enabled to buy!

-Aromaleigh
Pros: Really light foundation colours. Cool lip glosses and eyeliners that I want to try.
Cons: More expensive than any of the others.

-Everyday Minerals
Pros: Free samples. Really cheap kabuki brush (at least compared to Aromaleigh's!)
Cons: The foundations all look too dark for my skin. Bad reviews on the kabuki brush.

-SunCat
Pros: Everyone raves about it. Not too expensive. I would be supporting an LHC/TBB member :grinhappy:
Cons: Again, afraid it would be too dark for my skin.

-Pink kabuki
Pros: IT'S PINK! :whoohoo:
Cons: I don't know how much I'll actually wear makeup (since I don't wear any at the moment) so I don't know if it's a good investment. Also, I'd have to... like... sign up for an eBay account or something crazy like that. :ooh:


So... help me decide what to order first! :boggle:

If you decide to try my MMU I would be glad to custom blend the SunShine Foundation to make it lighter for you.

[Clare-Dragonfly]

If you decide to try my MMU I would be glad to custom blend the SunShine Foundation to make it lighter for you.

Oooh, really? You're too kind (and what an enabler! :lafhard:) I will think about it and PM you I guess.

Physicschick, thanks for the idea about wearing it at night... I hadn't thought of that. Though my roommates might think I looked kind of odd :gurn:

Hmm... such a decision...

[Hairstorm]

I've been using plain old jojoba oil as a moisturizer. 2-3 drops does my whole face. Be sure you are applying light layers of MMU, you might be putting it on too heavy?
I tried the jojoba.
Interestingly, it seems to not soak into my skin, but just sits on top. I've now found that Crisco is a good oil to use on my face. I apply it on moist skin and after soaking in it makes my skin look moist and dewy.

How lightly can you apply MMU and still get adequate sun protection? I cannot use sunblock under it because it grabs too much powder. So it's an either/or situation.

[SunCat]

I tried the jojoba.
Interestingly, it seems to not soak into my skin, but just sits on top. I've now found that Crisco is a good oil to use on my face. I apply it on moist skin and after soaking in it makes my skin look moist and dewy.

How lightly can you apply MMU and still get adequate sun protection? I cannot use sunblock under it because it grabs too much powder. So it's an either/or situation.

That is interesting about jojoba oil and your skin, jojoba justs soaks right into my skin and I exfoliate twice a week.

It depends on the MMU formula and how much Titanium Dioxide and or Zinc Oxide are in it. I only use MMU for a sunscreen on my face and I have never burned but mine has quite a bit of Titanium Dioxide in it. I would think a light coating would be fine if the MMU has a good amount of TD and or ZO in it. HTH

[VickieVixie]

Thanks, LittleFlower and physicschick, I've been using my Medium Beige as a night treatment and I wake up slightly less greasy in the morning now. I'm super oily :( The cold water splash also helps a bit.

Oh darn, I ordered the Pink Kabuki, and the Ultimate Buffer Brush. And I've been using Pure Luxe's Eraser for a week now, nothing miraculous but good enough. Maybe the powder version works better. Any suggestion, ladies?

I just went to a store today that carries all kinds of containers, bottles, spray bottles, jars, powder compacts, etc, and bought a stacked 5-jar container for all my MMU, primer->conealer->foundation->blush->finishing dust. This is really going to help speed up my morning routine now that everything is in order and I won't have to flip my sample jars over every time...... I wonder if
you can find container stores like that in the U.S.?

I also bought containers for the samples I got from MAD Minerals cuz the zippies were a pain to use. Turns out they're pretty generous with the samples!

[Hairstorm]

I would think a light coating would be fine if the MMU has a good amount of TD and or ZO in it. HTH
Thanks Suncat! :grinhappy:

[physicschick]

Hi, MMU experts. Does anyone use mineral powder lip color? I tried putting it on bare lips and then putting chapstick over it. It looked really great at first, but it rubbed off during dinner, and my lips were left feeling super dry. Any tips on how to do better next time? TIA.

--physicschick

[Rain]

Hi, MMU experts. Does anyone use mineral powder lip color? I tried putting it on bare lips and then putting chapstick over it. It looked really great at first, but it rubbed off during dinner, and my lips were left feeling super dry. Any tips on how to do better next time? TIA.

--physicschick

I don't but I've used powder eyeshadow on my lips before. Sounds crazy but I got all kinds of compliments on it at the time. Put the lip balm on first, then pat the powder into it. I just used the crappy sponge applicator that came with the eyeshadow. When it got gunky and I had to throw it out, it was no big loss. I guess you could probably use a finger too.

[physicschick]

Interesting idea, Rain. I wouldn't have thought of that. I should get a different color eyeshadow first... Green lips would be very scary. :lafhard:

A day later, I'm okay with the after effects of the minerals on my lips. My lips are a bit inflamed from the dryness, so they look full, dark, and sensual as long as I keep applying chapstick to avoid flaking. :rolleyes:

--physicschick

[SunCat]

I use minerals on my lips daily. I apply my own homemade all natural lip balm then apply the minerals, I use my SunRose color. Recently I made a batch of my lip balm and added the SunRose in for color, made a great tinted lip balm. Using a blush or an all over face color works great. The mineral colors aren't activated on the lips until either a balm or oil is applied. Shea butter works great before applying the MMU color also.

ETA: It also depends on the formula of the MMU. If there is quite a bit of Titanium and Zinc Oxide your lips will appear chalky and dry.

[physicschick]

Thanks, SunCat. Next time I'll try oil or chapstick on first, before applying the minerals. (It's from Everyday Minerals and has more mica than TiO2 or ZnO.)

I was already thinking about making some lip balm. It sounds like a fun project. For a given amount of lip balm, how much mineral powder do you add?

--physicschick

[MerryKat]

Ok so I am joining the MMU club. I have ordered SunCat's MMU as it is the most neutral that I can find and it also seems the simplest (I don't do complicated well first thing in the morning). SunCat is a super star and her service is FANTASTIC.

I will not be joining the pink kabuki club as I am really not a pink person (in fact I positively loath the colour for me). However, I have ordered myself a Kabuki from bunbuncity on ebay (sorry no time to work out how to link).

Now I just need to patiently wait for my fun to arrive.

[peripheralvisionary]

You could join the pink Kabuki (http://cgi.ebay.com/Quality-Full-Sized-Cute-Pink-Goat-Hair-Kabuki_W0QQitemZ280009137309QQihZ018QQcategoryZ210 21QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)club. :lafhard:


Oh you bad enabler, you! I just bought this same brush, in anticipation of the MMU I've ordered from SunCat! That I don't even have yet!

Yay, I'm in the pink Kabuki club!:happy: I love pink!

[SunCat]

Thanks, SunCat. Next time I'll try oil or chapstick on first, before applying the minerals. (It's from Everyday Minerals and has more mica than TiO2 or ZnO.)

I was already thinking about making some lip balm. It sounds like a fun project. For a given amount of lip balm, how much mineral powder do you add?

--physicschick

I used my SunRose color which is highly pigmented. If the MMU color you are using is not highly pigmented you would need to add more.

This gives me a tinted lip balm. I already have a rose tint to my lips so this works great for me.

SunCat's Lip Balm Receipe

3 ½ Teaspoons Bees Wax Beads
1 ½ Teaspoons Unrefined Shea Butter
1 Teaspoon Virgin Coconut Oil
2 ½ Teaspoons Coco Butter Flakes (use a spoon to scrape the coco butter)
1 Teaspoon Sweet Almond Oil
1 Teaspoon Jojoba Oil

Melt bees wax and coco butter in an 8oz Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave. Add the shea butter and stir, if necessary microwave a few more seconds to melt the shea butter. Stir in coconut oil, jojoba and sweet almond oil. Stir very well and let cool slightly then pour into lip balm tubes.


For a tinted lip balm add 1/2 teaspon of colored mineral makeup after adding the oils and stir very well.

This makes about 7 tubes of lip balm.

[SunCat]

I too am in the Pink Kabuki Club :lafhard:

[physicschick]

Thank you for the recipe, SunCat! This sounds like a fun project. I'll have to order some supplies before I try it.

--physicschick

[severina]

Suncat, thank you for being so free with your considerable knowledge. I've learned a lot both here and at LHC from reading your posts. I'm going to try this recipe soon!

[justgreen]

Pink Kabuki(s) rule!:soppy:

[SunCat]

You are very welcome Physicschick and Severina. I am always glad to share what I have learned.

[Clare-Dragonfly]

I keep forgetting to update everyone on my MMU decisions! I ordered the free sample kit from EM. I don't think I've quite got the hang of it yet--I guess I need a teacup or something to tap the powder into, because I'm having a hard time with it. The baby kabuki brush seems to work well, though. Not that I'd know, having never applied makeup to myself before!

From what I've been able to tell so far, though, the Fair looks like I applied fake tan and the Golden Fair is closer to my skin color (probably due to the "golden" bit), but I haven't been able to look at it in good lighting. I haven't tried the Fairly Light yet, but I doubt it will work at all.

Unless I decide that the Golden Fair is a good enough match, I will probably order from SunCat and/or Aromaleigh in the future...

[physicschick]

Clare, I found application to be a hundred times easier when I tip some powder into a small dish, swirl the brush in it, and then tap it off on the side of the dish. I was going crazy trying to get an even coating of powder on the brush from the little sample containers!

--physicschick

[Clare-Dragonfly]

Clare, I found application to be a hundred times easier when I tip some powder into a small dish, swirl the brush in it, and then tap it off on the side of the dish. I was going crazy trying to get an even coating of powder on the brush from the little sample containers!

--physicschick

Yeah, I remembered reading that in one of those MMU threads, so... I found myself a small dish :grinhappy: I actually have a random little porcelain thing in my container collection that's just perfect. My application is much better now.

[gcason]

I love Arbonne's. It also anti-aging elements in it and an SPF of 15. It's plant based awesome, let me know if you'd like more info. It's only been out since April. I have friends that use to use Bare Essentials, but not anymore.

[curls2grow]

In general, do people do better using some sort of bowl for swirling their minerals onto brushes (rather than the lids of the MMU containers)? I've just been using the lids of the containers and now I'm thinking that I'm missing out on better technique...

[SunCat]

I use the lids but you can also use a small saucer. I find the lids work best for me, I just shake the jar and tap it on the table take off the lid and use the minerals that are in the lid. I find it is less messy to use the lid. Whatever you use make sure you keep it clean I clean my lids once a week when I wash my brushes.

[curls2grow]

Hi SunCat! Do you just wipe out the lids or actually wash them. The lids I have are sort of coated in a plastic-y or waxy coating, and I think there's cardboard under that coating, so if I got it wet I think that would be the end of that part of the lid.

[SunCat]

Hi Curls2grow If the lids have the foam or cardboard insert then I just wipe them out. The lids I have now don't have the insert so I just wash them.

[LittleFlower]

Well, I had a long Saturday. Went on a short road trip that resulted in our non-a/c vehicle overheating halfway to our destination. So we had to wait it out in the noonday sun for almost an hour. After that we went shopping, bowling, lots of walking around in and outdoors. Finally dinner was a delicious steamboat+bbq all-you-can-eat where you cook the food yourself. In short, a hot, sticky, sweaty day but my EM held up the whole time. My face got a bit dewy but nothing bad and I didn't break out at all by the end of the day. Regular foundations would have me popping out in tiny zits by lunchtime. Oh how I love MMU :soppy:

Not to mention I wore some to church on Sunday and my pastor's wife commented that my skin was looking a lot better :lafhard:

[justgreen]

Well, I used up all the PureLuxe Eraser Primer and asked Suncat if her foundation can be used as such. I won't be ordering anymore Eraser, it has silicone in it and suncat told me the minerals absorb into your skin much better without it. I tried this yesterday and I was pleased with the results, although I need to work some more on my t-zone and the oiliness. Wasn't bad, but I think I can improve on it.

I made a trade for some Larenim blush and foundation. The foundation works great if I cut it with a little dark tan. The blush rocks and I used it as a lip color with clear gloss over it too! I think I have plenty of MMU now to play with . I just want to order Suncat's overnight stuff and then I'll be set. I need another bottle of my jojoba oil too. The last 4 ounce bottle lasted me over a year! Even with using it on my face, hair, feet and hands. That stuff is soooooooooooo good.

I also need a new concealer brush and an eyeshadow brush. My money tree is wilting and won't put out at all!:purplex: These house repairs are driving us insane. Oh well, I can make do with what I have for now. :lafhard:

[SunCat]

Justy if you have any SunSet you can apply that to your oily areas before you apply the SunShine foundation or you can use it after you apply the foundation. That is what I do.

[Rain]

Interesting idea, Rain. I wouldn't have thought of that. I should get a different color eyeshadow first... Green lips would be very scary. :lafhard:



Yeah, I used to use lip balm and eyeshadow in the '80s so it was mostly frosty pinks that would probably make me need to be sick today. After posting, I tried it with a MMU blush that's a pretty close match to my natural flushed color (when I have one) and I liked it a lot.

[kayanl]

Help! I'm on my second sample kit from EDM and I still can't find a good foundation match. I'm Chinese so I do have some yellow undertones, but I'm also pasty skinned and flush easily so I'm more of a peachy pink color than truly yellow or pink. I'm split between the golden fair and fair but they both seem too light and too yellow/pink. Maybe a mix of the two and a bit of fairly light to darken things up would work? :purplex:
What do you think?
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~kayanl/Photos/edm_test_1.jpghttp://www-personal.umich.edu/~kayanl/Photos/edm_test_2.jpg

[justgreen]

Help! I'm on my second sample kit from EDM and I still can't find a good foundation match. I'm Chinese so I do have some yellow undertones, but I'm also pasty skinned and flush easily so I'm more of a peachy pink color than truly yellow or pink. I'm split between the golden fair and fair but they both seem too light and too yellow/pink. Maybe a mix of the two and a bit of fairly light to darken things up would work? :purplex:
What do you think?


I'm all the time mixing two colors together! I would try that and see what happens. I just use the tip of a plastic knife to dip into the MMU and swirl them together on a saucer. I've got mixed complection also, olive tones and ruddy, so I can never find just one foundation that works.

[SunCat]

Kaynal I would mix the Golden Fair with the Fair and or the light that should give you a good match, it is hard to tell from MMU pictures as the makeup reflects light and the colors don't come across well. It looks to me like the Fairly Light has quite a bit of beige in it which looks orange to me. As Justgreen said just take a small amount of each and put in a lid or small saucer and swirl your brush to blend the colors and try that. That was you are not changing the colors of the original makeup. If you want to mix them together you can use a mortar and pestle, I find that works the best for mixing and blending MMU.

I also mix shades and use more than one color on my face, as do most makeup artists, no body's face is all one color and you don't want it to be. If it was it would not look natural.

I also find that my face isn't the same everyday so I like to mix colors to adjust for my ever changing face and my mood as well.

Let us know how it works for you.

[justgreen]

Kaynal I would mix the Golden Fair with the Fair and or the light that should give you a good match, it is hard to tell from MMU pictures as the makeup reflects light and the colors don't come across well. It looks to me like the Fairly Light has quite a bit of beige in it which looks orange to me. As Justgreen said just take a small amount of each and put in a lid or small saucer and swirl your brush to blend the colors and try that. That was you are not changing the colors of the original makeup. If you want to mix them together you can use a mortar and pestle, I find that works the best for mixing and blending MMU.

I also mix shades and use more than one color on my face, as do most makeup artists, no body's face is all one color and you don't want it to be. If it was it would not look natural.

I also find that my face isn't the same everyday so I like to mix colors to adjust for my ever changing face and my mood as well.

Let us know how it works for you.

Well said, SunCat. I totally agree. I have fun using different blushes, depending on my mood and what I'm wearing.

[Carolyn]

Thanks Justy and the others who recommended the pink kabuki brush. I ordered one off E Bay tonight. If you guys say it's the best then I'll believe you. I've been watching the BE show on QVC and lusting after some new MMU. I'll have to wait for that but just had to have the brush tonight.

[justgreen]

Thanks Justy and the others who recommended the pink kabuki brush. I ordered one off E Bay tonight. If you guys say it's the best then I'll believe you. I've been watching the BE show on QVC and lusting after some new MMU. I'll have to wait for that but just had to have the brush tonight.

I love my pink kabuki, I don't think you'll be disappointed.:whoohoo:

[kimberlily]

Okay, it is official. I've found my mineral makeup! I have fallen in love with Everyday Minerals. I posted before & after pics in my beauty blog, but I have to say, I'm impressed. It even completely covered a huge PMS zit on my bottom lip! :D

[Bunny3]

*kimberlily, you look so much happier in the after picture! :D*
I just recieved my started kit from EM, and I LOVE it! I think my favorite formula that they have is matte, since I think the intensive is a little coase in comparison.

[justgreen]

Bravo Kimberlily! I'm glad you ordered the pink Kabuki, you won't be disappointed! Your transformation is fantastic, you are naturally pretty, but the EM emphasized your face so well and you don't even look like you have foundation on.

I just recently learned that it's the finishing veil that keeps the MMU from coming off, I did not know that, thought I'd pass it on.:geek:

[Gladtobemom]

I've used Bare Escentuals for years. I got mine originally from the Bare Escentuals store in the Topanga Canyon Mall (San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County). (This was about 1997)

The Fair and Medium are the pink toned foundations. The Fair doesn't come with any of the "try me" kits. The Light and Fairly light are yellow toned.

I am very fair skinned. My "coloring" is Blue/Red or pink.

I mix 3 parts Fair with 4 parts Medium. This is the mix we came to at the store. We tried several and I walked out into the mall, under the skylight and in flourescent and in incandescent lights. The lady who was blending was very experienced.

When I mix foundation, I just measure by using quarter teaspoon scoops.

I love their foundation. I use light coverage. I don't do much concealing except under my eyes.

I love love love their eyeliner shadows. I love their eyeshadows. I also love the Clear Radiance (palest pink) and Glee.

I've had several women say they don't like it. Then when I watch them put it on--they are putting on too much, too quick. You really do have to tap it into the brush.

The lip balm (Buzz Latte and Lip Buds) is fabulous. I also love the lip gloss because it's never sticky.

[Gladtobemom]

Kimberlily,

I just looked at your photos. Wow, you look fabulous.

[SunCat]

I used BE for years I started using it in 1998. I had to stop using it when they started adding Bismuth Oxychloride to their formulations which broke me out in red itchy bumps. I mixed the fair with the light and sometimes a little medium.

Finishing veils and mineral veils provide no adhesion and from my experiences don't extend the wear of mineral makeup. Veils use finely milled products like corn starch and sericite which has a much smaller particle size than mica, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The veils will give your skin a soft focus and absorb excess oil but don't provide any adhesion which is what you need for wear. By absorbing excess oil they will make your MMU look better throughout the day but will do nothing to make it wear longer. Hope that makes sense.

[makeupmaniac]

This is my first post but not my first time here. I have been in the background reading and getting educated. Wanted to share my raves for mineral makeup. I started using BE back maybe 5 years ago. Just recently changed to Forever Mineral Cosmetics after reading about it in a magazine. It is now my HG for different reasons. I am a lavender lover and they use it in their cosmetics and skincare. And if your looking for a great kabuki, check out their cashmere goat kabuki, it is a 100 times better than anything I have tried before. My other favorites are Real Purity mascara and Models prefer brow pencil in taupe. Glad I finally came out of hiding :)

[Rose_Red]

I've been on the mineral makeup quest, like many others here.

So far I've tried the following:

Earthy Essences (Aussie company) - all their colours were too dark, and they clumped on my face after a few hour's wear. Their finishing veil is nice, though.

Cory Cosmetics - Much better range of colours for someone who's pale like me. However, they clumped terribly went into lines where my skin creased. And the mica was way too evident. Not good. I like their eyeshadows though :)

MAD Minerals - The best of the bunch so far. Covered really well and stayed well. The samples I ordered weren't light enough for me, though.

I ordered a few more samples from MAD today, and I have Aromaleigh samples waiting to be trialled (I'm hesitant to try them because I got samples when they briefly had international shipping - it's going to be more of a hassle if I decide to go with them). Oh, and I also have a bunch of samples on the way from Everyday Minerals.

I'm having issues with my Kabuki brush, though. I bought one off ebay, and it sheds everywhere. Washed it today and it bled black everywhere. I did order a mini Kabuki from MAD minerals with my order, so we'll see how that goes.

I want a pink Kabuki, dammit. I just wish the shipping here wasn't pretty much the same price as the Kabuki itself.

[Rose_Red]

And I also should add that I am very, very tempted to order samples of Suncat's mineral makeup as well!

[LePa]

I have used mmu for a long time. I think I have tried most of them! I just love Signature Minerals (http://www.signatureminerals.com). I use the Multi-tasking concealer, Medium Beige Foundation, translucent finishing veil and swap back and forth between a couple of different blushes and eye colors.

The foundation choices are awesome. The finish is probably between a semi-matte and a matte. It covers well and doesn't shine. Oh - and it does not have any bismuth in it either. Yay!

The makeup is really very good and the prices are sooooooooooooo low! If anyone wants to try it, they have a free sampler so you can try 6 different colors.

[Garnett]

I just started using Jane Iredale and so far I love the loose powder foundation. Im not so fond of the cream to powder eye liner, but I really love the foundation I have and the lipstick. I also have the D2O Hydrating Spray which is AWESOME!! Im ordering more very soon!

[LadyOttoline]

I've tried so many brands, I don't even want to start counting. I just loooove sampling MMU, it's so much fun!!! One of my many favorites is Lumiere, her foundation gives awesome coverage and feels lovely. And I love her silk finisher too. And she has free shipping, that's a huge plus for me!! I also tried her liquid MMU which I like a lot, unfortunately I got it in the wrong shade, should have gone a tad darker. FWIW, her MMU is generally somewhat lighter than other companies.

[Shermie Girl]

I am still loving BE, but I am wondering if I can do better on foundation and a mineral veil like product. I would like something a little more matte and maybe a bit better coverage. I have issues that are difficult to cover. I would also like to spend a bit less on the products I use the most. That way, I could have more money for my ever-expanding collection of shadows, glimmers, glimpses and so forth. :boggle: :lafhard:

I think it is time to start shopping around and getting some samples.

[SunCat]

Hi Shermie Girl, BE uses Bismuth in their MMU formulations which adds shine and sheen to the product.

If you want more of a matte mineral foundation look for formulations that have Titanium Dioxide as the first ingredient instead of Mica along with formulations that contain Sericite. Sericite Mica is known as a "matte mica" since the particle size is so small and a finishing veil that has that listed as the first ingredient will give you more of a matte finish and reflect light away from fine lines and wrinkles as well.

[Shermie Girl]

Hi Shermie Girl, BE uses Bismuth in their MMU formulations which adds shine and sheen to the product.

If you want more of a matte mineral foundation look for formulations that have Titanium Dioxide as the first ingredient instead of Mica along with formulations that contain Sericite. Sericite Mica is known as a "matte mica" since the particle size is so small and a finishing veil that has that listed as the first ingredient will give you more of a matte finish and reflect light away from fine lines and wrinkles as well.


Thank you, Sun Cat. :grinhappy:

[SunCat]

You are very welcome, glad I could help :grinhappy:

[Rose_Red]

And since last time I posted on this thread I have a new HG.

Oceanmist. The major thing with this MMU is that it contains kaolin clay. I have super oily skin, and this keeps the shine pretty much under control.

Lets not talk about the other brands I have sitting around. I've read about people adding kaolin clay to other brands and getting better shine control, might try that at some stage.

[AngieL]

I get some of the best <deleted link> make up tips from this website, let me tell you!
I've used Bare Essentials since last summer and haven't looked back. I love it and it's priced cheap too! :whoohoo:

[silencepainter]

I ordered Everday Mineral samples forever ago and after playing with them some I forgot about them. I tried the Golden Fair again this evening and I think its a good match however my skin felt a bit itchy for awhile. I'm not sure if its my dry skin not playing nice with with EM, the crappy brush I used or what.

I was considering trying Monave because the LHC thread said it was good for dry skin but every review I've read here says it didn't sit well on their face so I guess thats out.

I'm going to try and get a good brush, and then try EM again. After that I'd also like to try SunCats. I'm not just a MMU newbie, I'm a makeup newbie, so a dummy proof color just sounds perfect to me. :grinhappy:

[physicschick]

silencepainter, did you moisturize beforehand? I often use just plain aloe gel (sometimes followed by a drop or two of jojoba oil). Be sure to let it dry/absorb before applying the MMU. If your itchiness comes from dry skin, this might help.

[silencepainter]

Well in this case I moisturized in the morning but I didn't apply the make up until late afternoon. Maybe if I did it directly after moisturizing I'd have less itchy results? I washed it off and moisturized last night before bed and this morning skin seemed a bit annoyed with me. Skin care is so confusing :purplex:

I had another thought last night. Would a dummy proof foundation give me what I want? I have a few blotches of skin slightly lighter than the rest and I'd like those to blend in better. Would the dummy proof color do that or would I be better off finding a color match?

I will learn how to make this work! I LOVED how I looked with makeup on.