A New Way to Apply Mineral Makeup
This is our favorite makeup application trick because it appeals to our completely lazy side while also working and looking nice. Here goes: Instead of layering on your lotion or sunscreen (or both) and then finishing with mineral powder, foundation or heavy concealer, try a two-fer! Squeeze some lotion, argan oil, coconut oil or suncreen into your palm, then sprinkle about a quarter teaspoon of loose mineral powder into the goop. Rub your hands together to blend, and then sweep your hands over your face, starting at the center and moving outward.
You basically get the effect of a nice tinted moisturizer (with SPF!), but with a few perks.
First, because the minerals market is so huge, it’s easier to color-match perfectly to your skin tone. It may take some doing, and you might want to combine two different colors to get it just right, but it’s doable.
Second, the pure oils and the minerals are known quantities. There won’t be any surprise reactions to mystery ingredients.
Third, because minerals can look like garbage on dehydrated skin, this eliminates that problem altogether by building in the moisture and adding a little sheen.
And finally, because you get a nice light coverage, you don’t have to worry about the maskface that sometimes comes with foundation or poorly applied powder.
As always, make sure your minerals are clean—no parabens, silicone or extra crap in there—and same goes for whatever you’re mixing it with.
Have you tried it? Got any other application tips to share?
The founder of Sumbody spoke about her routine at a book signing I went to for her book, and she does this with their mineral makeup. Good idea, as I think it also alleviates the big danger with mineral makeup: small particles + inhalation = bad. Thanks for the idea!
Exactly! I should have mentioned it. That’s the other benefit—no, or at least far fewer floating particles. It also lasts a looooot longer.
Awesome tip. I will try it next time I do my make-up. I have dumped all non-clean make-up products from my day to day routine. I was already buying mineral products and other friendly stuff available to me (Josie Maran) so it was not difficult at all. My next purchases will be from RMS. Their products looks soooo good.
RMS is the shit! Pardon the language :)
What is RMS?
It’s a makeup line called RMS Beauty that we absolutely love. We interview the creator in the book and recommend our favorites from her line. It was started by a makeup artist named Rose-marie Swift.
Greetings Siobhan,
I know that you spoke about Bare escentuals mineral foundation as a good clean product on NPR. What about their blushes and other mineral makeup. I remember you spoke about the eye shadows having not so good pigments, so I have stayed away from them. My concern is that I have quite a bit of their makeup and am a little reluctant to start over from scratch.
Hey Bella! I’d have to look at the ingredient list. Do you have it handy for the blush or the shadows? I haven’t used much of Bare’s other products, but I’d love to see ingredient lists and then let’s discuss! Definitely do not throw out what you have! No use in wasting what could be perfectly good (and clean) makeup!
Great application tip! Lasts much longer and looks less dry. Also less messy. Love it!
I’ve been doing that mix-my-own thing for a couple years. Works great! Good tip :) Also, most of Bare Escentuals makeup contains bismuth oxychloride which can irritate skin, so I’d be careful if you have sensitive skin or if you have a reaction, switch to a much cleaner mineral line like Alima Pure (BDIH certified too!)
Maybe that’s why my skin feels itchy when I use Bare Escentuals mineral foundation :( I couldn’t empty the box kit I got. But then I’m not quite sure if it’s because of the bismuth or of the brush. It feels extra itchy when the weather is warmer.
I hope this article inspires all women to switch over to mineral makeup and enjoy the benefits of mineral makeup. Make up that is applied correctly gives you a flawless finish that doesn’t look like make up at all, but looks as though you have beautiful skin.
I just tried this using Laura Mercier mineral powder and Tata Harper’s moisturizer and I am floored! This is so amazing and natural-looking! I swear my skin looks like I am in my early 20s again! Just the pick-me-up this tired Mommy of a 1 year old needed! Thanks for the great tip!