June 23rd, 2015
Lightweight, breathable and natural, both in appearance and often in content – there’s little wonder that mineral make-up is so popular with customers. Yet we feel it’s a foundation subset which often gets overlooked by a lot of MUAs, passed over for the latest in high-tech formulations. We’re dusting off the image of mineral make-up with the help of Lynnette Cole, the Education Director for Pür Minerals.
Lynnette Cole
We spoke with Lynnette about the reputation of mineral make-up within the industry, and how it differs to the regular consumer. “In the industry, I feel the biggest misconception is that mineral make-up is not high performance and that it’s not photography friendly,” she told us. “But the technology that Pür uses sets our brand apart from the others; they excel in the complexion category for providing a look that looks like natural skin. And in the colour category, Pür is a make-up artist’s kit dream because the colours are so versatile and the palettes are compact. The advantage of a good mineral make-up base is it serves an extension of skincare treatment – my skin loves their products because they are lightweight, allow my skin to breathe and improve the appearance of my skin while providing a natural look.”
She also agreed that consumers and beauty professionals alike are becoming more aware and more interested in the contents of their make-up collection. “As a consumer, I believe we are more aware and educated in the cosmetic industry. Pür has always been at the forefront of innovation, technology and formulations. They had the foresight to be the first “mineral” category brand to formulate their products with more than ‘just minerals’. As women, we demand more from our make-up – high performance, long wear, anti-aging results, and of course a beautiful natural finish. Pür’s formulations blend plant-based and botanical extracts, minerals and anti-aging skincare ingredients, such as purified retinol and ceramides which improve the skin’s surface texture and radiance.”
As the brand expert, we wanted to know where we should start with Pür’s vast product range. “My must have product is the 4-in-1 Mineral Makeup (£24), I never leave home without it!” Lynnette told us – before recommending the “natural dewy finish” of the Liquid Veil (£26), either used alone or as a finishing spray, and the Big Look mascara (£15). “That mascara should have its own Twitter account, it has that many followers!” she joked. The 4-in-1 Mineral Makeup is the brand’s star product, promising the multi-use as a foundation, powder, concealer and SPF15, with the benefits of that built-in skincare which help to improve the condition of the skin over time.
Offering both liquid and powder formulations, Pür certainly caters for all preferences with their product range. Another brand which champions the use of mineral pigments in a liquid formula is MAC’s popular Mineralize Moisture SPF15 foundation (£28). With a 77-Mineral Complex, Shea Butter and Vitamin E, it’s a comfortable satin-finish which offers a lit-from-within effect. Or enjoy the benefits of mineral formulas in a handy baked format – MAC Mineralize Skinfinish (£23) is a cult classic for a reason.
When discussing mineral make-up, we’d be remiss not to mention Jane Iredale. Her range of make-up was one of the first to fuse skincare benefits with colour cosmetics, and as a result her products are free of oil, talc, FD&C dyes, synthetic preservatives, parabens or synthetic fragrance. While there’s a lot to be said of her PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation (£31) – and the environmentally friendly refill system – our product pick would be the Powder Me Dry Sunscreen (£28). This chemical-free dry sunscreen is ideal for keeping in your kit, in order to add SPF30 sun protection in a translucent powder format. Expect fewer skin reactions and easier top-ups throughout the day.
Glo Minerals is a huge player in the US mineral make-up market, with their award-winning formula available in pressed, loose and two liquid formulas. Their Pressed Base (£31.50) is available in a huge 20 shades, and the triple-milled minerals blend seamlessly into the skin. It gives more of a semi-matte finish, avoiding the overly-matte mask-effect of lesser quality mineral foundations. We hope it starts appearing more over here!
Did you know that bareMinerals’ Foundation (£26) is not just the best-selling powder foundation in the US, but the best-selling foundation full stop? Without any of the nasties added to cheaper brands, this foundation is loved for it buildability and its natural finish. While a worthy award-winner, be warned that if you’re dealing with oily skin that it might require more regular touch-ups, as the natural finish renders it less mattifying than some other powder formulas. Their Mineral Veil (£21) is another classic, the perfect finishing touch to any look. They now have four different shades, ranging from the original translucent powder to a warm tint of colour.
Lily Lolo is fast becoming a real contender in the mineral make-up ring, with its competitive pricing, great quality and cute packaging. We love their Mineral Eyeshadow formulas (£5.99) in particular, which pack in pigment while remaining lightweight and easily blendable. Their range of shades are all very skin-flattering and suit most tones, covering neutral and gentle purples, greens and blues to pick up on the natural shades within skin. Their colour categorisation and great sample system also makes it easy to pick foundation shades – always a tricky thing when faced with online purchases.
When looking for beautiful base products, you can’t go far wrong with a Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier choice. These ladies are the queens of perfect skin, and their mineral foundations are no exception. Infused with skin goodness, including Vitamin E and skin softeners, the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Mineral Make-Up SPF 15 (£29) is perfect for a no-make-up look – it evens out skin and blends over imperfections or discolourations. The Laura Mercier Mineral Powder (£31) can be used for everything, from setting make-up to building up a real base. Although it doesn’t come in a huge variety of shades, it is lightweight and buildable enough to put you fully in control of how it appears on the skin.
Finally, even if you’re not looking to use a mineral foundation base you can enjoy the goodness of minerals in a protecting layer on the skin. Youngblood specialise in mineral make-up, and their Mineral Primer (£31) is packed with minerals and vitamins to protect skin from environmental damage while the colourless base helps to enhance the performance of make-up throughout the day.
Comments
Related Posts
