New makeup review: Bare Minerals

I’m a creature of habit, especially when it comes to beauty.

It might come down to my status as a Low Maintenance Woman, my desire to be budget-friendly, or my comfort-driven routine, but I have a knack for buying the same products, over and over.

Usually, I go for drug-store buys, especially with my makeup and skincare. The only time I’ve really diverted from this was for my wedding. I followed my friend’s advice and bought some products from Urban Decay and Benefit for my big day, and was blown away by the results.

I vowed to never go back to the cheap knock-offs.

Sadly, that vow didn’t last very long. As soon as my All Nighter foundation ran out, I was back on my Target-makeup-aisle BS, just like before. However, my mom gifted me with some high-end Sephora makeup for Christmas, and I was inspired to do a little more exploration on my own.

Mixing it Up with Bare Minerals

Further inspired by My Face Story on Instagram, I went ahead and bought some acne-friendly makeup from the well-known brand Bare Minerals. Growing up, my mom always used their foundations and powders, so I knew that I would be getting high-quality products.

I got:

• Blemish Rescue Skin-Clearing Loose Powder Foundation – For Acne Prone Skin, in shade Light 2W
• Blemish Rescue Anti-Redness Mattifying Primer – For Acne-Prone Skin
• Blemish Rescue™ Spot Concealer – For Acne-Prone Skin, in shade Light 2W
• Seamless Buffing Brush with Antibacterial Charcoal

First Impressions

• I like the packaging (sleek, modern, cool tones) and product design.
• Even though I have oily skin, I usually prefer the coverage and application of liquid foundations. I’m trying something new with the powder, which makes me a little nervous.
• I’m glad I also have a brush that I know is meant for this powder, even if I’m not entirely sure where the activated charcoal comes into play.
• I am slightly concerned that I chose a color that is a little too dark for my skin.
• The good-for-my-skin factor is a huge bonus, and I like the fact that I don’t have to feel guilty about wearing this makeup.
• The shape of the concealer is interesting; it really is made specifically for small spot application, and not all-over concealer. I think I would prefer a stick rather than a crayon-style point, for more coverage.

After Applying

Pros:

• The primer is really silky and smooth, and seemed to mattify my skin really well.
• The powder is really easy to apply.
• I like that I can put the concealer right on any zits and not feel guilty about it.
• The brush makes for an easy application.

Cons:

• It’s a little difficult to apply the concealer in many places; it feels like more of a touch-up product than what I need.
• My skin feels a little orangey. I think this has to do with a bit of a color mix-match. To fix, I decided to also use some of my Urban Decay liquid foundation, which blended the colors together nicely.
• The coverage is a little lighter than I would prefer. There is a difference, but it seems slight. The post-wash redness of my face seems more enhanced than hidden, even with the concealer.

Would I Buy Again?

Primer: Yes.

Concealer: No.

Foundation: Yes, in a lighter shade.

 

Final Results

When mixed with some of my usual product, my skin tone is more even and true. Overall, I enjoy the feel of the products on my skin, and enjoy feeling nearly bare-faced. These won’t be used for a night out, but will be added into my everyday routine.