Bare Minerals from Bare Escentuals is the original mineral-based powder foundation that came out about five years ago. Being an Early Adopter in makeup as well as electronics, I bought the kit–again from Sephora–back then. I looked at it, looked at the CD that came with it and got totally intimidated. Then I saw Leslie, the woman who first marketed the stuff, demonstrate the Swirl,Tap, Buff technique on TV and I gathered up my courage to try it myself:
There is something about that buffing process that appeals to me. It seems so much more thorough than just slathering on some foundation. I can get quite meditative about my Swirl,Tap, Buff.
The only caveat: I have to make sure my face is “properly hydrated” before using this, which means using a good moisturizer. It’s best, I’ve found, in the heat of summer, and I always use a primer underneath.
That said, the trick to more complete coverage is to build it up with multiple Swirl, Tap & Buff applications; this is not the time to load up your brush with product. Have patience and you’ll be rewarded with an incredibly natural look, probably more than a traditional foundation base will give you.
Have you tried the mineral-based makeup? What’s your opinion? Is one brand better than another?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I too have used BE and love it and the whole product line. Their brushes are good too. I’ve gone back to Erno Lazlo as you know but think BE is pretty special. What primer do you use?
Laurie,
I’ve used the BE Primer. Right now I’m using the Laura Mercier primer. I’m going to do a post on primers soon, so stay tuned.
I am devoted to Bare Escentuals. The concealer that goes on with a brush would make splashes of dried up spaghetti sauce vanish. The foundation and Mineral Veil are both necessities when I want to look nice. When I don’t want to look THAT nice, I just swish on whatever has stuck to the kabuki brush from the last application — and go. I keep the small containers from the starter kit refilled in a travel bag at the ready. I don’t tap as much as we’re shown. Two weeks ago on BART I saw a woman apply the entire program, tapping in her lap and looking in a mirror the size of a base ball, between Berkeley and the Embarcadero. Done. We shared.
Ah, it’s good to find another BE person. I’m also addicted to their eyeshadows, which when buffed properly (!) go on so sheer. The only thing I don’t like about the line is the packaging. It’s fine if I don’t move the jars, but travelling with them is A MESS. I wish you’d asked the lady on BART how she keeps them from gunking up the jar lids (which prevents a proper Swirl!).