Mineral makeup is a decorative cosmetic made exclusively from natural ingredients – minerals from fine earth. Those minerals are micronized, or ground and milled, into tiny particles to create makeup. It does not contain any chemicals, dyes, preservatives, silicons, alcohol, or perfumes found in conventional cosmetics. And I will show you which are the best mineral makeup powders.
History of mineral makeup
Even though mineral makeup is currently experiencing a big boom in the beauty world, it’s not new. People have used it for thousands of years for self-decoration and adornment.
Men and women have been painting their bodies with earth colours in Aboriginal tribes before ceremonies. Even Cleopatra herself has been using kohl around her eyes. Since then, modern techniques have evolved mineral makeup into a miraculous creation.
Mineral makeup started its commercial life in the 1970s. Cosmetic companies had to list their ingredients for the first time in 1976, and the cosmetic chemist Diane Ranger was shocked when she saw what people were putting on their skin. She felt a need and market for natural ingredients and a natural look and feel, so she developed her first mineral cosmetics.
How to recognize mineral makeup
The main difference between mineral and conventional makeup is in the ingredients. Specifically, the ingredients that are not in mineral makeup.
Real mineral powders should not contain:
- talc
- bismuth oxychloride
- synthetic dyes
- preservatives
- mineral oil (paraffin)
- perfumes
- and other questionable ingredients
Ingredients found in mineral powder:
- titanium oxide – a natural pigment with a natural sunscreen
- zinc oxide – a natural sunscreen, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- iron oxide pigments – matches your skin type and colour
- mica mineral consisting of potassium, magnesium, and aluminium silicate – creates instant glow and shimmer
Always check the label to make sure you are buying a real mineral foundation. If it says “mineral-enriched”, or if the formulation is liquid or mousse, it may contain ingredients such as paraben preservatives or dimethicone added for a smooth texture. Items that aren’t powders might also contain moisturizers, antioxidant vitamins, or other ingredients for your skin.
Benefits
- It is non-comedogenic, and it won’t clog pores.
Due to its molecular size, it sits on the pore and not in the pore as conventional makeup does. - It has built-in SPF.
Minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide act as physical sunscreen. That usually gives the mineral powder an SPF of 15, so using a higher SPF is always recommended, depending on where you live.
- It soothes sensitive skin.
Because it does not contain any irritating ingredients like perfumes, preservatives, or synthetic dyes, it is a fantastic choice for sensitive skin, and zinc oxide can help reduce inflammation.
- It is hypoallergenic
- Lasts all day.
- It is an antioxidant, helping to protect the skin from pollution.
- It has a lightweight feel.
- It gives better coverage with less product.
Because it doesn’t contain makeup fillers like talc, it’s more pigmented, so you need less product to get full coverage. - It doesn’t settle into fine lines.
That is because of the absence of talc which dries out conventional makeup and makes it patchy. Minerals are finely milled, and they give a smooth finish. - It provides a natural look.
These days no-makeup makeup look is something everyone strives to achieve. Mineral makeup has natural reflective qualities that give the face a natural, glowing radiance.
Cons
- It has limited colour options.
That is because pure mineral makeup contains no added dyes or colouring agents. There are not as many colours and tones available as with conventional makeup. - It can be messy.
It takes some time to get used to mineral makeup, especially if you use loose powder. But many online videos explain how to use it. Once you get the hang of it, it goes pretty smoothly.
How to apply
The best kind of brushes to use for applying mineral foundations are the ones with dense bristles. Either kabuki or flat top brush would be great. I find the flat top brush to give fuller coverage more quickly and the kabuki brush to have lighter coverage, but you could easily build it up to full.
The brush I use is a Real Techniques Stippling Brush that I got in their Core Set, but it has been discontinued since then. Another fantastic alternative for this brush would be a Sigma Beauty F80 Flat Kabuki Brush.
- Always start with a cleansed and moisturized face.
- Sprinkle a small amount of powder into the lid of the makeup jar (it will look like it’s nowhere near enough, but trust me, it is).
- Swirl your brush around a few times and tap it on the side to shake off the excess.
- Apply it in gentle, circular motions starting from the top and going down. Do this step a bit longer than you would usually. That will help minerals to warm up and melt in with the skin.
- You can repeat this step until you have the coverage you want. It usually takes two-three layers for perfect coverage.
- In areas where you want even more coverage (like around dark circles or spots), you can use a beauty blender sponge. Make sure it is dry, tap it in the lid to get the product onto it and tap it over the area where you need it.
- Continue applying your other makeup products.
I always recommend using a mineral blusher, bronzer, and highlighter (if you use them) along with the mineral foundation because they will have the same benefits. And they will prevent possible irritations or breakouts.
Best mineral makeup brands
There are many mineral makeup brands out on the market.
The most popular one is bareMinerals and their Original Foundation (€33/£29). They have a large selection of shades and a great quiz to help you find the shade you need.
There is also Jane Iredale with a slightly higher price point (€61.95). They have a big selection of shades as well.
Another great and very affordable brand is Gosh (€14.00). They only have 4 shades in their range, but they are at such a great price point that you can easily mix and match the shades.
I’ve tried the bareMinerals and Gosh foundations, and I must say that I love them both. The ingredients in both are great. They both give perfect coverage and feel great on the face. I would say that I found matching my shade much easier on the bareMinerals site, and they have a great starter kit with a primer, foundation, finishing powder, and a brush.
Anyway, the best mineral makeup is the one you use. So try a few different ones to find the best one for you. And you can try different techniques of application to find the one that suits you the best.
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Have you ever tried mineral makeup? What are your top tips for applying?
