How to Select and Apply Mineral Makeup

Years and years of wearing thick, heavy makeup can wreak havoc on your skin, but you really like the coverage of your regular makeup. So what do you do? Try a healthy alternative - mineral makeup! Mineral makeup has seen a tremendous growth in popularity in the past few years and it is easy to see why. First, mineral makeup allows your skin to breathe. Mineral makeup contains little to no chemical ingredients that can irritate or otherwise adversely affect your complexion. Second, mineral makeup contains natural sunscreen that offers extra protection when you are outdoors. Third, it doesn't take much to give you good coverage! A little goes a long way.

So now you're sold and you're ready to try it. But which mineral makeup should you choose? If you haven't seen lately, there are tons of mineral makeup companies out there! And as with regular makeup, no one brand will suit everyone. It will take some trial and error before you find your "Holy Grail" of mineral makeup, but the experimentation will be worth it. Most reputable mineral makeup companies will offer a free or low-cost mineral sample kit for you to try before you buy. Here are a few tips to help you in your search:

For those with oily/combination skin, you will want to avoid any mineral makeup that contains bismuth oxychloride. Bismuth oxychloride will make your shiny skin look even shinier and of course, oily skinned women are trying to minimize shininess, not add to it! So although Bare Minerals are a popular brand, I would avoid them if you have oily/combination skin because they do contain Bismuth. Try Everyday Minerals Matte and Intensive formulas, both of which work great with oily skin.

For those with dry skin, be sure to look for a brand that offers "semi-matte" or "dewy" mineral formulas. Otherwise, your face will wind up looking rather chalky and any fine lines or wrinkles will be maximized. Everyday Minerals offers formulas in Semi-Matte and Original Glo that are worth trying. They offer a free trial kit so that you can test their minerals before you purchase them. Those with normal skin will do well with original formulas (or dewy/semi-matte formulas, if you are going for dewy look).

Once you have found your perfect brand or brands, you will need to learn how to properly apply your minerals. Since most minerals are powdery and not liquid, they can be quite messy if you are not careful. Most minerals will come to you in a small jar with a sifter on the inside. So first you will unscrew the lid and turn it upside down. Take the minerals and turn them upside down, tapping gently on the bottom to allow the minerals to fall through the sifter into the lid. Start with just a small amount - you can always add more minerals, but if you apply too much, you will likely have to wash your face and start over. Take a soft kabuki brush and dip it into the minerals you have tapped in to your lid. Swirl your brush in the minerals and then lightly tap the brush onto the lid to shake off any excess minerals. Lightly buff the minerals into your skin using circular motions, making sure not to press the brush too hard against your skin. Once finished, you can determine whether or not you need more coverage. If you do, just repeat the process until you are satisfied with your coverage. Another tip for the oily-skinned: you can also use a flocked sponge to apply your minerals, especially in your T-zone. Using a flocked sponge can also make pores temporarily appear smaller, which is great if you are going out for the evening or having pictures made.

Mineral makeup does take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you may not ever want to use regular liquid makeup again!