Mineral Makeup on a Budget: Best Foundations

Mineral makeup seems to be everywhere these days. I know from working as a drugstore beauty advisor that many turn to mineral forms of makeup for the health benefits and polished, natural-looking results. Where other foundations might feel cakey, mineral makeup tends to feel light on your skin-giving you a flawless finish while still letting your pores breathe.

There are many expensive options out there of mineral makeup foundation, but you don't have to pay a fortune to have your skin look and feel great. Here are some of the top picks when it comes to buying skin care coverage on a budget.

But, first I'd like to parenthetically note that because foundation is applied on skin, and everyone's skin is different, there are no universal bests when it comes to mineral makeup. What works for some may not work for others. When purchasing makeup at most places, you can return bought makeup-even after you've tested it. If you pick something out and aren't satisfied, take it back! Talk with a beauty advisor about your bad experience and seek help in finding a product that will avoid those previous pitfalls. You don't need to get stuck wasting money on bad makeup.

L'Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Makeup: Powdered Mineral Foundation

Size: 0.35 oz./10g

Target's Price: $12.49. Ulta's Price: $12.99.

Quick Facts: L'oreal's Bare Naturale foundation powder is an SPF 19 sunscreen and has a claimed skin-improving mineral formula. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the active ingredients with talc, boron nitride, and carnauba wax among its other ingredients.

Review: Personally, I love Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Makeup from L'Oreal. It's a light powder foundation that goes on easily and gives me lasting coverage. I have oily skin naturally so powders work great with my complexion. I usually pair the Bare Naturale with another product underneath to act as a primer and give additional coverage. If you're looking for something light and natural for your foundation or base, L'Oreal Gentle Mineral Makeup is a great option.

Maybelline New York Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Liquid Foundation

Size: 1.0 oz.

Ulta's Price: $8.99. Walgreen's Price: $9.99.

Quick Facts: Maybelline's Liquid Mineral Power is made with micro-minerals and has an SPF 18 sunscreen. Octinoxate is the active ingredient of the liquid foundation.

Review: In my network of contacts, Maybelline's Mineral Power liquid foundation is a popular pick. Particularly for those with dry skin, liquid mineral makeup is a great choice for a nice finish to your face. The feedback I've received about Maybelline's Natural Perfecting Foundation is that it has a good consistency, gives great coverage and results in a nice, natural glow.

Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Mineral Loose Talc-Free Powder

Size: 0.49 oz./14g

Drugstore.com's Price: $10.95. Ulta's Price: $11.99.

Quick Facts: The Talc-Free Mineral Wear Loose Powder is an SPF 16 sunscreen that is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, oil-free, non-comedogenic, and dermatologist approved. Active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide while other ingredients include boron nitride and zinc stearate.

Review: Physician's Formula is a standard when it comes to mineral makeup. It was one of the first mineral brands I ever learned about while working as a drugstore beauty advisor. Physician's has a number of finishing veils, bronzing veils, foundations, pressed powders, and loose powders. The reason why I chose the Mineral Loose Powder to feature in particular is that it really can be a one-stop shop for your concealing needs. For natural, seamless coverage, Physician's Formula Mineral Wear is an instinctive choice.

*All prices listed exclude associated shipping costs.

Sources:

"Bare Naturale Mineral Foundation - Face - Foundation." LorealParisUSA.com

"Buy Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Loose Talc-Free Powder." Drugstore.com.

"L'Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Foundation." Target.com.

"Maybelline New York: Products: Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation." Maybelline.com.

"Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation - Maybelline - Beauty & Spa." Walgreens.com.

"Physician's Formula: Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder." PhysiciansFormula.com.

"Ulta.com Cosmetics - Bare Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation SPF 19 by L'Oreal." Ulta.com.

"Ulta.com Cosmetics - Mineral Wear Mineral Loose Powder by Physician's Formula." Ulta.com.

"Ulta.com Cosmetics - Natural Perfecting Foundation by Maybelline." Ulta.com.