Review of the Bare Naturale Mineral Make-Up Line from L'Oreal Paris

Mineral make-up is all the rage these days, with stars like Alyssa Milano touting the benefits. Fine, powdered, and soft powdered mineral make-up glides on soft and doesn't cause acne or clogged pores. Initially, mineral make-up was a best kept secret of the glitterati, but these days one cannot walk into a drugstore without being bombarded by every brand's new mineral this or that.

Even bottom of the barrel brand Wet'n'Wild has a $2.99 mineral foundation! There is much confusion about whether or not discount brands are as good as top shelf options such as Bare Escentuals. Well, after much testing and sampling, I have discovered that the best drugstore mineral kit is by far the four piece Bare Naturale line by L'Oreal. Silky and soft, this set turned my ruddy and acne prone skin into something silver screen worthy. Here's a quick walk-through of each step in the four piece system.

Concealer

The itsy bitsy Bare Naturale gentle mineral concealer packs a lot of punch in such a small package. The brush is comparable to a large eye shadow brush, and the intention of the product is to cover up small imperfections like blemishes and dark under eyes before the application of the mineral foundation. This product was great, especially at concealing the redness around my nose. Important tip: remember that powdered concealer is incredibly concentrated. A little goes a long, long way, so be sure to really tap off excess on the brush before applying.

Foundation

The Bare Naturale mineral foundation, with an SPF 15, did an amazing job of giving coverage that not only masked unsightly imperfections, but created the illusion of naturally flawless skin rather than flawless skin that was clearly the result of product. I try to refrain from touching my skin in the hopes of preventing bacteria induced blemishes, but I couldn't resist a feel after applying this amazing foundation. What I felt under my fingertips was the sensation of naturally fantastic and soft skin. This foundation is definitely just as miraculous and effective as any of its super pricey competitors. Important tip: don't let your foundation blow away in the wind. Make sure to swirl the brush into your skin in circular motions rather than dabbing. Not only will you avoid wasting powder, but you'll get a much more airbrushed finish.

Glow

The all-over mineral glow had to be my favourite part of the L'Oreal Bare Naturale kit. I selected the shade 426, "pink glow", and could not have been more pleased. Light and effervescent, this pale pink dust gave the appearance of the natural radiance of falling in love rather than the tacky appearance of applying sparkly make-up all over your cheeks. Whether you decide to make the leap into a mineral system or not, be sure to invest in this fabulous shimmer. You will not be disappointed. Important tip: for the look of an inner glow, apply in a reverse three over the side of your face.

Blush

The final step of this four piece system was the only one I could find fault with. It's no secret that mineral make-up is incredibly concentrated, which is why the packages are so small. The Bare Naturale gentle mineral blush (I purchased shade 488, "soft rose") is almost a bit too concentrated. Even after tapping excess off, my first attempt at applying this blush was a bit of a disaster, and the effect was total streakiness all along my cheek bones. After practice, I have finally discovered how to apply the blush so that I have just the slightest hint of flushed, naturally glowing cheeks. Important tip: the mineral blush is highly concentrated and comes out of the container fast. Use only a minimum and blend well.

I highly recommend this make-up system. Each piece costs an average of fourteen US dollars. However, I was able to purchase the entire system for only thirty dollars because of a buy one get one free sale at Walgreens. Drugstore make-up often goes on sale, so I would strongly suggest browsing your local chains for their promotions.