Are you conscious about what you’re putting in your face? If your answer is yes, consider switching to mineral makeup. It’s all the rage for great reasons. Compared to traditional or conventional makeup, mineral makeup is free of the harmful stuff and the chemicals you don’t really want on your face. If you want to learn more about mineral makeup, read here.
If you want to look natural with better and healthier skin, then mineral makeup is for you.
Three Main Types of Mineral Makeup
A mineral is an inorganic substance that is found occurring naturally in the earth. It comes with a definite chemical composition, and its structure is inert meaning it can’t sustain life, and the makeup becomes non-reactive. Because it’s inert, it can prevent bacterial growth and reduce the chances of irritation.
There are three main groups of cosmetics, often referred to as “mineral makeup.” The division is about the ingredients used to make the product.
1. Mineral makeup made of few mineral ingredients
These are cosmetics containing titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica, and iron oxide. These products are free of all other ingredients such as preservatives, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, and bismuth oxychloride. Some of these makeup products may use botanical extracts in their formulations. This is the mineral makeup in its purest form. Usually, it comes in a sifter pot and applied with a foundation brush.
2. Mineral makeup made of few mineral ingredients plus bismuth oxychloride
These are mineral makeup with bismuth oxychloride – a controversial ingredient. This is a mineral that isn’t natural. It acts as a preservative and adds a shimmer to the makeup, but it can irritate the skin and even trigger acne breakouts. Some manufacturers who add this ingredient to their products still label their makeup as “pure” or “natural,” and purists are not impressed.
3. Mineral makeup with some mineral content
Ever since mineral makeup became popular, some marketing departments label their products with a hint of mineral as “mineral makeup.” But some still contain additional ingredients, which are oils, waxes, preservatives, fillers, fragrance, or artificial colors.
Mineral Foundation
Depending on your skin type and concerns, you can choose from a powder foundation or a liquid mineral foundation. Both are mainly composed of zinc oxides, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, and organic oil. All these are naturally-derived minerals that won’t cause harm even to delicate and sensitive skin.
Most mineral makeups in solid form are loose and soft because it doesn’t contain the binding ingredients needed for pressed powder. It can be hard to handle unless you start by applying less powder on the brush. Just take a light swipe and tap the excess off before you use it on your face. Minimal application is also a great idea because the powders can be shimmery.
However, not all mineral makeup products are powders. While it may be more common, there is also a liquid foundation that can be considered as mineral makeup. There are also pressed mineral makeup,
You can also find different mineral foundations suitable for your skin type. Here are some of the best picks:
Loose powder mineral foundations
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Bareminerals Original SPF 15 Foundation
Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation Fair-Light Neutral
L'Oréal Paris True Match Mineral Loose Powder Foundation Light Ivory
Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation
Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation
- Bareminerals Original SPF 15 Foundation
- Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation Fair-Light Neutral
- L’Oréal Paris True Match Mineral Loose Powder Foundation Light Ivory
- Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation
- Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation
Liquid mineral foundations
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Mineral Fusion, Foundation Liquid Cool 2
Youngblood Clean Luxury Cosmetics Liquid Mineral Foundation
bareMinerals BarePro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation
ILLUMINARÉ Moisturizing Mineral Foundation
Jolie Cosmetics Mineral Liquid Powder Foundation
- Mineral Fusion, Foundation Liquid Cool 2
- Youngblood Clean Luxury Cosmetics Liquid Mineral Foundation
- bareMinerals BarePro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation
- ILLUMINARÉ Moisturizing Mineral Foundation
- Jolie Cosmetics Mineral Liquid Powder Foundation
Pressed powder mineral foundations
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Where to Buy
jane iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Pressed Powder with SPF
PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation
Glo Skin Beauty Mineral Pressed Powder Foundation
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation
- jane iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Pressed Powder with SPF
- PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15
- Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation
- Glo Skin Beauty Mineral Pressed Powder Foundation
- Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation
Mineral Eyeshadow
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Just like mineral foundation, mineral eyeshadow differs from a regular eyeshadow due to its ingredients and what it actually contains. A mineral eyeshadow is finely milled and is often in powder form. It’s free of talc and fillers, and are composed of micronized minerals. It’s a healthier option that can bring benefits to the skin.
Without having fillers contained in traditional makeup, mineral makeup is often made of pure pigments. This means the color payoff will be stronger, so a little application can go a long way. The number of times the minerals are micronized (or milled and processed to create smaller particles) will determine the amount and type of coverage it can provide. So, when minerals are micronized around six times, the particles will be larger, and light to medium coverage can be gained. Meanwhile, when minerals are micronized up to 12 times, the particles will get smaller and offer fuller coverage.
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Mineral eyeshadow can be applied beautifully when wet or dry. But if you want to deepen the shade, just wet the makeup brush until slightly damp to create a finer and smoother application. Most mineral eyeshadow comes in powder form, and they can be messy and hard to work with. So if you want something more comfortable to apply, go for pressed mineral eyeshadows that are now available.
Here are some fantastic mineral eyeshadows in the market:
Product
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Where to Buy
BareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 4.0
Giselle Cosmetics Mineral Makeup Eyeshadow Powder and Contouring Palette
Bareminerals Eye Shadow
Mineral Fusion Eyeshadow Trio
bareMinerals Gen Nude Latte Eyeshadow Palette
- BareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 4.0
- Giselle Cosmetics Mineral Makeup Eyeshadow Powder and Contouring Palette
- Bareminerals Eye Shadow
- Mineral Fusion Eyeshadow Trio
- bareMinerals Gen Nude Latte Eyeshadow Palette
Mineral Lipstick
Mineral lipstick is also available. It blends different minerals and natural wax to make various shades of lipstick, unlike with traditional lipstick that uses chemical color pigments, wax, and other artificial ingredients to create colors. Some mineral lipsticks are made entirely from natural ingredients, while others mix minerals with some chemical ingredients. Like conventional lipstick, mineral lipsticks are available in variations such as matte, sheer, glossy, and shine.
Natural mineral lipstick includes a variety of different minerals, such as soy, mica, titanium dioxide, silica, and tin oxide. The minerals are blended with varying pigments of color to make unique lipstick colors. Mineral lipstick varieties are treated with heat, and the pigments are added slowly to create different shades. After heating, the wax is often added to harden the mixture and make applying lipstick easier.
Matte lipstick contains the highest amount of color pigment. When it’s applied, matte lipstick gives off no shine, but it has the deepest color and may last longer than other variations. For shine lipsticks, small amounts of gel are added to the matte formulation. As a result, the lipstick has a lighter texture, and it produces a lighter color.
Here are some great mineral lipsticks to pick:
