The document provides an overview of mineral makeup, including how to find your foundation shade, apply foundation and concealer, use color balancing powders and blush, and tips for cleaning mineral makeup off at the end of the day. It discusses the generally beneficial properties of mineral cosmetics and provides a glossary of common mineral makeup ingredients.
3. CONTENTS
Mineral Makeup is Easy p.4
Reveal Your Inner Artist p.5
Your Skin Will Thank You for It p.5
Begin With a Good Foundation p.6
If You Need Concealer p.11
Ready for a Break From Oiliness? p.14
How About a Color Boost? p.14
Want to Try a Little Finishing Powder? p.15
Go Ahead, Blush p.17
Please Don’t Sleep in it p.20
Glossary of Ingredients p. 21
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5. Reveal Your Inner Artist
Experiment with colors. Mineral blushes and bronzers can be
used as eyeshadows. Eyeshadows can be eyeliners (and vice The pigments in mineral
versa). Going to a winter opera? Use a soft, buttery yellow- cosmetics are generally
colored balancing powder under your foundation and an ethereal beneficial for the skin,
pink shimmer powder after for added elegance and radiance. offering sun protection
Heading out into a 100 degree, balmy, Indian summer day? Try and anti-inflammatory
finishing powder all by itself as a refreshingly light, mattifying properties in addition to
option. Every day offers a unique chance to assess your skin’s being non-comedogenic.
needs, have fun and play. The possibilities are endless. Plastic surgeons often
recommend them post-
surgery and,
Your Skin Will Thank You For It dermatologists love
In addition to being gorgeous and flexible, most mineral them.
cosmetics are free of conventional cosmetic chemicals that can
be irritating or worse. In true mineral cosmetics you won’t find talc,
dyes, fragrances, parabens, phthalates, cornstarch or
preservatives. To be sure you are getting the good stuff, always
read the label before you buy. The list of ingredients should be
short, sweet, and pronounceable.
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7. color, the mineral makeup will impart a luminous finish that looks very natural.
Double check in natural sunlight, if possible, to be sure of a good match.
STEP TWO: APPLY
There are several ways to apply mineral foundation, and you may wish to
experiment. Before you start, be sure that your moisturizer is well absorbed.
This will prevent the minerals from ‘grabbing’ the skin unevenly.
Generally, most people find using a foundation brush to be quick and easy with
great results. It’s a good place to start. If you are going to use concealer, you
may wish to skip ahead, so that your concealer can be applied under your
foundation.
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9. A final spritz of water to the face can both enhance luminosity and
add the perfect moisture balance if your skin tends to be dry.
Using several light applications to provide the desired coverage
Are you sensitive?
gives a more natural look than one heavier application. Excessive
Some people believe
buffing of mineral foundation into the skin is generally unnecessary.
mineral makeup bothers
their skin, when really it’s
USING A DAMP FOUNDATION BRUSH:
the ingredient bismuth
Some people find that the damp brush method of application gives
oxychloride, and/or
a perfect finish. This process provides slightly more coverage than
animal hair brushes.
the dry method.
Look for hypoallergenic,
• After you have worked the product into the brush, spritz the
synthetic brushes and a
brush (or flocked sponge) with a little water or facial mist. Just
bismuth-free foundation
a spritz is enough; you want the brush to be damp rather than
that will pamper your
wet.
skin.
• Then brush lightly onto the skin. As before, add a second
application to areas requiring more coverage. Alternatively, you
may wish to apply the powder with a dry brush, and then
blend it with a slightly dampened brush.
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11. If You Need Concealer
Concealer is perfect for those requiring extra coverage around the nose, under
the eyes, or for blemishes and areas of hyper-pigmentation. You may find that
your mineral foundation works well as a concealer and we recommend that you
try a bit to see whether it offers adequate coverage. In general, a light hand
with concealer offers the most natural looking results.
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13. BLEMISH APPLICATION:
• For spots, blemishes or small areas of hyperpigmentation on the face,
use a small concealer brush.
• Pick up a small amount of product and apply it precisely on the area to
be covered. Do not extend past the discolored area if possible.
• Apply your foundation over the top of the concealer and then, if more
coverage is desired, add a little more concealer.
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15. BEFORE YOU APPLY:
Be sure that moisturizer, if used, is well absorbed. If you are using primer
powder it can go over or under color balancing powder.
APPLICATION:
Apply a sheer layer beneath your foundation with a fluffy powder brush or
flocked sponge. Color balancing powders are generally used under
foundation (especially greenish ones!), but yellow, pink and lavender can
also work as finishing powders.
SHADES:
• Green: perfect for balancing ruddiness caused by Rosacea or
irritated, sensitive skin.
• Violet: enlivens sallow, dull complexions.
• Pink: perks up pale, tired skin and imparts radiance.
• Yellow: softly brightens tired, dull skin and can also help to counter
mild redness and dark circles.
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17. Go Ahead, Blush
Mineral blush is all about bringing your inner beauty to the surface. You don’t
need much because it’s richly pigmented. Start with just a touch (it’s amazing
how little you need) – you can always add more.
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19. • Your face will look fuller with blush concentrated on the apples of your
cheeks. Conversely, your face will look narrower with blush angled out
toward your temples (blend well at outer edges and slightly down to
avoid a horizontal stripe).
• Stronger lip colors call for more muted blushes, while more pronounced
blush is better with subtle lip color. Too much of both can look a bit
clownish.
• Paler skin tones are best with paler blush, and deeper skin tones with
more pronounced color (you knew that).
• Coordinate your blush to your lip color - pink or red lips with pink blush,
coral lips with apricot or peach blush, rose lips with rose cheeks and
bronze lips with bronze cheeks
• If you find you have applied too much blush, or if you’d like a touch less
shimmer, sweep a little finishing powder or foundation over the top to
tone it down.
• If you prefer a subtle shimmer, blushes can be a layered – a little
shimmer powder over a matte blush can be lovely too.
• Create a gorgeous gel blush by mixing a bit of your favorite mineral blush
with a dab of aloe vera gel, or try using moisturizer for a cream blush.
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21. Glossary of Ingredients
You don’t need a degree in pharmacology to make informed choices about
your cosmetics. Read labels and familiarize yourself with the ingredients, just as
you do with the food you eat. It’s surprisingly easy.
Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510): an inorganic mineral salt used to provide a rich
blue color in cosmetics. Cosmetic-grade ferric ferrocyanide is approved for use
on the eyes and face in the U.S., and on lips, eyes and face in the European
Union and Japan.
Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499): synthetic, inorganic compounds
created from purified, oxidized iron. Iron oxides range in shade from yellow to
red, brown and black. Approved for use in cosmetics in the U.S., E.U. and
Japan.
Kaolin (CI 77004): a hydrated aluminum silicate, also known as china clay. It’s
very pure, soft and matte, and is highly prized for its gently absorptive
properties and lustrous feel. Approved for use in cosmetics in the U.S., E.U.
and Japan.
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