

At the very best of times, I’m not a powder fan and especially not a powder foundation fan. However, I have known bareMinerals and similar to be completely complexion changing for those with problematic skin. When mineral make up was first a ‘thing’ in the UK (I saw my very first example of it in Las Vegas and was intrigued) it came with many claims and I was excited to try it. For me, and my non-oily skin, I couldn’t bear the powdery feel of it or the look of dryness it gave. I gave my samples to a friend for her daughter with acne prone skin and she has never used anything else since – and that was at least 8 years ago. So, it’s horses for courses on this one – it’s going to suit some and not suit others. I imagine that some of its success on my friend’s daughter was down to the fact that mineral foundation has no oil, so it wasn’t exacerbating the situation, as possibly her former foundation was. I’ll never know for sure, but I do know that her skin improved dramatically.

Enter bareMinerals Blemish Remedy Foundation with Aspen Bark and Tea Tree Oil to help control oiil and shine. Studies on 102 women over a 6 week period showed a significant reduction in skin oil, but it’s not clear whether that’s in look or actual oil production. As Tea Tree is a natural antiseptic, I guess there may well be some medicinal quality. The other claim, that 92% of women (in the same trial) experienced significant reduction in pore size is just baffling to be honest.**** Bearing in mind that the only way to shrink pores is to shrink the oil glands (with medication, usually), I’m not sure how this claim has arisen. However, I’ll stay open-minded (with a definite side-eye) because I haven’t used the product, and who knows – maybe the secret to pore shrinking has really been discovered.
*** My reading mistake..the claim is actually to reduce ‘appearance’ of pore size, which is a bit more realistic.
bareMinerals Blemish Remedy Foundation launches in September for £26.
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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
10 comments
I suspect the claim got lost in translation somewhere. I suspect it should have been along the lines of ‘diminishes unsightly pores’ (as in disguises them?) Who knows, when the marketing departments get on the scene all sorts of weird and wonderful statements seem to abound; me I’d rather suck it and see, as you say these things aren’t for everyone. I’m just glad there are so many choices out there, powder, liquid, natural, chemical, it gives us all a fighting chance. If there was only one brand and one choice we couldn’t all look beautiful could we? Eek, a World with only 1 huge online store and no beauty Blogs… I don’t think so. Keep up the great work Jane.
This sounds lovely! x
Emma | Emmys Beauty Cave
In general I agree with you about powder foundations, but I must say that the Issada ones (sadly an Australian brand that isn’t on sale here) are phenomenal. Their loose powder foundations are so finely milled that they are completely invisible on the skin, but somehow still work and make the skin look flawless. A huge step up from any other powder foundation I’ve tried.
I keep nagging them to launch in the UK but no luck so far.
Now I’m really curious about this brand!
This is the one I use and I love it. http://www.issadacosmetics.com/LooseMineralFoundation.html
Mm, that’s got me thinking it might be something I should be stocking. I know when I set up my online biz and was looking for a range to sell some I loved and some just didn’t do it for me. I did however have a friend who also tried every range with me so we found one that was equally suitable for a range of skin types. That said, this is a brand I haven’t heard of and I’m now itching to find out more; Jane we need a review on Issada!
This sounds great would love to try it
I’m always intrigued by the seemingly outlandish claims bareMinerals makes. Nevertheless, I do like their products, no matter if they claim something decreases oil by 2344% or increases hydration by 453%. Haha. One mineral foundation I really enjoy is from Purminerals- I have very dry skin, and it doesn’t bother me at all.
xx
Jenny // Mish Mosh Makeup
I’m not too keen on powder foundation!
Lauren x | http://laurenselwood.blogspot.co.uk/
Meow mineral foundations are incredible, they give the best blur affect ever without any silicone or primers. And they come in a zillion shades, literally:) also their highlighter is the most beautiful and completely non-shimmery, natural looking glow.