Mineral Makeup: Choosing the Best Cosmetics for Your Skin

Mineral makeup is a type of cosmetic made from finely ground mineral powders, particularly titanium dioxide, iron oxides, mica, zinc oxide, and often talc. Loose powders and pressed powders made from minerals are free of the oils and fragrances that go into traditional liquid makeup. This makes mineral makeup hypoallergenic. Many women who use bare mineral powders report fewer breakouts and blemishes than when they use oil and clay based cosmetics.

Besides being less irritating, mineral makeup also provides excellent, flawless coverage for your skin. Compared to regular powders and foundation liquids, mineral makeup goes on more evenly, and the minerals catch the light in such a way that it gives your skin a nice glow.

Mineral makeup comes in two basic forms.  Pressed powders come in compacts similar to traditional makeup concealers and foundations.  Loose powders come in larger canisters and you apply them with a large brush.

Pressed mineral powders are excellent for travel, work, school, anywhere you need a small compact case.  Pressed powders contain a small amount of binding material, so they are not as pure as loose minerals.  Pressed powder is very easy and quick to apply, so you can get flawless mineral coverage on the go.

Loose powders are great for giving your skin a smooth air-brushed look. They are applied with a big kabuki brush, or smaller concealer brushes.  Mineral blush and eyeshadow are available as canisters of loose particles.

Both pressed and loose minerals give your skin even coverage without caking up or causing crinkles around your wrinkles.  They do not leave your skin feeling oily, nor do they make dry skin even dryer.  Mineral powders are good for women who are prone to a little shine on the nose or forehead.

Most cosmetics companies have a line of mineral makeups in addition to their regular beauty lines. Some companies specialize only in mineral powders. The top selling brands of loose and pressed mineral cosmetics are

• Bare Escentuals
• Sephora
• Jade Iredale
• PUR Minerals
• GloMinerals
• Urban Decay
• Colorscience

These brands are more pricey because they contain no or very minite quantities of synthetic ingredients and fillers. Top of the line loose mineral powders can cost between $20 and $40. The price can be misleading since jars of loose powder actually last a long time. For moderately priced brands of mineral cosmetics, try

• Covergirl
• Physicians Formula
• Youngblood
• Maybelline
• Avon
• Mary Kay

One way to keep your skin healthier and keep your makeup uncontaminated is to use clean brushes every time you purchase a new makeup product. You can either buy new brushes, or clean your brush with warm water and mild shampoo. Overtime, brushes can accumulate dust, skin particles, and traces of oil and sweat from your skin.

For mineral makeup applications, there are several kinds of brushes and puff pads for different types of powders. The large brushes are for making broad strokes across the face, while the smaller brushes are for applying more concentrated dabs of powder in smaller areas.