Bare Minerals Original Foundation (Medium Dark)

Not too long ago I actually thought Bare Escentuals and Bare Minerals were two different companies. Haha. Well, actually I knew they weren't BUT I didn't. 

Anway, this is going to be LONG review. Don't say I didn't warn ya'll.

The first time I saw bare minerals was on the infomercials. I had probably been up late watching a Law and Order marathon (my fave show!) when one of these came on and I actually watched it. This was back when I was in high school. Back when they had like...four colors. I believe there was ONE color for dark skin...so it never really went on my wish list. 

Fast forward too college- my psycho freshman roommate used this stuff. It made her look powdery, ghostly, and bumpy. It did not look good. And she used to spend forever applying it. So Bare Minerals was scratched off my list of things to try.

Fast Forward to after college and a couple people have recommended Bare Minerals to me. I really needed to branch out from liquid foundation so I picked it up. I paid around $23 but it retails for around $27.

Bare Minerals claims:

Our award-winning mineral foundation gives you all the flawless coverage you want with a no-makeup look and feel that lasts up to eight hours. The creamy minerals diminish the appearance of imperfections without drying out skin. Our groundbreaking formula is clinically proven to promote clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Formulated without parabens, binders, fillers, or synthetic chemicals.

Ok, so let's start with the colors. They offer a ton of colors. I matched my self a while ago online to the Medium Dark color and about two years ago got colored matched to the same shade. But for some reason when I went in the buy it, I bought Golden Dark because I thought that shade was prettier. Then I had the nerve to be surprised when it didn't match and made my skin look muddy. So I exchanged it for the right color which matches me perfectly. They have a grew selection of colors, especially for dark skin.

If you've ever seen the infomercial then you know how to apply it. They tell you to pour a little in the cap and then SWIRL, TAP, & BUFF. Buff forever, buff your life away.

So that's what I did. Wait I'm getting ahead of myself. Back Up. So Bare Minerals is a system. Your'e supposed to buy Mineral Veil (setting powder), Brushes, Primer,  and Warmth (Bronzer). You can get all this in a kit. But I'm not a kit girl. I just wanted the foundation. And I want the foundation to work well by itself.  Plus, I really don't want the Bare Minerals brushes. I've seen them in the store and they just look so nasty and cheap. Not too mention I've had friends tell me they shed like crazy. 

So let's get back to the review. I applied it. At first I felt extra fancy applying it. After awhile it gets a little old and it seems to take a little bit more time than liquid foundation. And it can be messy. Not as messy as some people say if you are careful with it though.

At first I liked it. It looks pretty natural. The only problem is that I HAVE to use concealer. Otherwise it just doesn't cover my blemish marks that well. And if you look closely at it, it looks blotchy/patchy/ powdery like it's sitting on a dry patch depending on the brush I use. I've noticed this particular blotchiness on other women that told me they use it. I just thought maybe they didn't moisturize or something. It's easy to get rid of if you use some sort of setting spray on top of it. But it is annoying when you are in a hurry.

I've tested a few of my brushes with it. I found it really sucks with my Real Techniques brushes. For some reason I always get the weird blotchy look with those. It works best with my Sonia Kashuk flat top and my MAC 187 (light coverage!). 

Another thing I want to mention is that it makes my skin itch. Now that my skin is getting a little more used to it, it has decreased but it definitely get's itchy sometimes. It's not a fun feeling when you want to scratch your face off. Ugh.

It's hard to tell if it last long. It looks so natural I have a hard time telling. You can always set it though if you have problems with it lasting. Or use a primer.

I like the packaging. It's a cute little container. The best thing about it is the little thingie (name?) that you can twist to close it or open to sprinkle the powder out. It really helps to control the product so it doesn't get everywhere. It makes it very travel friendly.

The ingredients are cool. There are only four! Which is nice because if you look at liquid foundation there are usually a million and one ingredients. A lot of people have issues with the bismuth oxychloride. I think that's the ingredients that causes irritation and itchiness. It's basically like a "glitter" and adds a glow. I didn't really notice a "glow" though but I can definitely see the sparkle.

Ingredients:

Titanium Dioxide 12.6%, Zinc Oxide 21%. Inactive Ingredients: Bismuth Oxychloride, Mica, Iron Oxides, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide

I think that about sums it up. For me, it's OK. I may try to the Matte version but this one just doesn't rock my socks. 

Have you tried it? Like it? Love it?

UPDATE- I bought a MAC 182 (Expensive but I love it!) which is made of goat hair. Most of my brushes are synthetic. I've found the coverage is a lot better with a natural brush. So It is working a little better for me...but I still wouldn't call it a favorite...It still makes me itchy.