No, this post isn’t about getting naked. It’s about going bare . . . as in Bare Mineral make-up. But hey, if the title got your attention, then it worked. 
I’m not a huge make-up person. I tend to stick with the same foundation I’ve always worn, same shades of eye-shadow, liner, and lipstick. I don’t have a drawer full of make-up, but one make-up bag with all my essentials. As far as the foundation I wear, over the years that HAS changed, only because I’m noticing that I need more coverage as I get older. My skin is is becoming blotchy and uneven in places, and so I used two different foundations to combat the problem — MAC liquid foundation, followed up by their powder foundation which is a bit heavier and gives me the coverage I need. Honestly, I HATE it. Mainly because it always feels so thick and heavy on my skin, it rubs off on everything, and I just FEELS like it’s clogging my pores!
For years now I’ve seen advertisements for Bare Mineral foundation and make-up. It’s a powder substance, made up of minerals from the earth. It’s an all-natural product, and in the infomercials I’ve seen the company claims to give you the coverage to conceal imperfections, but without the heavy feel of a liquid or pancake-type foundation. Personally, I find it hard to believe that POWDER can give you that kind of coverage, so I’ve always been skeptical . . . until I saw this product on QVC. They performed a few “before and afters” on people right there in the studio, and the results looked stunning. They were offering up a specially priced starter kit, and I decided to give it a try.
The kit arrived, and I have to admit at first I wasn’t that impressed — mainly because I didn’t really know what I was doing. But I was determined to learn (the kit comes with a “getting started” DVD to teach you how to use the make-up) and within a few days I’d managed to perfect my “swirl, tap, and buff” technique and application. All I can say is that I’m now a Bare Mineral convert! I’ve been wearing the powder foundation for about a month now, and I’ll NEVER go back to the liquid foundation. The coverage is absolutely FLAWLESS, and even with the make-up on my skin feels so silky smooth. I never would have believed that just pure powder would give my complexion such a smooth, even look. Even better, the places on my face that used to get oily during the course of the day no longer look oily AT ALL!!! This stuff, to me, is AMAZING!
So, does anyone else who reads our blog use Bare Mineral make-up? What’s your take on it? Do you like it, or not? (And why?) And if you’ve ever thought about giving it a try, I’m here to tell you IT WORKS!
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NOTE FROM CARLY: Contemporary Romance – is it HOT? Is it not? I’m guest lecturer along with agent Laura Bradford at Romance University discussing the state of the contemporary romance market today! Visit me there, post comments there and I’ll stop by during the day to answer!!
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Yeah Janelle, I’m glad you found something that works so well for you. I tried a similar product, and I wasn’t as impressed. I looked “shiny” all day, no matter how sparingly I brushed on the powder, and I could still feel it. It wasn’t very comfortable. Maybe Bare Minerals is the real deal & has better quality, I just know I didn’t care for the product I tried.
My skin is very oily so I use a powder foundation now that I like because it is light. I don’t like that it gets on my phone, but I guess that happens with just about any kind of makeup, especially because of my oily skin. I do use another product that’s supposed to absorb oil, but it only works for so long. Ah, the joys of trying to be beautiful….
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Wow, Stacy — I’m shocked to hear you say you still looked “shiny”! The Bare Mineral make-up, for me, makes my face look matte all day long, with no shine where they used to be shine! I think it comes down to what works for each individual person, but I swear by this stuff!
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I completely love Bare Minerals. I never like to spend money on makeup but I gladly fork over for this stuff. I ordered a big kit from QVC three years ago and never looked back.
My favorite thing has been the bisque concealer. It actually covers my very dark under eye circles. And I have six of their eye shadows, they last forever. And the buxom lip gloss? Just wonderful– ok, I need to stop.
I have found primer is good to use—I use Laura Geller’s , not the BE stuff. And I know they sell matte foundation, but I havent’ used it. Doesn’t mineral veil take care of some of the shininess?
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I also bought a separate kit with eyeshadow and one of their Buxom lip glosses. I love the eye shadow, too! Though, again, it took time to get used to the fact that it was a loose powder when I’m used to a solid eye-shadow. But I LOVE the colors they have.
As for the Buxom lip gloss — WOW! What shine and glimmer. And I love the “warm” feeling of it on my lips!
I recently found out that there is a Bare Mineral STORE in my nearby mall!!!! I had no idea, and I plan to stop in soon to see (and test) all the pretty eyeshadows and lip colors in person!
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Gillian — meant to ask, why do you prefer the Laura Geller primer? I do use the BM primer, but I’m curious as to what you feel is the difference!
And yes, for me, the mineral veil makes all the difference in keeping my skin non-oily and matte!
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I never actually bought the BM primer because I had started with Laura Geller products and had her primer. I think her “Spackle” is amazing stuff. I have also used Rimmel “Fix and Perfect” primer that you can buy at wal-mart.
The bm primer might actually be better than what I’ve used. I just get cautious about switching. :)
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I don’t wear make-up 99% of the time, so I haven’t tried Bare Minerals. I never really learned how to put it on right, so I just use a good moisturizer each morning and go. I do however have several friends that love it and won’t use anything else.
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I use a mineral makeup but it isn’t Bare Minerals. I LOVE the powder foundation because I too don’t like the feel of foundation on my skin. Then I use DHC skincare which is awesome. I was even in their customer spotlight back in 2006.
Glad you found Bare Minerals, Janelle. I’ll have to give the bisque concealer a try. I’m still using a cream concealer and I hate it.
Have a wonderful day all,
Cher
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What is DHC skincare, Cher?
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DHC is a Japanese skincare company. They have one store in the US located in San Francisco but is also available through mail order. It is shipped from California not Japan. I order all my stuff on-line and I receive it in no time. They also offer “4″ free samples with each order. I read a blurb about it in a magazine years ago and tried it. I’ve LOVED it ever since and have been a faithful customer since 1998. To me, there is nothing like it out there. For me every other brand pales in comparison.
Here’s the link: http://www.dhccare.com
There is also a button for “About Us” which will tell you a lot about the company and you can order a catalog. If you order some product please mention my name–I’ll get a reward. You mentioned that your skin is becoming blotchy and uneven in places. I had that problem as well among others, but blotchiness and uneven skin tone is a thing of the past now for me.
Cher
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I’ll have to look into it. I have heard it is good.
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I have dry skin. I don’t think the powder would work for me. If it does work on dry skin I’d love to try it.
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Violet, I have very dry, sensitive skin and it works great for me. But I also use DHC which keeps my dry skin moisturized.
Cher
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Violet, they do have different mineral make-up for different types of skin. And a really good moisturizer helps, too, as Cher mentioned!
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I’m definitely a Bare Minerals convert! I love the bisque, base powder and mineral veil. I’ve tried other mineral powders, but Bare Minerals works the best, IMO.
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I LOVE the mineral makeup! So easy and quick to use and it really does work! I got an Ulta GC for Christmas. You can bet what I’m going to spend it on!
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I am so excited about reading this. I’d just been thinking over the weekend that I needed to do something different. I’ve used Mary Kay products for over 20 years and love them. But the dark circles under my eyes have gotten so bad (I think mostly from allergies) that I’ve had to start wearing concealer.
My foundation cakes with the concealer and now…the crows feet that I’ve never noticed until I started wearing concealer…look like giant crevices under my eyes!
I was just questioning this weekend whether or not I’d be better off trying to find a powder foundation that would work with the concealer. And…ta da! Here you are with the answer!
It’s great to hear from so many who like the product. I’m glad it’s working so well for so many of you!! I’m going to check it out!!
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Alannah — They have starter kits at Ulta or Sephora. Or, you can go to the Bare Mineral website and they probably have it there, too. The BM website will also help you to figure out what shade you should be wearing.
It’s really great stuff. Every day I’m amazed at the coverage and just how good it feels on my face!
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This is why I think primer works. It fills in those “crevices” (and good golly do I have those!).
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Wow, thanks ladies for the info. I checked out the link. They have so many moisterizers it should be fun to find the right one for me. I’m also going to try the Bare Minerals.
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Oops, hit enter too soon.
How the heck do you ladies get the picture next to your name? I am so bad at that stuff.
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Violet (or anyone else who would like to get an Avatar/picture for their post) just go to this website and follow the directions. It’s really easy!
http://www.en.gravatar.com
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My 43 year old daughter swears by Bare Mineral.
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I gave up wearing make up a few years ago! Actually, make that quite a few years ago!! First I gave up eye shadow because it showed up in the creases on my eyelids! The rest followed with time! I don’t miss it and at this point with my limited budget it is probably just as well! I’m sure it would be an improvement but I just can’t be bothered any more. In my “mature” years I feel if someone doesn’t like the way I look they can look elsewhere!!
Carly, thanks for letting us know you are “guesting”.
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Sounds great, Janelle! I don’t know how it would work on my face because I have Melasma (“mask of pregnancy” only not pregnant…lol!) But it would be nice to wear a lighter foundation! Might just have to try it.
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I also have melasma – nothing like the look of a permanent girl-stache to make a woman feel her best right?! ugh…but!! BM actually works quite well on all the discoloration – upper lip, cheeks, and above my eyebrows.
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Thanks Krissy! I might have to give it a try!
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Janelle ,
it must be fate or something.
Tomorrow is my daughters 19th birthday and wanted me to buy her the Bare Minerals starter kit and sign her up for the club. They say you can stop the club at anytime.
I had been on the fence about ordering her a kit.
http://bareescentuals.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BareEscentuals-Site/default/Experience-Show?cgid=BM_GETSTARTED
They have the start up kit for $29.99 then they send you a new set every so often. I have to find out how often that is.
But after hearing your glowing report and some of the other gals in our jungle I think I will get her signed up for the club.
Who knows after I use all my Estee Lauder liquid mineral foundation I might just switch too. I have been suffering with major shinies , dark circles and looking a bit drab lately .
Thanks for the info.
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Oh, very cool, Gigi! I didn’t sign up for the club — I like to order stuff as I need it, but this is a GREAT gift for your daughter!
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I’ll stick with my Cover Girl with Olay moisturizer built in. It works for me. I so seldom actually put anything but moisturizer and mascara on that the price they charge for the Bare Minerals isn’t worth it for me. But finding makeup that works for you is good. It can be a pain to do.
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Hey Janelle, I don’t wear much makeup at all. The most I do is slap on some chapstick and then I am out the door. When I was in HS I wore some makeup, but I never really got into the whole thing.
I am glad you found something that works for you. Like you, I was skeptical about this product, but I have heard only good things so far. Maybe I could try it to get rid of the spots I get on my skin. Have a great rest of the day everybody.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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There are definitely those days when I just put on chapstick and that’s it, LOL. I love those days!
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I’m often too busy w/ the kiddos to put on any kind of makeup (except moisturizer) but when I do, it’s Bare Minerals. I could never stand the way liquid foundation made my skin feel (like I was wearing a mineral mask I forgot to take off) but the mineral makeup is wonderful. I forget I’m wearing it.
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Hi Janelle,
I have been a Bare Mineral girl for awhile for some time. I get mine from QVC where they have the owner of Bare Minerals on with the products. There give views different options to buy products that aren’t offered in stores. I love it.
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I got the BM from QVC several months ago. I tried it and was trying to learn how to apply correctly but I don’t have a CD only pamplet. I have dry skin so have to be careful what I use. This did not seem to dry out my skin but I am only using 2-3 times week. Just use moisturizer other days. I will be 67 in Feb. and BM does make me look more youthful.
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I heard about this product but was skeptical. I tried a similar product and it did not cover spots on my face. Does this product even out skin tone and over red or browish spots?
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Yes! I have both, and if you have both the big fluffy brush and the flat concealer brush you can cover skin imperfections. It’s a matter of how you apply it.
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Did you get both brushes from QVC or where? And what they called so I get the correct brushes. Is there more than one concealer?
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What Gillian said, Pat! Also, BM has “concealer” that you can use beneath the powder foundation, and that helps tremendously for people who need MORE coverage.
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Thank you for lmk.
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Hi! I love Bare Minerals. I’ve been using it for 4 years now. I worked outside for a local phone company for over 25 years. So the sun and I have been at war for way too long! My skin gets very dry. Bare Minerals doesn’t show all the little lines like liquid foundations do. It feels sheer not sticky and gooey! It goes on without that line you see on most women who wear the liquid foundations and no matter how bad I do putting it on,,, it still looks good! You can not screw it up when you put it on! I LOVE THIS STUFF. If you need a great face moisturizer that’s affordable try Correctionist I buy it through Sally Beauty Supply. It is amazing! I just turned 54 and I swear it makes my skin look 10 years younger. I know this because I’ve had several friends ask me what I did to my face. I couldn’t ask for a better compliment!
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I haven’t tried bare minerals yet. Does it come with SPF? I just had skin cancer on my face and now have to always have some kind of sun block.
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Yes, it does come with SPF! That’s what I wear.
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Janelle I will have to try that I need new makeup I do use some Smooth Minerals Foundation for Avon I sell it and have had a ton of people order it so I tried it and love it but haven’t tried all their other products but now I will have to try BM and see how it works.
Glad you found something that works great for you I hate it when you put liquid makeup on and it gets all over. Yuckkkkkk