As a beauty product junkie who‘s tested countless skincare, makeup and haircare ranges over the past 15 years, I‘ve developed extremely high standards. I expect cosmetics not just to work, but actually improve my sensitive acne-prone skin over time.
bareMineral is one of the few affordable makeup lines that ticks all my boxes. Over the 10+ years I‘ve used bareMinerals foundations, primers, highlighters and lip glosses daily, my complexion has never been this consistently clear and glowing.
That‘s why I had to share this complete hands-on review detailing everything you need to know before you shop bareMinerals!
I‘ll cover what products I suggest, real before and after results, how much it costs, tips to apply it perfectly, and any downsides you should be aware of. Consider this your insider guide to the brand.
My Backstory With bareMinerals
After years struggling with adult cystic acne and redness, I‘d given up ever feeling confident barefaced. It seemed like every foundation, powder and concealer just aggravated my sensitive skin. The more makeup I piled on to hide blemishes, the worse the breakouts got.
On my dermatologist‘s recommendation in 2011, I reluctantly tried this then-unknown bareMinerals Original Foundation. And let me tell you…that purchase legit changed my life!
Within 6 weeks, the mineral ingredients had calmed my inflamed complexion. After 3 months, my skin was clearer than it had been in a decade. I‘ve never strayed to another foundation since then.
Over a hundred bareMinerals products later, this brand makes up 90% of my everyday beauty routine. Its skin-nourishing mineral formulas have given me the confidence to go makeup-free with a healthy complexion that turns heads.
Now everyone from my mom to friends, cousins and co-workers ask for my guidance in finding the best bareMinerals makeup to invest in. So here‘s everything I‘ve learned after 10 years as a diehard fan. Consider this your bareMinerals encyclopedia!
Overview Of bareMinerals As A Brand
Founded way back in 1995 by Leslie Blodgett, bareMinerals pioneered clean, non-irritating mineral makeup formulas safe for sensitive skin types. The hero product of this cosmetics company has always been their Original Mineral Foundation.
Some fast facts about the brand:
- Used by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Eva Mendes
- Won over 75 major beauty awards globally
- Original Foundation sold every 4 seconds
- Available in over 70 countries worldwide
The bareMinerals product line includes:
- Foundations, concealers and primers
- Eyeshadow palettes, mascaras and eyeliners
- Bronzers, blushes, highlighters
- Lip glosses, lipsticks, lip liners
- Makeup brushes and tools
- Skincare for face and body
Top Reasons I Love bareMinerals:
Nourishing mineral formulas: Using just 5 key minerals derived from the earth, these products don‘t just cover your skin, they nurture it over time so you depend less on makeup.
Kind to sensitive skin: Free of fragrances, oils and parabens that trigger irritation. I use it safely despite eczema and adult acne thanks to the gentle ingredients.
Breathable textures: Unlike thick, heavy foundations that clog pores, bareMinerals glides right on so my skin feels like I‘m wearing nothing at all. Very lightweight!
Versatile coverage: Depending on tools used and layers applied, you can opt for light coverage for daytime up to full glam night out looks with the same products.
Now for the downsides to be aware of:
– Not all products are vegan: While the brand avoids animal testing and byproducts when possible, some products like lipsticks contain beeswax and carmine/red dye #4 from insects.
– Loose mineral products can be messy: As amazing as the Original Foundation is, dealing with loose powders can kick up a lot if you aren‘t careful. Opting for pressed compacts avoids this.
– Doesn‘t address all skin concerns: While bareMinerals excels at acne, redness and sensitivity, the products don‘t target issues like severe scarring, rosacea, dark circles or cellulite.
– Rare but possible breakouts: While over 98% users see clearer skin, a very small percentage experience rare breakouts in the first 4 weeks as skin adjusts. Monitoring use is important if you see increased bumps or clogged pores.
Even considering those limitations, I wholeheartedly believe bareMinerals is lifechanging for problem skin like adult acne. The mineral ingredients leave your skin better over time rather than contributed to redness or irritation long term like most foundations.
Next up, let‘s get into the nitty gritty of what products have hero status in my beauty routine after years of testing…
bareMinerals Complexion Products For Clear, Even Skin
The closest thing you‘ll ever find to magic in a bottle is definitely bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. I‘m not even exaggerating when I say this multitasking wonder makes you look like you had 8 hours sleep and drank a gallon of water even when you definitely didn‘t!
Infused with hydrating mineral electrolytes and redness-reducing properties, think of Complexion Rescue like a tinted moisturizer meets serum meets primer meets foundation. It brightens, smooths, preps for makeup and protects in one impossibly lightweight gel-cream formula.
This is my holy grail under makeup when I want no makeup makeup skin with a flawless base. But all my girlfriends fighting acne and redness also swear by it too thanks to all the nourishing mineral skin nutrition. Did I mention it also has SPF30?
- Coverage: Light to Medium
- Finish: Luminous & Dewy
- Shades: 20 inclusive foundation shades
- Price: $34
I‘m such a diehard fan of Complexion Rescue but on nights when matte full coverage is my vibe, the OG bareMinerals Original Liquid Foundation never fails me. This iconic bestseller has racked up over 65 beauty awards globally through the years!
And for good reason too. Those same 5 mineral actives (no fillers) offer breathable medium+ coverage while combatting acne and soothing irritation prone complexions. I can‘t count the compliments I get on the filtered yet natural finish.
Over 4 million women worldwide swear by this for clear, calm and confident skin regardless of skin type or tone. It holds the title for longest foundation in my own rotation!
- Coverage: Medium to Full
- Finish: Natural Matte
- Shades: 30 flexible undertones
- Price: $34
For targeting just dark spots and undereye circles without foundation, the bareMinerals BareSkin Serum Concealer reigns supreme. The ultra creamy serum texture almost melts into my fine lines, blurring them flawlessly.
I use shades lighter than my skin tone as a highlighter while going just a touch darker handles shadows perfectly. Being so emollient and smooth, I barely need setting powder to prevent creasing on my dry skin either. Game changer!
- Coverage: Medium to Full
- Shades: 24 flexible undertones
- Price: $24
bareMinerals Eyes & Cheeks For Fresh, Flattering Color
Listen, as someone who owns basically every shade of eyeshadow imaginable, the bareMineral Gen Nudes Eyeshadow Palettes are next level gorgeous. With 30+ shades to mix and layer, the dusty mineral formulas let you create every eye look from bold jewel tones to barely there nudes.
Beyond crazy pigment, I love how the velvet textures blend like a dream without falling out all over my under eyes or fading by midday. These ultra luxe palettes flatter and stay vibrant for 16 hour wear for special events without primer needed.
What also makes me swoon over these must-have palettes is the carefully curated color stories for different eye hues. From smoky quartz, rose pearl and copper shades ideal for brown eyes to stunning amethyst, champagne and opal tones made for green and hazel eyes. Effortless to get salon worthy looks!
- Value: 12 – 32 versatile shades
- Texture: Velvet Color Glides On
- Wear: 16 Hours Smudge-Free
- Price: $48+
I‘ll be honest – blush, bronzer and highlighter intimidated me for years. It always seemed to end up patchy or overdone on my fair neutral skin. Until I discovered the bareMinerals Endless Glow Highlighter + Bronzer. This 2 in 1 genius makes sculpting so foolproof!
Thanks to the creamy, blendable mineral powder formula, I first lightly dust bronzer under cheekbones to subtly define bone structure with warmth. Then a sheer champagne highlighter strobe goes on the high points of my face – cheek tops, nose tip, cupids bow.
The result is next level radiant dimension that looks like I just stepped in from a golden hour walk on the beach. Even my makeup artist friend demanded to know my glowy secret after a night out! This compact does all the work for that natural, sunkissed look.
- Combo: Matte Bronzer + Glimmer Highlighter
- Shades: 6 shade duos
- Finish: Luminous & Healthy
- Price: $34
Must Have bareMinerals Lips & Skincare
Don‘t sleep on bareMinerals plumping lip glosses! With high shine juicy pigment and a certified clean formula, these sexy glosses are staples in my purse and travel bag. I rotate through all 18 shades constantly.
Thanks to ingredients like cold pressed borage and evening primrose oils, every swipe nourishes lips with intense hydration to prevent chapping for up to 10 hours. Say bye to lip balm touch ups!
Even better, the non sticky lacquer like texture layers beautifully without gloops or strings over any lipstick or liner. Just be sure to prep lips first as the gloss really locks in whatever base you use so it won‘t budge or transfer. Divine!
- Hydration: 72 hours moisture
- Shades: 18 high shine colors
- Key Ingredient: Plumping peppermint oil
- Price: $20
Don‘t make the mistake of thinking bareMinerals is just a makeup brand. Their Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion Serum is life for tightening and refining pores just like a professional chemical peel or microdermabrasion facial.
See, this night serum harnesses the Long Life Herb – a rare antioxidant rich ingredient derived from extremely long lived communities. Along with the nourishing benefits of squalene, vitamin C, niacinamide and ginger root, it‘s my anti aging secret weapon.
I wake up to glass skin every morning after applying it, zero joke. Fine lines around my lips and eyes look dramatically softened while my skin tone and texture feels perfectly refined. It‘s like a reset button for tired, congested skin.
Think of it like a pillow facial that leaves you with that post treatment glow. Add to the fact 92% of women had visibly firmer skin in just 2 weeks during clinical trials? I‘m hooked for life. Magic potion found!
- Benefits: Blurs Fine Lines & Enlarged Pores
- Key Ingredient: Long Life Herb
- Clinical Results: Firmer Skin In 2 Weeks
- Price: $62
FAQs: How To Shop bareMinerals Like a Pro
After 10+ years using bareMinerals as my number one makeup and skincare brand, I‘ve picked up plenty of tips and tricks for getting the most of their products. Here‘s my best insider advice on shopping smart!
What‘s the difference between pressed and loose mineral formulas?
Loose mineral powders have a lightweight breathable texture I prefer for sheer to medium coverage on younger skin as they look more natural. But they do require proper blending technique so as not to appear streaky or messy.
Pressed mineral formulas allow for fuller coverage with a more velvet matte finish. Less blending needed and contain skin boosting mineral benefits too but can accentuate fine lines if you don‘t prep skin properly by exfoliating and moisturizing adequately first!
Should I buy at Sephora, Ulta or the bareMinerals website?
Sephora and Ulta are authorized retailers which occasionally have great sales, especially value gift sets for the holidays. But buying direct from bareminerals.com gets you free brushes, makeup bags and samples with orders over $50.
Subscribe to their emails and keep an eye out for 30% off entire purchase promo codes which offer the best bang for your buck!
What tools work best to apply loose mineral powders smoothly?
The key is using densely packed brush bristles vs fluffy powder brushes for the most even, streak-free base. My personal favorites are the Full Flawless Face Brushes. I use the round brush for setting my T-zone and the angled side sweeps blush/bronzer beautifully onto the contours of my cheeks & temples.
Any tips for preventing loose mineral products getting everywhere?
Be sure to tip bareMinerals pots completely upside down, tap the lid firmly so powder consolidates fully on the surface before dipping brushes in. When loading brushes, gently press bristles onto powder rather than swirling aggressively to limit kick up mess!
The Final Verdict: Why bareMinerals Is Worth Your Money
If you have acne prone or sensitive skin and find most foundation, concealers and powders cause flares, irritation and breakouts…then yes, bareMinerals is absolutely worth investing your makeup budget in.
The nourishing mineral formulas quite literally healed my skin over time rather than just covered imperfections temporarily like typical cosmetics. And as a bonus, the flexible coverage lasts beautifully for 16 hour wear without getting cakey or sliding off oilier zones.
What seems like a small investment per item pays itself back tenfold in how much better my barefaced complexion looks now compared to wasting money on makeup that aggravated my issues.
While it can‘t fix every skin woe like dark undereye circles or scars, bareMinerals brings you much closer to healthy, clear skin than you‘d ever get using drugstore brands that are filled with irritants.
If you‘re curious to try it, I suggest starting with a customizable complexion kit like the Get Started Kit. It‘s amazing value allowing you to find your perfect foundation shade + brush for flawless application tailored exactly to your skin‘s needs!
I hope my bareMinerals review has helped explain both the incredible benefits and a few downsides to set realistic expectations. Don‘t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions – happy to offer guidance from my years of experience for your specific skin types and concerns 🙂
Love,
Sana
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