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The new buzz word in the cosmetic industry is “Mineral
Makeup” that is being touted as a breath of fresh air for
the skin because minerals allow the skin to breathe,
according to beauty experts. Unlike many mainstream cosmetic
lines which contain chemicals, dyes and fragrances, these
pretty, mineral make ups are free of pore-clogging oils,
preservatives and cakey materials such as talc. Although
some mineral make up lines have been around since the late
'70s, the trend has just recently caught on with the masses.
The Mineral cosmetic hues are created by grinding mineral
pigments from rock and other natural substances. Under a
microscope, the mineral crystals look like overlapping fish
scales. These crystals form a filter that allows the skin to
breathe while offering sun protection ranging from SPF 15 to
30.
The most appealing aspect of mineral makeup is that
unlike most cosmetics, they doesn't contain
preservatives, fragrances, chemical dyes, oil, alcohol or
talc. Mineral makeup is so big right now because one can use
it on any type of skin. If you have acne or rosacea, the makeup covers it beautifully
and unlike cream foundations that feel like a rubber mask
coating your face, minerals don't look thick. They are
natural and they let your skin breathe.
Celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and
Sara Jessica Parker are preaching the mineral mantra for its
natural-looking, flawless coverage. So are skin care
specialists and plastic surgeons, who have discovered that
the cosmetics are gentle enough to use on skin after laser
resurfacing treatments, chemical peels and microdermabrasion
(a sanding away of the outer skin layers).
"Mineral makeup can be used even on very sensitive skin,"
according to Judy McIntyre, an esthetician and owner of
Facial Effects in Hazel Dell who sells Colorescience mineral
makeups. "And because they're pure minerals, you can't
really tell that you're wearing them. It gives you a really
healthy, natural look."
Sun protection: An Added Advantage
In addition to the beauty benefits, mineral makeup also
offers sun protection, cosmetic gurus say. Most mineral
cosmetics lines include an SPF ranging from 17 to 30.
Colorescience mineral makeup recently released a
colorless powder called Sunforgettable, which is SPF 30.
Although it's spendy, Sunforgettable is the first sun
protection in powder form that relies on the reflective
properties of micronized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
The powder form used as it doesn't sting the eyes while
perspiring like sunscreen can, it's easy to apply and it
lasts all day.
Further, lots of men are using mineral makeup because it
looks great, yet nobody knows they are wearing anything. A
lot of men are using Sunforgettable too for golf or skiing
because it doesn't have to be slathered on and rubbed in.
Beauty-seekers can expect to pay quite a bit more for
mineral makeup than its drug store counterparts. Mineral
"base" powders range from $25 for i.d. Bare Escentuals on up
to $40 to $50 for Colorescience or Jane Iredale. Eye shadows
range from $12 to $30 and lipsticks are $15 to $25. But
mineral lovers say the benefits are worth it.
Most makeup wearers are grateful for the coverage cream
and powder makeups can offer, but are often leery of the
effects these products can have on the skin (like clogged
pores and acne). Mineral cosmetics are marketed as the only
products that combine the benefits of makeup with skin care.
Those who believe in the magic of mineral foundation are the first
to admit that using the powders can take a little getting
used to. Unlike liquid foundation and cream concealers that
blend easily onto the skin, applying the powders require
patience at first.
However, the most important thing is to not use too much
as the minerals are very concentrated and so light layers of
application are important.
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