Bare Minerals/Bare Escentuals is sooooo good!

[iheartscience]

I just bought the Bare Minerals/Bare Escentuals starter kit yesterday and tried it out just now and I LOVE it! It''s super lightweight and I can''t even tell I''m wearing make up!

For the most part I don''t have skin issues, but I definitely have some redness and dark circles under my eyes, and I am super impressed with how even my skin looks. I could probably use my regular concealer under my eyes still, but even without that the coverage is pretty good.

Does anyone else here use Bare Minerals/Bare Escentuals? If so, any tips for this make up rookie? I am definitely a convert!

 

[sera]

Isn''t it great?! I was skeptical to try some *gasp* infomercial stuff, but when I found it at Sephora I went ahead and tried it. I was amazed! I have SUPER sensitive skin and stuff usually whacks it out making it dry or oily or whatev... this stuff does not irritate my skin in the slightest... it feels and looks natural and stays on.

My tip:
Seriously just "swirl, tap and buff" and not, ''swirl, tap, buff, that doesn''t look like enough, swirl, buff'' because a little goes a long way

Their primer is really nice, but definitely use a primer whether theirs or not- it will go on even nicer.

 

[risingsun]

How do you know what color foundation to try? It sounds good, but where do you start?

 

[iheartscience]

I just asked the woman at Sephora! There are different shades for each starter kit, but I was the light shade. I am not super fair, but it definitely seems to match my skin. My sister was medium, though, so I would definitely ask someone to help you. They'll test it on you too if you want them to. I just believed them and bought the light one, though!

Also, the starter kit comes with two shades-mine came with fairly light and light. So once you're done with the starter kit I think you just buy 1 of whichever color you prefer. I don't see a big difference between the two shades, honestly. I think I used the light shade tonight, which I believe is darker than fairly light.

Do you have a Sephora near you? If not, I bet you can go on the Bare Minerals website and look at the example women to get an idea of what shade you would be. There's a link on the front page of BareMinerals.com that you can click on to see example ladies.

 

[sera]

I''m very fair and I use the lightest one (Fair). The next one has a beige undertone which does not match me. So, the "Light" starter kit is too dark/beige for me.

When you get the kit you can use more of one shade than the other to match perfectly (the kit just didn''t work for me because it didn''t have the Fair color with neutral base- also, the "Warmth" is too dark for me... looks like dirt on me lol). So that said, each kit will cover a pretty wide range of skintones.

Also, the kit have a bit smaller containers- they still last a long time and I don''t see how anyone could use a whole thing of Warmth. I don''t use Warmth at all. I use the Powder Foundation, Mineral Veil, and primer. You can also get a concealer if needed- I''ve use it and it works well.

Target actually has the starter kits now. You could at least see the color on the box if a Sephora is not near you. The pictures on Sephora seem pretty close to what they actually are.

 

[matildawong]

My mom sent me a starter kit for Christmas. Totally out of the blue, actually, and I love it! I love Mineral Veil and agree that it looks impossible to run out of Warmth.

I love the Kabuki brush and my mom went back and got me the eyes kit and I love that too. The eye shadow kit is so easy to use and you can go light or heavier with this "soft focus explorer" color for a great effect.


I used to watch the infomercials late at night because the Bare Minerals woman has a soothing voice. Totally lulled me into a relaxed state.

 

[Angel7]

I love my Bare Minerals as well. I have very light, reddish skin and it does a great covering job. I recently tried Sheer Cover, not a fan of it. They''re mascara is GREAT, but I am returning the whole set for a refund. I''ll stick with my Bare Minerals!

Congrats on finding a makeup you love, it can be so difficult!!!

 

[Elmorton]

My wedding makeup was bare minerals...I was really skeptical (like, how is a POWDER going to conceal my under eye circles??!!) but I''ve never had more beautiful makeup - I looked natural but with a little extra. I use the mineral veil over my other makeup and got a little travel one on my wedding day to soak up any sweat and oil (it was hot), but otherwise, haven''t gone completely over to the other side yet - I''m too stuck on my liquid makeup. Both my mom and one of my friends went over to bare minerals, and now they''ve both graduated back to a mix of that and the makeup that they wore before.

 

[Erin]

I use it too because I'm fairer with T-Zone reddness. However, if I'm being honest, I still put Clinique makeup under my eyes before putting the powder all over my complexion. I can't figure out how to get the powder to help with the darkness under my eyes. Maybe I need to get their concealer.

Also, for the longest time I didn't know what to do with the mineral veil but it does provide a nice finishing touch on the overall evenness. Wish I would have figured that out sooner. Warmth is the perfect color for my blush - but still a little goes a long way and will probably never need to buy it again.

I use two of their eyeshadows - Sex Kitten and Panther. Love, love, love, love, love. When I'm in the mood I use Tortoise as an eyeliner.

 

[applequeen]

Another Bare Minerals user here... I've been using it for almost 2 years and I love it. I have really really oily skin and what I like about it is that my skin doesn't feel greasy or like my makeup is sliding off. If I have something to do after work I can just blot my face really good with toilet paper and put new make up on without having to wash my face and start over (sorry if that sounds a little gross but it's been a lifesaver for me timewise). My skin never feels dirty like it used to.

I still use regular liquid concealer under my eyes and that sort of thing. I also carry a pressed powder compact with me (Merle Norman) for touch ups during the day since my experiences trying to carry the Bare Minerals were a little messy (but I do keep a thing of foundation and warmth in my desk just in case).

I ususally use Glee (the pink version of warmth) since that looks better on me and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the lipsticks

 

[somethingshiny]

Huge fan! I use the fairly light foundation with SPF. This is my entire make-up routine:

1. Moisturize after shower
2. Apply Bisque under eyes and around nose with the concealer brush (i'm really pale and you can see all the blue veins in those areas)
3. Swirl tap buff on some foundation (like one poster said, only ONCE. Go away from the mirror for a moment if you have to. When you come back you'll be amazed at how good you look)
4. Add some glee or true to cheeks
5. Apply mascara (not BE brand) and lipgloss.
6. If I want the perfect look, I'll put on the Mineral Veil

of course there are the days when I do the whole eyeliner, eye shadow, etc but it's not the norm for me.

In the summertime, I usually skip the foundation because my skin looks so much healthier since I started using it. If I use the foundation when I'm a bit tan, I just mix in some Warmth.


The first one I bought on QVC. I matched my shade to the model who most closely resembled me. I did the QVC thing because it was $35 for the foundation and the brush. Instead of paying at least $20 for the brush separately. Now, I buy the foundation/bisque at the salon for $25 because I don't need the brushes.

I have eye shadows (which are beautiful and stay so nicely), and all of the complexion enhancers. They last forever, I actually am on my first containers! I also love the Soft Focus Eye Shadow Brush. It really allows you to apply a very minimal amount so I still get the color without looking like a clown (since I'm pale). I've mixed the darker colors with water and apply as an eyeliner, too. It stays really well.

I've used the lipsticks and lipgloss and while I do like them, I don't think they're as perfect as the make-up.

Oh, recently I thought I'd "save" money and try the various brands of mineral makeup. That was a complete waste! None of the ones I tried are anywhere near BE. With one I broke out immediately, with another it settled in my lines, and another one just had a weird odor. So, if you like BE, stick with it!!

btw-one .3 oz container of foundation lasts me around 6 mo. So, it's really not expensive.


wow, it sounds like I'm on one of their infomercials! Sorry!!

 

[blushingbride]

I love, love, loooooove the stuff!!

I just started using it about 3 months ago and I honestly can''t say enough good things about it. I also have dark circles and uneven skin tone so, I really thought this stuff would never work. I ended up getting the concealer and that, along with the fondation and mineral veil covers everything perfectly! A litte DOES go a long way...

I''m curious about the primer - what do you ladies think - is it something that really makes a huge difference???

 

[Elmorton]

Starset, Sex Kitten was the one I wore on my wedding day-- I'd forgotten that until you posted! It WAS a gorgeous, gorgeous color.

I forgot to mention - I'm addicted to the lip plumping gloss. I wear "Candi" almost daily, but I have one that's more nude that's also really really pretty.

My make-up artist hated the mascara, btw - she said it was the only BE product that she honestly doesn't like - she suggested the classic green and pink tube (is that cover girl?) for my wedding. I also could neeeever do the eyeliner like she did, with the wet brush/powder...my hand just isn't that steady!

 

[iheartscience]

Thanks for all the tips everyone! I am definitely going to go back to Sephora and try the Bisque on my dark circles since it sounds like it''s a good concealer. I don''t wear eyeshadows on a daily basis but I might try one or two and get them for special occasions.

It''s probably going to take me a little while to get used to the routine, though, because I really just do powder and concealer and mascara in the mornings, and this definitely takes me longer right now. But I''m still so impressed with how even it makes my skin look!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 4/22/2008 1:26:43 PM
Author: blushingbride
I love, love, loooooove the stuff!!

I just started using it about 3 months ago and I honestly can''t say enough good things about it. I also have dark circles and uneven skin tone so, I really thought this stuff would never work. I ended up getting the concealer and that, along with the fondation and mineral veil covers everything perfectly! A litte DOES go a long way...


I''m curious about the primer - what do you ladies think - is it something that really makes a huge difference???

bb, I''m happy to hear the concealer works on dark circles-I''m going to get it for sure the next time I''m out at the mall!

I haven''t use the primer yet, either...I''m also interested in what everyone says about it!

 

[sera]

Date: 4/22/2008 4:37:01 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 4/22/2008 1:26:43 PM
Author: blushingbride
I love, love, loooooove the stuff!!

I just started using it about 3 months ago and I honestly can''t say enough good things about it. I also have dark circles and uneven skin tone so, I really thought this stuff would never work. I ended up getting the concealer and that, along with the fondation and mineral veil covers everything perfectly! A litte DOES go a long way...


I''m curious about the primer - what do you ladies think - is it something that really makes a huge difference???

bb, I''m happy to hear the concealer works on dark circles-I''m going to get it for sure the next time I''m out at the mall!

I haven''t use the primer yet, either...I''m also interested in what everyone says about it!

It does... and it''s funny because like Elmorton I thought, "How can a powder cover circles?!" I also thought it might make the undereys look crepe-y but it doesn''t.

I use bisque because I am light and it has a neutral undertone, but I''m thinking I may try Well Rested because it has a yellow base which would counteract my circles. It also brightens.

Bummer about being so white is that the circles are there when I''m tired or not.

However, it will be quite some time before I try Well Rested because I just bought Erase Paste by Benefit- I dab a tiny bit on over my BE and it brightens up the eye area masking the bit of shadow still showing through.

 

[Harleigh]

I love hearing all of the feedback from you ladies about BM! I think I bought some generic stuff a few years back and had a not so nice reaction to it.

I am thinking of buying the BM/BE to try to prepare myself for my wedding in 3 months...what do you recommend getting? I already have all of the brushes necessary for application, but in looking at their website or Sephora''s, it seems you only get a deal if you buy the starter kit.

I don''t normally wear foundation, but I know I will need it for the wedding, so I would like that, blush, mineral veil and some eye shadows. I lean towards pinks, plums and more cocoa colored hues.

Any suggestions???

I am also looking for a great mascara to LENGTHEN and separate my lashes...they are pretty long, but most mascaras clump on me for some reason.

Thanks ladies, you are the best!!!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 4/22/2008 7:59:46 PM
Author: Harleigh
I love hearing all of the feedback from you ladies about BM! I think I bought some generic stuff a few years back and had a not so nice reaction to it.

I am thinking of buying the BM/BE to try to prepare myself for my wedding in 3 months...what do you recommend getting? I already have all of the brushes necessary for application, but in looking at their website or Sephora's, it seems you only get a deal if you buy the starter kit.

I don't normally wear foundation, but I know I will need it for the wedding, so I would like that, blush, mineral veil and some eye shadows. I lean towards pinks, plums and more cocoa colored hues.

Any suggestions???

I am also looking for a great mascara to LENGTHEN and separate my lashes...they are pretty long, but most mascaras clump on me for some reason.

Thanks ladies, you are the best!!!

Well, I'm still a Bare Minerals rookie, but I do think the best value is the starter kit, even if you don't need the brushes. And actually, if you're confident about which color you need, I would order online from BareMinerals.com because they give you free stuff online that you don't get from Sephora. GRRR! (I had a Sephora gift card, though, so oh well!)

And I don't know if the little DVD is to be believed, but the brushes are all specific and different. I don't have a single other make up brush, though, so I'm sure you could use different brushes that are the same type.

Okay, I just looked on Sephora.com, and the foundation is $25, the mineral veil is $19, plus you get the primer ($21) and the warmth ($?) in the kit. So I would definitely get the starter kit!

Now, for mascara, I love Maybelline Great Lash. I get blackest black color and I get waterproof, so the tube is pink with a black top. I really like it because it's kind of liquidy so it doesn't clump easily. I curl my eyelashes and then put on the mascara. Then I run my finger back and forth on the eyelashes to get the extra mascara off so it doesn't clump. I just use my index finger and run it back and forth against the surface of lashes that is "facing" forward, if that makes sense. It's my best trick when it comes to make up and I NEVER have clumps! If I want my lashes to be even more noticeable (if I'm going out or whatever), I wait for the mascara to dry, curl them again and put mascara on again and use my finger to get the excess off again.

I don't use blush (although I will use the BM warmth now) and I don't wear eyeshadow, but my twin sister does and she swears by MAC for eyeshadow.

 

[sera]

You do get a better deal with the kit because of the brushes, but they are smaller sizes (NOT trial sizes... they will last a long time... but they are a bit smaller than the full size, so to add in the full price separates to see how much of a deal you're getting isn't completely accurate... though it's still a reallllllly good deal!)

Harleigh, as for the best lengthening mascara... I just asked that question here. I'm waiting for my Two-Timer mascara from Sephora... still hasn't shipped yet. I will say that Stila has not clumped on me... I love the Multi-effect because it has a great curved brush... it does lengthen, it just wasn't this uber-lengthening I was looking for but is a nice non-clumping mascara.

ETA: You might like the BE Smokey Eye kit. It's two shadows... a gray lavender and what they call a bronzed brown (which is actually not as dark as it sounds... it's very subtle.

 

[Harleigh]

Thanks so much, thing! That was really helpful!

Soo, do you think Sephora or the BareEscentuals website is the best deal? I think I''m confused, but I may just go ahead and get the starter kit and start all over.

Great tips about the mascara, too...I sometimes stick my finger across my lashes, but that''s usually to get a clump out! I think I use the Maybelline Great Lash, also, but I think it''s the thickening kind...I need the lengthening and separating kind! Back to Wal-Mart, I suppose!

 

[Harleigh]

Ha ha, Sera, good timing on the mascara question!

Thanks for your help, too...maybe I could use the smaller brushes as my travel set?

Still trying to figure out which is the better avenue to go through, Sephora or BareEscentuals directly...

I will wait to hear from others before I pull the trigger, tho!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I''ve worn Bare Minerals for years, I love how easy it is to apply--I get better coverage than I have with foundation and it''s great for sensitive skin.

The problem I always had with it was that the undertone was always just a tiny bit orange for my pink skin. After using Bare Minerals for 4 or 5 years, I JUST made the switch to Laura Mercier''s mineral makeup and it''s perfect. I''ll still use Bare Mineral eyeshadow, though!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 4/22/2008 9:09:50 PM
Author: Harleigh
Thanks so much, thing! That was really helpful!


Soo, do you think Sephora or the BareEscentuals website is the best deal? I think I''m confused, but I may just go ahead and get the starter kit and start all over.


Great tips about the mascara, too...I sometimes stick my finger across my lashes, but that''s usually to get a clump out! I think I use the Maybelline Great Lash, also, but I think it''s the thickening kind...I need the lengthening and separating kind! Back to Wal-Mart, I suppose!

Sorry, I was rambling so I doubt I was very clear! I would order the starter kit from BareMinerals.com because they send you extra free gifts that don''t come with the starter kit I bought at Sephora. They send you eyeshadow and a brush and something else. And it''s the same price, although it says you do have to pay shipping and handling.

The mascara I get is just the totally regular kind, except it''s waterproof. I''m not sure if that makes a difference. It could have a different consistency than regular, maybe? And really, the finger trick in combination with that mascara makes my lashes totally separated.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Ulta sells and and with their coupons you can get a really good deal.

 

[Harleigh]

Thanks for all of the tips, everyone! I still haven''t decided what to do yet...I have a few months before the wedding to figure it all out!

 

[carabella]

A friend of mine who I see after work every couple of months used to have really bad skin -- eczema, blotches, adult acne. I got together with her a few weeks ago and was amazed at how beautiful her skin was! It was new, fresh, even toned and clear. I thought she''d had a peel or laser resurfacing....nope, just started using bare minerals. I''ve seen all the infomercials, the huge displays at Sephora, Ulta....and Nordstrom but stuck with my favorite Chanel foundation. Finally, I had to try some...luckily, Nordstrom was on my way home so I stopped in....and got the starter kit...LOVE IT! The saleswoman said they have some exclusive extras like a travel compact and another brush. I haven''t compared it to others but knew if I got it at Nordstrom and it didn''t work out I could return it....but I love it. I have since returned and purchased two eye kits and the nighttime treatment RareMinerals. I normally wear Chanel foundation and while I still love it and wear it, I''m hooked on bare minerals. I''ve also heard great things about Laura Mercier''s mineral makeup and think that may be my next purchase after I finish my bare minerals.

 

[mel047]

Just found this thread and wanted to add my two cents.

I''ve been using bare minerals for almost two years and also think it''s absolutely wonderful. I have super oily skin and it provides great coverage without the weight.

My few tips:
- I bought a blush set that came with an angled brush at their store. I''ve always loved blush but could never do it well. The angled brush is awesome and makes things super easy.

- Also, just bought a brush on sephora that I think will make BE more portable. It has a refillable well to put the powder in.