Mineral Makeup-A Mini Guide I have tried to collect some of the best articles about mineral make up here. They have been written by specialists or professional users. I read them and learned a lot. I hope you can take some minutes and read them too. Enjoy! Lena George, Mineral Makeup Fan
Mineral Makeup-Natural Beauty By Lynn Starner As we become more aware of our environment and more aware of the products that we are putting into and onto our bodies, natural and homeopathic products are taking the cosmetic industry by storm. It's likely you've noticed new skincare and cosmetic companies popping up with "all natural" and "organic" products. Of course, just because they say they are, doesn't necessarily make it true. That is where consumer education comes in, and why it is so important. The title of this article is "Mineral Makeup". After learning what mineral makeup is, what products go into it, and what its benefits are, you can decide if this is the right choice for you. What Is Mineral Makeup? Mineral makeup is designed from all naturally occurring products. It is often recommended by dermatologists to women with sensitive skin, rosacea, post operative, laser and other procedures because of its intrinsic skin soothing and antiinflammatory properties. It is a powder makeup of finely milled minerals. It can provide very sheer or very opaque coverage, depending on the formulation and
application. However, it still allows natural skin radiance to show through, so you don't get the dreaded "mask" look. It is typically free of fragrance and preservatives. Minerals cannot feed bacteria, so there is no danger of spoilage, thus it needs no preservatives. It does not go bad. It is very good for oily skin because it has several oil- absorbing components. It is usually applied with a brush, and is typically shown to be "buffed" into the skin. This technique forces the makeup into your pores, which is never a good thing. A technique that works with better quality mineral makeup (which we'll discuss later) is to "dust" the makeup on, instead of "buffing" it. If a brush irritates your skin, you can also use a non-latex or flocked sponge. Application can be done either wet or dry. What Are The Ingredients? This is the most important part. Learning what is in your makeup will give you the ability to choose what will meet your needs best. These are the ingredients you will most likely come across. 路 Titanium Dioxide- A white natural sunscreen and anti-inflammatory agent. It is
highly reflect, with only a diamond being higher, and thus minimizes fine lines and some skin discolorations.
· Carmine- Crushed beetles.
· Zinc Oxide- A natural sunscreen providing broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
Well, if you're familiar with mineral makeup, it's likely you've seen the infomercials. After further research you'll find these companies use controversial ingredients, and charge quite a bit for their products.
· Sericite- A colorless mica that can be used to cut the opacity of Titanium Dioxide and also works as an oil absorber. · Cornstarch/ Rice Powder- Cosmetic gradeAn oil humectant (draws oil out of the pores). Can make acne worse as it is a source of food for bacteria. · Kaolin Clay- Natural oil-absorption. · Mica- Natural "glitter". Provides shimmer and sparkle. · Iron Oxides- Natural pigment- very opaque. Used for tinting cosmetics.
What Brand Should I Buy?
There are several good mineral makeup companies out there that provide a much better product at a more affordable price, as well as a superior customer experience. They also offer samples, which the larger companies do not. You'll get to try the makeup (unlike in the drugstore!) for a fraction of the cost before you buy it. They don't have expensive advertising and packaging to pay for, so the savings are often passed on to you.
Ingredients To Avoid These ingredients are also common, but can cause problems so are best to avoid. · Talc/ Various Powders- Common fillerscan cause respiratory problems. · FD&C Dyes- Derived from coal tar. · Bismuth Oxychloride- Known skin irritantcauses itching, rashes and breakouts. Especially prevalent when the wearer sweats. · Ferric Ferrocyanide- Controversial because of its suspected toxicity.
Lynn is the proprietor of Beauty Bliss Mineral Cosmetics at http://www.beautyblisscosmetics.com
Mineral Makeup - A Cosmetic Evolution By Ananda Mahony As a skin care specialist and someone that has suffered from skin problems in the past I am always looking for quality cosmetics and make up that minimize the impact of synthetic chemicals while at the same time support skin health. With commercial foundations this has always been difficult. Despite their ability to "cover up" many foundations contain a raft of chemical ingredients that actually worsen skin conditions such as acne and rosacea, irritate sensitive skin and significantly contribute to pore congestion. One solution to these cosmetic issues is professional mineral make up. Relatively new to the skin care market, this cosmetic emerged from the US about 5 years ago. Since then, a number of Australian brands have brought out quality ranges which have proven to be highly effective replacements to conventional liquid, powder and crème foundations. A key feature of professional mineral make up is its purity. The genuine product contains none of the potentially toxic or occlusive ingredients of conventional foundations such as mineral oils, fragrances, colors, preservatives and petrochemicals. For this reason it is of enormous benefit to those with skin sensitivities as well as reducing the overall toxic load for all users. Based primarily on titanium or zinc oxide mineral make up contains less ingredients in general thereby avoiding fillers such as talc, used to "bulk" out the formulations. As an ingredient, talc it is very cheap so offers great profit margin for producers, however it offers no benefit for the skin and can in fact
cause problems. The main disadvantages of talc as a cosmetic ingredient is its comedogenic effect which means it will clog skin and block pores. Those particularly affected by this will be people with acne, pimples, rosacea and anyone who has undergone cosmetic treatments. Talc can also have an occlusive effect on the skin, trapping heat and toxins and eventually interrupting the normal function of the skin. Rather than sinking into or filling pores, the particles sit on the surface of the skin allowing the skin to breathe properly. The pigment used is generally iron oxides or mica combined with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide which very effectively covers redness, sun damage and blemishes without contributing to congestion or stopping the skin from breathing. The other advantage is that the dense pigment of the minerals gives full coverage to skin conditions without looking unnatural or heavy on the skin. These features mean it provides ideal coverage for those with the above mentioned skin conditions. Another benefit of the mineral sitting on top of the skin means that it doesn't fill up lines and wrinkles thereby making them more noticeable. The minerals overlap like fish scales and don't fall into fine giving a "softfocus" look to the skin. Professional mineral make up is generally a dry powder, either pressed or loose. This can take some getting used to after liquid foundations however, when applied correctly, that is within 5 minutes of using a moisturizer, it goes onto the skin smoothly and settles down so that any powdery look
quickly disappears. Within 5 minutes of application, a professional version feels weightless and looks soft on the skin.
Mineral Make Up Benefits
The key ingredients are Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are also commonly found in chemical-free sunscreens and offer protection from UVA/UVB rays. Use of these ingredients provides a broad spectrum sunscreen protection. While the sunscreen protection can be quite high (up to the equivalent of 30 SPF) it is important to note that most mineral foundations aren't therapeutic products which means that they haven't been specifically tested for sun protection (unless otherwise stated). Useful as day to day protection, alternative sunscreens should be used for extended sun exposure.
« Gives full coverage for skin conditions
One note of caution is that not all mineral make ups are the same. While professional versions are generally very pure, some commercial versions may contain talc and other potentially irritating chemical ingredients. The best way to choose a good one is to read the ingredient listing on the label of the product. It is an Australian labeling requirement that all cosmetics contain a full list of ingredients so avoiding talc should be easy. If you want to ensure your version is as natural as possible avoid those with talc (known comedogenic), bismuth oxychloride (known allergen and irritant) and parabens (potential toxicity issues). Easy to apply, mineral make up is long lasting and ideal for anyone with sensitive skin, allergies, skin conditions such as rosacea, acne, pigmentation or uneven skin tone as well as those that want a natural, high performance foundation.
« Does not clog pores
« Allows skin to breathe « Pure minerals are ideal for sensitive skin « Minimizes soft lines & wrinkles « Easy to apply « May offer sun protection from UVA/UVB rays « Feels weightless Ananda Mahony ND is a naturopath and holistic skin specialist. Her practice focuses on the treatment of skin conditions and Food As Medicine. Ananda also owns Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care, a natural & organic skin care store in Paddington. http://www.vitalenatural.com.au
As a naturopath Ananda has been involved in the natural skin care industry for many years. She specializes in the treatment of skin disorders such as acne, eczema, rosacea and dermatitis as well as anti-aging.
Applying Mineral Makeup By Lynn Starner It seems that for every type of mineral makeup there is also a different technique to apply it. Now, each company may have slight differences in their makeup that when it is applied a certain way will make it look or adhere better. However, there are some very basic guidelines to applying mineral makeup that will work with almost any brand you buy. Of course, it's always preferable that you develop your own personal style- your own touch. You know how you like your makeup to look, so practice, practice, practice until you get your application method how you like it. After all, it is your face. Applying Foundation/ Finishing Powder Foundation is admittedly the hardest to apply. You see some brands that say "swirl, tap, buff" and other brands that say "don't!" What are you supposed to do? The general rule of thumb is that if a mineral makeup contains bismuth oxychloride, you'll likely have to buff it in, and buff it in well, for the makeup to look its best. Generally a kabuki brush is used with this technique. What's A Kabuki? Good question! It's a very densely packed brush. It gives very heavy coverage because so much more makeup is left on the bristles after you tap. It's a good option for people who want a more opaque look or need heavier coverage. Usually with a kabuki you must buff the minerals into your skin, or else you'll look streaky, emphasize your pores, etc.
Buffing techniques, usually with a kabuki, are known to irritate sensitive skin. Even women without sensitive skin have problems with irritation. Remember, it's "swirl, tap, buff." Fluffy Brushes Using a fluffy face brush is the other popular way to apply mineral makeup. Better quality makeup is more pigmented, so using a kabuki is out of the question for most women. But a nice fluffy brush is just the ticket since a little makeup goes a long way. Whether you choose synthetic or animal hair brushes is up to you. Both can be equally good, depending on the quality. The same basic rules apply as with the kabuki- swirl your brush in the makeup, tap off the excess and the brush in a downward motion over your face. No need to buff. If you'd like more coverage, just repeat the steps again. "Swirl, tap, brush." Almost the same words, but incredibly different effects. Applying Foundation Wet Wet? Yup. There are some gals who prefer the finish when mineral makeup is applied wet. There are a couple of ways to do it. With A Brush- Mix your foundation and some water/moisturizer/lotion, etc. until a creamy consistency. Then dip your brush in it and apply in a downward motion. It will dry to a soft powder. With A Puff/Sponge- You can either dampen your puff or sponge and dip it into your foundation and apply in a downward
motion or mix the foundation with water/moisturizer/lotion and apply with a sponge. It will dry to a soft powder.
is called "foiling" and makes the colors more bold and can even change them slightly in some cases.
Finally, you can apply your foundation dry, then mist with a hydrosol or something similar and either use a brush or a sponge to smooth the moisture into the powder. Be sure to use a downward motion. Some gals even like to layer their makeup this way. Powder, mist, smooth. Powder, mist, smooth.
For regular application, simply dip your brush into the color, tap off the excess and apply like you normally would.
Why The Downward Motion? Good question. Your pores and facial fuzz lay that way naturally. When you smooth your makeup that direction it makes a more "natural" look.
For foiling, mix some minerals with water, hydrosol, eye primer, etc. until a creamy consistency. Then apply as you normally would. When dry you can buff with a dry brush to blend (but this may cause some of the mica to come away). The foiling method works very well for eye lining. Colors that might be too bold to wear on your eye make great liner colors. Foiling them will help them last longer and show up better.
Other Facial Applications For your other color cosmetics applied to face, here are the general outlines.
And that's it! These basic tips should help you apply mineral make up like a pro. Play around with it, develop your own style and technique, and most of all...Have Fun!
Concealor- Using a taklon concealor brush or an all-over eyeshadow brush, dip it into the concealor or foundation you're using, tap off most of the excess and apply directly to the area you want to conceal. Blend very, very well. If you're using an all over concealor, complexion enhancer, finishing powder, etc. use a fluffy face brush and swirl, tap and brush lightly in a downward motion. Blush- Swirl, tap, brush in a slight curve from the apple of your cheek to your hairline. A nice fluffy blush brush works best. Eyeshadow/ Eyeliner Application This is the really fun stuff. You can apply mineral makeup wet or dry. Applying it wet
Lynn Starner is the proprietor of Beauty Bliss Mineral Cosmetics at http://www.beautyblisscosmetics.com
How to Avoid the 4 Most Common Problems with Applying Mineral Makeup By Naweko San-Joyz Is mineral make-up causing your more cosmetic problems that it seems to be solving? Well, relax. In just four easy steps, you can overcome the most common complaints associated with applying mineral make-up including itchiness, dryness, color imperfections and messiness. 1. Ending the itchiness Itchiness and dryness connected with mineral make-up must be tackled as a relational problem because the dryness could provoke the itchiness. So, let's rule out possible causes of itchiness first by ensuing you have no allergies to the mineral makeup. This requires a simple forearm patch test. To perform the test, cleanse a roughly onesquare inch area on your forearm. Let area dry. Then apply a light layer of mineral make-up to the skin. Leave the cosmetic on for 24 hours, then rinse it off. If no rash, redness or itching occurs, you should not need to worry about having allergies to mineral make-up. If you do have allergy symptoms, stop using the mineral make-up. Another indirect source of allergies arising from mineral make-up could be the brush applicator. People develop allergies to cat hair. Similarly, you could develop an allergy horse hair, which is sometimes used in cosmetics brushes. Make sure you are not allergic to your brushes.
2. Dryness Mineral make-up can be great for acne and large pores because of the drying effect of its common ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. However, this trait my not prove ideal for dry skin. To help minimize moisture loss, apply a rich moisturizer, or nighttime face cream before dusting on the mineral make-up. Moreover, mineral make-up exhibits an exfoliating effect on the skin which is superb for acne, but potentially excessive for dry skin. To compensate for the extra exfoliation that mineral make-up delivers, you can reduce your usage of other exfoliating products like astringents or athome microdermabrasion treatments. 3. Color The titanium oxide inside mineral make-up reflects and diffuses light, which helps camouflage skin blemishes like age spots and acne scars. Because the look of mineral make-up is so readily influenced by light, you need to apply this product in full spectrum light to view how your selected make-up shade truly looks on your skin. For instance, once you apply your mineral make-up in the bathroom, go outside into the sunlight and view how your make-up looks in full spectrum daylight. The results may scare you. You may look two shades lighter or darker than you did in the bathroom. Now that you know how the
mineral make-up appears in full spectrum light, you can adjust your cosmetic shade as needed. 4. The mess How can getting pretty create such a mess? Mineral make-up by nature is dusty and so to keep your cosmetic application as tidy as possible, you have to practice dust control. Here's how: a. Set the foundation jar on a paper towel. b. The foundation jar should contain a middle, porous lid that sifts the foundation for a more sheer application. As you shake the foundation jar to sift the mineral make-up, your create dust. To avoid a sifting dust cloud upon opening the jar, after your shake the closed foundation jar, let the jar set for 10 seconds so that the mineral make-up dust can settle and not fly all over your countertop. c. Next, to avoid creating a mess on your face, lightly
dip the foundation brush into the sifted foundation. You don't want a thick layer on the brush because this creates dust. Furthermore, when trying to correctly apply a foundation, it is always easier to apply more foundation than it is to remove excess foundation. Now, perhaps you will have four less problems when applying mineral make-up. Enjoy. Naweko Nicole Dial San-Joyz founded Noixia, a San Diego based research firm dedicated to helping people intelligently, safely and affordably enhance their image by offering custom skin solutions to people with acne scars http://www.Noixia.com on the face and body. San-Joyz She has appeared on radio stations, in newspapers and on TV shows across the United States promoting beauty through health consciousness. Anyone seeking to enhance their image and remove acne scarring can find custom, clinically proven solutions at http://www.Noixia.com
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