Audrey Dao

Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup ($29) Yes, it’s the latest rage in skincare, but why? Mineral Makeup contains no talc, oils, artificial dyes, or fragrance – just naturally derived minerals – making it the perfect for even the most sensitive skin, oily or dry.

So why is Urban Decay’s Mineral Makeup different from other mineral foundations out there? The package just might be our favorite thing – totally mess-free. Other brands’ makeup needs to be poured and brushed and swirled and whatnot. Ours comes with an attached puff. Just puff it on for a flawless finish anywhere – at your vanity or on the subway. Use a little for sheer coverage or keep puffing for heavier coverage. Titanium dioxide, a major ingredient, provides formulation color and great coverage. The handy on/off switch means you can toss it in your purse – no spills.

Another unique thing about Surreal Skin: you’ll get a semi-matte finish instead of the shiny finish other mineral foundations provide. The result is natural, not made-up, and totally weightless.

My Thoughts:

This reminds me of Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 Foundation. The mineral foundation comes in a jar that has a powder puff attached. I don’t use this as foundation because it’s bit too powdery for my liking. However, the finish is very natural and light. The coverage depends on how much you apply. It can range from sheer to medium. It’s a semi-matte finish that keeps the oily shine at bay for most of the work day. I actually use this as a setting powder. I screw off the lid, pour a little bit of the mineral foundation into the lid, and use my powder brush to apply. These foundations have a yellow undertone to them so finding a shade to match me wasn’t too difficult. The yellowness will help tone down redness too! If I do use this as a foundation, I make sure to even out the application by using a powder brush or a makeup sponge or you’ll be left with circular powder marks on your face from the powder puff. Because this mineral makeup is packaged exactly like Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 Foundation, to replace the powder puff (a breading ground for bacteria) just buy the replacement powder puffs from Philosophy 3 for $3. If you’re looking for a mineral foundation, give Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup a try.

Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder ($29) One of our Co-Founder’s favorite products! This shine-stopping pressed powder blots oil and keeps shine at bay. Try it on naked skin (if you run into the hot guy at the gym), or over foundation (for touch-ups on the dance floor without destroying your makeup). Because the formula contains super lightweight, oil-absorbing rice powder, you won’t feel the powder, but you’ll see the shine-free results. The lavender shade applies invisibly and works on every skin tone, from dark chocolate to palest porcelain.

Keep De-Slick in your bag at all times! The gorgeous, transparent purple compact seems to glow from within, featuring Urban Decay embellishments of skulls, flourishes and flowers. Pop it open to reveal a mirror and handy application puff.

My Thoughts:

This is perfect for people who suffer from midday oily shine (like me). I keep this in whichever bag I am carrying for day. Even though it comes with a powder puff, I don’t use it. I just carry a mini kabuki brush with me. It ensures me a light application, and I won’t have to worry about being left with a white cast. The powder is a white lavenderish translucent powder that becomes invisible when you apply it. If you apply too much, you’ll notice a white cast. Don’t worry though, the white cast is easily smoothed and blended away. The powder keeps your face matte for several hours (and that was during summer!). The powder is pricey, but it will last you a very, very long time. I’ve had this for nearly a year, and I am no where close to hitting the bottom. A little dab is all you need. The compact is a little on the heavy side, but at least you know it won’t break on you if its gets tossed around.

Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit ($60) If you hate the look and feel of traditional makeup but want flawless coverage, join the millions of women who have fallen in love with bareMinerals. Everything you need to achieve complexion perfection from foundation to finishing touch is right here. Kit includes:

• TWO shades of bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation: Light & Golden Medium (Size: Medium)
• Mineral Veil (Size: Medium)
• Warmth All-Over Face Color (Size: Medium)
• Full Flawless Face Brush
• Flawless Application Face Brush
• Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush
• How-to DVD to show you how to Swirl, Tap, Buff your way back to the skin you were born with.
• Bonus Gift-Well-Cared For Brush Conditioning Shampoo (Full-Size)

My Thoughts:

I usually don’t use loose mineral/powder makeup because I am really clumsy. Can you imagine the mess if I were to drop or accidentally knock over the container? Anyways, I gave in and got this kit. I wanted to see what all they hype was about. I know. I’m such a follower. Back to the review. I’m still on the fence when it comes to bareMinerals. I just can’t get over the loose mineral/powder concept. I don’t like the brushes that came in the kit. They shed and are kind of scratchy. I have dry patches and I found that the loose mineral/powder would accentuate them. I also found it to be too matte for my liking. I like to have a glow to my skin. It gives a natural coverage. Overall, I wouldn’t purchase this again. It’s actually going back to the store. It’s just not for me. I’m sure it’s actually really great. I mean people rave about bareMinerals for a reason. If you’re a beginner or want to pounce on a good deal, get this kit. It may work for you.

Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder($59) A powder that reduces fine lines & wrinkles in 10 minutes? It’s not magic, it’s new HALO HYDRATING PERFECTING POWDER. HALO is the first anti-aging powder with the science of skin care built in. It’s advanced formulation of pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids and a powerful peptide deliver powerful anti-aging benefits while the patented hydration system continuously revitalizes skin for a brighter, more radiant complexion all day. HALO’s innovative built in shaver gives you the perfect amount of luminous loose powder every time with no mess. Finally, a powder that multi-tasks as much as you do.

Clinical studies show:
-After 10 minutes there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.
-After 6 weeks of use, there is a 67% decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overall.

Includes a custom KABUKI BRUSH for flawless application plus a sample of our award-winning PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER.

Oil-free, Talc-free, and Paraben-free. Winner of the HBA Award for Best Prestige Packaging.

My Thoughts:

As a foundation, it provides minimal coverage. It looks better used as a powder to set your foundation. I’m usually not a fan of loose powder because of the potential messiness, but I have to admit no messiness came from this loose powder. The built in shaver gives the perfect amount to use everytime. It makes my skin look so good and gives a natural glow. The color stays true with no fading throughout the day. It feels very light and doesn’t settle into fine lines. The $59 can be a  huge turn-off, but since you’re not wasting product from having to pour or shake the powder out like you normally would with other loose powders, it’ll last you for quite some time.

Too Faced Caribbean In a Compact ($25) All right girls listen up…enough sun damage and endangering your life with those nasty UVB and UVA rays. There is no excuse when Too Faced has created five unique one-of-a-kind bronzers. Control your fake bake and choose a subtle glow or a savage tan.

My Thoughts:

I have this bronzer in Snow Bunny (pictured). I use this as a bronzer, highlighter, and blush. It’s shimmery, but nothing to be afraid of. It gives you a healthy glow. I’ve had this for a couple of years now and I still haven’t hit the bottom yet. I mostly use this during the late fall, winter, and early spring when I am pale and in desperate need of some color. I love how it doesn’t make me orange or look like I have a fake tan. It gives you a natural look.

Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder ($32.50) Unique mineral treatment measurably reduces redness on contact. It’s lab-certified. Under its care and cover, visible redness and broken capillaries virtually disappear-instantly and for hours. Patent-pending formula helps skin “keep its cool.” Oil-free, talc-free. With anti-bacterial brush. Appropriate for skins with mild-to-moderate Rosacea or reactive redness.

My Thoughts:

I have blotchy red skin so I decided to try this powder after seeing it advertised in many magazines. The texture of the powder is nice, but it left a powdery finish (something I try to avoid). I was told it takes some time to reduce the redness, but I’ve been using it for quite some time now and I haven’t seen much improvement. However, when I am wearing the powder, my redness is reduced, but not much. Does that sound confusing? So to recap, when I am wearing the powder, the redness is reduced a little bit. When I remove the powder, redness is back. This redness reducing powder is listed as skin care, and I was hoping it would be a treatment for my redness, but I guess it’s not. I wouldn’t buy this again because it’s expensive and the results are not worth it. I can achieve the same results using foundation and concealer for much cheaper.

I actually liked Mineral Veil ($19) when I used it. I stopped because I personally don’t like loose powders. I’m clumsy, and I am always dropping stuff. Dropping this stuff will be one big giant mess! Mineral Veil really does a good job of keeping the oily face at bay. It’s really light weight and sheer. I actually tried Mineral Veil first, but found it to be a bit ghostly, pale and flat on my face. I decided to give Tint Mineral Veil a try. I was glad I did! It added a warmth and a bit of color to my face. I highly recommend this if you’re into loose powders or want to try loose powders.

Feather Light        Mineral Veil    Tinted Mineral Veil

I initially loved The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 foundation ($35), but as time passed I began noticing the powdery finish it left and that was a mjaor turn-off. It didn’t seem to blend into my skin, but rather sit on the surface of my skin. I did like the light feeling, and the quick, easy application. I just did not care for the unnatural, powdery finish. The coverage is also sheer and not buildable. If you tried to layer it on for coverage, then you will definitly be left looking like you covered your face with powder. I loved the cute little jar-like case it came in, but I didn’t like the sponge puff. I didn’t like having to constantly buy the replacements from Philosophy ($3 for 3), because I couldn’t find sponges like those elsewhere.

Beige                       Bronze              Extra Rich           Natural              Porcelain

Rich                           Sand