The Ins and Outs of Mineral Makeup

Natural, beautiful – just for you…

Mineral makeup is all the rage – with its pure ingredients sourced from nature and long lasting flawless coverage, it’s no wonder that it’s become the must-have essential in every girl’s makeup kit. Mineral makeup is made from natural pigments instead of dyes and leaves a beautiful finish, so it’s easy to camouflage redness or scarring. And because it’s natural, there’s less likelihood of an allergic reaction making it great for women with sensitive skin.

Mineral makeup – quick facts

1. Mineral makeup is sourced from naturally occurring minerals including zinc oxide, ultramarine (derived from lapis lazuli) and titanium dioxide.
2. Zinc oxide is a natural sun block (zinc is the white stuff surf life rescuers often use on their noses). However, unless you’re really caking it on, you should always use an additional SPF 15 or higher sun block to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.
3. Because it’s natural, mineral makeup is practically suitable for everyone as it is less likely to induce an allergic reaction, but do check the labels. Foundation made from mica or bismuth oxychloride can cause micro tears in the skin, which can be irritating for those with sensitive skin.
4. Generally, only mineral foundation is made from pure minerals – eye makeup and lipsticks usually include dyes or blends.
5. Shades are more limited as makers rely on naturally occurring pigments in their range.

Mineral makeup tips

For those who are new to mineral makeup, it’ll take a few tries to get that perfectly flawless and natural look that we all want to achieve. Practice a few times with application before taking your mineral foundation on the go. Here are some tips:

• Because of their loose nature, mineral makeup can be a bit messy and difficult to travel with. Fortunately, many makers have packaged their products in convenient compacts and as portable powders with convenient refills.
• A little goes a long way – start with minimal application and add more as needed. The nature of mineral makeup can tend to emphasise fine lines, so if you’re after a natural looking complexion, just remember that less is more.
• Even though it’s natural, dermatologists do not suggest sleeping in any type of makeup as skin should not be covered during the night. Take the time to remove your makeup before turning in for the night.
• Mineral makeup is more limited in its shades than traditional foundation products – and you’ll find the same shade will look different on different faces depending on the skin tone. Try a number of shades to find the product that best suits you. If you can’t find your exact hue, you can always blend 2 shades together for the perfect match!