There's been a lot of fuss over mineral make-up of late, the stuff which is said to care for your skin by being free of any nasty ingredients, while making you look luminous.
We put some new products from a series of brands to the test.
Max Factor Natural Minerals Foundation
Max Factor’s venture into the mineral make-up field is their Natural Minerals Foundation.
The softly textured powder boasts the star ingredient calcium silicate which it says will give you a healthy look while not clogging your pores. The foundation certainly doesn’t make skin feel constricted, and has a shimmery, light-reflecting quality that is very pretty.
The in-built brush that comes with the foundation is a little scratchy though, best to use a softer and larger brush for applying the product.
Available from Boots and pharmacies nationwide, €19.99.
A La Carte Covertint Superfine Mineral Make-up
A La Carte’s Covertint Superfine Mineral Make-up comes in a handbag friendly container with a sponge application attached to the lid, which is mirrored for those touch-ups on the go.
It gives good, even coverage that is quite matte and conceals well. It lists talc as one of its ingredients though, which is often used as a bulking ingredient and is said to block pores.
Puff-pot 10g £30. Buy it now at: www.cosmeticsalacarte.com or call: 020 7622 2318.
Maybelline Mineral Power Powder Foundation
Maybelline have brought out a new mineral offering in the form of their Mineral Power Powder Foundation.
It gives a really natural looking finish at a bargain price. Not only is it affordable, but it is also talc-free, preservative free and fragrance free.
Available from Boots, €14.99.
Laura Mercier Mineral Powder
Laura Mercier have brought out a whole range of mineral products, from foundations, to primers, blushes and eye shadows.
The fine powder of the foundation gives you a lot of range for creating different effects. Apply a light dusting for a touch of luminosity, or layer for greater coverage.
Their shadows come in a gorgeous range of fashion-forward colours, from a smokey graphite to a gleaming sapphire hue.
The mineral blushes are equally successful, they blend seamlessly in with the foundations and give a glowing sheer finish.
Available exclusively in Brown Thomas (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick) in Ireland, foundation €42.00.
L’oreal True Match Minerals
L’oreal’s mineral foundation felt drying on my skin, and wasn’t too comfortable to wear. However their mineral eyeshadows are truly excellent products.
Coming in wearable shades, a warm copper and golden olive were the two I tried, they came with their own soft brush to apply to your eyelids. The colour is pretty intense and didn’t need much layering, and gave a really nice shimmery effect that really opened up my eyes. On top of that, the colours have great staying power. A definite go-to product for ease of application and performance.
Available from Boots and pharmacies nationwide, foundation €22.99, eye shadows €11.99.
Isa Dora Mineral Body Glow Powder
If you’re looking to take your mineral make-up a step further, then have a look at a new product from Isa Dora, their Mineral Body Glow Powder.
The powder, which is talc-free and hypoallergenic, comes in a sweet rosy pink shade. There is a special kabuki brush to apply the product, which goes onto skin easily leaving it with a faint shimmer. The powder can also be applied to the apple of your cheeks for a natural flush.
Available from Arnotts, Clerys and pharmacies nationwide, IsaDora Mineral Body Glow Powder €19.95, IsaDora Mineral Body Kabuki Brush €18.95.
Id bareMinerals Foundation
Made from pure, micronized minerals and no additives, Id bareMinerals loose foundation is pure minerals.
It is applied like a powder in circular movements and feels lightly creamy. This foundation gives strong or light coverage depending on how much you apply, but does not feel heavy. This is the best selling foundation in the US.
Available from BT2. €37.50
