The Bare Necessities of Life! (Bare Escentuals i.d. Bareminerals Foundation)

Member Name: economistrobin

Product:	Bare Escentuals i.d. Bareminerals Foundation
Date:	17/09/08 (279 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: full coverage, looks natural, does your skin good, contains SPF

Disadvantages: can be messy, the price perhaps

Already had I converted my skincare regime to natural products yet my make up with still decidedly chemical based. Were all these chemicals in my make up undoing the natural good of my skincare routine? I am not a girl who does thing by halves so I continued my natural product rampage into my cosmetics collection starting with foundation.

Previously I had been using MAC liquid foundation which was marvellous it seemed to airbrush my skin into perfection. However, by the end of the day my oily skin had overcome the foundation and my skin reverted to its normal state. After reading several reviews on both Dooyoo and other websites I decided to purchase "Bare Minerals Foundation" by American beauty brand Bare Escentuals in the shade "fair".

Why Bare Escentuals?

It's pure. In fact the tagline to this product is "so pure you can sleep in it" as I sometimes unintentionally sleep in my make up (normally after I've just crammed all night for a test) this works for me! It also contains SPF 15 which protects you from damaging rays from the sun which are very harmful to the skin. The foundation is a powder and made of nothing but crushed minerals not just there for their concealing but also for their healing properties. So, whilst you are going about your everyday business these minerals will work on your skin making it smoother, clearer and brighter. A foundation that is actually good for your skin?! Well as soon as I heard this I had to try some.

I have always found it hard to find a foundation that matches my porcelain skin tone yet Bare Escentuals caters for every possible skin tone. They have an excellent website www.bareescentuals.com which has fantastic advice on choosing your shade, how to apply and just brilliant general information about the brand.

The Application

Unscrew the lid (duh) and tap a tiny amount of the foundation into the lid. I had reservations about using a powder foundation as I really need full coverage so initially I put way too much powder into the lid. Despite being a powder it really does offer fantastic full coverage so don't do what I did and pour a lot into the lid you will just end up with an uneven application and you will waste the product! I use the Bare Escentuals full coverage Kabuki brush and swirl the minerals in the lid tap off the excess. I then apply the powder in circular buffing motions going over any problem areas.

The Look

A natural, flawless finish my skin looks radiant and like I was blessed with it. People always comment on what brilliant skin I have ( I don't really, I still have many a blemish but Bare Escentuals has them covered!). I have been using this product for around two months now and I have noticed the difference in my skin without make up it has indeed healed my blemishes and made my skin tone clearer. The altruistic part of me wants to share this miracle product with all around me yet the selfish part of me wants to covet the foundation as my own beauty secret! It's just that amazing.

The Packaging

It comes in a transparent plastic pot with a black lid. Once you unscrew the cap you will find little holes which allow the powder to flow through. The packaging is really basic and utilitarian. It doesn't withstand the handbag environment too well. When I open the pot after its been in transit there is powder everywhere if your not very careful.

The Price

In the UK Bare Escentuals is only offered in certain salons and therefore its availability is somewhat limited. However we live in the age of the internet where nothing is unavailable! I purchased my foundation from Ebay as I have found this really good Ebay shop which has Bare Escentuals at reasonable prices (PM me if you want the name of the Ebay shop as I don't know if I'm allowed to say on here!). I bought a lot of two big 9g pots for around £24 which is a rather excellent price in my opinion. I have had my pot for two months and I am less than halfway through so it lasts for quite a long time.

The Verdict

I have found my soul mate.. In terms of foundation anyway! I couldn't even think of using anything else.

Summary: Good skin in a pot (not literally that would be gross!)