Bare Escentuals bareMinerals foundation, quite a mouthful to get you tongue around, luckily for me it has not been such a struggle to use as it is to say! bareMinerals is cited as "looks like a powder, feels like a cream and buffs on like silk, giving skin a natural luminosity." (www.bareescentuals.co.uk/id/) which I feel is quite a claim, and one I originally thought there is no way this foundation is living up to this and I was doubly glad that I hadn't splurged my hard earned cash on the foundation, instead receiving it from my mum as a present. However, I have been pleasantly surprised since I have started using this - and I am about to part with money to replace the foundation I am about to review....


**Packaging, how much you get for your pennies and how many pennies it will cost**

bareMinerals is, as the name suggests, a mineral powder foundation rather than the traditional liquid foundation. As such it is packaged a little bit differently, a clear "glass" tub, with a black lid. On the lid is marked the fact that it is foundation, which, although sounds trivial, is handy when you have the rest of the bareMineral "complexion" set which includes a mineral veil which is packaged nearly identically - and if you are anything like me in the morning you need all the extra help you can get!

On opening the tub for the first time you simply peel away the plastic cover which is covering the holes that allow the powder to tip out. At first I was worried about the fact that the powder would spill all over the place whilst being chucked around in my make up bag, however the holes are covered by twisting the top of the tub which then covers them. The best example I can think to describe this is similar to a container of salt where you turn the lid to let the salt flow and turn it back to store it! As such, the foundation stays in the bottom of the container (where it is meant to) until you are actually ready to use it. I feel that this keeps it fresher for longer.

Each jar comes with 8g of product for the princely sum of £23 if you buy from the website, or standard department stores (e.g. John Lewis/Debenhams) although it is available cheaper from the likes of Amazon (£17.57). Originally I thought 8g is not a lot of product and looks like a very small amount - however it lasts incredibly well, I have only just finished my first pot 8 months later using the foundation on average about 4 times a week, so in justifying spending another £23, I have worked out that this is only £2.86 a month which to me is a much more acceptable amount!


**Whats the right colour for me?**

The first thing you need to think about with foundations is what colour will match my skin and not give me a dreadful tidemark so everyone can see I wear orange foundation! The range of shades for bareMinerals is fantastic and I find the "shade selector" very easy to use. The way this works is by splitting your skin into a "shade family"; Light, Medium, Tan, Dark, Deep and then cross referencing with an undertone; cool, neutral or warm. I have the Medium Beige shade, which is a medium warm foundation. The foundation matches my skin tone well, even when I am tanned, though in the winter it is sometimes a little warm and so I feel that it would be beneficial to have 2 of the foundations.

I would say if in doubt I would go to a department store and ask them to shade match you, something I normally do if buying a liquid foundation, but have found the need to be less so with the mineral foundations.


**Application and Utensils**

As this foundation is a mineral powder you need some form of "utensil" to apply, its not like liquid foundation you can just rub in using your finger tips. I personally use the Bare Escentuals Full Flawless Brush. This looks like a large bronzer brush and is soft on the skin when applying.

To apply the foundation I simply follow the instructions I found online:
- Tip a SMALL amount into the lid of the tub
- SWIRL the brush around the lid
- TAP the brush by banging the handle against your wrist (be gently though to save bruising yourself!) to remove excess mineral foundation
- Apply to the face in a circular motion

I do find that I have to apply a couple of layers in order to achieve an even coverage across my face, although I do have red patches across my skin, the foundation does cover them provided that I apply thin layers followed by the rest of the Bare Escentuals set including the foundation, mineral veil and "warmth" pot, which is more expense to be shelled out, alongside the cost of the brush.


**Foundation on my skin**
I do have sensitive skin, but have found no problem with the foundation. I have suffered no breakouts or extra dry skin. I also feel comfortable enough to sleep in this, as it does feel as though my face can breathe and my pores aren't clogged as they sometimes feel with liquid foundations.

It doesn't offer the same smooth finish as you do find with liquid foundations, but I find it does cover up my imperfections and is quick to apply as minimum blending is required as it is a gradual build up of layers over my skin rather than application of liquid, blending, getting frustrated, having to blend down my neck with the liquid, adding bronzer, so it has cut my getting ready time down quite significantly!


**Other Stuff**

I think one of the important facts to note is that the foundation is SPF 15, although I wouldn't rely completely on this as a sun cream it is nice to know that my face is protected in the rare moments when we get sun in the UK, as my face is the place I tend to forget when applying suncream!



**Would I recommend?**

I would recommend that anyone buy to try the bareMinerals range, especially because there are often offers on starter kits which supply all the brushes and different elements to the complexion range (e.g. the mineral veil) - its a great present to either ask for or to give to someone!