Foundation

Bare Escentuals Foundation is what originally got me hooked on the brand. It is something that I really don’t think about too often, but it is a staple in my collection, and I have been wearing it for almost 5 years now. I still remember the first time I put on my Bare Minerals foundation. I remember looking in the mirror and being so surprised as to how my skin looked. I loved it. I just couldn’t stop looking at myself and thinking I am in love with this foundation! I quickly got my mom hooked, and I’ve never looked back.

Before trying Bare Minerals, I used so many different drug store brands. Nothing seemed to help. All of those foundations clogged up my pores and gave me and downright ghoulish unnatural appearance. The unnatural ingredients didn’t do my skin any favors either, and it seemed to make any breakouts worse. I even tried Proactive to help my skin, and it ended up making my face swell up. Lovely, right?

Now I want to take a minute and address the price of Bare Escentuals foundation. Most people say that it is way too much money to spend. The price for a standard sized original foundation is $26 and the matte formula is available for $28. One jar of foundation will last me about 4-6 months on average, but sometimes I have found that it has lasted longer. Remember – a little goes a long way. You’re probably thinking that it is way too much money to spend on just a foundation. However, this is the way that I look at it. Before I found Bare Escentuals, I was unhappy with the way that I looked  and I was trying tons of different drug store brands and wasn’t happy with any of them. I probably spent hundreds of dollars that were ultimately wasted when I never finished the product. This is how I look at it: let’s say my foundation lasts me 5 months of everyday use. Dividing $26 by five months, I am paying $5.20 a month, $1.30 a week, or about $0.18 a day. That’s not bad for a natural foundation that includes spf (oh, did I forget to mention that?), will not clog your pores, and will actually improve your skin over time. My skin, while still not perfect, looks SO much better than it used to before switching to Bare Minerals.

I am so grateful that I found Bare Escentuals Foundation. In the beginning, I used the original formula of foundation. A year or so back, I began to use the new Matte formula, but I still use the original formula for concealer. Another thing to note is that it is important to make sure that you are wearing the right shade. It is best to be color matched at your local boutique or any local store that sells Bare Minerals/Bare Escentuals. I first started off by wearing fairly light foundation, but a few years back I realized that this had become the wrong shade for me. I am very fair, and the fairly light was just a bit too orange toned for me (but it is perfect for my mom.) I now wear fair foundation, and it is absolutely perfect for my skin. I love it!

Normally, I won’t be caught dead in public without a full face of makeup, but as I have been recently recovering from surgery and very tired, I decided to go out today with only foundation, mascara, and brow powder. (gasp) - but I was only out for an hour. After not wearing makeup for a week and a half, I didn’t really want to put on a full face today. And I still love the way my skin looks with just foundation on.

The most important thing when applying foundation is to make sure that your technique is correct. Bare Escentuals is famous for their slogan “Swirl, Tap, Buff“ And this is the most important thing to remember while applying foundation. Swirl your brush in the lid and make sure that the minerals get into it, tap off any excess, and buff away. It is very important to make sure that you buff enough. I buff for at least a minute, but others may need a longer amount of time. You only need a little bit (see picture – this may even be a little much) As for brushes, I am currently using the full coverage kabuki brush, but I have also used the handi buki brush. These two are probably my favorites. However, other Bare Escentuals face brushes will do (My mom is currently using the full flawless face brush I believe.)

As I mentioned, I used to use the original formula of foundation, but now I use the Matte formula. What’s the difference you ask? Well for me, I prefer the greater coverage that the Matte foundation provides. However, I still use the original formula as my concealer (I use a maximum coverage face brush for this.) Bare Escentuals does have concealer – it is called bisque, but I have found that even the lightest shade of bisque is a bit too dark for my very fair skin. I have found that concealing with my original foundation in fair really works well for me (I am also currently using this as a cover up under my eyes, as I am out of well rested – one of my favorite BE products of all time)

So I really don’t want to do this, but I’m going to anyway. I am going to show you what my skin looks like before and after foundation (gasp!) Be prepared, oh, and please forgive the hair, I really need it cut but I keep forgetting. What I am wearing: Matte Fair Foundation buffed, Original Fair Foundation to conceal, dark blond/medium brown brow powder (just to even out), and buxom mascara. That’s IT.  I hope you can see why I love Bare Minerals so much, and i encourage you to try it!

left – fair original formula foundation         right – fair matte formula foundation

Before

After