Mineral Makeup. What are you really buying?

Tue, 24 November 2009 11:21AM

Mineral Makeup. If your not using it or haven’t tried it, then jump in the DeLorien Marty McFly and get your cutey patooty back to the future. Immediately. Oh, and just so you know. If you are thinking that mineral is a new concept then think again. In fact, due to their awesome powers , minerals have been added in cosmetics for many years. Word.

However, mineral makeup has made a recent resurgence of EPIC proportions. Why? Light your Bunsen’s kids. Chem 101 is about to begin.

Here are the four main minerals commonly used in mineral makeup foundation. All four of these minerals are non-allergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores);
• Titanium Dioxide – its white and light reflecting. Also used to make the M on M&M’s candy. (RUI – Random Useless Information)
• Zinc Oxide – skin calming. If its OK for babies bottom.
• Mica – skin smoothing, reducing appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines
• Iron Oxide – provides foundation colour

Then you have several other ingredients that may be added to mineral makeup (foundation, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, the whole shebang);
• Bismuth Oxychloride and Boron Nitrate – provide luminosity
• Talc (yes this is a mineral), Cornstarch, Rice Powder, 100% Silk – all provide a silky smooth feel
• Magnesium Stearate – provides adhesion
• Silica – absorbent and light reflecting
• Kaolin Clay (China Clay) – absorbent, good for oily skin
• Allantoin – healing and moisturising
• Ultramarine colours – pigmentation for eye shadow
• Oils and fragrances – feel nice, smell nice but allergy BEWARE

None of these are Death Row BAD per se. But not all are minerals. More importantly, some can potentially clog your pores and irritate your skin. Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule, since everyone’s skin is different. But if you do have allergy prone skin, at least try to avoid those containing oils and fragrances (may be referred to as fillers), and the Titanium, zince combination has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin; great for skin problems such as Rosacea. Otherwise, what’s the point of this whole pure mineral exercise? Really. And, if your like me and your pores love to go a clogging, check labels for the non-comedogenic claim. It’s prudent to check labels. Prudent is one busy lady.

There are SO many mineral makeup brands out there, all containing various levels of minerals and the other ingredients I mentioned earlier. Bare Minerals was one of the first BIG mineral makeup brands and it’s the Number 1 Mineral Makeup Foundation in America. The Foundation itself contains the four main minerals and Bismuth Oxychloride. I have been using Bare Minerals for around 18 months and its one of my favourites. I especially like the glows achieved through the radiance products. And, my face isn’t complete without the Mineral Veil; it really sets everything and gives a wonderful smoothness. And, I know they say its so pure that you can sleep in it. But i have white pillowcases. Nuff Said.

Mineral Hygienics contains only the four ingredients that I listed first, so technically it is the purest mineral makeup foundation. I am yet to try this brand so I can’t tell you how it looks.

Eco Minerals is a new Australian mineral makeup brand created by Amber Hadley and Luci Scarman and is located in Byron Bay. Lucky girls. The Eco Minerals foundation also contains the top four mineral ingredients. And they go one step further with eco-friendly refills and biodegradable labels. Mosey on over to their website and sign up for your free colour match and product sample. Like now, before they run out.

So, all in all, you are getting a lot more than you bargained for with Mineral Makeup. Work out what’s best suited to your skin and always check the labels. Nanna would.

Yvette Lee Fell
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Posted by: Yvette Lee Fell

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Tags: chemicals, makeup, mica, mineral, natural, non-comedogenic, talc