From the Basic SWIRL, TAP & BUFF, to Advanced Techniques like Covering Blemishes, Acne Scars,Rosacea/Redness, Oliy Skin & Fine Lines.  You will find tons of tip, trick and application techniques that will make using you Bare Escentuals so much easier. I have been using Bare Escentuals for almost 10 years and love everything about them.  However, in the beginning it was more a "love/hate" relationship.  I loved the idea of natrual makeup, but couldn't quite get the hang of using them.  AND there are so many!! Foundations, Mineral Veils, Radiance, Glimmers, Glimpses, and on and on.  What are they? What do they do? How do I use them?  Well, if you ever wanted to know what everything is and how to use them, keep reading. I will detail the WHAT'S, WHAT'S and the How To's.  From simple,  to the advanced.

Here we go ...

BASIC APPLICATION TIPS:

FOUNDATIONS
Bare Escentuals i.d. bareMinerals foundations are very easy to apply. Take your Kabuki brush  and LIGHTLY pounce bristles in a bit of water.  I usually run the water in the sink, turn off the water and then pounce the brush into what is left. Then gently tap some minerals into you lid, dip the tip of your brush into the minerals, picking up a TINY amount. Swirl your brush in the lid and gently TAP off any excess on the edge of your lid with brush bristles pointed upward. This action will settle the minerals into the bristles. Then, starting at the outer edge of your face near your jaw, begin to BUFF the foundation into your skin in a circular motion moving towards your cheeks, applying some pressure. (Remember you are BUFFING tehm into your skin.) You don't want to begin at the center of your face, or the powders will get into your lines and creases. Continue reloading your brush and applying LIGHT layers until satisfactory coverage is reached. If you still have a few spots that need extra coverage, just take your concealer brush, dip into foundation  and apply to necessary areas. I find that when I "wet" the brush it gives me the BEST coverage and I end up using less than I do with a dry brush. I think this is the best kept secret to achieving a truly FLAWLESS look and it is the only way I apply my minerals. You have to try it at least once, I think you will have a whole new love for your minerals.

MULTI-PURPOSE BISQUE & WELL RESTED 
BISQUE was created as an eye shadow, however customers found that it works wonders as a concealer.  It comes in 3 shades. (Original: for fair to Medium skin tones, Summer: For Medium to Olive skin tones & Honey Bisque for darker skin tones) To apply, lightly “wet” your concealer brush, as described above, and dip it into the mineral.  Picking up a TINY amount, mix in lid to create a paste like consistency and apply on eye lids, under eye, around nose, mouth, on blemishes or anywhere you want to conceal.  Some people prefer WELL RESTED as a concealer which is more of a Yellow Based Matte color. These minerals can be applied before or after foundation.  Personally, I like to apply mine before foundation. As with the Foundation, apply lightly, you can always apply more if needed.  For Rosacea/Redness/Sunburn that needs covering see guidelines below for advance coverage tips.

MINERAL VEIL:
 
Take your Kabuki brush or brush of choice, lightly dip in minerals, swirl in lid, and tap off excess. Apply to desired areas. This will give you an airbrushed finish.  Mineral Veil can be re-applied as needed.  You can also use it to “soften” a color or for skin that doesn‘t require a lot of coverage Mineral Veil is a great choice.  For a Dewy Finish use Feather Light Mineral Veil or for a Sun Kissed look, apply Tinted Mineral Veil.  You can add any Radiance, All Over Face Color, or Blush to your Mineral Veil to customize it.  Example: Tinted Mineral Veil is Mineral Veil with Warmth added.  Feather Light Mineral Veil is Mineral Veil with Gossamer added.  You can come up with your own custom creations and maximize your

BLUSH, GLEE, ALL OVER FACE COLOR & RADIANCE
To apply blush, simply dip your Angled Blush Brush or Flawless Face Brush or other BE
brush into minerals, swirl in lid, and tap off excess so the powders nestle into the bristles. You only want to use TINY amounts of these blushes! Swirl on apples of cheeks and over forehead, nose, chin and shoulders as desired.

FAUX GLOWS
Using the brush of your choice (Flawless application brush or Kabuki works great) dip your brush into  WARMTH, FAUX TAN or A LITTLE SUN and  pick up a TINY amount. Swirl it in the lid, tap to settle the powders, and apply in a sweeping motion  to forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. You will have a healthy, sun kissed effect without the harmful rays for the sun. Everyone should be using Warmth regardless of the season.

EYE SHADOW, GLIMPSE, GLIMMER, LINER SHADOW:

• Eye Shadows gives a matte color wash.  Can be used all over the lids or to create drama by adding to crease of lids for a contouring effect. 
• Glimpse colors are whisper soft - very subtle sheer color wash. Can be worn alone or together for a unique "watercolor" effect. So whisper sheer you can't go wrong!
• Glimmers are considered the "eye jewels" dry for subtle or wet for a high sheen (foiled) look.  Dramatic metallics to really highlight your eyes. These colors are ideal to foil.
• Liner Shadow - Can be used to line or shade your eye. Wet for a more intense color or dry for a softer look. Dip your eyeliner brush into water and then into the mineral and swirl on the back of your hand or in a container to create a creamy consistency, and then apply to the eyes. You can also mix water with the minerals first and then dip your brush into the cream. This will make the color more intense and dramatic.
•  NOTE* All eye colors can be applied wet or dry. For subtle color, apply dry.  For darker, more dramatic eyes, apply wet. Colors will change slightly when wet. So create more colors and get more use out of the same product!

ADVANCED APPLICATION TIPS

Minimize Large Pores:
After applying foundation in the normal fashion, use the Maximum Concealer brush, pounce in a small amount of water and swirl a small amount of foundation or concealer on the brush, apply to your face in a sweeping motion, to smooth out the areas with large pores. It is best to apply slight pressure, as if pressing into pores. Finish with FEATHER LIGHT MINERAL VEIL  for a soft defused effect.  It will  help reflect light out and away from your face, which helps to diminish the look of large pores.

Covering Blemishes, Acne Scars or other imperfections
Step One:
Make sure you apply a good moisturizer to your skin before buffing on your minerals.
Even if you have extremely oily skin, you should apply a oil free moisturizer to give a smooth surface for your minerals. This is true whether you have dry, combo or oily skin. If you do not moisturize, your skin could appear dry and blotchy.
Step Two:
First, apply a light layers of Mineral Veil (for light coverage), foundation (for natural coverage)or Bisque ( for concentrated coverage) to your skin to help cover and smooth out your basic skin tone. You can combine any of the three minerals together to create a custom coverage that works for you. I prefer to use half foundation and half Bisque for  more concentrated coverage . I suggest you experiment to see what works best for you. Using a Kabuki or Baby Buki  Brush will give you the BEST all over coverage.  For a more precise application, use Maximum Concealer Brush.  Again, play with it to see what works for you.
Step Three:
To cover small blemishes, I suggest your BE Precision Concealer brush or Maximum Concealer Brush and dip into your Bisque. Apply to the spot, using an UPWARD motion. By applying the makeup in an upward motion, you will help to get a good coating of makeup on the underside of the blemish, this creating the illusion of no blemish.  To cover a larger area use your Buki brush and apply light layers until covered.
NOTE* In Step Three, depending on the coverage that you need,  you may substitute Mineral Veil or Foundation  in place of Bisque.

Rosacea/Redness/Sunburn:
Using Bare Escentuals BISQUE (your color choice) and using a BE Kabuki brush or Maximum Concealer brush WET, SWIRL, TAP and BUFF BISQUE over entire red area. Remember BUFF, BUFF,BUFF!!  Follow up with foundation. I have heard of some customers using Bisque as their foundations, as it a heavier mineral and gives a more concentrated coverage. SUMMER BISQUE is a good color to use if you want to try it as a foundation. For smaller red areas that need maximum coverage,  simply apply the BISQUE with a concealer brush, then follow with your foundation.

Sallow skin that needs brightening:
You will enjoy BE Glee All Over Face Color. It is a soft, matte pink mineral that will liven up any dull, lifeless complexion. Simply buff onto your skin before or after your mineral foundation, focusing on the apples of the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. You will appear bright and happy! Like you’ve just been kissed!

Dull skin that you want to look dewy:
Simply dust a light coat of any of the Radiance All Over Face Colors after your mineral foundation for a soft, light-diffused, dewy look. Apply in a light, sweeping motion over cheeks, lids, nose, chin and forehead.   Radiance can also be applied to chest.

Oily Skin :
Apply your moisturizer and then prime your skin with Mineral Veil . Buff on your foundation in the normal WET, SWIRL, TAP & BUFF fashion, and then finish with another layer of the Mineral Veil.  I like the light reflecting properties in Feather Light and Mineral Veil for a matte finish.  Re-apply during the day if you get excessively oily.

Fine Lines & Wrinkles:
Make sure to apply a good moisturizer to your skin and let it soak in. A good choice if your skin is crepe-like or wrinkled is PHILOSOPHY Hope In A Tube, it is highly concentrated. Apply a light layer  foundation to your face, being careful not to apply too much around eyes, mouth or nose. You can also go over your eye area with your concealer brush for concentrated application.  Finish with a light dusting of MINERAL VEIL  or the FEATHER LIGHT finishing mineral powder. FEATHER LIGHT will give a little bit more of a dewy, fresh look. For a bit more color, try finishing with TINTED MINERAL VEIL.  It adds just a hint of color.

Chalky Skin:
You are most likely using too much mineral foundation. Apply the foundation in LIGHT layers using a Kabuki brush and BUFF, BUFF, BUFF. Make sure you have the correct mineral foundation shade. If the shade is too pale and you apply a thick layer, you might end up looking a little too chalky. Keep your skin smooth and soft by moisturizing and exfoliating often. Dry, patchy skin will not allow the minerals to look their best.

Dry, Cracked, Chapped lips:
Try  BUZZ LATTE LIP BALM,  SOY MOCHA LIP BALM or FIRST BASE LIP BALM.   They are colorless and  will soothe and soften rough, chapped lips. You may also create a customized lipstick with this product. Simply apply lip balm to lips, then using a brush or your finger, apply mineral on top of the balm, blending well. You may also mix the powders directly into your balm and then apply. If you find the exact color you like, you may melt the lip balm in a 5 gram container, stir in your mineral and let cool. You will have a custom, long-lasting lipstick you made yourself!

If you found this guide helpful, please take a moment please let me know by answering the question below.

If I forgot anything or you have TIPS & TRICKS that you would love to pass on, email me.  I will be happy to answer question and add your tips. I would also love to hear if any of these worked for you

Thanks so much and I hope that I've helped

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Guide reviewers suggestions :

From terillyn57 suggested using inexpensive plastic paint trays to mix one of a kind colors. You could create a new pallet for everyday . . . Thanks for sharing that great tip.