I'm an avid fan of mineral makeup.  It has a wonderfully light texture & if it has the right ingredients, it's very good for your skin!  Mineral makeup is something you can experiment with and you're only limited by your imagination when using it.  There are important things that must be taken into consideration when using mineral makeup.

First, ingredients: 

I have written a guide about the common ingredients used mineral makeup.  Mineral Makeup Ingredients: The Good & Not-So-Good

There are a few other things about ingredients that are not mentioned in my other guide.  For women of African descent, mineral makeups that are high in titanium dioxide (which is very white) can cause an ashy look and many companies that use high amounts don't usually make colors for the deeper skin tones.  Look for foundations that do not have titanium as the first or second ingredient or look for a product that says it's specifically made for darker skin. 

You'll find that many companies will say that their makeup contains no fillers or no talc or something to that extent.  Well, most ingredients in mineral makeup have a similar cost with Bismuth Oxychloride being one of the most expensive.  I can't say that any ingredient listed in my previous guide is a filler except for cornstarch.  All of the other ingredients tend to have their uses.

There is a scare tactic by many companies that will talk about how bad talc is for you.  They talk about asbestos and ovarian cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society, asbestos and talc are not the same.  The talc in cosmetics is cosmetic grade.

Some statements from the ACS:

"No increased risk of human lung cancer has been reported in association with the use of cosmetic talcum powder. Although some studies of talc miners and millers have suggested an increased risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, others found no increase in lung cancer risk. And the industrial grade talc to which such workers are exposed contains varying amounts of silica and asbestos, unlike the purified talc sold to consumers." 

"It has been suggested that talcum powder may be carcinogenic to the covering layer of the ovaries through the migration of talcum powder particles (applied to the genital area, sanitary napkins, diaphragms, or condoms) through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovary. Several epidemiologic studies have examined the relationship between talcum powder and cancer of the ovary. Findings are mixed, with some studies reporting a slightly increased risk and some reporting no association."

So, if you're not a miner and you're not using your mineral makeup in certain personal areas, talc should be alright in your makeup.

There are mineral makeup companies that will say their makeup has a specific SPF (Sun Protection Factor).  If they are making this kind of statement, they need to be legally authorized to sell over the counter (OTC) drugs in the United States.  These are drug statements and SPFs are tested by the FDA.  Be an informed consumer.  If they don't have an OTC license, then they cannot state a particular SPF for their product.

Second, Makeup Brushes:

I cannot state this enough.  It is VERY important that you use good brushes to apply your mineral makeup.  This can affect application and if your brushes are old or not well made, your makeup might not look as great as it could!  Kabuki brushes and full powder brushes are wonderful for applying your makeup.  You can also use a sponge to apply your makeup.  Using a damp sponge can help reduce the appearance of large pores.

Keep your brushes clean!  They should be washed once every 2 weeks, even if you don't use them much.  Brushes can harbor harmful bacteria or mold and this can cause skin problems.  Use shampoo to wash your brushes.  You don't need a special, harsh cleanser.  A conditioner can also be used on your brushes.  Shake out the excess water and let your brushes air dry.   They need to be kept on the edge of a counter or table so they can get air from all sides.  Be sure you shape your brushes as well.  For Kabuki brushes, you might want to wrap a clean rubber band around it to help it keep it's shape.

Lastly, Makeup Tips:

Make sure your face is clean and moisturized!  Even if you have oily skin, you should use some sort of oil free moisturizer.  I use the one by Mary Kay and it works beautifully for my skin. 

If you bought mineral makeup and the color is too pink or yellow, you can mix it with the opposite color to fix.  Use two parts of your shade with one part of the opposite shade.  You can mix it in another jar, on a saucer, or even foil. 

Light shades can be used for highlighting eyes.  Yellow shades can help with undereye circles, while green helps with rosacea and acne. 

Eyeshadows and blushes can be used on your lips mixed with a gloss or chapstick.  Make sure the ingredients don't contain Ultramarines or other ingredients that might not be approved or safe for your lips. 

If your makeup looks chalky, you may have over applied it or it might be too light for you.  Mix it with a darker color, if it's too light.  For over application, you need to remember to use light layers when applying your makeup.  Use half of what you think you need and layer it on.  Two layers should do it, but you can add more if you're not happy with the coverage.

If your makeup is streaky or uneven, you've over moisturized or your moisturizer hasn't dried.  You want to wait about 10 minutes after applying your moisturizer to make sure it is good and dry.

You can set your mineral makeup with a few sprays of witch hazel or water.  No fancy priming makeup setter is needed.

Mix your makeup with your moisturizer for a lightly tinted look.  You can even mix it with your moisturizer and apply it to your legs for a quick tan!

Thank you for reading my guide!