The pigments used in mineral makeup are highly concentrated--a little goes a long way. The reason for this rich pigmentation has to do with one of the tenets of serious mineral makeup users and authentic mineral makeup companies: avoid fillers, which can be irritating or cause allergic reactions--the fewer ingredients, the better.

It should go without saying (but won't, given the subject) that one should cover the work area before even opening a jar. You will be very happy you did this, particularly after you have spilled dark colored minerals onto your sink top, or, worse, on your light-colored tile floor.

Hard surfaces can be cleaned for the most part, but take care not to allow spilled minerals on clothing or porous surfaces.

Never use minerals that come in a jar without a sifter. Sifters work to keep spills to a minimum in addition to their usefulness in tapping out small amounts of minerals into the lids of the jars.

When applying mineral eye shadows with one hand, place a finger from the other hand just under the eye to prevent the pigments from spilling onto the skin below the eye. Alice Cosmetics, a new mineral makeup company, will offer an Eye Shadow Guard to use for those who find the finger method awkward.  These will also be available at my eBay store, Alice Landing .

You may not need to cover the skin below the eye if you are using the minerals very lightly, i.e., dipping the brush into the minerals then tapping repeatedly to make any excess drop off of the brush.

Apply the eye shadow in layers when using this lightly powdered brush method.

If you desire a richer application, apply the shadows with a patting motion and heavier amounts of minerals on the flat side of the brush, but be careful with spillage.

When finished with a brush, wipe it back and forth on the cloth or paper towel you have laid out. This will get rid of the minerals still clinging to the brush heads.