You've heard about the Mineral Makeup Craze and do not know where to begin? Seen the Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup Infomercial, but need a bit more guidance when choosing what you really need? This guide is designed to give you the knowledge you need to try Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup.

What is Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup and what is all the hype about?

i.d. Bare Escentuals is made from natural minerals from the earth that are finely milled. It appears to be a very fine powder in the jar, but does not give a traditional powder look. It is less likely to settle in fine lines and wrinkles and the colors are very forgiving. Although minerals provide very good coverage, your skin looks natural and the minerals feel weightless on the skin (and they do not clog the pores). The minerals are "so pure you can sleep in them."

Another benefit to Genuine Bare Escentuals is that the products last a very long time! You need very little product to obtain a beautiful, natural look, while still giving you the level of coverage you desire. I have never gone through an entire eyeshadow because you use so little product (and I have been using Bare Escentuals for over 5 years)!! It takes me about a year to go through one full size (9 gram) foundation.  (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  Take a look at all the knock offs on the market now.)

Okay, my interested is piqued. Where do I begin?

I recommend you begin with the items you currently feel comfortable with. Do you wear foundation? If so, start with foundation and mineral veil (the stars of the Bare Escentuals product line). If you are not a foundation girl, but love eyeshadow, start with their eyeshadows. Start with what you know and like. This guide will deal with foundation, mineral veil and face brushes. Check out my other guides for all over face colors and eyeshadows.

How do I choose a foundation color?

Bare Escentuals offers many foundation colors from the lightest to the deepest shades. Read the description of each color and choose the color that you believe most closely matches your skin tone. Most women can wear 2-3 different shades and achieve a beautiful, natural look. However, you may have a personal preference for one shade over another. (I can wear Light, Medium Beige and Medium and receive compliments when I wear any of those colors. However, I prefer Medium Beige.) If you are unsure which color to order, most women (80%) can wear Medium Beige 2.3.

The numbers after the foundation shade help designate color. A "2" in the number means it has a golden undertone (good for counteracting redness). A "3" in the number means it has a pink undertone (good for brightening sallow skin.)

Fair 1.0 - This shade is for the fairest skin tones (porcelain skin, sometimes described as "Snow White" skin.) This has a neutral undertone.

Fairly Light 1.2 - Fair to light skin tones. This has a golden undertone (which works very well to conceal redness.)

Light 2.0 - Light to Medium Skin Tones. This has a golden undertone (which works very well to conceal redness.)

Medium Beige 2.3 - Light to Medium Skin Tones. This has a golden undertone, but it has less than Light.

Medium 3.0 - Light to Medium Skin Tones. This has a pink undertone which works well to brighten a sallow skin tone.

Tan 4.53 - Deep Golden Skin Tones. This has a pink undertone which works well to brighten a sallow skin tone. This works well for the summer months for those that normally wear Medium 3.0 or those who self tan. It can be used alone or as a mix in to deepen your foundation color.

Warm Tan - Honey Amber Skin Tones, neutral undertone. Works well as a mix in to deepen the shade of your foundation.

Dark 5.0 - Medium Golden Skin Tones, neutral undertone. Works well as a mix in to deepen the shade of your foundation.

Medium Tan 5.2 - Medium Golden Skin Tones. This has a golden undertone, but it has less than Light. Works well as a mix in to deepen the shade of your foundation. Great summer color for those wearing Light 2.0 or Medium Beige 2.3.

Deep 8.0 - Medium to Dark Skin Tones. Works well as a mix in to deepen the shade of your foundation.

Warm Deep - Warm Caramel Brown Skin Tones. Works well as a mix in to deepen the shade of your foundation.

Deepest Deep - Rich Espresso Skin Tones. Works well as a mix in to deepen the shade of your foundation.

How do I apply the foundation?

Mineral makeup is different than traditional makeup. It has a different application technique that is simple to learn and is very fast once you get the hang of it.

It is called the "Swirl, Tap, and Buff" technique. Put a small amount of foundation in the jar's lid (start with a very small amount, about ½ the size of a dime.) Put your brush in the lid, swirl it around until the minerals are in the bristles of the brush. Tap off the excess minerals into the lid. Then buff the minerals into the skin. I recommend starting with the exterior of your face (forehead, jawline) and then work your way into the center.

If you find you need more foundation, you may add more, but do it very slowly. You need very little to give the coverage level most women desire.

Do I need a different Brush to apply my foundation?

You will achieve the best results with your mineral makeup if you use a brush designed to apply mineral makeup. Bare Escentuals makes a couple of different types of brushes that are designed to apply foundation.

Kabuki Brushes (Full Coverage Kabuki, Baby Buki, Handy Buki Brush) - Gives full coverage to face. Ideal for those who wish to conceal discoloration (rosacea or other redness, sunspots, etc.)

Flawless Face Brush, Retractable Face Brush - Gives good coverage, but less than the kabuki brushes. Also works well when applying Mineral Veil or all over face colors.

Heavenly Face Brush - Give Sheer Coverage. This brush was not created as a foundation brush, but it has become a favorite among those with very sensitive skin. This will give very sheer coverage (and will not cover redness as well as the other brushes), but it feels very nice on the skin.

Soft Focus Retractable Face Brush - Gives Sheer Coverage similar to the Heavenly Face Brush.

What do you mean by "mix in to deepen the shade of your foundation"?

One of the benefits of mineral makeup is that the color possibilities are endless! You can mix a darker or lighter shade with your foundation to adjust for the differences in your skin tone throughout the year. Even though I wear sun screen, my arms tend to get a bit darker than my face during the summer.  I mix in a touch of Medium Tan 5.2 so my face matches the rest of my body.

What is Mineral Veil and why do it need it?

Mineral veil is a translucent powder that is designed to be used with Bare Escentuals Foundation. Mineral veil can be used with any brand makeup and helps take down shine on the skin. It can be used multiple times without causing a makeup build-up or cakiness. During warm months, many women use this prior to applying their foundation and then again after their foundation.

There is also a Tinted Mineral Veil. It can be used for all skin tones in place of the original mineral veil. On light to medium skin tones, tinted mineral veil gives you the appearance of having been out in the sun. On darker skin tones, many women prefer the tinted mineral veil although it does not add significant color to the skin.

There are DVD's available to teach you how to apply mineral makeup. I strongly recommend you view one if you are having any trouble with your makeup application.

I hope this guide has helped you on your way in trying Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup.  If you feel any information is missing from this guide, please email me and let me know.  If you like it, I sure would appreciate it if you rated my guide.