Bare Escentuals VS. Drug Store brand Mineral Makeup

Sep 19, 2007 Author: Jen Hill | Filed under: Cosmetic Brushes & Tools, Cosmetics, Drug Store Brands, Foundations, Mineral Makeup

In a recent post, a fellow blogger asked:

I use Bare Minerals now and love it. It seems to last a really long time for the money, but its a huge ouch in the pocket book to buy it. So…what info do you have? As a favor to my friends who want to know if target & drug store brands are any good?

This type of question really gets me excited. Sure, Bare Escentuals is a wonderful cosmetic line. But at $25 a pop, we must ask, “Wouldn’t it be nice to know if anything at the drug store might suffice?”

The best source of information on the Internet answered this question directly. It was an article written by JazminÂ from Makeup MoxieÂ entitled, “What’s the Best Drugstore Mineral Makeup?“Â She compared the quality, price, and value for 7 different drug store cosmetic mineral lines.

And the winner might surprise you! Jazmin claims that the best drug store mineral foundation is Milani Minerals Loose Makeup, but it is poorly packaged. IsaDora Mineral Foundation came in close second. Walgreens is currently discontinuing the entire IsaDora line and they are marked at clearance prices, about $8.00 for .28 ounces. This would be a great time to try IsaDora! Do not bother with Neutrogena, it rated as one of the worst for value and performance. L’Oreal’s was okay, but contains TALC,Â goes on heavy, and caked in hot weather conditions. The Almay line performed better, but it had weird container issues like Milani’s.Â AnotherÂ mediocre performer was Physician’s Formula’s mineral makeup.

If you love Bare Escentuals bare Minerals, here are some products you might also think about:

Bare Escentuals Prime Time – this amazing primer prepares skin, has antioxidants, and smooths the skins surface . Making their mineral foundation look even better.
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil – finish off with this oil-absorbing light diffusing powder and really get that soft focus camera lens look.
Invest in a high quality kabuki brush, like the one from LooseLipsNY, Â i.d.’s Full Coverage Kabuki Brush, orÂ Cat’s Kabuki Brush.

Other Mineral Makeup Lines to consider:

Everyday Minerals: Â Offering free samples on their website. Â IÂ ordered their samplesÂ and have been very pleased, this mineral line is fabulous.Â Â You can read my review aboutÂ Everyday Minerals.
LooseLipsNy.com:Â Sherry sent me free samples of their Mineral Loose Powder Foundation and Mineral Shimmer Powder.Â Visit and tell them Jen at MBB sent you!Â You can also receive $10 off when you purchase both their signature mineral foundation and kabuki brush together. Simply use the code kabuki10 at checkout.
Alison Rafaelle Mineral Foundation - her concealer is heavenly and feels like silk; it heals as it covers. I would imagine her mineral line is equally as fabulous.Â Alison Rafaelle has redesigned her entire cosmetic line and it will be released on March 3, 2008.Â Â I cannot wait to try it.
e.l.f cosmetics loose mineral foundation – good recommendations and only $5.00!
Maybelline’s Mineral Powerâ„¢ Natural Perfecting Powder & LiquidÂ Foundation is getting a lot ofÂ favorable reviews for being a great mineral based foundation at a great price.Â Check out this offer for a free sampleÂ at Bionic Beauty:Â “Yet Another Freebie of Maybellineâ€™s Mineral Power Makeup.”Â I just read a thumbs down review from the Mineral Makeup Blog.Â As with all makeup reviewers, not everyone agrees on what they like or dislike!

Actually, I am not a huge fan of the loose mineral foundations. I have tried minerals at different times with mixed results.Â Â IÂ don’t likeÂ the powdery, too-matte look. If you have fine lines/wrinkles, dryness or patchy skin, mineral foundations can accentuate them.Â Â Right now I have been using two wonderful water-based foundations, Tarte’s Smooth Operator,Â and Model Co 3 in 1 foundation. I love the feel and coverage of these foundations, butÂ usually byÂ noonÂ have “oilies” breaking through.Â Combination skin can be tricky!

However, the beauty addict in me is thinking. If I use mineral makeup with a primer?…Hmmm…Maybe, it is time to give mineral makeup another try!

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13 Responses for "Bare Escentuals VS. Drug Store brand Mineral Makeup"

Sandra October 3rd, 2007 at 6:39 am 1

I have the oiliest skin ever. By midmorning I would be an oil slick. I am 46 years old. I recently started using Bare Minerals. I use the “mineral veil” after putting on the “foundation” and “warmth” products, and I can’t believe the difference. I wish that I had known about it years ago. I saw a pictures of myself taken this year on holidays and there is no shine on my face even on the pictures taken in the afternoon and into the evening. I put a friend onto this product and she now enjoys a shine free face. The difference is remarkable. She is constantly getting asked what is different about her. I would highly recommend this product to anyone.
jen38 October 3rd, 2007 at 1:56 pm 2

I am so glad you have been able to find B.E. to combat the oilies! I have similar problems with my skin and loose mineral makeup is a great way to go!

You mentioned you love Mineral Veil as well. I use a bit of Laura Mercier’s Translucent Powder to set my foundation, and both work great. Do you have any problems with dry patches in certain areas using mineral foundation? In the podcast I refer to in my blog, I asked Stacie about this very issue. She suggests using a creamy concealer around the eyes and using Freeze 24/7 eye cream.

Have you ever used B.E.’s Prime Time? If you haven’t, beg for a sample the next time you are at the department store. It is pretty reasonably priced and it makes your mineral foundation look even more natural and your skin feels so velvety (I just avoid using it on my most oily spots).

Great to hear from you and please feel free to comment or ask a question anytime. I might not have the answer, but I will try to find it.

Sincerely,
Jen
hannah October 8th, 2007 at 7:31 am 3

hi, im from philippines. i am a user of skin alison rafelle foundation. And it is really amazing. And i love their inner glow cheek tint. I am a mineral make up convert!
sdhcmh2 December 2nd, 2007 at 5:58 pm 4

Mineral Makeup is an absolutely great product. The problem is that to many companies are putting additives of one nature or another in them and still calling them pure. They are not only natural anymore, but it also jacks the price way up. I still prefer the natural, natural and because of price I am a CMH Essentials convert.
Laura Mercier Mineral Makeup « Mythbuster Beauty February 26th, 2008 at 3:13 pm 5

[...] As always, for best results, I recommendÂ applying mineral makeup foundations sparinglyÂ with a high quality kabuki brush.Â Â And while you are at the Laura Mericer counter, sample their liquid or mineralÂ foundation [...]
Janie Blaylock March 24th, 2008 at 6:18 am 6

I am 41 years old with three young children. Everytime I look in the mirror, all I can see is my wrinkles and dark puffy eyes. I am looking for a eye creme that addresses both wrinkles and dark circles. I have found testaments to expensive brands as well as drugstore brands. If possible I would obviously love to buy the less expensive of the two. Can you reccommedn a brand that works beautifully and isn’t going to cut into my wallet too badly? I have tried a couple of drugstore brands that diminish the wrinles, until I smile or I squint, then they reappear!

thanks you for your help,

Janey Blaylock
jen38 March 24th, 2008 at 8:50 am 7

Janie,
I just sent you an email and hope to find some great solutions for your eye situation!
Best,
Jen
kate2004rock March 24th, 2008 at 8:54 am 8

I’ve tried everything under the sun. But mineral makeup just does NOT stay on my face. I’ve used Bare Escentuals. I’ve used Laura Mercier. The only thing I ever get is a feeling that my face is dirty. I may just stick to liquid forever. Call me old fashioned…
Meg September 5th, 2008 at 10:19 am 9

I find Bare Escentuals to look opaque and dull while also greasy simultanously (it sounds contradictory, but I find it to be true). However, I do a lot of swimming and running and find that mineral makeups are naturally quite waterproof (whereas liquid foundations made to be waterproof are too full of chemicals for me — I try to stick to natural cosmetics). Alima is the brand I’ve been using for months — the coverage is light and natural but buildable. My mom, who said that my skin looked “dead” with BE, thinks I look natural (but better) with Alima. AND it’s considerably cheaper than BE (I think I paid $18 for foundation) AND it doesn’t have the unnecessary additives that BE does. I’ve heard good things about Everyday Minerals too, but I haven’t tried it.
Jen Hill September 5th, 2008 at 10:35 am 10

So great to hear from you Meg.

I would recommend the Everyday Minerals line, and like Alima, they have a great variety of formulas, and don’t contain bismuth oxychloride, carmine, or talc like many mineral makeup lines do. The big bonus is they cost less!

And, make sure to take advantage that most of these mineral lines offer great samples.

Best wishes and comment anytime! Jen
New Sidebar Element: Top 10 at Mythbuster Beauty - Mythbuster Beauty November 13th, 2008 at 8:50 am 11

[...] Bare Escentuals VS. Drug Store brand Mineral Makeup [...]
Kelly June 4th, 2009 at 8:25 am 12

I love bare escentuals because it makes my face looks flawless. I don’t mind the price too much since it lasts a really long time. I mean, we’re talking a year or more. So i have to say it is way worth it to spend $25 once a year on a good makeup to cover up my puffy eyes in the morning than to skimp on a brand that doesn’t cover as well or cakes on. Don’t you agree? Thanks for providing the reviews on other mineral makeup, i might recommend some of those to friends who are cheaper than I am.

If you have puffy eyes like I do and need a solution and recommendations for healthy skin care and ingredients go to: http://www.nomorepuffyeyes.com
Teri Dourmashkin January 7th, 2010 at 6:04 pm 13

I tried Bare Escentuals as well and it looked very heavy on my face no matter how little I used. It also looked too sparkly perhaps from too much mica.

For those of you who have not had much success with loose mineral make-up and don’t like liquid foundation either, you might one to try the powder foundation by ZuZu Luxe. It is not in the least bit dry, goes on silky smooth and the application takes two seconds. You can either put it on with the sponge or use a brush for a more subtle look. You can get it at any Whole Foods or you can go directly on their website. I believe they are an off shoot of the company, “Gabriel,” who is also sold in Whole Foods. The compact runs around $26.99. Not, drug store prices, but probably less than most department store brands.