Foundation odyssey

I like powder foundation, even though my skin is dry, for the soft, blurring matte effect I associate with movie stars from the 40s and 50s.  It may clash with my 70s hair, but what the heck. I recently broke my much loved and abused Tarte Provacateur Compact, and was tempted to go buy another, but decided that as a responsible beauty blogger I should get out and try new things, if only for the edification of you, dear reader.

So off to Sephora I went, where I suckered myself into buying a Bare Escentuals mineral makeup kit for $60. I reasoned that the brush set justified the price, though I already own a top of the line kabuki brush from Valerie Beverly Hills and don't need another. As I left the store I felt that the stuff was laid on a little thick, but thought it was just because I had let the shopgirl "do" me.  But even at home using a lighter hand, I didn't like the way this wore--too chalky, too heavy, and a bit itchy.  So I took it back.

For a while I made do with an astonishingly nice Rimmel powder foundation that I bought for $4.99 from Target, where I also picked up one by Sonia Kashuk for $8.99, drawn to the cool white packaging that looks like something Barbara Bain would have carried on Space 1999, but unfortunately the product made me look like I'd dusted my nose with Gold Medal Baking Flour.

Tomorrow I'll post the thrilling conclusion to the story...

Comments

[Jackie Danicki]

I was sent some Bare Escentuals mineral foundation and also found it too much for my skin - like I was wearing a mask. Paula Begoun has a special report on mineral make-up (I joined her site just to read it), and this is one of her biggest criticisms: the minerals can give a shiny, heavy look.

[Jackie Danicki]

NB My friend Karri (who is a VERY discerning customer and shows up in the comments here sometimes) swears that Glow Minerals foundation has changed her life. They sell it in the cosmetic surgeon's office where she works, and she tells me it's very reasonably priced, too.

[Katie]

My fave powder foundation is Body & Soul's. It's got a nice texture, looks good whether I use it wet or dry, and has the most ridiculously adorable compact. The Sonia Kashuk one was rather chalky looking on me, too, which bummed me out since it looked like a perfect color match in the pan. Oh well, at least it was a cheap makeup experiment. I've been underwhelmed by the mineral makeup as well - but I have oily skin, so shiny tends to be my sworn enemy when it comes to foundation.

[laura linger]

If it's mineral makeup that you crave, let me suggest that you try Pur. I have it and I love the stuff. I apply it with a huge kabuki brush that I scored in a Smashbox gift set, and it looks natural and great.

I also like the Sonia Kashuk powder foundation, and her brushes are simply without peer.

[Jaques]

Body & Soul works for me, both powder and brushes. Also Physician's Formula is excellent - and talc free.

For mineral makeup(which I've also just gotten into), Erth is great as is Bare Minerals.