For those of you who have never tried mineral makeup, the application can be a little tricky at first. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes a quick and easy way to get a finished look. There are a few tricks of the trade that you will want to keep in mind.

• First, use a clean foundation makeup sponge or makeup brush for each application. Dirty brushes can irritate your skin. After applying your mineral makeup, wash your makeup sponge or brush daily. This way, you will be sure to remove any bacteria that has been left by your skin.
• Before you begin, you may want to set out a paper towel or cloth. One of the downsides of mineral makeup is that it can be a bit messy. By preparing ahead of time, you can avoid some clean up later. After all, mineral makeup is supposed to make life easier for you!
• Shake a little bit of the mineral foundation out into the cap. You will be surprised at how little you need to apply for good coverage. The most common mistake in the beginning is to use too much. You can always apply more if you need it, but you will have to wash your face and start from scratch if you use too much. Remember: Less is More with mineral makeup!!
• Apply foundation with side of brush using soft tapping and swirling motions. Never apply mineral foundation with top of brush bristles always use side of brush.
• Remove all excess mineral powder by tapping brush onto your vanity jar side.
• Apply with a light-hand. Again, too much powder will cause your skin to look aged since the foundation is likely to settle into your lines and pores.
• After you apply a minimal amount of mineral foundation powder, look at your results in the mirror. If you feel your face needs more coverage, then you can apply another thin layer.
• Proceed with the remainder of your makeup routine.

Hopefully with these easy tricks, you will be applying mineral makeup like a pro in no time.

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Since time immemorial make up has always been an essential part of every woman’s life. From wedding parties to family get together and informal gatherings every woman applied make up to look beautiful and youthful. Although it might make the face look good but the harmful effects of make up were always ignored.

Regular application of makeup resulted in aging skin, fine lines, wrinkles and an overall decrease in the natural face value. Thereafter a healthy makeup was required and a mineral based makeup was created by Bare Essentials in 1976 and was named by Diane Ranger in 1977.

Mineral make up, by definition, is makeup products made from minerals. It comprises of a variety of natural minerals found in the earth’s crust and is free of chemicals, alcohols, dyes and other preservatives. These minerals are finely milled, pulverized, purified and coated with inorganic pigments before reaching the end consumers. The coated pigments are for coloring and shimmering effects. The most common minerals often used are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, iron oxide and bismuth oxychloride. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have anti-inflammatory properties and are the best UV blockers.

There are several reasons to why these cosmetics made of minerals have become a rising trend in the cosmetic industry. The first and foremost advantage is that the makeup provides an excellent sun protection and is potentially free from fragrance, preservatives and oils.

Secondly, they will not clog pores, are water resistant and will not support bacterial growth. Some of the mineral cosmetics also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients like vitamin A, C, E, and K and green tea extract. These provide a long lasting application in less expenditure without getting faded out. In humid countries like India, these mineral cosmetics are the perfect products because humidity melts off make up in a very short span of time.

Following are some of the most widely used ingredients in mineral cosmetics:

• Titanium Dioxide: A natural anti-inflammatory agent that blocks ultra violet rays. It is the perfect oxide for any skin type.
• Kaolin Clay: A china clay that has good oil absorbing properties.
• Mica: A natural glitter that is often used to add color and shimmer.
• Serecite: colorless mica that is used to increase shine.
• Zinc Oxide: A naturally occurring sunscreen that provides strong resistance to UV rays.
• Sericite Mica: It is a mixture of a natural pigment derived from muscovite mica and titanium dioxide. This mineral make up recipe is used for personal care products, lotions and soaps.
• Magnesium Stearate: A recipe made from esters of magnesium stearic acid. This recipe is used face powders, mascara, eye shadows, creams and ointments.
• Bismuth Oxychloride: A recipe made from fine crystals composed of bismuth and salt. This mineral recipe is used for face powders, foundations, lipsticks and mascara.

A pure mineral face makeup is combined with inorganic pigments that help to achieve the desired color. It stays for longer and is much lighter and effective, the best products for people with acne and sensitive skin. Bare mineral make up are cosmetics with loose minerals that are free from waxes and oils. These are used to cover imperfections and offer UV protection.

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