Friday, February 20, 2009

Mineral Makeup Application - How To



I love mineral makeup and I know many of you do as well, so I thought I'd share some application tips and general ideas with you.

A foundation should make your skin look as smooth and clear as possible while also helping to even out your skin tone. Choosing the correct formula and color tone will help provide a perfect base for the rest of your makeup application.
When you've accomplished this, the fun part begins..!



Mineral Make up Application Step by Step:
  1. Make sure your skin is throughly cleansed, well moisturized and hydrated. Let the moisturizer soak in for about ten minutes before applying your minerals in order to avoid an uneven, blotchy application.

  2. Don't use lots of product. One of the most common mistakes in applying mineral makeup is using too much product, leading to a chalky appearance. MMU is a very concentrated product, meaning it doesn't (or shouldn't!) contain any fillers, so you don't need to apply a lot. Most times, you really only need a few grains; much less than you think. Plus, it's always easier to add a little more as you go along. However; it also depends on your formula how much is needed.

  3. Procedure: sprinkle a small amount of product into the lid or a swirly bowl, swirl your brush into the powder, tap off the excess, and then buff into the skin using a circular motion. Start your application in the center of your face, working outwards. To get a flawless natural look, always apply mineral foundation in thin, light layers. Keep adding layers until the desired coverage has been reached. Keep in mind that two or more light applications of your mineral foundation are better than one heavy application.

  4. Take care to blend/buff well. This process not only distributes the foundastion evenly, but also warms up the minerals and allows them to meld with your own skin. You will notice that your foundation appears more flattering within 10 - 15 minutes after applying; which is because the minerals have melded with your skin due to your body heat.

  5. Most women use a kabuki or a flat top brush for medium to heavy coverage. Others prefer using a flocked sponge (dry or wet) for heavy coverage, and others still like to mix their minerals with either Aloe Vera gel or a face cream for application (apply with fingers, a sponge, or a taklon foundation brush). Find whatever works best for you.

  6. After application, spray your skin with either hydrosol or aloe to set your makeup. This is particularly good for dry skin, but also works well for oily skin (esp oily skin that is oily because it is dehydrated).

To keep your mineral powder makeup as bacteria-free as possible, store your makeup in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving your makeup in your bathroom because the warm temperature and high humidity encourage bacteria growth (although most of us keep our makeup in the bathroom, I believe :)). Always put the lid on tightly after each use to avoid spillage and moisture getting into the powder.


So; now you're hopefully ready to walk out the door and show off that gorgeous face!





3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the tips on applying mineral makeup. It definitely takes some practice to get it right.

I find that a great set of brushes makes a world of difference in makeup application.

I use this set: http://www.salonhive.com/23-pc-black-handle-makeup-brush-set-w-pouch-ts-202.html

They are so soft and there is literally a brush for everything. I also like how the pouch keeps everything clean and organized.

Helen said...

Hi Jenna!
Glad you enjoyed it :)
You are so right regarding brushes; a good set of brushes is essential to achieve a good result. I'll check out the link, thank you for the tip ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Have you tried Lucy Minerals? If so, could you post some swatches?

Thanks :)