hive mind: minerals?

[anotheranon]

From the Questions That Can't Be Answered in One Line at Twitter:

What's the big deal about mineral makeup?

In particular I've been seeing this company's boxed sets online and in shops all over of late, it seems. The colors don't look like anything special and texture wise I'm a satisfied MAC StudioFix/powder customer. Has anyone tried these? What's your opinion of them?

I ask because of a Sephora gift cert. breathing down my neck and I'm realizing that there are New Things in the cosmetics world that I haven't a clue about (geekchick explained "primer" to me last night).

Comments

[margoeve.livejournal.com]

I *HEART* that brand.

The application, if you follow the instructions and don't have horribly dry skin, is fairly fool proof.

A little goes a very long way. It is perfect for sensitive skin and those who are prone to breakouts from other makeup.

The downside is that it doesn't travel well without getting containers made for it. Also, again, not great for dry skin.

I love studiofix, but as I got older it started making me break out. I'll still use Mac concealer under the Bare Escentuals stuff.

Eyeshadows will last near forever. I actually recommend going on to Ebay and ordering samples. In fact, if you go into Sephora, TRY the colors. They have near all of them. Also in Tysons there is a Bare Escentuals store and you can try EVERYTHING they have.

If you are going to pick up a primer and have clear skin, Smashbox makes an excellent clear one. And Sephora has a smaller size one.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Interesting. If it's gentle that's a big plus in it's favor, IMHO.

Here's the thing - I don't have perfectly clear skin (if I did, I wouldn't be considering a primer! :P). I have combination, with big pores on my nose, dry around my mouth, and chin/jawline breakouts aggravated by my fencing mask :P

I currently use Cetaphil (regular or for normal/oily skin depending on what I need that day), Zirh moisturizer on the dry bits, and a Neutrogena benzoyl peroxide wash on the break-outy bits.

Thoughts? You are the pro here!

[margoeve.livejournal.com]

Dry around your mouth, as in your lips?

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Around where I'm starting to get laugh lines.

[margoeve.livejournal.com]

There are 3 skin care lines that I recommend.
Ask for samples at Sephora. Ask for enough for a few days. Tell them you have sensitive skin and want to make sure you don't have a reaction.

Kinerase Cleanser and Moisturizer (there are several - like I said, get samples), Caudilae "Lip and eye cream" for around you mouth (it works well on the lips and hydrate the eyes well too), and Clinique Turnaround Concentrait as a serum.

Use Clinique's "Turn Around Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer" (The least expensive product on this list) on after cleansing and before moisturizing. It has Salcylic acid - excellent for treating acne AND works to remove dead skin cells. Put this on twice a day to start.

Yes you MUST moisturize even if you have acne. If you don't, your body produces more oil to make up for it and that leads to MORE acne.

For the Acne, Bare Escentuals just came out with a mineral treatment that works pretty darn well (the active ingredient is sulfer - dries the suckers right up, BUT doesn't smell that great), and for fairer skinned folks like us also doubles as a coverup.

If you find the Kinerease too much, go over to The Body Shop. They have a line with a similar active ingredient - also their Aloe line is great for sensitivity issues. I'd pick up a bottle of their Aloe Toner and some cotton pads to keep in your fencing bag to use after every match to help avoid acne.

Also, once every week or two you may want to try some sort of acid peel. For sensitive skin, I like Juice Beauty's "Green Apple Peel for Sensitive Skin." Again, you should be able to get a sample at Sephora if you ask. You smear it on to clean skin for up to 10 minutes and then was it off with gentile soap. It really is amazing how smooth your skin will be.

Hope this helps!

This stuff can get expensive so ALWAYS ask for samples. I can't emphasize that enough. At Sephora, if they don't have them pre-packaged they should be able to make one for you. They want you to come back and spend the money.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendations! I'm especially interested in the Juice Beauty and Clinique and will seek out samples. I'm going to have to pass on the Kinerase though - too rich for my blood!

[margoeve.livejournal.com]

Honestly, there are ways to get Kinerase "cheaper".

1. LOOK for sales! Drugstore.com just had one. Smaller online Beauty places often have them too.

2. Become a member of various beauty shops that carry it that have cupons for total purchases and reward point systems. Ie. Ulta

3. EBAY. People will often sell sample packets at a fraction of the cost. What's even better with that - It makes it travel size! For example, I picked up an fluid Oz of their Pro Therapy C6 Peptide treatment for $20, and that much retails for well over $100.

How? I bought 10 individually wrapped 0.1 fl. oz sample packets.

Truly, I almost never pay full retail for the good stuff.