Product Review—Makeup: Mineral Makeup Brown Skin Beauties can Wear Without Embarrassment—bareMinerals READY® Foundation SPF 20

Despite my love for natural, organic makeup, it has taken me years to get on board with mineral foundation. First of all, I have issues with the messy application methods associated with loose mineral powder. Secondly, as a black woman with brown skin, I have found that most mineral makeup, foundations in particular, make my skin look like I have survived Chernobyl. Somewhere between the purple haze and holographic finishes, mineral foundation has been a bust—just a joke for me.

Additionally, as a woman in my 50s, I haven't been too keen on powder foundation for my skin. I prefer for my skin to look fresh and radiant,  not like I'm trying to relive the 80s with an overly-powdered face.  Of late, however, I have found a few mineral foundations that I'm okay with. And, recently, I found a mineral foundation that I really, really like.

While in New York for fashion week in September, I attended the IFB Conference where bareMinerals had a team of makeup artists demonstrating the new products from their line. So, naturally, being the naysayer that I've been regarding mineral foundation, I couldn't wait to try out their new mineral makeup.  

Bogarting my way to the front of the line, I got my name on the list and played with the testers.  I have to admit that I was impressed with the diverse color selection, particularly that the deeper makeup colors offered a "golden" undertone option.  (One of my primary problems in matching foundation is finding one with enough yellow).

Here are the details about bareMinerals READY® Foundation SPF 20:

What it is:
A solid mineral foundation that doesn’t look or feel like a foundation.

What it does:
The proprietary solid mineral technology in this foundation will give you a completely new perspective on what a foundation can do for you. Invisible long-wearing coverage beautifully covers everything yet feels like nothing. It leaves behind no traces of makeup, and the more you use it, the better your skin looks. Exceptional hydrating coverage lasts up to 12 hours with a no-makeup look and feel.

What else you need to know:
Experience the power of positively charged sea minerals. This foundation is proven to hydrate and replenish throughout the day while diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles for softer, smoother, younger-looking skin. It is formulated without binders, fillers, or harsh chemicals.

Research results:
Time-released mineral hydration delivers 108% increase in skin hydration and 12 hours of wear.

My results with bareMinerals READY® Foundation SPF 20:

First of all, after my makeup application, I looked human and pretty, not like a radiated version of myself. BareMinerals has managed to alleviate the component that lead to an overly-shiny finish in their foundation and create a product that is that reads well on the deepest of skintones.

This mineral foundation is lightweight and does not appear at all powdery on the skin—a fact that I truly love.  It  also is a bit simpler an application than its predecessor, the loose version. Since this mineral foundation is solid, you need an appropriate applicator, two of which bareMinerals makes.  The brush that I received with my foundation provides a light to medium coverage—exactly what I prefer.  However, by choosing a different brush, you're able to bump up the coverage.

I wore READY® Foundation SPF 20 along with a few other bareMinerals products throughout the day and night—for hours as a matter of fact.  True to its claim, this foundation does last up to 12 hours without my feeling like I wanted to wash my face. 

I like the fact that I can spot use this foundation where I really need coverage or just stroke or two for light coverage.  Even though the color picked out for me was a tad bit dark, it still is quite wearable and actually gives me little color.  I have put bareMinerals READY® Foundation SPF 20 in rotation with my other foundations, and it is quickly becoming my standard go-to.

As a lover of natural, chemical-free, makeup I recommend bareMinerals READY® Foundation SPF 20 for anyone looking for an easy-to-use foundation, that looks like next-to-nothing and  actually improves your skin.

Bling Factor: 

Pro: Chemical free, excellent color matching, hydrates skin, no ashiness, easy-to-use

Con: None

Price: $29 (brush is extra)

Buy Again: Yes

Packaging: 4 Blings

Overall: 5 Blings

You can purchase bareMinerals READY® Foundation SPF 20 if you click this link.