Who would've thought that the latest craze in cosmetics-makeup literally mined from the earth-would date back more than 2,000 years? Turns out even Cleopatra, that ageless paragon of beauty, is said to have used the natural pigments of ground minerals to enhance her legendary looks. When it comes to mineral makeup, what's old is new again--and for good reason. The benefits of these products abound, especially for those who prefer an au naturel approach to looking younger. Up next, we unearth four reasons to trade in your favorite foundation (and blush, eye shadow, mascara, and lipstick) for a pretty piece of the rock.
Lighter, more natural coverage
"Mineral makeup offers instant age-defying gratification," says Joanna Schlip, a celebrity makeup artist and consultant to Physicians Formula, a company that makes a line of mineral makeup.
The reason: Minerals have reflective properties, so light bounces off the face and creates a youthful glow. Another plus is that minerals bind to the skin, rather than sinking into it like traditional formulas. This makes them less prone to becoming cakey and drying out your complexion, which can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles, says Leslie Blodgett, CEO of the pioneer mineral makeup line Bare Escentuals.
Yet because of their camouflaging properties, you can still hide everything from acne scars and undereye circles to the telltale redness associated with rosacea. That's why mineral makeup is often sold in dermatology and plastic surgery offices--docs count on it to cover the bruising and inflammation that can develop after some cosmetic procedures.
Richer, Longer-Lasting Color
Mineral makeup contains natural pigments rather than artificial dyes, so its colors are deeper and more vibrant--a plus for over-40 faces, which become more washed out with age. Products are also available in a wide range of hues--including reds, browns, tans, blues, greens, and violets--that are as beautiful as Mother Nature herself. Even better, because these pigments won't fade or dilute the tone of makeup, the color they provide just won't quit. "That means there's less need for midday touch-ups," says Schlip.
Wards off UVA-Related Wrinkling
The base ingredients of mineral makeup are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the same FDA-approved ingredients that block damaging UVA and UVB rays in sunscreens. (To be fair, a number of traditional cosmetics also contain these ingredients, though usually not in such a concentrated fashion.) So when you apply it, a physical barrier is formed that protects skin from aging rays.
That's not to say you should depend entirely on the formulas to shield you from the sun. "They will provide some protection, but a stroke here and a dab there won't do for daily wear," says Kathy Fields, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of San Francisco. So always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen or lotion with an SPF of at least 30 to your entire face prior to making up.
Superior for Sensitive Skin
Many lines are free of artificial dyes, fragrances, alcohol, preservatives, and oils, which can irritate skin. This means they can be safe enough to use even on sensitive skin. Still, Fields advises doing a patch test on the neck before use.
Mineral Mixtures We Love
1. Lauren Hutton Aqua-Elements Lip Elements Lip Tint in Light/Medium ($12; laurenhutton.com) packs coconut oil and shea butter to help plump thin lips.
2. Jane Iredale PurePressed Triple Eye Shadow in Think Pink ($27; janeiredale.com) is infused with mica to make dull lids look radiant; the color trio perks up all skin tones.
3. L'OrJal Paris Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Blush in Bare Honey ($15; drugstores) contains a built-in brush, which makes it easy to brighten on the go.
4. Mineral Fx Pure Mineral Foundation ($37; nordstrom.com) gives skin a satiny finish and feel.
5. Bare Escentuals Bare-Minerals Liner Shadow in Midnight Sky ($12; Sephora) adds oomph to eyes; its water- and oil-free formula prevents smudging and smearing.
6. Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Mascara ($8; drugstores) is the first mass-marketed mineral mascara. It's formulated with vitamins A and E to strengthen sparse lashes.
Ace Application
Mineral makeup is heavily pigmented, so a little goes a long way. How to apply it like a pro:
Powder Foundation
Even if your product contains a built-in brush, always blow off any excess. Then, swipe on where needed in a circular motion. "Smoothing your makeup this way creates a sheer, natural effect," says Susan Posnick, CEO of Susan Posnick Cosmetics, which produces a line of mineral makeup.
Blush
To blend the color evenly, Leslie Blodgett of Bare Escentuals recommends the swirl-tap-buff method: Pour some into the product's cap or into your palm, dip in a blush brush and swoosh it around to soak up some color, and tap off any residue. Then buff onto the apples of your cheeks and out toward your hairline using a circular motion.
Eye Shadow
Using a soft eye shadow brush, which allows for the softest color application, tap off any excess and then spread it across the lids with lateral sweeps.
Mascara
Coat lashes evenly from the bases to ends with a few long, smooth strokes, says Posnick. "Because of the dense pigmentation, you rarely need a second coat."
Lip Color
Lipsticks and glosses glide on like nonmineral formulas. Because the shades tends to be richer, though, you may want to use a lip brush to help distribute the color more evenly, or run your fingertip over your lips to soften and blend the hue.
Purists: Read the label
One-hundred percent mineral makeup is chemical free and contains some combination of titanium dioxide, mica, zinc oxide, ultramarine, iron oxide, carmine, or bismuth oxychloride--and other minerals. So what about those lines popping up that also contain synthetic ingredients like methylparaben? Having some man-made materials doesn't mean this makeup is bad, says Fields.
In some cases, these additional ingredients help preserve the quality of the makeup--methylparaben, for example, allows mineral eye shadow to last longer. But if you want to avoid all chemicals, check the label before you buy.
