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To Mineral Or Not to Mineral

Yes, that is the question…you see them all over TV, everywhere you surf on the net and now they have even made it to your local drugstore. Yes, those mineral make ups are now everywhere, but are they on your face? Even though the new, popular facial craze of 'natural' or mineral makeup is truly spreading the main question is really are they as great as they say and are they for everyone? If you're wondering exactly what is this new 'natural makeup' than read on and decide for yourself if you are ready to mineral or not to mineral, soon you'll know your answer.

Well, believe it or not, it is a great product. Pretty much all of the rumors that you hear are true…there are a lot less irritants in this product and it's made with its own built in sunscreen…how cool is that? Plus it sets to a silky, youthful and natural touch that makes your skin look flawless and your texture look vibrant. Many people who use these products notice that the actual health of their skin has improved. With day to day use of this natural makeup, women encountered less acne and rosacea than with regular foundation. The negative is that it is not as easy to get your hands on as regular foundation. But keep on shopping my savvy shopper and find the best mineral make up for you at the best price. Oh, did I mention that the best thing about this product is the price. Yes, it may retail as the same price as some high end mall counter foundations, but it last way longer, plus with no expiration dates on this natural foundation you don't have to worry about throwing it out.

There are several mineral makeups on the market now, and I have listed some of the better ones for your shopping pleasure. The first is Bare Essentials, which is also Bare Escentuals…same make up, same company. Right now you can go to Sephora.com and pick your perfect match for the foundation. And if you spend over $75 you will get free shipping as well. Now, Bare Essentials is the most widespread mineral product and it boast being so natural and good for your skin that you can actually sleep in your makeup. You can be the judge of that; however, some of its best attributes are of course the price point and it's excessively long shelf life. Another great selling point is how exceptionally light this makeup is, no heavy or dry, pasty feel. Not to mention, this mineral makeup gives an ultra smooth finish. Bare Essentials has more color choices than the average mineral makeup and it stays on all day, even in heavy humidity. But on the downside, this makeup is known to be a little messy and slightly difficult to apply correctly. Now if you have excessively dry skin, this may not be the product for you as it tends to dry out the skin, but yet, works great on oilier skin types. Just make sure you watch your container closely and be careful as it is known to spill.

The second mineral makeup that made the list Aromaleigh which can be purchased online at aromaleigh.com. Now the biggest plus to this line is that they sell two different types: one for oily skin and one for dryer skin, which eliminates some of the problems, mentioned with Bare Essentials, however, their products have received common customer service complainants with shipping and refunds. Nonetheless, this is the perfect mineral make up for the mature face…this product does noticeably better on women over 40. And this line also sells individual color pigments so that you can mix and blend your perfect color combination or shade.

Another excellent choice for mineral makeup that is a lot more accessible than any other on the list is made by L'Oreal. Now with a much more economically savvy price point and easier packaging and whole lot neat to apply this product seems like a win-win situation. However, because of its drugstore packaging picking the right pigment color for your foundation is a hopelessly lost effort. Despite that, this product has better coverage than most and is less messy to apply. But yet, it will over dry so make sure you moisturize.
Other natural foundations to consider are Afterglow and Youngblood cosmetics. Both of these are excellent products with great reviews. Both much smaller companies, but are known for excellent customer service. Afterglow cosmetics can be found at either Amazon.com or afterglow.com, and look for Youngblood at youngblood.com. After reviewing all the info and deciding which color works best for you, you just might decide to mineral after all.

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

ABC's of Mineral Makeup & Other Beauty Savers

When I first read about mineral makeup, I have to admit I felt a little suspicious. There are so many different kinds of makeup—whipped foundation, age defying blends, and barely-there sheers. But is mineral makeup the “next thing” or another gimmick?

Everyone who keeps track of their spending knows that makeup can really effect their budget. It's important to record how much you're spending with cosmetics, but at the same time, you should really try to invest in excellent foundation.

So what's the big deal with mineral makeup? My consensus: it's perfect for budget shoppers because you will actually use less and still get excellent coverage. As a product tester (not as a job, but just out of curiosity), I've discovered that you really can get a natural glow with mineral makeup. It hydrates the skin, so you can apply less and get a moist and dewy look. This is one of the hardest things to achieve with makeup. If you don't like cakey or matte effects, mineral makeup is something you should really try. It's almost invisible and lets your real skin color and texture show through.

The final word? Mineral makeup is fresh, natural, and actually thrifty. I liked the Emani brand, which is available from Buybeauty.com.

Want other ways to save money on your beauty regimen? Try these tips:

1.Use vinegar. Vinegar is an incredible beauty aid, and once you start finding uses for it, you'll be surprised at the possibilities. Use it as an age spot remover for hands by mixing hand lotion with half as much vinegar, and then blending it together. This mixture actually lightens age spots on the hands—and you won't forget to use it because it's already part of your routine. You can also use it as a quick and easy hair rinse to remove shampoo traces and get your hair squeaky clean. It helps to remove buildup, too.

2.Perfume samples. Invest in a few purse size perfumes instead of buying a large bottle. You can buy a more expensive versions and still save, and you can save even more if you collect perfume samples in magazines. (Yes, I'm serious! Why have them hanging around, anyway?)

3.Shop online. Don't forget that no matter what type of cosmetics (mineral or not) you choose to use, you can usually find the best deal online. Don't wait until you run out and have to go to the drugstore for concealer!

by Meieli Sawyer Detoni