Loose Powder and Mineral Foundations

The most common loose powder foundation is mineral foundation. There have more brands of mineral foundations to count these days and you can even make your own! The benefit to mineral foundations are that they let the skin breathe and do not cause breakouts in people who are acne prone. I suffered from cystic acne for many years and mineral foundation was the only kind that I could use without breaking out. I like to wear mineral foundation for the no-makeup makeup look with a little SPF protection when I'll be outside during the summer.

They usually only contain 3-6 ingredients that are all natural. They should not contain talc, oil, fragrances or preservatives. If you have a sensitivity to titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, mica, bismuth oxychloride or ultramarines make sure you check the ingredients before using them. Different brands use a different combination of these ingredients.

Mineral foundations can also be used as mineral concealers, although separate mineral concealers exist. Both synthetic and natural bristle brushes can be used with powder foundations.

Application Methods

• Kabuki Brush - As previously mentioned several times, this will give you medium coverage. Swirl the brush on the powder to pick up powder and work it into the depths of the bristles. Tap off the excess powder, most of it should be within the bristles, not sitting on top. Buff the powder into the skin with the brush in a circular motion. These can be purchased at stores like Sephora and Ulta. For less expensive brushes, see CoastalScents.com or StarsMakeupHaven.com.
  
  

• Buffer Brush - This is my favorite brush to use. It can give sheer to full coverage, based on the amount of product you use. Again, swirl the brush on the powder to pick it up into the bristles. Buff the powder into the skin in a circular motion. You can achieve full coverage by layering or using more product, assuming you are using a product that is buildable. This brush gives a flawless finish. These can also be purchased at stores like Sephora or Ulta.
  
  

• Powder Brush - This will give you sheer to medium coverage. If you really wanted to layer and buff, you might be able to get full coverage out of this brush. It is a handy brush to have because it can be used with any powder product. Everyone should have at least 2 powder brushes, one to use for foundation and/or setting powder and a second to apply blush. The larger and puffier the brush, the more dispersed and even the product will be placed. I would suggest the Posh Powder brush, it's very soft and full.
  
  

• Foundation Brush - Just as with liquid foundation, a foundation brush can be used. This will give you full coverage. When I don't have the room to carry a buffer brush, I like to use the foundation brush in my Posh travel brush set to apply mineral foundation. The denser the foundation brush is, the more even and full coverage it will apply.
  
  

• Self Dispensing Puff or Brush - These are really interesting inventions. You place the product into a little jar or brush handle and it makes its way out through a hole in the middle of the puff or brush and then onto your skin. Coverage is really at the mercy of the size of the hole and how many times you want to try to apply the product. I bought one so that I wouldn't have to carry a brush on me, but I found it be a lot more work and if you clean the puff regularly, you will lose a lot of product. If you don't clean the puff, you will have a bacteria filled applicator. Novel idea, but for practical use I wouldn't recommend these.
  

Suggested Products

Best Mineral Foundation for Oily Skin: Everyday Minerals Foundation in Semi-Matte or Matte

• Comes in 4 different formulas (semi-matte, matte, intensive and glo)
  
• Does not contain bismuth oxychloride, the ingredient that can make other mineral foundations creamy and overly shiny.
  
• Comes in 44 different shades
• Get a free sample of 3 foundation colors, 1 concealer and 1 blush for the cost of shipping
• Natural SPF 15
  
• My favorite mineral foundation
• $2.50 (5ml) - $12 (25ml) at everydayminerals.com

Best Mineral Foundation for Dry, Dull Skin: Bare Minerals Foundation

• Creamy consistency
• Gives skin a natural glow
• Comes in 15 shades
• $25 / 0.3 oz at Sephora, Ulta or Bare Escentuals
• Starter kits are also available for $60
  

Best Drug Store Mineral Foundation: Maybelline Mineral Power Powder Foundation

• An alternative if you can't order Everyday Minerals online or need something less expensive
• Talc, oil, fragrance and preservative free
• Comes with a small kabuki brush
• Comes in 8 colors
  
• Warning: Description claims it contains no fillers, however the ingredients list includes some traditional chemical ingredients
  
• $10 / 0.28 oz at most drug stores or Ulta