Makeup Matters - foundations, concealers, minerals

October 2007

MAKEUP MATTERS
Foundations, Concealers & Minerals
By Leah Jayasanker
Beauty images by Garth Aikens

Foundations, concealers and minerals, oh my! With the plethora of products on the market to cover, hide and disguise blemishes, dark circles and age spots how do you know what to use when and why. See what the experts recommend.

The skinny on foundation

Oil-free and matte liquid foundations
This type of foundation offers a fluid finish with no shine that lasts several hours, providing a sheer to medium coverage. Oil-free and matte formulas partner well with oily skin. One to try: Bioelements Mid Coverage Makeup ($32, Bioelements Spa, (800) 533-3064 or Bioelements.com ) is fragrance-free and contains skin-strengthening botanicals (Bioelements Adaptogens) that support and strengthen the skin, helping it to withstand stress.

Oil-based foundations
Oil is the top ingredient and water typically second or third so after time makeup can cause skin to feel chunky and cakey and / or look greasy. For women with dry or wrinkly skin the emollient ingredients from the oil base give a soft and moist appearance masking tiny lines and wrinkles.
One to try: NARS Balanced Foundation ($38).

Water-based and standard liquid foundations
These foundations are concentrated, intended for light to medium coverage on skin that is normal to dry. The oils inside this makeup blend nicely with shadows and blush allowing for a homogenous application. One to try: L'Oreal Visible Lift Line-Minimizing Makeup SPF 12 ($12.69).

Plant-based makeup
The consistency of this formula does not contain mineral oil, talc or lanolin, coal tar or FD & C coloring agents. Natural plant-based ingredients like conditioning flowers, plant extracts and beneficial vitamins and antioxidants are included. Gabriel DeSantino, CEO and founder of Gabriel Cosmetics explains, “What we put on our skin gets absorbed into our body so, it’s important to use products made with only naturally derived ingredients. Our Plant-Based foundations are great because they keep skin supple and resilient while providing excellent coverage for all skin types.” One to try: Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation ($25.50, gabrielcosmeticsinc.com )

Mineral Makeup
Foundation in a mineral powder form is non-comedogenic, does not block pores and does not enhance wrinkles like traditional powders. It is based on a hypoallergenic loose powder that naturally nourishes the skin and contains no perfumes talc, alcohol, dyes, mineral oil or preservatives. Mineral makeup is commonly used for people that suffer from skin conditions like, acne, rosacea and redness following treatments of chemical peels and laser resurfacing.

According to Alima Cosmetics founder, Kate O'Brien, “The best mineral makeup in powder form contains only pure, powdered minerals, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mica, and iron oxide.” In order to get the right coverage that lasts from day to night Kate offers these tips. “For a light to medium application, a dense, soft brush works best. Take care to select a high quality brush that is non-irritating, and buff the minerals into your skin gently.” For heavier coverage, she adds, “A flocked sponge works well.” If you tend to be more on the oily side, Kate recommends, “A natural foundation primer works well to control oil and help mineral makeup last through the day.” One to try: Alima Cosmetics Satin Matte Mineral Foundation ($18.95, alimacosmetics.com )