ELLE TESTS
MINERAL POWDER FOUNDATION
By Susannah Edwards
If, like us, you love faking your way to a clear complexion, but find overdoing foundation results in clogged pores and blemishes - read on. In line with the current trend for all things natural and non toxic, some celebrities and makeup artists are now opting for lighter, more natural products which combine mineral pigments to create a flawless finish and minimise the occurance of break-outs. Mineral makeup has none of the usual oils, preservatives or fillers found in other foundations, it has natural SPF and is fast gaining a reputation for helping to clear blemishes and relieve eczema and acne. So is it really a perfect product? Like most beauty products it's a personal thing. Some women swear by the new mineral ranges and others - particularly older skins where powder bases can be ageing - remain unimpressed. If it works for you, mineral make up will give you an unrivaled glow. So whether you’re looking for camera ready coverage or just a light dusting of colour, click on the products below to see which mineral foundations we rate the best.
Revlon
Revlon ColorStay Mineral Foundation, £12.99
Tester: Tia, sensitive skin
Being more of a tinted moisturiser girl myself, the idea of covering my face with a powder foundation was daunting. But when I found out that the titanium and zinc oxide found inside mineral make up is meant to be good for blemishes, I thought, why not! I usually wear very little make up so found the whole experience of a loose powder foundation messy at first. I soon got the hang of it and later really enjoyed using the product. I particularly liked the clever brush-in-lid design, which makes it great for carrying around in my handbag!
The product felt completely natural on my skin, just a little more powdery than usual and the foundation was also good for my oily/combination skin - working well with my skins’ natural oils to settle into a subtle, non-powdery finish. I have lots of blemishes to conceal but I was pleasantly surprised by the coverage and super even finish, and simply used a concealer too when I needed more camouflage. The foundation had great staying power I didn’t need to reapply during the day - bonus.
As for my complexion - I didn’t notice any dramatic effects. It neither cleared my skin nor made it worse. I am definitely going to continue using this foundation as I like the way the mineral powder works with my skin and I’m hoping, over time, it may help clear up my blemishes too.
Best for: Oily or combination skin
Rating: 3/5
