Don't give up on this product too quickly, I've found it to be very adaptable.
I ordered the light/fairly light starter as my skin is quite translucent. I haven't worn foundation of any kind for years. I've got pretty nice skin apart from a few blemishes on my forehead and chin. My skin is smooth and has that nice dewy look in the summer that all makeup will kill. After going through the reviews, I decided I seem to have a face that could make this product work.

The first time I tried it on I was rather impatient and wanted it to be miracle that fixed my face. I applied it in natural light so I could really see what it did. Since it's the end of summer, and I have a decent tan, I applied fairly light with the flawless application brush. I followed the instructions correctly and didn't put too much on, but I was NOT impressed with the white sheen it gave me all over! I went to my mom and asked what she thought happened to my face. She said it looked fresh, like I just got a facial. But she is my mother, and obviously can't be trusted in this sort of thing. Now according to the instructions and reviews here on MUA, the mineral veil will diminish the shine, so I put that on. The shine was gone, but now it looked way too powdery! The only thing that got my hopes up was the warmth powder which is applied like a blush/bronzer. You only need a tiny tiny bit of this. It lessened the matte look I hate, but this look was much too powdery for my taste. On me, this is obvious makeup.
What I did like at this point was using the little concealer brush after the initial buffing on the foundation. It was great for lightening up around my eyes, and there really isn't a line where you stopped applying. I had a recovering pimple on my chin that day, it hadn't reached the surface, but it was a decent bump. The extra foundation I put on it made it so shiny it actually looked bigger!


Now you're wondering where I get 5 lippies out of this review.
Remember how I said it was adaptive? Adapt it! You have two shades of foundation and the warmth. When I added a little bit of the warmth to the fairly light (because the fairly light alone was too white) it matched perfectly! AND it wasn't shiny anymore! And I'm not using the mineral veil because it gives me a too powdery look. Less is more when you're applying. I use the little concealer brush first with my adapted shade to wherever my face needs it. Around my eyes, I use a little less warmth in case it looks too dark. I use just the tiniest bit to even it all out with the flawless application brush, and then apply a little warmth again in the manner originally instructed on the dvd. Throughout application, make sure you tap all product off the outside of the brush, or it will come off too heavy.
As winter comes on and I get paler, I'll have to combine the colors differently, but I don't think I'll stop mixing at least a little bit of warmth in with the foundation. If it didn't come with warmth I'd probably be giving this product a 1. It says it expires a year from now, but we'll see about that, I don't think I'll have used it all by then. I don't go out much at night, but when I do, I'll just apply it with the baby kabuki all over in addition to what I've been doing.

As for the packaging, it's a bulky bummer but I don't know how else you'd package something that has to be applied like this. I'd suggest not holding the pan in your hand while applying, put it down to avoid any possible spillage.
When I first was pulling the sticker seal off mineral veil, the whole top sifter pulled off with it and I spilled some.

Oh and the starter kit also comes with a bare vitamins lotion you're supposed to apply beforehand, and I actually like this so far. It works kind of like serums I've tried before that really smooth out your skin. This one absorbs a hell of a lot better, but sometimes it stings a little. But they tell you to apply it before you moisturize, which doesn't work for me. I moisturize with aloe, and putting that on after stirs up the vitamins residue and leaves it visibly resting on my face.

Overall, I give it a high rating because it ended up working for me the way I expected it to and the way I want it to. It looks more natural as any makeup I've tried. It doesn't break me out or feel heavy when applied correctly. (that first application I put on too many layers and it did feel heavy like other foundations) It does accentuate any dry flakes of skin, but so does any other powder you've used. I worried about it caking up in wrinkles like other reviewers have mentioned, but that didn't happen to me at all. It is expensive, but I don't have a problem with the price, it's the only makeup I've bought in 6 months and it will last for awhile. continued >>

Pros: doesn't break me out. feels clean, doesn't feel greasy or like you have foundation on. Lasts all day. Sheer coverage (that's a good thing for me but some people like heavier coverage)
Cons: the packaging. this is so not portable. the powder gets everywhere. do NOT wear black and then apply this...it'll end up all over you. I really hate the packaging but I'm gonna bear with it because b.e. makes my skin look better and feel better than any other foundation.
for reference: i have very fair skin and used b.e. in fair. my skin is normal to dry with very few breakouts and redness.
also, you need to make sure you're very moisturized and that it has sunk in before applying b.e. because in dry weather it can look cakey if you're not moisturized good enough.

What i liked: it gives my skin an even complexion. it looks fresh and smooth, (and first).

But i found more cons to this foundation. First of all, it was too "glowing." i know that is gives a glow, but it was almost metallic and left a whitish cast on my skin. Second, it left my face shiny and oily. even after i put on powder, the shine would come back within an hour. Also, i used the concealer brush and applyied it near my eyes, and it looked very cakey. It didnt cover up blemeishes or redness enough, too. Also, BE has the worst color selection. Im too dark for Medium, but too light for Tan. And i am not going to waste my time and money by mixing two shades together. Also, the packaging is a mess. Powder was all over the place.

So basically, at first it seemed like a cool foundation that left my skin almost flawless looking, but after some time, i realized this isnt the foundation that suits my needs. I rather have a matte, full coverage foundation that doesnt make my face look shiny and cakey.

Its the only makeup that doesn't make me break-out and stays fresh, looks natural all day.

Other brands: I've tried all the expensive makeup brands and I'd always break out and the would look terrible, worn-out and tired by the end of a long day at school & work. When I would take pictures, my face wouldn't match the color of my body, it would be too dark or light or yellow. Terrible. Other brands would "rub off" on my hands causing yellow stains on my clothes and papers. So I gave up foundation makeup for 2-3 years. Until I tried BE a few months ago and loved it. It looks fresh and clean ALL day, and the best part is you only need a little bit. Use too much and you'll get that "Cakey" look but that happens for any foundation.


I gave it a 4 to leave room for improvement.


Coverage: Its true, it doesn't provide Tons of coverage to cover acne or blemish marks, but thats what the Concealor powder is for. Works really great (you need to buy that seperately from the kit, $18 but its worth it!!). BE works best for that really light, almost "not wearing makeup-natural look". IF you want that "I'm wearing make up look kind of coverage" this is Not the product for you, maybe "Everyday minerals" will be a better option they have a stronger coverage - they also have free samples so it wont hurt to try it.


Color: Since there are only 3 different kits, it might not blend well with everyone's skin tone. Definetely go to a store and have someone color match you first before shelling out $70 for the kit.


Price: $70 might seem like alot, but you get alot in the kit, and it'll last you a loong time so its a good investment


enjoy beautiful skin! continued >>

I have been using their foundation for years until I found there are other MMUs on the market through MUA -- thank you, btw. BE does not provide the coverage I need for post breakout redness and slight melasma. Of course, I have a girlfriend with perfect skin (don't you hate those ;) who absolutely raves about this product so I guess it works if you have her skin. Judging by how busy their atlanta store is and the 1000 reviews, there are many flawless faces out there. But for this 34 girl who is still breaking out, the shimmery look accentuates any tiny bump. I don't like the cakiness of the mineral veil, either, so the lack of BE's staying power is annoying. Catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror at lunchtime to find I look just like I did before applying. Only pros - first foundation that didn't cause breakouts, love the concealer brush. Bottom line: I am forever done with BE!

The first one I got was a gift. When I started running low, I went out to buy this again. I live in Vancouver, BC and it's not available here, so i have to drive out to Seattle to get this. This stuff works very well for me! It actually *melts* into my skin giving me a flawless NATURAL looking complexion. I have dry/normal skin...doesn't seem to bother or irritate me at all. I'm a MAC NC20-25 and I chose "light". Yes this stuff can be messy, but it is a loose powder afterall. The price isn't thaaaat outrageous ($25USD for a 9g jar). I mean compared to other mineral - talc free products (or even high end regular powders) I have seen. I would say it's reasonable. Thumbs up for me!

At first I didn't like BE...Someone that worked at a BE Store that I went to one day applied it on me and it looked cakey and didn't match my skintone (I'm Fair, I think she put Fairly Light on me which is too yellow)...but then I had my friend that works at Ulta apply it on me and it looked great! It gives me personally enough coverage and my bf couldn't even tell that I had makeup on which is exactly what I want lol. It's all in the application and finding the right color for you. Oh, and for everyone that says their skin is too oily and/or they have to re-apply a lot then use Prime Time by BE! It works well!

Update: I decided to finally buy my own BM foundation...I was disappointed that I couldn't get the starter kit because I have very fair skin...well they lied when they said it doesn't make you break out! Grr...I think the coverage is ok and overall I still like it. It makes my skin look flawless!

Update 2: I've pretty much figured out that I am breaking out after I use BM because I use ProActiv, which brings out pimples to clear the skin, and while I haven't used other cleaners that aren't for acne after using BM, I haven't really broken out...but it still pisses me off that Bare Minerals claims not to clog pores, because it does!

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! I HATE THIS PRODUCT!! SO much for "natural minerals" that are safe enough for you to sleep in!! First of all, this product takes soooo long to put on, it doesn't even give good coverage, it makes my pores look huge, it's MESSY, and makes me break out!! It's so expensive and just a hassle to apply. Did I mention how ITCHY this product made my skin?? I had a friend who had beautiful, immaculate skin.. She tried this product too. I've never seen her with one pimple for as long as I've known her. When she started using this product, she broke out ALL OVER! I felt so bad for her. OMG! This product is a RIP OFF!! It's not even funny! But I'm laughing as I write this review! HAHAH! OVERALL.... I would NEVER buy this product ever again and recommend others to save your money, because I sure wasted mine! Ughhh.. Absolutely HATE it!!

So much hype about this line lured me into buying it. UGH I HATE IT. I even watched the accompanying dvd because I thought I might be doing something wrong. Forget it - it's not me. This stuff is just awful.

There is not one thing I like about this product. First of all, it is a mess to use...you will have an orange dusting over your entire bathroom. I never use the lightest shades, and I had to with this...and it still looked very orangey on me. It was not enough coverage for my acne-prone skin, and it wore off in a matter of a couple hours. It dried me out, and it made my face itch terribly. I'm not sure if this just doesn't work with my skin type or what. Maybe this is just another product for people with flawless skin...