Bare Escentuals • Original SPF 15 Foundation • Powder

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Kbechha on 5/6/2013 11:03:00 AM more reviews by Kbechha

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight   Eyes: Blue    

My skin is pretty clear most of the time and I don't break out often, maybe just a pimple or two, but this foundation made me break out so bad I had to stop using it immediately. My sister and some of my friends even noticed how bad my skin had become. My skin also began to itch from time to time. I think the problem is that they use bismuth, which may cause allergic reactions for some people. I guess that is what happened to me.

One other problem was that the foundation left my face quite dry around the nose area, no matter how much moisturizer I used.
The coverage isn't good either. I can't understand why this foundation is so popular.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

AshMae on 4/20/2013 6:41:00 PM more reviews by AshMae

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I have been using this product for about two years. I was previously using tinted moisturizes because I hate the way foundation feels and looks on my skin. This product gives enough coverage while not being heavy. I don't really have any skin complaints, other than a few dark spots here and there from being in the sun too much as a kid; but this covers those spots up. The key for me is not waiting a few minutes after I apply it to determine how it looks. It seems to take those few minutes to "set" and not look powdery to me. Also, I don't find that I get any weird "white face" in photos that I would get using foundations or tinted moisturizers. My only complaint is the loose powder format. It can be a bit messy at times, especially if you forget to turn the internal top when you travel with it.

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berrycurious on 4/19/2013 6:43:00 PM more reviews by berrycurious

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I've tried so many liquid foundations and each one made my skin cake & flake. I thought this would make it even more pronounced, but to my surprise, I got less caking.
I used toleriane ultra moisturizer, then a physical sunblock (I suggest Elta MD), then quercetin & oak primer by korres (letting each layer sit for 10-15 minutes because these products don't dry quickly -- maybe get a mineral-based primer like Hourglass - Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 -- but this contains silicones if you're trying to avoid them).
I also use Too Faced eye primer. It all looks great together.

Update:
slides off my face/separates after about 6 hours. I will try using a less thick and greasy sunblock--this happened with Lavanila Healthy Face sunblock and Rosaliac Intense AR lotion.

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socalgurl on 4/18/2013 1:20:00 AM more reviews by socalgurl

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Tan   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I never used makeup before and started to use this because I wanted to start out with something light and the mineral hype attracted me I guess. I didn't like the application of it because it would highlight dry spots and look cakey and flakey. I also hated the packaging, seemed kind of cheap to me. I've seen people claim that they use it and it looks really nice on them. Maybe I am doing something wrong, but it wasn't good for me. I am asian with oily skin.

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mandycool01 on 4/15/2013 11:20:00 PM more reviews by mandycool01

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I wanted to love this but didnt. Im nc20and bought golden light, which was way too light. I mean geisha girl light. I was going to exchange for a new color but realized I didnt even like the way it wore so I returned it. It rubbed off like nobodies business and it didnt control oil at all. Oddly enough the powder got super cakey after only one application. With a skunk brush it caked less but I wasn't able to get the coverage I desired.

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laupsy on 4/12/2013 10:26:00 PM more reviews by laupsy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

When I first used this foundation, I absolutely hated it. I wanted it to live up to its hype very badly, so I tried it for about 2 weeks - it'd go on beautifully and then within 5 minutes it'd turn into a cakey and disgusting mess.

I have extreme combination acne prone skin so a natural looking foundation is really important to me. I had bought this in Fairly Light and it just didn't do the trick, so I stopped using it for a few months.

I decided to try it again just in case I was just putting it on wrong, and it turned out I was right. The thing with this foundation is that it's NOT I repeat NOT buildable. I had been building up the foundation because after about two applications my blemishes were completely covered and my face looked "flawless", but the result after a short amount of time was an extreme amount of caking. I employed some self control and did the smallest amount possible, 1 application, and used a concealer on whatever was still showing, and it looked 100% natural AND lasted all day (set with Rimmel's Stay Matte powder in Transparent).

So the moral of the story (at least for me): Use this SPARINGLY. It's not meant to be caked onto your face. It might look nice at first to go for full coverage, but like most foundations, it will end up looking awful. Use concealer on anything that still shows through after applying.

Also, a tip for some people with skin like mine:

My skin is "peaches and cream" skin spotted with acne and acne scars. 75% of my skin just does not need foundation. Lately, I've been using a small brush to use the bareminerals foundation as a spot concealer and it's the best "concealer" that I've ever used - looks so natural and covers very well.

Oh, one last thing! Fairly Light was a little too light for my skin tone and because of that it actually made my skin look a little sparkly and greasy upon application despite it not having glitter or anything in it. I bought another in Fairly Medium which matches my skin perfectly and I didn't get that effect. So if it seems sparkly on you you probably went too light!

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Hollybunz on 3/26/2013 11:13:00 AM more reviews by Hollybunz

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Black, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This has been my go to foundation for a number of years now. It looks natural, gives good coverage, but most importantly it's healthy for my skin. Mineral makeup doesn't migrate into the pores throughout the day like liquid foundations do. So I know I won't come home at the end of the day with a big red surprise on my face! Haha also, many times when I wash my face at the end of the day my skin appears clearer and brighter than when I applied the foundation in the morning. I really have no complaints about this product. I do wish they would change the material they make the lid out of. It gets dirty very easily.

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beth76 on 3/5/2013 7:01:00 PM more reviews by beth76

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I love BE original foundation! I have worn it for years and last year decided i wanted to try something new. For a solid year I've tried Estée Lauder DW, Dermablend, Revlon Colorstay, Revlon Almost Naked, Mac, and more. I just couldn't find anything I just loved. The one problem I have with it is that I have melasma that really gets worse in the summer and the BE doesn't cover it enough. I started wearing it again and realize that I just love the way my skin glows with it on and I always get compliments when I wear it. I am just going to have to buy a heavier concealer in the summer months to cover the melasma. I rarely have breakouts with BE. While trying all these other foundations, I have had some terriible breakouts and am finally getting my clear skin back.

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HelloGracie on 2/22/2013 3:53:00 PM more reviews by HelloGracie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I just started using Bare Minerals last fall when a friend convinced me to buy a starter kit. I've always worn sheer bb creams so loose powder was definitely a new concept to me. Before, I was always into the 'pale' faced look since it is big in Korea right now but I finally decided to get matched to my actual skin tone ('Light') and love the luminous, airbrushed finish! It really give my face a healthy glow! I had to restock recently and got the Jonathan Adler edition that has 2.5x more product and a buki brush :)

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beths02 on 2/22/2013 2:49:00 PM more reviews by beths02

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Sometimes i find this powder blends really well into my skin and other times i don't like the look it gives. But i always repurchase this because i am prone to acne and Bare Minerals is the best powder i have found that works with my skins well and causes less blemishes. I have to use a liquid before applying to give myself better coverage.
Also people have complained about the packaging. I am a fan of it, because I don't like have powder all loose in a pot.

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sabrinalovesmakeup on 2/20/2013 4:46:00 PM more reviews by sabrinalovesmakeup

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Instead of me wasting the money to get this I could have just mixed up some glitter and baby powder and got the same effect.. It was very greasy and splotchy..This was not worth my money or my time!

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lovenall on 2/20/2013 4:26:00 PM more reviews by lovenall

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I am going through a series of chemical peels and this is the makeup I wear on my sensitive skin in between the peels. It doesn't irritate my skin and gives fair enough coverage with airbrushed finish. Not sure what it does, but although it doesn't cover everything perfectly, it somehow diffuses all the redness on my face so that it looks like it provides a medium range coverage with a bit of sheen - without making it look greasy. I pair it up with the mineral concealer from Bare Minerals. For me, this is the product that gives the "glow from within" effect. A little goes a long way, and after buffing it in with my Real Techniques Buffing brush the powdery feel goes away immediately.
I use medium beige for my NC25-30 yellow asian skin, and it is a perfect fit. And I don't know how it works, but I can wear this both for winter and summer, although I get very tanned in summer time.

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srosen24 on 2/19/2013 10:39:00 PM more reviews by srosen24

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Blue    

I have a love hate relationship with this foundation. I go on and off it every once in a while but this is the last time. The colour is never perfect and it can get cake-y very easily. The twist top is not very handy either. It does have great coverage, but I like to use my powder over my liquid foundation and concealer and I find this one gets very cake-y when used in combination with those

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

prettycunning on 1/25/2013 1:21:00 PM more reviews by prettycunning

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

It's such a shame, because yet again here is a product I really wanted to like but that just didn't work for me!

I have sensitive skin that tends to be oily and prone to breakouts, and I bought a complete starter set of this stuff.

IT BURNS. Oh dear lord, it burns. Something in this caused a severe allergic reaction on my skin when exposed to natural daylight, and made my face itchy and feel like it was burning all over.

After a little research it turns out I was far from the only one with this reaction - apparently the troublesome ingredient here is bismuth oxychloride, which a lot of people have allergies to. It's also chemically similar to arsenic, so I will definitely be avoiding products containing this in future.

However, my sister also tried the foundation, and she has dry/normal non-sensitive skin, and no reaction to it that I am aware of. So for people with her skin type this might be lovely, but if you're sensitive like me: avoid avoid avoid!

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Hunnibunn on 1/24/2013 11:34:00 PM more reviews by Hunnibunn

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I have finally tried this amazing foundation after constant research. My skin has been going through extreme changes and acted up. My cheeks were scared and covered with acne. Not pretty.
After trying this foundation for a good month, my face hardly breaks out now! I'm in love with this stuff. It is definitely worth trying out and a little goes a long way for me. The coverage is nice and lasts all day with a good primer. I'm around an NC 25-30 and golden medium works awesome!

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pinkcandii on 1/10/2013 8:57:00 PM more reviews by pinkcandii

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Black    

As a sensitive skin person prone to allergic reactions, I only had the obvious itching and red irritated red flush on my cheeks when I first tried this mineral foundation. I kept it on for an hour more just to test it out fully (since it wasn't like burning or feeling rashy). When the hour was up, the makeup oxidized to a ridiculous point: from matching my NW15-20 complexion at the very beginning to going orange, think fake tan gone wrong.

Needless to say, I did not keep the product.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

struby09 on 12/25/2012 9:57:00 PM more reviews by struby09

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This product is great! To get started i will tell you a bit about me: I have natural RED hair! No it is not the usual strawberry blonde to orange. It is red. My hair contains blonde, red, orange, brown and any color in between strands of hair. With that red hair I actually have fair to medium skin (I know crazy right!). So I am a redhead with not chalk white skin so it is amazingly hard to find the right product that goes great with my complexion. Well this product did the trick! gives me the perfect color while covering!!! Yay! my only complaint is that it can sometimes give a powdery look. Also you do have to put quite a bit on to get full coverage! Overall it is a WONDERFUL product!

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CandyFlossSkye on 12/18/2012 4:02:00 PM more reviews by CandyFlossSkye

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

This is my HG mineral powder foundation. Great buildable coverage, smooth texture, almost creamy appearance once applied.

It doesn't break me out or create dry flakey patches like some mineral powder foundations do. I use the lightest shade which is about perfect for my very fair skin!

I have used LilyLolo in the past which I found didn't offer as much coverage. This is the best quality loose powder foundation I've tried, and I've tried MANY!

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jinglingjambo on 12/10/2012 5:13:00 PM more reviews by jinglingjambo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I got this as I'd heard rave reviews about BareMinerals so when I saw the starter kit at duty free, I thought I'd give it a shot.

This product did not give enough coverage for me and I felt that the powder wasn't buildable. I watched the bareminerals tutorials for their products and they said you could use this as a concealer... It provided me with no coverage, maybe it reduced some redness but that was it!

I occasionally use this as a setting powder but never alone.

Also, I didn't like the twist dispenser, it was too time-consuming! Would've been a lot better if they'd copied the Smashbox Halo powder dispenser.
Wouldn't repurchase as this didn't work for me.

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xKamilax on 12/10/2012 3:24:00 PM more reviews by xKamilax

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I'm on my 5th jar of this powder. Its simply amazing! I recently discovered better powders (Ben Nye - Banana Powder , Benefit - Hello Flawless powder) but I've been loving this for ages!

+ Good Coverage Defo Build-able!
+ Reflects light, so under eye circles blemishes etc are not visible
+ The packaging is amazing! It closes unlike some other loose powders!
+ You get quite a lot of product
+ Looks better on its own (without liquid foundation under)
+ Brushes are included in the starter kit!
+ Stays in place the whole day

- You have to put heaps on to get a full coverage
- Because it reflects light it can look very shiny/ oily
- After a whole day at school I had to make touch ups because it was shiny
- Doesn't look good with a foundation underneath
- Sometimes makes under eye area look really dry

Overall I would repurchase! Im the shade Fairly Light ( MAC NC15)

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