Bare Escentuals • Matte Foundation spf 15 • Powder

Where To Buy?

LisaInFL on 7/21/2009 9:34:00 AM more reviews by LisaInFL

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I have been an avid BE fan for the last 3 yrs. I get compliments all the time about how great my skin looks. I have found that recently though, i have been oilier than normal. My usual powdering of mineral veil wasnt cutting it either.
Let's face it, summer in south florida = an oile(er) face.

I was happy to get a sample (a rather large sample) from a recent sephora order of the matte version of my beloved bare minerals.

i prepped my face in my usual manner & only applied the matte foundation to my t-zone. it went on seriously matte, *almost* too much so. I applied mineral veil to the rest of my face & went about my day. as the day went on the total matteness wore off a bit, just enough that it looked more natual. But i was still oil-free at 6pm.

I am sure that the sample size will take me through the rest of the summer, im not sure that i would buy this with the cooler, less humid months that typically arrive in mid-october, but for the months between april-sept. i would def buy this.

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elliecat on 7/19/2009 5:23:00 PM more reviews by elliecat

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have used the BE foundation for 5 years, but in the summer, the itching makes me crazy. I tried this in Fairly Light Matte. It works great--coverage is good, color is not bad (I usually use Fair), and it seems to wear well--stays on all day.

ETA: Since this review, I bought the full-size Fair. It is a little light for me in the summer. It does seem to help control oil most of the day. I love the packaging--on a two week trip, it was the only BE that didn't escape it's packaging.

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chinkable on 7/8/2009 5:22:00 PM more reviews by chinkable

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

I got my free sample of Bare Escentuals Matte Foundation from Sephora. I LOVEEEE THIS STUFF! I've tried the original Bare Escentuals foundation before. It made my skin look orangey, enlarged my pores, and didn't control my shine (even with mineral veil!). I hated it. This stuff is amazing though. It doesn't oxidize (turn orange) like the original foundation. It keeps my face matte all day, and makes my pores look smaller. I will definitely be going to buy the full size version! I've tried everything from Laura Mecier to Make Up Forever, and I would say this stuff makes my skin look and feel the best! =]

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

alicebettyanna on 7/7/2009 12:40:00 PM more reviews by alicebettyanna

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I'm not a huge fan of BE but my sister swears by it. I have normal to oily skin and have used Light in the original which is perfect match for my skin.

I tested for 2 days using the sample and am shocked by how great this stuff is. No shine, no tin man face. Matte, smooth flawless skin, all day long. No need to blot with my fav Clean & Clear sheets.

I used sunscreen, then their primer Prime Time (regular formula) and then this! Extremely impressed. I would like to sample Medium Beige too now that it is summer.

The coverage is lighter than the original on me, and I like it better. I will buy full size when it comes out.

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kdelossantos on 7/5/2009 5:59:00 PM more reviews by kdelossantos

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I perfer this foundation to the regular stuff. I have used BE for about 6 yrs now and have always liked it. I am oily so after I apply BE i have a tendancy to look shiney after a few hours. It also seemed to settle into my laugh lines. This new matte version is GREAT. No shiney face and it covers really well when paired with my summer bisque. Doesnt creep into my lines at all. Great for oily skin. Will buy full size when avalaible.

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dwilder56 on 7/5/2009 12:59:00 PM more reviews by dwilder56

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I received a medium-beige sample from Sephora and am very pleased with this product. I think it creates an air-brushed finish and covers well, but it doesn't look dry or dull like some matte finishes can. I don't use the regular BE foundation, but will definitely buy this when it becomes available.

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

celesteakabeaddict on 7/3/2009 7:27:00 PM more reviews by celesteakabeaddict

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I have used many foundations, cream, liquid, cake, and powder and I have to say that this is the best! I have facial scarring from a car accident - no airbags :?( - and as a result, most foundations seem to gather in the scars, making them even more apparent. However, BEs mineral foundation goes on easily (I won't lie - you have to apply it a few times before you get the hand of it), stays where I put it, and has also had a wonderful effect on my Rosacea, reducing the redness/blotchiness. WONDERFUL product!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sarahvma on 7/3/2009 2:37:00 PM more reviews by sarahvma

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Other, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

The foundation looks very yellow even though it should have been light enough for my skin tone. It gives me a very caked-on look and caused me to break out like crazy. Normally I have blemish-free skin. Hate.

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*TOP REVIEWER* shelju on 7/2/2009 1:38:00 PM more reviews by shelju

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Kinky   Eyes: Brown    

I've been a faithful user of the original BM formula for years because I wanted very light, easy to apply, coverage without breakouts. The original provided that but I never really liked the wierd "sheen" which on me looked flat and metallic instead of "luminous". So I've been looking for a better MMU w/o much success. Anyway, I was really excited to get my offer for a free sample of the new matte BM from Sephora. They did not have my original shade (Warm Tan) in the samples so I tried a shade I'd been considering (Golden Dark). While I've decided that Golden Dark is a little too red, I was still able to assess that the matte version is sooo much better! To me the new powder is softer and more finely milled than the original, applies smoothly and provides a more natural velvety finish, not chalky or creamy just smooth. I will most definately purchase the full size version once available. I may have to stop looking for a better MMU!

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*TOP REVIEWER* curlycuesue on 7/2/2009 1:04:00 AM more reviews by curlycuesue

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

I was using the regular version as a concealer, and loved the coverage of it. If it did have a shiny finish, I never noticed, but I guess I still could've been spotlighting my blemishes and age spots... it's just that no one said anything. =( Anyway, I received a Matte sample from Sephora in Fairly Light, and so far, so good. It seems more fine and "powdery" than the regular version, and it's harder for my concealer brush to "grab" the product. Also, as others have said, the coverage is more sheer, but I don't really mind. Even though I'm using it as a concealer and obviously need it to cover, it still sufficiently blurs imperfections and leaves me w/ an even skin tone. When I run out of the sample, I may just purchase the full-size.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Livn2large on 7/1/2009 3:52:00 PM more reviews by Livn2large

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I haven't had success with minerals in the past due to my intolerance for both bismuth oxychloride and mica, but when I received an e-mail offer through Sephora at JC Penney for BE's new Matte formula plus a baby 'buki, I figured what the heck. I reviewed the ingredients and found that mica was not a major ingredient and BE had chosen to eliminate the bismuth from this formula. I chose Fairly Light for my NC20/NW20 complexion.


I applied my Matte with the brush contained in the set. My initial impressions are that due to the omission of bismuth as well as the mica in the original formula, the Matte version doesn't cover nearly as well. I find that there's a slight blurring of my facial imperfections (capillaries, scars, etc,), but no real concealment. After several days worth of applications, it hasn't created any irritation for me, but this is something for which I'll continue to watch. There does seem to be almost an immediate oil breakthrough for me on my nose, forehead and chin, and I'm not even that oily anymore.


Whether or not I'd consider future purchase depends on a couple of things: 1) whether or not I can ever get the application dense enough to conceal my capillaries, scars, etc.; and 2) whether I could hold back the oil breakthrough -- both without resorting to additional BE products that arent suitable for my skin.


Although this is a nice product, I'm not sure that it meets my needs. I'm still on the lookout for a nice product to use during the summer. I'm not rating this product harshly because of the particular needs of my skin, but I am deducting one lippie because of its sheerness.

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dawnsch on 7/1/2009 12:30:00 PM more reviews by dawnsch

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I booked over to Sephora for my free sample when I heard this was available, but I've gotta say, I'm a wee bit disappointed. I use BE off and on, and I find that instead of making me shiny, I end up looking dewey (not bad for a 38 year old). Still, I wanted to use a product without the bismuth oxychloride. Anyway, I tried out the matte version in fairly light (same color as the original version) this morning, and I immediately noticed that it didn't seem to give the same amount of coverage. I have nice skin, but there are still a couple of spots I like to cover up. I did one side of my face with matte, the other with regular, and the regular side was the winner. I might use the matte powder instead of mineral veil (too many preservatives for me), but I won't buy the full size jar.

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facadeindreams on 6/30/2009 6:59:00 PM more reviews by facadeindreams

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

Got a sample from Sephora in Medium Beige and I'm liking it so far. I quit using Bare Minerals because of the bismuth oxychloride but it looks like this formula is bismuth free! If I wasn't already a loyal customer of Everyday Minerals, I would definitely consider switching back to BE.

The finish is really nice and does a good job with the oil control. I was worried that the matte finish would make me look dry and cakey, but it doesn't and I actually look quite natural.

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riomarie on 6/30/2009 4:27:00 PM more reviews by riomarie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I'm just trying out my sample and ive had it for a day and so far so good. im usually not too into matte finishes but i was getting a little tired of the shiny regular BE and actually i use EM more cuz its cheaper. i use light and the color in the pot does look a little darker but when i put it on it was fine. i like that it has the rare minerals stuff but do i notice a difference? uh, no? it stayed on great for the duration of the time i had it on, about 6 hours. i dont need anymore foundation as i have a full jar of EM in addition to a half jar of BE plus two liquid foundations that i use as well. BUT i would buy this cuz i like the look more than the original. and i didnt have to put mineral veil over. i didnt want to add to the powdery factor. maybe in the fall i will pick up a jar, but i really need to get through all the stuff i already have first.

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*TOP REVIEWER* abbybaby on 6/28/2009 10:14:00 PM more reviews by abbybaby

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I went to sephora as soon as I got the email about the free sample of this new matte foundation powder. I've been waiting for this from BE for months now. My normal color in BE is fairly light and that is what I chose as my sample. In the pot the color looks a little darker and slightly more yellow than the traditional fairly light. However, when I buffed it on it did not seem darker and actually provided a nice color match for my skin. BTW, I also use EDM buff light neutral and buff fairly light neutral. So back to the product, it does indeed provide a matte finish and is a nice change from the shiny look of the old BE. It gives medium buildable coverage and I would say is comparable to the EDM matte formulation. The thing I'm really excited about this product is that is has the rareminerals in it. We'll see over time if it will really make a difference in my skin. Overall this is a winner from BE. I will definitely purchase the full size when it is available.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

barbiH on 6/26/2009 5:44:00 PM more reviews by barbiH

Age: Unknown   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy   Eyes: Blue    

UPDATE (08/11/09): I test drove this in 'light' (my shade in the original BE MMU) and 'fairly light'. 'Light' is way too dark .... 'fairly light' is alot better but there's an orange quality to both. The colors are just OFF. I'm very golden and neither really worked for me. Plus, unless it's buffed and buffed, by the end of the day, it can look cakey in areas. Not attractive, at least IME.

This new MATTE formulation is being launched next month at Sephora and then will be available elsewhere in September. It's bismuth-free and has a brilliant, innovative lock-top that seals from leaks or spills. About time. I wanted to start this category, so I could post the ingredients.

I will update after trying it out.

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