I am a very opinionated woman. And I have no trouble making a decision and sticking to it. In fact, I think that this is my forte.
Mr. Loca would probably disagree with the last sentence, but I think it is helpful to be able to make up your mind quickly and not lose sleep over decisions you made. In fact, I rarely ever lose sleep over anything, I am a sound sleeper. If my kids let me, that is.
But every once in a while I come across something that leaves me completely clueless. This time it was the Bare Minerals Original Foundation SPF 15.
I filmed my thoughts so you could see the product in action, but for all of you that prefer reading over watching (do you still exist?), the hard facts are written out below.
https://youtu.be/c1ZtxCz0tlQ
The Claims
Our ORIGINAL Foundation SPF 15 gives you all the flawless coverage you want with a naturally luminous finish that won’t clump or cake. It’s proven to improve the appearance of your skin over time. The creamy minerals diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles without drying out your skin. Its silky, soft texture looks like a powder, but feels like a cream and buffs on beautifully.
The Packaging
A pot with sifter that can be sealed by twisting the clear inlay. Great in theory, but it totally does not work for me. I had difficulties opening it in the first place, it is very hard to close again and looks incredibly messy after a few applications. What am I doing wrong?
The Application
“Swirl, Tap, Buff”. There even is a pictogram to show you exactly how it is done. I own the corresponding brush, it came in a set, but I prefer to use other, more densly packed brushes like the Real Techniques Buffing brush for application. A beauty blender did not work at all and fingers are just messy.
The Finish
Naturally luminous, I do agree completely. Which, if you have been around here for a while, is not my preferred finish. Why did you buy it then, woman? A good question. Because it was a set, it was on sale and I was curious.
My skin looks more even, radiant and brighter after application without a hint of powderiness.
The Coverage
This is where I disagree with the claims completely: “All the flawless coverage you want”. Another claim on the website is: “Buildable sheer to full coverage”.
Ehm.
No.
I applied three layers in the video and have since tried up to five. The coverage I can get ranges from “none” over “skin looks more even” to at best “redness is lessened and scars are less prominent”. To even call it medium coverage would be farfetched.
The Feeling
Lightweight, silky, aery. I don´t feel this foundation on my skin at all. Even when I piled on five layers, it still felt like I was wearing nothing on my skin.
The Weartime
That one is hard to judge. I can barely notice the difference in my skin when applied, so it is hard to tell when the foundation is actually gone. I think I could see it for four hours, but after that I have no clue. It did break up a little around my nose on oily skin days though.
The Skintypes
I think this one is best suited for normal to dry skins that want a natural finish and don´t need much in terms of coverage.
It did break up around my nose where I am pretty oily and I think the glow is not what oily skinned girls will look for.
The Final Verdict
I can see why this foundation is a cult classic. For someone that wants a natural look, hates cakeyness more than anything else and has only minor skin issues, this must be the perfect product.
But for someone like me, breakouts, oiliness and hyperpigmentation, it is not love. Because even with the fact that I can´t really feel it on my skin, I often feel like it looks as if I am not wearing anything either. On days when my skin needs only a little bit of help, it is amazing. But 99% of the time that isn´t the case.
So here I am, wondering: Do I like it? Do I hate it? Should I sell it? Should I keep it, just in case? Help a girl out here, what would you do?
