Mineral makeup, physically, look very much similiar to traditional cosmetics but one must keep in mind that they have their differences too. In this entry, I shall discuss mineral makeup in various forms, and how they differ from traditional cosmetics.

Read the full article after the jump.

Mineral makeup exists in three forms, and they are :

1. “Loose Minerals” – Minerals in loose form
Photo : i.d. Bare Escentuals foundations
“Loose minerals” look like loose powders and finishing powders. Traditional cosmetics that offer loose or finishing powders often offer transluscent shades, which functions as something that holds your tinted moisturizer, or something to perfect your look after applying your makeup, thus, the term, “finishing”. Finishing powders often provide luminosity, and flawless finishes, and can also be used for touchups. With mineral makeup in loose form, this is not the case.

Most foundations in the mineral makeup business take in the form of loose minerals, and can provide buildable coverage. To start, the loose minerals can be applied lightly to the face, then, the user can choose how “heavy” the coverage will be by gradually applying more layers until he/she feels that it is enough.

Aside from getting “buildable coverage” from loose minerals, another advantage of it is that the shades are flexible enough. If the shade is too light, or dark for someone, another shade can be mixed with the loose minerals to achieve your nearest shade.

Mineral veil is the “finishing” counterpart of traditional loose powders. It gives the skin a flawless, smooth finish that makes skin look that makeup wasn’t even applied to it. It also helps absorb the oils in the skin to prevent the greasy look from occurring. Skin is left dewy as it oils up, not slick looking. Other loose minerals available in the market are in blushes, eyeshadows, primers, etc.

Though alot of users complain about the “messiness” in applying loose minerals, spilling some on their vanity tables, or even in their bags, the “buildable coverage” is such an advantage that some people still choose to use loose minerals.

2. “Liquid Minerals” – In Liquid Form
Photo : Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals

‘Liquid minerals” and liquid foundations look like two peas in a pod, but in reality, they are very much different from each other. Traditional cosmetics offer liquid foundations for heavier coverage and concealing, and feels like a solid layer or “mask” on the face. Liquid minerals can provide coverage like traditional liquid foundations do, but liquid minerals also serve as “primers” and further nourish the skin by its moisturizing ingredients, and vitamins. Skin can still breathe with liquid minerals, and can also work as your normal “tinted moisturizer” with better coverage. To make your own liquid minerals, get your favorite moisturizer and mix with your loose minerals. Voila! Instant liquid minerals.

3. “Pressed Minerals” – Pressed Powder Form
Photo : Colorescience Mineral Pigment Pressed Powder

colorescience pressed mineral “Pressed minerals” provide great coverage. It can be applied like normal foundation using a flocked sponge or a brush for “buildable coverage”. It is not only used as finishing powder or for touch ups as compared to traditional pressed powders.

If the pressed minerals would be compared to traditional cosmetics, it would be a combination of two : a cake foundation, and a pressed powder. It works both ways – as a foundation for great, buildable coverage, and as a finishing powder – great for touchups. As compared to loose minerals, pressed minerals provide a higher level of coverage for concealing, and is good for people who have severe acne, hyperpigmentation, and scars .

Pressed powder is advantageous in a way such that it is very compact, and can be brought just about anywhere, minus the messiness brought about by loose minerals.

Loose minerals are minerals in the purest form because they do not have “additives” unlike liquid minerals, and they do not need “binding ingredients” as pressed minerals do.

About the author : The Mineral Makeup Girl is the resident blogger at The Mineral Makeup Blog (http://www.themineralmakeup.com). No material from The Mineral Makeup Blog may be republished in any form without written permission.