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When making the faces of her celebrity clients, New York City makeup pro Amy Zdunowski Roeder often chooses minerals. “It’s buildable with coverage and color and absorbs oil instantly,” she says. Although trying trendy new beauty products is always alluring, when you’re a professional makeup artist, the true test of a product’s effectiveness is not in its propaganda but in its performance. A panel of nonbiased beauty biz experts weighed in, and each shares her favorite mineral makeup choice to help you narrow down the field, and pick your ideal match.
Acne Prone
Professional makeup artist Stacya Silverman of Seattle says her overall favorite line of mineral makeup is Jane Iredale. She explains that the brand’s mineral powders are triple-milled, so it won't leave a powdery finish like some mineral makeup does. Silverman says the brand offers pressed or loose mineral foundation, and she endorses either type for a light and smooth application. “It looks like you are not wearing makeup at all,” she says. In her experience, mineral powder, specifically of Jane Iredale, does seem to work best for acne-prone skin, especially those who get inflammation and breakouts. As an added bonus, the formula’s natural SPF protects skin from the sun.
Oil Control
Celebrity makeup artist Claudia Betancur of Miami says one of the biggest problems for women with oily skin is finding the right makeup that stays on all day with minimal touch ups and without changing its color: “There are so many different products on the market; however, for my multicultural clients with oily skin, I use Motives by Loren Ridinger mineral foundation because it has an excellent reputation for makeup that’s good for your skin with revolutionary skin-care ingredients.” Betancur follows up with a couple sprays of the brand’s No More Shine setting spray to control and absorb excess oil, and tone down the T-zone.
Vitamin Enriched
New York City professional makeup artist Josephine Fusco prefers Smooth Operator SPF 20 by Tarte. This mineral foundation is lightweight, oil-free and won’t clog your pores with a water-based formula. The base is made of micro-treated mineral pigments that erase fine lines and wrinkles while creating an even, natural finish. “The ingredients work in harmony to moisturize, nourish, protect and revitalize all types of skin, while the SPF 20 protects you from the sun's harmful rays,” says Fusco.
Women of Color
Zdunowski Roeder says Bare Escentuals bareMinerals foundation is a great option, especially for darker skin. The loose mineral foundation is available in original and matte formulations, in 20 different colors. The product manufacturer’s website offers a description of each color with guidelines for ideal matching based on undertone and color depth.
Considerations
Even the best mineral makeup will have substandard results with a less-than-perfect "canvas" and cheap brushes. For a flawless foundation, invest in a good base to give your skin a surge of moisture, and sink inside wrinkles and pores to create a smooth surface. A little spongy applicator may come with your compact, but it's better off in the trash. For the best finish, use a Kabuki or mini Kabuki brush to apply your foundation. Sweep the brush over the foundation, tap off any excess and buff it onto the skin in circular strokes. Thoroughly clean you brushes weekly with baby shampoo and allow them to dry completely
