Frequently Asked Questions

About Mineral Makeup:

What is Mineral makeup?
What are the benefits of using mineral makeup?
What is bismuth oxychloride? Is it really harmful to my skin?

Using Mineral Makeup:

Easy Steps to use LovingMinerals' Sample kit
Choosing my skintone and undertone
Choosing the right mineral foundation formula
Choosing finishing powder formula
Applying mineral makeup
Trouble-shooting mineral foundation application

About Mineral Makeup

What is Mineral makeup?

Mineral makeup is the latest addition to an emerging beauty culture dedicated to better living. Unlike traditional products, mineral makeup, which is based on a hypoallergenic loose powder that naturally nourishes the skin, contains no perfumes, talc, alcohol, dyes, mineral oil or preservatives. Not surprisingly, dermatologists are pleased.

What are the benefits of using mineral makeup?

• Good for sensitive skin - Lots of women struggle with acne, allergies, dryness and clogged pores from unfriendly commercial makeup. Mineral makeup lets you enhance skin care with positive beauty choices, not create more problems.
  
• Doesn't feel like a mask - For some women, traditional makeup, often heavier, can feel like a mask. Mineral makeup's texture is lighter and different. Even with more coverage, experts say you'll see a natural, translucent radiance and more of your skin, which can breathe.
  
• Contains ingredients that are good for skin - For women who can't get to a spa, triple-milled minerals like titanium, gold, zinc, magnesium and aluminum naturally relax, refresh and rejuvenate the skin.
  
• Does not enhance wrinkles like traditional powders - If you have fine lines or crow's-feet, traditional makeup can cake in those places, often creating an illusion of deeper lines. Minerals create real health and a glow like we had in our teens and 20s through essential vitamins, antioxidants and ingredients that actually hydrate the skin and conceal wrinkles.
  
• Helps protect skin from sun - The sun is said to be the number-one aging agent. Mineral makeup's zinc oxide offers natural UVA-UVB protection.
  
• Can be used after peels - Skin procedures such as lasers and peels are common. Minerals are the natural choice to calm and soothe red, bruised, itchy, inflamed and flaking skin. This product hides imperfections, then camouflages with minerals that actually block the sun, which is crucial after aggressive treatments. In fact, after certain treatments, you shouldn't use sunscreens. Minerals cool the skin and encourage faster healing.
  
• Makes skin look better - The old makeup phrase "putting on your face" may soon be obsolete. Mineral makeup can look and feel like you're wearing nothing at all, like a silky top layer of your very own skin. In short, you look like you have great skin!

- Source: “New Beauty Trends – iVillage.com”

What is bismuth oxychloride? Many leading cosmetics contain this ingredient, but is it really harmful to my skin?

Companies use bismuth oxychloride in their cosmetics because it is cheap to buy and is an inexpensive filler. It does have binding qualities, so the makeup will “stick” to your skin, so to speak. There are other products that are just as effective at adhesion, and are better for your skin. Because of its molecular make up, it is often viewed as shiny or pearlescent. It is often sold in these two varieties. This makes it highly refractive, which is something companies want. Refraction will camouflage fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations. If you use a brand with bismuth oxychloride you’ll notice a shiny look after applying the makeup. Not like oiliness, but almost shimmery. That’s the bismuth oxychloride.

It’s a very heavy element, which makes it difficult for many people to wear. It has to be forced into the pores otherwise it is capable of sliding off the wearer’s face. The heaviness can result in clogged pores or irritated skin. Bismuth oxychloride often feels silky and not rough when rubbed between the fingers. Mineral makeup companies that do not use it have a lighter feeling makeup that usually blends into the skin better and with less effort.

Its molecular makeup is a crystalline shape, which may be a cause of the itchiness some women get when they wear it. Many women experience noticeable itching when they sweat. Don’t forget it is also kin to arsenic, chemically. Your body will reject things it does not like, and if you’ll get sick from ingesting arsenic, it would make sense that your skin would get irritated from having arsenic forced into it.

So, if you find you’re experiencing some problems with your current mineral makeup and it contains bismuth oxychloride, you may want to consider switching brands. Many women experience skin irritation when using mineral makeup and don’t know why. It’s likely that bismuth oxychloride is the reason.

- Source: “The Mineral Makeup”

Using Mineral Makeup

Easy steps to use LovingMinerals' Sample Kit

Choosing my skintone and undertone?

This serves as a general guideline to help you determine your skin tone and undertone. Once you have identified your shade, you can browse around and refer to the shade description on each product’s info page. Happy hunting!

Fair – Palest skin that always burn and never tans
Light – Light skin that always burns and rarely tans
Light Medium - Light medium skin that usually burns first, then tans
Medium - Those with medium skin that mostly always tans and rarely burns
Medium Deep - Those with medium deep skin always have color all year round and that never burn
Neutral - You look best in jewel colors (vibrant purples, greens) and have purple veins. You can wear both silver and gold.
Beige - You have both yellow and pink/peachy undertones. You can successfully wear both cool and warm colors. Most Caucasian women fall into this undertone.
Warm - You look best in reds, yellows and greens. You have green veins and look best in gold jewelry. You prefer creamy white instead of bright white.
Golden - You have strong yellow undertones with green veins. You look best gold jewelry.

*note: We strongly encourage you to try our samples first as each shade description might vary slightly between brands.

Choosing the right mineral foundation formula

Selecting the perfect mineral foundation for your skin is really a personal preference. Keeping in mind your skin type, you would want to pick a foundation based on its coverage, finish and ingredients.

Lumiere Cashmere Foundation
(balances all skin types- recommended for oily skin)

Coverage - light to medium buildable
Finish - mostly matte, has a soft satin silkiness
Ingredients - real silk powder, serecite (colorless mica), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, boron nitride, iron oxides

Monave Concealer-Foundation
(for normal/combination skin)

Coverage – medium to full
Finish – semi-matte to matte
Ingredients - zinc oxide, titanium, micronized zinc oxide, iron oxides, ultramarine blue, mica, kaolin Clay

Everyday Minerals Matte Foundation
(for normal/combination oily skin)

Coverage – light to medium
Finish – matte
Ingredients - Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides. May contain: Ultramarines

Choosing finishing powder formula

Your finishing powder is the perfect companion to ‘set’ your mineral foundation. Consider your skin type, as well as the preferred finish.

Lumiere Pure Silk
(for all skin types- recommended for oily skin)

Finish - mostly matte, has a soft satin silkiness
Ingredients - real silk powder.

Lumiere Flawless Finish
(for dry/combination skin)

Finish – mostly matte, with a luminous glow
Ingredients - premium grade serecite (colorless mica), iron oxides, magnesium stearate.

Monave Setting Powder
(for all skin types)

Finish – mostly matte, slightly tinted for a polished glow
Ingredients - Serecite, iron oxides, mica, kaolin clay.

Applying mineral makeup

Beautiful make-up application starts with a clean face. If you are using a moisturizer or lotion, be sure to let it absorb before applying minerals.

PRIMER POWDERS:

Using Lumiere Pure Silk Powder in Sand

If your skin is particularly oily, you may wish to dust a light layer of finishing powder or primer before your foundation

FOUNDATION:

Using Lumiere Cashmere Foundation in Medium Deep Beige

Gently tap a little powder (remember a little goes a long way) onto the lid of the foundation jar. For proper application, we recommend using a Kabuki brush and follow the three simple steps below.

STEP 1: SWIRL the brush into the minerals until all of the minerals are absorbed into the brush.

STEP 2: TAP the brush handle on the edge of the lid to remove excess minerals.

STEP 3: BUFF your foundation on in thin layers until you obtain the coverage you desire. Start by framing your face with foundation, then fill in the whole face. If you have visible pores go over those areas last. If you need more coverage just repeat the three steps above

CONCEALER:

Using Lumiere Cashmere Foundation in Medium Deep Beige

Brush a little mineral foundation on places which require extra concealing, such as undereyes and blemishes.

FINISHING POWDERS:

Using Lumiere Pure Silk Powder in Sand

Our finishing powders are applied last to set your makeup for a flawless, natural finish. To apply use the same three steps as above - SWIRL, TAP and BUFF. Remember that if your skin is particularly oily, you may wish to apply a light layer of finishing powder or primer before your foundation.

BLUSHES and BRONZERS:

Using Lumiere Silk Blush in Fresh Roses

Loose mineral blushes and bronzers are very concentrated and should be applied sparingly. Once again we recommend that you use the same three step application technique as mentioned above. Apply in layers until the desired look is achieved.

LIPS:

Using Lumiere Lumi Lips in Holy Grail

Apply these as you would normally. TIP: Try mixing your mineral blush or multi-purpose mineral pigments with clear lipgloss for beautiful lips.

EYESHADOW:

Using Lumiere Matte Eyes in Dirt

Using Lumiere Shimmer Eyes in Champagne

Apply these as you would normally, and please remember that these minerals are very concentrated. Dip the eye brush into the minerals, tap off the excess, and apply. Repeat until the desired effect is achieved.
TIP: Pick a matte brown mineral eyeshadow to define your brows.

LOOSE MINERAL EYELINERS:

Using Lumiere Matte Eyes in Special Dark

The best way to apply our loose mineral liners is with a smudger brush. Dab a very small amount of powder on the brush, tap any access off, and then simply brush it on using small strokes. Apply as many layers as you wish to create soft smokey eyes!
TIP: Transform your mineral eyeshadow into a dramatic eyeliner using a damp eyeliner brush!

Before	After

Trouble-shooting mineral foundation application

My foundation looks pasty and thick
If your foundation appears pasty, there are a few possibilities:

1. The brush!
Unfortunately, the right brush is an absolute necessity when applying loose mineral foundation. Our brushes have a very high density of hair, short, firm, and soft to boot. Think of how hard it is to spread cold butter on untoasted bread with a plastic knife. This is what is happening when you're using the brushes (however expensive and high-quality they may be) that you already own. Even bronzer brushes that look similar may not have firm, or dense enough hair to accomplish the task. The result? Too much makeup, not well spread, sticking in all of the wrong place, definitely not natural-looking!

2. Too much product on the brush
Mineral makeup is very concentrated. It is made up of pure pigment; the same pigments that cosmetics companies use to add color to pressed and liquid foundations. Because there is little if any ‘filler’ in this type of powder, it is imperative that you put just a little bit of powder on your brush and use that on one cheek. Buff it in well in a circular motion before applying more.

3. The wrong shade
This is especially an issue with Asian women. If you have a golden undertone, and the color you apply has a blue or neutral undertone, your face may appear grayish, or pasty. It is not necessarily that the product is too light, or has the "wrong" formula for your skin, just the wrong undertone. Blending loose mineral foundation shades together is as simple as shaking the jar, and blending one color with another may achieve that perfect shade that you're looking for!