Thursday, December 18, 2008

Mineral Make Up Close To Nature



Mineral Make-up is the latest buzzword to be thrown out of the beauty industry with gusto and with celebrity endorsements galore mineral makeup looks to be this seasons "it" product. It makes sense really, with everybody becoming increasingly aware of the need to look after the mind and body, as well as the earth, anything that sounds remotely 'a la naturale' will be an instant hit. And what sounds more earthy then mineral makeup - straight from Mother Nature herself!

But who even knows what Mineral Make up is made of and is it good for us? Mineral Make up is basically make up made from minerals. I know, I'm a genius! No really, Mineral Make up is "a cosmetic made of any of several finely ground minerals, mixed with a base such as cocoa butter; Note: seems to exclude talc, even though it is a mineral". Basically, it is loose powder foundation, comprised of earth based ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide - all seeming to offer some kind of absorption and UV protection. This type of product seems suited to those with oily skin.

Speak to PR companies, celebrities and their dermatologists and they will tell you mineral make up is the best thing since sliced bread. But is it? After trawling through beauty forums and review websites there are certainly mixed reviews about mineral make up. Some consumers love the fact it has extremely light coverage and can be used by those with skin conditions while others complain it makes their pores look bigger than normal and is too difficult to apply.

What definitely seems to stand out from all the information being thrown at us is that this product is environmentally and human friendly. The benefits of minerals used all seem to outweigh the negatives - in fact I haven't come across any yet. Of course, every company manufactures their products with different ingredients, so make sure you do your research first to find what it is you're looking for to best suit your skin type.

Once you've found the perfect product application is the key. Chase Aston (International Make-Up Artists and Spokesperson for The Body Shop) suggests using a full, firm brush to blend into the skin then start small and work up from there to intensify the colour.

Mineral makeup has been around for years but is only now being shoved into the spotlight. Will it be the wonderful, environmentally friendly product we are all looking for? Probably, but no doubt, it will be outshined by a new fad that will jump onto the scene.

Coming Soon! Stayed tuned for a review of The Body Shop's Mineral Make Up products.

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