My month-long experiment of Rare Minerals vs ordinary MMU
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free skin care · Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:16 am

Hi Mary!

I found this experiment so interesting! I am just starting to try MMU but the BE I bought light 2.0 is too yellow and makes me itchy which I'm finding out here is probably the bismuth so I'm going to try a non-bismuth brand that has more neutral colors. But I was wandering about the RareMinerals which haven't quite gotten alot of great reviews..at least to justify that price!

Are you using the minerals at night to protect the skin then (from bacteria?) Does it work? I have acne prone skin and really am good about washing pillow cases, ect....

I've never heard of Pearl Powder.Is that like a pearly mica? I wouldn't mind trying to make something like yours rather than paying $85. Where do you get these ingredients? Do you still use a moisturizer first, then dust this on?

Thanks!

Heather

free skin care · Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:29 am

That's such a great news! Thanks Mary for sharing your experience with us Smile

free skin care · Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:22 am

Hi Heather,

It seems to protect against bacteria when I apply it at night ... so much so that I'm almost paranoid about going to bed without applying my "night time minerals"! It's made a huge difference for me.

The Rare Minerals was good ... just not worth the price as my experiment proved ... at least to me. Laughing

The Rare Minerals in the Clear [which is what I have] doesn't have bismuth ... but I think perhaps the other shades do?

There are lots of non-bismuth MMUs out there .. Pure Luxe is great ... but there are lots of small MMU companies out there and they are probably pretty comparable in terms of price etc. It's colour and finding what you like that's important.

Hi Tangerine,

Glad I could share! Very Happy

Mary

free skin care · Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:52 am

Hi Mary!

Thanks for your response. Going to try out your idea of the night time minerals and hopefully it will help. Also trying out some small MMU companies now..wish me luck!

Have you heard of or tried any of these other than the Pure Luxe you mentioned. I got sample of all of these so far:

Everday Minerals
UGloGirl
Pure Luxe

Do you have to use a Kabuki brush by the way? It seems that everyone is talking about them. I have a MAC face brush but am thinking of getting one of these Kabukies.

Thanks again!

Doodlebug (Heather)

free skin care · Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:22 pm

Hi Heather,

I do have a kabuki ... actually I have two of the "large" kabuki brushes ... and a "baby buki" brush.

I don't use the kabuki for applying my MMU though ... although I've used them to apply finishing powder sometimes.

I love the kabuki brushes ... but I find that I get a finer application with my fiber optic brush. I tend to have a heavy hand ... but the fiber optic brush ensures that I don't get too much onto my face! Laughing

I have tried Everyday Minerals as well as the Pure Luxe ... and right now I'm using the Physician's Formula loose mineral foundation. I like them all ... but the colour match was best with the Physician's Formula surprisingly!

I liked and use the Pure Luxe bronzer, blush and finishing powders [April's Mix is wonderful!] I also have a lot of the Pure Luxe eye shadows ...

Good luck!

Mary

free skin care · Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:23 am

Thanks Mary!

I appreciate all your help and sorry to ask so many questions! But getting used to this stuff is not the easiest when I've been using liquids for so long Confused

.

Have you ever applied your MMU with a sponge? I've heard ladies say this works too. And how about a setting spray like JI D20...need one..or can I just use my PSF toner?

Where did you get your fiber optic brush? I've never heard of these. But think I'm a bit heavy handed as well. Will still get a Kabuki though, not sure about what you'd use that Baby buki for? Blush?

OH, one last thing...why is it that all of the eyeshadow samples I got from EM seem like they just disappear in when I apply? Am I doing something wrong...do I need a primer?

Thanks again, you've been a wonderful help!!!

Heather

free skin care · Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:46 am

Hi again Heather,

I got my fiber optic brush from Essential Beauty Supplies because it was the least expensive source ... here's the link ...

http://www.essentialbeautysupplies.com/cart/?pg=product&pid=3002

The fiber optic brush [sometimes called a skunk brush] picks up less product and so applies a much lighter layer of MMU.

There is a learning curve with MMU and coming from conventional makeup the tendancy to apply too much is pretty common. However, I learned early on that if the result looks too cakey ... it's because too much has been applied. This is presuming that you have selected the right colour. That's another problem. If MMU is too light or dark, the result can often look pastey or cakey.

I sometimes use a spritz after applying my MMU ... but it's always some hydrosol that I've mixed up myself. Laughing

I've found that it helps to "set" MMU faster ... if I don't have time to wait 10 minutes or so for it to blend with my facial oils and become natural looking. A spritz is a great way to freshen up as well ... because I've found that adding to MMU in an attempt to "freshen up" the look doesn't work for me. However, a spritz can make the difference ... just don't get carried away and spritz too much.

The baby buki is great for getting into smaller places ... I find it too small to use for blush. I have an artist's mop brush for my blush/bronzers.

I don't know why the eyeshadow colours disappear on you ... but I know that with most MMU shadows, you can "foil" them [that's when you wet your brush and then dip it into the shadow before applying] and that's supposed to make them last longer.

I've never used a damp sponge to apply my MMU ... because I prefer brushes to sponges. Laughing

I have a girlfriend, however, who likes to apply it with a sponge. I think it's a matter of personal preference really.

Hope this answers your questions ... but don't hesitate to ask more. If I can answer them ... I'm happy to help.

Mary

free skin care · Thu Sep 14, 2006 10:36 am

Wow thanks Mary!

Thats the best post with some great advice!!!

Thanks for the link to the brush too.

Really do appreciate your time.

Have a great day!

Heather Very Happy

free skin care · Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:57 pm

Hi Mary

I'm about to embark on my DIY face powder journy Laughing

Just a quick few questions before I order anything -

The Zinc oxide you used, was it regular or micro-ionised? I see that Garden of Wisdom offers two types, not sure if the regular type would be way too opaque to use during the day.

Also, there is Calamine, which is mainly zinc with the iron III oxide added.. do you think that could be an alternative to zinc oxide, or is it not suitable to use as a powder?

Have you used corn silk or arrowroot powder on your face, how do they compare to starches? (I like the absorption of corn and rice starch, but it can be a little too drying)

I'm considering to use a mixture as a night time powder too, I quite often get clogged pores from sleeping on my side too much heh.

TIA!

free skin care · Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:12 pm

"Have you used corn silk or arrowroot powder on your face, how do they compare to starches? (I like the absorption of corn and rice starch, but it can be a little too drying)"
Hi, not Mary, but I've been experimenting with some of Mary's ideas and also wanted to say I tried corn starch and didn't quite care for it but didn't like the way it felt and I found it to seem drying despite my oily T-Zone, but thought the arrowroot powder was quite nice and silky. But since I'm acne prone I'm not so sure I should be using anything on my face that can breed bacteria. I've been wondering about these actual "rare" minerals that BE uses for their night time RareMinerals and wondered if anyone else ever tried this actual mineral ingredient and where can you get it? Does TKB or Garden of Wisdom carry it and what is it's actual name?

Also, anyone else have a problem with the pearl powder feeling kinda gritty?

free skin care · Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:24 pm

I have also tried pearl powder in a kaolin + pearl mixture.. I bought the water soluble health supplement type.... some parts are very gritty and it doesn't do much in terms of oil absorption - perhaps we need to use an ultra fine grade..

I've really got my oil under control now, I only need to use Jurlique silk dust and I don't need to blot at all, so I'm wondering if I really want to mix up a whole bunch of powders Neutral

Oh, you know how minerals when used on the skin are supposed to be "healing and calming"? Well I saw an advret in Vogue from a company that sells mineral cosmetics.. and it listed a whole bunch of stuff that was supposed to be beneficial to the skin.. like mica, serecite.. etc.. then there was BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE heh. Rolling Eyes

Might as well stick dimethicone on there too..

free skin care · Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:59 pm

This sounds really interesting! I am just wondering, does your own product rub off onto the pillow case?

Also could I just use my everydayminerals foundation as the barrier? I have some unflattering shades that I would love to be able to use up Smile

free skin care · Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:10 am

Hi Doodlebug,

Let's not forget that pearl powder is made from pearls ... and pearls are, by their nature derived from grit. Laughing

That being said, however, I often either run the pearl powder through a coffee grinder to mill it finer ... or use my mortar and pestle to crush any stray bits that are a little more coarse.

Hi miranets,

I used just the "ordinary" zinc oxide. I also have no experience with the Calamine ... so I'm not sure what it would do for or to your face. Smile

I've never used corn silk or arrowroot powder on my face ... but mostly because I haven't encountered it locally while shopping. I've heard that arrowroot powder is very good for your skin, however. There's also Orris Root Powder, which is, I believe what's in Jurlique. I've wanted to try that ... but again have never come across it. Very Happy

The only reason I make my own "primer" is because I was curious about the silk powder and the pearl powder. It was really just an experiment that I ended up preferring in some instances.

Hi cuppre,

I would indeed try your Everyday Minerals as a night time barrier. This would make good sense if you have some which you don't like during the day [because of colour] but you'd rather use than discard! Laughing

I think that you can use just about any MMU as a night time barrier ... whether it has colour or not.

Now, my own mixture does not rub off on my pillow ... and neither did Rare Minerals. I suspect that any good MMU would react the same way and not be a problem in that way.

Mary

free skin care · Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:34 pm

Eek--I tried using normal MMU at night (EDM) and it gave me a huge zit! I think this may work for some people, but I think my skin needs to "breathe" at night

free skin care · Sun Oct 01, 2006 5:20 pm

Hi Nijey,

How unfortunate! Embarassed

Does MMU give you zits when you wear it during the day?

I always understood that one of the features of MMU was that your skin can breathe when it's on.

I'm sorry it didn't work for you, although I wonder if the zit might have been from another cause?

I don't imagine that this would work for everyone. I've seen mixed reviews of Rare Minerals on Makeup Alley ... and the original experiment that I did was to see if Rare Minerals [which is very expensive ... especially here in Canada] worked any better than ordinary MMU when worn at night.

So ... if you were thinking of trying Rare Minerals, based on your results with EDM, I'd save your money. Smile

I really wish there was something that worked the same for everyone, but so far I haven't managed to find it. Confused

Mary

free skin care · Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:11 pm

Thank you hpjrt for the info! I am going to try it tonight and see how it goes. *crosses fingers* I hope there will be no adverse reaction.

free skin care · Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:15 pm

hpjrt: the EDM doesn't seem to freak my skin out when I only wear it during the day. I *did* clean off my daytime "face" and reapply with fresh minerals, like you'd suggested, but two nights of doing that led to a huge, painful pimple right on my nose! I felt like Rudolph...

I think MMU is okay to sleep in insofar as it doesn't do anything bad to your skin (it's inert). Or at least, that's my understanding of it. It might still clog pores, depending on your particular skin type and the MMU you are using.

In any case, I'm slightly confused: How can minerals let your face "breathe", but also be used as a shield to prevent bacteria from getting in?

free skin care · Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:12 pm

Hi Nijey,

Quote:

In any case, I'm slightly confused: How can minerals let your face "breathe", but also be used as a shield to prevent bacteria from getting in?

Good point! Laughing

I guess the skin "breathes" because it's not supposed to be able to clog your pores ... unlike liquid foundation that covers pores.

MMU still provides a barrier ... it's just not like a "liquid" barrier. I guess it's rather like the difference between cotton gloves and rubber gloves. Both provide a barrier between your hands and, say, dirt ... but the rubber gloves also preclude your hands from breathing whereas cotton gloves let the air in.

Does that make any sense? Laughing

Mary

free skin care · Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:07 am

hpjrt wrote:

I call it "Pearl Paste" because that's the consistency of it. Laughing

I actually use it as a "moisturizer" ... at least at this time of year when I need less richness in a moisturizer. I suspect, however, I'll need something more come winter. I'd still put the Pearl Paste on my face first and then follow with a slightly richer moisturizer ... or just make the Pearl Paste a bit richer on its own! Laughing

My Pearl Paste is basically pearl powder, distilled water, aloe vera gel and Vitamin E. That's all that's in the "basic" recipe ... and it's this version that I use for very inflammed areas/problem areas. If I want a "moisturizer" version, I use the basic recipe and add rose hip seed oil and/or jojoba oil to give it a creamier texture. Very Happy

Mary's Pearl Paste is the absolute CAT'S MEOW!! I'm planning to post an official review of it but I'm kinda swamped right now in terms of internet usage *big, shit-eating grin* but I couldn't wait to give a thumbs up to this wonderful homemade product from Mary.

If you've got severely oily skin that doesn't "like" traditional moisturizers, you seriously need to give the Pearl Paste a try because it'll give your skin everything it needs without overwhelming it or causing extra greasiness.

In the past I've REFUSED to wear traditonal moisturizers for those reasons, but the Pearl Paste's inherent self-adjusting properties ensures it gives the right amount of hydration to my few-and-far-between dry areas (on me, it's just under my eyes on either side of my nose) while balancing out my oily areas so that I wake up with skin that feels matte, yet moist -- which is a wonder in and of itself....

I do plan to give this product/recipe a write up of it's own, but count this as a big "thumbs up" from me! Very Happy

free skin care · Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:34 pm

Great review!

I tried RareMinerals and returned it. My skin turned into a mess. Some people thought it was purging but I've successfully used other products without THIS type of purging.

I always thought the reason it worked for some people was that it soaked up oil at night and I thought it contained vitamin C?

Anyway, the whole "jurassic dirt" thing just cracked me up. GREAT marketing but I worked for a bone mineral medical company so I know the history of "dirt" and it ain't the jurassic.

free skin care · Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:46 pm

Hmmm. I'm coming to the end of my tub of Rare Minerals.

It worked well for me - I have an oily skin, and this was great because it kept my pores smaller as my skin simply didnt get as oily, overnight. My skin has been really really clear since I began using it, and I was about to re - purchase, whic is Not a particularly easy thing for me to do, as I am in the UK and it isnt on sale here, and Sephora doesnt ship to here.

So - maybe I could be using something else instead when this runs out.

Would it be better to buy from GoW and make my own ( ?!) or try this wonderful sounding pearl cream that carekate loves.

( I only moisturise my forehead, neck and eyes - the rest of my face breaks out with any moisturiser on it.)
I am not sure what to do now! Embarassed

free skin care · Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:17 am

catski wrote:

...it kept my pores smaller as my skin simply didnt get as oily, overnight. My skin has been really really clear since I began using it

That is basically what I love about the pearl paste -- hopefully I'll get to post an official review of it today so I can expound upon its greatness, but I think you'd be better off buying the raw ingredients from TKB Trading website and making your own -- it'll be much cheaper in both the long AND short run then buying a new tub of RareMinerals....

free skin care · Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:49 am

Yes, I will make my own, you're right.

I also have a few samples of MMU face colours that I wont wear in the daytime, I may just try going to bed wearing too dark MMU for a while!
This was a very timely review for me, thanks. Smile

free skin care · Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:22 am

Has anyone tried Larenim's Dust Til Dawn treatment? It's a mineral powder that you are supposed to sleep in to treat acne, and it's MUCH more affordable than Rare Minerals, plus you can order a sample at their website. It only has 3 ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Kaolin, and Green Tea. I tried it out and I really loved it--- am definitely considering ordering the full size.

free skin care · Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:30 pm

FYI - I just posted an “official” review of Mary’s Pearl Paste:
http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?p=169280#169280

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