Advice on Why My Mineral Make-Up Doesn't Look Great Please!
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free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:25 am

Hello everyone - hope you're all well

I'm after some advice and you guys all seem to be very knowledgable (creep creep!) Laughing

I've been using Lily Lolo mineral make-up for a few weeks. I switched after reading all the benefits of mineral make-up - i suffer from acne, oily skin and clogged pores which i believe it's great for. I also want to stop putting so many chemicals on to and into my skin/face/body. Mineral Make-up has had such glowing reports and i really thought it was the answer to my prayers!

However, despite seemingly doing everything i'm supposed to, it just looks ......... well, to be honest, complete s^*%& on my face! What am i doing wrong people?! Sad

I start with a clean oil-free face. i very rarely use moisturiser as i'm oily enough but, on the rare occasion i do, i make sure to let it sink in. I start off with a small amount of MMU and have a special kabuki brush. I spend ages buffing the MMU into my skin as i'm supposed to - ten minutes sometimes!!! i'm careful to use a little at a time to build up the coverage slowly

But, no matter what, the MMU just seems to settle into my fine lines and crevices, and just sits on top of my skin, looking so obvious and like i have just caked myself in foundation. Hence, why i sometimes buff for ten minutes as i immediately thought that was my mistake! It is soooooo far away from the flawless finish i keep reading about in the media!

Any advice would be appreciated please as i really want to perservere with MMU. Am i using too much? Not buffing enough? Is that particular brand not up to much? Pray

Many thanks in advance for any tips

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:09 am

Hi teabags! MMU is so tricky, isn't it? It took me a lot of trial and error to find out what worked for me. Some formulas work for some people and not for others, so you might think about trying a couple of different brands just to see if there is any difference. I alternate between Alima and Lumiere and love them, and they both offer inexpensive samples if you are interested in giving them a shot.

There are a couple other tricks you might try. The first is to use a light serum as sort of a "base." My absolute FAVE is Arcona's Hydrating Serum. It sinks in REALLY quickly, but it also gives me a nice base that helps my MMU to look better. It's also a great moisturizer for oily gals, and a great moisture-booster for dry gals. You can find it at Beauty.com.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=146228&catid=12996

The next trick you might try is to start with a light layer of silk powder primer--- they sell this both at Lumiere and at Every Day Minerals. I find it helps my MMU go on more smoothly. You also might try a different kind of brush---- personally I've had WAY better results using a synthetic flat top brush than using a Kabuki! They sell very nice synthetic flat tops at Alima and UGloGirl.

Lastly, to be perfectly honest, sometimes even with my perfected "system," I will accidentally overload my brush, or my skin will be too dry, or whatever, adn the results won't look too good. When this happens I just liberally mist my face with Zenbiotic's Oxytoner and let it dry, and it works like magic! Hope some of this is helpful--- keep us updated!

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:30 am

I used powder mineral makeup for a couple of years before finally giving up on it. I have mature age skin and I also found that it settled into wrinkles and even though I was very careful with application, I looked like I was wearing a mask.

I now use a tinted moisturiser that is mineral based. It also has an SPF of 20. It takes a couple of minutes to apply, doesn't streak and gives a flawless finish. Check out Mineral Sheer Tint from NCN Proskincare.

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:37 am

To use MMU, you should apply a small amount of it and buff as a layer. If you need more coverage, just buff another layer.

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:40 am

Less is definiely more when it comes to MMU. and the kind you use does matter. I use Everyday Minerals, and applied properly, it looks like I have nothing on.

You want you face to be dry. no sticky sunscreens or serums. Like Liz said, a dusting of some setting powder will help. EM has a start to finish rice powder that is nice.

Use a good brush. I think the EM flat top brushis the best. I also use their kabuki for lighter coverage. I think you might be buffing too much. It only takes me 45 seconds to apply my minerals. The buffing is probably putting too much makeup on your face which is causing the creasing/ settling. You may also want to get a formula with more coverage.

After I'm done applying everything-- foundation, concealor, powder-- I go over my face with a makeup sponge and smooth over places where makeup tends to settle, like under the eyes and in smile lines. Kind of wiping of any excess that might accumulate.

HTH.

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:00 am

I can't use it either, I gave up because it was constantly building up in my forehead lines, making it look like I drew them on.

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:46 am

I agree with the comments above about the importance of a proper brush. The Alima 25 is my favorite, but any very dense, synthetic brush with shortish hairs should do well.

Also, use an impossibly small amount and layer gradually. I use a tiny sprinkling--about the amount of a single grain of rice--buff lightly, then go over areas that need a bit more with a second or even third very light go-around. Then I smooth over any caking, if it occurs, with a flocked sponge. Last touches--I use a small firm concealer brush dipped in the MMU directly over any stray spots or blemishes, then lightly mist with hydrosol or mineral water. Tada, done in about two minutes.

Less is definitely more...

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:57 am

I use Laura Mercier's MMU and I must say it is important to have the right brushes and and a mineral primer! they make a huge difference

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:43 am

I use Amazing cosmetics and Jane Iredale products. I guess the key is to apply as less as possible with a good brush. I bought all my brushes from EDS Amazing cosmetics, they are natural and very good. I don't have to use much of the powder to apply as brush spreads the powder evenly on my skin.

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:43 pm

Wow, guys - thank you so much for all your advice. See, i knew you'd have some answers! Reading what you've all put and looking back on what i do, i'm thinking maybe i start off with too much MMU? I defintely don't think i use an impossibly small amount, so maybe that's my problem? I'll try using less, although it looks barely any as it is! I must have confidence that less is more!

I'll also try a primer first and experiment with other brands. I really want it to work for my skin!

Thank you all for your tips

Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:55 pm

If the colour match of your MMU is good and you don't need full coverage, you could also try applying the smallest amount of MMU with a small synthetic foundation or concealer brush on moisturized skin but *only* to the areas that might need some coverage such as around the nose, partial t-zone etc. I've been applying it this way for the last six months (Ferro Cosmetics MMU--love this stuff

) and it actually looks GREAT.

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:21 pm

Teabags, instead of buffing in the foundation, u can try appling with a stippling motion. I find that my foundation looks the best this way. Smile

If u don't need much coverage, a big fluffy powder brush to apply looks very natural than using a kabuki brush too.

free skin care · Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:41 pm

and also try this techique

I dust a bit of MMU on the lid of its container (if the lid is big enough, if not any medium sized lid is fine), and use the brush to pick up the powder in the lid instead of directly from the container, easier to control the amount you want on the brush.

Also after you got the powder on the brush, stir the brush around ( inside the lid of the container ) so the whole brush will have an even amount of powder on it, it will give u a much more even finish.

free skin care · Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:55 pm

Thanks so much for starting this topic and asking lots of questions. I have just purchased Amazing Cosmetics Mineral Foundation and as I have not used a Mineral Makeup before, I have no idea on how to apply it but now I have a bit of an idea.

I'm just hoping that I have purchased the correct colour for my skin tone. I ordered Golden Light as my skin isn't really that light and we are coming up to summer here in Australia and tend to be a bit darker.

free skin care · Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:44 pm

Hi teabags
My experience with LilyLolo is that it was way too metallic-looking for my skin. It just accentuated every pore and line!! Lumiere's MMU is less metallic, less glow-y and more forgiving, IMO. The samples are pretty reasonable too so you can order several colors and formulas to get the right finish and color for you. VeenaVelvet is nice and creamy-looking and didn't show up lines and pores on me. The other formulae are nice too, so experiment!
I agree that a good primer makes a big difference. And going over it lightly with a barely damp sponge to blotblotblot and set it makes it look more natural too. You shouldn't have to buff for 10 min. That's too much work.
I used to like MMU in the summer humidity, but now in winter I've switched to MakeUp Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation.

I can understand about your wanting to use as few ingredients as possible though. Good luck on your quest for the perfect foundation! When you find it, it's perfect, and you'll know it.

free skin care · Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:57 pm

which primer do you use fawnie?...........i find that since i started experimenting with MMU and added it to my routine my expenses are going up skincare wise. Shock

...........first it was MMU samples, then brushes, lol then i bought the Jurlique silk dust full size (which iv used twice)......lol i dont even see the need for the silk dust......its just like any other powder (baby powder) to tell you the truth. And well now theres primer to add?
I find i look alrite with a very light application of MMU.......i really dont understand the concept of using a primer...but maybe thats cause im a newbie to this thing

free skin care · Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:16 pm

^ the primer helps with with softening the look of large pores which MMU tend to make them look larger... the MMU also last longer with a primer... that's from my experience...

free skin care · Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:55 am

You people have some great advice! Thanks so much for taking the time to help me! And here was me worried that nobody would answer!

Nelly4 - you're very welcome! Hope your colour's good, although i have to say that when i ordered several lily lolo samples, i really couldn't see much difference between any of the colours. They were all a good match for my skin tone to be honest. I think you'll be okay

Fawnie - y'know, since starting this, i've read a few articles/reviews etc that have stated lily lolo aren't the best. i think this has also been a factor in my problem. You described my problem to a tee when you said it "accentuates every line and pore". I've ordered some EM samples and think i will stick to samples for a while, till i'm happy instead of just buying the first brand i hear about!

Simran - Hun, i'm totally with you about the cost mounting up!!!! although the samples are very cost effective!

Thanks to all your advice, i have now ordered some EM samples, along with their start-to-finish rice powder. I'll go from there - see if the primer/finishing powder helps, see whether different brands help. Ha ha - although i have now added around £50 worth of different EM items to my wishlist - the cost is going up and up and up and up .....!!

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