We’ve previously posted an ESCA makeup review of the Bare Escentuals bare Minerals foundation with SPF15 where I have stated that I do not feel the need to use a finishing powder over the already great finish the foundation gives off. Well, out of curiosity I decided to try the bare Minerals Mineral Veil.
About Mineral Veil
Description
Like the foundation as well as all of their other powder-based products, Bare Escentuals bare Minerals Mineral Veil is a blend of all-natural earth-based minerals with no added toxic fillers, preservatives, talc, oil, or fragrances.
Mineral Veil is the ‘final step towards bare skin beauty’, BE’s very own line of finishing powder. Applying this cosmetic product over the foundation is said to give you a luminous glow and radiant finish as the look of a photograph taken with a camera using a soft-focus lens.
Product Versions
There are currently three versions of Mineral Veil
- Original (translucent)
- Tinted (a hint of warmth)
- Feather Light (luminous finish)
How to Use
It is meant to be applied on the face after foundation has been buffed on. It is meant to be applied t to your face the same way as the foundation…swirl, tap, and buff.
Pricing
The large size is 0.47 oz. and has an MSRP of $19.
Mineral Veil Reviewed
Applying the Finish
I applied it over my foundation using the exact same steps I used for the foundation itself. This was very easy to do.
FYI: I used my Laura Geller retractable fine makeup brush to buff the Mineral Veil on. I don’t feel that there is a need to have separate brushes for foundation and finish…simply cleaning it by dusting the brush off and blowing on it to get the previous powder traces off in between steps should be fine.
The Afterglow
I decided that the Tinted version was the way to go for me as I like to go for the ‘after-beach afterglow tan look’. After applying the finish, I examined my face very closely to see if an effect was noticeable. I was in my bathroom (which is very well-lit with natural light as I have a huge sky-light window in it) at the time and YES, I could see the difference between just the foundation vs. Mineral Veil over it.
The bare Minerals foundation by itself has the ability to conceal minor blemishes and discolorations, as well as even out the skin tone. However, Mineral Veil enhances the whole ambiance of your face by adding extra radiance and glow. It also gave me a slight hint of tan like I just came from lying in the sand at the beach for an hour. I loved it!
Testing Makeup on Multiple Subjects
To be certain that the mirror wasn’t playing tricks on my eyes, my sister and mother also put the makeup on for me to examine it on them. After examining their faces in different lighting and angles, I concluded that it does give the effect of a soft-focus lens to a certain extent.
From an estimate of three feet away and beyond, Mineral Veil does a perfect job of achieving the soft-focus lens effect. Any closer than three feet and the effect diminishes some, but only if one was to pay extremely close attention to detail.
A Lasting Effect?
Mineral Veil is somewhat long-lasting according to your skin type and the weather. As with all makeup, the oilier your skin is, the faster the makeup tends to fade away.
I personally have combination skin spanning from normal to oily, and I have both an indoor ‘in an air conditioned room’ job, and an outdoor ‘walking in the sun’ job. I find myself retouching the finish around every 3-4 hours if I’m working outdoors, and I don’t have retouch at all if I’m working indoors.
Photography-Ready
I’ve used foundations and pressed powder finishes that made you look good in natural light but a little pale and overdone in flash photography and indoor lighting, especially under fluorescent bulbs.
I’ve failed to mention this in my bare Minerals foundation review, but both the foundation and finishing powder is photography-ready meaning that your face maintains its natural and healthy glow in photographs when you’re wearing these products.
I have found this out from personal experience. However, most pictures from flash photography and fluorescent lighting comes out a little crappy, so don’t expect anything great under those conditions.
Good for the Skin?
My facial skin is normal meaning that I do not get bad breakouts of pimples and acne. I get a few little pimples once a month when I’ve got PMS, but that’s about it.
I have been using Mineral Veil for about 4 months now, and I have not had a bad breakout since. Of course, I’m not attributing that to the use of this product, but I believe it’s safe to conclude that whereas using this finishing powder may not be the cure for acne and pimples, it won’t be the direct cause of them (unless you’re allergic to any of the ingredients).
Makeup Review Conclusion
Yes, Mineral Veil gives off a great visual effect when used in conjunction with the esca makeup foundation. It is easy and fast to apply, somewhat long-lasting, doesn’t irritate my skin, and great for photographs.
I once felt that I didn’t need it, but once I tried it, I don’t believe I’ll ever stop using it (unless Bare Escentuals comes up with something better).
MM