Tips for Mineral Makeup Application

Using mineral makeup is an excellent way to get the colors and coverage you want, without all the harsh, skin-irritating ingredients found in many traditional cosmetics. If you’re used to regular makeup varieties, however, it might be a bid odd to adjust to the nature of mineral makeup products. The two biggest secrets of proper application are having the right tools and preparing your skin.

 

The Tools for the Job

 

Even the best mineral makeup won’t look right if you apply it incorrectly. Mineral eyeshadow, for example, might become clumpy or fall off if you try to apply it with a sponge. Before you begin experimenting with natural makeup, invest in a good set of brushes.

 

We recommend vegan cosmetic brushes, whether you buy them individually or in a set. Such brushes are cruelty-free, which is important, but they’re also easier for most people to use. The bristles last a very long time, and cleaning is much simpler than with real (animal) hair bristles. Just wash them in warm, soapy water, rinse well, and let them air dry.

 

A cosmetic brush set is usually your best option, because you’ll get a variety of shapes and sizes to cover all the bases. At the bare minimum, you should have a brush for foundation (we recommend a vegan kabuki brush), and one or two vegan blush brushes. The right size vegan blush brushes can multi-task as contour, highlight, and powder/bronzer brush. You should also have at least one vegan angled liner brush for filling in your brows and creating a soft powder eye liner, as well as two vegan eye shadow brushes for applying and blending eyeshadow. Try to select vegan cosmetic brushes that feel soft but dense enough to carry pigment.

 

An important note about your brushes: keep them clean. You should wash them at least once a week, with regular use, although you may have to do so more frequently. Never store your brushes (or makeup products) where they are exposed to extreme temperatures, like your car. The hot and cold cycle can damage the products and shorten the life of your brushes and promote the growth of bacteria, which is never good for your skin.

 

Preparing Your Skin

 

You should always apply makeup onto fresh, clean skin. Using your favorite cleanser, wash your entire face and neck, then pat dry. If your skin is usually dry, apply moisturizer. Apply a light, even layer that your face can absorb completely in just a few minutes.

Once your moisturizer is absorbed, it’s time to add your natural makeup primer. This is an important step when using mineral makeup, because it will help minimize the appearance of fine lines and ensure a smooth application. Add a thin layer of primer over your whole face, smoothing gently with your fingertips.

 

Applying Your Mineral Makeup

 

For your organic mineral foundation, it’s important to work in layers. Gather small amounts of powder mineral foundation on your brush. Start with a thumbnail size amount. Swirl your vegan kabuki brush into the mineral foundation powder to pick it up completely into the bristles of the brush. Then apply in a circular motion starting at your jaw line and working inward. Buff your charged kabuki brush over your face evenly and then evaluate your coverage. If it’s not enough for your taste, repeat the process and continue to build layers until you’re satisfied.

 

Once you have applied your mineral foundation, the rest of the mineral cosmetic application process is easy. Mineral blush, mineral bronzer and mineral eye shadow apply in the very same way as traditional makeup. If your mineral cosmetics are loose, simply tap out the amount of product you want to use into the lid of the container. With a little practice, you’ll begin to understand exactly how much product you need to achieve the desired look.

 

When selecting mineral eye shadow colors, start by choosing base shades in creams and light pinks and pop colors for accent in shades that compliment your eye color. Opposites attract in the cosmetic world as well. Your most complimentary eye shadow shades will be those opposite on the color wheel from your eyes. That means, if you have blue or green eyes, colors with red and orange undertones like eggplant and burnt sienna will make your eyes sparkle. If you have brown eyes, greens, purples and golds will look amazing. Most eyes, regardless of the color look good in neutral browns, grays and golds.

 

There are countless ways to blend your colors, but a basic application utilizes a highlight color on your brow bone, a medium shade on your eyelid, a darker shade in the crease and outer corner of the lid, and lots of soft blending.

 

Other than mineral foundation, mineral makeup behave similarly to their counterparts, so making the transition to something more natural and gentle is easier than you may think.