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Mineral makeup is all the rage these days. In fact it seems to be the best thing since sliced bread. There are so many different brands of mineral makeup that deciding which one to try can be quite confusing. Here are some tips to make shopping a little easier.

1. What exactly is mineral makeup?
Mineral makeup is made from naturally occurring minerals that are found in the earth. Much like the minerals in a dietary supplement that are good for your body, these minerals are supposed to be good for your skin. This makeup consists of more than just foundation. There is a full array of products including, concealer, mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, blush and lipstick. Some brands also have a skincare line, which may consist of moisturizers, vitamins and makeup removers.

2. What are some pros and cons of wearing mineral makeup?
Most, if not all mineral makeup contains a sunscreen that is usually in the form of titanium dioxide. They can also contain anti-aging ingredients such as vitamins A & E, soybean extract and Shea butter. The great thing about mineral makeup is that it doesn't contain chemicals or preservatives. However, for those with acne prone skin be forewarned: your skin may breakout more when you first use this type of makeup. From my experience and understanding, the minerals settle deep into the pores, forcing out the impurities. This shows up as pimples, which frightens a lot of women. Stick with it though. Your skin will clear up and be healthier than before. If you have allergies or sensitive skin, I suggest that you test the product before you buy it. Some women have experienced itching, redness and even a burning sensation. For those unfortunate souls, perhaps mineral makeup isn't for you.

3. What are some brands of Mineral makeup?
There are quite a few different lines of mineral makeup. Possibly the most popular mineral makeup is Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals. The foundation alone costs $25. There is a starter kit which costs $60. It contains two foundation colors, two all over face colors, three brushes, a mineral veil finishing powder and an instructional dvd. Comparable to Bare Escentuals is Pur Minerals. Their foundation costs $24.50 and they have a starter kit also. The kit contains two foundation colors, an all over face powder and a brush and is costs $35. These two brands have a variety of colors that will match nearly every skin tone. However, as an African American woman, I've found that the Bare Escentuals foundation looks ashy or gray on me and it is difficult to match very dark skin. Pur Minerals comes a little closer to matching my skin tone, but it still isn't exact.

If these two brands are out of your price range, here are three more affordable choices. Revlon ColorStay Mineral foundation costs $13.99 and comes in five colors ranging from fair to medium deep. Neutragena Mineral Sheers costs $11 and comes in several colors. If you are darker than tan, however, skip this one. The last brand I'd like to share is Avon Perfect Match Smooth Mineral makeup. The foundation costs $10 and surprisingly, matches my skin tone well. In fact, I've been told that it doesn't look like I'm wearing makeup. This is my personal favorite. It goes on smoothly and hardly needs any touch ups during the day.

There you have it. This is just a small list of what is available to you. You can find all of these products (except Avon) at Ulta stores or Ulta.com. If there isnt an Ulta near you, Sephora and Macy's will carry some of the higher end brands while your local Wal-Mart or drugstore will carry the less expensive brands. For Avon's mineral makeup, visit Avon.com or contact your local Avon representative. Shop smart and have fun!

Learn more about this author, Ronda Heard.
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