Review- Urban Cowgirl Mineral Concealer/Foundation

Creamy application with sweep of the finger tip or applicator sponge … goes on lightly. $14.99

I don't know about you, but with each change of the season, my skin seems to act up like some wild teenager on a mission. With allergies in full swing, I'm also finding new bags under my eyes each morning and random breakouts from switching to heavier creams and moisturizers. Thank goodness for Urban Cowgirl's Mineral Concealer/Foundation, it truly works to hide those extra baggage under the eyes and a quick spot treatment over smaller breakouts too. I'm so impressed that something this lightweight and smooth can so brilliantly conceal and balance out even the most stubborn of spots. Apparently this Urban Cowgirl concealer can double up as a light foundation as well and still provide full and complete coverage. Normally I would wear foundation during the day to cover up some of these dark spots sprouting up, but I soon realized with a loose dusting of powder and this surprisingly strong and effective concealer, I didn't need to add any more products on top. If you have a few dark spots, or circles too, and need some real, true coverage (without resorting to wearing heavy foundation), this concealer completely does the trick.

Review- Youngblood Hi-Def Mineral Powder

Youngblood's Hi-Def Hydrating Mineral Perfecting Powder is a breakthrough in Hi-Def makeup. This innovative, multi-tasking formula keeps skin balanced by hydrating and refreshing skin, locking in needed moisture while naturally absorbing excess oil and mattifying shine. The high-performance, ultra sheer powder invisibly conceals imperfections for a perfect, camera-ready finish - whether you're going to the movies or starring in one.

I tried this powder in Warmth, a flattering blend of peach and gold that blended beautifully with my skin tone. My skin is pretty normal, with some oily patches in my T-zone, and this powder kept those areas shine free, and matte, but still gave my entire face a natural, healthy glow. If you're of a fair complexion you may want to opt for the translucent version, since I'm not sure the color of this powder will agree with you. Overall this mineral powder sets your makeup beautifully, giving the skin almost an air-brushed effect, while still feeling incredibly light. I've never used mineral makeup before, but I think I'll be making a permanent switch!

Review- Dex New York Modern Minerals Loose Pigment

Highly pigmented bold color infused with advanced anti-aging technology -palmitoyl hexapeptide-14 stimulates eyelids and allows for cellular turnover. Paraben Free.

I must confess I am so on the mineral make-up bandwagon. I adore the versatility of powdered minerals and I'd use them for lots of purposes- eye shadow, liner, nail polish and highlighter. These loose powders from Dex New York are high quality pigments. I have two- Gansevoort Lavender and Chinatown Rose. The Gansevoort is (duh) lavender with just a touch of opalescence, not so much that everyone can't use it. It goes on very light but can be made more opaque by adding layers. I get a lot of compliments when I wear it.

Chinatown Rose is a darkish, vaguely fuchsia, reddish pink. I know that sounds confusing but just know this this color makes green and blue eyes pop like crazy! This color has a more opaque consistency but can to be easily blended to give it a more sheer look. This is a bold color but I absolutely love it. It's not for the faint of heart, but I think you can handle it ; ).

Movie Maven says:
I love living in New York, you guys. I love to love it, I love to hate it, I even love the MTA (no, really). But Dex New York? They really love New York. They love it so much that they named every single product they make with a New York-based name. It's a cute idea, kind of, but then you realize that these products have little to nothing to do with the actual streets/landmarks after which they are called. Bedford Avenue lipstick is not the color of disillusioned hipsters (it's tan). Stonewall pigment is not the color of gay rights (it's "jungle red"). They did try, in a couple of cases: St. Marks Place pigment is described as "Purple Haze," and considering the number of head shops there, it's apt. St. Patrick's pigment is green (well, "olive").

But MoMA pigment? The one I tried out? It's "golden pink." Which makes no sense to me, but whatever, I like MoMA. But when they say "golden pink," guys...they mean "GOLDEN pink." I first used this as a blush and I looked like a drag queen version of C-3PO. Not the worst look, certainly, but also not ideal for normal life. This pigment serves better as an eyeshadow, where the golden tint is an asset rather than a liability. Like Hillary said, these colors are bold, y'all, but you can do it! The pigment itself was great - super fine powder, easy to apply with a brush, and while it's a bit pricey at $22, the package is large and should last you a while. Overall, a good product from a solid company (their lipstick is great as well).

Review - Pur Minerals Pur Rocks

Add depth, dimension and drama to your look with pressed, micronized minerals in a unique, 3-dimensional design! Multi-tasking Pur Rocks enhance and brighten eyes, lips and cheeks with a dose of luminous colour. Vibrant, organic jewel tones of garnet and pink zircon capture the splendor of a desert sunset, illuminating the face with shimmering, rosy undertones. Pur Minerals does NOT test its products on animals.

I looked at this product and thought.... oh no... it's much to dark, and MUCH too ruddy for my skin. I have an olive complexion that is a little on the pale side, reds can do me a serious injustice with even the slightest inclination. But I should have known, because I love *every single other* pur mineral product, this one is really fantastic too. You can get amazing color, trust me, completely natural also. If you have sensitive skin on top of needing color and not wanting to wantonly lie in the sun or apply weird skin dying sprays, this product will be great for you. It's so easy to put on with any standard blush brush (but I do recommend investing in a nice one anyway, for the long haul.).

Deedlejuse Says:
I have to completely agree with Amanda S on this one. I love this stuff. It is more like a bronzer than a blush for me, I have blond hair and very pale skin and these Pur Rocks are just the thing for a beautiful glow without being too much . It goes on quite sheer as long as you are careful. I actually prefer to use my larger powder brush to increase the area I cover and use it as an all over sort of look. It stays forever and it doesn't seem like I have used any, even though I use it all the time. This is really nice color, and it sounds like it works well with many complexions!

CitySlickers Says:
I really can't agree more with Amanda & Deedlejuse. The instant I saw the color I wanted to run for the hills. I was thinking that it was going to look like streaks on my cheeks. Since I am pale some bronzers and blushes just don't work.. I gave this a try on a weekend and have been using since. It goes on smooth and lightly without being heavy handed. Pur Rocks really gives me a warm healthy glow that doesn't have too much iridescence. It's really great and fun to use.. I wish that it was more portable but you can't get it all. I found that it works really well with a big blush dusting brush a swipe over the cheeks then a swirl all over and done.. I also have to say, I love the look in the container..

Review- Giselle All Purpose Face Powder

Giselle All Purpose Face Powder (not yet on Gisellecosmetics.com) $20

As I said above, these powders are not yet for sale on Giselle's site, but we got the privilege of trying them out in advance. I got 2 colors: Flawless and Girls Best Friend Light. I'm absolutely in love with Flawless. It looks a little too tan for me in the container, but on it gives me the perfect amount of healthy glow without a bronzer & without looking like I have a fake tan on my face. This is simply a great powder for pale girls like myself and maybe a little darker. I love to use this when I'm in a hurry because I can skip the bronzer & the blush. I also dust it under my eyes as a concealer and it stays put wonderfully. It lasts all day without creasing or rubbing off. The photo above is pretty accurate as to the color, it's a light ivory w/ tan undertones. The tan undertones actually further work to conceal my red undertones and hide imperfections. Flawless is the name and it truly lives up to it. Add to that the lack of talc and the natural SPF 15 and I'm truly in love.

I also got this powder in Girl's Best Friend Light. This powder had me a little confused at first, but unless you are a Goth chic, you would use this powder to lighten another powder. It is pure white with a tiny hint of shimmer and on my bare skin makes me pale as a sheet. But I can see how this powder would come in handy to lighten any of the other powders (or eyeshadows) Giselle makes. It's more of a tool than a stand-alone powder. If you've been looking for something to lighten your favorite minerals (say, you are in between shades) this powder is perfect for the job.

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CitySlicker Says: I like Hillary got this powder in light. I am fair and always end up using the lightest shade of any powder so for me this is an on point match for my skin. I didn’t experience looking any paler than I am. I use this as a light finish after applying my foundation and find it to be a very light banana color not pure white. The powder I received seems like something different than Hillary’s as the powder I have has a lot of shimmer to it. When I wear this I get some serious shimmer and a nice glow without looking bronzy. I actually like this because I find that it has a nice reflecting quality that gives me a healthy sheen. I have been using this off and on for over a month and find myself leaning towards this for the extra shimmer. It’s so light and airy, it’s like wearing nothing at all, my skin can breathe and I never get any flaking or riding in my lines by the day’s end. I really like this!

Sheba says I begged Hillary to pass the Girls Best Friend Light onto me. I just got it and I absolutely love it. It is perfect as a concealer and I mixed a little with a mineral makeup that was a shade or so too dark for me and now it is perfect!! I am thrilled with the results when I use it as a concealer -- it does the job and I do not look like a reverse raccoon (with white around my eyes). The regular make up just covers it perfectly and my dark circle are camouflaged so well that I think they were never there. I do not know if Giselle intended it for the uses I am putting Girls Best Friend Light to -- but they just might want to add concealer and mixer to the uses. I am a very happy camper!! This keeps it unanimous -- I have not met a Giselle product I haven't loved!!

Review- Pür Minerals Pür Perfection Starter Kit

"4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup: The cornerstone of Pür Minerals, this one-minute mineral makeup miracle is your mineral foundation, powder, concealer and SPF protection all in one neat makeup compact. Completely free of oil, alcohol, talc, fragrances, preservatives and chemical dyes, this mineral foundation is actually good for your skin!" Pür Perfection Starter Kit $35

This is perhaps the best mineral make-up I have ever used. And not only is it good, it's good for you too! I need full coverage in my make-up. There's nothing terribly wrong with my skin, but when you are spooky-white, even the tiniest blemish shines out like a beacon. You can adjust the amount of coverage you recieve from this compact by starting slowly and layering. It has a nice matte finish and somehow doesn't stick to my dry patches like most other powder foundations. The color I got (Porcelain) matches my skin to a "T". Once you've put on the foundation, glow and blush, you've got a totally healthy, natural look. I recommend that everyone who is considering trying the Pür Minerals brand start out with one of these kits because when you put all the components together, the look is fantastic.

"Mineral Glow: A touch of sun in a makeup compact, this mineral powder will impart a natural, sun-kissed glow to your skin."

Ordinarily I wouldn't buy a product like Pür Minerals Mineral Glow because I'm not one for the tan look, but when used sparingly this compact gives you more of (dare I say it) a glow than a tan. It adds a little something to your overall look if you apply it with care. Now I find myself using the Glow with my other types of make-up, I like it that much. But be warned, overdo it and we'll have to send you back to the 80's (of course back then, the tan would have been real!).

"Universal Marble Powder in Pink: Give your skin back that rosy glow you were born with. Universal Marble Powder corrects, brightens and imparts antioxidants into the skin. This multi-purpose mineral makeup can be worn on your eyes, lips and cheeks."

When I first looked at the Marble Powder in Pink, I wasn't so thrilled. I'm not much of a pink person. I decided to have an open mind and I applied it after the foundation and glow. To my pleasant surprise it isn't bubblegummy or clowny, it looks totally natural, like I just pinched my cheeks. Don't ask me how they made a blush that flatters every skin tone, but they've apparently pulled it off as the same color comes in every kit. I wouldn't dare try to buy a pink blush on my own (I still have that lingering clown fear), but this one, I love.

"The Chisel Makeup Brush: The magic behind the mineral makeup look! The only makeup brush to use for application of your 4-in-1 Mineral Makeup, it provides maximum coverage and an amazingly smooth finish."

I use the Chisel brush for both the Mineral Makeup and the Mineral Glow. The brush is shaped like a small kabuki brush with a handle. It gives you more control than a traditional kabuki brush due to it's smaller size and is the perfect firmness to use with the pressed powders.

Amanda S. Says: Like Hillary, I really do believe this is the best mineral make up out there. I have been using Pur on and off for a while, but haven't used all the items in this kit. I am so happy I took the time to try them out and was given the extras because I am really pleased with how everything looks. The brush is super useful too for the foundation (I usually use the sponge, but I am getting the hang of the brush because it doesn't clump the powder at all!).

I tend to get a little sallow looking (I'm surprised no one asks me if I have jaundice to be honest!) in the winter, a little yellowish and pasty. For some reason my olive skin doesn't work out so well when I don't get any sun. I confess, unlike hillary I *do* get some sun, I know it's bad! So in missing my usual touch of color I was pleasantly surprised with the 'glow' powder and the marble blush powder also. I was real afraid they'd go on either too heavy in spots, or else they would just not blend with the mineral foundation underneath them. I am not all that great with blush sometimes, I go a little heavy, but with these it seemed to glide on, and I can imagine if I took the wrong turn applying, it would be easy to brush the extra off.

Pur mineral is great because my super sensitive skin never gets irritated by tons of weird additives and it doesn't make my face look one-tone-plastic. It definitely doesn't cause break-outs and if you're really having skin problems, you can actually apply the 4-in-1 foundation powder over a liquid foundation and trust me, no one will see any flaws and it will last more than 15 hours.

Review - Aromaleigh Cosmetics

In 2004, I began my foray into mineral makeup. Having seen enough late night infomercials on them, I had to see what all the fuss was about. So began a long, long, journey of sampling, loving, hating, trading, reviewing, etc. about a gajillion lines of mineral makeup. I think new mineral makeup companies were popping up every day and I probably sampled most of them -- but one company has stood the test of time and has always proven to be my favorite and probably one of the best if not THE best company for all things mineral, girlie, pretty, classic, fun, etc - and that is Aromaleigh. To browse around the website is to end up wanting everything that Kristen (founder and creator) puts out there. This review comes on the heels of my trying her latest line of "eye plush" eyeshadows. They are whispers of beautiful eye colors that are understated and gorgeous on the eyes - not chunky glittery or in your face - just lovely colors. Silk Stockings is my new love. The blushes are so pretty - from the gorgeous Verve - a perfect peachy-pink-red, to my latest find - Dolly (from the "You're A Doll" collection - oh man this color is gorgeous). There are shimmers and glimmers and highlighters (oh my!), flaw diffusers, eyeliners, concealers, aromatics, you name it - Aromaleigh has it ALL - from uber hip collections like "Rocks" to classic collections, Aromaleigh has something for everyone in every age bracket. Oh, and their lip balms and glosses are to DIE for. The mineral makeup itself is very popular - Glissade for dryer skins, Voile for more normal to oily skins - and there's a color match for everyone in there, trust me. Top all of this incredible line off with a forum full of helpful consierges who although have heard every question before, are always helpful and kind to the newbies, to the incredible "face of the day" looks that feature amazing combos of all Aromaleigh colors. I have forgone any mineral company I've tried before and now will only use Aromaleigh. It's THAT good. You can sample to your heart's content at very minimal cost if you don't want to take the full-size plunge. But be warned - you'll want the full size! Great company...give it a swirl......