Review + Swatches: Mineral Hygienics Foundation and Warm Kiss Bronzer

(click to enlarge)

I was in the market for a mineral foundation that didn't contain an ingredient called Bismuth Oxychloride because it gives me a bad skin reaction. I usually get a rash within minutes of application and my face gets really itchy. Mineral Hygienics* is a fairly new company, but I decided to try their products because (1) there are mostly positive reviews, especially on MakeupAlley, (2) they don't contain Bismuth Oxychloride, and (3) I received the products for free. (Though, I would repurchase with my own money.)

Pros:

• lightweight
• buildable, light to medium coverage
• does not contain Bismuth Oxychloride, harmful chemical additives, harsh dyes, or man-made fragrances
• contains only 4 ingredients, including Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Mica and Zinc Oxide, which are all natural
• price ($25) is a bargain for 40g of product (BareMinerals contains 8g for $27)
• quick and easy to apply
• blends like a dream
• leaves a natural finish and does not look cakey
• does not emphasize dry spots 
• bronzer is highly pigmented, blendable, applies smoothly and lasts at least 9 hours without fading

Cons:

• not available in stores and only available online, but they ship worldwide
• my natural oils break through around my nose area after 4 hours of application (This also happens with most of the other foundations that I use; therefore, it's not really a con for me, personally.) 
• Medium Tan shade matched me well only after I applied a setting powder that was lighter than my skin tone (This isn't really a con, since the color ended up working for me, but looking back on the website, I should have chosen the shade Medium Golden.)

I received the Full Coverage Kabuki brush, Silk Translucent setting powder, Warm Kiss bronzer, and 5 foundation shades. Medium Light, Fairly Tan and Light Tan are too pink for my warm NC30/35 skin tone, while Medium is too light and Medium Tan is a tad bit too dark. However, since the Silk Translucent setting powder lightens the color of my foundation a bit, I apply it over the Medium Tan shade and it ends up matching my skin tone pretty well, while also setting my makeup. Keep in mind, Medium Tan does look slightly too yellow right after I apply it, but within 10 minutes, the product warms up to my skin and looks normal (not too yellow or too pink).

Although the Full Coverage Kabuki brush is dense, I don't use it to apply the foundation because the bristles feel coarse. I use either my Sonia Kashuk Dense Blush Powder brush (full review) or Sonia Kashuk Small Kabuki brush (review) because they feel so soft and the bristles are densely packed, which allows them to provide better coverage. Also, they get into all the nooks and crannies really well. (I don't recommend using a brush that is made from synthetic material because it doesn't pack on color or provide as much coverage as a brush with natural bristles will.) 

With one layer, the Mineral Hygienics foundation evens out the skin tone and covers minor redness. For medium coverage, another layer will be needed. Keep in mind that it does not cover acne or visible pores, but foundation is not supposed to anyways. For problem areas, you would need to use a concealer underneath and to cover visible pores, you would need to use a silicone-based primer underneath, such as the Benefit Porefessional primer or Too Faced Primed and Poreless (comparison review + swatches). 

I love the finish that the Mineral Hygienics foundation gives because it looks natural (not matte, but not dewy either) and it feels lightweight. It also doesn't look cakey or powdery, and it doesn't emphasize dry spots as long as you prep your skin with a moisturizer, of course. (Make sure you do the "swirl, tap and buff method" when applying the foundation. If you dip your brush into the jar and then apply it right onto your face, it will leave a concentrated amount of product and it will end up looking cakey. Therefore, you need to pour just a little amount of product onto the lid, then swirl your brush into the lid, tap off any excess and buff in a circular motion onto your face. The result will look blended, natural and flawless.)

I have an oily t-zone with normal skin (not oily or dry) on the rest of my face. When I wear the Mineral Hygienics foundation, my face still looks fresh at the end of the day and it doesn't look faded or blotchy, but my natural oils around my nose area usually break though after 4 hours of application, but this also happens with most of the other foundations that I use. So, I just carry my Sonia Kashuk retractable kabuki and the Mineral Hygienics foundation in my purse for touch-ups. It's so portable and easy to reapply.

The bronzer is highly pigmented; therefore, you only need the tiniest amount of product. I usually apply it with my Sonia Kashuk Blush brush (full review) and it leaves a gorgeous peachy tan shade on my cheeks. Not only does it warm up my skin tone, but it also acts as a blush for me as well. Also, it lasts at least 9 hours without fading. (It looks reddish orange and quite scary when swatched on my arm, but I assure you, it looks more flattering when worn on face.)

(heavily swatched)

Bottom Line: If you are sensitive to Bismuth Oxycloride and want a foundation that contains natural ingredients with no fillers added, then Mineral Hygienics is for you. It only contains 4 natural ingredients and provides buildable, light to medium coverage that looks natural and feels lightweight. The bronzer is just the icing on the cake and it enhances my skin with a sun kissed glow. It's so quick and easy to apply. I just "swirl, tap and buff" and I'm all set and ready to run out the door. However, I have combination skin and my natural oils around my nose area break though after 4 hours of application. Therefore, this foundation benefits more for those with normal skin than extremely oily skin. If you don't have extremely oily skin, then I highly recommend checking out their foundation, especially because of the amount of product it contains. It's a total bargain! 

Note: The Mineral Hygienics foundation comes in 14 shades, ranging from Fairest to Deep for $25/40g. The Starter kits are available from $29.99 to $59.99. The bronzer is $20/20g. From now until May 27, 2012, you can get 10% off any Mineral Hygienics order through this link and use coupon code JOYCE10 at checkout. 

*This post contains an affiliate link and the products mentioned were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. This does not affect my opinion about the products. I don't do paid or guaranteed reviews. My reviews are based on my own honest opinion.

Have you heard of Mineral Hygienics or tried any of their products?