Mineral makeup has been around for a long time, and the trend towards more natural pigments is super-hot! Now, The Body Shop has hopped on the minerals makeup bandwagon, with a line called Extra Virgin Minerals. These new products, sure to delight Body Shop aficionados as well as those who love natural makeup, contain 100%Community Fair Trade pure cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and ultra-fine mineral pigments. The pigments are ground super-fine, so when you apply them to your skin, the look is natural, but still much better than bare. There are three different foundation formulas with a claim of up to 14 hours of long wear. At least one formula is bound to please you:
Extra Virgin Minerals Cream Compact Foundation SPF 15 (8.5g, $39.90) – available in 8 shades
Extra Virgin Minerals Liquid Foundation SPF 30 (30ml, $36.90) – available in 6 shades
Extra Virgin Minerals Loose Powder Foundation SPF 25 (5g, $36.90) – available in 4 shades
…..and there’s an Extra Virgin Minerals Loose Powder Foundation Brush ($29.90)
Extra Virgin Minerals ™ are available in the following shades:
102 – Natural Ivory
105 – Rose Ivory
108 – Golden Ivory
202 – Natural Vanilla
205 – Rose Vanilla
208 – Golden Vanilla
302 – Golden Beige
305 – Natural Beige
306 – Rose Beige
402 – Natural Caramel
405 – Golden Caramel
408 – Rose Caramel
The nice thing about minerals makeup is that minerals are very sheer and natural, so even if you don’t get the exact shade just right, you can still wear the makeup. The feel is light and easy, and the formulas shouldn’t irritate even the most sensitive of skin. Minerals makeup is what doctors recommend for people to wear after laser peels and surgery! Additionally, most mineral makeup will protect you in (at least a little bit) from the sun’s damaging rays with natural SPF from the minerals. That isn’t to say you should skip the sunblock or UVA/UVB protection from an SPF-rated product, but it’s another nice thing to note about choosing mineral makeup over another type. However, the Body Shop’s foundations are all SPF rated, and the liquid foundation at SPF 30 will give you good daily protection, provided you re-apply it during the day.
I tried all three of the foundation formulas. All were easy to apply and long-lasting. The Liquid Foundation with SPF 30 would be my formula of choice for the good amount of SPF protection, but the formula is full coverage, not sheer. Still, it blends nicely with fingertips or a brush. If you want a more sheer look, the Loose Powder Foundation SPF 25 gives you that natural, easy, matte finish. I like the screen on the shaker jar that lets you get just the amount of powder you need, without making a mess. Use a big, fluffy brush if you want a very sheer look, a brush with more concentrated bristles for layering and a more opaque feel. But for portability and a beautiful, natural, but semi-sheer foundation, you can’t beat the Cream Compact Foundation SPF 15. The compact has it’s own applicator brush in the bottom, and the creamy foundation blends to a sheer foundation that looks moistly matte, and covers flaws without caking them up. Although the SPF is minimal (and I just wish it was at least SPF 25), this one is my favorite for a daily makeup you can really live with, and love.
Fall is a perfect time to try something new. If you are seeking a new foundation, you can’t go wrong with the Extra Virgin Minerals Makeup from The Body Shop. There are so many different types of mineral makeup, but the new Body Shop products really stand out as excellent. Visit your favorite Body Shop store, or go to http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com
