Mineral makeup has burst and created a scene in the cosmetic industry recently, for a good reason. While most makeup products today use fillers and binders, mineral makeup goes way back to the basics, using only natural ingredients to create a modern look. Mineral makeup is created from micronized minerals, including colorants like micas, oxides and ultramarines. Zinc dioxide and titanium dioxide are also common ingredients in mineral makeup, providing broad spectrum skin protection, giving you the smarter option for protecting your skin.

If you are the point of trying mineral makeup or in the search for the best mineral makeup, you may have noticed the increasing number of mineral makeup companies out there. The choices are overwhelming for people just getting into mineral makeup. This guide will show you how to choose the perfect and best mineral makeup for your skin, paving the way for you to become a mineral makeup expert as time passes by.

Here are some factors to consider when searching for the best mineral makeup:

1.) Starter kits - mineral makeup kits are a fantastic way to begin your journey into mineral makeup. Larger mineral makeup companies such as Bare Escentuals and Sheer Cover offer a variety of starter kits for different skin tones. These kits include everything you'll need to get started like makeup brushes and sometimes even instructional DVD's and booklets. Smaller companies also offer makeup kits. However each company is different, so be sure to compare and choose the best kit for you.

2.) Samples - Smaller companies tend to excel when it comes to samples. They usually offer their loose mineral foundation in small and trial sizes for a smaller price, along with other of their product lines in sample sizes. Samples are a great way if you're looking at choosing the right eye color or pigment, aside from trying out a new product.

3.) Brand recognition - you might have undoubtedly come across the big names in mineral makeup in doing your research. Companies include the aforementioned Bare Escenutals / Bare Minerals and Sheer Cover (Leeza Gibbons). You may be comfortable with starting out with a familiar brand, and believe me, there is nothing wrong with that. You don't have to limit yourself to the larger names, since there are lot of large and small companies out there which offer skin care and quality cosmetics.

4.) Ingredients - Ingredients are a debated topic in the mineral makeup scene. Ingredients like bismuth oxychloride and talc should be avoided, as some people might say, but in reality these ingredients found in mineral makeup are perfect for your skin. It all comes down to personal preference. Some ingredients may cause irritation or breakouts for sensitive skin. The key is triying out the product on your skin. Discontinue use of the brand if it causes you skin problems. Don't be afraid to ask questions before purchasing. Most companies are more than happy to answer your concerns about their products and ingredients that they use.

5.) Price - Mineral makeup prices can vary, depending on the brand. Expensive doesn't always mean quality. Smaller companies can sell their products at a lower price because they don't have to deal with the larger overhead that most large companies have, but the lower prices do not mean that the products are not high quality. Your skin will be the judge on how much you have to pay for the mineral makeup. If your skin is happy, then you'll know that you've found the best mineral makeup for you.