The use of minerals in makeup isn't a new concept. If fact, minerals have been used as a tinting agent in cosmetics for hundreds of years. So what makes mineral makeup special?

Mineral concentration is the key difference between true mineral makeup and "run of the mill" makeup products. Technically, any company could claim their make-up to be "mineral". The real question lies in the remaining ingredients of the product.

Our advice: Read your labels. Although a mineral, avoid makeup with talc- this is a very common skin irritant. Some companies even use cornstarch as a cheap filler. What's the point? It gives the product a shorter shelf life, may cause skin irritation, decreases adhesiveness, and doesn't offer the UV protection that minerals do.

Longevity is a huge benefit of mineral makeup's concentrated nature. An average sized bottle of fluid foundation will last approximately a month, whereas loose mineral foundation (8 grams or so) will last 2-3 months (depending upon amount and frequency of application). Because of its mineral concentration, a little goes a long way. This saves a lot of money over the years! Additionally, because it is not water based it is unable to harbor bacteria (eliminating many breakouts) and has an long shelf life.

As I have been an avid mineral makeup user for years, some may say I'm bias. However, I look at it as expertise and advise in which others can benefit. Don't be swayed by big marketing scams and gimmicks. Big brands aren't always best...Big labels don't necessarily equal quality mineral makeup.

Earth Diva is a new web-based store with quality mineral make-up products and great prices! The all natural ingredients are clearly listed. You'll love the mineral foundation, blush, eye shadow and financial relief!
by Rachel Alston

Mineral makeup is creating a beauty revolution. The lightweight feel of the makeup is one of the things people love about mineral makeup. You will not even feel like you are wearing makeup unlike normal foundations where you can feel caked or heavy on the skin. With this makeup, it is practically weightless and you can forget that you are wearing any makeup at all.

You can sleep with mineral makeup on and not worry about damages to your skin because it is so gentle unlike other foundation. It will not block pores.

Other than the above benefits, mineral makeup is also used for corrective purposes. It can be used to even out the skin tone and lessen the redness in the skin. Perfect shading can be found for all skin types as the colours of the the makeup can be as sheer or as intense as you like.

If you have acne scars, broken capillaries, rosacea, sensitive skin, age spots or have reaction to the chemicals on your regular makeup, mineral makeup is the correct choice for you. It is the safest, gentlest makeup for all skin types. The absence of irritants in this makeup would not cause any inflammation for women with sensitive skin. It does not have emollients that causes pores to clog for women with oily skin and it contains ingredients that would help the skin to breathe and heal.

Millions of women who discovered this type of makeup have fallen in love with the look of beautifully bare skin. Your search for the perfect makeup is over!
by Yap Felicia

Some cosmetic companies will use this in their cosmetics because it is a very cheap filler. Bismuth does have binding qualities, so the makeup will hold to your skin better, however there are other products that are just as good at sticking to your skin, and are better for your skin. Other than being a cheap filler, it is highly reflective, which is something companies want, because refraction will camouflage fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations. If you use a brand with B.O. you will see a shiny or shimmery, yet heavy look. That's the bismuth oxychloride.

B.O. is a thick, heavy mineral, which makes it difficult for many people to wear. It has to be packed into your pores (thus the buffing application) otherwise it can slide off the wearers' face. The heaviness can and usually does result in clogged pores or irritated skin. B.O. often feels silky and fine between the fingers. Mineral makeup companies that don't use it have a lighter feeling makeup that will blend into the skin better and with less effort (such as SMM Cosmetics).

After using Mineral Makeup, many women experience noticable itching when they sweat. Generally this is from the chemical composition in B.O. So, if you find you're experiencing some problems with your current mineral makeup and it contains B.O., the fix could be as simple as switching to a brand that doesn't use B.O. (HINT HINT...Southern Magnolia Minerals comes to mind!!)