Trouble-shooting Mineral Foundation Application

Here at Monave we send out sample sets with a brochure describing how to apply mineral foundation to new customers. Despite these instructions, some customers have trouble with their mineral foundation application, assume there’s nothing special about mineral makeup, and never pick the product up again. Since we can’t provide on-site demonstrations for people having trouble applying their foundation at home. Here are some of the issues that come up, and our suggestions for a smoother application. We hope that this will help!

My foundation looks pasty and thick

If your foundation appears pasty, try these tricks:

1. The brush! Unfortunately, the right brush is an absolute necessity when applying loose mineral foundation. Our brush is especially made with high-quality synthetic bristles to have a very high density of hair; short, firm, and very soft. Think of how hard it is to spread cold butter on untoasted bread with a plastic knife. This is what is happening when you’re using the brushes ( however expensive and high-quality they may be), that you already own. Even bronzer brushes that look similar may not have firm, or dense enough hair to accomplish the task. The result? Too much makeup, not well spread, sticking in all of the wrong place, definitely not natural-looking!

2. Too much product on the brush: Mineral makeup is very concentrated. It is made up of pure pigment. Because there is little if any ‘filler” in this type of powder, it is very important that you put just a little bit of powder on your brush and use that on one cheek. Buff it in well in a circular motion before applying more. How much is enough? You press the head of the  flat-top directly against the holes of the sifter, tip the whole unit upside down, tap the jar a bit, and then lift the brush off of the sifter. There should be a light dusting of powder on the brush head, and that amount is sufficient to cover at least one cheek, if not the whole face. You can always add another layer, so start with less.

3. The wrong shade: This is especially an issue with women of color. If you have a golden undertone, and the color you apply has a blue or neutral undertone, your face may appear grayish, or pasty. It is not necessarily that the product is too light, or has the “wrong” formula for your skin, just the wrong undertone. Don’t assume that mineral foundation doesn’t “work” on ethnic skin. Be persistent until you find a shade that at least comes close. Blending loose mineral foundation shades together is as simple as shaking the jar, and blending one color with another may achieve that perfect shade that you’re looking for!

4.Not enough “buffing”: Have you ever watched someone (usually a guy!) buff a coat of wax onto their car? They buff for a loooong time! This creates a smooth, silky appearance, that simply applying the wax would never achieve. Do the same with your mineral foundation. Buffing with the brush actually brings out the qualities of the minerals. Use a firm (Don’t be afraid to be firm, our brushes are very soft) touch, and in a circular motion, blend, or spread the makeup around the cheeks, down the jaw line, over the nose. Do this several times, and you will begin to see your face glow and your skin look flawless, and utterly natural.

If you are still having trouble after trying some of these techniques, please give our office a call, and a makeup artist can help you with a phone consultation.