I ran out of L’Oreal Bare Minerale powder back in January, and I knew I wanted to stick with mineral powder, but it was time for an upgrade.
Armed with a gift card and a husband bored out of his mind, I made my way to every beauty junkie’s favorite crackhouse — Sephora. This needed to be a quick in-and-out shopping trip.
Initially I was fixated on Bare Escentuals, as the defacto mineral makeup that everyone talks about. (As Mama Bella calls it,”the real mineral”). But I’d read some intriguing reviews of Philosophy’s The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas, and the crowd (and lack of assistance) around the Bare Escentuals area drove over to the Philosophy aisle.
The saleslady helped me discover my shade — Rich. It cost $35, so I decided to give it a whirl. And ever since I bought this stuff, I haven’t left the house without it on.
My advice for those of you considering a mineral makeup — definitely try any powder foundation (or foundation period) to make sure it matches your skin tone before purchasing.
Also, I’m almost tempted to say stay away from the drugstore if you want the real deal. I loved Bare Naturale at the time, but the difference between that and the Philosophy is like chalk and cheese.
This powder makes my face look damn near perfect.
Like all mineral powder, less is ALWAYS more. The poofy, soft applicator attached to the top of the container makes it hard to overdo with this product. So here’s my current daily face routine.
Sitting facing the window with the most natural light and using my magnifying mirror, I start with my moisturizer du jour, which is still Skin MD. I can wear this stuff in hot-ass Miami and Trinidad, or in windy and cold NYC, and it keeps my face moisturized and happy regardless of climate. It sinks right in and leaves my skin feeling touchable and soft, and the delicate area under my eyes doesn’t look as beaten and tired as it did in the past. Love Skin MD.
When my moisturizer is completely absorbed, I apply Philosophy’s The Supernatural Poreless, Flawless Tinted SPF 15. This is a peach-colored cream that comes out a little thick, and putting anything peach on my brown skin looks a bit off… but I smooth it on well and it does its thing. Besides keeping my skin protected from the sun, it really does make my face appear poreless. Flawless only comes when I add the powder.
Once my face is perfectly matte and smooth, I add blush, eye makeup, lipgloss, whatevs.
The Supernatural doesn’t make me look “made-up,” either — a natural glow still comes through and although the name “airbrushed canvas” might make it sound like this product will make you look like a cartoon character or Golden Brooks or something, that isn’t the case at all. AND, most importantly — it lasts all day!
Now that I’ve tried these two items, I’m saving up for the rest of The Supernatural Collection!
Seriously, I can’t do without this combination and I’d recommend it to anyone struggling with hyperpigmentation skin cover-up issues.
I am a Bare Escentuals believer. I use all of their products and my skin is radiant, never chalky and their line has SPF 15. The colors are wonderful. Accept no substitutes. It is the best!
I am sure the Philosophy is great too but I bet if your tried the Bare Escentuals…you would become a convert 🙂
I think you should go back and really try Bare Escentuals. The delivery system on the Philosophy product doesn’t allow you to buff for extra coverage if needed.
^ Mireille…are you using the Bare Escentuals with the Mineral Veil on top? That gives you a totally oil free apprearance. I recommend it.
i haven’t used a foundation in a while – largely because i hate to shop and haven’t known what to buy. it’s alwyas good to have one, even though i probably won’t use it everyday. i’ll definetly take a trip to sephora and try out the supernatural. thanx!!!
awesome web site!!!
1969 and Westindiangal, I am SURE that I’ll eventually become a Bare Escentuals believer! But until I run out of The Supernatural (or Bare Escentuals sends me a review package, hollaaaaa), I’ll stick with Philosophy. I usually use the attached powder puff, but for buffing and extra coverage I just tap out a little powder into a shallow bowl and use my brush instead. But your conviction really makes me want to try this Bare Escentuals stuff I keep hearing so much about!
I have to disagree about the Bare Escentuals and am about to try the Philosophy brand. As a dark-skinned woman who glows on her own, the pale glow that comes from Bare Escentuals doesn’t look good in pictures at all. It does feel wonderful on and blends very well, but even very lightly applied looks a bit “supernatural” (as in ghostly).
I am a darker sister, and i have, and use, the bare escentuals powder. i like it well enough, i suppose. i am a philosophy junkie, and i’m going to give these products a whirl. See bella, what you’re doing to me??? 🙂
when I really need to look my best, i use classified cosmetics spray on foundation. this stuff is AMAZING!! it’s the one carmindy uses on TLC’s what not to wear.
Not being able to find the right shade of Bare Escentuals that doesn’t turn yellow on me (or make me itch for that matter), it looks like I may have to try this by Philosophy.
Sounds like a winner!
I love Supernatural! I makes my skin look flawless and never overdone. The cost isn’t that bad considering that it lasts a really long time. I’ve been using the same jar for over 6 months.
hello all – any suggestions for a ‘bella who currently wears neither foundation nor powder (just started concealer last fall as a concession to turning 29)? humidity has come to dc and the summer shinies are about to hit – i’d love a powder but don’t know if i can do it without foundation/tinted moisturizer? my complexion is a medium dark brown…thanks!
I guess my skin is weird. I tried both with and without the mineral veil, but it always looks a little – for lack of a better word – white on me after about an hour. It’s not oily at all, just pale? *sigh* I have found other mineral makeup that doesn’t have the offending mineral, but it’s harder to find in a brick and mortar store. I’m glad it works for everyone else though!
Wow…I’m soo glad you posted this. i suffer from hyper-pigmentation and I’ve been considering Bare essentials. You seem pretty happy with the philosphy brand but most of the comments were for Bare Essentials so I believe I’ll being going with that.
Thanks for the timely post.
I think I might try out that supernatural flawless by philosophy…because I don’t really do the spf thing but I need to, even though its not currently sunny here in Jersey its still essential.
Are you all aware that there are warmer shades in Bare Escentuals foundations? In addition to deep and dark, there are warm tan, warm deep, and deepest deep. I don’t recommend the mineral veil for dark skin, but there is a tinted mineral veil which is also available. In addition BE foundations have SPF 15.
Hey, I’m a fan of this site and I just wanted to leave a link to a really good article I just read in the NY Times. I thought ppl around here might appreciate it!
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/22/fashion/22skin.html
Thanks for sharing, Keisha! I’ve already planned to write more about this on Monday. Look for a big post!
And Bella….I am sure you look fabulous fresh out of bed. I love your blog! Thanks for all of the uplifting topics.
Bella:
I went to Sephora yesterday and purchased the Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas in Extra Rich…it is the bomb!!!. My skin has never looked so radiant. I used a tiny bit (or so I thought) but had to take a damp cloth to remove excess however I still found myself loving how perfect my skin looked. I’m hooked. Thank you for the wonderful beauty tips you share with us.
Hey guys im really enjoying readin the posts but now im stuck in a crossroad on whether i should try BE or airbrush canvas. I have really oiiy skin and suffer from hyper pigmentation. Im looking for something that covers up and is light-wear. Im just afraid to look orangey?!