First up in my week-long review of drugstore makeup products is a few products from the Maybelline Mineral Power collection. This line seemed highly promising upon first sight (I’m a sucker for packaging and lines that carry multiple foundation shades) so I picked up the Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation in Cocoa Dark 3, Mineral Power Finishing Veil Translucent Loose Powder, and Mineral Power Naturally Luminous Blush in Gentle Pink.

I started out this morning by cleansing and moisturizing my skin as usual and then I applied the Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation with my fingers all over. I immediately loved it because the color was a PERFECT match for my MAC NW47 skin (you can see my pics all over this site to figure out what that shade looks like). It also provided the coverage I look for in a foundation: light to medium, natural and a bit luminous. I have normal skin (which can get a bit dry in the winter and a bit oily in the summer) and thanks to my late great Granddad, Dr. Perricone, and Proactiv, I have pretty decent skin so I don’t want to apply anything too heavy or risk looking like a baby doll so the finish of this was perfect! I set it with the Mineral Power Finishing Veil Translucent Loose Powder which was okay, but made me feel like it could have been a bit more pigmented. They also have Finishing Veil Powder in 4 different shades, but the Ulta I went to didn’t have my color. Word to the wise with the Finishing Veil: throw away the brush it comes with IMMEDIATELY! My skin isn’t normally sensitive, but the second that brush touched my cheek, I started to break out. The break outs are gone (likely caused from the friction of the brush), but I used my MAC #182 Buffer Brush on the rest of my face and it was perfect. The foundation lasted from about 7:20 this morning when I first put it on and is still holding strong now at 7 P.M.

I dusted the Mineral Power Naturally Luminous Blush in Gentle Pink on my cheeks. This blush is really smooth and luminous (as its name suggests) and is such a pretty pink, BUT for darker skin tones like mine more pigment is needed to get the blush to show up more. This shade appeared to be the brightest shade in the collection, but it still didn’t give my dark skin the warmth and glow like a NARS Blush would. Also, this blush didn’t last very long. I would need to reapply during the day, but since it comes in mineral powder form, this would be too messy for me (I’m a bit of a clutz). It would be a beautiful blush on lighter skin tones though.

So, in conclusion, here’s the final wrap-up on these products:

Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation

Description: Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation with micro-minerals is a lightweight, luxurious liquid formula that provides a luminous, natural coverage. This formula combines micro-minerals with a liquid in a lightweight texture for a healthier, more natural finish. Naturally breathable, seamlessly blendable. Provides buildable, even coverage. Talc-Free. Oil-free. Fragrance-Free. Non pore-clogging. SPF 18 sunscreen. Medium Coverage. (1 fl oz)
Price: $8.99
Reminds me of: MAC Select Tint, my favorite foundation for myself, but I love this one more because #1. Select Tint has been discontinued #2. This is my exact shade in one bottle whereas with Select Tint, I would have to buy 2 bottles and mix them for my shade #3. The price is sooo right.
Would I buy it again: YES! But only after I finish the 3 bottles of Select Tint I stocked up on before they were discontinued.
We Are the World Factor (based on the number of shades available to most skin tones): B- (while this line has 16 different foundation shades, only 4 of them are in the “dark” range)
Final Grade: A-

Mineral Power Finishing Veil Translucent Loose Powder

Description: Maybelline Mineral Power Translucent Powder gives skin a veil of translucent luminosity. Wear over your mineral foundation to set your foundation and conceal imperfections. Includes a 100% natural-hair powder brush. Talc-free, lightweight formula. Fragrance-free. Oil-free. (.28 oz)
Price: $8.99
Reminds me of: Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil
Would I buy it again: No. I’ll just set the Natural Perfecting Foundation with my usual Becca Cosmetics Fine Loose Finishing Powder.
We Are the World Factor (based on the number of shades available to most skin tones): B- (Translucent powder is supposed to be for nearly all skin tones, but this felt a little ashy on me at first. After a while, it blended right in, but who needs to look like a ghost for 20 minutes?)
Final Grade: C-

Mineral Power Naturally Luminous Blush in Gentle Pink

Description: Maybelline Mineral Power is a Naturally Luminous Blush with micro-minerals that provide a soft, healthy glow to cheeks. Blends easily with your skin tone for a fresh flush of color. Talc-free, lightweight formula. Fragrance-free. Oil-free. (.14 oz)
Price: $8.49
Reminds me of: bare Minerals Blush
Would I buy it again: No. While I love the finish, the color selection just wasn’t bright enough for my dark skin and it didn’t last long.
We Are the World Factor (based on the number of shades available to most skin tones): B- (These blushes are better suited for light and medium skin tones and for people who are diligent with reapplying mineral blush throughout the day.)
Final Grade: B-