I remember back when Bare Minerals hit the makeup scene. It was all the rage and everyone I knew was trying it and raving about it. My Mom had even jumped on the trend and had bought some mineral foundation to try. The problem for me back then (and until recently) was how AWFUL I thought it looked on just about everyone. I had never seen anyone pull off a natural look when using a mineral powder foundation. I could always tell – the cakey, heavy look, the dry appearance of the skin and how completely un-natural the finish was. This is why I had never been interested in powder foundations…that is, until I caved and tried the Root Pearl Powder Mineral Foundation.
Root was one of the first green beauty makeup lines I found when transitioning my cosmetics, and I quickly fell in love with their brand. Their products are affordable, they use high quality, clean ingredients, and their branding is appealing. I was a huge fan of their eye shadows and blushes and became even more obsessed when they started carrying pressed products. I had heard so many people rave about their Pearl Powder Foundation that I started getting curious, and because Root makes it so easy to try their products with their huge selection of samples, I figured I had nothing to lose!
Product Name: Root Pearl Powder Mineral Foundation
Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide*, Mica, Zinc Oxide*, Iron Oxides (yellow & brown) *natural spf (the more foundation you apply the more sun protection)
Product Description: “The product that started it all! Makeup & skincare go hand in hand & with our revolutionary lightweight Pearl Powder Mineral Foundation your skin can breathe while you achieve your desired amount of coverage – with just one product! It can be applied as a traditional powder foundation & wet for an amazing concealer & full coverage liquid foundation, simply by adding a touch of water. 100% natural, made with the highest cosmetic grade natural minerals & ZERO fillers, our silky Pearl Powder Foundation covers like a dream & lasts until you wash it off. A fresh flawless face is just moments away & you won’t even feel like you have any makeup on at all.” [description from the Root website]
Shade Selection: Incredible! With over 40 shades in neutral, warm, golden and cool tones, you will have NO trouble finding your perfect match. If you aren’t sure which color would work best, you can email Root to be color matched and then pick up a sample for just $2.o0.
Cost: $18.00
The thing I love most about this foundation is how versatile it is! It can be applied in a number of ways to achieve several different looks and levels of coverage. I have tested different methods and am excited to share with you my favorite ways to apply this product.
[In the photos below, I am not wearing any other makeup on my face – no concealer, blush, etc. Also, please excuse my totally messy hair – with a new baby it’s truly a miracle I was even able to take these photos, let alone do my hair! LOL]
METHOD 1
Dry application with a flat top brush
This is probably my most used application method as it provides light to medium coverage and is very quick and easy to do. I enjoy using a flat top kabuki brush to buff a small amount of product into the skin to just even everything out and neutralize some redness in my cheeks. What’s great about this foundation is that there is a small amount of luminosity in the powder giving it a more natural finish vs. a matte look. (don’t worry, it doesn’t appear glittery on the skin at all!) Most days, this is all I need, but it is very easy to build up another light layer for more coverage. Be careful not to use too much – I think that is the biggest mistake made with this type of makeup and why people think mineral powder foundations can’t look natural. A little goes a L O N G way, especially with Root’s product, as it is very pigmented and covers amazingly well.
Application Notes: (L) No Makeup (R) With Pearl Powder Foundation When I applied for this photo, I was going for a light-medium coverage. As you can see, it easily covered the redness in my cheeks and evened out my skin.
METHOD 2
Mixed with a cream facial moisturizer to create a tinted moisturizer or cream foundation
My most recent discovery and a great way to customize your coverage is by mixing the pearl powder foundation into your favorite cream moisturizer. The reason I love this is because it can be a great solution regardless of your skin type because you can choose a cream that you know already works well for your skin instead of trying to find a cream product that may not suit your skin type. By using your chosen cream and mixing your desired amount of powder in (make sure to mix really well!) you can create a light coverage product, similar to a tinted moisturizer, or add a touch more powder, and you will create a thicker textured product more like a cream foundation.
Application Notes: (L) No Makeup (R) Pearl Powder Foundation mixed with facial cream For this photo, I went more on the side of a tinted moisturizer with lighter coverage. I added a very small amount of powder into my cream, and it was just enough to even out my skin and slightly cover the redness in my cheeks. The finish is very natural looking, and a ‘your skin but better’ appearance. Perfect for everyday!
METHOD 3
Mixed with a facial oil to create a custom serum foundation
Serum foundations have been popular in mainstream makeup in recent years, and green beauty has been catching on. A few brands have created well-loved serum formulas that many rave about! But, what if you’re looking for a serum foundation, but the ones that are available have oils or even essential oils in them that don’t fully interest you? Like with Method 2 above, the pearl powder foundation gives you the flexibility to make your own completely custom serum foundation using a facial oil that you already own and know works with your skin. The coverage with this application is beautiful – dewy, youthful and looks like your skin but better and can be built up to full coverage. I personally love using an organic argan oil. I typically use around 3 drops of oil and about the same amount of foundation that I would use when I apply the foundation dry – this method usually gives me a pretty solid medium coverage. I apply my custom serum foundation with a damp Beauty Blender sponge and it blends like a dream!
Application Notes: (L) No Makeup (R) Pearl Powder Foundation mixed with a facial oil In this photo, I applied the custom serum foundation to nearly full coverage so you can see how well it covers but how natural it still looks. It covers all redness and uneven areas and gives you a gorgeous dewy and fresh finish.
I did not have high hopes for this foundation going in, but over time, it has become my most used and loved foundation. With so many ways to apply it, you can achieve any level of coverage you desire AND it cuts down on the number of products you need – win, win. Beyond that, Root is an incredible company! They are so innovative and are constantly striving to create new products while staying dedicated to using clean and natural ingredients. If you are like me and have never been a fan of mineral foundation, I urge you to give this one a try – play around with the application methods and find what works best for you! I am definitely a mineral powder foundation convert thanks to this product!
How do you feel about mineral foundations? Have you tried any? Did I convince you to? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
My name is Keri. I am a Midwest living wife and stay-at-home mama trying to live a cleaner lifestyle by making better choices in the products I use everyday. I am obsessed with Disney World, I can never eat enough dessert and I always, always make my bed and floss my teeth. Non-negotiable. I hope you will enjoy my little space on the internet!