It wasn’t that long ago when I’d receive a package of ‘natural’ or mineral makeup to review and just stare at it with complete confusion. How could something like this ever stack up against those mainstream brands that I used for so many years? Honestly, most of it was crap, but it had to be in order for this new generation of chemical-free, organic, mineral, and skin-loving makeup to exist. If you’re looking to green up your beauty routine, foundation is a great place to start- your skin will look and behave better and there are a lot of great options. Here are my better-for-you foundations from my personal stash (which I actually bought) so I can give an unbiased review of each one now that I’ve had some time to try them all.
Beautycounter Tint Skin $41
The Good:
If you’re a Laura Mercier tinted foundation fan, this would be a great transition into a clean alternative. It doesn’t have a ton of coverage, but it’s light and airy so your skin shows through (a good thing) and it feels weightless. I apply and blend it easily with only my fingers because it seems to melt in so quickly. The color was good too- the right balance of a neutral yellowish tone and most women should be able to find their shade with 8 ranging in depth from porcelain to mocha. From what I’ve tried from the line, this was their standout offering by far.
The Bad:
If you like a lot of coverage, you’ll think it’s too light. It was enough to even out my mild melasma, but breakouts and deeper discoloration needed additional concealer. It’s also not bulletproof in terms of wear time so you’ll want to set it with a powder and maybe prime too if you’re committed to it lasting the day.
Safety:
Think Dirty Rating: 4
Cosmetics Database Rating: 2
Jane Iredale Glow Time $48
The Good:
Coverage. It has by far the most coverage in the bunch with a rich cream base so those with dry skin might like the overall feel.
The Bad:
I couldn’t get it to blend, even with a damp Beauty Blender, various brushes, or even mixing it with a light lotion to mellow it out. The only way I could use it at all was to mix it with a dab of Tint Skin to dilute it. I also find it to be obvious on the skin and it doesn’t have a lot of staying power so don’t even think about not setting it. It’s also the most expensive and has the most limiting color selection for darker skin tones as is the case for most mineral makeup. I wish the look was as good as the coverage because it would be a favorite for sure.
Think Dirty Rating: 4
Cosmetics Database Rating: 2
Juice Beauty PHYTO-PIGMENTS Flawless Serum Foundation $42
The Good:
It’s my current fave of the bunch and the most elegant formula offered. It behaves like Armani’s $60 cult favorite with medium coverage that looks just like skin. Even in the daylight I can’t see a trace of it and it beautifully disguises redness and uneven tone. With 9 shades ranging from very fair to very deep, most women are represented.
The Bad:
Price, maybe- but I think it’s worth every penny.
Think Dirty Rating: NA
Cosmetics Database Rating: NA
Honest Beauty Everything Cream Foundation $30
The Good:
Price. It’s also a cream which I like for coverage.
The Bad:
I thought this was my new BFF and gave it a pretty glowing review. It worked well enough to cover, and blended easily- in fact if my days were only 3 hours long I wouldn’t have anything negative to say. Unfortunately after a few weeks of wearing it, I caught a glimpse of my face in a bathroom mirror at Target and I wanted to wash it off right there. I could see it sitting on top of my skin completely separated in what looked to be a weird cheetah pattern. I started noticing that it made me look older and more wrinkly because of how it didn’t blend. I’ve tried everything- different sponges and brushes, setting it with a mist, powdering and not powdering. It’s all the same result.
Availability is another hit against it. It’s only online, though with a smart try-on sort of technology where women of various ethnicities wear each shade so you can see how you might look wearing it. It’s a good idea, but I want to see the makeup and feel it before purchasing.
The shades are strange too, I got Linen because it was supposed to be yellowish, but it was actually more pink. I’m sure this didn’t help it not looking great on my skin.
Think Dirty Rating: NA
Cosmetics Database Rating: NA
bareMinerals Matte Foundation $24
The Good:
Coverage. It’s a safe switch from M.A.C’s awful Studio Fix powder so you can still have a full matte coverage that you’re used to. You can use it alone or to set makeup and it’s quick to apply. At $24, it’s the cheapest of the bunch.
The Bad:
Titanium dioxide was responsible for its ‘7’ rating because of the kind of titanium they use. A non-nano version (as seen in Alima Pure’s mineral powder foundation- which is rated a 3) is a safer bet. The coverage people love is what I like the least about this foundation, a light T-zone dusting is more than enough for me on the rare occasion I use it. I don’t think an entire face needs to be ‘matte,’ but millions of women apparently don’t feel the same.
Think Dirty Rating: 7
Cosmetics Database Rating: 7