bareMinerals READY SPF 20 Foundation – review
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Found: A New Holy Grail in Mineral Foundation
photos: we heart this
Let me preface this by saying that I am the ultimate bareMinerals fan. If you know me, you know this. Bare Escentuals’ original bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation was the first and only foundation to work on my outrageously oily skin. I’m easily swayed and distracted by beauty products, faithful to few. BE is the exception to this rule. To find something so rare that works so well deserves my undivided devotion. But there’s a new kid in town.
The company that made a miracle foundation from the minerals of the earth has explored new frontiers, creating another miracle foundation from the minerals of the sea. Leave it to Bare Escentuals to trump their own hand. bareMinerals READY SPF 20 Foundation ($29) has upped the ante by finding a way to create a solid, buildable foundation in a portable compact form, while using incredibly potent skin-renewing sea minerals in a formula that—get this—hydrates your skin. Whew, that’s a mouthful. Let’s break it down.
First, the product is in a rubberized black compact; it’s not slippery and has a good hand-feel. Inside the compact, the foundation appears to be a normal pressed powder. But this is Bare Escentuals.
Created with a unique cold-pressed method, the solid foundation is able to keep the extraordinarily beneficial elements of sea minerals such as algae and seaweed, along with a myriad of antioxidants that are generally degraded by the heat, binders and fillers used in other solid foundations. Since BE also has no parabens, binders, fillers or harsh chemicals, the efficacy of the product is maintained.
Another ingredient, cold-pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil contains Vitamin A to accelerate cell turnover, improving the firmness of the skin. Also included in READY are Vitamins C and E to improve the quality of your skin.
A final amazing aspect of this mineral foundation is the hydration. There is a time-released system that keeps your skin moisturized and nourished all day due to a mineral complex of glycerin and humic acid that grabs moisture, breaks it down upon application and throughout the day.
I used the READY foundation for a couple of weeks before attending a “Foundation Fitting” at a Bare Escentuals Boutique. Here, BE Staff match your skin tone to one of the twenty shades of READY foundation. As it turns out, I am Medium Beige — the color I had been using these past weeks.
Of course I love it. I love how the Bare Escentuals crew is so excited to have it. I love it more than its predecessor, my first love; let me tell you why.
First, this product is highly portable and not a bit messy. The straightforward pan of product means there will be minimal product waste. No more spilling the lid of loose powder in the sink or on you. The ample mirror is good enough that you can use it at your desk for a quick touch up or at home when there is a line at your bathroom mirror.
The second reason I love this more than the original is the hydration. Oily skin — even mine — needs moisture. The time-released hydration system works well to regulate the oiliness and keep my sensitive skin happy.
The third reason I love it best is sea minerals! I love anything with sea minerals; the benefits of algae and seaweed for our skin have been proven time and time again. To have concentrated sea minerals performing at maximum efficacy in a foundation is incredible. Really, READY had me at “Sea.”
Coinciding with the release of the READY foundation are a couple of new brushes. Made of synthetic fibers, they have a slanted surface that kiss the contours of your face and feel like velvet on the skin.
Available are a full size Precision Face Brush ($28) brush and a Retractable Brush
($22) that plays on the portable aspect of the new solid. Swirl, tap, buff is still the mantra whether you prefer one of the loose foundations or the READY solid, and buffing with these fine new brushes is quite a treat.
I’ve always known I’d follow Bare Escentuals to the ends of the earth, and that has lead me to the sea. I will anxiously anticipate minerals from Mars. What? You know it’s coming!
Ladies, get yourself to a Foundation Fitting today and let us know if you’re ready to toss your Old Faithful and replace it with bareMinerals READY SPF 20 Solid Foundation?
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. It also contains an affiliate link, a link that gives us a small commission if you purchase the item. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.
Oh my gosh, I need this. NEED. Thanks so much for your lovely review, it sealed the deal for me!
Thanks for the comment Stephanie – and glad to feed your NEED!
I tend to move more toward tinted moisturizers but this foundation looks intriguing. I’m so clumsy with loose mineral foundations but I’ve heard such good things about Bare Minerals. Great review @sherrishera
I’ve never used a pressed foundation like this and it sounds amazing. I’m especially curious to see how it would work for me because I too have oily skin and very sensitive too.
Oh do give this a try for sure! My skin changed over the past year or so to an ever-so-slightly less oily (EVER-so-slightly) and more sensitive. I found out what some were talking about when they said BE made their skin itchy–occasionally this happened to me. It certainly didnt happen enough to consider switching, but it happened. I figured that it had something to do with the dryness of the powder (the same thing that made my skin look less oily). Maybe it did, maybe it didn’t, but that argument is all for naught now that READY is here. I’m going to o out on a limb and say it’s because of that time release moisture coupled with those beneficial (and calming) sea minerals. Yes, this is my new foundation.
I’ve known Sherri and all about her BE love for years. While she loves to try all types of brands and formulas of most any type of makeup – she’s steadfastly loyal to her bare minerals foundation. And the few tines she’s strayed (or tries something for wht) , she’s not as happy as with her BE and she goes right back. So this review, even from a sister brand of her beloved, is quite an endorsement! I’ve got to say @sherrishera you have me very intrigued to get to a counter and try this one out. Especially because like @lucylemonade I like loose mineral powders on my skin, but hate the messiness and portability issues. Loving the idea of loose minerals in a solid pan from.
@sherrishera is the single biggest BE fan on the planet. Seriously, I challenge you to find bigger! And while Buxom lipgloss is one of my favorites, I’ll admit, I was not a fan of BE’s loose powder foundation. I found it messy and time consuming. (I’m lumping BE, Buxom and Bare Minerals, btw.) But I’m SUPER intrigued by this. From Sherri’s glowing recommendation and from swatching it. The formula is so smooth, and the swatch just kind of melted into my skin seamlessly. Good stuff!
Awesome review @sherrishera! I want to try this. I will admit, I have fallen off the Bare Minerals bandwagon for quite some time :( but you had me at the word “pressed”. THAT changes everything.
I love a good powder foundation for quick and easy days! I hardly ever want to wear full foundation in the summer, and some winter mornings it’s just too hard to get out of bed in time to do a full face. Having a powder foundation that pressed (and therefore easily transported) and has a good medium coverage is a winner in my book! Great review @Sherrishera , I know what I’ll be trying for my next foundation!
I already use Bare Escentuals’ original bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation and am a huge huge fan!!! I can not wait to try this foundation.
I was underwhelmed by the old formulation of Bare Minerals (the loose powder) because it did make my skin itchy, and it didn’t cover my acne and hyperpigmentation in the slightest, no matter how many layers of it I tried to apply.
@lipglossandspandex, this surprises me (the coverage part). I, too, have an uneven skin tone and BE has always covered beautifully when I’ve used heavier coverage. I know you are a makeup whiz but I’m wondering if we differ in application methods? I have always used a stubby kabuki brush (my Chanel one has been indispensible for this). It allows for a firmer hand and a heavier application than the fluffier brushes sold with the kits (their normal foundation brush). Also, dampening the brush is the equivalent of doing so with an eyeshadow and transforms the makeup, making it more comfortable and liquid-like with fuller coverage. I use it this way for trouble spots where I’d regularly use a concealer. I also like that a fluffier, long-handled foundation brush can make a much lighter, barely there makeup look. It’s soooo versatile in the overage realm! BTW, I don’t work for, nor ever have been affiliated with BE–I’m just one pleased consumer!
That said, this foundation has coverage identical to the original. I also had noticed an itchiness with the original formula as my skin has gotten more sensitive into my forties (and a tad less oily–maybe even a dry patch or two!). This new foundation with its sea minerals ( as I mentioned in the post–I love these for my skin as they tend to calm it) and time release moisture has obliterated that itchiness. In fact, the only time my skin has had thar itchy-red-sensitive feeling is when I’m not wearing the new foundation. Needless to say, I’m a big fan! And, {sigh} I guess nothing works for everyone.
just when im thinking about getting a new mac powder, i receive an ULTA email regarding this! *jumps in joy* thank you for the review! :D mind if i ask what shade you use in MAC? thank you :)
Sorry for the late response, but honestly I’ve only used BE for years and have no idea what my MAC shade would be. Fortunately, if you’re considering giving BE a try, head over to a boutique or makeup counter to have them “fit” you with their foundation…they’ll let you know your shade and teach you how to use it if you’ve never worked with mineral foundations. Enjoy!
I just got it from my spa (spalocator.com on the BE website) and my esthetician recommneded it. It has just come in and I was first to get it at my spa in NC. We don’t have Ultas, Boutiques, etc, so I would recommend to those of you that want perfect “color matching” to go to the spa locator and find a spa in your area that carries it!
Firstly, great silky velvet coverage! Love the higher SPF 20 versus SPF 15 of loose, also LONGER wear which is 12 hours versus previous 8 with loose! Esthetician told me increases hydration by 108% over 12 hr period! Have used it for week and LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
Thank you! I could really feel that time-release hydration at work but had no idea that it increased hydration 108%! Truly comfortable, effective coverage. I’m glad that you’re enjoying READY as much as I.
Hmmm, I didn’t know that they now had a solid compact! I’d tried BE years ago to try and help my acne-prone skin but I wasnt thrilled with it merely for the fact that it isn’t very heavy, its barely even medium to me actually.. And at the time I had a lot of acne scars that I was trying to cover, completely.. Now, I’ve reduced the appearance of the scars in other ways and think its time to revisit a nice medium/light coverage product to allow my skin to breathe a bit.. I am definitely curious about this one, I think I’m going to go for it! Wish me luck!
Like I mentioned in an earlier comment, the coverage really is what you make it. Whether you try the original formula or this one, the coverage you desire can be achieved. Check out my tips above for heavier coverage if you think you need it, or keep it light if you don’t. Good luck!