Joppa Mineral Foundation Look and Review

Even though most of my looks on the blog nowadays feature liquid foundations, I almost always use mineral makeup on weekdays. Why? In all my experience dealing with foundations, I still find mineral makeup to be the gentlest, most beneficial foundation for my skin, because the real mineral foundations have only 4-5 ingredients that are bereft of parabens, talc, and other unpronounceable ingredients that clog pores and wreak havoc on my skin. If I use liquid or traditional foundation for more than twice a week, I break out real bad. However, that doesn't mean that I cannot get more coverage or won't have the same flawless finish with mineral makeup as I do with liquid makeup.

To mimic the liquid foundation effect, I use the "wet method" with mineral makeup. I dispense a little mineral foundation on a swirly bowl, I take my flat top or long-handled kabuki brush and swirl the head onto the bowl, making sure that all the minerals are tucked into the hairs of the brush, then apply the product on my face in circular, buffing motions. I then repeat the process if I need more coverage. I then take a facial hydrating mist and spritz the liquid on my face, then I buff my face again to let the liquid mix with the minerals. It sets the foundation and gives the minerals a liquid foundation finish that I like, without the pore-clogging ingredients.




L-R: newer smaller jar (Light 2.5 Full Coverage), older huge jar (Medium Light 2.5 Full Coverage)

One of my favorite mineral foundations of late is Joppa Minerals Full Coverage foundation. I almost always reach for this on a regular basis. I love the full coverage because it gives great coverage using only very little product - so it's actually economical and beneficial to the skin at the same time. Finish is simply flawless and staying power is amazing.

See a look using Joppa and the rest of the review after the jump

Red-Brown Look Using MAC and Aromaleigh

I used some of my pretty mineral shadows from Aromaleigh for this look, along with some products from MAC. I used a shadow from the discontinued, limited edition collection called L'orchidee. The shadow is named Chatter Box, described on the Aromaleigh website as a "rich, multi-dimensional brownish mauve smoke with frosted shimmer".


To lend reddish nuances to the look, I added a tiny bit of Velvet Dream from the gorgeous Gothic Lolita collection.





Finally, I was able to wear the famed Pure Rouge blush in Verve. It's Aromaleigh's version of NARS Orgasm blush, and I really love Verve. It is not splotchy at all on the cheek; it applies smoothly and gives this really subtle but buildable pretty coral flush. I applied it using the angled fiber optic from Lumiere and the outcome is subtle but definitely gorgeous. You can go as pigmented or as subtle as you like with this blush. I also like the tiny shimmery particles that are not in-your-face but more of like a subtle radiance.


I also used one of my favorite mineral liners, Drama Queen liner in Red, also from Aromaleigh.


I used the pretty MAC eyeshadow in Et Tu, Bouquet? from the A Rose Romance collection.


I used Hold the Pose lipstick from the Makeup Art Cosmetics Richard Phillips collection.


I applied one of my favorite MAC lipglasses, Nico.


One the lid, I applied a pretty mineral eyeshadow from Valerie Minerals, Miranda.

Here's a step-by-step. All products Aromaleigh unless otherwise stated.


Apply MAC Bare Canvas paint all over lid and lower lashline. Using Loew Cornell Maxine's Mop 3/8" brush (or the 239 brush), apply Valerie Beauty mineral shadow in Miranda foiled using MAC Charged Water on lid.


Using the same brush, apply Velvet Dream on outer V.


Using the same brush, apply Chatterbox on crease. Blend with the MAC 224 brush.

Pink and Purple-Brown Using MAC Maira's Magic Eyeshadow

Greens and Olives Using MAC Love That Look Eyeshadow in Rated "R"

Here's my take on the Rated "R" eyeshadow from the MAC Love That Look collection. In my MAC Love That Look Initial Review and Swatches post, I'd mentioned that Rated "R" looks similar to Sharp from the Tempting Quad of the Cult of Cherry collection. When worn, however, it looks a lot like my limited edition eyeshadow in Lucky Green. It looks like this lime-moss green that is very pretty. The Starflash formula is, as always, amazing, and it was just a dream to apply.


I used Greensmoke and Humid to deepen the crease and outer V.


I also used the shadows from the Holiday Passions of Red Warm Eyes palette. I used Sweet Joy to highlight and my favorite dark green Grand Entrance on the crease.




I also used Improvise mineralize blush and Warm Blend MSF from the Colour Craft collection. Gah, I love these two! Improvise is a gorgeous color on the cheeks, and Warm Blend is amazing as a contour color/bronzer. These two products are definite keepers for me.

Here's a step-by-step illustration. All products MAC unless otherwise noted.


Apply Bare Canvas paint on lids and browbone and lower lashline. Smooth with finger. Using a fluffly shader brush, apply Greenstroke paint pot on lid.


Apply Rated "R" on the lid in quick patting motions using a stiff shader brush (Loew Cornell Maxine's Mop 3/8" or 239 brush).


Using a soft blender brush (I used a generic brand I found at Walgreens), apply Greensmoke on the crease going down to the outer V. Softly blend the colors using the 224 brush.

Pink and Red Look Using Aromaleigh Mineral Shadows

I did this look two weeks ago, but it's only now that I'm posting it, so pardon me if I forget some of the products I used. Iseered is a really bright, fiery red, but you can definitely tone it down by applying it dry and mixing it with neutral colors, like what I did in this case.




I also used MAC's Inter-view mineralize eyeshadow trio for this look.


I used Tanzanite gel liner for the upper lashline.


I used Estee Lauder Midnight Rose lipstick.

All products Aromaleigh unless otherwise stated.


Apply Urban Decay primer potion all over lid, brows, lower lashline. Using a fluffy shader brush, apply MAC paint pot in Fresco Rose on lid. Using a stiff shader brush (MAC 239 or Loew Cornell Maxine's Mop 3/8", apply Kiki dry on inner lid.


Using the same brush, Apply Iseered on outer V and crease. Blend with the 224 brush.


Like so.


Using a fluffy shader brush, apply Cascade dry on the outer lid.




Blend with the 224. Using Stila Brush No. 5, apply MAC eyeshadow in Vex to highlight the browbone.


Using Sonia Kashuk blender brush, apply a little bit of MAC Inter-View mineralize shadow (dark brown side) on the crease and outer V to blend with Cascade. Blend colors together using the 224.


Apply Indelible gel liner in Tanzanite on upper lashline.


Apply Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero to tightline and on waterline. Apply mascara. Apply Kiki on inner lower lashline and Cascade on outer lower lashline using the Sonia Kashuk mini detail brush.



Face:
Monistat gel as primer
MAC Prep + Prime Refined Skin Zone on t-zone
Joppa mineral foundation in Medium Light 2.5
Urban Decay 24/7 concealer on undereye area
Dayna's Rested mineral concealer on undereye area
Aromaleigh Ultra Resolution finishing powder in Peaches & Cream
6-piece contour blush palette to contour
Lumiere mineral shimmer blush in Spiced Apple

Lips:
Softlips lip balm
Estee Lauder Pure Color lipstick in Midnight Rose
MAC lipglass in Virgin Kiss

Gold and Bronze Look Using MAC Style Warrior's Solar Bits

Happy Memorial Day everyone! I hope you had a great three-day weekend. Here's a look using MAC Style Warrior Solar Bits in Scatterrays and Bronzescape. It's very important to note that two requirements for the application of Solar Bits are the following: (1) a good, tacky base, and (2) mixing medium. I used Urban Decay primer potion, then added Rubenesque paint pot in order to make the product adhere to the lid better. Mixing medium is another important tool because the product is hard to work with when it is dry. It is heavy and gritty, and would need to be foiled in order to stick to the skin and create a smooth finish. You don't need to fully soak your brush in water to work with the Solar Bits. A slightly damp brush is perfectly fine. As for the mixing medium, I used MAC's water-based mixing medium for this look, but your Fix+ or Charged Water would work just as well. I don't really recommend plain water as it would come out gritty, chalky and powdery in the end after the water has evaporated. You can make your own mixing medium by mixing 3 parts (distilled or purified) water to 1 part glycerin that you can buy at the drugstore. (NOTE: Do NOT make large batches as the lack of preservative would make this concoction bacteria-prone. Create small batches, like for a week's use, then throw the rest away.)


I used Handwritten to deepen the crease.


I used Shadow A (a matte highlighter) from the 28-piece Neutral palette to highlight.


I used MAC Eversun beauty powder blush on the apples of my cheeks, and MAC Refined Golden bronzer to contour.





I also used MAC Ravishing cremesheen on the lips, topped with Smile dazzleglass.

Here's a step-by-step illustration. All items MAC unless otherwise noted.


Apply Urban Decay primer potion all over lid, brows, lower lashline. Using a fluffy shader brush, apply MAC paint pots in Rubenesque on lid.


Using a stiff shader brush (MAC 239 or Loew Cornell Maxine's Mop 3/8"), foil Scatterrays using MAC mixing medium. Blend with finger. (NOTE: this has been taken before blending the product in; this wasn't the finished step!).


Using a damp shader brush, apply Bronzescape on outer V. Blend with the 224 brush.




Apply more Bronzescape to create depth to the crease. Blend again with the 224.


Apply Handwritten matte2 eyeshadow on the crease to contour using the 226 brush. I used a matte crease color to balance the metallic sheen of the Solar Bits.


Apply matte highlighter (Shadow A) from the Coastal Scents 28-piece neutral palette to highlight using Essence Of Beauty big fluffy brush. Apply Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero to tightline and on lower lashline. Apply Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Ye-yo (white) on inner corners. Blend with finger.


Apply Blacktrack fluidline on upper lashline. Apply Red Cherry falsies #1. Apply mascara.











Face:
Monistat gel as primer
MAC Prep + Prime Refined Skin Zone on t-zone
Joppa mineral foundation in Medium Light 2.5
Urban Decay 24/7 concealer on undereye area
Dayna's Rested mineral concealer on undereye area
DreamWorld creme topping (finishing powder) in Peach
MAC Refined Golden bronzer to contour
MAC Eversun beauty powder blush

Lips:
Softlips lip balm
MAC cremesheen lipstick in Ravishing
MAC dazzleglass in Smile