There are a few reasons why I stick with powder mineral foundation, even though I know it’s not advised for women over 40.
First, I’m really oily. Whatever primer, finishing powder, skin care, whatever I use, my skin is oily, and foundation just does.not stay on. I have to reapply once or twice a day. With a powder compact, liquid foundation, or anything other than loose minerals, I think it’s kind of messy and gross.
Second, I have yellow undertones. There are few drugstore or department store foundations that are truly yellow. Maybe Prescriptives or Bobbi Brown, but I couldn’t ever get a great match there with the coverage I really want.
Third, and related to that last point – I feel like I need a lot of coverage. With loose minerals, I can control the coverage by adding layers when/as I need them, either the first time I apply it, or as the day goes on.
And finally (also related to the second point) if I can’t get a good color match, that’s not a big deal with loose minerals because I can mix up a color the way I want it to look. The way *I* want it to look, not the way some pushy sales person thinks it should. But I digress.
Anyway, that brings me to my current foundation – Gossamer formula from Aromaleigh. From the website:
Gossamer is ideal for all skintypes, and is our most popular mineral foundation formula. You can apply it with a fluffy brush for light coverage, or achieve a more moderate coverage by applying it with a kabuki brush or a flocked sponge.
It is finely milled and silky and contains Zinc Oxide, for full spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Gossamer also utilizes advanced light-dispersing and skin-smoothing pigment technology.
GOSSAMER looks just like you’d expect any mineral foundation to appear- a fine, loose powder… however, when you begin to apply it, you begin to feel a smooth, silky feeling on your skin… application is effortless… the powder melds with your own skintone yielding the appearance of perfection. It’s “Your Skin… Only Better”.
This is quality stuff. I fretted when Lumiere went out of business and I ran out of my beloved Cashmere foundation, but I needn’t have worried. Aromaleigh Gossamer is gorgeous, smooth, and gives me the coverage I really need. Bonus! There’s a bit of a shimmer in the foundation, so it’s not completely matte (the reason that women my age aren’t really supposed to wear powdered foundations). The glowiness with this foundation is perfect – my face isn’t flat matte, but it’s not shiny, either.
I really like the coloring/numbering system that Aromaleigh uses for its foundation – simple and straightforward. I’ve got yellow undertones, so I’m a Y. I’m light-complected, so I want Light. Easy peasy.
Except, Aromaleigh’s light is a bit too light for me. But – look above for Reason #4 why I buy loose minerals – that’s not a big deal. I just buy the medium shade and mix with the light!
As much as I love Lucy Minerals finishing powder, I’m tempted by Aromaleigh’s. The Luminesce Divine powder looks lovely and I think I need more glow! Or, I could try the Dewdrop foundation formula…or mix some of the Dewdrop foundation formula with Gossamer…
Aromaleigh is available online only, but you can order samples to find your perfect foundation match for $2.25. A full-size jar goes for $35 and lasts me about 4 months with 2-3 fully applications a day.
What foundation are you using these days?
