Love of minerals

I have been a long-time fan of mineral foundations. They really seem to help my skin quite a bit. Plus, the huge advantage is the fact that I don't need to carry around a messy bottle of foundation. What I can't really get used to, though, are the loose powder minerals, which is why I'm not a fan of Bare Minerals- it's just too messy. I don't want to worry about it opening and spilling all over my makeup bag. So I'm always on the lookout for good pressed-powder mineral foundations.

I've been using Pur Minerals pretty consistently, but at $25 each, it can add up. So, on a whim, I decided to check out one of my favorite stores, Ulta, to see what they had to offer. I use other Ulta cosmetics, so I know the products are a good quality. At $14, their Mineral Pressed Powder foundation is a steal.

One of the complaints I always have with Pur is that the compact is poorly designed. The powder is on top, with a clear lid. Both the puff and the mirror are in the bottom. So, in order to use it, you have to take out the puff, turn it over, open the top for the foundation, then turn it back over for the mirror- definitely not convenient. Luckily, the people at Ulta were a little wiser when designing the packaging. The puff is still in the bottom, but the mirror is on top- with the foundation.

However, what I've noticed most with Ulta's Mineral Pressed Powder is the fact that it doesn't blend or disappear into your skin as well as Pur. It's a little heavier, so you have to be very careful about the amount you use, otherwise you'll have that cakey layer in your drier areas. I've never experienced that with Pur. I think Ulta needs to work on the texture of their product a little. Along with the texture, there's a slight issue with the way the foundation "sets" on your skin (or on mine at least). With the hot, humid weather, it's impossible not to sweat. I looked in the mirror after being outside, and noticed that where ever I had perspired (my forehead), there were streaks of the foundation. Instead of blending into your skin the way most foundations do, Ulta's seems to sit on top of your skin.

That being said, it is definitely going a lot further than Pur does. Because it's a bit heavier, I'm using quite a bit less of it. Now that I know the 'quirks' of the product, I'm having much more success with it.

Side-by-side comparison:

		Ulta	Pur
Packaging		x
Price		x
Texture			x
Ability to blend			x
Natural 'feel'			x
Weight			x
Concealer		x
Value for price		x

All- in- all, they're pretty much even. However, I think I'll probably go back to my old friend, Pur.