Not feelin the love for Bare Essentuals

[Cindy's Mom]

I went to Sephora Saturday and I bought the Bare Essentauls starter kit. I've used in 3 times already - and am just not feeling the love.

I know how to use brushes to apply makeup - I use brushes for moisturizers, foundation and loose powder; so I don't think I'm applying wrong; its just that I'm not happy with the coverage. I think I was expecting to "glow" and frankly, my foundation looks more smooth and finished than the Bare Essentuals.

Any suggestions?

 

[ChrisnSteph]

You're not alone - I tried it and was expected to be blown away, but I wasn't. It's too much work to apply properly and my current foundation covers better and lasts longer, so I'll just stick with what works!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

Same goes for me. I ordered the starter kit through Sephora and I am not at all impressed. I'm back to wearing my Lancome tinted moisturizer, which I like a lot better! I think part of the problem is the foundation isn't dark enough for me. I'm petty dark complected. I should have known better than ordering it online without trying it on to get the correct shade first. Oh well!

 

[Honu]

The first time I tried it, I felt the same way. It sat in my drawer for about 6 months after that. Then I got some samples of their other products. I have to use their concealer (Bisque) and their under eye camo with the other steps in order to get the finish I want. I like the products, but it takes too much time to layer all that on when I can rub on a light foundation and a bit of powder to get the same result.

 

[MBeds]

Any suggestions?

Return it -

I didn't like BE either..I tried it several times with no success...Not sure what the hype is all about but in my opinion, there is better foundations out there...

 

[Mandabella]

I've recently started using it...and LOVE IT!

I get great coverage and a nice glow. And looking at my recent WDW photos, my makeup looks great in photos too!! I cannot wait to try their eye make-up. Right now I'm using the SPF15 foundation, warmth, and mineral veil with the face brush all from the starter kit.

I went to ULTA and talked to the BM folks there. I had them assist me in picking out the color I needed. They then applied it for me, and I wore it for a day. I loved it and got compliments on it from my DH, my mom, and best friend. So, I went back and bought what I needed and had them instruct me on how to apply it.

With each application, I am getting better at applying it myself. Less is more.
It also helps to make sure your skin is moisturized before you apply it, it looks better.

Then again...YMMV...and BM just may not be for you. I HATE liquid foundation, so I quit wearing it.

For future purchases, I will be going through QVC since they have the best price.

 

[dana0801]

Be careful with this product if you are allergic to any types of makeup. I tried it and I break out EVERY time I use it.

My teenage daughter has broken out so badly that her dermatologist said for her NOT TO USE IT and put her on erythromiacin to clear up her outbreak.

The dermatologist said that it only works on a few skin types and because it is a mineral powder will clog pores faster than using a water based foundation.

 

[buddy&wooz]

I like some of their products, but I've never been able to get the "system" to work for me. Mostly I love the bisque as a concealer, and the warmth adds nice color.

Typically, though, I use Maybelline Pure Stay, which is a powder you apply with a sponge. It's very light but has better coverage than BE IMO.

 

[Rella Bella]

Foundation is a very personal thing, we're all going to like something different, but here my story to show another idea.

I use BE now. When I first got it I was not as blow away as I had hoped either, but after experimenting with colors and amounts and what moisturizer I put under it, I have found that I really love it. At first I was trying to use a color too light... I thought it 'matched' but when I finally went with their "most women will wear this color" medium, it was immediately much better!

I mostly love the light feel! Secondly I like the idea of not putting so many chemicals on my skin. I know natural is a 'catch all phrase' right now, but when you can't even pronounce over half the ingredients it makes me squimish.

I gave up BE for a while and went back to liquid but if I put on enough liquid to cover it felt heavy. One day I just said... I'm gonna give this another try and with the new color it worked!

Now if I want to look 'perfect' I do the layering and use the concealer & mineral veil, but if I'm just running out, I take about 2 seconds to dust my face, rub in the first coat (this makes all the difference for me) and then dust again. A little blush (I like the 'True' as blush) and mascara and in less than 2 minutes I'm out the door. JMHO!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I didn't like it either. It burned my skin and turned it orange. I have allergies to most makeup, so I have to stick with what works. I'm much happier with Physician's Formula.

 

[Nala56]

I didn't like BE either. I tried and sent it back, it was too expensive to throw in a drawer like all my other failed cosmetics. I have very, very oily skin and it just melted away after 2-3 hours. Oh well, still looking a miracle foundation!!

 

[MommyPoppins]

I've recently started using it...and LOVE IT!

I get great coverage and a nice glow. And looking at my recent WDW photos, my makeup looks great in photos too!! I cannot wait to try their eye make-up. Right now I'm using the SPF15 foundation, warmth, and mineral veil with the face brush all from the starter kit.

I went to ULTA and talked to the BM folks there. I had them assist me in picking out the color I needed. They then applied it for me, and I wore it for a day. I loved it and got compliments on it from my DH, my mom, and best friend. So, I went back and bought what I needed and had them instruct me on how to apply it.

With each application, I am getting better at applying it myself. Less is more.
It also helps to make sure your skin is moisturized before you apply it, it looks better.

Then again...YMMV...and BM just may not be for you. I HATE liquid foundation, so I quit wearing it.

For future purchases, I will be going through QVC since they have the best price.

I love mine too! I have the eye make-up and i LOVE it! The eye shadows are wonderful and I never wore eyeliner until now.

It's so great, even my husband noticed a difference! It's amazing how it covers all my pimples(still getting them at 25), its seriously like their not there. Liquid foundation just cakes up around them and it looks horrible. With my BE it covers the redness and blends imperfections into my skin. I LOVE the bisque. That is my favorite thing!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I didn't like BE either. I tried and sent it back, it was too expensive to throw in a drawer like all my other failed cosmetics. I have very, very oily skin and it just melted away after 2-3 hours. Oh well, still looking a miracle foundation!!

I'm going to give it one more try and see if I'm able to return - ITA that its just too expensive to sit in a drawer.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't like the way it looks either. I think it would look much better on a smooth complexion and I don't have one. However, that stuff seems to have pretty much stopped my face from breaking out and nothing else ever has, so I will be continuing to use it.

 

[figment52]

This is the best makeup I have every used but it is not for everyone. It does take practice and a little patience. While you may have experience with other make up and brushs this is still a different product and the applicatoin is a little different. You really can over or under apply it.

If your kit came with a DVD or tape take the time to watch it and practice. This will not appear to cover like your old makeup and you will not get that demarkation line at the chin - and that is a good thing. You are buffing this into your skin, not applying it over it. It is a different concept.

There are ways to get the shine and glow or warm look and a trained consultant can help you. BUt most of all, if it doesn't work for you return it. Bare Escentuals does not want you to be unhappy.

There are several older threads here discussing the application of BE and some of the tricks. Try doing a search and reading through them. You may find just the tiniest thing makes a world of difference.


I can't address the allergiec reaction (I have plenty of allergies but thankfully BE isn't one of them) but if your skin is looking orange you may be using too much warmth. That stuff is very concentrated and it really does not take much.

 

[Marseeya]

I ordered some samples from an e-bay seller (had excellent feedback), and just didn't care for it.

I did, however, try the Neutrogena mineral foundation and really liked it a lot! It wasn't at all heavy, but it did a good job of evening out my complexion.

A whole lot less expensive too.

 

[pajamommy]

I like Sheer Cover a lot.....I haven't tried Bare Essentuals, but I haven't felt the need for it, since I love Sheer Cover. Maybe you can try that, but I know it means spending more money!

 

[Robinrs]

I love it but I have NOTHING to compare it to! It was my first foundation, ever! I never liked the look or feel of the stuff so never used it.

I work with several ladies that have what I thought was flawless skin. One was a makeup artist for our productions. I asked her about her skin and she told me she uses Bare Minerals. Several of the other ladies agreed. Two of them had rosacea and I didn't know it! There was no sign of it all. I have had some sun burning on my nose and wondered if it would cover it up. The makeup artist told me she'd do my face for my 50th birthday.

That weekend I stoped at Ulta and had my face done. I couldn't believe how even she made my skin tone. I've used it ever since.

No product is for everyone. I've had to go to dermatologists for reactions to skin products, Oil of Olay and Neutrogena, which is one of the reasons why I never wore foundation. This stuff is a Godsend for me and I'm so glad I found it.

As for expensive, I bought the kit for $50 and only use the foundation. I sold the balance of the kit for $45 on eBay then bought my second 2g of foundation this past weekend for $5.00.

 

[Brutie]

I love it! When I first got my starter kit at Sephora the girls said I was definately a "light" shade user. I tan often and I dont have light skin so I felt the light was too pale for me. I went to QVC and a darker shade, but still wasnt quite comfy with it. I went back to QVC and ordered the medium beige and I love it. Its more me or so I think and I love the ease and little time it takes to put it on.

I have many (too many) of their eye shadows and so far I love everything. I didnt like the Rose blush, it was a little too "old lady-ish" for me but other than that I've liked everything.

I use the medium beige, put on some summer bisque to hide the imperfections, warmth, veil myself, eyeshadow, veil again and a little bit of clear radiance.

I havent tried their mascaras yet. I had considered the wandless one but I wasnt sure I could get use to blinking into the wand. Now that just seems strange...

 

[froglady]

I found that the shades in the starter kit made me look jaundiced in certain light. (flourescent) I happened to be in Dallas where there was a BE store within walking distance of my hotel, and the clerk was able to correct my problem by adding a pinker powder. I also had to stop using the ?light; it was too yellow for me. I was able to add some eye make-up and lipstick, but I'll have to try the lipstick again at home. It was too dry for me, but it may have been due to flying and hotel A/C.