I just should warn you. We live in Vermont and I purchased the whole Bare Minerals kit in September of 07. In October of 07 we went down to Florida to GASP Univerasal studios, (we did fit in Disney Quest though!) It was unseasonably warm for October, like 89/90 with high humidity. I was absolutely miserable because my face would sting. It was the Bare Minerals Foundation. This summer, I tried it again and I was like OUCH, I am not wearing Bare Minerals in the summer anymore! I will say that the Bare Minerals Blush does not bother me at all so that's what I've been wearing. Srictly blush and waterproof eyeliner and mascara. I don't know if some light blush would help to even out your skin tone?
The reason the Bare Minerals made you burn and itch was the Bismuth in it. Bismuth causes alot of women problems and is really not good for your skin. Years ago when I first started using mineral makeup, I too, like most women started with the Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals and loved it. However, after doing alot of research, I quickly discovered that there are alot of smaller, cheaper mineral companies out there that make far better products and don't use Bismuth as a filler. Look for a foundation without Bismuth and believe me your skin will be much happier. If your skin is dry, look for products that contain alot of silk, but if your skin is oily look for products with kayolin clay. The kayolin clay products are much easier to find than the silk products though.
To the OP: take the advice of a southerner who is used to dealing with the heat and humidity. Mineral makeup is the way to go, but it may take some time to find your perfect match. Alot of companies have very cheap samples of their products that you can try, until you find what works for you. Check on makeupalley.com and makeuptalk.com for reviews. Pure Luxe makes a powder eraser and a green powder corrector that may help you. I say powder, because she also makes a cream eraser and cream color correctors that I don't particularly care for. Dream World Minerals makes her mineral foundation in three formulas, including a Luna formula that provides maximum coverage. I haven't used it, as I prefer her lighter Mist formula, but the ladies that have used her Luna formula give it rave reviews and say that like most mineral foundations, it's so light you can't even tell you have it on, but it provides full coverage. She also makes some of the best primers/finishing powders on the market. I love her Banana cream silk, Raspberry cream silk, Angel cream silk, Butterscotch cream silk, and her Whipped cream topping. Pure Luxe also has a Translucent Matte primer that is very good for keeping makeup on. Silk Naturals makes a couple of great primers/finishing powders also. I've never heard anyone that didn't love their Date Bate. Both Pure Luxe and Dream World have a large choice of shades and if you find you are between shades both Chris and Ellie will custom mix foundations for you. In Pure Luxe, I use 75% Fawn Beige and 25% Buff and in Dream World, I use 75% Ala, 25% Pinga, and a touch of Ki. Both ladies custom mix my foundation and I usually have some samples left to adjust the color as my skin changes color througout the year. With mineral makeup, your skin should look totally natural, but better. If it looks powdery then the shade is probably too light and you need to keep looking for your match. Good mineral makeup is usually sweatproof and waterproof. When you get sweaty, just blot gently (don't rub) and your makeup should be fine. With mineral makeup, you do need primers, both under the foundation and under the eyeshadows. I usually use Pure Luxe's Translucent Matte and/or Powder Eraser or Dream World's Butterscotch Silk and/or Banana Silk. I use Urban Decay Eyeprimer Potion for an eyeshadow primer. The primers are the secret to keeping mineral makeup on and looking good. Meow Minerals also has a huge choice of foundation shades. I have dry skin though and all three of Meows formulas seem to dry my skin out worse. They do have some beautiful blushes that I love though. For some gorgeous eyeshadows check out Pure Luxe, Dream World, The She Space, and Fyrinnae. The main things with mineral make up is: 1) to be sure to use the correct brushes specifically made for mineral makeup. The brushes make all the difference in how your makeup goes on, 2) be sure to use primers and top coats, and 3) use just a teensy, teensy amount of minerals. Put a tiny amount on a saucer, swish the brush in them, tap off any excess, then swirl them on, and buff. With Pure Luxe, you just swirl the foundation on with the biggest, softest brush you have, you don't buff in. Oh, one more thing, be sure to moisturize well and let the moisturizer soak in for a few minutes, before applying mineral makeup. The minerals need something to cling to. Also use a scrub on your face a couple times a week. If you have any dead skin cells loose on your face, the minerals will cling to them, giving you a flaky look.
As far as mascara, the best waterproof mascara on the market is Shiseido Majolica Marjorca Neo Lash Expander. Curl your lashes, apply Shiseido Curl, Curl, Curl Toward the Sky mascara primer, then apply a light coat of the Majolica Marjorca Neo Lash Expander. If you happen to get any on your lid or undereye, remove immediately. This stuff holds a curl wonderfully and won't smear, sweat or rub off. I wear contacts, my eyes water alot, and I have never been able to wear mascara on my lower lashes without looking like a raccoon, because of it, until I discovered this. This stuff doesn't come off until you take it off. You could probably wear it for a week and it still wouldn't flake or rub off. That's the only problem with it. It's almost impossible to get off. Do not put it on, unless you have some Kanebo Freshnel White C Cleasning Oil. Apply the oil to your dry face and rub it in. Then wash off with a washcloth. Follow with your regular cleansing cream. For some reason it comes off easily with the cleansing oil, but that's the only thing I've ever found to remove it. Regular waterproof eye makeup remover, vaseline, cleansing creams, etc do not budge this stuff. If you want a good mascara that is waterproof, but comes off easier than the Shiseido Lash Expander, Blinc makes a good one that tubes your lashes. It comes off in little rubber like tubes with just soap and water though.
Take a look at some of the following online mineral makeup companies: Dream World, Pure Luxe, Silk Naturals, Meow, Cory, Alima, Monave, Lumiere, Lauress, Aubrey Nicole, Aromaleigh, Sun Cat, Everyday Minerals, or J Lynne. Alot of department store brands are coming out with mineral makeup, but most of them are only part minerals with alot of fillers and most contain bismuth, which most people need to avoid.
.
Oh well...but I've been using Jergens ever since it came out. I usually use Olay or Neutrogena for my face though, I found that Jergens makes me break out.
