First Impression: Bare Minerals Bareskin Serum Foundation

This weekend I spent time with family from out of town and my cousin and I went makeup shopping. We hit up the obvious Sephora and then she wanted a compact version of her Bare Minerals. We went into the store, the clerk was very nice, she color matched her and we were all set. She did, however, mention that they had a new product called “Bare Minerals Bareskin” which was a new mineralized liquid foundation. First impression when you pick up the bottle is “Dang this is super liquidy” to which the clerk explained that the product had no emulsifiers or sulfates so it separated. When you use it, you need to shake it to mix the product. She also mentioned it had lilac plant stem cells and rose hips, vitamin C and was a very unique formula like nothing out on the market. I got a couple samples to review. So here is the information they have provided on their website about the product… 

 

The sample packets contain about enough to cover a little more than half of MY face. I got 2 colors, Bare Linen 03 and Bare Natural 07 (The samples were prepackaged and limited to certain colors). When opening the product, it definitely had a smell to it, it’s not TERRIBLE or perfume based, it’s almost stale smelling, like an office building. It might be from the SPF. I used 03 without a primer on the right side of my face using a Kirkland flat top, duel fibered, synthetic haired foundation brush. Initial application was nice; light weight, full coverage, blended easily, a little went a long way. Unfortunately, the color was too light for me. On the left side of my face, I used 07 with a primer (Benefits POREfessional) and applied the same. This color wasn’t exactly right but better suited to my skin. This was at about 11am, I was staying home so I didn’t care that my face was 2 different shades. After about 2 hours, I looked up close at the makeup. It seemed to sit in every crease on the skin around my mouth and under eye (keep in mind, I have a magnified mirror) on both sides, with and without primer. The smell faded almost immediately after application. The finish is odd though. I have combination skin, oily t-zone, patches of flaky dryness on my cheeks. Even after 2 hours, my foundation still does not feel set. It has a moisturizing feeling to it but instead of feeling hydrated, I feel like my foundation is moving. I applied it to my entire face including eyelids and lips (which I usually don’t) but I wanted to see how it reacted to more oily and highly mobile areas of my face. I would have to say not well. My eyelids creased after a half hour but that doesn’t necessarily deter me, I wouldn’t use it on my eyelids. However, it does tell me it doesn’t react well to natural oils. Also, I did NOT set with a powder, per the instructions of the clerk who said it would dry to a powder like finish. 

 

Pic 1: 03 vs No makeup

Pic 2: Full face (03 and 07)

Pic 3: Not sure if you can tell the texture and finish but I didn't like it. 

Pros:

Full coverage, Light weight, hydrating, contains natural components that help skin in the longrun, concealed imperfections and blemishes, contains sunscreen, easily buildable if needed, blends well

Cons:

Not ideal for oily skin, does not set quickly, highlights texture, smell, not ideal for pictures (because of the SPF), settles into fine lines and creases, staying power only as good as how often you touch your face, difficult to “Touch up”, lays cakey on the skin (does not provide the “no makeup” look as promoted), could definitely feel it on my skin

Overall Review:

2 out of 5 stars.

Great coverage, it was quick and easy but after initial application, there was really nothing else I liked about it. Might work for some, but unfortunately, not me.