Lucy Minerals is a small handmade brand out of known for their creamy, full coverage mineral foundations. I was convinced to try some of their products after seeing several rave reviews from Naturalla Beauty andOxana124. I decided to try out their foundation and finishing powder, and here are my thoughts on each.

Foundation

Lucy Minerals makes three different types of foundation: the original version, which contains vitamin C and antioxidants, the oil control version, which has the same additives plus calcium carbonate, and a light formula, which doesn't contain any extra additives. All three have full coverage. I opted for the original version because I haven't had any issues with topical vitamin c or antioxidants, and I don't have oily skin.


In addition the special additives, this foundation has become well known for being very full coverage, but having a natural finish. I found that is absolutely lived up to the claims. One very thin layer gives medium coverage, and additional layers very quickly build up to full coverage. Many describe how the texture is "creamy" compared to other mineral foundations. I'm not sure if "creamy" is the word I'd use to describe this product, but it definitely has a noticeably denser texture, and as you can tell from the picture, it sticks together more than regular powder.


This foundation works so well for me. I usually have a tad of unevenness in my skin, and a few pimples here and there. I apply it by first buffing in a light layer all over. Only a small amount is needed because the product is so concentrated. I then go in with a concealer brush and apply it on pimples. Often times, this is sufficient coverage for me, and I just buff one more time with a clean brush to blend everything in. If I want some more coverage, I apply one more light layer. And that's it! It's so easy and fast. Less is more for sure; if it's over-applied it will look cakey and unnatural.


One of the greatest things about the foundation is how well it also works as a concealer. As you can tell from my application, this is the only thing I need to conceal breakouts, and it works for dark circles too. It really can adhere to pimples and cover them completely. I often will just use it as a concealer alone, with no foundation. If you just want a mineral concealer, you could even buy the "Try it" size for $2.50, which is the size of an eyeshadow container.


I'll talk about my experience finding a color, which may be helpful for those of you with fair skin. I've had trouble identifying my undertone for a while, but I think I've finally figured out I have a neutral-ish undertone that leans slightly on the warm side. I have fair skin, but am not porcelain. I found that "Light" and "Fair" were both too light for me, and the wrong undertone. Even the color "Light," which is supposed to be neutral, seemed a bit pink on me. "Cream" is very slightly darker than my skintone, but by far the best match. This color looks very even and natural on me, and after applying only on my face, it matches my neck perfectly.


Lucy Minerals will custom mix any combination of the shades that you want, which is great if you can figure it out. The fairest of fair will be able to create a shade, because they even make a pure white color called "Snow White," to lighten any other color. The darkest color is probably not going to suit women with very dark skin, and I think it would be a good idea to make a dark color that has the reverse effect as Snow White. The color pictures on the website are also not the most accurate, but the descriptions are helpful. There are also some good swatches here. I think ordering samples first is really the way to go.

Finishing powder
Lucy Minerals recommends using a finishing powder with the foundation. I'd heard good things about their finishing powder as well, so I decided to pick it up when I bought my foundation. The finishing powder comes in one translucent shade, which works well with my fair skin. It comes in four varieties: original, which has the same additives mentioned above, an oil control formula with the additives plus silica, an oil control formula with the additives plus calcium carbonate, and a light formula with nothing extra added. Again, I opted for the original formula. The finishing powder has a much lighter texture than the foundation, and only a tiny bit is needed for an application.

The truth is, when using the foundation, I find it pretty unnecessary to use a finishing powder. I don't have oily skin, so I never have an issue with it coming through my foundation anyway. I can't see any discernible difference with the finishing powder on my skin either, no filling of fine lines or anything. If you find it necessary to use a finishing power over your mineral foundation, you might like this. However, I've used this as a setting powder with cream and liquid foundations, and I love it for this use. I find that it sets cream and liquid products, without adding an extra cakey layer. The finish is very natural, and feels very smooth. I'm not sure if I would go out of my way to just order this finishing powder, but if you are already going to make an order from Lucy Minerals, it is worth checking out.

Original Formula Foundation Ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mica, magnesium stearate, iron oxides, allantoin, Apple Poly® polyphenols, trans-resveratrol, green coffee bean extract, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.

Original Formula Finishing Powder Ingredients: mica, rice powder, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, magnesium stearate, iron oxides,allantoin, Apple Poly® polyphenols, trans-resveratrol, green coffee bean extract, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.