Mirror Mineral make-up is finally having its moment. One of the pioneers was Jane Iredale back in 1994 but now brands such as Estée Lauder and Elizabeth Arden have also realised its benefits.
The products are made with ingredients that are naturally occurring, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (also two of the ingredients found in sunscreen), and not any nasty chemicals. Therefore they have anti-inflammatory properties, which is good for those with rosacea and acne, are non-comedogenic (so won’t block pores) and in some cases are said to help heal skin after surgery.
Made from ground-up 'rocks', the foundations and shadows are brushed on to the skin. And, as they contain no fillers or powders, they don’t sink into fine lines. In other words, minerals are an all-round winner.
Eight products to try
1. Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 20, (www.elizabetharden.co.uk and Elizabeth Arden counters).
2. Glominerals gloGloss in 'plum glaze' (www.glominerals.com - 0800 1218126).
3. Mineralogie. Mineralogie Face Blush in 'Ginger'. Mineralogie Face SPF 26 Loose Mineral Foundation (www.mineralogie.co.uk - 020 8868 4411).
4. Estée Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Liquid Makeup SPF10 (www.estee.lauder.co.uk - 0800 0746905).
5. Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Pressed Mineral Powder SPF 20 and Jane Iredale PureMoist LipColour SPF18 (www.jiproducts.co.uk - 0208 450 7111).
6. L’Oréal Paris Kohl Minerals and L’Oréal Paris Concealer Minerals (available nationwide).
6. Elysambre Natural Make-Up Gloss (stockists 08450 725825).
7. Marks & Spencer Autograph Minerals Face Powder (stockists 0845 302 1234).
This article was first published in the June 2009 edition of Saga Magazine.