Mineral powder is forgiving once you know the rhythm of it. The trick is not how much you use, it is how you build it. Here is the simple way we recommend. The zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in our formulas are non-nano, meaning the particles are larger than 100 nanometers, so they sit on the surface of the skin rather than being absorbed.
Start with clean, prepped skin
Mineral powder loves a smooth canvas. Cleanse, moisturize, and let your skin settle for a minute so it is not damp. If your skin is on the drier side, give your moisturizer time to absorb before you begin. Powder sits best on skin that is hydrated but not wet.
Not sure which shade to use? Here is how to find your shade.
Less than you think
Tap a small amount into the lid or the back of your hand. A little really does go a long way with crushed minerals, so start with a tiny bit. You can always add more, but lifting away excess takes longer.
Swirl, tap, build
Swirl a clean brush into the powder to pick up the minerals. Tap off the extra so you are not loading too much at once. Then buff into the skin using small circular motions, starting at the center of your face and working outward. The circular movement is what blends the minerals evenly and gives that soft, natural look. Build slowly in light layers wherever you want a little more coverage, like around the nose or under the eyes.
For full coverage, you may also want to add a concealer before your powder for areas that need more.
Set and go
Mineral powder usually wears well on its own. If you want extra staying power, a light dusting of Mineral Veil finishing powder helps it last through the day. That is it.
For more on making your makeup last, see our full guide. If you wear makeup in warm weather, see our tips for mineral makeup in heat and humidity.
A few honest tips
- Wash your brushes regularly. Clean brushes apply more smoothly and keep your skin happy.
- If powder looks patchy, you likely used too much. Buff more, do not add more.
- New to mineral makeup or have reactive skin? Patch test first, and start light.
Once the swirl, tap, build motion becomes second nature, the whole thing takes a couple of minutes. Take your time at first, and your skin will tell you when you have it right.
