Reviewed: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation

We put the bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

Finding a foundation that has everything you’re looking for is an endless journey. With a steady stream of product launches and exciting new formulas, there are plenty of foundations to look into and pick from. But as much as I love to get excited about new skincare and makeup products, selecting the right foundation still comes with challenges from time to time. After years of trial and error, I’ve realized that I like buildable foundations that give my skin a dewy glow (without leaving a greasy finish behind). One such product that delivers just that is the bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation. Read on for my full review of this cult-favorite.

About My Skin: Sensitive, combination skin prone to acne

After struggling for years with breakouts and allergic reactions, I now have a solid understanding of the types of ingredients my skin likes (and I try my best to stick to those ingredients). If I want to try something new, I introduce one product into my routine at a time. My current makeup routine is pretty simple: I brush the MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder in Dark Golden over my skin after I’ve covered my dark spots with the Cover FX Power Play Concealer in N Deep 1. When I’m wearing foundation, I like to wear the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 7.5; it gives me a subtle glow without making my skin look sparkly or greasy. 

How to Apply: Swirl, tap, and buff

bareMinerals does a really great job of giving you clear instructions for how to apply the Original Loose Powder Foundation—you collect the product by swirling your brush into the powder, tap off any excess product, and then use circular motions to buff it into your skin. These straightforward instructions leave little-to-no room for error, which means anyone can apply this product and achieve a filtered finish.

I didn’t have the bareMinerals kabuki-style brush that’s recommended to use with the foundation, so I used a similar brush that was equally dense and had short brush hairs to apply the powder. After buffing the powder into my skin, I wanted to add a second layer of powder for coverage and repeated the same process: swirl, tap, and buff. This simple process took me a couple of minutes in total.

The Results: Naturally luminous skin

After the initial two layers of powder, my skin looked really velvety and smooth, and I was reminded of just how effective this product really is. My skin felt super comfortable (not overly oily like some dewy-finish foundations can leave me feeling), and after a couple of hours I completely forgot that I even had foundation on. And bonus: my typically reactive skin didn't experience any tingling, itching, or discomfort while wearing this product.

As you can see, this foundation seamlessly mattified some of the oilier areas of my face without giving me a flat matte look—I have a warm, soft, lit-from-within glow. My skin tone looks more even, but my skin also still looks like skin.

It's worth noting that while I loved the way my skin looked, in my personal experience, the powder doesn’t look quite as good when you first put it on. Sometimes with foundation, you have to give the product time to settle on your skin before its authentic finish shines through. It might look a bit powdery at first, but just give the product a few minutes to get to work and display its true finish. Trust the process and this product will give you a luminous, lit-from-within, soft-focus finish that rivals prestige liquid foundations (that clog your pores and cost double the price).

My only genuine complaint about this product is that I chose a shade that was slightly too light for my skin tone, even after using the shade matching quiz online. The good news is, bareMinerals has a very generous return policy, so if you accidentally purchase the wrong shade, you can send it back for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

The Value: Average price for above-average performance

This bareMinerals foundation is a knockout powder that is pretty affordable. The price is on par with a ton of other products out there, but what’s cool about the Original Loose Powder Foundation is that you can use it as foundation or as a setting powder. On top of that, the Original Loose Powder Foundation is made of only five ingredients and has broad-spectrum SPF 15. For a product that essentially performs in three different ways while being super gentle on even the most sensitive skins (like mine), $32 is a fair price.

Similar Products: You have options

CoverGirl TruBlend Minerals Loose Mineral Powder : The CoverGirl TrueBlend Minerals Loose Mineral Powder ($12) evens out your skin and lasts for hours without needing a touch up. Easily blending over pores and controlling oil, this powder will give your skin a flawless finish without caking or feeling heavy.

MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish Natural : I know that I’ve mentioned this product in other reviews, but I keep mentioning it because it’s just that good. Composed of a multi-mineral complex and vitamin E, this pressed powder is a legitimately lightweight and non-irritating powder that blurs over any texture and takes down shine. Multi-purpose too, the Mineralize Skinfinish ($35) from MAC Cosmetics can set your makeup or can be built to be utilized as a full coverage foundation.

L’oreal Paris True Match Powder Mineral Foundation: Another wallet-friendly choice, L’oreal’s True Match Loose Powder Mineral Foundation ($16) makes on-the-go foundation and touch ups easy and effortless with its compact packaging and built-in brush. Smoothing over fine lines, pores, and textured skin, this product is a great option for anyone that’s looking for a product that cuts down application time and looks beautiful — even when you wear it for hours.