The magic of mineral make-up

Going to bed with a full face on is no longer a sin in mineral beauty circles. In fact, some of the latest mineral products claim you'll wake up to a smoother complexion as it rejuvenates your skin as you sleep.

The buzzword in beauty at the moment, many mainstream brands like Bobbi Brown and Mac are now getting into the mineral act too. As its name suggests, mineral make-up is derived from powdered mineral elements; microscopic flat crystals that overlap each other to create a filtering layer on the skin. Traditionally in powder form, minerals now come in all-singing, all-dancing gloss, mascara and pencil forms too. 

Why minerals?

The world of minerals - and the truth behind how it can be completely acceptable to leave your make-up on overnight - can be a bit of a mystery to newbies. Simply put, mineral make-up can actually act as an extension to your daily skincare regime.

"Make-up containing natural minerals is more gentle on your skin than irritating chemicals and harsh preservatives, but doesn't compromise on your coverage," explains British facialist Sarah Chapman.

"Mineral make-up is also much lighter and doesn't clog your pores like other make-up - this prevents the dull, congested, lifelessness that can occur when you frequently wear heavy make-up day in, day out."

It may just look like powder in a pot but certain ingredients frequently found in mineral make-up, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, have anti-inflammatory properties and are natural sun protectants to boot. The lack of chemical nasties also makes it ideal not only for those who suffer from sensitive skin or acne, but also anyone who is concerned about the onslaught of chemicals from their beauty products.

Partly down to its purity levels, many mineral cosmetic ranges can all look rather ‘beige' in comparison to other eye-popping bright brands, but that image is rapidly changing. Whether you want a natural look or explosion of brights, the real beauty of minerals is their versatility. "Mineral make-up can be mixed and used in so many different ways," says Amanda Bell, mineral make-up expert for Bellapierre (available at Galleries Lafayette). "It can be mixed into a liquid or cream, used ‘neat' as a powder, mixed with gloss - the possibilities are endless. The mineral colour is pure pigment so it's very adaptable and transfer-proof. What's more, the colours blend easily together so you have the option of creating shades that are completely unique." 

Application art

There may be guilt-free benefits to mineral make-up, such as sleeping with it on without the blocked pores the next day, but application requires extra effort.

"The more you buff the minerals into the skin, the better the results," explains Sarah-Jane Froom, head of artistry for Bare Escentuals. "A lot of people feel you won't get a full coverage with minerals - this is a myth. You can achieve a light, medium or full coverage, without even looking like you're wearing make-up."

People also wrongly assume that because foundation comes in powder form, it'll look dry on the skin or sit in fine lines, but a dewy finish can easily be achieved. "A little goes a very long way," says Sarah-Jane. "Just keep buffing and the coverage you want to achieve will come. Don't be tempted to keep going back to the pot."

Top tips

Steven Douch, make-up artist and leading mineral make-up trainer for Fresh Minerals (www.fresh-minerals.co.uk) shares his expert advice:

Three to try:

Not all mineral ranges are created equally. Some brands claim to be mineral-based but actually contain only a small amount. Check the ingredients and if ‘talc' is listed first, it's not a pure mineral product. 

Here's our pick of top mineral make-up products: