Monday, March 7, 2011

Review: Bare Escentuals Hydrating Mineral Veil

This powder is great for those with dry skin and hate the feel of powder on their face. The Sephora website describes this product as "a unique, water-based, 100% pure bareMinerals formula that infuses thirsty skin with a cooling softness and subtly brightens for the ultimate, translucent finishing touch. Completely sheer, it lightly hydrates with natural ingredients while gently absorbing oil and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and pores. Buff it over makeup or bare skin for a fresh, airbrushed complexion that lasts all day long." I liked this powder but, I did not feel any kind of hydrating or cooling qualities, which is mostly why I bought it in the first place.

This powder retails for $19US on the Sephora website, there is also a Hydrate and Brighten brush that is meant to be used in conjunction with this product, which sells for another $30. I will let you in on a little secret though, I bought mine off Bridgette's Boutique for only $13.50 it's an online beauty discount store, she also has the brush up for $9.50 (I am thinking of getting it too). You can use any brush with this, I would suggest a fluffy powder brush so that you don't apply too much.

Here is the back of the package, the product comes with 7g, if you buy it off Bridgette's Boutique it comes without the box. I apply this as a setting powder over my foundation, I also like it to set my undereye concealer, it is supposed to have brightening effects to it so I thought it would be great for under the eyes.


The powder is very finely milled and soft. It has a sort of opal appearance, there is shimmer in the product too. The shimmer scared me at first but I don't notice it on my face, this could be because I am so fair that the colour blends in better, if you are darker you may notice it, I have read reviews where people have.  Also, the original mineral veil supposedly doesn't have any shimmer in it.

And here it is swatched on my hand, hopefully you can see the shimmers if you click on the image. It's white/pinky and then when you blend it in it disappears. A nice powder, but as with any other powder that I have tried, they are a bit of a mystery to me, I don't really see what they actually do. I do appreciate that this feels comfortable on my dry skin, normally I steer away from powders because they make my skin feel tight and this does not do that.

However, as I mentioned above, I was disappointed in this product because I felt zero cooling or hydrating qualities to this, please let me know below if you did. I realize it wasn't going to be a sort of wet-dry feel like with the Almay Hydrating Makeup (which I love), or similar to the Prescriptives Liquid Powder (which I am lemming). If anyone knows where I can find the Prescriptives powder for cheaper, please let me know. But aside from being light on the skin and pretty in the package, I don't see what this actually does, maybe I am missing something.

Have you tried the Bare Escentuals Hydrating Mineral Veil?

11 comments:

Tracy@Beauty Reflections said... Best Blogger Tips

Totally agree with you! This does nothing for me either. I want to find one that's a bit illuminating-do you know of any?

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

OMG Justine! I have to try ALL these powders you mentioned! I have the same issue as you with dry skin and powders! Can't wait to try!!! :) love your awesome blog!!!!

Liz (Beauty Reductionista) said... Best Blogger Tips

I can never believe that powder can be hydrating. It's been a long time since I used BE!

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@Tracy - An illuminating powder? I wouldn't know what to suggest aside from a MAC MSF, although that is probably too illuminating all over the face.

Miss ♥ Nikka said... Best Blogger Tips

I am obsessed with your blog! Love all your reviews!

Anyways, I was so close on getting this just because I love the original mineral veil and just wanted to try something new. Too bad it didn't have the cooling/hydrating effect to it. But does it set your makeup well and make it last longer? If you can answer me on twitter that will be great. :)

Stephanie C. said... Best Blogger Tips

I had no idea they made this! I love the regular mineral veil for giving my skin a glow, but it's too bad this one doesn't live up to the "hydrating" claim. In that case I'll probably just stick to the regular version.
Thanks for the review :)

Melly said... Best Blogger Tips

I wonder if a veil with silk powder would be better? Or does this contain silk? Not familiar with BM products other than the original foundation and their lipglosses.

Vanessa said... Best Blogger Tips

Soo great! Love those products and need to try them!!! :)

LiisK said... Best Blogger Tips

Could you list the ingredients too? I'd like to see what combination of minerals is seen as having hydrating properties by the manufacturer. Is the mica or TiO2 treated with oils and waxes, are there some organic compounds in there?

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@LiisK - mine didn't come with a box, so I don't have the ingredients sorry, but the sephora link has all the product details including ingredients. ;)

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Justine-I ended up picking up this product today! :) I know you were so-so with your review, but wanted to try a hydrating powder anyway (and wanted to try one first that didnt have that "wet" feel). Looking forward to testing it! And, I got mine at Sephora and it didnt come in a box there either. xoxo!