Bare Minerals Matte Foundation vs. Original

I have been using Bare Minerals for a short time (approx. 4 months as of the time of this post), and I quickly became addicted to their products.

My first foundation purchase was their original foundation formula. It was summertime, I had a nice tan, and the original looked gorgeous on my skin.

Why I Decided on the Bare Minerals Matte Foundation Vs. the Original

As we neared winter, my tan was gone and I began noticing that I did not feel that the original BareMinerals foundation looked the same on my skin, as now I am pale, and I have always had combination skin.

Bare Minerals Matte Foundation Review

I decided to give the Bare Minerals matte foundation a try. I was a little worried that it might be too much coverage because of the “matte” description. I could not have been more wrong. If you have never tried their foundations, the first thing to recognize is that they are powder.

UPDATE: Since this post was published, Bare Minerals has launched its liquid foundation. Stay tuned for a review because I have it.

What’s The Difference Between Bare Minerals Matte and the Original Foundation?

The original Bare Minerals foundation is meant for those with a normal skin type, while the matte foundation is meant for those with oily and combination skin.

I have used both original and matte. I use the matte in the winter months and the original in the summer when I have a little color to my skin.

The matte foundation gave complete coverage without looking like I have caked up makeup on my face. My skin looks just as gorgeous now as it did in the summer when I used the original.

Who Should Use the Bare Minerals Matte Foundation and Why?

I mentioned that I have combination skin, so if are in the same boat, you may want to give the matte a try. When I first looked into it, I learned that their matte foundation is also geared toward women who have oily skin. It absorbs oil keeping your face from having that “shine”.

Does It Reduce the Look of Pores?

The matte foundation formula is also proven to minimize the look of large pores. I have larger pores on each side of my inner face (near my nose), and this foundation actually minimized them to almost invisible.

The original foundation comes in 19 shades, and the matte comes in 20, so you should have no problem finding the right one for your skin tone. I use medium beige in the summer, but when I ordered the matte, I ordered it in Fairly Medium, and I am so happy that I did.

From now on, I will keep both the original foundation in medium beige and the matte foundation in fairly medium so I can get the same look even when I have no hint of a tan (like right now, come on summer!)

If you have normal or dry skin, you should be fine with the original foundation unless you are trying to shoot for more coverage.

The Perfect Foundation Brush

I should also note the importance of using the right foundation brush. I was reluctant to spend the money on the Bare Minerals finishing brush, but I finally understand why using the right brush is important. I chose the Beautiful Finish Brush, and it really does make all the difference.

I believe you still get the finish brush in the Bare Minerals Starter Kit. If you have a girlfriend who loves makeup, you might consider some of the Bare Minerals products as a great gift.

If you are new to their products, check out our review of the Bare Minerals starter kit here.  We also provide a price comparison to get you the best deal.