Ellana Mineral Make-up

UPDATE (Nov 2012):  After 3 weeks of using Ellana Mineral Foundation Powder, my skin broke out.  I stopped using moisturizer/creams thinking they could be causing it, but, my skin has not cleared up.  Finally, I stopped using Ellana, and, my skin started to clear up.  Sadly, I can't use Ellana anymore.  I don't know what to do with my 1 year supply of mineral powder I bought at crossings, hu hu.  I loved it, but, not good for my skin.  Weird, because, it's supposed to have no harmful stuff as compared to most make-up, yet, I'm back to using Max Factor liquid foundation which I have used for a long long time and never irritated my sensitive skin.  Anyway, I guess, it's the risk of using smaller-scale make-up lines without extensive research/tests on hundreds of human faces as compared to make-up giants.  Those who continue to use this make-up are lucky because it really looks good on your face, with a wonderful finish.  I envy you guys!

CAUTION:  Mineral Make-up in Powder form is not advisable for people with asthma and silica allergies.  Always use Mineral Make-up Powder with caution.  Avoid powder inhalation and contact with eyes.

I tried Mineral Make-up before.  I purchased Maybelline and CoverGirl brands, but, didn't become a fan.  CoverGirl Trublend Minerals have a certain odor that will keep you away.  It also didn't look better on my face than my usual face powder and foundation.  Plus, the hassle of using mineral make-up for a beginner (messy and wasteful application) didn't make it worth my time.

The upside of Mineral Make-up (as they say, if a good brand) is that it's sooo soft, light, smooth, and feels good on your skin plus it's easy to remove.  A good facial wash is enough.  Mineral Make-up is best applied using a good brush (like kabuki brushes) and you really need to blend well or your face will look uneven and you'll have excessive amount on your face.  For 1st time users this is the drag part as you might give up before you learn the proper technique.  Always start dipping your brush with a very small amount, tap excess, dust the brush on your face, then, work it in circular motion (buff your skin).  Practice, until, you get the hang of it.  Some also use the wet application technique.

Recently, I gave mineral make-up another try.  This time seeking local brands that already have a following.  I chose Ellana (ellanaminerals.com) for my first test.  I took a leap of faith and got their Mineral Foundation in Cafe Breve (P300/4g), Mineral Foundation in Chai Tea Latte (P100/1g), Mineral Foundation in Hazelnut (P100/1g), Primer/HD finishing powder (P100/1g),  Pink Flamingo Shimmer Finishing Powder (P100/1g), Blush Mineral Powder in Crush (P100/1g), and Baby Buki Brush (P300) at Crossings Trinoma.  Ellana Mineral Make-up doesn't have a strong smell/odor (yey!). 

You can purchase online or at Crossings Trinoma.

Ellana Mineral Foundation Powder:
1g of powder        P100
4g of powder        P300
6g of powder        P420

Ellana Mineral Foundation in Chai Tea Latte, Ellana primer/HD Finishing Powder in 
White Chocolate, Pink Flamingo Shimmer Finishing Powder, and Ellana Baby Buki Brush

I love their primer/HD finishing powder (P100/1g).  A cheap alternative to Make-up For Ever HD loose powder.  For those who never tried HD powder, it's the unbelievably softest, silkiest powder you'll ever touch.  It's pure white in color, but, when properly applied (tiny amount) disappears in your skin.  It helps make your skin feel softer and look more even.  It's a great primer or finishing powder.   Just be careful using it as a finishing powder as too much can make you look ghostly white in pictures taken by a flash camera (check out celeb victims of HD powder, hehe).  To be safe, I only use it as a primer.  I use a tiny brush, small powder puff, or my fingers to apply it  (1g pot of primer could last more than a month of daily use).

4g Ellana Mineral Foundation in Cafe Breve, P300.

4g lasts a long time, as you only need a small amount per application

The Mineral Foundation is very pigmented, a small amount gives good coverage.  It feels light on your face, lovely smooth.  When I sweat, glow a little, wipe . . .  face still looks okay.  For light to moderate sweating, it could last about 4 hours before needing touch-ups.  Or top it off with finishing powder for longer staying power.  Cafe Breve matches my fair skin well, but, I mix it with Chai Tea Latte, since, I don't like putting make-up on my neck (will try French Vanilla next time).  My trick is to use a shade that doesn't make my face tone too fair for my neck color.  Don't you just find it weird to see ladies with light color faces atop different shade necks?  So, I, usually pick light to natural shades than fair.  I've noticed though that the mineral foundation looks very nice on my neck as well.   The blush blends well with the foundation.  The Finishing Powder in Pumpkin Pie Latte is a favorite.  You can also use it on its own like a face powder.  For daily wear, the finishing powder is perfect for those not really into foundations and full-face make-up. 

I tried mixing the cafe breve and chai tea latte mineral foundation with pumpkin pie and pink flamingo finishing powder in my store-bought powder container  - I'm kind of experimenting with colors and coverage plus I like to do 2-step applications only (primer plus a little mineral foundation or face powder).   I like the end product   :P 

Ellana Mineral Make-up is really good,  they also chart their colors making it easy to find shades that suit customers   :)