Bare Minerals for Dummies (or just the one - me!)

[SandraBollocks]

Hi,

Newbie / long time lurker here!
I'm a rosacea sufferer and having heard good things about Bare Minerals, I decided to get matched at one of their counters yesterday. I have a party to attend this weekend, so wanted to look nice also!
I bought the new Ready foundation on a whim (stupid, stupid me) and noticed when I got home that it had started to slide off my nose (how lovely, but I get this a lot with foundations, why is it, do you know?). I've since had a couple of trial runs with the foundation and can't seem to get it right. They say, amongst other things that it should smooth fine lines and wrinkles but I feel they look hundred times worse, in fact I don't think I properly noticed them until now! I certainly don't look ready for any close-ups, think I look worse with the makeup than without it. I'm generally rather clumsy with makeup, so maybe I'm applying it wrong? I've tried different 'strengths' of moisturiser with it but just can't get it right.
I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong here or if I should have gone for one of their other foundations (like the Original for example)? I'm gutted I (possibly) wasted money on this (or can I take it back? won't have time to go there before the weekend) and am now having to think of something else to use for the party (have not found a suitable foundation / tinted moisturiser yet - have tried Boots matchy thing, Lily Lolo and Laura Mercier too but they look awful on me).
Please could someone advice?
TIA

If you have your receipt you can usually return a foundation if its not right. You could try the loose powder but imo it also sits in all the fine lines and wrinkles. It is also a pig to apply, all that swirl tap buff, again only my opinion. Lots of people on here do recommend it so you may want to try it rather than lose money.
I have been colour matched by boots recently and am using their beautifully matte foundation and I find it easy to apply and fairly long lasting. The colour match service was spot on, an excellent match.

My foundation used to slide off. Now I cleanse with Eve Lom or Liz Earle and never moisturise. I use a make up brush too and use some Dior something or other that lasts me about 18 months because you hardly need anything. I am crap at make up. I only use foundation and occasionally mascara but these products mean it doesn't look too bad.

I don't know about bare minerals though sorry.

Hi Sandra,

I use the original bare minerals foundation and really like it, I also use the bare minerals primer, which I think helps the foundation stay on better. I know you haven't got time to go back for that but as you're unsure about other foundations too would it be worth buying any brand of primer and seeing how the foundation goes on when you've applied that first? It should help the foundation stay on better and also smooth out the appearance of pores or lines. I've read good things on here about the Barbara Daly primer from Tesco and also a loreal one.

gossmakeupartist has a video on that foundation on his YouTube channel. It's called 'Fail! The Worst Foundation I've Ever Used!' Might be worth a watch! You could also show it to the BareMinerals assistant when you return it!

Just a note on their mineral foundations, I found they made my rosacea worse. In fact, their original foundation brought me out in a horrible bumpy rash. Apparently some people are allergic to an ingredient in it.

Hi - wanted to come and say thanks (albeit rather belatedly!) for the great advice everyone.
Iseeall - exactly the reason why I initially went for the Ready rather than the Original, as they said it's so much easier to apply. I'm of two minds whether I should even try the Original now, I did notice some itchiness on my cheeks with the Ready, so wonder if their stuff even suits me. Always just wanted to try as so many people love their foundations.
Interesting video SingingSilver! So it's not me being hopeless at applying it!!
Wonder if they do samples to try at home before committing to a product? Will find out.
Also have made a note of what you said Sauce, I may need to reassess how I cleanse etc.
Thanks for the tip re:Barbara Daly primer Chunky, I ended up buying the FaceLift foundation and moisturiser (they didn't have the primer you mentioned) - they are great and saved my weekend for sure.
Thanks so much for coming to the rescue when needed!

I emailed BareMinerals and explained my dilemma and they kindly offered to swap it for the Original foundation if I sent it to them - they just asked me to let them know which shade, so I went back to the counter to get matched for the Original. Under the store lights we established I was medium beige but when I got home I once again realised I was matched wrong as I looked completely orange!! (almost this colour)
The finish is much better than Ready though, even if she shade is completely wrong.
I wonder if this is partly due to the foundation oxidizing on my skin?
Clearly I should go for something lighter - would anyone know what the 'next shade down' is please? I know it's difficult without seeing my skin, but as I've now been badly matched twice by the BareMinerals ladies, I'm open to any suggestions!!
They clearly seem to think I'm medium with neutral undertones but I wonder if in fact I'm light with medium undertones (Fairly Light) or even something with golden undertones? So confused!

Hi Sandra,

If you are too fair for medium beige but have golden undertones to your skin then Light might be a better shade for you, I use light and have quite fair skin but a golden tone to it. Maybe try that one instead?

I know you are getting an exchange, but if the makeup affects your skin (the powder foundation looks fab on me but irritates my skin terribly if I use it for more than a couple of days running), you could try LilyLolo. It doesn't contain bismuth (which a lot of people think causes the irritation) and you can get tiny little sample pots to try. I have about 10 diferent shades as I can never work out if I am warm or cool or what shade I am. I now just mix n match with lots of pots- it's also useful as my skin's now got a light tan, so the one I use in winter makes me look positively gothic.

Chunky - yes I think I might go for the Light. Noticed most of the foundations I currently own are definitely more yellow than pink. Do you use any other foundations and what shade are you (to compare)?
HalfSpam - good idea, I've tried LL before but couldn't get on with it (can't remember why), think I will go back and order a couple of samples again. They seem to do a nice range of shades too.

I have used BM for years now and love it, I get it from ebay as it's about a tenner on there instead of double that.

The reviews of the READY foundation aren't good and have put me off trying some out.

Ask the assistant for some colour samples and try them at home - they have drawers full of them and they give you about a weeks' worth.

I was matched as Light in store but actually I am Medium Beige. It's trial and error but when you get your correct colour it's great.

You will need Bisque concealor if you have rosacea if you havn't got it already, it's the HG of concealors

Use Lanacane anti chaff gel as a primer - stops foundation sliding off!