I remember when Bare Escentuals mineral make up hit the Sephora scene in the early 2000’s. The idea of swirling some powder on a Kabuki brush (yet another addition to the makeup lover’s vernacular during that time period…I know they have existed for centuries, but I venture to say that most of us weren’t saying “Kabuki” before mineral makeup became mainstream!) and instantly buffing away all flaws was quite intoxicating. I bought BE in “light” for the winter months and “medium tan” in the summer. Despite the fact that it was supposed to offer perfect coverage, be so pure that you could sleep in it and actually improve one’s skin with regular use, there was one blaring problem area…the finish. Many of us can recall with horror the “disco ball” pallor that would develop as our face’s natural oil mixed with the foundation. Suddenly, once airbrushed pores became crater-like and pronounced and the mica-induced shimmer and shine took us well beyond the acceptable borderline of “glowy.” About a year into my BE mineral makeup foray, I decided that it simply wasn’t for me…the increasingly reflective surface of my face that developed with extended wear just wasn’t flattering. I felt it necessary to provide this brief history in order to put the product I am about to review in proper context. My past experience with mineral makeup was not stellar; in turn, when I was given the chance to try the Youngblood Natural Mineral Loose Foundation, my reservations were intact!
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| Extremely minimal ingredients and no fragrance…this is a good start! |
I was sent the shade Soft Beige, which is for fair to medium, slightly yellow skin. This would be a perfect match for me in the winter months (approximately NC 25) but was a bit too light to look completely believable with my tanner body.
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| Youngblood Natural Mineral Loose Foundation in Soft Beige. |
What is most remarkable about this product is how concentrated it is; only a little shake of this finely-milled powder is necessary to lend full coverage to the entire face! I used my Make Up Forever Kabuki Brush and my Hourglass Retractable Foundation Brush to apply the powder and both seamlessly buffed it into my skin. Unlike the sometimes blotchy, overly shimmery finish of the BE, Youngblood smooths over the skin evenly, yielding an almost airbrushed effect that looks the same hours later (no touch up required!).
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| I swatched the foundation heavily to show its opacity and shade, but one would never opt to wear such a dense application on their face…the “buffed and blended” swatch shows how imperceptible it becomes once the proper amount melds with the skin. |
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| Youngblood Natural Mineral Loose Foundation in Soft Beige…I made sure to take this at the end of the day to show its performance over time. Surprisingly, it maintains its natural satin finish and does not get too shiny as the hours wear on! |
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| Youngblood Natural Mineral Loose Foundation in Warm Beige. |
I was so intrigued with the wear and finish of the YB mineral powder that I procured the Warm Beige as an option to wear during the summer months. Described on the Youngblood website as a “medium yellow” shade, it is perfect for my currently NC 30ish skin. To its credit, it does not oxidize (at least on my skin), so finding a true match is imperative since it is so colorfast.
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| Youngblood Natural Mineral Loose Foundation in Warm Beige and Soft Beige side by side to illustrate contrast. |
Bottom Line: I haven’t tried a mineral foundation that I like as much as Youngblood’s in a long time! After experimenting and becoming disillusioned with the subpar lasting power and excessive shine of a variety of mineral foundations from BE, Laura Mercier, Christian Dior, Smashbox and Jane Iredale, I thought that this particular type of makeup was not for me. However, after using the Youngblood Natural Mineral Loose Foundation for over a week, I am happy to report that not only has it been kind to my sensitive skin, but it has restored my faith in mineral makeup’s ability to create fantastic coverage and a clear, glowing countenance!
**PR sample provided for review, however, as always, all of my opinions are expressly and unequivocally my own.
Comments (16)
happy to hear you had success with this product. i have only tried their primer but i love it. cant wait to try their other cosmetics.
Yes! I definitely had reservations in light of my previous experiences with mineral makeup, but I was beyond pleasantly surprised. I have a reviews of the HD powder and lip color coming up!
Have a wonderful week!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
I really love using loose mineral foundations, I love the finish it gives! great review! xx
Beauty by T
Thanks, Tawny…as I said before, this is the best mineral foundation I've used in ages! What mineral foundations to you currently like?
Take care,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Beauty Professor!
I am so intrigued by this! I, too, used Bare Escentuals, and over time became disappointed in it. I have also tried Jane Iredale and Prescriptives mineral foundations. This one sounds lovely. Even though I have been using liquid foundation for some time, part of me still likes the idea of powder foundation. I think I may try this! As usual, much thanks for providing the swatches since we have similar coloring.
As an update, I received and LOVE the Le Metier Creme Fresh Tint in Mystique. It is literally the color for which I have been searching! I have natural redness in my face, so I have to stay far away from any blush that has red or orange undertones. So, this cool pink looks really nice on my skin! And, I have been using it on my lips as well, topped with Le Metier's gloss in Cap d'Antibes. Also, I ordered the Le Metier lash curler and have been very pleased with it as well. I have never curled my lashes before, and it really helps give a nice fan, uniform look to the lashes. Highly recommend!
Loved the EB lip color swatches! I am definitely going to add Blush Allure to my list!
Have a great week!
Kate
Hello Kate,
Lovely to hear from you! Of course, I am definitely partial to liquid foundation as well, but I will say that the Youngblood is the best mineral option I have tried in forever. Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions along the way!
So pleased that you love your LMdB Mystique…it is such a cool pink and I bet it looks fantastic on you. I love Cap d'Antibes but have never combined it with Mystique…even though Cap d'Antibes is such a pale color, I would imagine that it would add a bit of depth to the Mystique which sounds perfect. I received the Le Metier lash curler when I was in Palm Beach but haven't really experimented with it yet…I am pleased to hear you love it and should really give it a spin so I can do a review ; )
In light of our mutual affinity for pale colors, I suspected that you would find the EB Blush allure alluring (if you didn't already own it!). I also just bought a lipstick from a line sold at Barneys called "Beauty Is Life" that I am sure you would like…it is called Cosmopolitan and I have a reviewed slated for the very near future!
Are you still watching the Bachelor Pad? The people on this particular installment seem way more over the top than in previous seasons and that is really saying something! Yikes!
Have a wonderful week and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Beauty Professor!
I do have one question about the Youngblood mineral foundation – do you find it has better coverage than the Jane Iredale loose mineral foundation (assuming you have used that)? I had a sample of some JE foundation and I just found it did not cover very well. Your review indicated that it is pretty opaque and has good coverage, but I wondered how you thought it stacked up against JE? My only other reservation is color. I went to the Youngblood website and am trying to decide between Soft Beige and another color whose name escaped me, but had neutral undertones instead of the yellow undertones Soft Beige is listed as having. I think there may be a spa in the area that carries this line, so I may head over there to check it out!
I am watching Bachelor Pad, but DVRed this week's episode in favor of watching the Olympics. I will probably catch up on it this weekend. I will say that I love Michael Stagliano (sp?). He provides some much-needed sarcasm and witty observations to that train wreck of a group. I honestly dislike most of the female contestants. I thought the most normal girl was the one who got sent home the first night (Paige?) Oh, and I do love Reid. They do seem like a crazy, over-the-top group. While the Bachelor(ette) series at least claim to be about finding love, Bachelor Pad makes no false pretenses that this show is about anything other than drunken debauchery and wearing minimal clothing. Lol!
So excited to see the Beauty is Life review. I have heard good things about this brand, but have not tried any of its products.
Have a great week!
Kate
Hi Kate!
Thanks for your YB question. In terms of my experience with the JE mineral foundation, I own only the pressed version (which, by all accounts seems exactly the same as the loose formula) in Warm Sienna. I have tried it many times and find that the JE gets this weird sheen that translates as oily rather quickly. It also makes my face feel like it can't breathe. I know many women love this formula but for some reason, it just did not agree with me. I think that Soft Beige would be good for you in light of your shade leanings with the Koh Gen Do Aqua. Even though Soft Beige says that it is for yellow undertones (which I have), it is not a pronounced yellow at all and, thereby suits my skintone, albeit a bit light for me right now!
The Olympics are definitely more entertaining than Bachelor Pad is right now. The participants are just so unsympathetic and unlikable for the most part…it is rare, but I am having trouble delving in to this season!
Have a wonderful Wednesday and talk soon…the BIL lipstick review is up next!
Warm regards,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Beauty Professor!
Well, since I have no ability to delay gratification in the least, I headed out to the spa that sells Youngblood products and picked up the loose mineral foundation in Soft Beige. I am wearing it this morning and I love it! The coverage is amazing, and light years ahead of Jane Iredale. I like the finish, too. I don't know that it will replace my Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation as my favorite, but I will definitely be adding this into the rotation. It is nice to switch to a powder foundation and change things up. But I am very happy with it. Thanks again for your review and additional feedback! Oh, and it was definitely not too yellow at all. I was trying to decide between Soft Beige and Warm Beige at the spa, and in the end, Warm Beige looked just a touch too dark. Soft Beige works great, although I could easily see me mixing the two colors and having that blended color work as well.
I really liked the Beauty is Life review. That color looks right up my alley!
I can't wait to catch up on Bachelor Pad this weekend! Have a great weekend!
Kate
Hi Kate,
Thanks for the update! I am so pleased to hear that you found your Youngblood match in Soft Beige…it is such a remarkable mineral foundation and I agree that it is a nice addition to one's foundation rotation, especially when the coverage is that good and is so quick to apply! Like I said, Warm Beige is perfect for me now, but I will definitely need to transition back to Soft Beige (which should be a perfect match for most of the year!) when my tan fades at the end of summer.
Glad you liked the Beauty Is Life review…I thought you'd be intrigued by that lip color in light of love for pale lipstick ; )
Have a simply lovely weekend and talk soon!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Beauty Professor!
I hope you had a nice weekend! I went back and caught up on Bachelor Pad from last week and yikes! Those people are out of control. I think Chris is the worst…he really rubs me the wrong way. I still like Michael, and watching him perform the rhythmic gymnastics routine was hilarious.
I think I spoke too soon on the color of the Youngblood foundation. I am going to go back to the spa and get the Warm Beige, too. Soft Beige is fine, but just a smidgen too light. I think I may even end up blending Soft Beige and Warm Beige together. I guess my skin is a little darker than I thought it was. At least it is not as expensive as having to get two of the KGD Aqua foundations!
Loved the review of the MAC lipstick. Now I am intrigued by that MUFE color you featured, too. I see one of those in my future!
Have a great week!
Kate
Hello Kate!
Good to hear from you : ) I hope your weekend was great as well…mine flew right by. I am with you on your feelings about Chris on the BP…he is an unsavory character to say the least.
Thanks for your Youngblood update…the Soft Beige and Warm Beige are so close (though I am definitely Warm Beige right now) that I could see you being able to wear both, especially in the summer. They will make for good mixing partners and, like the Koh Gen Do, you will be able to adjust the shade all year!
Glad you liked the MAC lipstick review…I always love when I find a MAC I like since the price is so affordable ; ) The MUFE is lovely (and a review is right around the corner) but is definitely more pale and sheer than say, LMdB Two Lips (which I was wearing today which is why it is so fresh on my mind!).
I hope you have a wonderful week…keep me posted on what transpires with your Youngblood quest and talk soon!
Warm regards,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Beauty Professor,
At lunch yesterday I was able to procure the Warm Beige from my local spa. I am wearing it this morning and it is a much better color match. It's strange – I didn't think Soft Beige was too off-base for me, until I tried the Warm Beige. It just looks more natural. Soft Beige looked best after I had worn it a few hours, and my facial oils had caused it to darken and settle a bit. But this morning I used the Warm Beige by itself, and it looks great. It's amazing what finding the right color will do. I was worried that the foundation was a little too powdery looking when I had on Soft Beige, but Warm Beige blends seamlessly. Loving it! I have a very early morning flight on Friday, and having a foundation that applies so quickly is definitely going to come in handy!
I have never worn a MUFE lipstick, so I am looking forward to your review. Oh, and speaking of MUFE, I noticed that you apply your Youngblood foundation with the MUFE kabuki. I need a good powder foundation brush. I was thinking of getting the Le Metier kabuki, but was curious to hear how much you liked your MUFE kabuki. The MUFE may be a better alternative for my wallet!
By the way, sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience getting your car stuck in a precarious spot! I am no good dealing with car problems, and yours sounded like quite the adventure. Glad to hear you made it through without injury, although I am sure it wasn't without considerable hassle!
Talk to you soon!
Kate
Hello Kate!
So glad that the Warm Beige proved to be a better alternative. I agree, the Soft Beige does blend better after it has had a bit of time to mix with natural facial oils, so it will definitely be a good match in the winter! The speed of application for this foundation can't be beat! Where did you fly to?
In terms of Kabuki brushes, I really like the MUFE…it is firm and full and buffs powder like a dream. It also comes in a little zipper pouch so it stays protected in my purse. I also really like the Hourglass retractable foundation brush (I own two) because I can use it with powder and liquid foundations. To be fair, I haven't tried the LMdB version yet, so I cannot completely delineate a comparison.
Thank for your sweet words about my little car mishap. My mom and I has quite an ordeal as we were en route to take my dog to visit some residents (he's a therapy dog). We had a cozy drive with the tow truck driver…the two of us, Jethro and a plethora of bags (we are not particularly light packers!) but the car got fixed and we survived the adventure ; )
Have a wonderful week and keepe posted on any new makeup purchases…I vow to do the same! : )
Take care and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi The Beauty Professor 🙂
Would like to know if your face felt itchy or irritated with this product as this has Bismouth Oxychloride. I have sensitive skin and I am thinking whether this is right for me before splurging! Thanks
Hello Rosie,
Thanks for the question! I know that itchy feeling you describe (sometimes this happens when I try to wear the original Revlon Colorstay foundation). I am happy to report that I haven't experienced an ounce of itchiness with this (or any Youngblood product, for that matter!). I did, however, feel rather itchy with Bare Minerals (not sure if the ingredients differ dramatically), which prompted me to stop using it years ago.
I hope that my assessment is useful to you!!
Take care and have a lovely weekend,
–The Beauty Professor