Review - Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals Foundation

While this liquid foundation is not a new product, I thought the design aesthetic, ingredients and product performance were well worth posting. Some leading brands of mineral liquid foundations contain concerning ingredients such as talc, bismuth oxychloride, alumina and preservatives such as methylparaben, propylparaben and phenoxyethanol. All good reasons to look elsewhere for a foundation that still delivers a flawless appearance but is free from ingredients we don't need anywhere near the skin. Enter the award winning Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals Foundation (Best Foundation 2008 - Natural Health magazine).

The ingredients in this foundation score an impressive 2 on Skin Deep, The Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Safety Database site (the closer the score to 0 the better). The beads or liposomes are suspended in aloe vera gel and vegetable glycerin and there are also extracts of willow bark, calendula, sweet almond seed and chamomile flowers. According to Jane Iredale's website her make up range is 'recommended by plastic surgeons and dermatologists' (which I mention only to demonstrate how gentle and natural the ingredients are on the skin). Click here to read more about the ingredients on the Skin Deep site.

Dispense about 2 pumps of the foundation and apply with fingers or foundation brush (brush can be dampened for a sheer finish or used dry for greater coverage). It can also be used as an under eye concealer. I was impressed with this unique foundation and found it gave a lightweight yet effective and flattering coverage. It felt soft and moisturising on the skin.

Visit Jane Iredale to view a comprehensive colour guide which will help you choose your perfect shade of Liquid Minerals Foundation. Or have a bit of fun in the Mineral Makeover Room where you can apply different shades of the foundation to a model with a similar skin tone to yours.

UK readers can purchase online at Serenity Direct (£32.10) or Serenity Beauty (£31.73). US readers can visit Jane Iredale to locate a stockist near them or purchase at Beauty Riche (US $46).