[Review] bareMinerals 7 Piece Customizable Get Starter Kit

bareMinerals was introduced to me by the MA at Sephora Ion when I was there to try out the Make Up Forever HD Foundation, and I was totally sold lol. I took the chance to get the Customizable Starter Kit when I was in US for US$64 (excluding tax). Was it worth the trouble bringing back the big box from the other side of Earth? Let's check it out.


The 7 piece kit contains:

• Full size Foundation (Original or Matte of your choice, I chose Matte)
• Medium size Original Mineral Veil
• Medium size All-Over Face Colour in Warmth
• Full Flawless Brush
• Flawless Face Brush
• Max Coverage Concealer Brush
• Exclusive to Sephora: Sample Size Primetime Foundation Primer
• Get Started Guide and DVD

Considering the foundation alone is already S$48 in Singapore, it sounds like a steal aye? I got matched to fairly light, which is actually the lightest shade. But mind you, I'm neither fair nor tanned.

The powder comes in a circular container with a rotating lid inside. It covers the holes when you're not using it so it doesn't get powder all over your makeup bag when you carry it around.

First Impression

Foundation: SPF 15 Foundation in Matte
The powder evens out the skin so naturally that it was barely visible. It feels a little "creamy" as compared to normal face powder so my face doesn't look too powdery. It might get a little cakey when you build up to medium/full coverage, especially when your skin is dry.

Setting Powder: Original Mineral Veil
I'm not too sure if it's supposed to make a visible difference because it really doesn't. Neither does it help with the oil control. My face looks shiny in just 3-4 hours :(
Illuminator: All-Over Face Colour in Warmth
I haven't used much  so I shan't review it. It's supposed to give you a sun-kissed glow, but the colour is so dark it looks a little intimidating heh. The amount used in the tutorial was so little that I wonder if it really does make any difference. Which also means that if you are not careful enough you'll end up looking like a Red Indian *kidding* It probably makes a good bronzer instead.

Brushes: Full Flawless Face | Flawless Face | Max Coverage Concealer
*facepalm* Proceed to "The Bad" please.

Primer: Primetime Foundation Primer
The texture is really interesting, but I haven't tried enough primer to judge. The foundation definitely stays and appears better with the primer on.

The Good

What got me hooked on to the foundation is that it doubles as a concealer. Talk about cost efficient and laziness heh. When I started spot concealing using the Max Coverage Concealer Brush, the acne marks just vanishes! Ok, maybe not totally but the results makes me go all "Ehhh~?!". The coverage is just amazing. Two thumbs up!

The Bad

The brushes, seriously why do they even make them? It does the job but they are so rough and scratchy, which gets a little painful when buffing. The Full Flawless Face and the Flawless Face Brushes are made of goat hair, and it sheds like crazy! I have to keep picking out the strands of hair from my face. The Max Coverage Concealer Brush wasn't too bad (it's synthetic bristles, how bad can it get?), it's too big for my liking for spot concealing but great for under eye area.

Rating:

Customizable Starter Kit

SPF 15 Foundation in Matte

 


I MUST rate the items separately since the kit doesn't do any justice to the goodness of the foundation.

It doesn't seem that worth it with Singapore's pricing (S$140?!), so just grab the foundation and a better buffing brush from another brand instead. I'm eyeing the Real Techniques Core Collection on SummerHaul. Should I? Hm...


Price: US$64 | S$140
Purchased at: Sephora