Beauty Clinic: Make up for masks
Q. I have to go on public transport and wonder what the best make-up is to wear under a mask so it stays on and looks good?
A. For foundation, the answer for us is a true classic - the bareMinerals Original Loose Mineral Foundation SPF15, which came out in 1995, actually just before we launched our first Beauty Bible book.
In those days, the five-ingredient formula was a revolution in what we’d now call ‘clean’ make up with no unnecessary additives, binders or fillers. The formula hasn't changed since the beginning. Except that nowadays there are 30 shades to choose from, spanning all skin tones from Fair 01 to Deepest Deep 30 (see below for all the shades).
On top of the fact it gives skin a healthy, luminous, ‘no make up’ look, without caking or dulling, there are lots of other pluses to this mineral powder foundation: the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide minerals provide UV protection, you can build up coverage from sheer to full and it allows skin to breathe. Importantly for wearing under a mask, a 4-week overnight clinical test showed it wouldn’t clog pores or cause breakouts – even if you sleep in it (but you won’t will you? Please…).
Most of all, Original Loose Mineral Foundation will stay put. Sarah’s been a fan since pretty well the beginning, although Jo always felt it was a bit of a faff to swirl the powder on to the special stubby chubby brush, tap off excess and buff it on in little circles. Once you get the hang of how to do it (the key is: the more you buff the better the finish), it really doesn't take much longer than applying liquid foundation and the results really do justify the means, particularly when it comes to make up under a mask.
As you know, you won’t be able to try it on at this point but some beauty counters are now accessible, albeit at a distance, and for everyone who doesn't want to do that, bareMinerals has a Foundation Shade Finder so you can find the ideal shade for your skin tone. (NB go straight to the ‘Which shade is right for me?’ option – took us a bit of time to suss that... duh.) For longevity, apply bareMinerals Prime Time Primer/£26, underneath.
Choose powder options for blusher and/or bronzer, too. See our Beauty Bible testers’ top favourites in our Awards section online: find the winning blushers here, and bronzers here.
For the rest, well, the eyes have it. As you can see from the lovely picture, a little eyeliner, mascara and well-defined brows add up to triple gorgeousness. Fenty Beauty Long-Wear Liquid Flyliner/£18, ticked all our testers’ boxes; read the rave Comments here. For mascara, ultra-affordable Avon True Ultra Volume Mascara/£6.75, won our Gold Award, and Nude by Nature Precision Brow Mascara/£16, took Joint Gold for in the Brow Definers category.
So go forth and wow!
