Mineral Makeup Showdown: Bare Minerals vs. Sheer Cover!
I’ve been a fan of mineral makeup for almost four years now. I started off with Bare Escentuals’ BareMinerals makeup. It was one of those rare infomercials I actually (A) watched and (B) bought into, right off the bat. Immediately, I fell in love with the concept. I’d always detested the way liquid foundation made my skin feel. Living at the beach (especially one known for hot and humid summers) does a number on one’s makeup even on the best of days; with liquid foundation, it felt like my face was melting and sliding right off in one silicone sheet. Yuck.
Mineral makeup changed all that. For the first time, I wasn’t sweating off my foundation before I’d even finished applying it in the summer. It truly felt like bare skin, and the coverage was excellent - completely on par with my liquid and cream products. Sure to get that coverage, I had to use a slightly heavy hand in places, but I chalked that up to my lack of experience in applying this kind of powder - which went on completely differently than any other product I’d ever tried. Swirl, tap and buff! It was a new experience, but I felt I couldn’t argue with results. The makeup left my face feeling light, airy, natural - and who doesn’t want that, right?
But over the years, I noticed a couple of things with my Bare Minerals. One, my application had improved, yet it still looked and felt a little thick in places. Two, the shades seemed a little off for some reason. When I did the right amount of product to cover my sun spots (ah, the joys of 40 ….), not only did it look cakey but it also seemed a shade or two different than the surrounding area. That’s not good.
After several months, I finally decided to give another product a try. This was difficult for me - out of character, I felt a good bit of brand loyalty towards BareMinerals. But trying out a new product seemed the least I could do in the interests of beauty and style blogs everywhere, right? So, I gritted my teeth and set about choosing an alternative. The leading contender: Sheer Cover. I ordered the beginner set, and have been using it for about a week now.
Let me first say this: both products are far superior to any liquid or cream product that I’ve ever tried - and as a former actress, I’ve tried plenty, including some professional brands with which these powders could definitely compete! You can’t go wrong with either. That said, for my money, and my skin type and tone, I have to give the title of “Best Mineral Makeup” to Sheer Cover.
The application of the concealer aside (BareMinerals’ beginner kit doesn’t have a separate concealer - it uses the foundation itself as a concealer), the texture and consistency of the Sheer Cover product seems a little finer and less “intrusive” on my skin than Bare Minerals’ product does. This means when I add a bit more product around those problem areas - the sun spots on my cheek and forehead, the odd blemish, the slight redness around my nose - I don’t get that cakey look or feeling. I also note that the tone stays consistent throughout, no matter how much I put on. More importantly, it really lives up to its name - Sheer. The natural tone and texture of my own skin still comes through, which I really like.
Sheer Cover - available at SheerCover.com; Introductory one-month kit - $29.99, in choice of Light, Medium, Tan, or Dark combinations.
BareMinerals - available at BareMinerals.com; Introductory Kit - $59.98, in choice of Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, Warm Tan, or Deep combinations.
makeup review, bare minerals, sheer cover, mineral foundation
May 25th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I use bare minerals, but I am about to run out and I have been wanting to try sheer cover… I am definitely going to try it now
May 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
You won’t be sorry! But let us know what your experience is like. It’s possible it works better for some than others … that’d be good info to have!
June 18th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Wow Sheryl!!! Thank you for your thorough analysis of both products’ benefits. I have been watching the commercials for years and have been very skeptical. However, I have been using liquid foundation, then MAC for years and have not been pleased. I could not decide between the 2 products. With your testimonial, I think I will take the dive!
July 4th, 2007 at 2:09 am
I have used both Bare Minerals and Sheer Cover. I think BM looks too pink on most faces. My friend still uses BM and it looks like she’s been hit with a huge pink Easter egg. I like Sheer cover MUCH better. It covers better. But that is just my opinion.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
For those of you that did not notice the comment posted by Sheryl is fake and actually posted by a sheet cover marketer. It’s really up to you to try both products but bare is a finer product and that 100% natural unlike the other one. I tried sheer cover and it just seemed like a cheap rip off. It’s obivious bare dominates the market and it does so for one reason…superiority.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Um, Jennifer, no, it’s not. It’s absolutely not fake. This is the former author of this blog, Sheryl Sisk. I had to resign unfortunately due to other projects needing my attention. But my comment is absolutely real, and reflects my honest opinion. It’s fine that yours differs, but do not come back here making false claims. I am still a 451Press writer and will see to it that false claim comments are deleted, whether I’m the blogger or not. OK?
September 5th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
I use bare and really love it but you get two foundations and one of them is just not right for my skin tone. I don’t need the whole kit yet that’s how you order it. So I’m on this site and see all the comments.
Thank you Sheryl for your honest opinion and to Jennifer, (who can’t spell sheer)how do I know you aren’t a blog? Therefore, I’ve decided to try sheer for myself. I’ll be back to give “my” opinion.
September 13th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Hi, I need to warn everyone about PURITY MINERAL SCIENCE. They have a website and offer a 14 day free trial with only $7.95 shipping. BUYER BEWARE!! This is deceptive advertising at its worst. In the 4th paragraph in small print is the caveat that in order to cancel you need to send back the free trial makeup, brushes and get a RMA number. If you dont you will be charged $59.99. The makeup is inferior quality and the aim is to collect as many payments of $59.99 as possible. They do not want repeat business. I spoke to the manager Lorraine who made me feel like an idiot for not seeing the (very well hidden) small print. http://www.mineralscience.com See for yourself. DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING!!! BUYER BEWARE!
October 29th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
I agree with HelanieNJ in regard to Mineral Science Purity. I also returned the makeup, with a letter explaining why I didn’t like it (and got a tracking number from the post office). Nonetheless, they billed my credit card for it. So, I now have been billed almost $70 for makeup I no longer have, nor liked. It is inferior quality, and the brushes shed all over your face. I am going to dispute the charges, and report them to the Better Business Bureau. If they are able to take your order and money via the Internet, you should be able to cancel the same way.
November 10th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
omg!!
IM TOTALLY CONFUSE OF WHAT TO BUY!?
SHEERCOVER OR BARE MINERALS!!
AHHH MY FRIEND USES SHEERCOVER AND IT LOOKS GOOD BUT I WANNA SEE HOW BARE MINERALS WORKS!!
I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ACNE AND I JUST WANT ONE THAT WONT MAKE MY ACNE NOTICABLE AND ONE THAT WILL LAST LONG WITH OUT SMIRRING OFF IM SO CONFUSE COUSE THEY TALK ABOUT HOW BOTTH MAKE YOUR SKIN OILY OR FLAKY HELP ME WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET !!
GET AT ME ASAP
November 14th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
DO NOT SUPPORT THIS COMPANY!
Just as LoriW and HelanieNJ have claimed, this company does not care about your return business. I called there customer service center because I never recieved the product and was charged $70 dolllars for it! I called to ask for some help, if they can replace the product and what I recived was a slap in the face. The representative told me that it’s between me and the post office if I did not recieve the package. I said all I wanted was some help and if I can please speak with her manager Lorrain, and she said, ” what for, she’s going to say the same thing I just did!” She was so rude I coudn’t beleive it. I asked for her managers voice mail and she said she did not have a voicemail! WHAT MANAGER DOES NOT HAVE VOICEMAIL!!!ARRGGGHHH. I will report this to the BBB aswell and hopefull I can get my $70 back, BUYER BEWARE and run while you still can! Don’t be duped by this company.
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:18 pm
FYI,
Purity Mineral Science is advertising for a free $145.00 kit , but you pay the $7.95 S/H. I thought I’d better do some research first and I came across this blog and I am so glad I found it before commiting myself to it. It would have not been worth all the hassel.
MJ
January 17th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Great I just fell for the scam!!!
January 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I am going to give Bare Minerals a try, and post my results. The reason behind it, is that so far there is more pro Bare Minerals than Sheer Cover.
The reason why I am changing to mineral make up is the following: I suspect the concealer I have been using for years might be causing my extremely visible dark circles under my eyes (since the beginning!!!!) some sort of allergy that’s what the Dr. said, and my un-even skin color.
Conventional makeup is just “creepy”, just try to read a the ingredients label, the sad part is, you don’t see the effects of it until it is already late. I started using concealer when I was 15, I am now 24 and boy my dark circles have gone from “ok” to “purple-boxing eyes”! the more I would use concealer the worst they would get. And its not lack of sleep either.
Natural is always better and if any natural makeup can cover and eliminate my skin problems, then it has to be good. The body heals itself, I guess we just have to let it work! regular makeup = toxins, that’s EVERY DAY, all year-round. Just because you don’t drink it it doesn’t mean your body can’t absorb it!!
Either way, Sheer Cover or Bare Minerals are a much better alternative to traditional make up, don’t you think?
I Promise I will give my review as soon as I get my BM kit.
January 18th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I will get informed before I buy anything
May 6th, 2008 at 8:12 am
I have uber sensitive skin and I tend to sweat when I wear bare minerals more. I don’t know why…but, it looks pretty for about an hour, my face starts sweating and then it starts burning. I switched to sheer cover and I LOVE IT! It is the grayest thing since sliced bread! And I have never used the concealer, but can’t wait to after reading all the posts! Cheers ladies!
June 4th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I had done some research on Mineral Makeup, I ended up trying Bare Mineral and it made my face to shinny looking, I didn’t like it. So I tried Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup and I love it. She even carries a Liquid Mineral foundation and I love the Mineral Makeup in the Compact so far it is the only one on the market that comes in a compact. It is all natural. I have not tried Sheer Cover, I should just to compare to Jan Iredale’s..
June 11th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
which mineral makeup (sheer cover or bare minerals) works better on dark complexions?
July 20th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I have used Bare Minerals for a while and while I really liked it, I found that if you needed to apply more under your eyes it tended to look a little “muddy.” I’ve just ordered Sheer Cover and I’m really hopeful after reading all of these comments that it will be better. Overall, mineral makeup really is the best!!
August 11th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I have uber sensitive skin and I tend to sweat when I wear bare minerals more. I don’t know why…but, it looks pretty for about an hour, my face starts sweating and then it starts burning. I switched to sheer cover and I LOVE IT! It is the grayest thing since sliced bread! And I have never used the concealer, but can’t wait to after reading all the posts! Cheers ladies!
August 12th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I’M A SHEER COVER USER AND I THINK THAT IT GIVES MY SKIN A FRESH AND YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE.. NOT THAT I LOOK OLD ANYHOW… IT DOES COVER BLEMISHES AND OLD ACNE SPOTS.. I ALSO USE WEI EAST PRODUCTS.. THE EYES ALIVE AND THE FACE SERUM.. KEEPS ME LOOKING WELL RESTED
October 1st, 2008 at 7:50 am
Wow Cheryl
It sounds like you work for Sheer cover, or got a hefty backhander to write this review
The actual foundation itself is not too bad, but all the other crap you have to pay for is ridiculous! Moisturiser, cleanser (which doesnt clean off the make-up!!), shoddy “Professional” brushes that shed hairs all the time…the list goes on and on.
Not to mention the fact that you will pay $400 per year for the privilege of using this product. $400!!!!! For foundation!!!!
My advise, invest those funds in a decent under eye cream, moisturiser and spend the rest of a quality department store brand of makeup. You will be better off financially and your skin will thank you.
You also will not have to deal with the moronic company that sells this stuff. Just try getting a refund from them….
November 17th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
BEWARE OF PURITY MINERALSCIENCE - AKA LSC
MINERAL SCIENCE!
It’s a scam to get your credit card # for
automatic monthly billings. IF ?? the so-called trail offer for $7.99 ever arrives - (which it frequently doesn’t) and you try to
cancel, they inform you that you signed up
for auto billing and your next order will be
$59.95. Getting my credit card company to
deny charges is “against banking rules”; all I can do is refute charges….etc…etc.
Don’t get yourself caught in this trap. Google is doing a great job of spreading
the news in Ripoff.com and other pages.
November 29th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Wow Michelle…who’s the moron? You didn’t even spell her name right. It’s Sheryl, not Cheryl.
December 25th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I just wanted to know which one should buy between ( Sheer Cover, Bare Minerals, and Mac has also came out with this new line of mineral powder. I have very oily skin, acnce and acnce spots,and I’m dark skin. Please let me know.
March 25th, 2009 at 1:51 am
I have tried Sheer Cover & Bare Minerals, and for me Sheer cover worked the best at covering my old acne spots, evening out my skin tone and reducing the redness on my cheeks! I have medium/tan skin complextion with light to moderate acne (clearer in summer), and Sheer cover works amazingly. I recommend it to everyone I kno that has any imperfections on their faces. I did like Bare Minerals as well, but for nearly half the price I got basicly the same result if not improved slightly from Sheer Cover, its what i’ve used for 3 yrs and will for many more to come
March 30th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I used Purity Mineral Science and loved it! I did not order it though. A friend gave it to me. I wanted to order it, but I am afraid to after seeing all the negative comments. I have moderate adult acne and it improved some, plus the coverage was great. Not sure what I am going to use now. I have always used Mary Kay in the past, but the foundation (mineral) is not working for me.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:21 am
I read your blog for quite a long time and must tell that your articles are always valuable to readers.
May 18th, 2009 at 7:27 am
I’ve used Bare Minerals for 6 years and I think it is amazing. A lot of you sound like you might have purchased the get started pack or the offer from the infomercial, but, you can go to a Bare Minerals store and they will do your make-up and personalize it. They have more foundations in the store rather than just the light, tan, and dark. You can also check out Sephora and Ulta, they both sell Bare Minerals as well. And not only is Bare Minerals amazing I’m in love with all their fun and crazy eye colors and their buxom lip gloss. I actually think I’m addicted to Bare Minerals. LOL. There’s a store by my house, I go there almost every week.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Thanks to those warning about the Purity MineralScience offer. I almost got sucked into it because I missed that “free club” membership part of the terms and conditions. It gives them the permission to regularly send you product and bill you for it. I guess it’s true, though I keep having to learn it over and over: there is no free lunch!
February 5th, 2010 at 4:12 am
I personally LOVE Purity Mineral Science! I feel like I was suckered into ordering the free trial (they wouldn’t let me cancel the free trial when I called either even though they hadn’t even shipped it out!), but once I received and tried the makeup, I ended up deciding to keep it after all. The cost of the starter kit is comparable to Bare Minerals, but I think it is WAY better than Bare Minerals! It feels lighter, matches my skin tone perfectly (Bare Minerals made me too dark- and this was using the color that the girl at the store chose for me) evens out my skin, makes my skin look flawless, and it holds up well throughout the day. The foundation alone is a bit higher than Bare Minerals but for an extra $10, I don’t mind.
P.S. If you’re worried about the monthly billing, you can change your preferences to whatever you want for when you think you’ll be needing more product.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:14 am
Bare Minerals does have better brushes though.