BareMinerals Mineral Foundation Original Vs Bare Pro Performance Wear Foundation
This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click through a link and buy something, I may receive a small commission. Find my full disclosure policy here.
Do you like BareMinerals Mineral Foundation? Their Original Mineral Foundation was the first ‘green’ foundation I found that I really liked. I’ve also tried the Matte version (too chalky for me) and their now-discontinued Ready Foundation (which I didn’t like at all). When I heard about their latest launch: Bare Pro Performance Wear Powder Foundation, I really wanted to love it. Read on to see how they compare.
Described as giving a “full coverage” “flawless matte finish”, Bare Pro Performance Wear Powder Foundation has “12 hour wear”. It’s “formulated with 90% vitamins and minerals.” It claims to be cake-free, and that it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
BareMinerals Original SPF15 Foundation Form
In case you aren’t familiar with the legendary BareMinerals Original SPF15 Foundation, it’s a powder that magically buffs into your skin with a kabuki brush. It gives the coverage of a liquid foundation but looks so much more natural. The powder itself is natural too, made up of mineral pigments. It is a little messy to apply, so I was hoping the Bare Pro Foundation would be the solution. 
BareMinerals Bare Pro Foundation Form
The new kid on the block is a replacement for the Ready compact foundation, which I found really heavy, and cloggy. You are supposed to apply it with a special brush, but I had already forked out for the one for the Ready foundation so I just used that. This foundation comes in a better range of shades than Ready, and is much lighter in texture. I found it to be more like a normal pressed powder in consistency, and is certainly less messy than the loose foundation.
BareMinerals Original SPF15 Foundation Coverage
I have put on one layer of BareMinerals Original Foundation here (I wear the shade ‘Fairly Light’). Hopefully you can see that it covers fairly well, with a slightly radiant finish.
-
- One layer of BareMinerals Original Foundation.
-
- One layer of BareMinerals Original Foundation.
Here I am wearing two laters and you can see that it covers better. The the pesky blue vein under my eye is still painfully obvious, unfortunately.
-
- Two layers of BareMinerals Original Foundation.
-
- Two layers of BareMinerals Original Foundation.
BareMinerals Bare Pro Foundation Coverage
In these photos I’m wearing one layer of BareMinerals Bare Pro Foundation, and it doesn’t cover as well. It has more of a matte finish, but on the whole I prefer the more radiant finish of the original. (I wear the shade ‘Dawn 02’)
-
- One layer of BareMinerals Bare Pro Foundation.
-
- One layer of BareMinerals Bare Pro Foundation.
A second layer gives better coverage, but honestly I don’t think it covers enough, particularly as it claims to give full coverage.
-
- Two layers of BareMinerals Bare Pro Foundation.
-
- Two layers of BareMinerals Bare Pro Foundation.
Comparing BareMinerals Mineral Foundation and Bare Pro Performance Wear Coverage
So just to make it clearer, here are the two layer pictures next to each other. I realise the lighting is better on the left, but the coverage is definitely better, and more flattering.
-
- Two layers of BareMinerals Original Foundation.
-
- Two layers of BareMinerals Bare Pro Foundation.
My spots and scars are still visible, as is that blue vein. I also find the Pro gets a bit cloggy when you add an extra layer, which isn’t ideal. It is better at covering enlarged pores, gives a nice smooth finish, and it lasts well too.
Normally, I wear a BareMinerals BB Primer before I add foundation, and I would really recommend this step. The primer makes both types of foundation last longer, and stops skin getting too shiny as well as giving light coverage. I’m not wearing that in the photos above though, so you can see the effect of the foundations on their own.
So at the moment, I’m using the Bare Pro as a finishing powder, over my Original Foundation, and that works really well. 
But if I had to choose just one, I would definitely choose the Original BareMinerals Mineral Foundation.
In this photo, I’m also wearing PHB Ethical Beauty Mascara and Blusher.
I normally buy BareMinerals mineral foundation from Look Fantastic. They often have good offers on this brand, and about a gazillion others!
Have you discovered any great natural brands? I’d love recommendations please!
Why not Pin this for later?
Linking up with A Moment With Franca for #KCACOLS
Katie
7th September 2018 at 1:17 amWhat BB primer of theirs do you use?
Becky Pink
7th September 2018 at 9:43 pmHi Katie, I used two use bareMinerals Prime Time BB Primer, but have since discovered a gorgeous CC Cream from Madara which I love even more – you can read about it here if you like x https://pinkscharming.com/beauty-boosts/madara-hyaluronic-anti-pollution-cc-cream-spf15-review/
Ash
14th August 2018 at 3:57 pmYou never mentioned the shade you are using .
Becky Pink
18th August 2018 at 6:08 pmHi Ash, thanks so much for your comment – I wear ‘Fairly Light’ in the Original and ‘Dawn 02’ in the Pro. Hope that helps 🙂
Geraldine
2nd March 2017 at 5:11 pmGreat review. I’ve never used bare minerals but have heard about it before. I definitely need to invest in something that takes the grey look off my face and this might do the trick. My current makeup is working as well as it used to #kcacols
Cassie
27th February 2017 at 9:24 pmSo good to read an honest review of this product. The adverts make it appear to be a miracle but clearly it isn’t as it’s not giving you the coverage you hoped for. You are beautiful btw. Vein or no vein. We all have to have a quality to make us unique huh.
#KCACOLS
Becky Pink
28th February 2017 at 2:01 pmAh thanks so much Cassie, what a lovely compliment! And I’m glad you found it useful xx
Ali Duke
26th February 2017 at 5:17 pmI have looked at getting the Bare minerals foundation before but wasn’t sure if it would cover very well. After reading this is have a much better idea, thank you.
#KCACOLS
Becky Pink
2nd March 2017 at 11:02 amThanks Ali, I’m glad helped you! xx
Madeline (this Glorious Life)
26th February 2017 at 10:18 amSuch a useful review, I love all the different photos so you can actually see the different results. I’m still looking for the perfect products for my skin, so really enjoy reading about what other people use and like. x #KCACOLS
Becky Pink
26th February 2017 at 10:00 pmThanks so much Madeline, I’m really pleased you found it useful! It can be a real minefield finding the right products can’t it! I’ve had my fair share of duds so I really like sharing the ones that are winners, so that other people can benefit! xx
Nadine
22nd February 2017 at 3:48 amGreat review! I’m not huge in makeup but I’ve used bare minerals in the past and it always felt very light and natural. It would definitely be a go to for me if I wore makeup regularly. #kcacols
Becky Pink
22nd February 2017 at 10:25 amThanks for popping by Nadine, I really love the brand xx
Mrs Morgan Plus 3
21st February 2017 at 9:58 pmI have been thinking about trying this foundation and didn’t know which one to try so loved reading this 🙂 will definitely be trying the original! do you use the concealer that goes with it? Thank you for linking up with #KCACOLS we hope to see you again next time xx
Becky Pink
21st February 2017 at 10:58 pmAh good I’m so glad to help! I have three different BareMinerals concealers, the powder one, the solid one in a little mini compact, and the liquid one in a tube. The last one is my favourite, it’s brilliant xx
Nicole | The Professional Mom Project
19th February 2017 at 3:15 amI’ve always wanted to try bare minerals. Love that it’s more natural. Now I know if I decide to pick some up that I should go with the original. Thanks! #KCACOLS
Becky Pink
19th February 2017 at 9:07 amThanks Nicola – I’m trying to cut chemicals out of my beauty regime so this is a great way to make a start as it works so well! xx
kristin mccarthy
19th February 2017 at 3:03 amIvee been meaning to try Bare Minerals for ages. I feel like as soon as I find something I like, my skin changes and I need to find something else/
#KCACOLS
Becky Pink
19th February 2017 at 9:08 amAh I know the feeling Kristin! That’s one of the great things about BareMinerals – it’s really gentle so it doesn’t irritate skin or cause breakouts! xx
Laura's Lovely Blog
17th February 2017 at 8:41 pmThanks for this review! I nearly bought the pro foundation last time & I found some American reviews that said similar to you that the coverage is not as good. I will stick with my much loved original! I also think I need to check out the BB primer. Thanks Becky
Becky Pink
18th February 2017 at 10:44 pmAh I’m glad you found it useful, if you love the Original, I would stay with that, as it’s more flattering in my opinion, even if it’s a bit messy! xx