Contains affiliate links. All opinions are honest, as always.
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.
Here I am wearing two laters and you can see that it covers better. The the pesky blue vein under my eye is still obvious, unfortunately.
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’)
A second layer gives better coverage, but honestly I don’t think it covers enough, particularly as it claims to give full coverage.
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.
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. Now I much prefer Madara CC Cream as a primer and to give a light coverage.
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!
UPDATE: BareMinerals is not as ‘clean’ as I like now, so I recommend either Love The Planet mineral make-up (see my review here) or Inika mineral foundation (see the review here).
Check out my recent reviews of clean beauty products here.
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Linking up with A Moment With Franca for #KCACOLS
What BB primer of theirs do you use?
Hi 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/
You never mentioned the shade you are using .
Hi Ash, thanks so much for your comment – I wear ‘Fairly Light’ in the Original and ‘Dawn 02’ in the Pro. Hope that helps 🙂
Great 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
So 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
Ah thanks so much Cassie, what a lovely compliment! And I’m glad you found it useful xx
I 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
Thanks Ali, I’m glad helped you! xx
Such 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
Thanks 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
Great 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
Thanks for popping by Nadine, I really love the brand xx
I 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
Ah 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
I’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
Thanks 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
Ivee 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
Ah 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
Thanks 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
Ah 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