Product Review: EARTHEN GLOW MINERALS

Earthen Glow Minerals is a promising mineral makeup store launched at the last quarter of 2008. I ordered two sets of Get Acquainted Sample Kit. Each kit contains my choice of 3 loose mineral foundations, 1 finishing powder and 1 blush. My orders took only less than two weeks to arrive.

It’s fun browsing the color chart but because of the many shades available to choose from, it could also cause you headache in selecting a foundation that is most suitable for you in every way, color, texture, and coverage. But one good thing about mineral makeup stores, they allow us to order a sample or better yet a sampler kit. This way, it allows us to select several foundation colors and more with minimal investment.

Price:
Sample Kit (in jars): $5.00
Sample Kit (in bags): $3.50
Shipping (First Class International USPS): $2.50
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Total (payment thru Paypal): $11.00

Plus $0.75 (P35.00) Philippine Postal Fee (grrr..)

All samples in jars (foundie, finpow and blushes) came in a round sample jars with black covers and sifters. But three of the samples arrived with loose caps. I tried to tighten the cap coverings but it seems that the cap and the jar don’t fit together. I wished that the sifter holes were sealed so the pigments shouldn’t have spilled. It turned out that the cheaper samples in bag ($3.50) contained more pigments than those in jars ($5).

BLUSHES:

Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Premium grade serecite (colorless mica), Iron Oxide.

I got Blush of Youth and Peaches n Cream. A little dusting of blush in the apples of the cheeks gives a lil color and depth (not flat!) The blushes have enough sheen for a radiant glow. For me, Blush of Youth is a reminiscent of my favorite blusher/bronzer- E.L.F. Glow, but the former is a bit darker.

FOUNDATION:

Earthen Glow Minerals offers four (4) Mineral Foundation formulas:

• Youthful Glow- Offers medium coverage with a natural and Youthful Radiant Glow.
• Cover Me- Heaviest mineral foundation, providing a beautiful, natural finish with the slightest Glow.
• Light & Natural- Feather light coverage, Mineral foundation. Rice Based Formula. Light coverage, Matte finish, good for oily skin.
• Liquid Minerals- A natural liquid mineral foundation that contains Primrose oil, it provides medium coverage with a matte finish.

These foundations cover a wide range of complexions, and it is interesting to note that Earthen Glow Minerals have more than a hundred shades available that are categorized into four groups:

• Beige - Neutral Family
• Cool - Olive family
• Yellow Family
• Warm - Peach Family

Here’s what I got:

Youthful Glow Foundation:

Medium coverage with a natural youthful glow, producing that beautiful natural look.

Ingredients: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Oxides, May contain Ultramarine Blue oxides.

Adya (Yellow Family)







Mailee (Yellow Family)





Sung (Yellow Family)






Janelle (Cool and Olive Family)

Light & Natural Foundation:

Light coverage foundation. A rice based formula that is good for all skin types and naturally effective controlling the oil secreted by oily skin.

Ingredients: Rice Powder, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Oxides, May contain Ultramarine Blue oxides.

Kelly (Yellow Family)

Melissa (Yellow Family)

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The texture and feel is not chalky, instead, it glides smoothly and I feel like it melts onto my skin quite nice, it reminds me of Lumiere (one of my HG foundations). It’s just the way I want the finish: dewy, radiant, and with “youthful glow”. However, use a proper concealer if you need to cover up blemishes. It caters those who prefer medium coverage. It is not that longwearing but I think a makeup primer would solve this.

Light and Natural on the other hand, is more concerned on controlling the oiliness. The rice powder ingredient is an important ingredient if you desire light coverage with a matte finish.

Up to this writing, I still haven’t found my exact shade without mixing. But Mailee is a favorite, and a close match. Also with Sung + Janelle. Kelly is almost like a second skin too. I can also wear Adya. Well, I really can’t figure out because they are all so nice.

FINISHING POWDER:

High Definition Pro
Ingredients: Silica Micro spheres, Micas.

”High Definition Pro Finishing Powder is excellent for those with oily skin who may need a little additional power before and after applying the foundation.”

-from EGM website

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I have never seen any loose powder so finely milled as this powder. It feels like I am touching cornstarch when I swipe the colors. It's that fine and smooth. There is hardly powder flying around unless I swipe it hard. Using a stippling brush, it just glides onto the skin effortlessly and evenly. I can use it solely over moisturizer and concealer, but I find better outcome when used with Earthen Mineral foundation underneath. It doesn't offer coverage nor does it change complexion much. But I don’t regret choosing only High Definition Powder for my two kits, as I was not that tempted to try the other variants (Silk Botanical and Soft Focus)- guilty about my Dream World Crème Toppings that I haven’t been touched.

According to Earthen Glow Minerals website, their formulas are kept as natural as possible and do not contain artificial fragrances, colors, waxes, preservatives or fillers in loose mineral cosmetic formulas. The ingredients/ agents mentioned are believed to often lead to skin irritation.

Furthermore, their mineral cosmetics have no organic materials in them except their rice powders such as the Silk Botanical finishing powder. These organic ingredients have indefinite shelf lives provided they are kept in cool, dark, dry areas.

Shelf Life:

Ordinary Foundation: 6 to 12 months
Mineral Foundation: No expiration date as long as kept dry

Traditional Blush: Powder: 2 years, Cream: 1 year
Mineral Blush: No expiration date as long as kept dry

Traditional Eye Shadow: 2 years, Cream: 6 to 12 months
Mineral Eye shadow: No expiration date as long as kept dry

Mascara: 3 months
Lipstick: 2 years

CONCLUSION:
No bumps or allergic reactions were experienced with the foundation and finishing powder. Despite the spillage experience, Earthen Glow Minerals has become one of my favorite mineral makeup available online.