
Bare Minerals (Bare Escentuals)
Complexion Rescue Defense Radiant Protective Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 30
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BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Defense Radiant Protective Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 30 offers some strong positives but a couple of negatives keep it from being as brilliant as it might seem.
Beautifully packaged in an opaque tube topped with a pump dispenser, this lightweight cream for all skin types provides gentle, mineral-based broad-spectrum sun protection. Promotional videos for this product mention the sunscreens are chemical-free, but that’s misleading because mineral sunscreens are absolutely chemicals—everything in cosmetics is a chemical, even natural ingredients (including water!).
In use, we found this easy to blend and loved the subtle illumination it leaves behind, not to mention there’s little to no trace of white cast.
What we weren’t so fond of was that once this sets it tends to feel sticky to the touch rather than smooth. Despite this, the finish doesn’t feel thick or occlusive on skin.
Note that this product tends to emphasize large pores if not really carefully blended, and it works best applied over other skin care products (like primer or serum) instead of applying to bare skin.
Back to the positives, this contains many pollution- and blue light-protecting antioxidants and the aforementioned packaging ensure these great, but air- and light-sensitive, ingredients remain stable during use.
On the downside, BareMinerals added fragrance ingredients to this daytime moisturizer. They don’t add up to a strong scent, but it does linger, and fragrance ingredients like limonene and hexyl cinnamal are known irritants. Sadly, this just misses the mark and isn’t preferred to the best daytime moisturizers with sunscreen.
- Provides gentle, mineral-based sun protection.
- Sheer illumination enlivens all skin tones.
- Easy to blend, little to no white cast.
- Contains pollution-fighting antioxidants in stable packaging.
- Once set, this feels sticky rather than smooth.
- Contains several fragrance ingredients that pose a risk of irritation.
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Defense Radiant Protective Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is formulated with sugar molecules to help block blue light plus pollution particles and mineral SPF 30 to protect against sun damage, for optimal indoor and outdoor protection. Enhance and even the appearance of skintone with natural pearl for a lit from within glow for all skintones.
Bare Escentuals At-a-Glance
Makeup is what this San Francisco-based cosmetics line is primarily about, and they use the pure and natural marketing angle to entice consumers. Founded in 1976 by Diane Ranger, who left the company in the early '90s Bare Escentuals was one of the first brands to introduce the concept of loose powder foundation. Since then, they have moved beyond it to include liquid foundations and tinted moisturizers and an ever expanding line of color cosmetics as well as skincare products.
The products are sold in most Sephora boutiques and Ulta stores, though the full selection of skincare products is most often found at the Bare Escentuals freestanding stores scattered throughout the United States.
We should note that loose powder makeup does take some practice to get the hang of, yet there is no denying that this type of foundation has its fan base. There is a lot to love about Bare Escentuals, even if mineral makeup isn't your thing (especially their price ranges, which have remained affordable in comparison to many of their neighbors at Sephora).
Strengths: Good makeup removers; a few well-formulated powders with SPF; some nice eyeshadows and impressive mascaras; some impressive foundations; several elegant brush options; not too expensive.
Weaknesses: Some of the loose powder products have texture and finish concerns; some of the skincare contain potentially problematic ingredients.
For more information about Bare Escentuals, call 1.888.795.4747 or visit www.bareescentuals.com.
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The Beautypedia team consists of skin care and makeup experts personally trained by the original Cosmetics Cop and best-selling beauty author, Paula Begoun. We’re fascinated by skin care and makeup products and thrilled when they meet or exceed our expectations, but we’re also disappointed when they fail to perform as claimed, are wildly overpriced, or contain ingredients scientific research has proven can hurt skin.
Our mission has always been to help you find the best products for your skin, no matter your budget or preferences. Beautypedia’s thorough and insightful reviews cut through the hype and provide reliable recommendations for all ages, skin types, and skin tones.
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