Good, Better, Best: Mineral Foundation

One thing I want to get clear about makeup in general is that it's not good for your skin, even if it's advertised as something that will help your condition in this way or that. No. Not even mineral makeup. It may have ingredients that target conditions and help in some ways, but the very weight of the makeup on your face likely counteracts any "good" it's doing. If you want to get rid of your acne don't wear makeup for a few weeks. Painful, I know, but your primer and foundation will only go so far and it's a faster solution than waiting for your makeup to magically improve your skin in real life. It's better for your skin AND your brushes if dedicate yourself to a makeup fast until you feel that any acne-ness is under control. Your skin wants to breathe, if you continuously pile stuff on it will likely get mad at you and retaliate with vicious breakouts to see if you'll learn your lesson.

Good: Maybelline Mineral Power Powder Foundation (seriously, who named that?)

$10/ .28 oz

Pros: cheap, preservative free, talc free.

Mineral makeup on a budget. Don't bother with the brush (it's extremely coarse), I can't imagine it not irritating any skin type. 

Blendibility: Okay

Buildablitly: Meh

Cancer, allergen, and toxicity hazard (based off ingredients): moderate (don't let that scare you, everyone's going to die of cancer at this rate anyway).

Better: Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation

$18/ .28 oz

Pros: nice texture, non-comedogenic, long-wearing

Blendibility: good

Buildability: not as good and "effortless" as advertised. Still, not bad

Cancer, allergen, and toxicity hazard: moderate

Best: bareMinerals SPF 15 Original Foundation

$27/.21 oz

pros: lightweight, good coverage, good value (yes, I really think so), paraben free (don't know about preservative free...), non-drying

Blendability: the best

Buildability: very good

Cancer, allergen, and toxicity hazard: low

I know, it sucks when the best product is also the most expensive but I still feel like $27-30 is a good deal for how effective bareMinerals' foundation is. I was reluctant to like it and have avoided trying it for a long time because I prefer being cheap but I can't deny that this powder uses its power for good, not evil. This is definitely on the cheaper end of the foundation spectrum if you're a makeup counter shopper, but on the more expensive end of the spectrum if you're a drugstore foundation shopper (not that you're going to find this at Target, mind you). One thing I've noticed a TON with mineral makeup is how dry and irritated it can  make your skin feel after a couple hours, I would venture to guess that happens because some of them are formulated with certain sulfates, which bareMinerals is not. If you refuse to go on a makeup fast to clear your skin, I would recommend this foundation. Although I SWEAR the product itself won't improve your skin (as the advertisements suggest), it won't necessarily be bad for it and you may see improvement in your skin if you have a solid skincare regimen. 

P.S. if you are relying on the SPF that is advertised on your makeup, stop it. Get a real sunscreen.