The Fair Foundation Files: Buxom Show Some Skin Foundation in Dim the Lights

Hey Pandas!
"The Fair Foundation Files" will be a mini-series going on in the next few weeks because I have recently picked up a handful of foundations specifically for my fair skin and skin needs. I know this won't be the most helpful for all my readers because not everyone has this skin tone and I am aware of that, but I also know for many it can be a problem to find a very light foundation shade. At the very least, I hope my comments on the formula of the foundations are helpful, and you can choose your own shade.
See my first post to learn more about my skin and needs/wants!

There has been some buzz about this new foundation that just launched from the bareMinerals line Buxom. I recently got a sample of this and was eager to try it out.
This is Buxom Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation in the shade Dim the Lights.

• This boasts light to medium coverage and broad spectrum SPF 30.
• Dim the Lights is described as a "warm yellow shade for light skin tones"
• Honestly, the fairest shade Fair Game would probably suit me better, but samples only came in a few shades. I have neutral undertones but this was still a decent match.
• The price is $34 and this is formulated with tamarind, Vitamin C, and marine algae extracts to give skin 8 hours of moisturized wear.

As you can see, it pulls a bit yellow on my skin. bareMinerals suggests using only a pearl size amount, like what you see above, but I used about 7 times that to see any coverage.

The dewy, slightly yellow patch in the picture above is the foundation blended into my skin. This is a dewy finish formula.

This is about a third of my tiny sample tube on my face, and I was still a bit red on my nose and it did not cover my acne on my chin. 

But I can't complain much, as it is specifically stated this gives light to medium coverage. Emphasis on LIGHT. It was easy breezy to wear, didn't oxidize, lasted about 7 hours, so overall, pretty close to the claim, and moisturized my skin. My chin and nose got a bit oily throughout the day, but blotting or powder takes care of that.

Likes: 

• The SPF!
• I love the Buxom/bareMinerals brand and trust it won't break me out (and it didn't)
• The added moisture
• The dewy glow

Dislikes: 

• I still felt uncomfortable with the coverage
• Felt it was a bit too yellow on my skin

Overall: I like this to an awesome tinted moisturizer with SPF, not really a foundation. Maybe almost like a U.S. CC Cream for me. Not much coverage but great skincare benefits, moisture, and a dewy glow. This will be a nice foundation for the weekends, but it is a bit too much moisture and not enough coverage for school and work. But if you have dehydrated skin and not many blemishes, give this a go!

The Fair Foundation Files: bareMinerals Original in Fair

Hey Pandas!
"The Fair Foundation Files" will be a mini-series going on in the next few weeks because I have recently picked up a handful of foundations specifically for my fair skin and skin needs. I know this won't be the most helpful for all my readers because not everyone has this skin tone and I am aware of that, but I also know for many it can be a problem to find a very light foundation shade. At the very least, I hope my comments on the formula of the foundations are helpful, and you can choose your own shade.
Let me preface this series by describing my skin and my needs.
My Skin: 

• Used to be very oily, but now is only oily mid-day on my t-zone. Cheeks, chin, forehead are very dry. 
• I have fairly sensitive skin (sensitive to lots of fragrance) and my pores clog easily.
• I suffer from monthly breakouts but am currently dealing with some minor acne scarring on my cheeks.
• My skin is very very fair. It used to be darker, with yellower undertones, but I have found lately that my undertones are more neutral.

My Needs/Wants:

• I want medium to full coverage foundation.
• I want a foundation that won't break me out.
• It needs to last through my hectic days.
• It should have SPF.
• It needs to not oxidize.
• It needs to be a very close match to my coloring.

Now that we have that out of the way, I want to introduce you to the first contender: bareMinerals Original SPF 15 in Fair.
I used to wear Fairly Light not long ago, but recently found it a bit too yellow for my skin. I have used all versions of bareMinerals (original, matte, and pressed). I decided to try the original formula again because the matte broke me out and the pressed did the same thing but was $2 more.
This foundation is $27 and comes with .28oz of product (I apply A LOT for full coverage, so it lasts me about 2 1/2 months). It also has an SPF 15 which is an added benefit and is good for the skin.
Active Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 12.6%, Zinc Oxide 21%. Inactive Ingredients: Bismuth Oxychloride, Mica, Iron Oxides, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide.

Fair is the lightest shade offered and is very, very light with slight pinkish undertones. This is touted to last 8 hours.

I like the newer sliding lid so you can twist it to cover the sifting holes and save from spills. If you are familiar with bareMinerals at all, the typical way to apply is to dip a face brush in the minerals, swirl in the cap, tap the excess off, and buff onto face.

But since I want full coverage, I dip a kabuki brush directly into the minerals and then buff on my face. This gives fully coverage and in my opinion, is less wasteful of product if you were to tap off the excess.

This is a swatch on my hand, and as you can see, it is a few shades lighter than my skin tone here. It has a luminous finish and is incredibly forgiving and buildable.

Please forgive this picture--- but I am ONLY wearing bareMinerals foundation in Fair. No eyebrows, no mascara, no lippies, no concealer except for bringing the powder up under my eyes. Hopefully you can get a feel for how this covers and my skin tone.

I feel this is a nice match for my skin tone, even though it is the lightest foundation I own. Definitely looks better on my than Fairly Light, but is a smidge too pinky.

Likes:

• Is breathable and I know it won't irritate my skin.
• Fragrance free.
• Easy and quick to apply- very forgiving.
• Gives skin a dewy glow.

Dislikes:

• A bit too fair/pinky
• Lasts only about 6 hours, not 8, before it starts to fade.
• Powder is hard to mix with cream blushes, etc.
• Does not cover my acne scars fully.

I'm torn on this, but overall, I would suggest it for someone with very good skin already and who wants to keep it that way. This foundation is my old standby and I know it won't disappoint. Be prepared to blot midday, even if you have drier skin like mine. I have definitely found my weekend foundation for when i want a low-maintenance look--but it didn't quite hit all my criteria.

Join me next time for more on my foundation search!