I have combination skin, with an oily T-zone, some small dry patches of skin, and light to moderate acne scarring. I've used many foundations up until now, my previous favorites being Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua and Too Faced's Born This Way. I recently picked up the BareMinerals Matte Foundation, since I saw so many rave reviews about it. I've never tried a loose powder foundation, because I thought that 1. It wouldn't stay on all day, 2. It wouldn't have enough coverage, and 3. It would be flaky on my dry skin patches. I was SO wrong, on all three counts! I am FLOORED by how incredible this foundation is. It's silky, light, smooth, and VERY pigmented. I use a buffing brush and all my blemishes are really blurred away. If I want them totally gone, I'll use a liquid concealer underneath this foundation first. I personally went one shade lighter for this foundation -- not one exact shade step up, but instead of being Medium-Warm tone, I went to Light-Warm tone instead. It matches my skin perfectly, even down to my neck and collarbones. No more having to blend down my neck! Also, the matte nature of this foundation isn't the typical dull cake-face matte. Your face will still have dimension and look healthy. I think this is just less sheer for people with oily skin that the "Original" BareMinerals foundation didn't work as well for. « less

I had done quite a bit of research looking for a new foundation, as my combination skin recently became unusually oily. I am more of a liquid foundation girl, but was overwhelmed with the recommendation and reviews for this product. Every single thing i heard seemed to spout that it was like no other powder and improved the skins look by ten times. I also like a medium look over high coverage, so was glad this wasnt cakey. Well, it isn't cakey and doesnt clump like so many powders, it is like a soft velvet finish, but thats where the positives ended for me. Firstly, it takes forever to apply, as dabbing, tapping excess then thoroughly buffing into the skin is extremely time consuming. And it is very sheer coverage. It barely covers or evens my skin at all, to the point where my friends and colleagues have started questioning if there is a reason I have stopped wearing makeup. I suppose it could work well if you have very even toned skin naturally, but I expect majority of purchasers of this product are looking for coverage. I am hesitant to use bare minerals again. « less

I was a bit reluctant to try a powder foundation after sticking to liquid/cream foundations for many years. I wish I'd tried this sooner! I use a large powder brush to apply & a little really does go a long way! Even though this is a powder, the finish on my skin is anything but powdery! It actually leaves a creamy texture to the skin & 'so far' this product stays put all day (& I have incredibly oily skin). It's more of a 'medium' coverage so I do still use concealer underneath to mask blemishes/redness. My only criticism would be the packaging as there is A LOT of wastage with the powder as you have to shake the powder into the lid to use it. It might not last quite as long as I'd hoped!

Bare Escendtuals' new matte foundation is the product I've been looking for all my life. I have disgustingly oily skin that makes my face shine like a solar panel. After trying so many products that promised the moon I finally found one that delivers real results.Staying power: Normally about 3 hours after I apply my makeup oil starts to seep through. After 4-5 hours my entire face (not just my T-zone) looks like the Exxon-Valdez oil spill. After 8 hours my make-up is sliding off of my face. Using BM Matte foundation I don't see any shine on my face until around 6 hours after I apply. My face only gets really shiny after about 8 hours. Then I simply apply some blotting powder, and I'm set for another 3 hours or so. This makeup truly lasts all day. Out of the zillions of other "mattifying" products I've tried this is the *only* one that works.Coverage: Like most mineral makeups, BM Matte provides a light to medium coverage. It evens skin tone and minimizes pores, but for larger blemishes like pimples or scars you definitely need some concealer.Application: BM Matte is easy to apply. I recommend using their oil-control primer in order to prep your skin. Apply primer, and allow 1-2 minutes to dry. Then use a thick soft brush (I use a Kabuki brush) and follow the instructions. Be sure not to apply too much otherwise your make up will look powdery. Mineral makeup has to "settle in" so to speak, so start slow. Mineral make-up can be somewhat annoying because it gets everywhere. I'm usually very careful not to let any spill, but somehow I usually find tiny hills of powder on my counter. I do love the new locking system that prevents all of the powder from spilling out if you carry the container in your purse.Finish: BM Matte provides an excellent finish that makes my skin radiant and matte. It doesn't, however, give you that air-brushed look like liquid foundation or anything with heavier coverage. However, it does look way more natural.Color: BM creates enough shades that it's easy to match your foundation to your skin type. Their lightest color is a lot lighter than many other foundations, so fair-skinned ladies rejoice. Their colors are very easy to blend so you can get just the right shade. I use fair and fairly light, and I no longer have to worry about that hideous line that divides my face from my neck. One thing to watch out for is that the foundation does become a bit orange from oxidizing. However, this is easily fixed by blotting powder. I use a medium tone blotting powder, and it makes my foundation looks perfect again.Skin-friendly: I can't vouch for the quality of the ingredients or their ability to clear up your skin, but I can say that BM is a lot better for your skin than most foundations. It's light so it doesn't clog pores, and you don't get that heavy feeling at the end of the day like you've got mud on your face. I really love the fact that it protects your skin from the sun, because sun-block clogs my pores like nothing else (not to mention it makes my face even *oilier*). However, you do have to be careful because it does dry your skin out a little. Your face naturally produces oil in order to keep it moisturized, so the lack of oil created from the matte finish means your skin will dry (especially if you use the oil-control primer). However, the drying is not as severe as many acne-fighting products, so I simply started applying moisturizer in the morning as well as at night and I don't have a problem. « less

I have combo-oily skin, with that dreaded oily t-zone and dry outer face. I have always been afraid to use loose powder foundations, since I feared that it would be literally nothing on my face. After frustrations with liquid foundations and my skin looking gross and unnatural mid-day, I caved and went into my local Ulta to try and find something different.A lovely young lady suggested this to me when telling her about my skin type and such, and she brought this foundation over to me. The first thing I thought was "No. No. No." But I gave it a chance and let her apply it to my face... and I found it to give surprisingly good coverage and great pigmentation on my skin for a loose powder foundation. I did end up buying it, after my first impression with it and all of the rave reviews.Two weeks later? Ridiculously blown away. You do have to get the hang of using it and doing that "swirl, tap, and buff" method. It is very easy to build up and does not look cakey on my skin annnywhere.I have found that using a primer and setting spray is a great addition to help with the longevity of this foundation. It gives my skin a nice "no make up" make up effect, and I truly do feel that this foundation contributes to my bare skin looking brighter and feeling smoother all-around. Even my boyfriend mentioned that this foundation looks more natural on me... which is exactly what I go for: no cake face... just an enhanced face that can still breathe.I say that if you're skeptical, go for it. I certainly was at first, but I think that this foundation changed the game for me. Definitely don't regret my purchase! « less