[Stellaria]

I've noticed that a lot of you have experienced differences in coverage between different brands, even when those brands use exactly the same ingredients in their formulas.

So, given an ingredients list of: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Mica, Iron Oxides, and Ultramarine....what makes the difference in which ones cover better?

[Adrienne]

My thought would be the actual amounts of each ingredient that they use.

[Stellaria]

That's what I was thinking....but does anyone know *which* ingredient makes the difference?

For instance, if you're looking for a heavier coverage, but still want to stick to all-mineral, which ingredient would you look for to be first in the list (indicating the highest content)?

[Kamicha]

Mica is quite translucent filler, titanium & zinc oxides are white pigments that provide coverage, iron oxides and ultramarine are there for color (other than white). But I guess that particle size has something to do with coverage, too. But usually when mica is the first ingredient, the base tends to be sheer.

Of course that is not totally straightforward, because actual amounts are never told in INCI.

[simisimi100]

when I use in foundation that their list ingrediets strat in TD its will be with a full coverage..

[Scooter]

Zinc and Titanium Dioxide are what usually will give the coverage. Micronized minerals will be more sheer. BUT... don't depend on the order on the ingredients - I just found out that "colorants" can be in any order (not from most to least), and both Zinc and Titanium are considered "colorants". So what the label says may or may not be what you "think" you're reading.

[laurie_lu]

Foundations that contain Kaolin Clay help the minerals adhere to the skin better and longer.

[egyptomaniac]

Well, for me, and I know others have said this, Cory MMU has about the heaviest foundation coverage I've ever seen, and she uses straight titanium dioxide, iron oxides only. I think Titanium dioxide gives the heaviest coverage.
Everything else I've tried has other things added like zinc oxide or mica or other fillers. If you ask me, all that other stuff takes away from the coverage.
I always look and the ingredients and if titanium or zinc oxide are first, it usually means heavier coverage. And the fewer ingredients listed, the better.
Cory is by far my favorite. Her stuff can cover anything!! You literally need just a few tiny specks of her foundation to cover your whole face. The one foundation I have of hers will last me YEARS!!

[n_o_k_k_i_e]

not sure...but mica seems to make foundation sheer and glow
because i like sheer coverage...and i always look for mica in first ingredient
you may look for less mica formula...