[Heifzilla]

The fact that Monave won't allow you to get samples of individual colors has prevented me from ordering from them. I can tell that the "light" samples have at least two colors that will not work with my skin at all, and the same for the medium. I am not paying $10 plus shipping when I know that two of the colors aren't going to work right off the bat.

Sorry they didn't work for you

[Qwerty]

Thanks you all for the advice. After receiving another foundation, I actually feel that Mineral Basics is better, much silkier and color-intense. Maybe I have been too vigorous "buffing" it in like Jewele says. It went on better the second day. Will practise, try it wet and with Thai's tut before giving it up. I'm all psyched as I have 4 more foundations coming and several mineral eyeshadows, and I ordered a bunch of powdered skincare raw ingredients like humectants to see if I can whip up something that finally fits my skin. This is fun, part science, part cooking, and all girly.

[Hoozey]

You can order Monave samples in whatever colors you like, you just don't get the other powders for free. I agree that they are pricer to try because of the premade samples at $10- I had one match out of the 4.
It really depends on the individual what will work best. Like Qwerty was saying. You have to find what's right for your individual skin but I think the results are worth it.

[Heifzilla]

Hoozey,

I didn't realize you could order the samples in single colors. I did find someone on ebay that sells Monave in sample sizes so I probably will give it a try now. After I get through the 9 or 10 other samples I am waiting for

[sailalong]

I’ve been using a modified wet method that gives me very natural results and very good coverage.

What I do is put moisturizer (either emu oil or a vitamin E complex) on my face right before my foundation application. I then put some foundation in my dish, swirl till the kabuki is loaded with power, and then tap the bottom of it on the table to get the powder into the bristles. Then, while my face is still damp, I lightly sweep on the foundation, only buffing in areas where I need extra coverage.

The result is an almost instant set-foundation look with no powdery areas. I’ve just about given up on finishing veils as all they do is seem to dry out my skin and make me look too powdery. I do have very dry skin though, so this probably would not work well for someone with oily skin.

[lilita]

I’ve been using a modified wet method that gives me very natural results and very good coverage.

What I do is put moisturizer (either emu oil or a vitamin E complex) on my face right before my foundation application. I then put some foundation in my dish, swirl till the kabuki is loaded with power, and then tap the bottom of it on the table to get the powder into the bristles. Then, while my face is still damp, I lightly sweep on the foundation, only buffing in areas where I need extra coverage.

The result is an almost instant set-foundation look with no powdery areas. I’ve just about given up on finishing veils as all they do is seem to dry out my skin and make me look too powdery. I do have very dry skin though, so this probably would not work well for someone with oily skin.

I also prefer this wet method and find that I look less powdery this way. I think maybe the moisture helps the minerals 'melt' into your skin faster, so they aren't sitting on top of your face..(?) Well, at least that's what I find when using Meow.

And instead of a finishing veil, most of the time I spritz with Mac Fix+ or a hydrosol (depends on my mood) and the result is more natural, slightly shiny.( I can't handle the powdery look)

[sailalong]

Originally Posted by lilita

I also prefer this wet method and find that I look less powdery this way. I think maybe the moisture helps the minerals 'melt' into your skin faster, so they aren't sitting on top of your face..(?) Well, at least that's what I find when using Meow.

And instead of a finishing veil, most of the time I spritz with Mac Fix+ or a hydrosol (depends on my mood) and the result is more natural, slightly shiny.( I can't handle the powdery look)

Yup, that’s the look I’m after as well. Initially, I used illuminizer to get a slightly sparkly look but I have since switched over to the shinier look I get from the moisturizer application method.

I’ve been thinking about getting some Fix+ to set my MMU, is it worth the extra $$?

What’s hydrosol?

[lilita]

I like Fix+ but I don't think you *need* it.(I already had some anyway) I have read that even water in a spritzer bottle would work just as well.

A hydrosol is a 'water extract from distilled essential oils', a natural spritzer. I can't tell if it is more or less effective than Fix+ as a makeup setter, but I like that hydrosols have healing/moisturizing properties, are good for your skin, and come in different fragrances. For example -
http://www.gardenofwisdom.shoppingca.../hydrosol.html

I am using the Lavendar hydrosol from GoW and I love this. Lavendar also has antibacterial properties so I imagine that this sorta helps keep my brush germ-free...

[fishchick72]

I think a lot has to do with HOW you apply & what brush you're using. And if you're using a primer or not.

[blondie36]

Originally Posted by fishchick72

I think a lot has to do with HOW you apply & what brush you're using. And if you're using a primer or not.

i agree

[Hoozey]

Originally Posted by sailalong

I’ve been using a modified wet method that gives me very natural results and very good coverage.

What I do is put moisturizer (either emu oil or a vitamin E complex) on my face right before my foundation application. I then put some foundation in my dish, swirl till the kabuki is loaded with power, and then tap the bottom of it on the table to get the powder into the bristles. Then, while my face is still damp, I lightly sweep on the foundation, only buffing in areas where I need extra coverage.

The result is an almost instant set-foundation look with no powdery areas. I’ve just about given up on finishing veils as all they do is seem to dry out my skin and make me look too powdery. I do have very dry skin though, so this probably would not work well for someone with oily skin.

I too have found that if I apply my mmu on while my moisturizer is still not completely soaked in, that it gives me a really pretty finish instantly. Now I just have to make a point of doing this routinely. Sometimes I get distracted and then it's totally dry.

[stashblaster]

Originally Posted by Heifzilla

The fact that Monave won't allow you to get samples of individual colors has prevented me from ordering from them. I can tell that the "light" samples have at least two colors that will not work with my skin at all, and the same for the medium. I am not paying $10 plus shipping when I know that two of the colors aren't going to work right off the bat.

Sorry they didn't work for you

You can order Monave samples at littlestuff4u.com. The samples are $5.00 but the jars hold a lot of foundation (10 gr jars). I haven't been on the Monave site for a while so I don't know if the samples are the same size or not. I have three jars of samples. If the jars are the same size, I could have saved some money.