Originally Posted by AprilRayne /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Candace, I have a question! I love mineral makeup but I was wondering where it actually comes from! Where do you get yours? Is it in the ground, is it rocks or dirt? I have no idea, but I know I love it! Is it everywhere or just in certain places? Do you have a crew that goes out and digs it up for you and then you grind it up? Also, how do you get the natural coloring? Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just fascinated by it! Hey you guys! ok I'll do a quick version and if anyone wants to add to go for it, we can all think back to school in let's see science where you studied rocks and minerals and saw pictures of really colorful rocks? ( lol I'm old I remember this but I have no idea if they still teach this stuff!) I know in my town there is even a speciality store that sell precious rocks,minerals,stones etc(they also vary in textures).............now if you recall those stones are beautiffuly colored all on thier own from nature.These are found all over the world no certain place. So though there are MMU companies that have been around no one can say they made it or are the creator of mineral makeup because it's been around since egytptian times, even though back then they were used in it's rawest forms. Now all these rocks and minerals have to be put through a process that makes them safe for use on our eyes,lips,face. Also even going through this process some still aren't FDA approved for certain areas.The company you buy from should make you aware of this ,hey don't use this on your eyes/lips.I want to touch back on the natural coloring for a minute though, like I said there are many great shades that occur naturally, but some companies do use additional methods to create a larger color range, such as lake dyes,and carmine. These are FDA approved ingredients as well and used in HUNDREDS of the cosmetics/foods you guys already love. So me myself I prefer to say "make the more natural choice" you guys already know that mineral makeup IS traditional makeup anyways....just without all the other added things companies put in to make it a liquid or compact. So just depending on the person YOU are investigate, all the companies that are out there! A lot of companies use strictly vegan ingredients ,paraben free etc and make their products as natural as possible.There are a lot of campanies out there and a lot of unique products to try. Hope I answered the basics of your questions April,I actually sent you 2 pm's answering you yesterday and evertime I clicked send a french women don't get fat banner popped up and I have no I dea what happened then! lol Candace