Sterling Minerals Foundation

10 Reviews

1. 

   affectedTacos1

   Reply

   Sterling minerals is the only brand of “mineral” foundation I can wear. bare minerals makes me itch and sparkle like a disco ball, these are absolutely no good at all for sensitive skin. Sterling minerals is a brand, based in the USA and although I’m from the UK it’s 100% worth my while getting it shipped over because all the products are superb. They last well too I had my foundation a year before I needed a new one I use the foundation in delicate Jennifer – for dry sensitive skin, there’s a guide on the website helping you pick out exactly what is right for you. I’m very pale & I’ve finally found a colour pale enough! annnnddd it doesn’t settle into fine lines either – the trick is to use a lot less than you think and”refresh” it if you need to by going over with a clean brush, I mix a bit of the Veil in with the foundation to start with. Veils great for minimising pores on its own. You can’t go wrong. Choices are limited but there’s a mineral veil I use and a treatment with zinc, also mineral. this stuff is the real deal, won’t give you spots, make you itch etc, very few ingredients and no freaking Bismuth! OMFG that is in everything wtf? Beauty industry – trying to sell you product that will ruin your skin. look at the ingredients people! Sterling minerals is the one try it. And no I don’t work for them I just know a good company when I see it. The skincare is great too, used to love the rich moisturizer I used to buy now I use the one from the Dr for sensitive skin. I love this stuff, it’s my HG & the blusher is perfect if you go by the guide you can’t go wrong (I’m a bit nervous of products and stuff in the stores here is a minefield).

2. 

   cockyViper7

   Reply

   I found it very difficult to find the right color foundation with this makeup. They recommend mixing different foundations together, still couldn’t find my ideal color. Plus this would get pricey. Also recommended using lighter foundation as overall cover up, made my face a shade lighter under regular makeup. Their return policy is very unclear on webpage and not great. Overall not impressed. Going back to my old go to jane iredale.

3. 

   insecureLizard8

   Reply

   I recently tried Sterling Minerals because I was tired of waiting on Meow Cosmetics’ LOOOOOOONG turnaround times. And I found that Sterling Minerals is a fantastic foundation that may give Meow stiff competition. The foundation range is about 1/4 the size of Meow’s: only 21 shades compared to Meow’ 80+. However, I found it far easier to find a foundation match with Sterling. All of Meow’s shades can be kind of overwhelming and make me second-guess what breed I am even after all these years. With Sterling, I read the color descriptions and ordered a starter kit plus some samples. I ended up using a mix of Bianca and Hannah, adjusting the ratio based on the season (in winter, I can wear Bianca alone) for a perfect match.

   I’ve applied it both dry and using their “preferred” Moist Method, and I prefer doing it dry. I also find that working with skin that is a little drier than they recommend–not bone-dry but moisturized and then blotted–is best because then the foundation won’t cake (sorry Sterling, but despite your claims, it CAN cake), go on patchy or get concentrated in pores. Sterling Minerals applies very smoothly and rarely looks flat or chalky; if it does, a mist of setting spray fixes that problem. It also doesn’t irritate my skin one bit: no breakouts or rashes, even on the nights I’ve accidentally slept wearing it.

   There are three formulas: Delicate, Dewy and Velvet. I mostly use Delicate because my skin leans dry. I keep Dewy for when I need extra coverage or staying power, and use Velvet only as a concealer (Sterling’s generous sample sizes for only $4 each make that possible!). The fact that there are large $4 samples, as well as starter kits that you can customize, is very appealing. In fact, the starter kits are the bomb: two generous-sized foundations (closer to full-size than sample size), a blush, a lip product, and a kabuki brush, all for under $40. Even though I have full-sized jars of foundation, I order starter kits just for the savings!

   I also LOVE how Sterling Minerals is packaged with the closing sifter top: that makes for much less mess! Though be advised that the sample sizes do not come with the closing top, just a sifter.

   Sterling Minerals’ customer service is very fast, both in answering questions and filling orders. So much so that I’ve ordered three times from them in the last month!

   I do wish they had a primer though. I’ve always used Meow’s Primp and Preen and it’s made my foundation apply and wear well. I’ve been using it with Sterling and it’s doing the same job. Though I may try their Satin or Evening Veil as a primer just to see what it’s like.

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   Update: I recently updated this review to be a little more unbiased, since I was recently annoyed at Meow’s customer service–in rereading this review, my tone was less raving about Sterling and more ranting about Meow. Let me be fair to both parties and focus on Sterling.

4. 

   curiousMoth4

   Reply

   I have a real soft spot in my heart for this foundation. About 5 years ago, I developed super bad rosacea. I mean my face literally exploded with thousands of rash-like pimples all over my face, and my old liquid foundation just wasn’t going to cut it anymore. My face was too sensitive, too itchy, and too impossible-to-cover for that stuff.

   I went on a hunt for foundation meant specifically for rosacea and I stumbled upon the Sterling website. While I agree with the previous reviewer that their site is very “old ladyish”, the formulations and the fact you can by samples had me sold.

   I was also shocked to find, after trying samples, that I have a very fair OLIVE skin tone. When I used this foundation daily on my face, I found that Bianca and Hannah mixed together worked perfectly (with a higher Bianca to Hannah ratio). I preferred to just buff it on, rather than their suggested wet application, and found it worked just fine on me. I had never used a mineral or powder foundation, and I was surprised that I could even still use my liquid concealer (just a few dabs) on top of this, and it didn’t cake up or look weird.

   My skin has since healed really well (with the help of meds and good derm), so I find that this foundation doesn’t work for me anymore for all-over application. However, I do still use the Bianca shade daily to high lite under my eyes and the bridge of my nose, to juxtapose the contour on the sides. It looks great, and I couldn’t be without it! It’s funny…the Bianca shade actually comes with a warning on the website. They warn that if you aren’t olive skin-toned, do NOT use it to conceal/high lite..you could come out looking ashy and grey. I guess that’s more proof that I truly am an olive gal!

   Anyhow, as I said, this product, in the delicate formula, really helped me get through a rough time in my life with my skin. I actually think it helped speed up the healing process, with the natural ingredients. I will be a Sterling customer for life, a long as they continue making my shade!

5. 

   mereHeron4

   Reply

   After Cover Girl discontinued my beloved powder foundation “Fresh Complexion” that gave good coverage and didn’t settle in lines or pores and after not being able to find any more on ebay or elsewhere online that aren’t ridiculously priced, I went on a search for a new powder foundation and reconsidered mineral makeup despite having a bad experience with Bare Minerals (bismuth, thick and emphasized lines) years ago. I discovered this new world of “indie mineral foundation” which aren’t found in stores and only purchasable online. I initially wrote off Sterling Minerals because of the old-lady, outdated looking website, but I ended up ordering samples after focusing on ingredients and seeing that mica (which can make me look shiny/oily) was further down on the list.

   After trying a few colors and not quite finding a match, I emailed Sterling a photo of myself in natural light and was stunned to discover that I have a light OLIVE skin tone with a bit of yellow, and researching further I was fascinated to find that olive doesn’t just mean medium complexion but can impart greenish-beige coloring on even very fair skin. No wonder I have had a ridiculously hard time founding foundation matches with everything looking too yellow, too orange, too peach, or too pink. Finally my sort of ivory beige slightly yellow skin made sense, and looking at photos I could see a hint of green in certain lighting. Sterling’s Bianca is OK for me but too light and neutral, and Hannah is warmer with some yellow and a perfect match for my skin! My face finally matches my neck with it because it covers all of the redness I have that makes it seem like I have pink in my skin there.

   I have an oily tzone and inner cheeks/chin, and initially, despite the velvet formulation I was having oil breakthrough in an hour and settling in lines. I ended up not liking Sterling’s satin rose and evening rose veils because they made my skin too light where applied and imparted a dewy shiny and almost grey look for me when applied. I’m still experimenting, but what seems to be working is the delicate formulation with PRIIA mineral’s HydraPrime oil control powder underneath and on top (or a general shine-free powder on top like Amazing Cosmetics velvet) which delays oil breakthrough for hours and then it’s only a little. I haven’t quite figured out which Sterling formula I like best (dewy, delicate, velvet). I LOVE the moist application method especially because it reduces powder flying everywhere, and with the method you don’t need to buff a ton, just dab and then sweep a few times and you’re set. With Sterling you can also apply the foundation before your moisturizer is fully absorbed–try that with other brands, ha!

   Sterling shines in its multiple colors for people with olive in their skin with both cool and warm options which is rare! Other indie mineral foundations I have tried recently by ordering samples are Lucy Minerals and Meow Cosmetics because of the olive options. Lucy had the silkiest and smoothest texture but the olive shades looked too bright and a little peachy on me. Meow Cosmetics was the grainiest and hardest to rub between your fingers, but the staggering shade range is fascinating with good olive and yellow/beige options (but I’m not a fan of the outdated website and it seeming a little too indie).

   Sterling’s website has a lot of good information about mineral powder makeup and misconceptions, and it looks to have all come from the owner’s research and advocacy. I also like what the website says about the quality and ingredients of the products and it seems very legit with good quality control measures and understanding of protecting consumers as well as understanding limitations on making SPF claims. The website is really wordy and confusingly written at times, and I noticed a couple discrepancies between the youtube videos and the website.

   Sterling’s customer service is great–every email I’ve sent gets a personalized reply. The discovery that I have olive skin has been worth the price of the samples 10 times over!!

   Sterling’s pricing is more than some other indie brands–their samples are $4.00 whereas Lucy’s are $2.50 and Meow’s $1.00 for roughly the same amount, and the foundation is higher priced. Sterling and PRIIA have similar pricing in general. Sterling’s shipping is a bit higher but you get it quickly with priority mail. Their samples also come in not only jars but also with sifters (whereas Lucy are just jars and Meow is in tiny baggies).

   For reference, the other indie/hybrid mineral foundations I found with shades for olive skin/undertones (many have mica as first ingredient) are Alima Pure, Jenulence, and I think Silk Minerals does too. Apparently Everyday Minerals which is available in stores used to have an olive shade but doesn’t anymore.

   The one thing I don’t like about Sterling Minerals is the smell–I have a very sensitive nose, and Sterling has a kind of metallic/earthy smell. I doubt it would bother most people, but I notice it. Could be the interaction of the distilled water too with the moist application method.

   Anyway, I am in love with Sterling’s look and feel, and I hope to come back and update once I figure out how to get the best coverage, texture, and oil control.

6. 

   worriedBuzzard5

   Reply

   Recently bought some samples of this in 4 colors of the Delicate version to try out. I have sensitive, rosacea skin which breaks out very easily. I also have fine lines, some large pores and acne scars as well as many small broken blood vessels all over my face. In other words, I need coverage.

   I am a long-time user of Monave MMU but this may replace it as my holy grail. I use the wet application as shown on their Youtube videos and I can get pretty good coverage without caking. I use a lighter shade first to help with coverage and then the darker shade – works very well that way! Oh, and since I’m also having awful hot flashes with heavy sweating (yeah, TMI) I can happily report that the makeup stays on fine. I’ve had no breakouts with this makeup which is very unusual for me when I try something new, and no itching either.

   The sample sizes have enough makeup to last at least a week (and I have to use a lot of it for the coverage I need) and the colors look much darker than you’d expect them to, but they apply as described. This makeup is a bit on the expensive side, esp if you have to buy a few colors for blending, but I’ve tried many, many, MMU brands and other than Monave, this is the only one where I got decent coverage and everything else (color, appearance, no breakouts) worked for me.

   Shipping was quick when I ordered and the items were well packed. I will probably be ordering full-sizes within the next few weeks. This is a nice MMU which should be better known.

7. 

   superiorZebra7

   Reply

   Love this brand! My skin has improved dramatically since switching to Sterling. I was mica sensitive and couldn’t wear mineral foundation until this brand. No more breakouts – my skin looks great. I’m a big, big fan and can’t recommend it enough.

   The samples give you enough product to use for about a week. Everyone who has sensitive skin and hasn’t been able to use other brands should give Sterling a shot!

8. 

   similarBagels3

   Reply

   This is a wonderful mineral foundation if you can’t use anything with bismuth in it, like me. It stays fresh all day without settling into my lines and wrinkles. I use the moist application that they suggest and my foundation comes out perfect. Also after I am done and my make up has sat a bit I take the toner (that they sell for the moist application method) and spay on my face (like you would a setting spray). I then take my brush and stipple over the toner to push it into the minerals. It gives me a very satin finish. They also sell samples of their products so you can find your right shade. Shipping is really fast too.

9. 

   gloomyCheese2

   Reply

   I have been using Sterling Minerals for over a year now. This is my HG mineral foundation! By chance, I discovered YouTube videos of the company owner demonstrating how to apply the foundation. After watching, I ordered the chubby blender brush she recommended and foundation samples in several shades. The foundation comes in 21 shades in three formulations: Dewy Rose Petal for normal/combination skin; Delicate Rose Petal for normal to dry/sensitive skin; and Velvet Rose Petal for normal/oily skin. You may also purchase the foundation no-color base to custom blend your own shade or increase the coverage to create a custom concealer. Sterling also offers two mineral veils to be used as finishing powders. The products are advertised as 100% vegan friendly and gluten free. Packaging is above average quality as each foundation now comes in a sifter-top container.

   I have tried just about every mineral foundation around: Jane Iredale, bareMinerals, Pur Minerals, Sheer Cover, Mary Kay, Merle Norman, etc. This is the first that has not caused breakouts. It is not chalky and does not cake. If you have either of these problems with Sterling, the source has to be method of application or choice of the wrong shade. Regardless of how much foundation applied, it will not cake. While the company recommends and provides instructions for “moist method application,” I get along fine with the standard mineral swirl-tap-buff method.

   I use Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel as a primer. After many 12 to 18 hours days, I can confidently say this primer/foundation combo is near bullet-proof! Without any touch-ups, my foundation stays perfectly in place with little if any oil-breakthrough. I have both the Dewy and the Velvet formulations so that I can increase oil control when necessary. The Adonia shade proved to be a great match for my light-medium skin, while the lighter Fiorella works as a good highlighter. When I lost a bit of color last winter, I mixed the Adonia with a bit of one of the mineral veils and got a custom match.

   The website has quite a bit of information about ingredients, application methods, and skin care information that is very useful and educational.

   And last, but definitely not least: the brushes sold by Sterling are PHENOMENAL!! They are pricey, but worth every single penny. In addition to the blender, I have the jumbo buffer and the jumbo flat top. After months of use and many washings, the bristles are still tight and the handles are in one piece (unlike the trash sold by Jane Iredale).

10. 

    truthfulEland6

    Reply

    In my search to find a good foundation that does not settle in fine lines, I decided to give this a try. I spent around $50 on samples and tried 4 foundation samples knowing I would probably have to mix to get my shade. I have definite yellow undertones in my skin and it is hard to find a foundation that is a good match. I currently use Alima Pure and Jane Iredale who I have found have the closest match. I tried each individual color as well as mixing two shades and then 3 shades and could not get a match. No matter what I did the foundation made me look like a ghost. I had really hoped I could find a good match because the wet application they suggest is really easy and goes on wonderfully. I also tried different eye colors and even the semi-matte colors have a good amount of sparkle which I chose not to use all of the time. However, I will say that if you need a good brush to apply a liquid foundation or if you use Jane Iredale’s liquid minerals, buy the chubby blender brush they offer. At $16.00 you can’t go wrong and it applies the foundation wonderful. Back to Alima and Jane for now.