Review of the New Mary Kay Mineral Makeup
Written by L J on June 25, 2008 – 6:33 pm -I received this email from a visitor named Kristen. I think you’ll find it entertaining. I did.
I found your site while looking for a place to complain
. I just had my introduction to Mary Kay products trying the mineral makeups. I am NOT impressed!
I purchased a new mineral eyeshadow, and when I opened it to excitedly use my new shade, I find a PUNY portion in a VERY MISLEADINGLY sized container! PLUS, the eyeshadow is not made to adhere within the container. There is NOTHING to hold it in!!! I suppose you’re supposed to remove it and use it for their new compact. I find this a CHEAP marketing ploy. I don’t WANT to buy that compact, and now I have my insultingly small eyeshadow fall out EVERY freaking time I open it. I just know one day it is going to fly out of that stupid container, hit my wall, and shatter all over my carpet- and I want to send Mary Kay my carpet cleaning bill!! Either that or I need to get better at catch…
Also, I HATED how they kept PUSHING me to be a salesperson. I don’t WANT to sell Mary Kay- you’re lucky: I’m here trying and buying your products!! That is SUCH a turnoff.
The “Mineral” foundation I’m not too sure about. It made my skin look decent, but again, the size is very small for the money. The first two ingredients are Talc and Cornstarch, and it contains parabens. All of those ingredients are considered sketchy to use in makeup at the moment.
I just wish that HONESTY was more important for manufacturers than making money by twisted marketing schemes and cheap, unsafe ingredients. But, alas, this is the world we live in- and Mary Kay is not exempt.
All I know is, my father ironically, LOVES their skin care products! I haven’t much experience with those- but honestly, I don’t know that I can stand dealing with this Mary Kay lady again to order more.
Tags: mary kay mineral makeup, Mary Kay products, mineral foundation
Posted in Articles & Commentary |
June 25th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
When I first saw the eyeshadows, I thought the exact same thing! 1/2 the size of the old - someone said “NO, NO” we got an old dual eyeshadow out & checked! Oh yeah! Plus, be very careful, the mineral stuff is very soft and will probably crack and bust all to pieces!
June 26th, 2008 at 7:35 am
If you don’t want to purchase the compact, a drop of super glue should hold it in the plastic container.
I didn’t think the foundation MP was small for the price as compare to any other brand. Besides the fact that you use such a little bit.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I use Bare Minerals makeup and love it. It does not contain talc or cornstarch and it gives great coverage!
I tried the MK mineral makeup (as a favor to my former Director). It is more like a loose powder as far as coverage, probably because the first ingredient is talc. Whle the price is attractive at $18.00, My Bare Minerals is not overly pricey at $25.00 and it really covers!
The eye shadows and cheek color did not have nearly the pigment that Bare Minerals has. I don’t have to worry about a compact, because the cheek and eye colors come in plastic jars and they are very economical to use. I have a huge variety of eye shadows and cheek colors and they will last me for years!
I was already leary of the MK eye shadows as I have heard reports from people who had their eyes swell shut and one lady got chemical burns in her eyes when some of the powder got into her eyes. Her doctor told her to throw that “junk” away!
As soon as I got home I removed all the MK makeup. I didn’t have the heart ot tell my former SD that MK minerals “stink”, but I did tell her that I thought Bare Minerals was far superior and that she would have to see them side by side to be able to appreciate the difference!
Sadly, I don’t think she could hear me through the “pink fog”!
June 29th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I bought the new mineral eye colors as well but did buy the gorgeous compact - it’s so hot it’s all over T.V. now. As a tip - the small eyeshadow brushes that you can buy from MK fit in the eyeshadow case in the event that you do not want to buy the compact.
I love my Mary Kay makeup and skin care. Expensive isn’t always better.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:40 am
I’ll agree w/ Sarah about expensive doesn’t always mean better, but it is a good idea to check out the quality of things. Talc is the major ingredient in MK’s “mineral” makeup. Most loose powder (not branded specially as “mineral powder”) contains talc. Talc is linked to serious health concerns and to skin irritation. Pediatricians began advising parents against use of baby powder because of talc years ago. But I’m sure MK has something to sell people for the irritated skin they cause.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:43 am
MK’s mineral foundation is just a low-quality (high quality ones leave talc out) loose powder with a few real minerals thrown in as last ingredients, which means it contains the least of these. The minerals as an addition seems to be an afterthought, much like synthetic vitamins being added to Fruity Pebbles or Fruit Loops to call it “healthy”.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
That’s a very good way to explain it!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Ok, I understand your frustrations on your mineral powder purchase, and I wouldn’t say that its MK’s fault that you didn’t know the size of the product. You should have been shown the acutal size of the eye shadow and you should have been told it was magnetic BY YOUR CONSULTANT. Don’t blame the consultant’s ignorance on the companys.
If you compare the MK’S version of MP to Bare minerals, you get comparably more IMO.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
My biggest issue is- why the sneaky marketing techniques?? I mean, really. How ignorant do they think I am??
Firstly, why should I pay so much for TALC and CORNSTARCH?? Bare Minerals may be smaller, but it doesn’t contain that crap.
Second, why make an eye shadow that is nearly impossible to use without THEIR new compact???That is the sleaziest marketing I’ve seen. I know I could glue it down, but I shouldn’t HAVE to. And it is SO freaking small! The packaging is SO misleading about it’s actual size. Sure, the consultant should have shown me the product, but she probably DIDN’T because if she did the eye shadow would have gone flying, and she would have lost some inventory, and certainly lost a sale because WHY would I want to check my reflexes with that stupid thing everyday?
Thirdly- why did ALL the Mary Kay “Beauty” Consultants at my “girls nite out” look like they SEVERELY needed a makeover??
and finally- why was I LIED to? I tried these products at a “Girls Nite Out” that I was told would be “so fun!” and ” we’ll play with our new mineral products.” If I would have known that 2.5 of the 3 hours I was there was going to be them pitching me to sell Mary Kay, and that I would have to sit through every one of their boring “Mary Kay saved my life” speeches, I would have hung up on that incessant woman who got me to go.
The moral here is- BE HONEST!!!!! And don’t fool me with your trickery. If your product is THAT good, people will want it, and you won’t have to tackle people down to try and sell it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
oh- and I don’t know who to thank for posting my rant- but thank you!
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Kristen -
That’s exactly the reason they don’t tell you what’s going on - nobody would come! Would you have “booked a facial” otherwise? If you would, they would try & turn that into a class by telling you if you have 3 friends over 18 without a MK Consultant, you’ll get XYZ or $ 75 in products for $ 35 - or some other gimmick. No one wants to be bothered with “home parties” anymore.
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:03 am
“oh- and I don’t know who to thank for posting my rant- but thank you!”
Kristen, that would be me. :) But no thanks necessary. Thank you for your comments and honest appraisal.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I dont understand what’s your problem, if you got your product and did not like it it is your fault that you did not let your consultant know so that you could exchange it or get your refund. Thats why they do that you know. You all should really take advantage of the “try before you buy ” system of mk but you all probably “didnt have time” and bought in a rush. Noone can make you try it but I dont know why you wouldnt when you can. Sometime I really think that some people want to find something to gripe about.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
You do make a good point Hollie.
Kristen: Get a hold of that MK Consultant and tell her you want to return the eye shadow for a refund.
July 5th, 2008 at 1:51 am
The reason pediatricians usually advise agains baby powder containing talc is because the loose powder can be inhaled by the baby when you squirt it out of the container. Also, many high quality makeup companies use talc in their eyeshadows and blushes (MAC, Clinique, Lancome, etc.). Just FYI…TALC IS A MINERAL.
July 5th, 2008 at 2:00 am
Also, regarding the following quote:
“I was already leary of the MK eye shadows as I have heard reports from people who had their eyes swell shut and one lady got chemical burns in her eyes when some of the powder got into her eyes. Her doctor told her to throw that “junk” away!”
ANY loose powder can irritate your eyes. You would not get a chemical burn from it. I wouldn’t trust 3rd and 4th hand information. I usually verify information I hear so as to dispell any “urban myths” (another one is the sunscreen causing a child to go blind). I like Bare Minerals foundation (actually I use the bisque multi-tasking for that) and other products like their blushes and primers, but I also like the MK mineral eyeshadows/blushes, MAC eyeshadows/blushes, CoverGirl Lash Exact, and others. I try to be objective and try out different cosmetics and not let stories color my opinions on anything.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
” I usually verify information I hear so as to dispell any “urban myths”
Me too Chris. Great advice.
” I try to be objective and try out different cosmetics and not let stories color my opinions on anything. ”
You can get a general idea from reviews. Just consider your sources and look at the whole picture.
July 5th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I agree, makeup is such an individualized thing- it reacts different on everyone.
I’m not really dissatisfied with my MK cosmetics as far as their performance, its just their sneaky marketing that annoys me the most.
I was aware that talc is in many eye shadows, but after research, learned that the danger of using talc is when it is inhaled, and that was my concern with using it in a powder foudation. I assumed that you would inhale the talc if you were putting all over your face. I don’t think you would inhale any with a pressed powder eye shadow.
I think I will contact my lady about returning the foundation- I didn’t realize you could do that!!! The eye shadow shade is really nice and I’m loving their concealer, so I may just have to get off my soap box, glue my eye shadow down, and just avoid any more “girls nite out” events.
Actually, just this week my friend introduced me to Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals foundation. OMG its amazing!! You MUST try it!!
Thanks again, L J! This has been fun!
July 6th, 2008 at 12:20 am
LJ, good advice…after all, it is our hard earned money and if satisfaction is guaranteed, we owe it to ourselves to see we are satisfied!
Kristen…Jane Iredale is one of the forerunners of mineral makeup. It’s pricey but really good. I also liked GloMinerals.
After using mineral makeup for a few years now and only staying with mineral makeup on my facial palette (cheeks and foundation), I have noticed that my breakouts are few and far between. The best foundation for me has been Bare Minerals…I use Multitasking Bisque on my face to cover all my discolorations (melasma) and follow with the fair foundation. If anyone has any other suggestions, I would love to hear them. I miss the coverage of liquid, but bisque does do wonders. I’m always open to trying something new though.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:45 am
LOL, I’m quite aware talc is a mineral, but it’s not usually one of the top ingredients in makeup that claims to be mineral based. People buy mineral makeup believing that it has minerals that are good for your skin, enough to actually make a difference. They are what real mineral makeup consists of almost completely. A happy side effect of the large percentage of zinc oxide in a good mineral powder is a high SPF in the form of a safe physical barrier rather than chemical sunscreen. A high quality mineral foundation will give very good coverage too, not sheer like MK’s.
My beef w/ MK’s mineral line is that talc does not have any beneficial long term effects on skin like mica or zinc. It’s misleading and borders on false advertising to call a mostly talc powder “mineral powder”. Higher quality minerals are expected from something with “mineral” in the name. I too was concerned about people inhaling it because it’s in loose powder form and they’d be dusting it all over their faces. I’d rather have a smaller size of Beauty Bliss real minerals or other high quality brand (and that doesn’t necessarily mean Bare) for a higher price than a large can of MK talc with a wee smidgen of a couple beneficial minerals tossed into the mix. At least I’d get what I intended to buy.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Chris, I am LOVING Jane Iredale Liquid minerals!!! It has all the coverage of a liquid (which I need) and yet is loaded with good things. My skin is dry, and the powder makeups don’t tend to stay well on my face. Liquid Minerals It’s based in a aloe vera gel which feels wonderful to apply and has healing and moisturizing properties. I found it goes on best with a foundation brush. My skin has really looked better the last few days!!!
I’m with rethinkingpink- I don’t mind paying more for something that WORKS. I’m seeing results immediately from Jane Iredale- its actually healing my skin, not just covering it up!
Here’s a link on it: http://janeiredale.com/products/bases.html
July 7th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Rethinkingpink…if the MK mineral foundation doesn’t offer good coverage, I probably won’t buy it when the time comes to replenish my foundation. I really need something that will offer me at the very least medium coverage. However, I do like the mineral eyeshadows/blushes. They are less expensive and a tad larger than the Aveda shadows/blushes.
Kristen…that Jane Iredale foundation looks really cool! Looks like it is oil free too!
If there is one place I would splurge, it would be foundation! Although I have to admit, I did use Physician’s Formula mineral foundation once and it wasn’t too bad. It just doesn’ t offer much in the shade spectrum.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:28 am
I tried a Physician’s Formula pressed mineral powder and loved it at first, until it “settled in” after I had already left my house. It accentuated fine lines and settled into ones that I had never seen before! I had to wipe it all off with a paper towel and water in a public restroon after seeing myself in the mirror. Everyone’s skin is different and will take a different finish to make it look right. I’m back to liquid for now, but this Jane Iredale stuff sounds very interesting!
July 8th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Chris- Jane Iredale is WONDERFUL! Use a foundation brush with it for the best coverage. On a clean face, one pump will do my whole face. I tried applying it with my fingers, but a foundation brush works MUCH better.
It provides medium/full coverage with just the foundation, use it with their powder for full coverage. It’s outstanding!! I’m sure you can find it on Ebay for cheaper than in a store.
Its amazing because just within the week i’ve used it, my breakouts are less, my skin is more even and balanced, and it looks healthy. You’ll LOVE it!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Thanks Kristen!
Um…I think it will cover my discolorations…look at this:
http://www.alegriabodywork.net/janeiredale.html
July 9th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Holy Cow! That’s impressive. Thanks Chris.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Unfortunately, this link doesn’t include a review of Jane Iredale’s liquid, but it does include a lot of name brand mineral makeup reviews. It’s written/reviewed by Paula Begoun, cosmetologist and author of “Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me”:
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/bulletin/MineralMakeup2007.pdf
July 10th, 2008 at 1:19 am
I completely believe that photo is real. The makeup is AMAZING!!
July 10th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Yeah, that’s why lots of dermatologist offices sell it…so after your laser peel you don’t have to leave the office looking burned. I figure if physicians prefer to put mineral cosmetics such as Iredale on post-laser resurfacing skin, it has to be pretty darn gentle.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
And, FWIW, that pic is also why I would never get a laser peel…
July 14th, 2008 at 3:29 am
LOL! I know! That has to hurt…!
July 18th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I sell Mary Kay (I’m not one of those hard core salespeople though) and I have to say I was majorly p*ssed yesterday when I received my first order containing the new compacts and mineral stuff. My intelligence was highly insulted. I actually went and got out some of the old sizes and took photos so I can post them somewhere online of the differences in size of their new products. I found that their lipsticks are the same size. Their creme to powder foundations claim to be the same weight but they seem like way less product then the old stuff. The lip liners and eye liners are ridiculously smaller then the old ones as well as the Eyecycles. The eye shadows are less then half the size of the old full sized ones. There are a few other products that have gone to smaller sizes. I’d rather they raise the price and keep the size the same then have them insult me by keeping the price the same and making the products so small. I love the skin care and my husband likes the men’s line of skincare as well. When that goes to smaller sizes I will QUIT ordering MK. I actually wrote to my area manager and told her I was embarrassed and insulted that MK would do this to their products. I may decide to quit selling altogether. I know I won’t be ordering the newly sized items any more. Mary Kay herself is probably rolling over in her grave over this blunder.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Hi Folks,
I’d like to clear up a couple of things. The reason Mary Kay Eye and Cheek colors are packaged the way they are is to conserve materials and create a more green, environmentally friendly product. You pop your little color into the compact, and each time you run out, you pop a new color in without having to replace the enormous amount of plastic packaging which surrounds each color in the Mac line or similar. Furthermore, May Kay is currently collecting the old Pink and Silver compacts for recycling, and for each that they receive, they plant a tree! Lastly, regarding the fact that eye-shadows have gotten smaller, this is because the new Mineral Color covers better and you use less for each application, therefore a little bit of it goes a lot further.
July 19th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
From reports we’ve received from consultants and customers, the new mineral colors do NOT cover better than the old eye color formulas. They also don’t cover as well as other brands, according to users.
July 20th, 2008 at 5:57 am
You know what though, MAC has a recycling program and they’ve had it for as long as I can remember. You take your 6 empty containers of pretty much anything and you get a free lipstick. I am sure that other make lines have something similar as well.
However at the rate that things are going, with everything being all about saving and recycling, the mineral products, I wouldn’t be suprised if some off the name brands in makeup will have or already have had there own “mineral line”
I am trying MK for the first time, mostly to support my best friend who is selling it but so far so good. I will still however remain a loyal mac customer, especially with the eyeshadow.
However, I agree with what I believe it was Kristen that said they are using sneaky selling tactics. Come on seriously, “you can buy this eyeshadow or blush but you need to put it in a compact, which OMG you have to pay for and the brush OMG is not free you have to pay for that too.” I think that first time customers should get those compacts for free, cause looking at them up close they aren’t really worth $18 to begin with. Then you can buy the things you need to fill em up. Plus maybe more people would buy them if they were not only cheaper but maybe different sizes, do they have different sizes?
Thank goodness my bf is honest and will not try and finagle me out of my money for this.
July 20th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
You’re right, Tina. They should give the compact for free if you purchase the stuff to fill it. That would be a good marketing tactic. Most companies give you something free in addition to at least one free brush. I would never pay $18 for an empty compact. Besides that, I wouldn’t want my blush mixing in with my eyeshadow or face powder. ick
July 20th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Quoting Ellie: “The reason Mary Kay Eye and Cheek colors are packaged the way they are is to conserve materials and create a more green, environmentally friendly product.”
Then why are the new mineral eyeshadows in a metal package and come in such a large PLASTIC container? The old ones were in small plastic with lids in boxes - which could have been recycled as well? Sorry, still doesn’t make sense to me.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:58 am
thanks Julie,
But to just add a bit more to the compact issue. i mean don’t get me wrong the compact is nice looking. Sleek and neat and everything but I just think that its a waste to make the customers pay for the empty compact. Even if they can’t give it to the first time customer for free then they should offer some kind of discount at the very least.
And about the consultants, which is funny because my best friend and I were having this conversation today and I told her the reason why I think she will be great at this is because she is honest with her customers. She will tell her customers what she thinks is right for you and what isn’t. She won’t lie or not give out certain information just to make a sale. She is not an overly aggressive sales person BUT she is a good seller. You have to be able to really listen to what your customer wants. I think that MAYBE with some of these consultants, at least from the complaints that I’ve read, they don’t do that. They just keep shoving this and that at you to get you to buy it and you feel forced to and then you end up with 300.00 or stuff that you’ll never use and your afraid to return.
You want your customer to trust you and if you are honest and sincere they will and they will come back to you for more. It shouldn’t be about making a quick sale, and I think with sometimes it might be.
OMG how did I get from the compact to talking about customer serivce, sorry for my mini rant and switching topics I do that a lot.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:59 am
Your friend can do well in MK, Tina, if she is honest and not pushy. That’s how I ran my business and I got tons of compliments for it.
However, MK was still a sinkhole of time and I was lucky if I broke even, let alone make a profit. Your friend would be much better off using her great skills somewhere else, in my opinion.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:26 am
Tina - I have to agree with LJ and suggest that your friend use her skills somewhere that she is guaranteed a paycheck. I feel that I was always honest and above board with my customers, but the problem is you have to have A LOT of customers to make any $ and it ALWAYS cost you $$ everytime you show the product. I know the Kaybots yell “tax deduction” but if you don’t have the sales, there’s nothing to deduct it from and “tax deductions” don’t pay the electric or grocery bills!
If your friend was working ? that provided the product (ie counter makeup sales or any commission sales job), it wouldn’t cost her to make a sell and she’d be guaranteed a paycheck every pay period.
August 17th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Hello,
I have not used to much Mary Kay makeup. I have a neighbor who roped me into hosting a party for her, and I will be doing that and I have found that I love the Bare Escentuals line of products even at the price that they cost so I am only going to purchase the skin care line of products from Mary Kay and then get the Bare minerals products the next time that I am in Wichita Ks so that I have the makeup that I want and if I could I would be selling the abre minerals that stuff was the best makeup that I have ever worn.