It won hearts with its lightweight yet nourishing formula, combined with excellent coverage and excellent longevity. However, it gained the most popularity thanks to its mattifying finish, which keeps the excessively shiny T-zone in check and has earned it numerous accolades as a beauty discovery of recent months. What are we talking about? The Annabelle Minerals mattifying mineral foundation , of course. Who is this foundation for? How to choose the right shade and apply it? Today's article will tell you all about the Annabelle mattifying foundation.
Annabelle Minerals offers three finishes (in addition to the mattifying formula, also illuminating and covering) and within them four color ranges: the Sunny range (with four lightness levels: Cream, Fairest, Fair, Light), the Golden, Natural, and Beige ranges (each range has six levels: Cream, Fairest, Fair, Light, Medium, and Dark). That's a total of 66 shades! After defining our expectations and recognizing our skin's characteristics, choosing a foundation will be just a formality.
The first thing to consider is the effect we expect from the foundation.
- Are you happy with problem-free skin? What you value most in a foundation is its even tone and wow-glow effect? Choose an illuminating formula . Your complexion will gain a healthy glow and even tone.
- Is your complexion prone to oiliness, shine, and breakouts? Looking for a foundation that mattifies skin and helps conceal imperfections? Try a mattifying formula . It will provide a healthy matte finish and medium coverage.
- Are you expecting full coverage from your foundation because your skin has been uncooperative lately, feeling temperamental, and simply can't be covered? Choose a mineral foundation with a full-coverage formula – it will provide you with full coverage that you can build up with subsequent layers.
In today's article, we focus on the mattifying variant , so let's assume that our skin is an example of oily skin with minor imperfections, and we expect makeup with a matte finish and medium coverage.
Why is the mattifying formula especially recommended for oily skin and skin with imperfections? Because it provides medium to full coverage and, thanks to its natural composition, soothes the problems of problematic skin:
- Reduces sebum secretion by 21%;
- Reduces the visibility of skin pores by 21%;
- Reduces inflammation by 25%.
What's behind the exceptional nourishing properties of this mattifying foundation? Just a few ingredients: *illuminating mica, *mattifying zinc oxide, *titanium dioxide (responsible for UVA/UVB protection with an SPF of 10), and *tinting iron oxide. They ensure safe, long-lasting makeup that improves both your appearance and well-being.
The second step is to choose a color palette from a matte formula. It's worth answering the following questions:
- Does my skin tone lean toward pink? If so, choose a mattifying foundation from the Natural range.
- Does my skin tone fall into a natural range, with no predominance of pink or yellow tones? If you answered yes to this question, choose a mattifying foundation from the Pure range.
- Does my skin tone lean toward olive? If so, choose a mattifying foundation from the Golden range.
- Does my skin tone lean toward warm, golden undertones? If so, choose a mattifying foundation from the Sunny range.
The third step is selecting a brightness level. The following tips can help you choose one.
- If your skin tone is very fair, porcelain, and in traditional foundations you always reach for the first, lightest ones in the palette – choose the Cream or Fairest shade , for example, mattifying Golden Cream or mattifying Natural Cream.
- If your skin tone is fair, but not the lightest to medium, choose the Fair or Sand shade , for example, the mattifying Pure Fair or the mattifying Golden Sand.
- If your skin is darker, southern-type or tanned, choose between the Light and Medium shades , for example, the mattifying Golden Medium or the mattifying Pure Light.
The nourishing ingredients, breathable, mattifying formula, and pleasant consistency are half the battle. The other half is the application method – it's simple, but as with any cosmetic, it's worth following certain rules that will make application easier and faster, as well as prolong its durability.
How to prepare your skin for applying a mattifying mineral foundation?
The best base for mineral foundation is a well-cared-for complexion. It's worth remembering to exfoliate, tone, and moisturize regularly—this is the absolute foundation of any makeup routine.
When it comes to preparing your skin for mineral foundation, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Some skin types will benefit from a light moisturizer (e.g., Annabelle Minerals Soft Cream ), others might find a mattifying cream suitable as a foundation under powder, while others might find a simple wipe with a cotton pad soaked in a moisturizing toner sufficient. It's crucial that the product used immediately before applying foundation isn't heavy and greasy. If it is, the foundation will quickly harden, lose its longevity, settle into pores, and create unsightly streaks.
How and with what to properly apply mineral foundation?
Depending on the coverage you're looking for, it's best to choose either a kabuki brush (with rounded bristles) or a flat-top brush (with a beveled top). The former provides more subtle coverage, while the latter allows for better use of the pigmentation of a mattifying foundation.
How to apply a matte mineral foundation?
- Sprinkle a little powder onto the lid of the jar.
- Gently place the selected brush on the surface of the cosmetic.
- Tap off any excess on the back of your hand or the edge of the lid.
- Spread a thin layer of powder over your face in circular motions, directing the brush from the inner parts of your face towards the outer parts, which will ensure even application and no unevenness.
- Remember to apply the foundation beyond the jawline, towards the neck.
- If you find that the coverage is too light, repeat the process until you achieve the desired effect.
Mineral foundation can be applied dry or wet by gently spraying the brush bristles with thermal water or mineral water.
How to prolong the matte effect on the skin?
Prolonging the matte effect on your skin (especially in an overly oily T-zone) is possible with the application of Annabelle Minerals Pretty Matt Mattifying Powder . A small amount can be applied right after moisturizer, before foundation, and/or right after foundation.
When wearing makeup, it is worth having a matting blotting paper or simply a tissue with you to absorb excess sebum.
Magda Plewa , photographer and Instagrammer (www.instagram.com/magda.plewa ). More thoughtful than romantic, she teaches how to take beautiful product photos that sell. She lives by the slow lifestyle, loves good vegetarian food, and enjoys relaxing with a book and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. In her private life, she's a happy wife and mother.
