Everyday Minerals Base Foundation

Everyday Minerals Foundation Swatches
Top row(L-R):
Bare Escentuals concealer summer bisque
Bare Escentuals matte foundation medium beige
Laura Mercier mineral foundation natural beige

Bottom Row (L-R):
BE summer bisque (not numbered) compared to EDM
Everyday minerals (EM) multi tasking concealer
EM medium beige matte foundation
EM medium beige neutral semi matte foundation
EM beige neutral intensive foundation
EM light olive intensive foundation
EM winged butter semi matte foundation
EM intensive medium concealer

Editor’s note: This review reflects the Everyday Minerals products, shade names, prices and sample program available when I originally tested them. The brand is no longer in business. 

I bought several Everyday Minerals foundation samples and recently tested them again to see whether my opinion had changed.

During my earlier testing, I thought I had found a suitable shade. However, after wearing the foundations for longer periods, several colors appeared too orange or yellow on my complexion. Some shades also looked darker as the day progressed.

Light Olive initially seemed promising, but it eventually appeared too dark on me. Medium Beige Neutral blended into my skin more naturally, although it did not provide the amount of coverage I wanted.

I contacted Everyday Minerals for shade-matching advice. The company responded within approximately two days and said that Medium Beige might be close to the BareMinerals Medium Beige shade I was using at the time. The representative also suggested ordering samples to compare several possible matches.

I had previously purchased the Golden Medium pressed powder, which was later discontinued. When applied with a light hand, it blended reasonably well with my skin. However, I found its coverage light, and it did not last throughout the entire day on me.

The foundation finishes I tested

At the time, Everyday Minerals offered several base formulas with different finishes and coverage levels:

• Original Glo: A luminous formula intended to provide lighter coverage.

• Semi-Matte: A softer, slightly dewy finish with moderate coverage.

• Matte: A matte formula described as offering fuller coverage.

• Intensive: A more absorbent, matte formula intended for higher coverage.

These were the brand’s general descriptions. My results varied depending on the formula.

Semi-Matte gave my skin a noticeable glow, but it did not provide the same finish or coverage I received from the BareMinerals Original foundation.

Matte helped even out my complexion and covered very minor imperfections. On my skin, however, the coverage was closer to light-to-medium than full.

Intensive provided the most coverage of the formulas I tested, but it also felt somewhat drying.

Shade swatches and coverage

Photo on the left: Everyday Minerals shades 2–7 before blending

Many of these shades appeared too yellow or orange for my complexion. Medium Beige Neutral blended most naturally into my skin.

Although the Matte formula was described as buildable and full coverage, I experienced sheer-to-medium coverage even after applying additional layers. It worked best when I wanted to lightly even out my skin tone rather than cover more noticeable discoloration.

Photo on the right: Blended Everyday Minerals swatches compared with one layer of BareMinerals Medium Beige

After blending the Everyday Minerals swatches, several shades were still visible against my skin. Above them, I applied one layer of BareMinerals Medium Beige.

In my comparison, one layer of the BareMinerals foundation covered minor discoloration more effectively. I was also able to build it to a higher level of coverage more easily.

This comparison reflects how the products performed on my skin with my application technique. Results may differ depending on skin type, preparation, brush and desired coverage.

What I liked

• The products were relatively affordable at the time of testing.

• Sample sizes made it easier to test several shades before purchasing a full-size jar.

• The powder felt finely milled.

• The shade range was extensive.

• Several finishes were available.

• The closable sifters helped reduce spills.

• The jars had wide lids that made it easier to swirl a brush in the powder.

• The formulas did not cause the itching I had experienced with some other mineral foundations.

What did not work for me

• My face became shiny while wearing several of the formulas, even when I used finishing powder.

• Some shades appeared darker or warmer as the day progressed.

• Many of the colors I tested looked too yellow or orange for my complexion.

• I found it difficult to identify a reliable shade match.

• The coverage was lighter than I expected.

• I did not get all-day wear.

• The website swatches did not accurately predict how the shades would look on my skin.

• On dry areas, the powder emphasized texture and fine lines unless I prepared my skin with moisturizer.

These were my personal results and do not mean that every formula will behave the same way on another person’s skin.

Ways I used the unmatched samples

I did not immediately discard the samples that were not suitable as all-over foundation. A few warmer shades worked in very small amounts as powder over under-eye concealer.

This did not work with every shade, and I used only a light layer. A noticeably orange or overly dark shade would not be suitable for this purpose.

Application tips

Mineral foundation generally looked better on me when I applied a small amount at a time.

I sprinkled a small quantity of powder into the lid, worked it evenly into my brush and tapped away the excess. I then buffed it onto my skin in thin layers until I reached my preferred coverage.

Applying too much powder at once made the result more likely to look heavy or emphasize dry areas. Preparing my skin with a lightweight moisturizer also helped the powder apply more evenly.

Final thoughts

I had a love-hate relationship with the Everyday Minerals foundations.

I appreciated the fine texture, shade selection, sample options and relatively affordable prices. However, I struggled with shade matching, shine, changing color throughout the day, limited wear time and lighter-than-expected coverage.

Of the formulas I tested, Intensive gave me the most coverage but felt the driest. Matte provided a more balanced finish, although it still did not give me the fuller coverage I preferred.