I’m a busy mom, and like most moms, it’s hard to find time for myself sometimes. One way that I pamper myself a little is in my choice of cosmetics. When I was a teenager, I didn’t care that much and just bought the cheapest stuff, regardless of what was in it. Now that I’m a little bit older and (I hope) a little more discerning, I’ve chosen to only use mineral foundations. I appreciate that mineral makeup doesn’t contain all the junk that conventional makeup often does. Things like preservatives, parabens, mineral oil, chemical dyes, and fragrances that can irritate my skin or cause blemishes.
I recently discovered a new Canadian makeup company that takes mineral makeup one step further. Urban Minerals is a dynamic new cosmetics company based in Toronto, Canada. Sarah Devika, the owner and creator, was inspired by the multiculturalism of Toronto to create a line of loose mineral foundations for women of all colours. You can see her sources of inspiration in the unique and creative names she gives her colours: One Love, Urban Heart, Like a Boss, Missus Multicultural, and Universal Harmony to name just a few of the 30 shades available. All the ingredients are natural and locally-sourced wherever possible, and her herbal botanics add anti-inflammatory, reparative, and skin-soothing properties.
Each jar contains a generous 30 grams, and the cost is comparable to other loose mineral foundations on a gram per gram basis. The jar comes with a sifter and an inner shield that turns to control the amount that comes out or to cover the sifter completely.
Check out the list of natural ingredients:
Serecite, Zinc Oxide, Boron Nitride, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Urtica Dioica (Nettle Root) extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) extract, Salix Alba (White Willow Bark) extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) extract, Organic Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Powder, Organic Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) extract, Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract (CO2).
The Urban Minerals Look
I’ve never used loose foundation before, only pressed, so I was quite intrigued to try this. I tipped some into the lid, picked a little up on my kabuki brush, and swirled the brush in circles working from the outside edges to the centre of my face. Here’s the result!
From my before and after pictures you can see my Urban Minerals did a good job of evening out my skin tone and covering up my blemishes, especially around my chin, but I don’t look (or feel) made up. It even helped the circles under my eyes without any concealer. The coverage was easily buildable, though I usually prefer a lighter touch with my foundation. I like being able to still see my skin – just better skin.
The feel is a little creamier than other mineral foundations I’ve used, but despite this, I was impressed to find the soft, matte finish stuck around just as long, if not longer, than other mineral foundations I’ve used. I have normal and oily combination skin, but in winter the normal areas get pretty dry. I was happy to see that the Urban Minerals foundation didn’t look flaky over the drier areas of my face the way my regular brand of pressed foundation can in the winter months. It also has a subtle, fresh herbal scent that I really love.
Shopping Online
Urban Minerals is only available online right now. Shopping from home is so convenient, but picking the right shade for me was a bit of a journey. I consider that the major drawback to ordering any cosmetics online. I originally picked Unfurled Flowers, but the colour was too yellow for my skin tone. Sarah was so helpful and figured out that Mellow Yellow was more my shade. Luckily, Urban Minerals offers detailed descriptions and a free sample with free shipping (Canada only) to help you pick your perfect shade. And if after all that the colour still isn’t right, Sarah will cover your return shipping. Now that’s what I call risk-free!
If you’re looking for a high quality, environmentally and skin-friendly loose powder foundation, Urban Minerals is definitely worth your while. With 30 shades to match any skin tone, superior ingredients, and fantastic customer service, this one’s easy to recommend.
I’m really excited to tell you that Urban Minerals is sponsoring an amazing prize in next week’s Mama’s Got a New Look Giveaway Hop. Come back then to enter to win your choice of TWO loose mineral foundations plus a free personalized consultation with Sarah to help you pick your perfect shades.
Connect!
Connect with Sarah at Urban Minerals on Facebook and on Twitter for the latest news, specials, and promotions.
Shop!
Pop over to Urban Minerals and shop for your perfect shade. Full size jars are 30 grams and sell for $37.00 each.
Disclosure: I received a sample item for review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
Looks great, I would like to get this in Universal Harmony, it appears to be the lightest π
There is a very nice variety of colors. I think I would try the Missus Multicultural..
I would want to get the light mode shade or missus multicultural shade.
unfurled Flowers would be my choice.
I’d like to try Universal Harmony.
I would love to try the Mellow Yellow
thanks
Mello Yellow! Thank you!
Ms. Divine,OH I LOVE THIS
Urban Heart
i have no clue which shade goes with my skin the best.. mb mellow yellow
I’d love to try Down to Earth Diva. I have problem skin and love mineral makeup.
Unfurled Flowers looks best on my skin.
Universal Harmony I think. I’m not sure though, I find their shades confusing. I need the lightest shade available as I am very very very very fair, but their light shade looks way too dark.
I would love to try One Love.
I would love to try Universal Harmony, looks perfect for my skin tone.
The Universal Harmony looks like the best shade
Light Mode
I would like to try Spirited Style.
Universal Harmony or Unfurled Flowers
If I was able to try this product I would go with the Mellow Yellow colour.
Universal Harmony for me please! I like to be pale as death. π
I’m not sure what color to pick. Ive never used minerals. Only pressed powder in a medium beige color
I’d like to try the Unfurled Flowers. π
I’d like to try the Flourished Tan.
I think I would like Flourished Tan
I would like to try Universal Harmony.
I’d choose the Universal Harmony shade.
I am always hesitant to try mineral foundation because I have dry places on my face too, glad to hear this doesn’t highlight that. It sounds like Universal Harmony is the shade for me.
I’d like to try the Universal Harmony! Sounds like my color! π
I would guess Light Mode would probably work for me:)
I think I’d try Glam Tan.
I think the Universal harmony would be the best match for me. always hard to tell on a computer though π . I really like that, from your pictures, it doesn’t LOOK like you are wearing makeup. it always bugs me when it is obvious that there is a bunch of foundation or powder-on, I think it takes focus away from the loveliness of the person.
I think the Universal Harmony
I would like to try the Universal Harmony,,thanks!
Lots of shades to choose. I would like try Missus Multicultural.
I love how it smooths out the complexion. Like you say “just better skin”. I would like to try the Universal Harmony.
I think Universal Harmony is right for me!
I would like to try Universal Harmony.
Thanks for the great review. I would like to try the Universal Harmony and the Warm Current. Keep up the terrific blogging.
I’d like to try Urban heart!
I would like to try the Universal Harmony colour.
Light Mode
I am not sure what shade to get, but I am pretty white (especially living in Wisconsin) so I would probably choose one of the lighter shades like missus multicultural!
Urban heart might match my skin tone!!
I want to try Unfurled Flowers.
I think Light Tone would look best on me
I would love to try universal harmony, it is so pretty!
I think Universal Harmony would suit me best…I’m very fair.
I’d really like to try the Unfurled Flowers shade.
Down To Earth Diva looks like it would suit me. The name certainly does, lol!