I usually wait a while and use a product several times before putting up a review, but I wanted to do a medyo first impressions post on the Ellana Minerals Loose Mineral Powder Foundation* and the Ellana Minerals Make It Last Makeup Primer* both of which I got from the Ellana Minerals relaunch last November 19.

I’m actually pretty impressed with the primer. It is a clear, gel-like substance, but it goes on velvet-y soft when you smooth it over your face. Texturally, it’s closest to the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, among all of the primers I own, and from what I have experienced personally.

Product Description: “Our new blend of makeup primer to make your makeup last longer, instantly smoothens your skin. Oil-free, mattifies completely, smoothens fine lines, and enhances your complexion. Now with Allantoin & Moroccan Argan Oil for cell regeneration and moisturizers. Fragrance-free, Paraben-free, Mineral oil-free”

So far, I’ve found that it lives up to its claims. The dispenser is quite nice, with the packaging close to Snoe’s Emu.Tox.

The foundation is super silky and supah-fine. We had a bit of trouble finding a shade match for ourselves at the event, but then when I got home, I realized that there is actually a code on the bottom. I was shade-matched to Caramel Latte, which is described as a match for “medium warm tone.”

The Intensive Blend Loose Foundation is “ideal for oily and troubled skin due to its superior coverage and oil-absorbing properties.” It is super finely-milled, with a soft texture that I can strangely liken to chalk dust. Thankfully, it doesn’t bunch up like chalk and clog, but blends out and away quite beautifully.

Here, I’ve worn it over the Ellana Minerals primer. Pardon the funny facial expressions, lol. These are literally the “best” photos I have from this set. (Isn’t that sad?)

Here’s a close-up shot in case you want to see pores or something. For some reason. No? Okay.

Here it is, over The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Pore Minimiser. I was testing out Le Métier de Beauté’s Kaleidoscope Eye Kit in Gravité, which I’ve swatched and posted about already. Full review coming soon. 🙂

And finally, here it is over The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser, Céleteque’s Matte Moisturizer (for SPF), and under the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Mood Light and Luminous Light. It is displayed along with a sheen, courtesy of a side order of tropical weather sweat.

Anyway, the bottom line—do I like it? Heck yes! At the launch, Liz told us that she liked it even better than bareMinerals, which is my HG foundation. She said that it blended into the skin easier, taking less time to buff in the product. I agree with this assessment, but I don’t know if it has ousted the bareMinerals Original Foundation for me. They have the same active ingredients from what I can tell (Titanium Oxide and Zinc Oxide) so there is already sun protection there, but bareMinerals formula is more suited to my skin type, since I am not oily. Both are formulated without parabens, binders, fillers, or synthetic chemicals.

That said, I do love this one by Ellana Minerals and will continue to use it.

Ellana Minerals’ products are tested by and on its co-founder and chemist, Theresa Carbonel. I’m not sure if their suppliers are cruelty-free, but the company itself is a 100% animal testing free zone.

* PR Sample. Ellana Minerals are available for purchase at Ellana Minerals or at The Ramp Trinoma, EDSA Shangri-La, and Glorietta.