Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics - Skin-Friendly Make-up

I’ve gone into a lot of detail in this review and included the kind of information I personally like to know when considering products that are new to me. Overall verdict for skim readers:  Superb quality, skin-friendly, very flattering and wearable.  The rest of you, read on – your skin may thank me for it…

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics has been popular in the US for many years and is currently making waves on UK shores. So far it’s been warmly received and I’ve heard only positive things about it, so I was chuffed when invited to try some product samples.

I don’t have a great deal of experience of mineral make-up and have been put off some which contain talc and other nasties, which don’t go hand in hand with a mineral range in my opinion. One leading brand I tried made my skin feel quite itchy and look dry and ‘made up’, which I hate.

Skin Friendly

Youngblood ticks a lot of boxes for me – these are some of the reasons why:

• Suitable for all skin conditions, including allergy sensitive
• No zinc oxide, so minerals are non-drying
• Contains titanium dioxide for broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection
• Has no fragrances, oils, or talc
• Water-resistant, long lasting
• Non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic. Cruelty-free.

Products

I tested the following products (pictured above):

• Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint – Natural £32
• Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint, Illuminating – Golden Sun £32
• Mineral Primer £30
• Liquid Mineral Foundation – Sand £35
• Hi-Def Hydrating Powder – translucent £32

Sometimes it takes me a while to learn to love a new product and admittedly, I was slightly unsure when I first tried these, mainly because I’m used to slightly more coverage.  After using them for several weeks in various combinations, I have to admit I’m completely won over and can’t recommend them highly enough.

Swatches

The following swatches show each product ‘straight from the tube’ (top) and blended (below).

Youngblood Liquid Mineral Foundation, Sand

The texture of Youngblood products feels immediately expensive, which is quite appropriate, as they’re not cheap (more’s the pity) but not without good reason.  Liquid Mineral Foundation’s Deep Sea Hydrating Complex and provides light to medium coverage with a dewy finish.  Rich in minerals and nutrients it contains extracts of Calendula, Allantoin, Cucumber, Green Tea and Cactus Grandiflorus.

The fluid consistency is very liquid-y and a little goes a long way.  I loved it more as the day went on, when it kind of ‘softened’ and looked even more natural - and was impressed with how long it lasted on my skin.  (I did take some evening pics to prove this point but look so knackered in them I’ll save your eyes).  I used the shade ‘Sand’, which is very yellow toned, but blended beautifully. 

The coverage was a little light for me, but with the addition of concealer, it was enough - especially for this time of year - and looked very natural.  I’m not sure how it would withstand bitter winter cold and harsh winds… I normally use a heavier coverage in Autumn-Winter.

Wearing Youngblood Mineral Primer, Foundation and Powder

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Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint in the ‘Natural’ shade is more golden than it looks here. Despite being one of the lightest shades it’s a touch dark for me  but I don’t mind as my skin is more tanned than normal at the moment (no it’s not real – I’ll tell you more in a separate review this week!).  This adds colour and barely-there coverage, waaaay less than I’m comfortable with in all honesty.  The only time I’d use such light coverage would be on holiday, to take the bad look off myself. Or maybe at the gym (if I went to a gym!). It contains a host of natural antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and minerals and is recommended for normal to dry skins.

Wearing Youngblood Mineral Moisture Tint in Natural, with light mascara & lipgloss
for no make-up look (won't be doing this again in a hurry!) ;-)

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Youngblood Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint, Illuminating, Golden Sun

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I tested Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint – Illuminating in ‘Golden Sun’, a colour that reminded me of American Tan tights, which is probably showing my age… do they even exist anymore?!?  The Golden Sun is the only ‘Illuminating’ shade and I found it even lighter in coverage, with a sheen so subtle that I didn’t even notice it until photographing in Digital Macro. I’ve photographed a bigger swatch of it separately to try and show the delicate golden sheen.

Illustrating the subtle golden sheen in Illuminating Golden Sun

Youngblood Radiance Moisture Tint (Golden Sun) worn under Mineral foundation & powder

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Youngblood Hi-DEF Hydrating Powder, Translucent

Hi-DEF Hydrating Powder may be my favourite of the Youngblood products. It’s the finest (literally) powder I’ve ever tried, just amazingly finely milled and sooo soft. When blended (with a brush) it dusts the skin in a silky finish which isn’t at all caked, heavy or even visible really. It just adds a subtle soft focus to the skin, diffuses imperfections (always a winner with me!) and sets make-up beautifully.

I tried it with my usual foundation too (Clarins Skin Illusion) just to give me an idea of how it works with more familiar products. Answer: equally well, though I’d imagine it performs best with its usual counterparts. I used this in ‘Translucent’ but it’s also available in ‘Warmth’, a yellowy gold shade.

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Youngblood Mineral Primer

Mineral Primer – another top scorer in my book.  This feels like silk when applied, makes pores, fine lines and imperfections less visible and provides a gorgeous make-up base.  I’m not sure how much this contributes to the lasting power of the above as once I’d tried it I couldn’t bear to use them without it!

Paraben-free and naturally rich in vitamins in minerals, the texture is gel-like and gloopy. Good gloopy, not yucky gloopy. It takes up to a minute to dry on the skin before make-up application, during which time it’s almost impossible to resist stroking your face in awe of the softness!

Full product range at www.ybskin.co.uk or www.ybskin.com

Are you a fan of mineral make-up and do any of these products appeal to you?