So after much discussion and consideration, I ordered a free sample kit from Everyday Minerals to see what this mineral makeup craze is really all about.

I received three different foundations (Olive Medium in original glo, Olive Medium in intensive, Golden Medium in original glo), one concealer (Multi-tasking) and one blush (Deep Wine). I ultimately decided on these by checking out the "Get This Look" page on the Web site and picking the products on the model with a similar skin tone to my own.

I'm a total minerals virgin, so my first reaction to the product was, "How the heck do I apply this?" After tinkering a bit, I tapped some product onto the lid and used an old foundation brush to begin applying the powder. I tried Olive Medium in original glo.

The first thing I noticed was the green undertone to the hue I'd chosen, which was refreshing; I have had zero luck finding a truly olive tone foundation. I will typically pick shades with words like "warm", "medium" and "beige" in them, but they always make me seem a more red-tan rather than the actual deep, olive complexion I have.

The foundation was easy to apply, but the sample size made it difficult to get much product on at once. I was tempted to put on several layers, as I am used to much thicker coverage, but realized that this is all part of my mineral adventure.

I also applied the Multi-tasking concealer, which seemed a bit too white and chalky for me. It actually worked really well under my eyes, creating the highlight I normally use my Benefit Eye Bright for. I was less than impressed with the coverage on blemishes and red areas- I'll have to investigate a different shade for that.

Finally, I used to Deep Wine blush, which seemed WAY to dark for me. To my surprise, after some blending, it mimicked my natural flush almost exactly.

I asked the hubby what he thought of my makeup when I was done- he said I looked "darker" but with really clear skin. What's interesting is that I typically use bronzing products on a daily basis in an effort to match my skin tone better- when he saw "darker", he was actually seeing a more natural color than the the tans I normally apply.

I will continue to experiment with my different foundation shades and report back. Here are some pros and cons of mineral makeup I have discovered after day one:

Pros:
1. Light, feels like you're not wearing makeup.
2. Easy to find and create colors that match your skin tone.
3. I feel better knowing I don't have horrible chemicals on my face.
4. It's a whole lot cheaper than my standard Chanel($12 vs $50); adding this to the rotation could mean a much happier bank account and husband.

Cons:
1. Application takes practice.
2. Not effective for serious blemishes.
3. I could see this getting VERY messy.

I feel like this could be a great product to add to my collection, particularly for times when I don't want as much coverage or during the summer.