Bare Escentuals Multi-Tasking Summer Bisque SPF20

I accept imperfections equal individuality, that dark circles, uneven skin and blemishes are the simple quirks of ones appearance but that doesn't mean I like them on myself. I've always been self conscious regarding my own "perceived" skin inadequacies and consequently seldom leave my house without wearing make up of some description. If nothing else a good concealer is Paramount and Multi Tasking Summer Bisque (here on referred to as just Summer Bisque) is an imperative product in my cosmetic case. Although it's primary use is as a concealer it can be just as easily adapted to become an all over face cover or foundation.

~~~ What Is Summer Bisque ~~~

Summer Bisque, not to be confused with the slightly paler shade of Bisque is a multi tasking mineral concealer that works in much the same way as my old traditional liquid or stick concealers. It's designed to camouflage unwanted blemishes and conceal minor skin imperfections such as Rosacea, broken capillaries and light scarring but also doubles as an eye shadow base where a light dusting along the eye lids provides me with an excellent base that holds the shadow in place and prevents the colour from sinking into the creases and smudging.

Derived from a blend of natural minerals and organic extracts finely ground to a powder of near dust consistency, Summer bisque is incredibly light weight both to apply and wear and has a lovely soft, velvety texture which lends to a smooth, creamy application and flawless finish, brightening my skin whilst hiding imperfections with absolutely no scent what so ever, a definite benefit as I'm not akin to scented products to my face.

Summer Bisque is a light to medium shade, delicate honey/golden brown in colouring that looks deceptively darker than it actually is on retail websites. It's suitable for fair to medium complexions, although for Porcelain tones I feel this maybe just a shade too dark however these minerals are versatile and I love that Summer Bisque can be combined with other mineral concealer and foundation shades to achieve a perfect skin match, particularly useful if I need to adapt the shade for lighter or slightly heavier coverage. These minerals can also be used as a stand alone face colour in replacement of foundation or used both under and over foundation and/or Mineral Veil, which saves significant time if I want to touch up my makeup during the day as unlike traditional concealers that can't be applied over loose and pressed powder Summer bisque can.

I have fair skin and this concealer is the perfect colour match for my complexion, blending beautifully with my natural skin tone, concealing my light blemishes, dark circles and red cheeks without leaving my skin "cakey" or with the obligatory light orange colouring, the tell tale shade traditional concealers can develop throughout the day.

~~~ The Beauty Of Summer Bisque ~~~

It's ironic that the traditional cosmetics I once applied to my face to conceal problem areas contained chemicals that probably aggravated dermatological conditions, in particular spots (a problem I curiously suffer on occasion despite being in my mid thirties and implementing a reasonable skin care regime) and it's the main reason I wanted to convert to mineral makeup.

Unlike other brands who's mineral cosmetics are simply powdered versions of their liquid counterparts, BareMinerals are natural. Summer Bisque is formulated with SPF 20 and without the inclusion of alcohol that can be drying or chemical ingredients such as talc, preservatives, synthetic fragrances, pigmentation's or fillers that block pores and aggravate sensitive skin. For a user like myself who has sensitive, combination skin, typically consisting of an oily t-zone and dry cheeks this is a God send as I can effectively conceal flaws without causing further irritation or flaking on dry patches. The minerals also control and reduce oily breakouts and shine through the day keeping my makeup looking pristine.

~~~ Applying Summer Bisque ~~~

The application technique is simple and once mastered it reduced my makeup application time considerably as there's no need to apply several different products and finish with powder however it did take a few attempts to perfect. The key to achieving the best results with Summer Bisque is "less is more". It's tempting at first to over apply, assuming these minerals require a heavy application to be effective, however it's surprising how little are needed to get a full coverage, particularly in comparison to traditional concealers.

As a rule of thumb I always apply the minerals after I have cleansed and moisturised my skin to provide a "base". Application is a recommended swirl, tap and buff. I add a tiny amount of the product into the container lid, (a process made easier if your container has a click/lock system which allows control when dispensing the minerals) swirl my brush into the minerals, tap off any excess (there should be no visible minerals on the brush prior to application) then I apply to the skin using either gentle circular buffing motions, dabbing or patting depending on the exact area I want to cover and the brush I am using. I generally prefer to apply a little mineral foundation afterwards but to save time I often mix the two prior to applying.

The minerals glide onto the skin effortlessly and need minimum buffing to blend. They feel soft and creamy upon application and the end result is a medium matte coverage with a weightless feel that leaves the skin looking far more natural than any liquid concealer ever could and yet it effectively camouflages moderate flaws without drawing attention to problem areas leaving my skin feeling hydrated not dry. Throughout application it never feels as though makeup is being applied. You can't see minerals on the brushes or your skin, nor can you feel them being blended so it can take a few attempts to get used to the fact that your skin feels naked even though it clearly isn't. I can apply other cosmetics such as eyeliner, brow pencil, eye shadow and blusher as normal without the minerals smudging or shifting and I can also lightly touch my face without smearing the minerals or transferring onto clothes.

I always use BareMineral brushes to apply Summer Bisque because they're specially designed for applying these minerals. Their bristles are non absorbent and don't trap the minerals nor release them too quickly causing wastage and their soft tapered designs allow for complete control during application. I use the Maximum Coverage Concealer for precision covering under the eyes where small dabbing motions are most effective to reach into the corners of the eyes and over the lids but also because this method is less harsh on this delicate under eye area. I use the Kabuki brush to apply a quick all over face cover. Although it's not essential to use their brushes I do feel they are the best choice to apply Summer Bisque and in my mind if your prepared to invest in quality cosmetics you may as well use the correct brush to achieve optimum results and get the the most from the minerals.

~~~ My Opinion ~~~

For me, Summer Bisque, which I consider to be more a "skin corrector" rather than concealer is a little confidence booster, providing the right balance of coverage to camouflage my imperfections which include a little Rosacea, blotches and discolouration without irritation as well as providing me with a more even skin tone without the appearance of wearing heavy makeup. For users with clearer skin a light dusting of Summer bisque as an all over face cover or just a few dabs on problem areas will be sufficient to achieve a beautiful natural skin tone and flawless complexion although I personally feel happier with a little mineral foundation applied as well.

Summer Bisque really is a multi tasking concealer. Versatile for use on all skin types including dry, sensitive, greasy and the like but also suitable for any skin tone and age range. In my mid thirties I have the beginnings of crows feet and a few fine lines and Summer Bisque doesn't accentuate them at all either immediately after application or throughout the day. A dusting over my cheeks not only evens my complexion but also minimises the appearance of enlarged pores as the minerals glide over the skin rather than sinking into the pores making them appear more prominent, which is a complete contradiction to a traditional powdered cosmetic.

Summer Bisque really is also incredibly hard working, not just complimenting my skin but also working with it. I've noticed a significant reduction in oily breakouts as a direct result of using the minerals as they absorb the oils before they can smudge my makeup or gause my t-zone to look greasy. I'm certainly less prone to breakouts and they've had a calming effect on my sensitive skin, previous cosmetics would make my skin itch or cause flaking, Summer Bisque doesn't. As an undereye concealer Summer Bisque works wonders at concealing dark circles where the minerals help to neutralise the darker colouring as well as brighten the area, all without the need of any harsh rubbing to blend and cover.

Summer Bisque is also long wearing, I can get a good twelve hours from the minerals without clogging andIn fact I can even wear Summer Bisque during my workouts where the minerals hold in place with almost no smudging, although heavy sweating does cause them to deteriorate and so a light dusting to touch up is required to regain the flawless complexion.

There are of course a couple of downsides to Summer Bisque although neither has caused me to reduce my overall rating as they don't directly effect me. These minerals are not waterproof so although they can tolerate light sweating, splashes of water (cleanser or soap is required to fully remove) will wash them off so I couldn't recommend them for swimmers or anyone planning a trip to the seaside which includes a dip in the water nor do I think that they would be an effective camouflage for prominent pigmentation discolouration such as birth marks as I feel this shade may not be dark enough for a complete camouflage but I think they would certainly reduce the appearance significantly.

Overall I think that Summer Bisque is excellent value for money considering the benefits to the skin and the coverage you receive and even purchased at the pricier end of the market it is still an excellent cosmetic investment if you want to use a mineral concealer.

~~~ Availability And Longevity ~~~

I buy Summer Bisque in 2gram containers, the most widely available size where they retail at bareminerals.co.uk for £19.00 excluding postage which is an additional £2.99 standard delivery but there are cheaper on-line alternatives. Smaller 1.2gram containers are available but are less cost effective.

Department stores in my area don't sell BareMineral products so I buy mine from EBay where a 2gram container costs an average £12.00 inclusive of postage. The initial outlay may seem steep but a little really goes a long way. I'm quite a heavy user and 2grams will generally last me around four to five months (with daily use) which averages at a cost effective 7pence per day working out significantly cheaper for me than most basic high street alternatives but even if you don't use them this frequently because the minerals contain no moisture to cause bacteria or chemicals that inevitably cause deterioration these minerals will happily last for years (my BareMineral Warmth is still going strong almost two years after purchasing) and the entire packaging is recyclable, so kind to the environment as well as the skin.