Product Review: Eminence Sun Defense Minerals Powder Bronzer
One of the makeup products I brought with me on my travels is a loose mineral powder bronzer. I have yet to find a liquid or cream foundation that I like. I have always used a bit of concealer and a loose mineral powder when I am dressing up. Any attempt at the use of foundation is short-lived. I love the ritual of plant-focused skin and hair care. But I am low-maintenance when it comes to presentation. This is something that I am working on. I knew it was time to upgrade from my early 2000s Bare Minerals.
In 2017, I found an organic Hungarian skincare brand at a spa in Leavenworth, Washington. Leavenworth is a small town built in the Cascade Mountains. It was created in the image of a Central European German village. I first experienced Leavenworth during a long weekend at a very mid resort spa. In 2022, I returned during a season of camp-car living. I spent 10 years in the Seattle metro area. I had a late-blooming, queer coming of age. In that time, I had two relationships and two very different trips to the Cascades. Both connections ended after having spent time in the Leavenworth wilderness. What has since lasted is my queerness and the use of this mineral powder.
Leavenworth receives mixed reviews. My last trip had me concerned about bears and the high cost and remote nature of the campgrounds. The first time, I found it charming. The snow-capped mountains and blue winter lakes were beautiful. Both times, there was a shallowness in the Bavarian vibe. It was a tourist trap, empty of culture.
Yet I am always struck by the beauty of the natural forest, a mountain range, and the humanity of an industrial string of lights. I did come upon a wonderful natural soap shop in town. Then there was the discovery of Eminence in the spa at the resort I was staying at. Here was a true Central European product from Hungary.
I had a Swedish massage that included some use of Eminence. I looked through the display after my service and tested out some of the products. The natural ingredients impressed me. I wanted to try some items they had testers for but didn’t have in stock. When I got back home, I ordered more, and I appreciated the gentle exfoliation. I tried a mix-and-match combination of cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and exfoliant. I remember enjoying their use of Tahitian Monoi oil in one of the cleansers and the lime juice in the toner. I disliked the texture of the yam and pumpkin enzyme peel. I prefer my fruit and vegetable concoctions straight from the kitchen. I wasn’t a big fan of the stonecrop line. It resulted in an itchy feeling for me. I could have been allergic to an ingredient. You need to watch for this with plant-based beauty products. It’s why it’s best to use only one collection or new ingredient at a time until you know how it will react with your skin.
The full line is a higher price than I can afford; the bronzer is the only item I continue to buy as the years pass. It comes in a cool wooden box.
Eminence Sun Defense Minerals is a lightweight mineral powder. It provides coverage and buildability. It’s a subtle natural glow. For me, it’s also a nice base for blush and eye shadows. I am comfortable applying it to my full face. Although I wear a liquid sunscreen daily now, my initial attraction to it was the added benefit of SPF. It is water-resistant and provides SPF 30 sun protection with micronized zinc oxide. The Calendula Spice is the perfect color for me when I experience many sunny days. And a great bronzer during the pale-faced winter months and long periods in rainy overcast cities.
There is a limited range of shades. If you have darker skin, you may still be able to use it as a highlighter or bronzer. It depends on your skin tone and the effect you want. There are a lot more brands available today with a broader range of shades. I am not sure how translucent the first shade is, but reviews claim it’s quite sheer.
I have thought of trying to color match one shade lighter for the winter with the Peaches & Cream No. 3. Jhené Aiko is quoted on the company website as doing that. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the need to have seasonal shades, and mixing shades could benefit me.
Eminence, which has been around since 1958, has a big following and has won many awards. Two Hungarian brothers run the operation, and major media have highlighted it. Dozens of Hollywood celebrities, like Tessa Thompson and Rosario Dawson, support them.
I would agree this mineral powder has a silky matte coverage, as described by the brand. The hypoallergenic powder is made with natural minerals and fruit extracts. It is free of parabens, SLS, and fragrance. It is cruelty-free and does not test on animals.
I wear a full face of makeup for special occasions, but rarely day-to-day. I would like to take the time out of my day to apply a base to balance out redness and unevenness. Even with a lighter skin tone, I’ve had a hard time color-matching to foundations and powders. I’m not a fan of feeling heaviness on my face, and I don’t like covering up my freckles.
My skin can transition swiftly through shades of pink, yellow, and gold. Like my personality, sometimes I’m cool, sometimes I’m neutral, and sometimes I’m warm. I picked up a coconut shell pressed powder in Bangkok. It turned out to be too light for me while getting so much sun in Thailand. But it might work in combination with Calendula Spice for winter in Europe.
The Eminence bronzer applicator is an issue. The packaging is cute. But, I don’t like the brush. It’s a great all-in-one idea in theory, but it doesn’t apply the powder well. They instruct you not to pump it too much, but it ends up uneven when you use the attached brush. This seems to be a common complaint. I am looking for a new container to dump the powder into so it’s easy to apply with a different foundation brush. It looks like if you are a professional makeup artist, you can buy the powder in a sifter jar.
The skin care line is for anyone who loves to pamper themselves with organic, natural ingredients. As a certified B Corporation, Eminence will plant a tree for every product you buy. They have a certified organic farm in Hungary where they hand-pick ingredients. Their family has been making natural skin care since the 1950s.
If you have a light to medium complexion, try the organic mineral powder bronzer if you find it, whether in Hungary or a North American “village.” Even with the applicator issues, it’s a great product.
