June 24, 2008

Beauty on a Budget Week: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Cream Foundation and Concealer Review

Before I begin my review today I think it deserves a mention that I have a serious love affair with Physicians Formula cosmetics. I’ve been using the line since I was a wee teenager and have always felt they have released many products that pack a mighty fine bang for your buck! One of my favorite powders by Physicians Formula made it into my Year End Review for 2007. The line contains some seriously superior products with a really great price tag and it’s probably one of the very few drugstore brands that I trust with my money!

On to the review……

Physicians Formula has been very busy lately releasing all sorts of interesting products such as mineral wear and an organic range of cosmetics. I’ve neglected the line for a bit as I have a few staples that I normally stock up on and as I run low I always have a back up so it’s rare I need to venture into a drugstore to purchase any of the line.

Imagine my delight when I came across a big old display of Physicians Formula at the Walmart empire while shopping with my sister!

One of the first items that caught my eye was the Mineral Wear Cream Foundation. Why did that catch my eye first? It had a free gift attached. The Muse likey free gifts.

I’ve been searching for a new foundation for a while now. I use Morgen Schick Hide and Highlight palette as my main foundation but for some reason I haven’t been able to achieve the flawlessness that the palette normally gives me. My search has taken me on an endless stream of trying and ditching products rapidly as of late.

When I noticed this foundation I figured it was worth trying out for the price plus…did I mention..it came with a free gift!

This foundation is awesome. Oh my god the Muse loves it. It MAY be a tiny bit drying to some but I found it pure perfection. Silky, smooth, easy to blend, amazing coverage and takes my skin from dull to flawless in a snap! Plus did I mention it came with a free gift and it’s cheap as a day chips too? Are you in love with it yet?

One of the main things to love about this foundation is the uber awesome packaging. It comes in a squeeze style tube that has an attached sponge applicator. Squeeze a little bit of product on to the sponge and begin application by running the sponge across your face. I found that the sponge worked great at applying the product evenly and I didn’t have to touch my face a single time to blend! Coverage is amazingly good and my dull skin takes on a very nice smooth, radiant appearance in preparation for my blush. You can apply a very sheer amount if you desire or build up coverage as you see fit. The sponge applicator makes the coverage you seek easy to apply and blend.

The formula is very creamy but does feel somewhat dry once applied this could be because it dries matte but this didn’t sway my good opinion. The product is Talc-Free and claims to be fantastic for extra sensitive skin that are prone to break-outs.

Coverage lasted all day and I had no oily eruptions in the humid weather. The foundation felt weightless and breathable in the warm weather plus I looked put together and gorgeous all day!

The shade I tried was Creamy Natural which is a nice fair shade that will compliment medium fair skin tones. I stupidly didn’t pay close attention to the other colors available so I can’t say for sure if any shades are available for yellow skin tones or darker skin tones. The entire collection always appeared to cater to the fairer skin tone but maybe I haven’t paid enough attention when making my color selections.

The prepackaged foundation had a free gift as I mentioned earlier on which was a concealer click pen. I’ve tried Physicians Formula concealers prior to this and loved them but I’ve never tried this particular concealer. Turns out it’s a very good concealer. My favorite packaging for concealer is a click pen so of course I’m all on board when it comes to that style packaging! The concealer comes in a small pen, click a few times to get the product following, swipe on, pat into place and you’re dark circles are covered up and you appear awake and well rested once again! The formula is creamy and moisturizing plus it blends beautifully so minimal tugging is involved during application. All in all a very nice little concealer for the price!

The entire package cost me $9.48 USD and that’s probably the least amount I’ve ever paid for foundation and concealer in my life. I normally spend close to $30 USD for concealer alone and an additional $40-$50 for foundation. Imagine my surprise and delight that I got both a great foundation and concealer packaged together at least 80% lower to what I’m normally shelling out for product.

In all seriousness if you’re currently on a budget or you’re just looking for a cheaper solution for foundation and concealer this little package can’t be beat! I’m unsure how long they will package the two items together but even purchased separately you’re still saving yourself some serious cash!

I’ve a big supporter and believer in purchasing high end concealers and foundations. I truly support designer brands when it comes to both considering that I get better results, longer wear, and excellent coverage from counter brands! However, Physicians Formula gets a big Muse Approval for purchase as it sports all of the following bang for your buck:

  • Long-Wearing
  • Creamy, Moisturizing Formula
  • Ridiculously Cheap Price Tag
  • Excellent Packaging (Sponge Applicator, Click style pen)
  • Perfect Matte Finish for Summer when skin tends to become oily

All in all I’m very happy I picked this up and I recommend trying it out for yourself! You can’t break the bank by at the very least testing it out for yourself!

The Muse is all over Mineral Wear Cream Foundation and Concealer from Physicians Formula! We have a winner here!

Use this already?

Love it?

Love Physicians Formula?

Want to try it?

Tell the Muse!



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17 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Critty

    Oooooo Critty want!!! I too am searching for foundations like a mad woman, nothing is right anymore. I was thinking of hitting up the Prescriptives counter, but I think I’ll try this one first. I usually really like PF concealers and powders.

    Thanks Muse!
    Critty 🙂

  • JennBee

    Thanks for the wonderful review! 🙂 I’m a budget beauty blogger and it’s exciting to see other blogs paying attention to budget stuff – they’re sometimes surprised by what they find! Someday, I hope the idea that all drugstore/cheap beauty is trash will be overturned, because it’s simply not true.

    I’ll keep checking back this week to see what else you’ve tried 🙂 I’ll be looking into this foundation now for sure.

  • the Muse

    hey critty!!!!!!!!!!!

    Me too. Lately my foundation hasn’t been performing the way I want it too 🙁

    I actually have a few foundation reviews up my sleeve so don’t take out that $10 dollar bill yet 😉

    PF is one of the few DS brands I actually enjoy using! Good stuff 😉

    You’re most welcome dearie!

  • the Muse

    Hi there JennBee!

    You’re most welcome, my pleasure!

    I was visiting your blog just now! Very nice!

    I’m always shocked when I find a good budget fine! I tend to be a makeup snob at times so it’s always a pleasant shock to find a good product for 50-75% cheaper than what I come across at counters!

    I’m so glad you’ll be visiting this week! I look forward to hearing from you again soon!

    Thanks for taking time out to comment!

    Cheers!

  • Tammy

    OOooohh…I like PF, and I have been looking for a new foundation. I like the mineral powder type, but I need a little more coverage. I am not too sure about the sponge applicator, but if you likey, then I am sure I will likey!

    I just don’t want to go to WalMart for it! I hope they have it at my local CVS instead.

  • ???

    morning darling!

    this seems good!

    it’s like only close to rm30+ after converting the currency! It’s like half of what I spend to get a foundation and concealer. OMG! It’s even cheaper than Kate’s!

    Why PF is not available here?

    Boo!

    hugs,
    plue

  • loey

    When you said about posting about Walmart purchase I was expecting you to mock how cheap the products are.
    But indeed, this looks fab.
    I’ve been wanting to try Physician’s Formula ever since they came up with this mosaic blusher/bronzer thing. Alas it’s not avail. in Singapore and I can’t be bothered to get a CP for something that might just wind up in a pile of forgotten makeup.

  • Beauty Addict

    Hey Muse, that sounds interesting. Anyway, I was wondering if ine could take out the sponge to clean? Else it might be unhygenic in the long run.

    gracie

  • the Muse

    hi Tammy!

    Me too! They make damn good stuff. Much success with the foundation but not loving the mineral powder yak!

    I was shocked the sponge worked well for application 😉

    Oh yes! I’m sure they will and when I think about it I bet it’s cheaper as they always have that buy 1 get 1 50% off 🙂

    Thanks for the comment Tammy!
    Have a great day! Hope to speak to you soon!

  • the Muse

    morning plue!!!!!!

    It’s actually pretty darn nice..better if it had SPF 😉

    LOL! Yes cheaper than Kate’s 😉

    poo 🙁 If you need help I’m here lovie!

    Hugs!

  • the Muse

    hello loey!

    Nice to see you!

    Did I disappoint you that I wasn’t catty with my comments about the budget finds lol!

    This was great but my review on the mineral powder is less than raving 🙂

    The mosiac blusher is great. I have a few!

    Aw I totally understand! Even though this is great I do fear it’ll end up in the pile of not wants 😉

  • the Muse

    Morning Gracie!

    How are you?

    It’s quite interesting! Mmm well if you prefer you can squeeze onto your finger and use it like that but I think it’s not possible to remove it.

    I agree in the long run it is kinda gross 😛

    But it’s so cheap I guess I can ditch it before that 😉

  • Dorothy

    Hi there,

    The applicator pad is supposed to be antimicrobial so that may help reduce the grossness. I apply by dabbing it on my skin then I blend with damp fingers. It works best for me. I bet you could wash the applicator pad if you’re careful not to squeeze any product out.

    I have been desperately seeking the old PF foundation that came sort of in a powder compact. It had an applicator pad but I just used my fingers. It was sort of a thick cake and lasted forever with the most PERFECT coverage!I looked like I was blessed with perfect skin but it hid all my imperfections. Is the product available anywhere? I just can’t find it and have been looking for a couple of years. Some other lines have a product that looks the same but I won’t waste my money. I want the real deal.

  • Dorothy

    Hi there!

    The pad is supposed to be antimicrobial but I bet you could wash it if you’re careful not to squeeze any product out.

    Can anyone help me find the old PF foundation that came in a little white compact like pressed powder comes in? It was a moist produce that came with an applicator pad. I just applied it with damp fingers for a perfectly flawless look. It covered everything, even did good on my dark circles. I have been looking everywhere for a couple of years! Nothing else comes close. =-(

  • the Muse

    hi Dorothy!

    Is it? Thanks for the heads up 😉

    I’m sure it’s possible to wash as well but it didn’t bother me too much..I find it’s more hygienic than touching my fingers to it!

    Gosh I don’t remember that…have you checked ebay?

    Do you mean the pink foundation? and it felt moist on?

    have you tried calling PF?

    They may know if it’s dc or not 🙂

  • tildy

    Hi,

    I’m always on the hunt for a better foundation. I’m always self-conscious of looking like I have a make-up mask on because of miss-matched skin tone-foundation. I’ve tried PF stuff before, and I wasn’t liking it, but since reading your review, I decided that I HAD to try it again. I went out and bought the cream foundation (unfortunately, no free concealer stick :(:( ), and I applied it when I got home, and all I can say, is wow! Thanks for the review, and now I have an awesome foundation!

  • Lala

    Hey Muse!
    I noticed you mentioned you are a nc25 in another post. I pretty sure I’m nc25-nc30. I have the loose powder version of this foundation in buff beige, which is the perfect color for me. I noticed the colors aren’t the same on the two foundations.
    What would you say the undertones in the creamy natural is?
    Do you think it would match the color buff beige in the loose version?
    Hope you answer this! 🙂