It was in 1970s San Francisco that mineral makeup first became available, in sawdust-strewn health-food stores. The timing was no coincidence: "1976 was the year makeup companies were required to print ingredients on their labels," says Diane Ranger, who created Bare Escentuals, then developed a new line, Colorescience. As a result, pioneering companies stripped makeup of unnecessary talc, fillers, and preservatives. Today, mineral makeup is big business, and the range of formulas has exploded: No longer limited to loose-powder foundations, minerals can be found in everything from foundation creams to pressed powders, lip glosses to eye shadows, cheek colors to mascaras.

Why go mineral? Fans cite the bright pigments (iron oxides are commonly incorporated for their wide range of shades), light-reflecting properties (minerals like mica give skin luminosity), and mattifying benefits. If you've dismissed mineral makeup in the past, it might be time for a second look. "Formulas used to be heavy, but new technology has allowed us to refine the way the minerals are processed, so they're smaller and lighter, and feel smooth on the skin," Ranger says.

Laura Kepshire, our model, is a complementary-medicine practitioner at Brennan Healing Science in New York City, where she uses therapeutic touch and integrative healing techniques. "I've always been attracted to minerals," she says. "As a child in Anchorage, Alaska, I would gather rocks and minerals and keep them in my pockets. I don't wear much makeup, so I love how light and natural the makeup feels on my skin."

"My patients are interested in mineral makeup because it sounds natural," says New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D. "It can be helpful for acne-prone skin, because it usually contains zinc, which can help breakouts," she explains. (But it's not a cure-all for sensitive skin. Fusco cautions, "You can be sensitive to anything, minerals included.") The higher the mineral content, Ranger says, the greater the skin-soothing benefits. Look for labels that list iron oxides, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or mica.

"I've seen a lot of women have that 'Aha' moment when they realize that makeup can be healthy," says Jane Iredale, owner of the eponymous mineral line. "They often then begin to clean out the rest of their lives, changing things like their lotions and cleaning products. Makeup is just the first step."

It's not just loose powder anymore. Cream and pressed-powder formulas give mineral lovers a wide range of options.

1. MAC Mineralize Foundation SPF 15
2. Becca Cosmetics Mineral Powder Foundation
3. Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation
4. Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Illuminating Powder Duo
5. Arcona Sunsations Mineral Makeup SPF 25
6. Aubrey Organics Silken Earth Translucent Base

Look for mineral lip products in the formula you like best -- from glosses and balms to lipsticks. Blush and bronzer come in loose powders, pressed powders, and even small rocks that you can run a brush across or apply directly to your cheeks.

1. Jane Iredale Lip Fixation Lip Stain/Gloss in Fascination
2. La Bella Donna Mineral Light Lip Colour in Pink Sand
3. E.L.F. Mineral Lipstick in Nicely Nude
4. Emani Minerals Hydrating Mineral Lip Color in Drama Queen 5. CoverGirl TruBlend Micro Minerals Blush in Natural Rose
6. Pur Minerals Hot Rocks
7. Philosophy You Make Me Blush in Sunny/Bright

The range of mineral shades -- from subtle to intense -- can be customized by how many layers you apply. Try a sheer wash of color, or brush on a few coats for a brighter payoff.

1. GloMinerals gloEye Shadow in Mermaid
2. GloMinerals gloLoose Eye Shadow in Charming
3. Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Glimmer in Azure
4. MyChelle Eye Shimmer in Spring
5. Mineral Fusion Eye Shadow in Element
6. Avon Smooth Minerals Eyeshadow in Enchanted Lilac
7. Avon Smooth Minerals Eyeshadow in Pixie Dust
8. Afterglow Cosmetics Organic Pencil Eye Liner in Planet
9. The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Eye Colour in Platinum Shimmer

To keep the look natural, employ these sleight-of-hand application tricks.

Lips: For full-color coverage, swipe the lipstick across your lips. For a more subtle shade, dab on to lips with your fingertip.

Cheeks: Mineral pigments are intense, so start with a sweep across the apples of your cheeks, and add more depending on how deep you want the color.

Eyes: Mineral eye shadows can be used in two ways: swept onto the eyelid, or as a liner with a brush dipped in water.

Foundation: Be careful not to overapply. When you're dealing with mineral pigments, less is more.

"One of the biggest complaints about loose mineral powder is that it's messy," says Colorescience's Diane Ranger. "The reason this technique works so well is that it gets the minerals into the brush head and not all over the place."

Spin: Put a small amount of makeup into the cap and spin your brush.

Tap: Tap the brush against the side of the cap to knock off loose minerals.

Press: Working in small circles, press the powder into your skin.

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