You might have seen the Mica Bella cosmetics kiosk in your local mall, or most like you were harassed by a pushy sales person who wanted you to try the their mineral make-up, but don’t dismiss this product because it is worth its weight in gold.
I strongly dislike the phoniness of sales people trying to push products while you’re walking in the mall, but this time I was not in a hurry and I was going to try mineral make-up anyway. I was in the Chandler Fashion Center in Chandler, Arizona the week of Thanksgiving and a woman named Maya (who is from Israel) was about as phony as phony gets, but she still managed to be cute and endearing. She sounded as if she was reading from a script, and my mom and I almost burst out laughing but I gave her a chance to sell the make-up.
She explained how Mica Bella is 100% mineral make-up that it is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, non-comedogenic, and it is long lasting. Mica Bella make-up does not test its products on animals so it seemed like a perfect fit for me since I can never get my eye shadow to stay on for more than four hours.
Maya went on to explain how the mineral make-up can be used as eye shadow, eye liner, nail polish, lip stick, colored mascara, and even as a glaze for the hair – although that one is for the more daring. So how does one product do all of that?
If you want to use the Mica Bella mineral make-up as an eye shadow, then apply it over your lids with a make-up brush or even a cotton swab.
Eye liner
To use as an eye liner simply wet your eye brush or cotton swab, and dip into the mineral make-up. Apply along the lash line and the effect will be darker and more dramatic than when using the eye shadow dry.
This is what made me go “Wow!” All you need is a bottle of clear nail polish for this one and make sure it is one that you can spare. Take the nail polish brush and dip it into a small amount of MicaBella mineral make-up.
I’d suggest using a palette (like a small piece of paper) so you don’t dip the nail polish directly into the full pot of make-up. Mix the mineral make-up with the clear polish and apply to nails. Tip: Apply a clear basecoat beforehand and use the clear polish as a top coat.
Lipstick
Take petroleum jelly or any lip balm that can be mixed like Carmex and dab a small amount onto a palette with the mineral make-up. Now you have colored lip balm that looks like lip stick.
Mascara
Take clear mascara – you can usually find this at Sally Beauty Supply – and dip it into the mineral make-up. You can also use a palette and roll the mascara around the mineral pigments.
The Test
The big advantage to using mineral make-up is supposed to be its long wearing properties, so how did it stack up? Well, I used Mica Bella as my eye shadow and eyeliner and to my surprise, both stayed put all day. Maya, the sales person at the mall said it is guaranteed to last a full 12 hours and I can confirm that it did. Not only does the make-up stay on for at least 12 hours, the intensity of the color stays as well.
I wasn’t as pleased with the lipstick as it was a bit thick for me and it didn’t last very long but that could be because I’m constantly drinking water or applying lip balm.
I’ve yet to try it on my nails but supposedly the polish will last at least a week. I tend to doubt that one, but I will try it the next time I polish my nails.
The Downside
The Price
Mica Bella cosmetics might seem like a miracle product but it is a bit more time consuming to use and it is not cheap. Each container costs $14.95 but the more you buy the less you pay. I wound up paying $35 for three and I’m sure if I would have haggled, I would have gotten them even cheaper.
The Colors
I found the colors to be a bit funky, although I did manage to find a normal (not too glittery) dark brown which is the perfect eyeliner for brown eyes – although Maya said my eyes were hazel. Most of the colors do have a shimmer to them which is what makes your eyes pop when you wear Mica Bella.
You can purchase Mica Bella cosmetics on their web site or in a mall kiosk near you. I’d go with the mall kiosk if you have the opportunity so you’ll have the chance to haggle. The pot of mineral make-up will last a very long time as only a small amount is needed,. Maya told me that each pot should last a few years – and yes, it will stay that long because mineral make-up has no expiration date.
Mica Bella also has foundation, blush, bronzer, and make-up brushes.
