The Body Shop’s Extra Virgin Minerals

It’s about time that The Body Shop got some new foundation shades and colours into their stores and the Extra Virgin Minerals range has done just that.  TBS have released three new base products as part of their permanent collection and it includes a liquid foundation, a cream compact and mineral powder foundations. 

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I couldn’t resist (I’m terrible with money) and I went ahead and bought all three in the palest shade there now is ‘102’ Natural Ivory.  The numbering on these new products are quite weird, it starts with 102 and ends with 405 and is a bit confusing, but at least you know what number you are in each product… right?

Extra Virgin Minerals Compact Foundation SPF 15 (£16)

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This is a really nice foundation – it evens out my skin tone, covers spots (although not perfectly) and gives a smooth matte finish.  I love the packaging, a round black pot which opens to show the foundation, but you can then lift the foundation up to reveal the chunky foundation brush (shown in the photograph above). 
The formula of this foundation is quite curious because its super soft and silky, very creamy, but dries to a matt finish, but because of how creamy it is I have found that my eyeliner can smudge quite easily (leaving me panda eyed).  This isn’t so bad, but it does mean that I have to keep an eye on the smudging through out the day. 
The colour of this is almost perfect for my pale skin (in the summer anyway), and it does contain SPF15 which is fab.

Extra Virgin Minerals Liquid Foundation SPF 20 ( (£14)
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I was so excited for this because the old TBS foundations are orange and cakey on me, but this was unfortunately another let down.  This is too dark for me, even though the shade 102 in the cream compact is perfect.  The formula is okay, its very creamy and gives a lovely dewy finish which I adore but the shade just lets it down.  Coverage wise, this is medium – it evens out skin tones and conceals spots well, whilst remaining dewy and not too cakey.

I took my camera in to TBS to take a photograph of each of the new liquid foundation shades on my arm to give you an idea of the colours;
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L-R 102, 105, 108, 202, 208, 305, 308, 405   (Is it just me who finds these colours slightly weird? – 108 is way too orange and the rest of them seem really dull!)

Extra Virgin Minerals Loose Powder SPF 25 (£15) 86 POWDER 7powder

I’m really impressed with this powder.  I’ve never worn a powder by itself before (I normally pop some concealer on my problem areas first) but I could go out with just this on.  Again, this evens out skin tone and gives such a natural finish you can’t even tell your wearing powder (although you can if you’re wearing concealer/foundation underneath it).  The colour of this is perfect for me and I’d definitely repurchase it.  This also contains an SPF of 25 (fabulous!) but is quite messy applying because it is a loose powder, even though it has a mesh barrier in the pot (pictured above).
To use this, you are supposed to tap the pot to release some powder through the mesh, swirl your minerals brush into the powder, tap off the excess and then apply to the face in circular motions.

What I think:
I really like the compact and powder foundation and would like the liquid if the colour was right.  But this new range does leave me really confused – I really don’t see what’s the point in having a number system to match up the shades if the colours aren’t the same?  It’s exactly the same problem I have with MAC bases; my concealer in NC15 is perfect for me, but the foundation in NC15 is way too dark!  It would be fantastic if the shades were the same but its an absolute waste if not.
I do love the fact that the whole range contains an SPF and that every product is paraben and fragrance free.  I think the prices are a little high (£14-£16) for the high-street but foundations do seem to be getting more expensive nowadays anyway.  I also much prefer the new packaging to the old range, it all looks more expensive and more durable.

Have you tried any of the new The Body Shop bases?  What kind of finish do you prefer with a base – matte or dewy?

xxxx

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21 Comments

  1. September 6, 2011 / 6:39 pm

    great review Katie! i saw this range on the website and was curious to see what they are like. im not a fan of body shop foundations for the same reason as you.. not a fan of the orange, caked on look!

    the compact foundation gives great coverage from the pics, seems like a similar product to the all-in-one face base that TBS do? it's a bit pricey though at £16! hows the staying power of this foundation, does it last the day? it does seem lovely on you though and the finish is really natural looking.

    Janine

  2. Ania
    September 6, 2011 / 7:02 pm

    Thanks for the review, I've been curious about the compact foundation and am thrilled to hear there's a pale shade 🙂

  3. September 6, 2011 / 7:13 pm

    Ever since I saw some press releases on this collection I was hoping that my girl Katie would make a post about it! xx

    This collection is all appealing to me, everything from the packaging to the products' formulation. I'll definitely be getting the liquid foundation as it's my go-to choice for lazy mornings! Although I'm a little worried cause of the weird shade range :/ And maybe I'll have a looksie on those 2 powder foundations, I'm impressed by the finish they give to your skin on the "after" pictures!

    I've previously tried the Oil-free liquid foundation and I absolutely hated it- not only it oxidized badly on my skin but it didn't seem to blend in! Patches of foundation and patches of clear skin, I've never seen anything like it before! I'm now using the Moisture foundation and it's ok, though I'm not repurchasing it…

    Oh! And I also got the 04-golden pink blush and I love it! Thought I'd mentioned it here 😉

    xx

  4. September 6, 2011 / 7:30 pm

    Those prices seem really high but then I've noticed that TBS really isn't as cheap as it used to be (but what is now!)

    I'm really intrigued by the foundation compact though – could maybe a build-able amount of coverage?

  5. September 6, 2011 / 7:32 pm

    What's with those foundation colours?!? I don't think I know anyone with yellow skin!

    Was looking forward to trying them out but totally not impressed with it! They coverage looks ok, but for that price i'd prefer to spend a few more ££ and get something from Clinique!

  6. September 6, 2011 / 8:06 pm

    same, I checked them out last week and was disappointed they all seemed a little too dark! And you're right, the liquid one has a really random range of colours! xx

  7. September 6, 2011 / 8:40 pm

    Oh wow they're both really good – you could definitely wear the second without any foundation underneath. And yes, they're odd colours. As I'm so pale, I'd wear the lightest one so it doesn't really affect paler people, but those with medium skin may find it difficult to find a suitable one? xx
    Sirens and Bells

  8. September 7, 2011 / 2:43 am

    The 3rd color from your swatch looks like baby poop! Yikes!

    I was looking forward to trying the liquid foundation, but I guess I'll buy the cream one instead. :/

  9. September 7, 2011 / 8:16 am

    I have yellow toned skin so these are of interest to me. I will have to take a look instore, you are right though..the numbers should match up

  10. September 9, 2011 / 7:03 am

    NIce review! I've been dying to try these out. Think I will pick up the loose mineral powder when it arrives at my Body Shop.

    Shame that it's a bit expensive here in Sweden!

  11. September 13, 2011 / 6:44 am

    Great review. Was really good to see exactly how the finish and coverage was. I am so tempted to try this and see if it replaces my £35 mineral foundation. I like the sound of the compact too, but I really hate colour matching so may have to get out my foundation now and compare them side by side in store :-s

  12. Anonymous
    October 16, 2011 / 3:51 pm

    Thanks for the review! Do you think the loose powder foundation shade would be too light for me if Lily Lolo in Porcelain is? In liquid foundations I'm the same colour as you are, though.

  13. October 24, 2011 / 9:06 pm

    There are people with yellow skin undertone and I'm one of them. I got my liquid foundation in colour 108 today and can't be any more happier with it. It gives me such as perfect natural brown colour, not orange, and I had a lot of trouble fidning foundation that would match my skintone. Finally I found the perfect match. Worth a try I think.

  14. Anonymous
    October 27, 2011 / 6:39 pm

    How did you apply the loose powder foundation?? With a kabuki brush?
    Great Post & Review!

    Thanks.

  15. Anonymous
    January 14, 2012 / 3:53 pm

    I really like this range of foundation from TBS, and I actually find 108 Golden Vanilla to be a perfect match to my Olive/yellow skintone, something MAC couldn't even match. 🙂 I love the coverage the liquid and the cream foundation give me. And since it's mineral based and all natural, I'm comfortable wearing this on an everyday basis.

  16. July 25, 2012 / 4:02 am

    I personally think that like a lot of mineral foundations, this is really good for those who only need light coverage. If you have a lot you want to hide, this may not be right for you. It gives a very soft, natural look for those that mainly want a glow and to even out the skin tones. Personally I love it, mostly because I don't even feel like I'm wearing anything.

  17. April 4, 2013 / 4:05 am

    I definitely love reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the information coming. I loved it.
    body shop

  18. Jess
    August 19, 2013 / 12:58 pm

    Thanks really helpful!!

  19. September 4, 2013 / 6:02 am

    Yes these products are available in different formulas.Use the following guidelines to choose the right foundation for your skin and lifestyle.

    oil free liquid foundation & best kabuki brush

  20. Anonymous
    September 26, 2013 / 4:52 pm

    Hi Katie, I accidentally found your blog when I was looking for this TBS extra virgin mineral review. And I think you are right that this product has confuse me also about their series number system, but I suggest the range being released depend on the country also coz of they have different skin tone. I had tried the loose powder coz I interested in the SPF contained and the natural look and minerals thing. but the product doesn't go out well on me since i have oily skin and it cause me more oily face (but I do like the fact that it make my face more glowing). I don't know maybe i couldn't apply it well with the brush. Does anyone know how to get a good application of face powder for oily skin? thank you 🙂

  21. Anonymous
    December 15, 2015 / 9:30 am

    Hi Katie, thank you so much for the review, the photo with the shades of the liquid foundation was really helpful. I wanted to make an order online but I wasn't sure which shade to choose and the nearest body shop for me here (not in the UK) did not have those products so I could not test the shade for my skin, but your photo helped tonnes, cheers and Merry Christmas!

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