During the demonstrations on QVC, they frequently suggest that most women will fall into the medium shade. I am light skinned (non Hispanic) and I could not go anywhere near medium--it would be way too deep. So maybe try medium as a base, and add a little bit of one of the darker colors to blend if needed. Mix them together before applying.

Tip: a friend uses a bowl instead of a lid to mix.

I use faux tan instead of warmth also. I tried it out in the Beyond the Basics set and I really like it. Although I use so little of it that I'm still on my tiny sized container of it.

Also, medium matches my skin tone more than medium beige so I use that one. But I was told recently at sephora that most people wear medium beige...apparently it's the most popular shade.

There's a cheat to get an even fairer Fair, by mixing Chenille eye shadow in with Fair foundation. I've heard that there will be at least one lighter shade coming out in the next year, but nothing but rumor now.

Warmth makes a great lip color, but I prefer Warm Radiance to Warmth any day.

Yep, I am medium beige. I can go a little darker in the summer months.

Does anyone use the tinted Mineral Veil? I've tried both the regular and the tinted. For some reason, I really don't like the tinted as much over Medium Beige minerals. It's almost like the tinted Mineral Veil is darker than the Medium Beige minerals.

I have all three MVs and do like the tinted. I don't notice a big color change on my face when I use it. I usually use the Feather Light under foundation as it has a slight iridescence to it.

^Hmm...good tip! I've never tried using MV under the minerals.

I havent had that problem, but then again i usually end up with my colors lighter on my eyes than what they actually are in the pots.

I would suggest using a different brush if you are having problems with the small brush that comes with that kit. I really like the contour eye brush. I have this brush because it came with another kit, but if you prefer a cheaper brush that may work just as good try the japonesque brand. I have several of their brushes and I like them a lot.

I'm not sure where Fair is on the spectrum of colors but, I have fair skin and I love the Fairly Light color for most of the year with Light in the summer time. Late spring and early fall i usually mix those two together to get the best match.
Warmth is really easy to overdo (as I found out a few times when I got my first starter kit as well). What I do is do one shake so the warmth will get on the lid then i do a tap or two to tap off excess from the lid and then use it that way. That has worked well for me.

I LOVE warm radiance! Last month i ordered that luminous kit from Sephora and all the "radiance" colors were in it. All of them are wonderful!!!

BM extras -- ?
 

For those who have been using BM for awhile and might have the extras, I wanted to throw out a couple of questions.

The past couple of days have gone better with my BM... I think once I get the exact right shade I'll be set... so if I were to keep using this, what are your thoughts on these extras:

** Flawless Face Case vs. regular compact -- Besides the brush difference, and the shape of the compact, what is the difference & which do you prefer?

** Retractable brushes -- Regular Retractable Brush, or the Kabuki (sp?) Retractable? Which is easier to carry?

** "Prep" steps -- does anyone use the BareVitamins or Foundation Primer or both? Do you think either or both of these make a difference?

Thanks so far for all the tips!!!

Flawless face case = too bulky for me. I do use a compact when traveling, but for those times I might want a touchup I use a foundation/MV mix in an old eyeshadow sized MV jar and the baby buki brush.

I'd go with a retractable kabuki, as I have a retractable face and hated it.

Prep steps: moisturize well, dry my hair so my moisturizer really sinks in, apply the Prime Time and get dressed so it also dries, then makeup! Make sure you are BUFFING really well, I mean take a good minute or two and buff that foundation in. It makes a world of difference.

If I'm really pressed for time and my skin is happy that day :p I'll use philosophy's the present, skip foundation, and just use a Radiance for color.

Anyone use the Urban Decay Primer Potion?

Ok so a few months ago I went to Ulta, got BM done on my face (I lucked out an a rep was there that day) and bought the starter kit. I just was wondering how many times you "apply" the foundation. It seems to me, i put some in the lid and do a 1/3 of my face and repeat till it's covered. Is this right?? I really like the way BM feels since I'm not into heavy makeup.

I have the Urban Decay eye primer. It works great, but you just have to watch how much you put on your lids b/c it really keeps the eyeshadow on.

Yay! I picked up Medium Beige at ULTA during lunch today (the regular medium seemed a little too peachy for my skin tone). I really like it... I also picked up the regular compact.

I hope I don't go overboard on this!

I tend to be a "collector"... when I start something new I feel I have to buy EVERYTHING and I end up not using half of it :p

I love that term! I am the same way. With hair products I make myself use all of my old stuff before I touch my latest purchase because it got to where I owned a box full of almost empty products that were good, but I just found something more exciting.

A year ago I "discovered" BM and bought about 5 or 6 kits from QVC and now have tons of it. The only thing I have run out of in a year is the foundation, mineral veil, and mascara. Everything else (summer bisque, eye makeup, radiance, blush, lipstick, etc.) has lasted very well and I haven't even used half of anything. So, even though I am a collector, I have stuck with loving BM and like having a variety of colors to choose from every day. The only product that I bought that I hardly ever use from them is "warmth," which (as I explained in an earlier post) is too orangey for me.

I don't use BM primer, moisturizer or non-makeup items besides the tanning lotion. Whatever moisturizer you use before applying should be light, though. I used to use Clinique's yellow lotion, but that didn't evaporate fast enough so now I either use Philosophy or Stella McCartney.

^That's one of the many nice things about BM--it lasts a very long time! You generally only need to use a little bit at a time.

It is a bummer, though, if you spill it. I wish more of the eye colors came with the little "sifter" lid, because I've accidently knocked a couple over (once, all over my jeans!!).