Well, BE/Bare Minerals is mineral makeup.
It gives me good coverage without feeling the makeup on my skin, which always drove me insane about foundation. BE is a more natural product without a lot of the chemicals you find in other products. Also, the minerals provide a natural SPF protection (most are SPF 15 but the Summer Bisque multitasker/concealer is SPF 20 I think?) That's always a good thing. Also, a little goes a LONG way with BE, so the stuff lasts. I bought my starter kit last fall over Thanksgiving weekend, and I've still got plenty to use up!
I also like it because you can get a variety of shades and it's easy to custom blend foundations, all overs/blushes, and eyeshadows. It's also VERY forgiving--if you apply too much or the color is off, it's easy enough to buff it down. I love the "radiances" and the "all over face colors" the most, even more than the foundation. Good brushes are your friend. The BE ones are okay, I like the soft focus and concealer brushes a lot.
It's really important to make sure to exfoliate and moisturize when you use mineral makeup. I was using the Aveeno Positively Radiant skincarewhen I first started, but I got a sample of philosophy's Purity Made Simple cleanser when I got my BE starter kit. Now, that's a cleanser, but that's another story for another post! I've switched to philosophy for skin care and am really pleased with my skin from using that and the BE. Also, the buffing is what warms up the minerals to your skin and is crucial. I usually pre-conceal by just patting on Bisque where needed, then use a Kabuki for foundation (I've got the medium kit foundations), then instead of the mineral veil (makes me itch) I do a *light* covering of clear radiance. I can wear Warmth (many people can't, use an extremely light hand with Warmth!), but prefer either Glee or Trudy. Really, Warmth is a bronzer and you only need a couple of grains of the stuff. BE won't ever call Warmth a bronzer though!
There are 3 BE shows on QVC tomorrow, so if you can watch you'll get a lot of info and tips about the products then. Also, if you're thinking about trying BE, get the starter kit from the BE website and not Ulta or Sephora. It's the best deal out there, period, because instead of just the 3 brushes/2 foundations/warmth/mineral veil/how to dvd--you get the baby buki brush AND well rested. Well Rested originally was an eyeshadow, but it also works to conceal and just as a great shadow base. I've got dark lids and WR really lightens and evens out that area for me. It's a great value for the price.
Just about anything else you'd ever want to know about the makeup at
http://www.beaddicts.com/BEFaqs.html. Also there's
http://forums.delphiforums.com/bareescentuals/start (message board community of BE users) and
http://community.livejournal.com/bar...w=86203#t86203 (great application tutorial)
Oh, if you want to try samples, I can vouch for
http://www.colorfulsprinkles.com/. Great customer service and prices and generous samples.