Although I knew that I needed a warm-with-red-undertones shade, I purchased six sample pots in a range of colors just to be sure. I'll also be eligible for a $10 discount when I order the full-size product.
I have used mineral make-up before, but I noticed a huge difference with Valana Minerals Stardust Luxury Foundation. With six colors in front of me, it was difficult for me to decide which one was a match to my skin. I have medium brown skin with red undertones. In the pots, the colors all looked pretty dark. As I tried each one, I realized that they look dark because they are pure color. They don't contain chemical fillers that make them look chalky on the skin. In fact, the color looks positively radiant. I settled on Gentle Amber. Here are the available colors:
Golden Honey
Golden Honey is a sweet blend of light tan with yellow - peach undertones, and gold highlights.
Earth Diva
Earth Diva merges medium tan with neutral to olive undertones and gold highlights.
Sweet Amber
Sweet Amber combines medium tan with a reddish orange undertone, and bronze highlights.
Fire Spice
Fire Spice is a balanced medium brown with gold highlights.
Golden Queen
Golden Queen is a royal blend of light tan with a deep yellow tone and golden highlights.
Earth Sable
Earth Sable incorporates dark tan with peach undertones, an olive hue and gold highlights.
Amber Blaze
Amber Blaze is light neutral reddish brown with subtle bronze highlights.
Fire Goddess
Fire Goddess is deep neutral brown with subtle reddish brown highlights.
Golden Bamboo
Golden Bamboo is a smooth medium tan with yellow-olive undertones, a peach hue and gold highlights.
Mother Earth
Mother Earth is deep brown with olive undertones, an orange hue and golden highlights.
Gentle Amber
Gentle Amber is medium brown with red undertones and bronze highlights.
Ebony Fire
Ebony Fire combines deep, rich neutral brown and a spark of golden highlights.
Golden Sand
Golden Sand infuses medium/deep brown with olive-yellow undertones and golden highlights.
Earth Onyx
Earth Onyx is an infusion of deep rich brown with olive undertones, a hint of blue and a subtle orange glow.
Red Amber
Red Amber joins deep brown with red undertones and bronze highlights.
[Photos and descriptions are courtesy of Valanaminerals.com]
Don't let your computer monitor fool you; these are fabulously rich colors. They are divided into groups of shades appropriate for yellow, olive, red and neutral undertones. Application is a breeze. You just swirl the color onto the brush and whisk it over your face, layering to deepen coverage. A little goes a long way.
I also purchased the Sparkie Lips Color Stick in Velvet Pomegranate. I was expecting a lip gloss, which I never wear, but I was so excited about the prospect of an explicitly vegan lip product that ordered it anyway. Once again, I was very pleased with this Valana Minerals product. Happily, Sparkie Lips Color Sticks are more of a glossy lipstick than a lip gloss. Perfect, because I am a hardcore lipstick wearer, meaning that I don't go out of the house without it. This is a deeply pigmented concoction that smells (and tastes!) great. It was flattering to my skin tone and lasted a long time. Next time I'll try the Copper Porto.
Oh, but I'm not done raving about Valana Minerals. Now, for the the icing on the cake: When I e-mailed Customer Service seeking permission to use the product photos in my blog, I received an e-mail from the owner, Valerie Reed. She so gets me; she wrote:
"I believe that women of color deserve great quality-harmless cosmetic choices and good customer service just like other ethnic groups and I'm honored to provide."
This is one busy lady, and she took the time out to respond to me. Having worked in retail for 20 years, or so, customer service is a real sticking point with me. My Valana Minerals experience exceeded my expectations in every way. Can you say customer for life?
