Bare Escentuals

I love love love the Bare Escentuals brand of mineral based makeup. I first used to purchase their quality prod when there was a tiny store in the Marina District of San Francisco. Sadly, that store closed down ages ago. They only seem to place them now in nice malls around the States.
I found this lovely little store, and it is small, after being sent here by a super helpful employee at the SEPHORA store in the South Coast Plaza Mall (
) because they were out the mineral veil I desired.
Lucky for me, this Bare Escentuals store, small as it is, had exactly what I was looking for.
Only drawback, no ding on this store, just I wish wish wish Bare Esentuals would return «Emphasis It» to their line of eye wear. I haven’t found any of their other makeups to come close to that perfect touch of yellow with light shimmer to use as an under eye make up since they discontinued it. I stocked up a few years back by purchasing a few at Ebay. I still miss that make up.

Can’t imagine why the Unilocaler below had such an awful experience. I went in to grab my free birthday Moxie lipgloss one evening & Marisa assisted me. I had also been curious about their new liquid foundation (I currently use their powder foundation), so she picked my color and showed me how to apply it. Marisa also found me the perfect undereye makeup & blush as well. All along she knew I wasn’t ready to buy that day, yet still found me the products and shades that I needed and wrote them down for me so I would know exactly what to buy next payday. I received excellent customer service here.

I have been using Bare Escentuals products for a number of years now and am extremely happy with the fact that I found a line that does not cause any allergic reactions to my extremely sensitive skin! As part of my make-​up routine, I have been using the Prime Time Original, a thick gel. When I purchased the larger, double-​sized pump recently, the consistency was watery, not like the thick gel that I was used to. I called customer service and was told that this was a «defect» and that I can exchange it with no problem.
I visited the store a few weeks ago to see if I could exchange it. I was told that first of all, the double-​sized pump is no longer available, that it was a holiday/​seasonal product offering at a discounted price (I was led to believe by the salesperson the day I purchased it that it was a new product, not a seasonal offering!) and that my option was to exchange it for two smaller-​sized pumps but that I had to pay for the difference in price. The salesperson that day was the new store manager, Marisa Richardson. Because customer service reassured me that I should have no problems exchanging this defective product, she creatively made an «even» exchange for me without any additional cost to me and even gave me a promotional product to make up for the inconvenience. When I entered that store, I was curious as to how I would be treated based on the negative reviews on Unilocal.I am happy to say that I left with a very positive outcome! Marisa mentioned that many of the salespersons that had negative attitudes are no longer there, which «clears the air» for the next time I return!

I’ve been using Bare Escentuals for over 8 years and their customer service is usually nothing but exceptional. However, today I was surprised by the store manager’s attitude and lack of service. I stopped by last Saturday to pick up some foundation and mineral veil and rushed to get out because the kids were waiting for me. I took the receipt and stamp card from the sales lady but left the bag on the counter. Darn, mommy brains! Anyhow, I just realized today since I ran out of foundation. So I called the store at 11am and the store manager picked up and said she would look and call me back. I waited for five hours and no phone call?!? So I call back at 5pm and she said she couldn’t find the bag and couldn’t call back because she was so busy. Really? You’re the store manager at South Coast Plaza with that kind of customer service!

I’ve been using Bareminerals for years now and this is the only store I buy my products from. I’ve never had any issues with the customer service here and all the associates are always asking if I needed help or wanted to test out anything. They’re very friendly and everytime I go with someone, they always get their makeup done (I would have them do mine, but my makeup’s always done so I get lazy to have to remove it and then have them to do the process of reapplying). Bare Escentuals is actually FREE of charge when you want them to test out makeup for you and have the makeup artists put on your makeup. Usually most makeup places don’t do these appointments free of charge since they’ll make you spend $ 50 worth of their products like at MAC. However, Bare Escentuals has been the only place I’ve heard of where you can have an artist do your makeup without any commitment to their products. They even do appointments and walk ins if you wanted to get your makeup done for any occassion like prom, weddings, etc. They do a pretty good job if you’re a simple kind of makeup person, however since I’m very picky with how my makeup’s done, I tend to fix it up myself afterwards. I go here all the time, even when I’m not planning to purchase anything and I just love looking at all the variety of makeup minerals they have! I LOVE MAKEUP. I’ve been helped by several assosicates here, but the only name I can remember is Jonathan. He is soo friendly and super helpful with choosing colors and whatnot. I don’t know why this place has such negative previous reviews on their employees but I really had the complete opposite experiences every time I’ve came. The bare mineral product itself can be pricey for a container of makeup, but the quality AND quantity is amazing! A regular container of foundation lasts long over half a year for me. I just really love all their products from the foundations, blushes, eyeshadows, lip glosses, primers, everything! This has been the only foundation I’ve ever used and it will be the only one forever. Super fan of Bare Minerals! The stores have their own little stamp cards also where if you spend a certain amount of money, they’d stamp it. I believe it’s like every $ 10 you spend, you get a stamp and when you get up to either 10 or 12 stamps, I believe it’s $ 10 off or so on the next purchase? I’ve been through like, 3 cards haha Love their products, love this store! :)

DON’T GO TO THIS STORE! I’ve worn all bare minerals/​escentuals products for 5 years and I love them, however, the employees at this store are so rude! They don’t give you the time of day unless they think you’re going to buy $$$ worth of product and even then the customer service is terrible and they don’t even really know what they’re talking about.
A year ago I went into the store and bought a whole new set of brushes. The girls were rude but I ignored it. The next day I went to use one of the brushes and it was defective (the bristles fell out all over my face, a lot more than normal). I went back after work to exchange the brush and the girl, a MANAGER, (her name was Brittany) asked me what I had done to the brush as if I had done something wrong to it. I showed her my receipt to prove I had just bought the brush the day before and told her all I had done was USE IT ON MY FACE. She said, «It looks like you did something else to it but just this time I’ll exchange it for you.» I was fuming! I let her exchange the brush, gave her a few choice words and DID NOT go back to that store. From then on I would buy my product from Sephora or online.
Last week I was at South Coast Plaza and when I walked by the store and I remembered I needed mineral veil. I figured it had been a year and they would have new employees so I went in. To make a long story short I walked out and down to Sephora to buy my mineral veil because of the rude and pathetic customer service I received. Its embarrassing for the company to have people like that as the face of their company.
Needless to say, I will never go back to that store. Buy the product, its amazing, but buy it SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!

My friend has been using this makeup for a while and when I got some extra cash I tried the starter kit. Immediately fell in love and send small kits to my sisters.
Since then I have accumulated a fair share of products from them.
There is one girl in particular at this location that I really enjoy. I wish I could remember her name, she has been there everytime I go. She has always been helpful and polite.
Sometimes I just enjoy going in to look at the wheel-​of-​eyeshadows!!!

Ok — the product is decent. I like it enough to continue to use what I have — BUT here’s my problem. I buoght your product, I don’t want you to try to sell me on everything else.
I was recently given some of their foundation with an application DVD — while I appreciate the DVD, I don’t feel like it was truthful — or maybe it’s my skin, either way — the founder rubbed me the wrong way.
We already purchased the product, so really, I just need to see the demo on how to apply the product the way it was designed — I do not need to hear how I need to buy everything else BE or how I need to like this product that I already have because of all of these great qualities. I don’t want to hear another sales pitch for the same product I just bought — and also, I have a hard time believing that you only need the smallest amount — because the amount that they say you need barely covers one of my cheeks.
that — and it gets everywhere. and I hate seeing that I’m losing product that wasn’t exactly cheap to start with.
needless to say, probably won’t be purchasing the foundation once this round runs out…

I was a bit skeptical to try this, however I have 2 friends who swear by the foundation so I went in and decided to get matched. Totally loved it when I tried it on. I purchased the starter kit, and continued to shop around the mall. I passed a mirror later on that day, and I couldn’t believe it! My makeup actually looked even better than when it was first applied. I was told it takes a minute to fully set in. I am so pleased with this product so far I can not believe I did not try it sooner!!! Hopefully everything stays this awesome! Love that it looks so natural. yay!

I jumped on this bandwagon at the start, I swear by this stuff and have been using it for a few years now and have never looked back !!! it really changed the way I look at make up !

I love their eye primer and I cannot live without it. It keeps my eyeshadows from running and it is the best thing ever made! I like their other products, too-​although I have to admit I have been using Makeup Forever’s HD primer and foundation before powdering up with Bare Escentuals foundation on nights when I do go out. The store is like a candy store and the sales rep/​consultants are most of the time very helpful (unless there’s a line).
They say that you can sleep in you makeup– I tried, but my skin broke out. Afterall, it is makeup and you should go to bed with a clean face and some moisturizers.
I also like their point card with $ 10 off after the card gets fully stamped– I haven’t been there in awhile so not sure if they still have that. That is because their makeup last forever– a titsy bit of the powder goes a long way (another reason why I love their makeup).

I absolutely love Bare Escentuals and its lightweight makeup. The eyelid primer is the best for those who have oily eyelids and yo eyeliner gets all up in your creases. For its makeup, I would give them 5 stars, but I came here because I saw the special offer. It says through November 30, spend $ 30 and they will give you a free gift. So I went, spent $ 50 and 1) they had no idea what gift I was talking about 2) they didn’t bother to ask anybody about the special offer and the worst of them all… 3) NONE OF THE EMPLOYEES KNEW ABOUT Unilocal so of course it was my Elite duty to explain them what it was. With their blank expressions looking at me, I just gave up, and left. ‘Twas a sad day for Linda :(

i first discovered their product when my last year roomies were using it. Ophelia bought me my first set for christmas and i have been in love since. their primer is so nice, their powders blend so well and naturally. i like the natural look, i hate the thick makeup and they last me a while. the price is on the cheap side i would have to say also. well this location has friendly staff, willing to help me match my color and the store is very pretty with all their eye shadow colors out in the front. i dont think i can ever wear any other foundations ever again.

If you like mineral makeup and the Bare Escentuals brand, but get frustrated when you can’t find what you want at Sephora or Ulta, fear not, because there is a great alternative… THIS store. They have all the jars open for you to test out and applicators for you to test with; I’m in makeup Candyland in this place. It’s a rainbow of flavors everywhere you look! Ooh! Ahhh! They also have rare colors and limited edition colors here. Of course they have the staple products like the foundation, veil, concealer, kits, but they have so many fun things to try and the staff are really friendly and helpful without being pushy. They also give you a punch card for frequent customers! (I haven’t come at all often enough to use this, but if you regularly replace your foundation, this is a pretty cool deal). On the bottom floor near the carousel area… and there is a FRESH right next door…*drools*

«So pure, you can sleep in it!»
Shoot, really? I can. SLEEP. in my… MAKEUP? What is this Bare Escentuals thingamabob and where can I get some? No, no, I don’t want to order from infomercials! I want to try it first!
Of course I hit Sephora to check out its stock. Half an hour later and completely converted to the School of Minerals, I stepped out and decided to go on a shopping spree when…
WHOA! A whole STORE for this stuff??? Sure, I’d just bought my Get Started kit, but I needed to see all the goodies in the ACTUAL STORE! OMFG hurry, hurry!
Rows and rows of fluffy foundations, bright shadows, pastel blushes, deep bronzers… oh my gosh, I’d died and gone to mineral heaven!
I’d never been a huge fan of makeup in general, mostly because I’m too lazy to apply it all. I’ve tried them all, from the drugstore brands to the high end department store brands, and I hated them all. Possibly, Chanel and Missha were the best I’d tried until that fateful day.
But heck, BE felt so good on the skin, so light and soft, I instantly fell in love with it all!
I’ve been an avid supporter of BE since Day One, and I’m still going strong! The powders, the shadows, the lip plumpers — they’re all fantastic! They come in an awesome variety of colors, and they’re all super blendable. Their brushes are soft and so creative (all sorts of funky brushes here, ladies), and all of their little KITS are so perfect for any kind of look! But don’t forget the best part! The mineral veil! Use sparingly (or else you’ll look like a ghost), but honestly, it blends everything in! You might not be able to tell in the mirror, but take a pic and you’ll see. Your skin will GLOW!
Only drawbacks?
The «swirl, tap, and buff» method that they suggest actually leads to a lot of flyaways. Prepare for your pristine white countertops to be coated with a fine layer of brownish powder after a few applications. It’s actually really disgusting. Thank goodness for Scrubbing Bubbles.
Oh, and beware of spills. Not only is it a total waste, if it gets on carpet, the stains are nearly impossible to remove. Thank goodness for All Laundry Detergent.
Also, they advertise that the concealer brush + foundation will hide all your flaws. This is not quite true. But then again, it’s what I like most about it. It’s not heavy, and it just gives a barely-​there coverage.
Oh, and if you have a lot of bumps, acne, or dry skin… I wouldn’t recommend this product. I’ve seen a not-​so-​smooth-​faced-​friend try this, and it just made the «imperfections» all the more noticeable.
Sidenote: The first time I tried it, my skin felt oddly itchy all over. I think maybe my skin was just adjusting, because it hasn’t happened since.
If you haven’t tried it, I don’t know what the heck you’re doing. Go to Sephora, go to Target, go to the main store — it doesn’t matter. Just TRY it. The stuff practically sells itself!

5 star products & 5 star customer service!
STORE: The store is small, but wonderful. It has a bar type set up and instead of alcohol behind the counter it has mineral makeup galore! When you enter the store, you are led to the «bar.» Once you get nice & comfy on one of the bar stools a nice bartender comes and fixes you up with your perfect shot of powder. It’s such an interesting setup. I love it!
SERVICE: Best service in South Coast Plaza by far! There is none of that «we’re to good for you» attitude at this store. They are welcoming and very approachable. They really take the time to demonstrate and explain how all the products work. I love how they help and answer all your questions without making you feel rushed. I highly recommend Selena. She is awesome, personable, and she hooked me up with some samples!
PRODUCT: This is the perfect place for people who are looking for gentle and natural looking coverage. Your skin will never look better! The cake face look is out ladies! Lets keep it natural!
The starter kit is perfect. It comes with:
2 bareMinerals foundation
Tinted Mineral Veil
bareMinerals all over face color
+ 3 brushes
All for $ 60! This stuff will last forever and their makeup doesn’t expire! This is a situation where it’s okay to splurge because you get quality and longevity!
I also recommend:
1) eyebrow kit — comes with eyebrow powder, brush, and eyebrow gel. This product is great for filling in sparse eyebrows. Your eyebrows will look very natural without having those harsh pencil lines.
2) blush — They have a great selection of colors! I personally love the Tulip color! Goes on smoothly and lasts all day!
Check it out!
Switch over to mineral makeup… your skin will thank you!

I LOVE LOVE LOVEEE THIS MAKEUP!
My mom and I used to watch this product on the tv all the timee! When I went to south coast I found out they have a store there! Best day of my life.
The employees are wonderful. They took there time and helped me find my color, how to put it on and everything else.
This makeup is perfect too. It looks like you arent wearing anything makeup. You get a natural look. I used to have some blemishes here and there and there gone! its like it helps clear your skin. It is light weight and perfect.
You can also find this make up at Sephora.
I suggest to buy the starter kit if you have never tried this. It comes with a lot. for only $ 60!

I really really like this store. I just wish it was a little bigger because the clientele is growing.
The products are great. The 8 step starter kit is great on my complexion, and it gives you a flawless look. They also show you how to use it and match your color to the foundation as well. Ask them about eyeshadow, blush, lip gloss, and that spinning table will wheel around to your perfect color.
The people who work here have been great, and when I get upset at Sephora for their lack of customer service, this place makes up for it.
It’s located by the carousel on the first floor, not far from Sephora. I don’t come in on a regular basis, only to refill what I need, redefine my complexion, and head out happy.

I second Amy’s review. I went to this store with a friend who swears by Bare Escentuals (I had actually never heard of it). We went on a Thursday night, about 30 mins before closing. Shauna immediately asked if we needed help. She proceeded to find the right shade for me, and patiently taught me how it all works. I’m big on good customer service.
I love that it looks like I’m not wearing any makeup, yet covers enough to not seem like I «need» more makeup. (And I love that there are no more streaks from liquid foundation.) Oh… and because it’s made of pure minerals, you can sleep in it too, and not break out the next day. That’s a huge plus!
My friend who was buying her BE at Sephora before this store opened up, said she had to test the makeup herself (and for her friends). It’s definitely better to go to the BE store and have a professional do it for you. Ask for Shauna.

You can’t open a magazine without seeing something about mineral makeup, and I’d heard from friends that Bare Escentuals was the one to try. I was on my way to Sephora in South Coast Plaza when I literally walked right into an actual Bare Escentual store next to the carousel. Right away a sales assistant greeted me and asked how she could help. I told her I was interested in trying their makeup, and she got a makeup artist to come over and help me. The place has only been open 3 or 4 weeks, and everything in the store is spotless and well organized.
The artist, Ally, was very helpful in showing me how to use the products on my complexion and even had me try it myself. I couldn’t believe how much better my skin looked than when I walked in. Some other customers even came up to me to tell me how beautiful my skin looked. They didn’t see the «before» me!
I bought a starter kit and was given a punch card to get $ 10 off once I purchase $ 120 in merchandise, which would be very easy to do! Next time I’ll have to try out the eye make-​up and lip colors.
I’ve been using the foundation and powder for 4 days now, and already my skin has improved. I highly recommend going to the store and having the sales person find the right colors for you instead of guessing by buying it online.
UPDATE 7÷31÷07: It’s been over a month now that I’ve been using Bare Escentuals makeup, and I definitely see an improvement in the texture of my skin. It looks really smooth, and a lot of the redness I had before is gone, plus I have fewer breakouts. I’ve been getting a lot of compliments! I also started using their brow color and some eyeshadows. Their colors are great.