Overview

Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars ★★★☆☆
Price Tag: $8 USD
Shades Available: 2 Shades
Weight: 0.53 oz / 15.12 g
Where to Buy: eyeslipsface.com

Update: With the discontinuation of the Mineral line, e.l.f. has relocated the Mineral Pearls to the Studio line. The review has been updated to reflect that change.

Yes, e.l.f. Mineral Mineral Pearls is was the official name for this product.

I have always wanted to get a product like this. The first time I ever saw something like this was from Physicians Formula in the 90s. At the time I was unclear about their cruelty-free status—it was a different internet then, folks—and I never got around to buying them. For one reason or another, I haven’t bought any pearls products until now.

It was somewhere like a year and a half ago that e.l.f. have us a sneak peak on Instagram. It was around the time the BB cream was also unveiled. It took almost a year for the BB cream to be released, but the Mineral Pearls were MIA until this August. e.l.f. claims the Mineral Pearls are limited edition products, but we’ll see.

Packaging

The pearls are packaged in a large clear plastic jar with e.l.f.’s signature black, matte lid. The jar is larger than I expected, but at the same time, manages not to be bulky.

The e.l.f. Studio Mineral Pearls come in a fairly sized jar.

Inside is a large white puff and a soft plastic disc. I have assumed that the plastic insert goes over the pearls to prevent them getting shaken and damaged, especially if one eschews the puff. Otherwise, the puff itself should prevent the pearls from moving around too much.

The e.l.f. Studio Mineral Pearls initially come in their own plastic bag,
along with a soft plastic disc (shown atop the bag of pearls) and a puff.

Upon first opening the packaging, you will find the pearls contained in a plastic bag. I’m guessing this is to minimize damage while in transit to the customer. Just (gently) dump them out and you’re good to go.

Formulation

Looking at the ingredients, I’m not clear why this is considered a mineral product. Throwing A and B vitamins doesn’t make something a mineral product. Like the overused “BB”, cosmetics companies use the term “mineral” whenever it suits their needs, and not to correctly describe a makeup product that doesn’t contain (as many) fillers.

I sort of feel like the Mineral Pearls were initially put in the Mineral line primarily so the $8 price tag wouldn’t seem out of place (the Studio line tends to be less pricey).

Here are the ingredients as they appear on the product page:

Mica, Talc, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Bismuth oxychloride, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Boron Nitride, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin,Laureth-7, Xanthan Gum, Apricot Kernel Oil, Retinyl Palmitate (Va), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vc), Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate (Vb2), Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve), Panthenol (Vb5), Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289)

It’s sort of difficult to apply too much product. The pearls roll around so it’s hard to pick up a lot of product in one go. I also have the occasional issue of getting a pearl or two stuck in my brush bristles.

I have used flat top brushes, but thinking about it, rounded brushes might be better to use since they probably won’t pick up the beads as easily.

Shades

As expected, both shades of the Mineral Pearls have a pearl finish. They impart a slightly shimmery look to your face.

So far e.l.f. has released two versions. I have done my best to swatch the pearls, but it’s kind of difficult to good representation of a multicolored product like this.

Swatches of e.l.f. Studio Mineral Pearls

Skin Balancing

This one is more visually interesting with its pastel, multicolor spheres. Together they form a cool-toned, bluish hue.

e.l.f. Studio Mineral Pearls in Skin Balancing

Overall, this version is probably better suited for those with cool undertones.

Natural

Despite the name, I feel this version works more as a bronzer than a powder face product, at least for those on the lighter end of the spectrum. Even for those with darker skin tones, the product could be too shimmery to be worn all over the face.

e.l.f. Studio Mineral Pearls in Natural

I like using Natural for adding a light, all-over flush to my face. It does noticeably darken my skin (I wear the shade Porcelain in the e.l.f. Studio line).

Images

Final Thoughts

Pros: Interesting product, light coverage, ample product
Cons: Pearl finish, limited shades, light coverage, higher price tag than most e.l.f. products, contains mineral oil

I’m very pleased to finally own a pearls product, even though I don’t see myself often reaching for this product. I would love for e.l.f. to release a warmer color corrector in the future, like they did for the Studio Tone Correcting Powder.

$8 may seem step for an e.l.f. product, but it’s fairly average for similar products. And also, e.l.f. regularly has 50% off sales.

Now if I could just stop calling them Mineral Beads…