You know how they say there are two types of makeup users—the scoopers and the skimpers? I’d be the skimper. I use just a bit, then it seems like too much, and I wipe half of it off so you can hardly tell I have makeup on. In other words, I’m the type of person that cosmetic companies really don’t like, because I don’t buy makeup that often!
But it was finally time. I’d pretty much run out of the foundation I bought right before my wedding. And this time, I wanted to try something a bit more natural—that hopefully wouldn’t break the bank in the process.
My friend Bethany had been talking about mineral makeup for as long as I could remember. When I finally tracked down the company she used (Everyday Minerals), I liked the prices—but I wondered about the ingredients. So I asked you, my dear blog readers. And an Army wife named Heather recommended a company named Cowgirl Dirt. (Thank you, Heather, not only for the recommendation, but for all you do for this country by supporting your man!) I ordered some samples, a blog reader shared more samples (thank you, Erin!), and it came down to an Everyday vs. Cowgirl comparison.
Everyday vs. Cowgirl
My sister-in-law and I sat down with mirrors and the samples at my kitchen table. Marlys and I have similar skin tones so we figured we could see which colors looked best on each of us.
We tried the Everyday Minerals first. It was hard to settle on one of the five color choices. There didn’t seem to be a lot of color to them, so almost any of colors in the Fair sample kit worked on Marlys or me, if we applied enough.
Then I put on the Cowgirl Dirt Foundation Powder in the Champagne Neutral Tone 3. It was a perfect match. And it just felt different. I think it was the Jojoba oil they use in the powder foundation—it truly felt moist! I’m going to guess that helps it last longer on my face, as well—I know t doesn’t “melt” off my face in the heat like cream foundations do! But the best thing about the Cowgirl Dirt Foundation Powder is how much color there is to it and how little you have to use—especially if you’re a “skimper” like me. 
I’d asked Cowgirl Dirt for a sample of their Southern Belle Neutral Crème Foundation, too—I said to just throw in the crème foundation that best matched the powder samples I was ordering. The Neutral 3 (Light) that they sent was perfect. And my favorite thing about their crème foundation is that it comes in a tub instead of a tube—that means I can put my finger in and get a little bit, instead of always squeezing out too much!
The crème foundation definitely provides a fuller coverage—I use it for days when I need more blemish cover up or a long-lasting perfectly made up look.
Ingredient Comparison
As far as I can tell, nearly every single mineral makeup company around—except for Cowgirl Dirt—includes Titanium Dioxide in their ingredients. I’m rather cautious about using something when the ingredients lists often mentions it in ways like “may contain”—just the same way they do potential allergens or other undesirable ingredients.
So, I asked my friends. They were very helpful. I basically found out that it’s probably hazardous in large amounts. Especially if it’s inhaled. But such a small amount is used in makeup that it’s not been banned yet.
That’s all fine and good. I mean, I don’t use much makeup—and I do own a microwave and use a cell phone, which I know are also hazardous to my health. But sometimes I inhale my makeup powder as I’m putting it on. And what’s more, I kiss and snuggle little cheeks—little cheeks who often ask to have some of Mommy’s makeup put on.
Cost Comparison
So while I’m not one to always buy organic or all-natural (it can be quite hard on the budget!), I decided it was at least worth comparing the prices. Neither company states the sizes on their websites, so I emailed to get an accurate price comparison.
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Cowgirl Dirt Powder Foundations: 13g for $29.99 or 6g for $15.99
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Everyday Minerals Base: 5.5g for $12.00
That means that if you buy the large size Cowgirl Dirt, it’s only costing $12.69 for 5.5g. 70 cents more isn’t much when you’re talking about better ingredients!
It’s definitely cheaper to sample the Everyday Minerals: there were five little sifter jars of color choices for just $3.08 shipping (the first sample kit is free, you just pay shipping—additional samples are $5). The Cowgirl Dirt samples are definitely smaller, and they cost $1.99 each.
The difference in the shipping charges were quite dependent on how much I ordered. Everyday Minerals had slightly lower shipping costs, but that’s to be expected from a large company.
Small Business Customer Service
My only complaint about Cowgirl Dirt before had been the customer service. But, since then, the company has changed hands. And when I found out about this, I was thrilled to pieces to find it’s now owned by a young Christian couple! I also noted that the email response time is much better these days. (And even if it doesn’t happen to be, I’m inclined to give small businesses a break when I know how few people there are to do everything!)
As a small business owner myself, I love to support small businesses. I also like to support fellow believers. And when it doesn’t break the bank, I prefer to choose products that are better for my health.
Dirt
Since I always aim to put on makeup in a way that doesn’t make it obvious I’m wearing any makeup, I love how the mineral makeup provides such a light coverage. (And no, that’s not a sentence that makes sense to most men. Except that most of them know they prefer the natural look. Which explains the sentence, right?!)
All in all—natural ingredients, family business, great feel, and a totally cool name—Cowgirl Dirt was an easy choice for this farmer’s wife. Especially when they have eye shadow colors like “alfalfa,” “hay,” and “farmer’s daughter.” 
Giveaway!
I’m thrilled that the new owners of Cowgirl Dirt are offering a giveaway here at the Little Pink House! One lucky cowgirl will receive:
Here’s how to enter (please leave a separate comment for each entry):
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Post a comment below telling us how often you wear makeup.
(If you’re already a mineral makeup user, I’d love it if you’d share your mineral makeup tips—and favorite brushes!—in the comments, too!) -
“Like” Cowgirl Dirt on Facebook (and comment to tell us you did so).
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Post about this giveaway on Facebook (and comment to tell us you did so).
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Follow Cowgirl Dirt on Twitter (and comment to tell us you did so). Follow @cowgirldirt
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Tweet about this giveaway (comment with Tweet URL below): @merrittsgret is hosting a giveaway for @cowgirldirt mineral makeup! http://wp.me/p10K4d-YW
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Blog about this giveaway (comment with bog post URL below).
Giveaway Rules:
- Don’t forget to include your name and email address in the space provided on the comment form (your email address will not be published, but I need a way to contact you if you win!).
- Entrants with U.S. mailing addresses only, please.
- Drawing ends at midnight, Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
- Winner will be chosen randomly, notified by email, and announced in this post.
- Thanks to Cowgirl Dirt for providing the giveaway items! I reviewed these products of my own volition. The opinions expressed are my own.
- Congratulations to Kristen, commenter #23, for winning the giveaway from Cowgirl Dirt!
Everyone else, be sure to check out Cowgirl Dirt‘s 15% off sale now through Saturday, with coupon code “rodeotime”.
Right now I wear makeup only a few days out of the week. We haven’t been going anywhere, so I tend to stay au natural on days we’re hanging out at home. Thanks for the review, I currently use Bare Minerals, but love that the ingredients in these are so much better for you. I have normal/combo skin (oily in the t zones) have you noticed any breakouts with the jojoba oil used? I have to be really careful about using anything with added oils (for instance, I can only use oil free moisturizers…) so I wondered about that.
My favorite mineral makeup tip? I love that you can apply them wet or dry! Sometime I moisten my eyeshadow brush and it makes the shadow go on with a bit of a sheen. Great for those rare nights out with the Hubby!
What a neat giveaway, Gretchen! As you know, I really enjoy mineral makeup.
I wear it pretty much everyday. My favorite brushes are those by EcoTools–they work well, are easily accessible at drugstores, and quite inexpensive. I don’t really have any good tips except that I’ve found my makeup applies much more easily if my face is well-moisturized beforehand.
I also “liked” Cowgirl Dirt on Facebook.
So I hardly ever wear make up mostly on sundays if I do its just eye shadow and mascara because I don’t like putting things on my skin and face that are bad for me so this sounds wonderful.
I like them on Facebook
and Shared this blog post on Facebook as well
So…hopefully this doesn’t disqualify me for the giveaway…but I think the last time I wore make-up (does a bit of powder count?!) was for my wedding…over two years ago! However, if I had some natural make-up, I probably would wear it more…
I “liked” Cowgirl Dirt on FB.
I posted about the giveaway on FB.
I have never tried mineral make up, but I would love too. My husband really loves me to look more natural, so it has been a battle trying to find make-up that does not look caked on. I wear foundation, mascara and blush every day. Every once in a while I’ll dress up with eyeshadow & eye liner!
I “liked” Cowgirl Dirt on FB!
Followed on twitter!
Also, tweeted about it.
I wear makeup a few times a week at the most. If I’m going into town or running errands or going to a special event. Blemish cover up is my main necessity!
I’m a huge fan of the natural look!
I wear make up almost never. Mostly because it IS expensive and I am also really picky about what I put on my skin. I am very intrigued with this brand and would very much love to win a sample so I can try it out finally.
I liked the Cowgirl Dirt on facebook! (name is pioneer crofters)
Liked it on Facebook.
Followed on Twitter! ( I so feel like I’m spamming your blog!
)
Right now I wear makeup just on special occasions–weddings, Easter, etc. I’ve been a daily makeup wearer in the past, but don’t feel the need to do so now when my days are spent with a 6 month old boy! (My husband likes it when I wear makeup, but is glad I don’t wear it daily.)
Liked on FB.
And shared on facebook.
Tweeted about the giveaway.
And followed on Twitter.
Shared the giveaway on FB.
I use mineral makeup daily, and just a light dusting with a kabuki brush. I have been using Bare Minerals makeup for a few years now, but have been looking to switch because of the price! I tried the Everyday Minerals samples, and I’m just not quite in love. I would love to try Cowgirl Dirt!
Sounds great! I only use make-up when I go out or have company over, and only a very light amount.
Great review, Gretchen! I wear makeup daily, because my skin “glows” if I don’t! I use Everyday Minerals samples for blemish coverage, applied with a small, clean watercolor paintbrush. Yup, I just can’t bring myself to purchase cosmetic brushes when a huge pack of tiny, wooden-handled paint brushes are more economical.
For the longest time I was the girl who never, ever wore make-up. Then two things changed that.
1) I discovered that when I wear eyeliner, people come up to me and say, “Hey, your eyes are green! I always thought they were brown.” (I have pretty small eyes…)
2) I joined Women’s Choir at college and got used to having to wear it a lot for concerts.
So now I wear eyeliner almost every day, sometimes either eyeshadow or lip-color… and every once in a while, a full face of make-up
I’ve never really been able to find a foundation I like, though, so I’d like to try this!
Liked it on facebook as well!
I wear makeup more often than I used to, now that I have some skin issues. But, I do wear varying amounts; some days I wear full make-up, others I only wear foundation. I’d love to try Cowgirl Dirt! Thanks for the review and the giveaway!
I wear make-up every.single.day! I usually put make-up on even for “at home” days simply because it helps me feel more intentional about my day. That may change one day as my season of life changes…but for now, that’s where I’m at!
I wear mineral makeup every day. Since I’m also a “skimper” I love how light and natural it feels.
I wear makeup maybe once a week, but sometimes I go a few weeks without wearing it at all. I’d love to try cowgirl dirt though, the mineral makeup sounds like it would be so much better for my skin, & might make me want to wear it more often.
I like Cowgirl Dirt on facebook!
Cool! I’ve been thinking I really should invest in some more natural makeup, since I wear it almost every day. Cowgirl Dirt sounds like a great find! Thanks for the giveaway!
I liked Cowgirl Dirt on Facebook.
I have kinda crazy skin {very red/uneven skin tone}, so I wear at least a little foundation every day. Depending on where I’m going/what I’m doing, I’ll add a little eyeshadow and mascara.
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I wear makeup about once a week. I haven’t tried mineral makeup yet because my makeup budget is practically nonexistent, but I’d love to get free samples!
I wear makeup every day, mostly because my skin tone is very uneven (very fair, with red patches). I have used L’Oreal mineral makeup before and liked it, but right now I’m using cheap stuff.
I’d love to try Cowgirl Dirt, and if it supports a Christian couple’s home business, all the better!
Liked on Facebook…
And… re-posted on Facebook.
I only wear make up on maybe 2 days a week. But I LOVE to wear make up just haven’t had the time with the nephew here everyday on top of my own littles.
liked on facebook
followed on twitter @weeshi_fish
and tweeted about
I follow CowGirlDirt on Twitter (name is faithmovesmntns)
This sounds wonderful! I prefer not to wear makeup too often, but I do like it for special occasions.:)
Would love to win! I don’t wear make-up very often because I’m concerned about the ingredients. This would be a great option!
Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to win!!
I wear makeup every day or every couple days. It just depends on the week.
Oh, awesome! I love mineral makeup! I wear makeup just about every day…some days I wear more than other days but I wear some amount just about every day!
I just “liked” Cowgirl Dirt on Facebook, too!
Annnnnnd posted on Facebook……
I wear makeup pretty much everyday. On weekdays around the house, it’s just a bit of foundation powder and touch of blush/eye color. On weekends a bit more. I’ve recently got hooked on Everyday Minerals (including their brushes). It goes on better, and treats my skin better, than any other makeup I’ve tried. But I haven’t tried Cowgirl Dirt yet! After reading your review, I think I’d like to give it a try!
I wear makeup a couple times a week (whenever I go somewhere…). Though I might wear it more often if I found a makeup I really liked.
I now follow them on Twitter!
And now I have twittered about the give-away!
I wear mascara and that’s about it, I’ve never found face make-up that I’m really really happy with, so I’m excited to try this. It sounds perfect.
I liked it on Facebook!
followed Cowgirl Dirt on Twitter:)
…aaannddd tweeted it!!
I don’t wear make up as often as I would like as I am allergic to most brands. On average once or sometimes twice a week. Finding gluten free make up is almost impossible, I would love to try Cowgirl Dirt! Thanks so much for sharing about this great product!!
Lauren
Oh and I followed Cowgirl Dirt on Twitter
I just love the name!!! To cute!
Lauren
For the most part, I only wear make up on Sundays or when I’m going to town. And then it is a pretty small ammount! (Mineral powder, mascara, and the tiniest bit of lipstick!)
Liked on Facebook!
Following of Twitter
Shared on Twitter…
And shared it on Facebook
I rarely wear makeup because I have very sensitive skin, but I’d like to give Cowgirl Dirt a try.
Sounds like a nice product!
I followed Cowgirl Dirt on Twitter.
I usually only wear makeup when I’m going somewhere. Cowgirl Dirt sounds great and I’d love to a chance to win. Thanks!
I wear makeup every day…I’m currently loving the Mineral Fusion brand. Pretty natural and great coverage =)
Thanks!
A touch of concealer now and then is called for, but for the most part, I never wear makeup! Cowgirl Dirt catches my interest though…I’d like to give it a try!
I follow you on facebook…. and I wear makeup way too much. everyday, unless I am not working or going out.
Hey! I am so excited to hear about this makeup. I have been looking for a new mineral makeup. I would really like the liquid mineral, which I have not found yet, to actually stay on my face all day. I normally use Bare Minerals and their brushes. I am not quite happy with the coverage that it gives which explains why I am so excited to hear about Cowgirl Dirt.
I liked Cowgirl Dirt on Facebook
Congratulations, Kristen! Comment #23 won the giveaway…and you are comment #23!
And put it on Facebook. I don’t have twitter, but I would put it on there if I did.
Love natural make-up. Always looking for something that stays on a longer.
YAY!!!! I am so excited!
So how do I get that giveaway? 