Bare Escentuals
Category: Cosmetics & Beauty Supply [Edit]
Neighborhood: Fourth Street1799 4th Street
(between Hearst Ave & Virginia St)
Berkeley, CA 94710 (510) 528-8025
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- By Appointment Only: No
26 reviews
San Francisco, CA
"I've been going to Diva for almost three years now. I've never had a bad experience, and I will keep going back for several reasons: -You…" read more »
21 Reviews for Bare Escentuals
I have an addiction for this make-up...Whenever I go into the store I need everything they sell. The staff is very helpfull and you can try on the colors before you buy. This is the best make-up if you have very dry skin like me. I doesn't make your skin all flakey when you put it on.
I went in yesterday looking for a new color eye shadow to buy. I ended up getting a make-over...kinda.
The girl that helped me with my makeup was very sweet. She went out of her way to answer my simple question of "Do you think this color would look good on me?" She showed me different techniques of applying the shadow, different color combinations and more.
I was ready to buy the colors she had recommended, but they had ran out of the one I really wanted. I felt bad, because I ended up leaving the store empty-handed. But for her efforts and kindness. 4 stars!
first guy to review? well i have a good reason!
i don't wear any make-up of any kind and i never really plan on it but my mom really loves this stuff. she got hooked one day when she went in and they dolled her all up with a free makeover and i swear she looked 15 years younger. ever since then bare escentuals has been her place to buy all of her make-up.
the other day we went around shopping on 4th street and she wanted to run in and stock up. since a make-up store really isn't my thing i decided to walk around and check out the other stores. we met up later and were ready to go and but she actually wanted to head back in one more time for one more item. she said it seems abit more pricey than the other locations but she had to have it. this place sure has her hooked!
i decided to go in with her this time since it would be quick. the store looks really nice and seems to have many very helpful people working here and the customers are very pretty too. she got her must have item and we got in line to check out. the girl in front of us must have been a server because she was paying for her $80 worth of goods all in ones and fives. that took a little longer than i expected but the cashier was friendly and just seemed happy to be working there. it was pretty cool to see how you ladies react when your in a make-up store and how good it makes you feel.
as a guy there have been so many days when i know i look like crap and i wished i could throw on some make-up to cover up the bags under my eyes after a long night. well from what i have seen and learned if i were to go that route bare escentuals would be my choice.
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I understand that makeup stores are there to make you feel bad about yourself to the point that you believe makeup will solve your self loathing and you spend tons of money....
But, with that said, I have never had an experience going into a makeup store feeling fine about my face, and leaving in tears after being assaulted by a pushy saleswoman with a trashy New Jersey accent and HUGE fake breasts covered in glitter.
I went in to buy "warmth" which I had tried and really loved. The saleswoman sat me down and insisted on doing my face makeup saying that I needed to "cover my blemishes". Now, I had one TINY pimple on my face, and my entire life I have had nearly blemish-free skin and have never worn any sort of pressed powder. After putting all kinds of crap on my face that is apparently full of minerals she started in with all kinds of glitter blush. I am just not a glitter gal, and don't want to be pressured into being one. The worst part was that she actually said, "You're SO BOOOORING" when I asked her to take the layers of trashy glitter blush off of my face. She then proceeded to tell me my lips were so chapped that I needed 3 of their lip products.
I have never complained to a manager of a store ever, but after making my purchase of only what I came in for, I pulled the manager aside and actually started crying explaining how horrible and pushy this woman was.
The whole experience made me positive that no matter how great their products are, I will never, ever go back there.
I recommend staying far away from a trampy loud lady who has had tons of work done, if you want to maintain any amount of self esteem. The truth of the matter is, makeup is fun, but not an essential part of life, and making a sale is more important there than actually making you happy about the sale.
They got me!
Ever since popping into Bare Escentuals about a month ago, I've completely converted to using their Bare Minerals powder foundation.
I used to be a hard-core MAC girl (Studio Fix was my foundation of choice), but now I won't use anything but Bare Minerals. It looks WAY more natural and, since my pores basically ooze olive oil, I'm thrilled at how my makeup doesn't turn into an oil slick a couple of hours after application.
Sure, it took a little while to get the hang of it, but now that I've got it down, it's really quick and easy to apply. And besides looking better, it's better for my skin. I really have seen an improvement in my skin over the past month.
The infomercials say that you can actually sleep in your makeup, which I've done a couple of times after performing a drunken swan dive into bed... and my face didn't even break out the next day.
Another thing I like is how excellent the coverage is if you use this product as a concealer. It really covers a multitude of flaws, and looks way better than traditional concealers.
As for customer service, the girl who applied Bare Minerals to me the first time was patient and applied the makeup very well.
I've not tried any of their other products besides what was in my Bare Minerals starter kit, but their eye shadows are very pretty.
If you're thinking about purchasing Bare Minerals, it's totally worth it to get the starter kit. I LOVE their "skin revver upper," and the brushes all work flawlessly. One caveat: I think the starter kit is cheaper on their website than it is in the store.
If you're looking for natural makeup coverage that's good for your skin, definitely check out this product.
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I used to go to Bare Escentuals a lot more frequently when I was younger. I love their lotion that you could custom scent, but after a few repeated trips where they were always out of what I wanted, I stopped going. But this weekend I strolled thru 4th Street and decided to stop in for a look. I tied up my 2 dogs outside who never ceased whining and barking the entire time. It wasn't until a nice old man sat on the bench outside with them and they had someone to climb on did they finally simma down.
The service I received was very friendly, knowledgable and professional. It wasn't too crowded (surprisingly) so I had very attentive service. I look forward to trying out my new products.
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excellent quality, friendly staff, frequent buyer's card and people who help you do your makeup.
One time I did leave looking more "tart" than "tantalizing" but it was a fluke.
it can get crowded, especially at lunch time, but worth a visit.
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Ever since I started using their products, my skin got healthier and healthier. It is easy to apply, and comes out GREAT. It's so natural, you can sleep with your make up on. I have done it more than a few times, and my skin never broke out. This truly is the first and only make up products I will continue using.
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This is the only makeup I use. I have tossed my Christian Dior liquid foundation. Actually, I have tossed everything, down to mascara and eye liner. It's all Bare Minerals now.
The people who work at this store are extremely knowledgeable about not only skincare and makeup, but how makeup should be applied to asian faces without it looking like they were desperately trying to create an eyelid crease. I hate that shit. So yeah... worth going to for a makeover.
Also, you can sleep in this stuff. I am slowly turning my friends over to Bare Minerals... one at a time, they will all eventually see.
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Friendly staff.
The foundation doesn't do it for me. The coverage is very light and doesn't cover up my acne scars. I had to turn to MAC.
I love warmth sooo much!!!!! :D It makes my skin more healthy and tanned looking.
Since I didn't like the foundation, I gave it to my mom and she LOVES it.
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This review is multifaceted, two types of customer service and one part for the products.
FIRST THE CUSTOMER SERVICE:
For the established cosmetic user:
Avoid this place when they have an event, which seems to be monthly. The store is way to small to fit all the sales staff let alone a dozen customers in chairs. They only way you can get service during an event (even though there is more staff than customers) is if you yell loudly from the register.
During non-event times, the younger girls seem too busy chatting than to help you with your product restocking needs. Go to the more experienced sales women for assistance.
For the mineral curious:
The giggling gaggle of young women will usually break up if there is a prospect of converting a customer. This product line seems to market to the traditional cosmetic user with the hopes of converting them to an adamant mineral make-up wearer. Be prepared for aggressive up selling of ridiculous colors.
THE PRODUCTS:
As somewhat of a cosmetic expert, I do not find the powdery products to be difficult to use. I have heard some complaints about the mess and the inability to easily travel with them as the containers have a tendency to leak. In my experience, it just takes some common sense to use these products. With some quality brushes, they offer easier application and more impact with fewer products than traditional cosmetics. The eye shadows have much more pigment and staying power than any drugstore cosmetic and most high fashion cosmetics as well. The foundation gives the skin a beautiful coverage without looking cakey but wears off after about 4 hours. Don't pay extra for the concealer as the foundation works amazingly well with a concealer brush. The foundation is the best concealer on the market!
The price of the cosmetics is very competitive considering that a little bit goes a long way. However, the skin care products are grossly over priced and nothing spectacular. One extra plus is that they have a frequent buyer card. A great bonus for repeat in-store customers.
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Love the foundation. Make sure you get the mineral veil to go along with it as it really does help it stay on longer. I'm also sold on the eye shadows!
I'm giving it 4 stars. The Customer Service could be better. Much better.
let me start by saying I've tried bare minerals before many years ago. It was given to me by an aunt who has very fair skin. I have pretty light skin but an olive undertone. So the makeup just didn't look right at all and i threw it all away and kept the brushes (they're fabulous brushes by the way). I thought the whole thing was a fluke and i was one of the unlucky few that it didn't work for... except I'd never heard of it not working for anyone. So flash forward 5 years. I have full blown adult acne and the scars to prove it! I have tried soooooooo many foundations to cover the acne and the scars. I've finally found a dermatologist that'll get aggressive with treatment and therefore I'm going on Accutane next week. She recommended Bare Minerals or any other mineral make up. Less is more on your face while on accutane. So I did a little more research watched the videos on their web site and went into their Berkeley store today. Thanks to you lovely Yelpers I had more courage to try something different. I was put on the waiting list and browsed their collection of make up kits. I swear I was heaven, I'm such a makeup whore! My turn was up and I was introduced to Christy my make up artist. I explained I was starting aggressive acne treatment and I needed something that wouldn't irritate but still give me full coverage. She started working her magic and as she built the layers of minerals my skin just transformed. It glowed, it was spectacular. I know I sound like an infomercial but my skin was shining back at me not foundation. So I spent waaaay too much ( thanks Christy!) but it's so worth it!! i didn't get any samples but i did get a preferred customer card filled so I'm going back again real soon!
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I absolutely LOVE bare essentuals for the following reasons:
1) my makeup guy, Christian. Super artistic and always there to hook up the samples. Helps that i spend $$$ everytime im there. (now, i just need to find the patience to learn how to apply make up.)
2) the mineral veil. I don't know why but im addicted to this stuff.
3) the eye shadow. How can you NOT like the shadow? they have awesome colors and not overly vibrant
4) the frequent buyer card ($10 off after you spend $100)
5) the girls and guy always happy to do my makeup
6) CHRISTIAN!!!!!!!! He's the BEST!
I adore their products. I am a make up and product junkie, but i don't wear foundation everyday. i love their powder because it takes away the shine, doesn't make me look ashy and it travels well! The lip pencils are also fab-u-riffic. On every trip I know I'll find something i like.
The best foundation ever - i.d. bareMinerals with SPF 15!
Hands down the finest loose powder (or apparently minerals). It's super light and doesn't feel like makeup yet delivers better than any liquid foundation. Try it, I think you'll like it.
(+) Not tested on animals, no animal ingredients. Free of chemicals, preservatives, talc, oil, or fragrance.
(-) The loose powdery makeup can be somewhat messy, particularly for a klutz like me. And yes this is the same product that is sold via infomercial on QVC TV (which makes me a bit uneasy every time I pump up this product).
Also sold at Sephora.
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This store is a bit roomier than the Chestnut St store was. The sales people are a bit more approachable here, and the products are laid out more in the style that you'd find at Macy's or Nordstrom. I'd rather purchase B.E. products in the retail store rather than over the phone, online or at Sephora because of the frequent buyer's card and you get more product (compared to what you get if buy it from the tv infomercial).
I love their Bare Minerals make-up. The salespeople are nice and I always leave with free samples. The frequent buyer's card is a pretty sweet deal also!
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christian, one of the makeup artists there, introduced me to the md formulations antioxidant creme and i absolutely lovelove it! the best thing ever for dry skin. i also love the i.d. bareminerals foundations. unlike most other foundations, its very natural looking. as for the service at this particular location, it's great. i started going there a year ago and even when i come back to the bay to visit, i always manage to make my way out there to spend $$$ on random things.
great, friendly service. best make up ever
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