Skin School
Your trusted resource for mineral makeup, natural skincare and sensitive skin education.
Whether you're trying to find the right foundation, understand why your skin has changed, or build a simple routine that finally calms things down, Skin School is here to help you feel confident in your skin again.
Every guide is written by our founder, Cher, from years of formulating mineral makeup and personally helping thousands of Australian women. No hype, no fear, no pressure to buy.
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The three guides our customers ask for most.
Most read
Best Foundation for Sensitive Skin in Australia
What to look for, what to avoid, and how to tell whether it's the formula or your skin that's reacting.
Read the guide →
Shade help
How to Find Your Foundation Shade Online
Buying foundation without a counter is possible. Here's the method that saves you three returns.
Read the guide →
Quick fix
Why Your Foundation Looks Cakey (And How to Fix It)
Cakey foundation is almost never the foundation's fault. Here's what's actually going on.
Read the guide →🌿 Sensitive Skin
Understanding your skin, and how to care for it when it stops behaving.
The Calm Approach to Reactive Skin
Why doing less, more consistently, settles reactive skin faster than any new product will.
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Building a Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin
A simple four-step routine you can actually stick to, and the order to layer it in.
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Ingredients That Can Irritate Sensitive Skin
The common ingredients worth watching, and the ones that get an unfair reputation.
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How to Repair Your Skin Barrier
What a damaged barrier actually feels like, and how to rebuild it without giving up makeup.
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Why Has My Skin Changed?
Hormones, age, climate, stress: why skin that was fine for decades suddenly isn't.
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The Best Makeup for Rosacea
How to cover redness without triggering a flare, and when to leave makeup off altogether.
Read the guide →💄 Makeup Guides
Achieving beautiful, natural-looking makeup that behaves all day.
How to Apply Mineral Makeup
Press, don't sweep. The technique that changes how mineral foundation sits on your skin.
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How to Make Your Makeup Last All Day
Why makeup slides off by lunchtime, and the four steps that keep it where you put it.
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Makeup for Mature Skin
What to change as skin becomes drier and finer, and what you can happily keep doing.
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The Perfect Everyday Makeup Routine
Five minutes, five products. The simplified routine that suits reactive skin best.
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Common Mineral Makeup Mistakes
The six habits that stop mineral makeup looking its best, and how to undo each one.
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Eye Makeup for Sensitive Eyes
Watery, itchy or reactive eyes? What to wear, what to skip, and how to remove it gently.
Read the guide →🎨 Foundation & Shade Matching
Finding your perfect colour and formula, with confidence.
Undertones Explained: Warm, Cool & Neutral
Three simple tests to work out your undertone, so your foundation stops looking off.
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Liquid vs Powder Foundation
A straight comparison of coverage, finish and wear, with who each one genuinely suits.
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Loose vs Pressed Mineral Foundation
Same minerals, different format. Which one belongs in your bag and which on your bench.
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Foundation for Dry Skin
Why powder isn't off limits for dry skin, and the prep step that makes all the difference.
Read the guide →
Foundation for Oily Skin
How to stay matte all day without stripping your skin and making the oil worse.
Read the guide →
Free tool
Virtual Try-On & Shade Finder
See how a shade looks on your own face before you buy. Free, and takes about a minute.
Try it now →✨ Skincare Ingredients
What each ingredient actually does, and who it's best for.
Vitamin C
Brightening, antioxidant protection, and how to introduce it without stinging.
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Niacinamide
One of the gentlest actives available. What it does for redness, pores and barrier.
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Hyaluronic Acid
How it hydrates, why it sometimes backfires in dry climates, and how to use it properly.
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Peptides
A gentler alternative to retinol for firmness. What to expect, and over what timeframe.
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Face Oils
Yes, you can wear oil under mineral makeup. Here's the timing that makes it work.
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Enzyme Cleansers
Why enzymes suit reactive skin better than acids or scrubs, and how often to use them.
Read the guide →❤️ Routines & Product Care
Getting the most from your products, morning to night.
Morning Skincare Routine
The order to layer in, and how long to wait before makeup goes on.
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Evening Skincare Routine
What your skin actually needs overnight, and what you can safely leave out.
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Exfoliation for Sensitive Skin
How often is too often, and the signs you've overdone it.
Read the guide →
Choosing & Using Your Brushes
The three brushes that matter most, and how the wrong one causes patchiness.
Read the guide →
How to Remove Mineral Makeup
Gently and completely, without the scrubbing that leaves skin red and tight.
Read the guide →
How Long Does Mineral Makeup Last?
Shelf life, storage, and the signs it's genuinely time to replace something.
Read the guide →Not sure where to start?
If reading about it feels like a lot right now, these three take a couple of minutes each and will point you in the right direction.
Frequently asked questions
What is Skin School?
Skin School is Alluring Minerals' free education library: practical, honest guides to mineral makeup and natural skincare for sensitive and changing skin. It's written by our founder Cher, and it's free to read whether you buy anything or not.
Is mineral makeup better for sensitive skin?
Usually, yes. Mineral foundations rely on inert pigments like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxides that sit on the skin rather than absorbing into it, and they typically contain no fragrance, preservatives or oils. That makes them among the better-tolerated options for reactive skin, though no formula suits everyone. Patch test first.
How do I choose my foundation shade without seeing it in person?
Work out your undertone first, then match depth to your jawline, not the back of your hand. Our Virtual Try-On gives you a starting point, and samples let you wear a shade for a full day in your own light before committing. Most shade mismatches come from matching to the wrong part of the body.
Why has my skin suddenly become sensitive?
Skin sensitivity often develops rather than being something you're born with. Hormonal change, particularly perimenopause and menopause, a compromised barrier from over-exfoliating, medication, climate and stress are the most common causes. It's rarely one thing, and it's usually reversible with a gentler routine given a few weeks.
Do I need to buy anything to use these guides?
No. Every guide is written to be genuinely useful whether you shop with us or not, and each one includes advice that costs nothing. Where we mention our own products we'll also tell you who they aren't right for.
Is this medical advice?
No. Skin School is general education about cosmetics and skincare, written from experience rather than clinical qualification. If your skin is persistently irritated, painful, or changing in a way that worries you, please see your GP or a dermatologist.
New guides are added every week
We're building Australia's most comprehensive collection of honest beauty education. If there's something you'd like us to cover, just ask. Cher reads every email.
Ask us a questionWritten and reviewed by Cher Donaldson, Founder of Alluring Minerals.
Last updated 27 July 2026.
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