Hi Yorko
I used Bare Minerals a few years ago now but I switched to Philosophy Supernatural mineral foundation. I found that for me Bare Escentuals didn't have much staying power, tended to sit in any fine lines and didn't always give good coverage if my skin was playing up. I preferred the Supernatural as it was much easier to use and to carry about. I am not sure if they changed the formulation (or more than likely my skin just got older!) but I found it started looking very matt and powdery on me and a bit mask like. I then saw a demo for the Bellapierre compact foundation and thought I would give it a try. I was very impressed and have been using it ever since.
It gives a very natural finish, doesn't have a flat matt finish and is not sparkly or glittery or anything like that. I like the fact that I can just use it with a small brush as a concealer if I need it and it is really quick and easy to use, easy to carry about and touch up if needed. It has pretty good staying power and I find I can make touch ups without it looking cakey and heavy. I also find it doesn't change colour on my skin and go a bit orangey like some foundations have in the past.
It is also a perfect colour for me. Sorry but as it was so long ago since I used BE, I can't remember what shade I used and whether it was light or fairly light or a mixture of the two. I am fair but not quite that Nicole Kidman porcelain fair. I use the ivory shade and it's just right. I think I ordered the lighter one by mistake once (as at that time QVC had given them different names to the shade listed on the compact) but it was very pale.
The only gripe I have got it is that I ordered one recently and it arrived all crumbled and broken (despite the usual ridiculous P&P charge it was sent by Royal Mail in a slightly padded envelope). The replacement also arrived in the same state, having been despatched in the same way(despite me pointing out that the packaging was insufficent) so I am keeping my fingers cross it will be third time lucky as I am about to run out and just wouldn't want to be without this!