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Leslie Blodgett launched Bare Minerals in 1995 as a modest mineral makeup line introduced through QVC commercials. Its first major product was Original Foundation, a loose mineral powder created for light coverage and presented as suitable for sensitive skin. Unlike traditional cosmetics that relied on talc and other fillers, the product gave the brand a distinct place in the makeup market.

The breakthrough came in 1997, when Blodgett presented Bare Minerals live on QVC. Her personal explanations and demonstrations showed viewers how the mineral foundation worked on skin and why the format differed from standard makeup. Television shopping became the brand’s first major growth channel, helping Bare Minerals build recognition beyond a small product line.

By the 2000s, Bare Minerals had built a loyal audience around mineral makeup and a cleaner alternative to conventional cosmetics. In 2010, Shiseido acquired the brand and guided a wider product expansion. The assortment expanded beyond foundation to include skincare, color cosmetics, and brushes. At the same time, Original Foundation remained the product most closely linked to the company’s origins.

Bare Minerals later became a global cosmetics brand sold in more than 70 countries. Its catalog grew to include face products, eyeshadows, and lip and cheek products, yet the original loose mineral foundation remained at the center of its identity. The brand’s history remains tied to Leslie Blodgett’s QVC launch, the rise of mineral makeup, and the shift from a small televised line into an international beauty business.