I use bare minerals and I love it. I would never go back to liquid makeup. It provides really good coverage without looking cakey or mask like. I also like to use Philosophy's present underneath it because my makeup seems to go on easier and lasts all day.
I use bare minerals and wouldn't use anything else. It is very forgiving yet gives good coverage. And I use there bisque for a concealer...that stuff is awesome. It doesn't get cakey and thick like a liquid or cream.
I've used Jane Iredale and now I'm using this new thing from I think the women who invented Bare Minerals - Colorescience - the makeup is in a cartridge in the handle of the brush, which makes it great fro travel/gymbag, but the makeup itself is a little too sheer for my taste, so I use cream concealor in the spots that need it first with that.
Either way they're easy to use and I recommend them. Nothing to be intimidated about!
I do still use liquid makeup sometimes for evening, if I want a dewier look or want to use a cream or liquid blush.