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What's your favorite type of foundation finish?

I like semi-matte to natural–not too dewy but not totally matte–as I tend to use setting and finishing powder, so that helps to take down some natural shine to a lot of liquid foundations. I find anything very matte tends to look less flattering on my skin!

— Christine

16 Comments

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Erica Avatar

Yeah a semi matte. I don’t want flat and matte but with oily skin, I try to control oil as much as possible and still look natural and not cakey. No dewy for me. Dewy translates to oil slick so no thanks!

Mariella Avatar

Same here – I like something satiny or semi matte. In winter, when my skin is dry and dull and just “winter-weary”, I do like something a bit dewier but I can customize that my mixing in luminzing drops from Becca, Algenist or Clarins or MAC Strobe Cream.

Anne Avatar

Dewy because I’m dry (then blotted with tissue to remove any excess oils after foundation dries), but I prep my deepest lines with colorless stick products made by Givency or DuWop first. I touch up lines as necessary with Benefit’s Dr Feelgood. Prep and touch up take seconds, but make a big difference.

Nancy T Avatar

Definitely NOT a flat, matte finish, nor looking like an oil well. Tricky to find because I have serious combination skin type, with a super oily t-zone. So far, I’ve been able to achieve the perfect finish for me using Lancôme Teint Idole 24H mixed with a tiny bit of MJ Dew You liquid highlighter. But even then, I carry a pan of WnW Coverall powder with a mini kabuki as I am prone to oil breakthrough on my nose, chin and off to the sides of my nose.

Deborah S. Avatar

I have pretty dry skin so I like a dewy foundation. I will generally powder down my nose and under eyes but prefer a more luminous look to my skin.

Shannon. N Avatar

I love matte to demi matte finishes in my foundations!!

I have oily skin, so my foundation just slides right off, or becomes patchy.

For example, today I went to a amusement park. I just did spot concealing with nars soft matte complete concealer, it held up well for 2 hours the I touched up with blotting sheets and spf powder. Then it was all down hill after that! The concealer went patchy, or settled into my smile lines and aged my early twenties self severely. To the point, where my non makeup wearing best friend who never comments on my makeup, was like “Shan you better get a makeup wipe from your bag” it was bad!

Darn oily skin 😛

lisa Avatar

I like a satin/dewy type finish , I hate matte anything. I use Chanel Vitalumiere Moisture rich foundation which has a dewy finish. I think matte foundation looks dry and lifeless. But I have combo/dry skin, so maybe its just me.

Genevieve Avatar

I also prefer a semi matte to natural finish in my liquid foundations. Matte finishes are too flat and cakey, dewy tends to turn oily on my T zone, so the semi matte/natural works the best for me. I also use a setting powder, blush and occasionally a light highlighting effect too.

Miska Avatar

I haven’t had luck with anything but matte foundation. I have combo oily skin that’s calmed a bit but foundations seem to kick up my oil production. Used to use strictly powder mineral foundations but since my oil production has chilled out a bit I’ve tried a few liquids. Any rec’s from my fellow oily skinned people? I’d surely appreciate it!

Diana Avatar

I tend to prefer “natural” finishes so there’s some luminosity left in my skin. It depends on the weather and season but I generally love dewy foundations in the spring, fall and winter. In the summer, when my skin is more normal-dry I prefer “matter” formulas and introduce the luminosity back in with some primers, highlighters or setting spray. I think a matter foundation is a lot more work for me since I prefer dimension to my face. The matter I go the more I need to sculpt and add product.

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