What's your favorite finish for complexion? What do you use to achieve it?
In person, I like a natural finish – not quite semi-matte but not dewy. What I’ve been doing these days is mixing in an illuminating primer/liquid highlighter (been reaching for Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter) when I apply my foundation and then setting the perimeter of my face but going in with a lighter hand or using an illuminating setting powder (like Hourglass Diffused Light or Wet ‘n’ Wild Reserve Your Cabana) on some areas to keep them less matte. For photos, I prefer semi-matte to matte as I find it looks smoother overall and just go in with a setting powder all-over (usually Laura Mercier’s Loose Setting Powder).
— Christine
I have dry skin, and like a foundation with a natural finish, and no powder except sometimes a blurring powder (like Mac Next to Nothing) on my forehead as I have tiny colourless bumps there. If I use a more matte foundation, I mix in moisturiser.
I am not a fan of the dewy look at all. I use highlighter very sparingly, and only on my cheekbones. Anywhere else and I start looking oily. I use EL Double Wear Makeup without primer because I’ve found it stays on better that way and I break out less. (I moisturize about 10 minutes before I put on foundation.) Then I set with RCMA No Color Powder or Laura Mercier Translucent Powder. I’ve never used a finishing powder, but I am intrigued by the Hourglass Ambient Light products and wonder if there is one that could work on me. My skin has some Melasma and larger pores. And it has lost its firmness and elasticity due to aging, though wrinkles aren’t a big problem yet. I worry that any kind of illuminating powder would just bring out all those problems.
I too prefer the more ‘natural’ finish/look. Matte, dewy, etc., I couldn’t manage.
How I get there from here — during summer, I use Neutrogena mattifying primer on T-zone, Laura Mercier blemish-free primary on the rest. I’ll put on Becca Backlight priming filter along cheekbones as a highlight. I’ve been working hard to have best skin, so if things are going well, I’ll spot conceal; if not: Smashbox Camera Ready BB water foundation, using a heavier hand if needed, and if I need even more coverage, I’ll mix in Guerlain Lingerie de Peau.
Depending on how it’s going during the day, I may dust on Rimmel Stay Matte (for shine reduction), Hourglass Diffused Light (for a pick-me-up light) or Laura Mercier powder (I don’t do often because the powder is so fine it’s can be messy, but sometimes).
Whew, all that to look ‘natural.’
My complexion being a double edge sword, as it were, makes it a very real balancing act to get it just right! Combo with a very oily t-zone, no wrinkles, but deep expression lines from nose to mouth and angry 11 in between eyes, large pores. Yet, I despise a flat matte finish on me even though I realize that this always holds up all day on me! Instead, I prefer a long wearing foundation that has some luminosity and life to it. A nice satin finish is preferable to that flat matte that ages me and gives my skin a dryer up, dead looking finish. So, I always mix in a little bit of either MAC Strobe Cream or MJ Dew You Dew Drops into my Lancome Teint Idole 24H Foundation to liven it up. Mind you, Lancome Teint Idole isn’t the most dead matte foundation around, but when your skin falls into the medium to medium – tan range with a golden olive undertone to it, your skin can seem dull as it is. That’s why it takes some tweaking to bring it to life!
I veer towards matte. I use a pore blurring primer and my current foundation is a matte cushion from an Australian indie brand called Mirenesse. I follow with a light dusting of Laura Mercier Candleglow powder. My bronzer has a little bit of shimmer but I use a matte blush. I am using IT Cosmetics Perfect Lighting Wand instead of highlighter. It has no shimmer at all.
These days I prefer a semi matte finish. I don’t want to look glowy or dewy as it translates to oily on me. I moisturise first, using whatever current daily moisturiser I have and give it time to sink in.
I use the Nude by Nature primer on both eyes and face and a matte foundation – either my beloved Clarins Everlasting foundation in linen, or my newish Designer Brands foundation in porcelain ivory in Velvet Matte.
If there are any shiny spots, I use the Rimmel Stay Matte powder in translucent.
I tried the Laura Mercier transluscent powder and was dismayed about how little product was in the pan. When I switched to the Rimmel one, I really didn’t notice any difference re the product. And of course, it is a much cheaper alternative.
I have very dry skin so prefer a more luminous or glowy finish. I do like to set my face but I try to set with a luminous powder, something like Hourglass or Guerlain meteorites.
Hoping this isn’t a duplicate post. I am trying to use a new tablet and I am a slow learner when it comes to technology! I have very dry skin so prefer a more luminous or glowy finish. I like to set my foundation so I use a luminous powder like Hourglass or Guerlain Meteorites.
I’ve always had oily skin, so i prefer a matte, but highlighted, finish. I don’t want to look dewy or greasy.
*Primer helps everything last longer and not oxidize from skin oils. Which one I use varies a bit, but usually it’s NYX Angel Veil.
*Foundation is usually either e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation in Light Ivory, or BH Cosmetics Naturally Flawless in Ivory. If I need full coverage, it’s Lancome Teint Idole 24H Long Wear Foundation.
*Always setting powder. I used e.l.f. HD Powder for a few years, but now I’m trying out Ben Nye Neutral Set and RCMA No Color Powder.
*Powder blush, contour, and highlighter over the setting powder. I place the highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones, and a little bit on the bridge of my nose and end of my chin. I don’t put it on my forehead or tip of my nose.
*Regular or matte setting spray. Never a “dewy” or “luminous” setting spray.
*Blotting papers and pressed powder in my purse to maintain the look.