Happy Wednesday! Here's this week's survey, which you can copy and paste and share as a comment.
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
Skin Tone: Light and neutral
Foundation: Urban Decay One & Done in Light
Primer: Too Faced Primed & Poreless Pure
Powder: e.l.f. Perfect Finish HD Powder
I go for the natural-but-better skin look every day!
Your skin tone/coloring: light to medium with yellow undertones, dark brown eyes, black hair
What was the last foundation you used? TruthGirl mineral foundation in Mary
What was the last primer you used? I like using Garnier Moisture Rescue gel as a primer
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder
Your skintone/coloring: Medium w/ olive undertones MAC NC37-40, deep brunette, teal-green eyes w/gold flecks.
What is the last foundation you used: Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in Medium Honey.
What is the last primer you used: Too Faced Hangover RX Replenishing Face Primer.
What is the last face powder you used: WnW Reserve Your Cabana. It says it’s a bronzer, but if one has skin within the medium range, this makes for a really nice setting/finishing powder!
Your skin tone/coloring: Light Olive
What was the last foundation you used? ABH stick foundation. It pains me to say, but I totally hate it. Sadly, these olive shades (as indicated in their wheel chart) are nothing new, pretty much dupes for other bad matches in my stash, and are best suited for warm skinned individuals. Fail. The Ivory shade might work for some. The next step up is a big one (Warm Natural) and it is so much darker and dammit orange. I mixed the two to try and tamp down that warmness and fail. What the heck was I thinking? Marketing wins.
What was the last primer you used? new Clinique prep start hydroblur moisturizer – S 100 point reward sized. Not bad. I do like the prep eye cream and have full size of that. I need to see how the face version wears and try multiple times.
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Laura Mercier Translucent = HG LOVE!
Keep plugging. Admire your tenacity.
Or gullibility.. sigh
Your skin tone/coloring: Fair with neutral to cool undertones and freckles.
What was the last foundation you used? L’Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation in Soft Ivory/Classic Ivory (N1-2)
What was the last primer you used? NYX Angel Veil Primer
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? I don’t really use setting powders on my skin, just because I never like the way they look. My skin is normal, but all powders tend to make me look dry and crepe-y, especially under my eyes.
> Your skin tone/coloring: fair, warm, blue eyes, light brown to copper hair
> What was the last foundation you used? Laneige BB SPF 50 in fair (was trying Tarte Amazonian clay in fair sand, but it may have been cause of breakouts so back to tried and true Laneige)
> What was the last primer you used? Becca mattifying primer
> What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Glo Minerals pressed in Golden Fair
Your skin tone/coloring: Fair, cool-toned
What was the last foundation you used? IT Cosmetics CC Cream
What was the last primer you used? Smashbox Water Primer
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Loose: Bourjois Java Rice Powder; Pressed: it was either Essence All About Matt or Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Powder
Skin tone: fair with cool undertones
Foundation: Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint in Terre Neuve
Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
Powder: Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation in Light
My go-to face routine!
Your skin tone/coloring: Fair with yellow undertone, light golden brown hair, blue/green eyes
What was the last foundation you used? Too Faced Born This Way in Ivory mixed with NYX Pro Foundation Mixer in White
What was the last primer you used? Smashbox Pore Minimizing Primer
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? L’oreal True Match mineral powder in light ivory W1-2
Your skin tone/coloring: very fair/warm-neutral
What was the last foundation you used? Revlon Nearly Naked in 120-Vanilla (I have a bit of a tan right now)
What was the last primer you used? Monistat Anti-Chafe Gel Cream (not technically a primer, but has the same texture and function as most silicone primers I’ve tried)
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Wet’n’Wild Color Icon bronzer — In My Cabana (technically a highlighter, but so subtle that I just use it all over if I’m tan enough)
Your skin tone/coloring: Medium Tan Neutral MAC NC 40
What was the last foundation you used? MAC Prolong Wear Nourishing Waterproof
What was the last primer you used? Becca Back light
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Mac MSF Medium Tan (pressed) Maybelline Master Fix Loose setting powder
Your skin tone/coloring: Medium/neutral
What was the last foundation you used? Becca Perfect Skin mineral powder foundation
What was the last primer you used? Tarte BB Cream topped with Becca Backlight Priming Filter
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? I guess the Becca Foundation counts? Otherwise, I don’t use setting or other powders except for blush.
*Foundation – Marc Jacobs Re (marc) able Full Coverage Foundation Concentrate
*Primer -Hourglass Mineral Veil SPF 15
*Powder – ELF Illuminating Palette
Skin tone: Medium warm
Foundation I have on today: Too Faced Born This Way in sand
Last Primer I used: Tarte Clean Slate Smoothing Primer, but honestly, I have used a dozen different primers and can never tell a difference between primer vs no primer. If anything, primers seem to sit on the surface of my skin, causing my foundation to also sit on the surface, and as my surface oils boy old over the course of the day, the whole mess seems to come unglued. I am not oily at all, but my t-zone can still become slightly shiny by mid-day.
Loose powder I am wearing today: Lancome’s loose Absolue in Ecru light. Lovely!
Your skin tone/coloring: Light/neutral
What was the last foundation you used? UD Naked Skin 3.25
What was the last primer you used? Estee Lauder Illuminating Perfecting Primer (I got this as a free sample with my order and am surprised it’s quite good!)
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? RCMA Makeup No Color Powder
Coloring: light, neutral-ish undertones, brown hair, brown eyes
Last foundation used: It Cosmetics CC Cream
Last primer: NYX HD primer…not a huge fan, but then I rarely use face primer.
Last pressed/loose powder: NYX translucent finishing powder
Your Skin Tone: Fair with slight pink undertones
Fiundation: Make Up For Ever HD Stick Foundation
Concealer: BareMinerals Bareskin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer
Powder: Nyx HD Powder in Banana
Essence Matte Powder
Skin Tone: Very light/Porcelain with cool undertones
What was the last foundation you used? Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place in 1C1
What was the last primer you used? Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion Pore Perfecting
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Kat Von D Lock It Setting Powder
Your skin tone/coloring: Very fair with neutral undertones; magenta/ed hair; hazel/green eyes.
What was the last foundation you used? Everyday Minerals Semi-Matte Base in Fair 0N.
What was the last primer you used? Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer powder.
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? BareMInerals Mineral Veil in Original.
Your skin tone/coloring: very fair, cool undertones
What was the last foundation you used? Armani Maestro Glow
What was the last primer you used? Tom Ford Bronzing Primer with a little Hourglass Mineral Veil mixed in
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? I don’t generally use powder, but it would be Tom Ford Illuminating Powder in Translucent Pink
Your skin tone/coloring: Dark warm
What was the last foundation you used? Laura Mercier smooth finish fluide
What was the last primer you used? Benefit porefessional
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Loreal infallible pro matte powder- I used this with or without foundation during the hot summer months.
Your skin tone/coloring: Dark Cocoa
What was the last foundation you used? NYX Matte
What was the last primer you used? Laura Mercier
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Black Opal/Laura Mercier
Your skin tone/coloring: fair neutral
What was the last foundation you used? Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation, shade Shell
What was the last primer you used? Too Faced Hangover
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Too Faced Primed and Poreless
Your skin tone/coloring:
– Medium/Dark NC44-45 but currently heavily tanned
What was the last foundation you used?
– Covergirl Clean Matte, I received it as a free sample and it’s surprisingly forgiving on dry skin and finishes quite nicely though in the past couple of days I’ve noticed my skin doesn’t approve of daily use (minor irritation/breakouts around my nose though that may also be skin stress?)
What was the last primer you used?
– Sonia Kashuk Primer Base, it’s a pretty ok pre-foundation step but I don’t think it does anything for foundation longevity, I use it on the days I washed my skin just before foundation (a big no-no for dry skin, I have no plans on rebuying not that I can now that Target’s not in Canada.
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used?
– Clinique Blended Face Powder, GWP and despite a terribly messy container it’s surprisingly nice and doesn’t dry my nice or leave a white cast.
Your skin tone/coloring: Light/Porcelain
What was the last foundation you used? I use MAC Studio Fix
What was the last primer you used? It is by MAC but I don’t use a primer any more.
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Makeup Forever HD Loose Powder
Skin tone: Medium light to medium (summer shade)
Last foundation used: MUFE Water blend, I am trying a sample from Sephora and after two uses have decided I really enjoy the sheerness and lightweight look and feeling of this.
Last primer used: MUFE Step One Illuminating
Last powder used: Laura Mercier translucent setting powder.
Your skin tone/coloring: Fair-Light with warm undertones
What was the last foundation you used? Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick in 1W1. I LOVE the finish of this foundation and I always get compliments on my skin when I use it. It’s a really nice alternative to the original formula, I just wish I wasn’t paying the same price for half the amount of product. The cushion is also useless for blending – I just use a damp beauty blender instead and it looks lovely. If this came in a regular bottle I would be so, so happy.
What was the last primer you used? MUFE Step 1 Equalizer in the green tube
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Hourglass AL Powder in Diffused Light
Your skin tone/coloring: light to medium, neutral
What was the last foundation you used? Almay smart shade mousse, good for easy days
What was the last primer you used? Stila one step corrector
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Elf loose HD powder
Skin Tone: Deep Tan w/Yellow Undertones
Foundation: Mac Face & Body (C7)
Primer: Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer
Powder: MAC MSF Deep
Your skin tone/coloring: NW45 -50
What was the last foundation you used? Fit me by maybelline (360 mocha) and face and body by mac (N9)
What was the last primer you used? all time favorite magical moringa by lush
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? the nars one (i used it for my T zone) and all time favorite (for under eye) l’oréal true match super blendable C9 .
Your skin tone/coloring:
Tan with golden undertone (MAC NC42)
What was the last foundation you used?
Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide – Chai
I though it has the same sheer coverage as my previous Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation, but apparently not all serum-type foundation has the same amount of coverage because this one has more coverage. Some might prefer this, I personally prefer sheer coverage for daily wear. Definitely gonna repurchase GA Maestro for its wear-time (I have very oily skin so tinted moisturizer is a no-no).
What was the last primer you used?
Giorgio Armani Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer SPF 50
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used?
Pressed: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder – 2 Medium
Loose: Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder – Naked Medium
Ade, how do you like the GA primer?
You weren’t asking me, but it’s lovely, but my Armami MUA says the sunscreen aspect is better directly on skin under moisturizer, but that negates the priming aspect somewhat. I still use a separate sunscreen and then this as a regular primer. It’s a fine fluid, so it sits on the skin nicely. I also have the Prima Glow Moisture Balm.
Thank you for explaining about the sunscreen aspect. That was my interest. I was hoping to eliminate a product.
Shari – you could probably get around it if you can allow enough time for your moisturizer to sink in; I just never allow enough time. I have only heard that from one Armani MUA (I have two regulars), but the bare skin theory matches with sunscreen principles in general, so I have to think the same would hold true with this primer unfortunately. I may investigate a little more. The other thing I would wonder about using solo is weather or not you put enough on to get the full effect of the SPF. I know people tend to apply less than what is recommended generally. So are we applying enough product with a thin layer of the primer. Sorry – I may be causing more questions than I’m solving for you.
Skin tone: Light with neutral undertones
Foundation: Dr. Jart Premium BB cream
Primer: L’oreal Infallible setting spray before foundation.
Powder: NARS Translucent Crystal pressed powder for setting undereyes, Laura Geller Balance -n- Brighten in Light all over the face.
Skin tone: fair, light porcelain
Last Foundation used: Rimmel Match Perfection in light porcelain. I always go back to this one.
Last Primer used: Nude by Nature face primer.
Last Pressed Powder: Laura Mercer one in the lightest shade. A really good setting powder.
Your skin tone/coloring: NC15
What was the last foundation you used? Urban Decay All Nighter in shade 1.0. Color match is pretty good but formula is meh. I love Urban Decay and thought I would love this foundation but their foundations just don’t like my skin. I’ll just stick with my MAC Pro Longwear in NC15.
What was the last primer you used? Laura Mercier oil free primer. I’ve been using this at least a couple of years and I love it.
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Loose was Laura Mercier translucent which is HG. Pressed was MAC Select Sheer in NC15 to get rid of a bit of shine. Also an HG product bc I can touch up with it without my foundation getting cakey or changing color.
Skin tone: Fair to light neutral.
Last foundation : L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte 101.
Last primer: Smashbox Photo Finish color correcting.
Powder: Laura Mercier translucent.
Skin Tone: NC42
Foundation: Estee Lauder Doublewear (5W)
Primer: Marc Jacobs
Powder: Laura Mercier (my ride or die for sure)
Your skin tone/coloring: NC15 with some redness/sensitivity
What was the last foundation you used? NARS Sheer Glow
What was the last primer you used? Too Faced Hangover primer
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder
Your skin tone/coloring: light and warm
What was the last foundation you used? YSL Touche Eclat Le Teint (old formula)
What was the last primer you used? Lately I’ve been using an Algenist blurring moisturizer with SPF that feels just like a primer.
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? bareMinerals Mineral Veil. I know this is a popular setting powder, but I don’t like it much.
Your skin tone/coloring: Light/medium
What was the last foundation you used? Kiko Universal Fit
What was the last primer you used? Benefit Pore-fessional
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Hourglass Ambient Powder in Dim Light
Your skin tone/coloring: NC 15, Gobi in NARS Sheer Glow
What was the last foundation you used? Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich (currently wearing)
What was the last primer you used? Well. It is difficult with me and primers. I love my MAC Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base and use it every day. However, with face primers.. Usually make do with good moisturizers (Institute Arnaud ones are pretty nice for my skin).
The last “proper” base I used was Clarins Eclat Minute base, but it was a bit drying. A couple of days ago I used the new Chanel Balm as a base, nice, but not GREAT! for me anyways.
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used?: The one and only MAC MSFN in Light 🙂
Your skin tone/coloring: light to medium warm
What was the last foundation you used? e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation
What was the last primer you used? Canmake Smooth Skin Primer
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? NYX HD Finishing Powder
Skin tone: Light neutral
Foundation: Shiseido Radiant Lifting Foundation in B00 (my HG — super comfortable and beautiful finish on my dry skin). They have redone both the formula and the shade range since, so hoping I like the new ones. I the meantime I have plenty left, both in this color and also B20)
Primer: Marc Jacobs Invisible Undercover
Powder: Aromaleigh Convallaria majalis (loose) — my favorite powder, lovely finish and soothes the skin. When I don’t use this I use one of the Hourglass Ambient Light ones — either Diffused Light or Ethereal. They also work well but can be slightly drying.
Your skin tone/coloring: MAC NC50/55
What was the last foundation you used? Covergirl Queen Collection 825/840
What was the last primer you used? Smashbox Photo (original formula) BECCA Ever Matte
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Covergirl Queen Collection Pressed Powder in Golden
Your skin tone/coloring: Dark Deep/ NW50
What was the last foundation you used? Kiss Aqua BB Cream (Do not sleep on this foundation. It rivals some of my higher end items.)
What was the last primer you used? Becca Ever Matte Primer
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? MAC Pro Long Wear Powder and Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Powder
Your skin tone/coloring: NC50
What was the last foundation you used? MUFE Face & Body (original formula)
What was the last primer you used? Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel (IT WORKS!!!)
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Sephora Microsmooth Powder Foundation
Your skin tone/coloring: medium with yellow undertones
What was the last foundation you used? Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream
What was the last primer you used? I’ve just been using my daily serum as a primer— Original Skin™ Renewal Serum with Willowherb.
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder in Translucent
Your skin tone/coloring: Fairest neutral.
What was the last foundation you used? Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation in Y205 Alabaster. I’m loving this. The colour is ideal and as long as I’m using a good primer and lightly set it with powder it lasts pretty well with only one or two touch-ups (that’s good for my skin).
What was the last primer you used? Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer. It works quite well and mattifies while still smoothing out my skin.
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder. I’ve loved this for years. Just a really good finishing powder. ?
Your skin tone/coloring: MAC NC15
What was the last foundation you used? Dr. Jart Dis-A-Pore BB Cream SPF 30
What was the last primer you used? Algenist Pore Corrector Anti-Aging Primer
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Soap and Glory Kick Ass Powder
Your skin tone/coloring: NC/NW 20 — really I’m more neutral than warm or cool
What was the last foundation you used? Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (love the feel on the skin, the lasting power, the portability, pore blurring — everything but the scent and the price)
What was the last primer you used? I typically don’t use one — haven’t found anything that plays well with my skincare and works to fill pores and extend wear of foundation but doesn’t break me out
What was the last pressed/loose powder you used? Dior Diorskin Forever and Ever Extreme Perfection and Matte Finish Loose Powder (who comes up with these names?) — new to me and still getting solid on how I feel about it. I like the little screen that prevents a ton of powder from getting all over the place. I typically struggle with finding a powder that sets my makeup but doesn’t look too dry.