La Mer The Soft Fluid mixed with Natasha Denona Face Glow — pretty much ultra-dewy and looks best in person (I find on camera, all that shine makes me look more textured everywhere vs. smooth like a more matte base!) and lasts a surprising amount of time.
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I’ve been using either the Missha M Perfect Cover BB cream, spread in with my fingers or the Natasha Denona Face Glow Foundation, also with my fingers. I did like the ND Face Glow at first because it is kind of an odd sticky formula that didn’t set on my face nicely, but using the warmth of my fingers really helped that, and now it’s one of my favorite base products.
doesnt the misha bb cream oxidise?
Loreal Infallible Freshwear
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer
Bare Minerals Mineral Veil
Freshwear is my current top choice for going out also for winter when I like a more satin finish with better coverage.
Which shade do you use for your skin?
Hey Maggie: I’m using True Beige 420. It oxidizes a bit and therefore runs too dark so I do tweak it a bit. It has a very neutral slightly olive base which I appreciate. It’s a full shade darker than Fenty 150 and less green, more beige. Less pink and more neutral and a half shade darker than ELDW Ecru. If that is any help… It’s very much in line with my natural skintones out of the three foundations mentioned here, but I have a bit of cooler peach (peach leaning pink) which Sunday Riley 140 is the tweak for this foundation. I’m super fussy and could easily get by wearing 420 straight up; especially in summer.
I haven’t tried La Mer with the fear that I won’t love it. Mel raves about it too and it remains in her top 5 foundations. I think the most money I ever spent on foundation was for Zelens and I regretted it and immediately gifted it to a friend. I’ve been tempted a number of times by La Mer and Suqqu, what I consider ultra high end foundations, but my Zelens experience has held me back.
Summer glowy: I’m using a combo of IT cosmetics CC (illuminating) with a touch of my beloved Sunday Riley The Influencer. The SR is down to my last third so I am nursing it along with hopes of finding a replacement. Last year when I contacted customer service regarding the demise of the product, they assured me they were going to release another version. Hmmm..
No pressure Mother… please please please please
I was told La Mer is sheer and is not buildable. That is the only reason I have not purchased it, I would like a little more coverage. I am waiting for Mother as well, fingers crossed!
I’ve been trying different foundations the past year and a half and haven’t found anything I love more than my Lancome Teint Idole. Nothing really compares to how it makes my skin look. On me it’s not as matte nor full coverage as it claims, which makes it perfect. It’s a soft matte with good medium-almost full coverage.
Lancome Teint Idole is my current favorite too. I have combo skin with a lot of redness so I was hesitant to try something that was considered more of a medium coverage foundation rather than full, but I find it to be buildable enough to thoroughly cover my redness and the finish looks much more natural than many of the more full coverage foundations I have tried. Also this stuff stays on my skin like nothing else–even Estee Lauder Double Wear faded on my oily chin and nose, but this stuff lasts forever! Do you use a primer with it? And if so, which primer do you use? I had been using Milk Hydro Grip, but I was actually traveling recently and forgot to pack primer and I honestly didn’t notice much of a difference between how it wore without primer than how it typically wears with primer. I would like to find a good blurring primer that works with it though because I do have large pores on my chin and nose. But so far I haven’t found it to wear well the the couple blurring primers that I have tried (Benefit POREfessional & ELF Poreless Putty).
I just purchased my yearly tinted sunscreen for summer walks- this year it’s IT cosmetics. It’s fine, but I’ve still never worn a foundation that actually makes me look ~prettier~ than wearing nothing. I always just look a liiiiittle bit older, and more monochromatic, but not necessarily better.
I’m 100% with you on this. Every foundation I have tried has made my skin look more even, but definitely older. I also have a problem with silicons in cosmetics, so usually I get very shiny and uncomfortable after a few hours. I prefer to go bare-faced, and just wear a bit of colour.
I’m combo oily, and I’ve become *obsessed* with L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear! It’s maybe the lightest weight medium/full coverage foundation I’ve ever worn; I feel like all of my imperfections are completely covered. The only downside: I do have to use 3-4 pumps for a full face.
Base wise, I’ve been loving the CoverGirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition.
Mixing is so fun for base products, I have what I call a ‘franken-foundation’ in an airless pump I got from Amazon with some MUFE, The Ordinary, and some UD foundations in there, plus some MAC Strobe Cream. There’s no way I would ever be able to replicate it.
What shade do you use in the Natasha Denona Face Glow? Like many who follow you, I have basically the same skin-tone/depth of colour and I can’t find this one on your list! I’m dying to try it!
Good skin days — E.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel in Opal 01.
Not-so-good skin days — E.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer, NYX CC Cream in Green Light/Medium (to neutralize redness on nose & cheeks), BH Cosmetics Naturally Flawless Foundation in Ivory (201), and Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer in Bavarian Cream 01 to spot conceal blemishes.
I haven’t mixed foundation for a while now but hada labo perfect gel as moisturizer and then Mac face and body seems to layer well together. It creates a smooth looking base despite some texture on my cheek.
I don’t know if it makes a difference but the first layer is the Serum which is the Vichy mineral, then Cerave moisturizer, then the hada labo perfect gel. Lastly, a layer of Elta MD sunscreen depending on the time of the day. I know it sounds like a lot of layers but they all meld together feel lightweight and they don’t slip despite the humid Houston weather.
Reading PMGs foundation and primer teaser reminds me of my routine for my base.
I’m not into mixing products. I just moisturize, let it soak in for a few minutes while I do my eyes, then put on my beloved Estée Lauder Double Wear Makeup with a Sephora #56 brush, followed by Tarte Shape Tape under my eyes. No primer necessary. This is my year-round routine. Simple, quick, effective.
I’ve been loving the Tarte Babassu Foundcealer (which I find to be a light-medium coverage), mixed with the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue stick.
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation mixed with the Super Radiant Booster. I love it, super glowy yet gives you a beautiful natural coverage
Since I’m getting older, I’m a little more concerned about what is in my foundation. I don’t feel like anything needs to be that covered up , except my undereye dark circles. So I’ve been using it undereye concealer. It has hydraulic acid which is amazing for aging. It’s the only concealer that actually covers the dark circles. I usually push too much out of tube , so I apply to rest if face where there is acne or redness ( chin) .
Can you share what concealer is with hyaluronic acid ? Thank you.
Hi, which product are you using? Thanks!
As for complexion products I have just one product of each opened / in use at a time, my go-to are pretty simple. Also, I like a more matte finish, maybe a little satin, but natural; I’m not into the glowy stuff.
SPF: Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
I consider the SPF part of my complexion routine because it highly influences how the primer and foundation applies for me. This SPF provides a light layer of moisture, but the slight tint kind of changes the color of foundation if I don’t apply the primer all over my face.
Primer: Peter Thomas Roth Skin to Die For No- Filter Mattifying Primer & Complexion Perfector
I’m not dying over it, it’s not as oil controlling as I expected (and I have combination skin), but it does a decent job at perfecting the skin and does add a blurring effect. Otherwise it’s just a basic silicone primer.
Foundation: NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation
This foundation will stop (it’s not the longest lasting I have tried) and provides only medium coverage. But I started to learn how to prep the skin so it won’t emphasize any damn dry patch I didn’t seemed to notice before.
Concealer: Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer
It’s amazing, covering my dark undereye, but not emphasizing my fine lines… wish it come with a pump, not a doe foot. And it’s literally infinite; I have mine in use since October last year and I still get product out; but I’m not bored with it!
Ever since I received the very generous sample of MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof foundation in NC41, I haven’t looked back! I love mixing it with Marc Jacobs Dew You Dew Drops and applying it with my one short handled foundation brush that I received as a Sephora Rouge welcome gift. Whatever it is about this combo, it gives me my summer skintone match! I know the number sounds dark, but it is lighter than Studio Fix NC40. Looks like the OLD version of Studio Fix C4, before they lightened that one up this past year. Possibly C4.5 is a closer match? Anywho. This combo gives my skin a lovely satin finish with just enough dewiness to keep it fresh looking.
I am not married to any particular foundation, primer or powder. I use to use the Chosungah all of the time but since it became difficult to find, thank you CeeBee, I have been trying other foundations so that when my last container of the Chosungah is empty I won’t be scrambling around trying to find something. I am not sure if the Chosungah is still available in Australia and New Zealand but realistically, I don’t want to have to order my foundation from so far away. I have quite a list of foundations that don’t work for me and the list of those that do is pretty small. Right now I am using the Revlon Pore Blurring primer on my cheeks, chin and center of my forehead. I don’t see any blurring and started using it after Taylor raved about it. Under my eyes I use a combination of Becca and Tatcha with the Tatcha being one I am trying to just use up. I usually add something like Smashbox Primerizer or a a glow product to my foundation cocktail. I am using the Armani Luminous Silk with the Armani Power Fabric concealer. For finishing powder I use whatever strikes my fancy as I have a ton of them and still buying more. I also like the L’Oreal Fresh Wear but it isn’t anywhere near full coverage for me. Not sure why that would be since pretty much every one else says they can build to full coverage but it doesn’t build or give full coverage to me. It is another product that I purchased because Taylor raved about it. I like it. It has a nice look when applied and wear really well. It doesn’t feel heavy and is never cakey. I do get a little separation around my nose and chin by the end of the day.
Right now I am using the Guerlain Cushion primer, Guerlain foundation and I use one of my Guerlain Meteorites over the foundation. I am liking it but I have an itch to try the La Mer cushion after Tammy posted some pictures on IG. Tammy is my beauty icon and I like to try all the products she uses, LOL! I have been hesitant because it is so expensive and yet if it is amazing it would be worth it. I am waiting until I go to Boise, Idaho in about 11 days to see if I can find it there and if not then I am going to check it out when I am in Seattle in July.
I don’t really mix foundation products. My 2 favourite foundations recently have been IT Cosmetics CC Cream and the older version of Diorskin Forever (the one with the SPF) but of late, I’ve been relying on Australian Gold’s tinted sunscreen which gives me natural coverage and I will use a bit of IT Bye Bye Undereye or some powder foundation on top of the sunscreen to cover my broken capillaries/redness on my cheeks. I like the natural look and the high level of sun protection and also the ease with which it all comes together.
I second Australian Gold’s tinted sunscreen!! It’s funny because I have olive/yellow undertones and I think it looks pretty natural on me! I’ve never tried liquid foundation over it (feel like it’d be thick/goopy), but now I wonder if I should buy some powder foundation to use with it! What powder foundation do you use?
Sue, I haven’t (yet) tried wearing foundation over it either but a MakeupAlley friend (who turns out to live a 10 minute drive from me), from whom I learned about Australian Gold, wears foundation over it with no problems. In fact, it’s one of the things she really likes about the product and I think several other reviews at MUA said much the same thing. It really is a surprisingly versatile product in terms of working for a lot of skin colours/tones.
I don’t generally mix my foundation with anything. Radiance products emphasize my skin’s texture too much so I don’t often use them. If a foundation looks too flat, I will mix in a drop of whatever oil I am using but I find that a finishing powder with a bit of light reflection in it generally is enough in summer. I don’t use the same foundation everyday. If my skin needs help, I use Tarte Amazonian Clay or Fenty Pro Filt’r. If it looks good, I use either Koh Gen Do Aqua or the Bare Minerals TM. I would probably look fine with one of the last two if I did more spot concealing but I am too lazy most of the time.
I’ve been trying different foundation/ skincare/sunscreen combinations lately, so I don’t really have a “go-to”… On days I’m not working, I’ve been opting for powder foundation with No 7 Lift & Luminate Day Cream, as I do enjoy the moisturizer, but it doesn’t work with my liquid foundations; the powder foundation I’ve been using is Prestige MultiTask Wet/Dry Powder Foundation in Wheat, but likely won’t repurchase any time soon (it’s good, but I have others I want to get through). On work days, I’ve been reaching mostly for Catrice HD Liquid Coverage in Light Beige, as it is a good color match, and holds up well. However, I picked up the L.A. Girl Mixing Pigments in Blue & White, so I’ve been playing around with those, using foundations I love the formula of, but the color is off. So far, they’ve made the Milani Conceal & Perfect very wearable, so when I work this weekend, I’ll probably use that.
The weather/climate in L.A. has been so random lately, so I’ve been taking the opportunity to work with different products/combinations in varying conditions. I also have a couple of foundations on my wishlist, and once I get through a few in my stash, and/or give up on others, I’ll be testing those out. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will have decided on a handful of options, and pare down my inventory…
I haven’t worn makeup in a little while, but when I do I tend to wear the Smashbox 15 Hour Hydrating foundation. I love the finish, coverage, and lasting power, and the shade I have has a great olive undertone for me, it’s just a bit dark. Now that we’re moving into summer, though, it should be perfect! For primer, I usually use the NARS Smooth and Protect.
Old faithful TO niacinamide and matryxl then Paula’s Chpice Calm Dey skin moisturizer with SPF 30 to prime and protect, and my many year HG MUFE Full Cover concealer in Vanilla dabbed on the major areas of the face with a second pass where needed.
My skin is never Instagram flawless, but this base tricks people into thinking my pretty average (but very breakout prone from most other products!) skin is naturally super even in color and texture. I get compliments on my naturally great skin, but it’s like half the makeup and skincare routine. 😉
Foundation has been Chanel’s new Les Beiges water tint in Medium and Light Medium mixed together- don’t know if this qualifies as foundation… also have been mixing Tom Fords Traceless stick foundation with Guerlain’s Terracotta stick foundation in light, just to tone a bit of the yellow down from the Guerlain stick foundation. Love the texture and feel of the Guerlain on its own, but it tends to be a bit more yellow based for me hence the Tom Ford Traceless stick mixed in, just a couple of swipes..
I was interested in the Guerlain terra-cotta stick foundation. I heard it’s creamy… does it dry down? I’m trying to use less powder. I have the Guerlain terra-cotta cream highlighter and love if!!??
Yes it dries down more than the Tom Ford stick. It does dry down well. It’s really goes on light but covers well. Love the texture for summer, just the slightly more yellow, I usually prefer Neutral tones. I bought it in Light. Also bought the powder which is unique, and I only use very little, and the new 2019 Meteorites for this summer to complete the Guerlain look. Love them all!
I use the Nude by Nature Airbrush primer with whatever foundation I am using at the time (L’Oreal’s True Match in Porcelain Rose or the last bottle of my Clarin’s Everlasting foundation in Linen) and it works well. I prefer a mattish finish to my foundations.
Christine , your mix sounds beautiful .
I just got back from Montreal which I love but whoooo it was hot ?
So I’ve been using W3ll People baked foundation in Dark Neutral topped with Hourglass “Incandescent Electra “ and last Summers WetnWild “Under my Canopy” which gives a beautiful lighter bronze look and holds up well under heat.
Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Gel in Vanilla with Hourglass Powder
Bobbi Brown Cool Ivory Stick Foundation with same powder
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Extra Light Bisque or Urban Decay Color Corrector in Pink prior to all concealer
Concealer usually MAC Studio Fix NW15, used to use Bobbi Brown Warm Ivory Cream but the MAC creases less
I have been using my summer shade of Jane Iredale’s amazing base and recently bought the Marc Jacobson’s blurring powder to buff and I tell you it looks amazing really amazing and feels like i’m not wearing anything. I have a ton of hourglass I will use too though, I love to switch it up…… also I love bare minerals original powder foundation….. I only use them on my cheeks and up my temple so I am lucky that I have perfect matches for both brands. Studio fix I have and it is too light right now but I love that one too!
Juice Beauty Stem cellular CC Cream (in Desert Glow which is Light-Medium), mixed with FAB Triple Protection Skin Tint w/ Goji Berry (in Fair). They both have mineral SPF 30.
I love, love the Juice Beauty CC cream. It is loaded with really good ingredients and excellent for my dry skin (has Coconut, Sunflower and Jojoba oils). Yes, I get a bit shiny in the T-zone during summer, but the rest of my face is in heaven. The shade Desert Glow is a bit dark for me, even in summer, so I mix with it with FAB in Fair. FAB is a very thin, runny formula. I bought it last year in November. I like it because you don’t feel it on your face but it is drying for me. Angie (YT-Hot & Flashy) has recently raved about it in one of her videos. She has combo skin. I have dry, dehydrated skin.
For the primer during the summer, I absolutely adore a recent discovery, thanks to Caroline H: REN- Perfect Canvas Skin Finishing Serum. Caroline is using it as a primer and it is my HG Primer for summer. It is free of silicones. I wish they could leave out the natural fragrance and also the Limonene and the Linalool (they are the last two ingredients), but aside from these three, it is a great formula, very thin, containing Lactococcus Ferment Lysate (a probiotic), Glycerin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide and Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract.
Chanel les beiges skin tint with concealer. I’m kinda digging it.
The foundation I’ve wore over it was improved also. It’s unique.
I’ve also picked up the cyo in the bottle. I’ve only used it 3x but impressed.
I typically wear either Clé de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation (O10) or La Mer Soft Fluid Long Wear (Ivory). Both are luminous and create a soft glow which is very flattering on a woman my age. CdP is cooler, has more coverage, and makes my skin look like porcelain. LM is a bit warmer and is very natural—me, but better ? Which one I choose just depends on the occasion and the look I’m going for. Every day or casual wear? La Mer. Special occasions or outings? Clé de Peau.
Since I live at high altitude in South Asia I need all the SPF I can get!
I’m trying Missha M Perfect Cover BB cream 42 SPF +++ this Summer as a cheaper dupe for my usual IT Cosmetics CC cream 50 SPF. (Missha is also more readily available than IT Cosmetics here in Asia.) I’m liking the Missha although I find it a bit drying compared to the IT CC cream and have to use 2 shades (27 and 27) to get the fair with yellow undertone I need. I find the Missha M BB cream to work best without a primer just like the IT Cosmetics CC cream. The MIssha BB seems to last just as long as the IT CC cream in the heat & humidity here (about 7-8 hours) before fading. I’m loving it!
I’m using the Maybelline Rewind concealer which I found too drying in the Winter here for my undereyes & as a highlighter- not bad, still not my favorite but it will do.
A tiny drop of any foundation I want to finish, with L.M Radiance primer, it is kind of similar to the look that gives the new Chanel water tint.
I don’t always use a primer, but I’m experimenting with two primers for my combination skin. If I go for dewy/ radiant on my T-zone (tending oily) I look like an oil slick, but it’s nice on my drier cheeks.
I use Boots No 7 Lift and Luminate foundation (Calico, it’s actually the best match for my skin I’ve found anywhere), I love the semi matte almost full coverage and it’s not heavy on, and if necessary I powder over with Mac Studio Fix powder (NW20, a bit cooler than me but a good match, NC20 doesn’t work, ever so slightly too light in the summer but workable).
I’ve been trying sunscreens recently and will try the Australian Gold. My foundation is usually Koh Gen Do Aqua 213; before that (and sometimes now) Lingerie de Peau 2W. Concealer is either Guerlain light warm or Koh Gen Do light. I often put Armani Master Corrector under either. If I wear a primer (I haven’t much with the KGD), it’s Hourglass no. 28.
I have SO many combos I love!
Cle De Peau The Foundation mixed with Dior Airflash
La Prairie foundation mixed with CYO Lifeproof (ultimate high end / low end – but it looks AMAZING – this is my favourite for special occasions!)
Givenchy Everwear mixed with Tom Ford Stick Foundation
And…Sisley Tinted Sunscreen (it is quite full coverage so mixed with either Drunk Elephant D Bronzi or Vichy 89 Mineral Serum)