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What's your go-to foundation for summer?

I don’t usually switch my foundation by season, so I’ll probably be sticking with Tarte’s Rainforest of the Sea! I’m just hoping my shade doesn’t change, lol!

— Christine

69 Comments

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Linda Avatar

I’m trying soooo hard to make powder foundation work for the summer but not having much luck with coverage, longevity or ease of application — ideally I’d find a holy grail of that to let my skin breathe but looks like I’ll have to stick with the staple liquid foundations. Urban Decay Naked Skin it is.

Audrey Avatar

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Lorac POREfection Baked Perfecting Powder as my powder foundation, all year ’round. It’s marketed as a finishing powder, but I find that It has plenty of converge and is buildable. It is my #1 HG product–if I had to only live with one product, this would be it.

Linda Avatar

Thank you for the tip, I appreciate it! I can’t seem to find Lorac in Canada- if I ever find an Ulta in the US I’ll have to look for it 🙂

Pearl Avatar

I haven’t taken season into account when wearing foundation before this year – am recently looking at getting one foundation over another because of the “summer” finish (glowy/luminous). Usually I’ve always just had one foundation, regardless of the season.

Nancy T Avatar

Last summer, I was thrilled with the foundation look I was getting from mixing Lumene BB cream in Medium with Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in Med. Honey and GA Fluid Sheer in #14. Utter perfection! This year, no GA #14 to get a sample of. So, just been mixing the Lumene and Tarte. Or, if I need it to wear like iron; MAC Pro Longwear NC40 w/ a bit of Strobe Cream. I may get myself It CC Cream next month, not sure yet.

Sun Avatar

I do a ratio of 2:1 MatchCo (custom-tinted foundation) and Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place liquid foundation. The MatchCo is a perfect match for my skin shade-wise and I love how natural it looks, and the Double Wear helps with oil control and longevity. Make Up For Ever’s Mattifiying Base is also must as summer heat exacerbates oiliness.

Helllokittee Avatar

I do this too!!! Amazing coverage, rarely even need concealer on my super red-patched skin, and the Matchco is so creamy and smooth. Love, love, love the combo. Stays on until I take it off!!

Anne Avatar

I tend to not wear heavy foundation any time of the year and favor serum foundations and BB cream type things (and Nars Sheer Glow!) so I think the only difference is that I’m more likely to pick a product that has SPF in the summer over one that doesn’t. As a result the Dr. Jart Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 tends to be my go-to in summer (the other Dr. Jart ones don’t have either any or a high SPF, just a heads up, also the shade range is non-existent) , whereas in the cooler months I tend to reach for my Nars Sheer Glow or Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation the most.

Erica Avatar

I probably won’t be wearing much foundation. I have Estee Lauder double wear and that keeps the shine away fine but it’s too much for summer. And I don’t want the high maintenance of foundation, concealer, powder etc

Morena Avatar

I’ve been using the new Nars skin tint for about 2 months now and is perfect for summer and Florida weather. I also use the regular Tarte amazonian clay foundation but my definite go to is the skin tint for everyday wear.

Michele @Binxcat4ever Avatar

If I’m going to be out in the DC humidity, I use the Dior Forever. If my day is going to keep me more in the air conditioning I reach for the Shiseido Synchro Skin. If it’s going to be a super hot, sweaty, casual kind of day I just use the Sunday Riley tinted primer.

Mariella Avatar

IT Cosmetics CC Cream. It has a really high level of SPF so it saves me a step (or 2 or 3 – I can skip primer and sometimes even skip moisturizer) and I just think it is an awesome product. I went to Sephora to try the Rainforest of the Sea foundation and they were sold out of almost all the colours. I need to go back when I have more time and at least be colour matched so I can get some when they restock.

Mariella Avatar

Nancy, I hope you can find a good colour match if you decide to try the IT CC cream. One of the common complaints is the limited colour selection and a lot of people claim it runs too pink (and yet others claim it runs too yellow! Go figure). I think there are only 5 or 6 shades to choose from (Rainforest of the Sea seems to have about 20!) although I find it fairly “forgiving”.

Julia Avatar

None- I hate foundation year-round! ? I just use a powder over my moisturizer; when I need extra help I use concealer on any trouble areas- lately I have been dabbing the leftovers around my nose after I pay on my undereye concealer.

Gillian Avatar

I try to go for lighter foundations and apply as little as possible. The less there is on my face the less there is to become oily and separate! I like both Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + in #15 Alabaster and NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in Siberia. Both last well on my skin although the Make Up For Ever is a better colour match. 🙂

Alecto Avatar

I don’t switch my wear-to-work foundation, but I add a not-going-to-work-but-spending-time-outside combo of 98% Paula’s Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint with a literal dab of KVD’s Lock-It added (to keep things from sliding around).

Leslie Avatar

I actually just stick with the same foundation year round. I use Lancôme Renergie in Claire 20. I’ve tried going a shade darker for summer but it seemed caked or dry or something. I don’t understand why because it’s the same foundation, same formula, just a shade darker. But it looked so bad on my skin lol. So now I just use the same color all year but I just apply less and sheer it out for summer. 🙂

Deborah S. Avatar

I don’t usually change out my foundation based on season or weather. I am pretty much bone dry year around. I do mess with my skin care based on the weather and will add or subtract heavier moisturizer when needed. I tend to like foundations that leave a luminous finish which I think is what most with dry skin like. My problem is that most that say they are luminous don’t really understand the definition IMHO. I rave about Chosungah on here enough so I will let that go but I just purchased Fiona Stiles this week in the luminous finish and I wouldn’t call it luminous. I have used Nars Sheer Glow but don’t think that is much of a glow either. I tend to change my foundation more based on what I am doing rather than weather, ie., party, going out, working, etc.

thirteen Avatar

I’m a pale person who a. wears sunblock every day and b. only burns and never tans. So I wear the same foundation regardless. I have to say that it would never even occur to me to change foundations for the season!

Jan Kelley Avatar

I don’t switch. I use Charlotte Tilburg Magic Foundation. I use PCA weightless protection broad spectrum SPF 45 as sunscreen and moisturizer all year long. So, my foundation shade doesn’t change.

Sabrina Avatar

I usually wear MAC’s face and body. To me is the perfect summer foundation. I wear it in N1 and it actually makes me look tanned, haha! It has a light coverage but dischises my redness and gives me a summer glow.
If I need more coverage I reach for Misshas’s M Perfect Cover BB Cream.

CatG Avatar

When it gets really hot, I just can’t deal with foundation. So far I have done a good job staying indoors in the air conditioning and have continued to use my regular foundation -Meow Cosmetics powder foundation. If I know I’ll be getting a bit sweatier, I just wear Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue and let it melt off naturally (haha) until I can reapply.

Kylie5 Avatar

I Do not change my foundation, too. I have Different foundations but The weather has no influence on my decision which I use. It is more a question of what finish/coverage etc. I want on that day.

Bon Bon Avatar

I go from mixing two brands so I’m not too orangey in the fall and winter to just one Laura Geller Spring and Summer. I’m just glad I don’t switch them up like my many, many lip colors, lol.

maria Avatar

I basically use the same foundations all year which is YSL touche eclat Radiance Awakening which I have been using for years even though they change it a little every few years. Also I purchase this spring Bobbi Brown’s Intensive skin serum foundation which I like for its luminosity but I’m not crazy about it as far as settling a little into dry patches which YSL doesn’t do. Out of the two I like the YSL foundation the best but still love the luminosity of the Bobbi Brown.

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

I like IT CC creme foundation or a powder foundation if humidity is making my oily. I spray UD All Nighter setting spray over anything I use.
Because of facial spider veins, I do need to use a foundation with more coverage. I have a history of pre-malignant changes in my skin. For that reason, I always use SPF either in my foundation or separately.

Stacy Avatar

I don’t use foundation in the summer, because the meltdown creeps into all my dents and dings and crevices, and makes me look worse than I did before I put it on in the first place. Instead I use an oil free, mattifying moisturizer from Paula’s Choice that has a hint of tint in it, and a light dusting of Laura Geller Balance and Brighten as a finishing powder. *Maybe* an under-eye and spot concealer, if I feel like getting fancy, but not usually.

Karen Avatar

Powder foundations and tinted moisturizer (BB/CC) is the way for summer. Of course SPF is the priority since I’ve suffered sun damage which has changed my skin and I won’t risk that again. I fake tan in the winter so color change isn’t a problem

Ellen Avatar

I live in an extremely humid and hot part of the world so in summer, it’s all about something that will not sweat off my face. Usually that’s Estée Lauder double wear, although summer just gone (it’s winter here on this side of the world) I discovered Giorgio Armani luminous silk has great staying power on my skin. I wore that a lot in summer in my fake tan shade.

Meghan Avatar

So far I’m making my way through the rest of my Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation with a dab of Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector liquid in Opal! I have oily skin but since being pregnant it’s become a lot more normal. And I top off with Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder to set (usually Dim or Diffused Light).

Fay Avatar

If I’m just running out I’ll use a light powder over my moisturizer. If I have really get dressed I use Marc Jacobs Genius Gel, then I alway set with RCMA no color powder.

Tiffanie Avatar

I usually switch over to powder foundation Bare Minerals Matte foundation. I supplement the lack of coverage by using MAC Pro Longwear concealer underneath. I sometimes use liquid foundation in Lancôme Teint Idole or NARS Sheer glow. Primer is key year round, but definitely during the summer for us oily gals.

Naomi Avatar

Lately I’ve been using the garnier bb cream for oily skin, and testing out the covergirl matte bb cream. also been loving the IT cc cream, not so much my loreal pro matte. Trying to get the tarte rainforest of the sea to work for me, but so far no such luck :/

Arpita Avatar

I use the Nars pure radiant tinted moisturiser all thro the year…. For as a normal day wear. If at all I need foundations for parties and special occasions, I use the Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation or the Mac Face and Body Foundation. I find these two are quite watery, yet give me enough coverage for special occassions. I really am not comfortable with something very heavy or thick or creamy or full coverage foundations.

Andrea Avatar

Koh Gen Do Agua is my favorite all year round – light to medium coverage and wears like a second skin any season. Never oily but wonderfully dewy.

Tracey E. Avatar

This summer, my go to foundation will be Charlotte Tilbury’s Light Wonder Foundation or, on less humid days, Bobbi Brown’s Foundation stick. Am trying to use what I have before buying new and CT’s Light Wonder works perfectly for me in the summer months.

Amalia Avatar

SHISEIDO Sun Protection Liquid Foundation. I consider buying DERMACOL Make up Cover because it’s Waterproof and with 50% pigments and spf 30, so even in thin layer it will cover the center of my face where my main issues are.

Marta Avatar

L’Oreal BB – most BB’s do not make a big difference to foundation and this one is probably the most light coverage BB in the drugstore. I’m still a bit pale this year to make it work (imperfections are more visible on paler skin) but loved it last year.

Anime Avatar

I’ve never changed foundations between the seasons either! That is a phenomenon I do not subscribe to! Dermacolor 24/7/365 baby!

GK Avatar

I like Lancôme Tient Miracle. Once it gets over 110 degrees I switch to Tient Idole. I mix in Laura Mercier Illuminating tinted moisturizer.

GK Avatar

Las Vegas. It’s going to be 114 degrees next week & it gets even hotter in July & August. The southeast side of the city is the hottest part of town, 122 degrees when I’ve been doing errands there.

GK Avatar

Where are you? They take official temperature reading at the coolest side of the city & that’s what’s publicized. Don’t want tourism to stay away during summer.

Bonnie Avatar

I’m in CT. Big news here when temps hit 100+. We do routinely get temps in the 90s in the summer. I’ve always wanted to go to Vegas – hoping to make it there in 2018!

Rachael Romeo Avatar

I just recently started using this powder foundation from a new company called Sweat Cosmetics (developed by women athletes) – it’s very light, and so far seems to be pretty sweat-proof (didn’t come off during an intense workout this morning). It also has SPF 30 so I think it’s going to be my new go-to for the summer.

Bonnie Avatar

Sometimes I just go without in the summer, if my skin is behaving. I’m tan year round, but especially in the summer, so I don’t like to mask that. If I need something more, I like Garnier BB Cream, in the original forumla, medium/deep. (It’s really hard to find BB creams that go darker than light/medium.

RMW (Rose) Avatar

I don’t switch any of my makeup due to a change of season, not even the foundation. I believe that a foundation should be chosen for great coverage, without looking cakey, yet feels light on your skin,long lasting day or night, have no scent whatsoever, brightens up your complexion, doesn’t clog your pores or cause breakouts and gives you a glowing look and NOT an oily look. A foundation exact match on your skin, and lastly, age appropriate. For example, I am a woman who is over 40 years old, 45 to be exact. Matte foundations make aging dkin look alot older than you already are. I swap these two foundation’s and sometimes I mix the two together. Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation and Revlon Age Defying Firming & Lifting Makeup, Broad Spectrum SPF 15. ☺

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