A strong foundation is an important component to success. I’m talking about makeup. I’m a total makeup junkie and am willing to try every new formula that promises to change my life. And while I believe skincare is the true foundation, I also believe the right makeup can make a huge difference in how you look and feel. There are so many options out there though and it’s hard to sift through the choices! Plus the process is a bit daunting.
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Prepping
Professionals advise moisture is key, so they recommend you always start with a moisturizer that’s hydrating but won’t turn greasy and interrupt your foundation texture, Watch for a separate post on skincare.
Primer is allegedly an important step before applying makeup of any kind, but I’ve found it challenging to find a good fit for me. Professionals advise avoiding a matte primer and not applying it all over the face. Instead, focus on fine lines and other areas you may want to blur like pigmented or rosy/red areas.
Now it’s time to apply the foundation!
We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
Science and technology have come a long way and foundation can work like magic. Many lines are including skin care components in their foundation, which makes it important to identify the best formula for your age and skin type. Everyone seems to have a breakthrough formula and you have to be patient. I like to live in a foundation for a full day before I commit. And try different options; don’t feel pressured to purchase just because someone has applied it. If it doesn’t feel and look fabulous, move on to the next one.
Where to Try and Buy?
If you go to a department store, you’ll find a number of lines to choose from but it can be challenging to find someone who knows several or all lines. My experience is that the employees and makeup artists usually specialize in specific lines. It’s helpful to describe what you’re looking for. For me, I tell them I want something for my aging skin, not a matte finish, something buildable, and something that makes my skin look like Nicole Kidman’s skin. A girl an dream:) If you know which line you’re interested in, these professionals are great resources and will match you, apply the makeup on you and often provide you with samples to try their products at home before you buy.
My experience with Sephora and Ulta is hit or miss when it comes to employee product knowledge. They do have a wide range of options though and they have tons of testers. I haven’t found as many samples available at these stores.
Drugstores have some great options but I don’t purchase foundation at them because you can’t try them to ensure a color match and feel the texture/finish on your skin.
Favorites Right Now
I change up makeup often because I’m always looking for a miracle! I’ll also say that like swimsuits, I’m willing to spend money on makeup.
There are three foundations I’m using right now. They all have SPF and I love them all for different reasons:
For daily wear when I’m not doing anything in particular, I love this one:
For daily wear when I’m going somewhere other than my house or the grocery, I go with this one. The finish is beautiful and it’s lightweight and buildable. It’s expensive but it lasts a long time:
Cle de Peau Radiant Finish Foundation $138
Finally, this one is exquisite and I would love to use it every day. I ended up with it by accident. I called to order it during a sale and they sent this instead of the Radiant Fluid Foundation because they didn’t have my color. When I saw the price tag, I almost fell over. I read about the formula and knew the color was right. It’s rich yet light and infused with Cle de Peau skincare ingredients. And because I got it on sale, I decided to give it a try. It’s magical. It looks and feels amazing. And a little does go a long way.
Cle de Peau The Foundation $270
All three of these do go on sale periodically. Armani and Chanel always have spectacular reviews. I’ve tried them both and wasn’t wowed. It’s been awhile though and formulas change, so maybe I’ll try those again!
Do you have any holy grail foundations you swear by? Please share!
