Let’s talk about concealer, foundation and SPF.
First off, the lip gloss recommendations were out of control. Out of control and totally kick ass. I love that we can all be so unbelievably shallow together. Shallow Lips Unite! I’ve received so many emails from you all about your new purchases and frankly, I have no idea how you made your decisions. Every attempt at sorting through the comments leaves me cross-eyed and drooling. I’ve decided I am momentarily way too caught up in lip gloss, so let’s get caught up in something new.
Shallow Faces Unite!
Ever since Wito came along, my skin has not been looking so hot. I’m a little red and blotchy, ladies. On most days, I don’t wear any makeup (except gloss or balm, of course!), but on the days I am out and about, I’d like a light and natural (SHEER) way to even out my skin tone. I currently use Bobbi Brown Foundation stick for my eye area and I just bought her compact foundation to use (VERY sparingly) to even out my skin.
I like it. I guess. I don’t know. This shit confuses me.
Here are my questions:
1) What SPF products do you use on a daily basis? Do you use a moisturizer with SPF included? Or do you use a moisturizer and a SPF product?
2) Are there any sheer foundation products/powders that you really love?
Criteria (get ready):
1. Right now, I am using Olay Complete SPF 15 moisturizer. It seems to work fairly well with my sensitive complexion, although I would like to find something with higher SPF in it. I am willing to spend more, but I always find myself happier with drugstore brands when it comes to moisturizers.
1. I do not like tinted moisturizers (drugstore OR fancy pants). Tried them all, hate them all.
2. Not a fan of Bare Escentuals. It makes my face way too shimmery/shiny/weird.
3. I do not want to use a brush to apply concealer. It needs to be in a tube or a stick or something.
4. Actually, I don’t want to use a brush for any liquid product. Fingers are good.
5. I am intrigued by powders. I’m happy to use a brush for powder, and I would really like to find a powder that gives coverage without looking all dry and seeping into creases.
6. Yes, a perfect powder would be great.
Basically, I want my skin to look fantastic with no effort. FINE, maybe a little effort.
What I DON’T want are steps. Swirl this, buff that, blah blah blah. I want easy breezy 1-minute application.
God, I’m fucking picky. How do you deal with me?
Emilie
February 22, 2007 at 8:36 pmI might have scared you away with my novella on lip gloss, but what you are looking for as far as foundation goes is:
Vincent Longo Water Base Creme-to-Powder Foundation. It’s like a wet powder, almost. It goes on completely sheer (with a soft sponge that you just dab like you would with pressed powder). It feels amazing — light and moisturizing. I had never been able to find the coverage that I wanted before I found this. It doesn’t crease or cake like powder, but it’s not thick like tinted moisturizers or liquid foundations are. It’s wonderful.
Unfortunately, it’s $52.50. And the sponge is $5, and the travel compact to contain them both is $15. You could do without the compact but I would definitely buy their special sponge. Pricey, but looking at your criteria, I think you would love it.
janet
February 22, 2007 at 8:39 pmOkay, I know you said no tinted moisturizer, but have you ever tried Prescriptives Traceless? http://www.prescriptives.com/templates/products/sp_shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY3285&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1028
Step 1: Oil of Olay daily lotion (I am addicted)
Step 2: with fingers, apply some Traceless. It’s so smooth, even, and sheer. You can’t mess it up, and it gives you even more moisture and SPF.
Step 3: Swipe your cheeks with bronzer.
Done!
PS you can go try it at the mall for free at a dept store counter
stephanie
February 22, 2007 at 9:07 pmI’m thrilled you’re getting all the info on foundation so I can benefit from it. I’m also glad you described Bare Enscentuals for me – I was about to order it! Not anymore. For the moisturizer, I’m a fan of Eucerin Daily SPF 30. It’s really light, perfect for my post-baby wacky skin in our humid climate. AND it’s only $6.50 so that bumps it way up on my list!
LVGurl
February 22, 2007 at 9:28 pmI’m with Janet. I LOVE Prescriptives Traceless. I’ve been using it for day-to-day coverage for almost six years.
I don’t use powder, my skin is so dry. Powder makes me look crinkly.
The one thing I CANNOT live without is concealer. I love MAC Studio Finish Concealer, SPF 35. It’s a little cakey, but I often use a dab of moisturizer to smooth it out. The coverage is great, an it stays put.
Angella
February 22, 2007 at 9:31 pmOK – I have converted many a friend. MAC STUDIO FIX. It’s concealer and powder blended all in one handy compact. It’s AMAZING. And it’s just one step. Seriously. Get some.
Luisa
February 22, 2007 at 11:44 pmAhh.. I was blessed with horrible schizophrenic skin, so choosing a moisturiser/concealer/foundation was always a nightmare.
I think Olay is fantastic as a moisturiser. I was perfectly happy using it until recently, when I was given a pot of Estee Lauder’s DayWear plus, which is SPF 15. It’s good, but only if used quite sparingly.
As far as foundations are concerned, i’ve been using Stila’s “Illuminating Liquid Foundation” since forever. It’s not too thick, not too sheer, and not greasy at all. The only thing that’s annoying about it is the “Illuminating” part, as for someone with oily skin, is the last thing I need. I use a Lancome press powder to cut out the shine.
Luisa.
nabbalicious
February 23, 2007 at 6:14 amI use Kiehl’s Ultra Protection Water-Based sunscreen, SPF 26. My skin is like a giant vat of oil, and this product is oil-free, and it’s perfect. It blends right in, but gives me just the right amount of moisture. I also use their avocado eye cream, which is also heavenly. It doesn’t run all over your face, which I like.
As for foundation, I will vouch for MAC’s Studio Fix, too. It gives amazing coverage. But I think it might be a product better suited to the young’ns — it’s a tad thick and my own feeling is that it could exaggerate any wrinkles. Since I’m not 25 anymore (whaa!), I switched to their face & body foundation. I was skeptical at first, but now I LOVE it. It goes on like a liquid, then thickens up as you smooth it in and becomes super blendable. And it lasts forever. I had my first bottle for about 8 months and just got my second a few months ago and it’s not even halfway finished.
My skin is naturally blotchy and red, too, and this just covers it right up without looking cakey. Then I put on blush to add color. Voila!
Amanda
February 23, 2007 at 6:14 amOn my wedding day, my makeup artist used Benefit’s “Some kinda Gorgeous.” I usually use Prescriptives concealer stick to cover up under my nose (blood vessels!) or small blemishes but this Benefit stuff kicks ass! It’s a very VERY sheer foundation that actually changes with your skin tone so it’s appropriate for EVERYONE! I know, I’m still not over it. I have gotten so many compliments on my skin when I have worn it, I love it. No grease, no shiny just super light coverage. (I had to “feel” anything on my face).
The Prescriptives concealer stick is great for spot coverage if my skin is looking pretty good on its own. I’d never put it all over my face (I don’t think it’s meant for that anyway.)
And as for moisturizer/SPF…I adore ROC’s combo. It comes in a little metal tube and I think the SPF is 15…or is it 30? I can’t remember. It’s not greasy and doesn’t smell and get this…it also works on fine lines. It might not get any better than that. If I’m just moisturizing and not going out, I use the moisturizer in my Dr. Perricone acne kit. It does a great job and is again, super light and non greasy.
Courtney
February 23, 2007 at 6:52 amI am like you and incredibly low-maintenance when it comes to foundation. The most fantastic product out there, in my opinion, is MAC Studio Fix powder (NOT the liquid foundation they sell- that is TOO heavy). It is called powder, it is compact, but it is like gliding foundation over your face, in powder form, of course. The coverage is perfect – flawless. Not thick or heavy, just enough to conceal imperfections and balance uneven skin tones.
I used to use Clinique but I will never go back again. MAC Studio Fix powder is where it’s at!
eM
February 23, 2007 at 7:15 amThe best powder I have ever found (and the only one i like/will use/ever) is Clinique stay-matte sheer pressed powder oil-free. It’s awesome & works without other makeup or with it.
In general i loathe make up and rarely wear it, but when I need a small boost, this is awesome.
Lyndsay
February 23, 2007 at 7:20 amI am addicted to Olay Complete Sensitive Skin moisturizer with SPF 15. My derm told me that SPF 15 was the highest I needed given my limited exposure to the sun.
The BEST foundation if you want a quick swipe, decent coverage and you don’t want to look like a Geisha is MAC Studio Fix. It stays on all day, does not seep in to creases and you don’t have to reapply. It’s also decently priced.
As far as concealers, I like Mary Kay. Call me crazy, but their Ivory color is an exact match to my skin – good for under the eyes and blemishes. Not that I ever get them.
Lyndsay
February 23, 2007 at 7:22 amI totally wrote that before I read the masses of MAC Studio Fix lovers. Unite!
paisley
February 23, 2007 at 7:28 amI have very sensitive, fair skin and it gets blotchy. I was using foundation, but it all started sticking in weird places (MAC). So, I got a recommendation from a friend and I am HOOKED!
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear in Translucent. Not shimmery. Packed, not loose so you don’t waste. I apply it with a brush and my blotches are evened out and it works just as good as foundation. I heart it. If you want to try it,make sure you pick up the mineral wear and not the powder as they almost look the same. You can get it at Target, Ulta, wherever.
As for sunscreen, I mix my sunscreen face lotion with Neutrogena Oil Free for sensitive skin. I use Paula’s Choice. If you haven’t heard of her, I feel so sorry for you! Her eyeshadows rule my world (as does her BHA solution for exfoliation)!! http://www.cosmeticscop.com She’s the one that wrote The Beauty Bible and Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me (Paula Begoun) two MUST READS since I gather you like makeup as much as I do.
Jora
February 23, 2007 at 7:45 amI know you said you don’t like tinted moisturizer, but the only think I wear everyday is Laura Mercier TM — it has the lightest consistency and smooths everything out for me. And it’s SPF 20, so it’s a little more coverage. I have tried so, so many products in this department and Laura Mercier is the only way to go in my opinion (for coverage).
For a moisturizer with SPF, try Kielhl’s. Again, super light-weight (it doesn’t have that goopy sunscreen feel either).
And last but not least, Jane Iredale pressed powder is awesome for your purse for touch-ups. It’s a mineral formula, but there’s nothing to it; you just use the little sponge to dab it wherever you need it.
I’ve been using all these products for years and am finally no longer on the quest for something better!
rebecca
February 23, 2007 at 8:22 amIt’s like you are reading my mind. I am in the market for a powder-based foundation that doesn’t look all chalky or masky. Powder-based, because I am lazy and I want ONE step in order to make my skin look fabulous. If that is indeed possible. Possibly not.
Anyway, I was thinking about investigating Stila’s Illuminating Powder Foundation, but haven’t tried it yet.
So, basically, I’m no help. But will be checking back frequently to hear about all the recommendations.
p.s. I also love Olay moisturizer – have used for years and haven’t found anything better. They have an SPF 30 version now, I think.