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While We’re On The Subject…

in Odds and Ends

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?

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43 comments

  1. kim

    February 25, 2007 at 2:54 pm

    Gorillabuns turned me onto your blog awhile ago and I am a regular reader. I had to comment this time to let you know how much I have loved the last 2 days. I have taken notes and am excited to try some new products. Our interests are endless………shoes, purses, etc. Keep em’ comin.

  2. Emily

    February 26, 2007 at 4:51 am

    I am happy that you are doing all this research for me because I too am relatively unhappy with the ole face and body post baby.

    However.

    I also am here to tell you that over there? On the right? Is a very interesting ad for the Diaper-Free Baby. “Infant pottying can be fun!” I sincerely hope you’re going to give Anders an opportunity to try it out.

  3. Tere

    February 26, 2007 at 7:57 am

    A word on the SPF issue: anything higher than 15 is pretty much unnecessary for daily use. SPF protection doesn’t increase proportionately with the SPF number. After SPF 15, the absorption percentage doesn’t change significantly (15 absorbs 93 percent of the sun’s burning rays, 30 absorbs 97 percent). So, I wouldn’t worry TOO much about that.

    That said, I have hideous under-eye circles and can’t function without concealer. Still, most of the thicker ones (usually the ones that come in compacts) tend to look cakey and fake on me, or make my skin look dry and old. The one I currently use is L’Oreal True Match concealer, which does a good job. It’s not thick and not sheer. It’s a brush applicator, but I just dot it on and either pat it with my ring finger or use a concealer brush (all the experts say is the correct way, so I try to do it).

    I too love the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, though I hate the price. My skin has never really recovered from my pregnancy. It can be red and botchy one day, oily the next – it basically sucks. And I hate wearing anything on my face on a daily basis, and coupled with having spent crazy-ass money on a ton of products that never delivered, I’m averse to anything now. On a daily basis, it’s just the Olay Complete and concealer, that’s it.

    If any of you live in the humid south, have wacky skin, and have figured out how to look natural and fabulous, I’d love you for sharing your secrets!

  4. Lyndsay

    February 26, 2007 at 9:05 am

    Yes, let’s do hair products. I have much to contribute on this topic.

  5. undercover celebrity

    February 26, 2007 at 4:40 pm

    Now listen carefully, because I am about to share a beauty secret of the ages — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch sunblock. Works like a charm. I was working on a photo shoot a couple of years ago and of course I was using the opportunity to chat it up with the makeup artist who was absolutely gorgeous — she MAYBE looked 30 and told me that she just celebrated her 42nd birthday. I asked how she kept her skin so gorgeous and she pointed me to the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock. You can wear it under makeup and it’s awesome.

  6. undercover celebrity

    February 26, 2007 at 4:41 pm

    sorry, here’s the link http://www.neutrogena.com/ProductsDetails_164.asp

    enjoy.

  7. Hilly

    February 26, 2007 at 7:59 pm

    I’m with the hair products vote! That is my bread and buttah…..

    We used to run a blog called Carrot Divas and now you make me want to get back into it!

  8. guinness girl

    February 27, 2007 at 7:26 am

    I’m late joining the party here, but it’s okay because basically I’m just commenting to say I am at a loss on this category. I used to use Aveeno’s moisturizer with SPF, and recently decided to pretend money grows on trees – started using the Creme de la Mer (which feels divine on the face, but the scent is uber-floral to the point that I kind of hate it when I first put it on). But, this does you no good b/c I don’t think it has SPF in it. For foundation, I’m using Napoleon (http://www.napoleonperdis.com/). It’s okay, but nothing special. I am, however, fascinated by Emilie’s suggestion of the Vincent Longo stuff.

  9. Sarah

    February 27, 2007 at 11:06 am

    Lorac oil free foundation is the best I’ve ever tried. It’s light/sheer, but it evens things out, STAYS ON, and looks natural. You can get it at Sephora. I top it off with translucent NARS loose powder.

  10. Luisa

    February 27, 2007 at 4:19 pm

    Ignore everything I said in my comment about moisturisers (Comment number.. 5? Methinks). I’ve found the moisturiser. It’s only SPF 15, but it’s wonderful. It’s Lancome’s Bienfait Multi-Vital, and it feels like warm velvet on my skin. Seriously.

    Luisa.

  11. Hollie

    March 2, 2007 at 11:27 am

    I’m a product junkie, troubled skin and have tried everything. The best powder foundation and tube conceler I’ve found at a reasonable price are from Aveda. The colors blend perfectly and match several skin tones. Try it.

  12. Erin

    March 9, 2007 at 1:27 pm

    I have tried everything, and I have had awesome experiences with Philosophy. I love their Supernatural foundation, it is powder based, takes less than a minute to apply, and looks awesome. I was a little nervous, because I have really fair skin and had a terrible time with Bare Escentuals, but it works great!

  13. Erika

    March 10, 2007 at 9:21 am

    Wow! You’ve gotten quite a response. Although this is not available until next month, I am totally loving Estee Lauder’s new tinted moisturizer (http://makeupbag.net/?p=772). It moisturizes, protects from sun and environment, AND has a great sheer coverage.

    And like many of your readers, I do love MAC Studio Fix but sometimes need a one-step product.