Face Favorites: Best Foundations, Primers, Concealers and Powders 

If you are a regular reader, you have intimate knowledge of my battle with both hormonal acne (thanks to being a mother) and aging skin (thanks to Mother Nature).  Going “natural” is no longer an option for me…  Fortunately, I have found several beauty products that have made my ability to at least appear natural a bit easier.  Did I mention that these products either make me look younger, protect my skin or actually improve my skin tone?  And they can for you too.

Foundations:

Dior Airflash Spray Foundation – I was introduced to Airflash – after asking for product recommendations – by a friend who always has perfect skin.  It is my favorite foundation of all time.  I would wear it every single day – day or night – if not for the considerable price.  Instead, I use it as a “top coat” foundation on days that I need a skin pick-me-up and as my primary foundation for special events and times that I will be photographed.  I wear Light Beige 200.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Oil Free or Regular) – I use this foundation on my blemish-free skin days.  It has a sheer and lightweight formulation that allows for a youthful, dewy look.  When my skin is less than perfect, I am able to combine it with a foundation with more coverage.  My color is Porcelain.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation – There are times when I can not get any of my foundations to match my incredibly pasty skin.  For these times, I go with a drugstore foundation that manages to be a perfect match to me, no matter how white I get.  I find that it doesn’t build as well as other foundations, so if I need a fuller coverage I will top it off with a little Airflash.  This also combats that slightly flat look that the foundation can impart.  I wear it in Porcelain 110.

Clinique Perfectly Real Foundation – This is my choice for a good daytime medium-coverage foundation.  It goes on incredibly smoothly and has a lightweight feel on the skin.  The one issue that I do have with it, is that can be drying.  For those dry skin days, I combine it with a touch of the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and voila!  I wear Shade 01.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation – This is a wonderful full-coverage foundation, especially for nighttime.  Unlike most full-coverage foundations, it does not feel heavy on the skin and imparts a lovely glow.  I use the color Fiji.

Primers/Concealers/Powders:

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat -  I would literally paint my entire body in this stuff if I could afford to.  I have used it to highlight my cheekbones, minimize the size of my nose (in appearance only!), diminish fine lines, brighten my eyes, plump up the look of my lips…  This little pen does it all.  My color is Luminous Radiance.

Bobbi Brown Concealer Kit – The kit, which includes a concealer and powder, is amazing at covering those pesky, dark under-eye circles.  Because the formula is packed with moisture, it doesn’t settle into lines like most other concealers.  The powder (which I often opt out of using) is perfect for a long-lasting look.  I use the Porcelain formula.

MAC Paint Pot – This cream base, which I use on my eyes, not only helps shadows in place all day (and night!) long, it covers redness and any purple veins that show on this delicate area.  It comes in a wide variety of shades, but I find Painterly to be the most natural and versatile.

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder – I prefer not to wear a powder foundation on my skin because I dislike the heavy feel and how it can settle into my fine lines.  Instead I opt for this microfinish powder, which is much finer than any loose or pressed powder I have tried.  It also will not dry out my complexion, sets any foundation I am wearing and softens any imperfections I have.  Because it is translucent, it also works on any skin tone.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer with SPF 15 – This primer goes on velvety-smooth and feels like pearls on your skin.  I love it because it both smooths lines and helps any foundation blend and set perfectly.  And the SPF version will keep your skin looking as perfect as it feels.

Hope your day is as flawless as your new face!