SKIN PREP
The key to smooth, flawless foundation is exfoliation! I got the Exuviance Rejuvenating Bionic Scrub from Ulta as a large sample. Wow, it’s amazing! It is quite expensive ($36) but I think I will invest in the full size when I run out. I use this every other evening. It has done wonders for my skin, and it helps my foundation apply so smoothly!
I have very fair skin with a lot of facial redness. I like to use MAC Prep + Prime Fortified Skin Enhancer in Neutralize after my moisturizer and before my foundation. It helps to calm the redness and offers SPF 35, which I love! I did a full review on this product, click HERE.
FOUNDATION
MAC Studio Fix Fluid (NC15) has quickly become a Holy Grail for me. I would call it a medium buildable to full coverage foundation with a matte finish. It is perfect for oily/combination skin like mine. The color NC15 is a great match for my skin, and the extra yellow in the foundation helps to counteract my facial redness. I am super pale, but have warm undertones on my neck, chest and the rest of my body, so this one is perfect. The last time I was at MAC the MUA told me that they have a new shade, NC5, which is alabaster white. So any of you ladies that find NC15 too dark, then check out NC5!
I use the Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki to buff my foundation into the skin — another Holy Grail! Please click HERE for a more indepth look at the F80.
CONCEALERS
Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser (Fair) is perfect for under the eyes! I have under eye circles, but they aren’t terribly bad. This is the only conealer I use for this area. While I really like this product, I’m still looking for my Holy Grail… do you have any suggestions?
MAC Studio Finish Concealer (NC20) I use for blemishes or defining underneath my eyebrow, which I do on occasion. Great concealer!
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer is the only true FULL coverage drugstore concealer that I’ve found. It is similar to Dermablend. This stuff is amazing, and is only $6! My only complaint is the color selection. Light is a smidge too light for me and the next color is way too dark. I use this when I my skin is really acting up.
Here’s a pic of Hard Candy Glamophlage fully covering one of my tattoos… this is stuff is hardcore!
POWDER
To me, powder is powder… I don’t feel the need to spend a million dollars just to powder my face. Lately I have been loving Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (001 Transparent). It was $5 at Ulta and has lasted me forever. After it is finished I think I’m going to try the MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural because I’ve heard such great things. I apply this with a MAC 129SE or Real Techniques Blush Brush.
What’s your Holy Grail foundation?
what color was your glamoflauge swatch of?