Your foundation questions, answered!
I get a boatload of foundation questions over at the Ask Liz forum. Some of them can be repetitive, so I thought I'd put the most common questions here - and then some!
I don't want to wear foundation. Can I get away with it?
If you have fairly good skin, I don't see why not! Congratulations. Don't bother with powder, just blot when you get oily. However, if you have uneven, blemished skin...well maybe you can still skip foundation, technically. Have a heavy-coverage concealer on hand to erase marks - make sure it is your EXACT shade match, and blend well! - then set it with pressed / translucent powder.
Palgantong Theatrical Powder is a nice semi-translucent powder for days when you don't want foundation
It's actually easier and quicker to just use foundation to blur out minor imperfections, then add concealer to remove the darkest blemishes. It's also much more photogenic and natural-looking in the end. But hey, it's your party, so use what makes you most comfortable. :)
What foundation would you recommend for oily skin?
I would recommend a powder or liquid foundation. I have oily-combination skin, so I prefer to use liquid foundations for days when I'm out and about for a long time. When I want a super lasting power I just set the liquid with a powder foundation.
Affordable powder foundation:Revlon PhotoReady Two-Way Powder Foundation, In2It Oil Control and Oil Free Foundation
High-end powder foundation:Lancome Maqui Blanc Miracle Foundation, MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Affordable liquid foundation: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation (I haven't personally tried this but everyone else recommends it)
High-end liquid foundation:Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation, Smashbox Studio Skin 15-Hour Wear Foundation, Lancome Teint Miracle,NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
Yes, love liquid foundation! Invest in a good one and you won't regret it.
High-end cream foundation for oily skin: Cinema Secrets Foundation Palette, hands down! It can also double as concealer.
How about foundation for normal to dry skin?
If you're not particularly oily, having just occasional dry skin, you can go for foundations that are light-textured.
Affordable powder foundation: Majolica Majorca Skin Remaker Pore Cover Foundation, Kanebo Kate Mineral Powder Foundation, L’Oreal White Perfect Pearl Duo Powder Foundation
High-end powder foundation: Clinique Perfectly Real Radiant Skin Compact Makeup, Shiseido Supplist Poreless Foundation (or current equivalent since this is discountinued)
Affordable liquid foundation: Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse Makeup, Max Factor Ageless Elixir Foundation + Serum
High-end liquid foundation: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup
What's a good foundation for acne-prone skin?
This is a tricky question, but it all comes down to this: if you have a lot of pimples, it's best to lay off on most foundations or skincare products for that matter. Just use the products recommended by your derma until the acne is healed. No makeup, however expensive it may be, can cover up skin that is suffering.
Buuut I feel ya. I do know that it's damaging to one's self-esteem to go out of the house looking unpolished, with a raging breakout, to boot! So this is what you can do. Use mineral foundation to at least lessen the appearance of redness and rawness of your skin.
Mineral foundations are usually lighter and more skin-friendly than average foundations. There are less irritants and the ingredients shouldn't clog your pores, too! Side note: How to apply loose mineral foundation.
Affordable: Ellana Loose Mineral Powder Foundation (my favorite from before!)
High-end: Colorescience Pressed Mineral Foundation Compact (best I've tried, but crazy expensive), Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Mineral Makeup SPF15, Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF15/PA+++, Jane Iredale Dream Tint Moisture Tint with SPF15
What is the best way to apply foundation?
There are a myriad ways to do it, but these are the techniques that I personally find most effective.
Pressed powder: Don't use the sponge; the finish will look thick, cakey, and unnatural! Use a fluffy and dense kabuki or powder brush. Buff the foundation in with quick, circular strokes.
Liquid foundation: Fingers if the texture is very watery. Stippling brush if you want natural-looking coverage; just dot the foundation in, then blend. Flat tacklon brush if you want precise, heavy coverage; just start from the outside going in. Flat top kabuki brush for very thick textured-foundation; buff it in as you would a powder.
Cream foundation: Sponge, sponge, sponge. There's no better way to spread the cream foundation while still conserving product.
How do I choose the righ foundation shade?
I wrote a super long post about this before. Hope this covers the basics! :)
Do note that these are just my personal recommendations. :) You can use pretty much anything you like but there are just some products that are more appropriate for certain concerns. Just dig deep and find out what you need! Hope this helps!
