As mentioned in my recent post that explained how I have been hating on my face a lot, I think a No Foundation challenge do-over is in order. This is especially timely for me because I managed to jack up my skin's moisture barrier something fierce, so my skin has been quite sensitive, red, and splotchy. What better time to forgo foundation and avoid testing too much new stuff?
I decided to start with just a few products to get a feel for how a no foundation look will read on me right now. I quickly realized that just spot concealing and putting on eyebrow pencil already makes me look and feel a dozen times better, probably because the parts of my face that frustrate me the most are "fixed." I think I'll feel even better with blush, to be honest, but I just used highlighter today because the lower parts of my cheeks is still extremely sensitive.
Here's what I used on my face today. Now, I know the three base products are very suspicious, but let me explain: I only used the D&G powder foundation on my nose, because my nose and my eyelids get oily while the rest of me is Sahara dry, and this powder provides sheer coverage without caking. I mixed a few drops of the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint with the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer because NARS Chantilly is my "true" shade match...but without foundation, my face is two to three shades darker than my neck and chest. So I needed something to sheer out and darken the concealer. I applied the mixture to part of my chin, under my eyes, and on a blemish near my eyebrows. Honestly, it wasn't entirely successful; take a look at the FOTD picture and you'll see that my chin looks unnaturally smooth compared to the rest of my face. I think this is the concealer's coverage and the tint's blurring properties working together.
In other words, if you have a recommendation for an under-$20, relatively fair and neutral, very skin like, kind to dry skin concealer I can use for no foundation days, leave it in the comments! (I'm thinking MAC Select Cover, but I don't recall it having a very neutral shade range, and Maybelline Fit Me was too dark.)
The other stuff is the basics. I went for the Hard Candy Cherry Blossom lipstick because I figured it would brighten up my blush-less face without highlighting my surface redness. The Colorpop brow pencil is a cheap, quick, and easy addition to this look. And I'm currently testing out the Tarte mascara and the Makeup Revolution highlighter.
Overall, this look would cost $154, assuming I was using the full-sized mascara. A little over a third of that price is the D&G powder, and I could easily lop off another $25 or so if I found that ideal "no foundation" concealer.
When I was in high school and college, I skipped foundations most days and just went for concealer and powder. But now, I think my skin - which is in a much worse state than yours on a good day ;) - really benefits from even just a sheer coverage foundation to even out redness, freckles and most importantly, prominent pores in the middle of my face.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I think even a super-sheer foundation all over just gives the skin a certain evenness I enjoy. Like, my skin is really behaving these past few days (thank God), but when I went out last night, I still wore a thin layer of foundation.
DeleteWe really could be skin twins. My face is more red / darker than my neck / chest (which is what I buy foundation to match), due to my rosacea. My skin is dry, which is a pain if I don't keep up on my skincare (the Paula's Choice Calm Redness Reduction line). I'm trying out a new foundation by Lucy Minerals in the original formula, which is a creamy powder, almost like applying a liquid foundation (I'm using about a 55% - 60% Snow White mixed with 40% - 45% Light). It doesn't dry me out at all. It's like $16. I'm still trying to find the best way to apply it. If I use a dense buffing brush it's too heavy, so I've been trying to stipple it only on my areas of redness and darkness.
ReplyDeleteI would love it if more indie brands figured out how to make really great liquid foundations, too!
DeleteI (to my great surprise) really like that drugstore concealer with the spongy thing on the end (you can rip it off if hygiene concerns you) applied w one of those tiny beauty blenders. It gives a decent amount of coverage and it's so thin that it doesn't look weird if you don't have foundation on your face to blend it into. On a side note I have been loving the Becca Backlight Primer worn all over the face, a bit of powder on the t zone and some cream blush and that concealer in place of foundation.
ReplyDeleteThe Maybelline one? I might have to check it out; I've heard good things!
DeleteYeah sorry Maybelline Instant Age Rewind.
DeleteHey, no problem! Thanks!
DeleteI know it might be a pain to get to the US but My favourite drugstore concealer is one I came across living in England and is the only drugstore 'base' product I've found to match me. It is the Boots Seventeen 18 Hour Staytime concealer in the shade Extra Fair. Living in Australia now I pick mine up from Ebay.
ReplyDeleteMost Days that is all I use cause I still haven't found a foundation to match my skin straight from the bottle and the Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer takes a bit of time to work into my skin.
I've heard lots of good stuff about Boots and have been impressed with the Sleek stuff I tried, so I'll put "try more UK brands" on my to-do list. :)
Delete