Foundation Favorites | 2013

Late night post, I know everyone! I have been busy all day taking the Monster Denture FX class at Kosart Effects!

Now I always get asked,
"What kind of foundation do you use?"
"I have acne, what kind of foundation should I use to cover it?"
"I have scars, what kind of foundation do you recommend?" 
"You have perfect skin! What foundation do you use?"

GOTCHA! My skin is pretty close to clear, but I DO have break outs. My secret to perfect skin? (Once my long journey of clearing up my Grade 3 acne was over, of course) Not only a wonderful skin care routine, but of course, makeup.

For those of you who have been following me for a long time, you all know that my skin has not always been as clear as it is today. Thank you all, seriously, for complimenting my skin. I may do a future blog entry about my personal skin care story, with further explanation of it all.

Before I start my recommendations, I would like to say that my skin type is extremely oily.




I kept you all in mind as I applied my foundation this morning.
So, what do I use on my skin to hide my occasional break outs?

Obsessive Compulsive Concealer
Naked Foundation by Urban Decay
Makeup Forever Pro Finish Powder

Sounds like A LOT, doesn't it? OF COURSE IT DOES! Three products on your face!? Sounds like it would be a cakey, greasy, nightmare. Its not. I specifically love these products because they are all light weight, and they all will make your face flawless.

So, you have a break out (or spot) that is driving you crazy! Do you pop it? NO. Do you attack it with products from your local drug store? NO, NO, NO! Unless you have a professional that has instructed you on how to properly extract a pesky pimple, DO NOT TOUCH IT. 

Im not joking. Don't.

Now if you have perfect skin, and only a spot that you wish you could use photoshop on in real life, you may want to only use the OCC Concealer. ("Why fix what isn't broken" by covering your entire face?) OCC Concealer has become my best friend since I first tried it. I had been using MAC for YEARS, and I switched to these beauties the very first time I used it. Why? Because although I love MAC products, when they talk heavy coverage, they literally talk heavy coverage. I feel, personally, like it can feel very heavy and cakey at times, which makes me hesitant to put on my already sensitive breakouts. OCC Concealer feels light weight, and covers perfectly. Redness? Covered. Blueness? Covered. Greenness? Covered. Purpleness? Covered. Have a whole rainbow on your face? You can probably cover it. OCC, if you see this, I would love to be sponsored for a give away on my page, wink wink.

BOOM! OCC Concealer ALONE covered all of my spots that were bothering me!

When I am broken out, and when I am not, if I am going out, I will always throw on some Naked Foundation by Urban Decay. It evens out my skin tone, with the minor redness that I have. I would recommend this product for people who want light coverage, and also those with acne. Reason being? You are able to just wear one light layer, or add multiple layers. Trust me, I have had 6 layers on my face before just from generally changing makeup, doing multiple looks in one day, etc, and it never feels heavy. This foundation also looks wonderful on camera. 

Before and After with OCC Concealer, Naked Foundation, and 

light layer of Makeup Forever Pro Finish Powder

Now, why I didn't show an example with the Makeup Forever Pro Finish Powder between the end result and the Naked Foundation, is because when used like this, it only provides a nice matte finish, and overall even coloring. The finishing powder can be used how it is (only for semi-light coverage when applying with a fluffy brush and light coverage when applying with a sponge), or wet (for light/medium coverage). Typically, I use this powder to set everything that I have just done. 

Long explanation for three simple steps! And you don't even HAVE to use all three! It all depends on how much you are planning to cover. The key to "flawless skin" is even coverage. 

Make sure you are applying your foundation in natural lighting (if the sun is out)

            Applying in natural lighting is the best way to apply your foundation. If it looks okay in the sun, it will look okay indoors and in any other lighting. I cannot tell you how many times I left my house when I was younger, not even realizing that I had a huge line along my jaw from unblended foundation (that looked like it matched my skin, and was blended out, in my blue room)

Apply foundation beginning from the center of your face - out towards the rim of your face! 

Apply in circular motions (not back and forth) 

Find your correct skin tone! If you are unsure, ask someone! 

Concealer, foundation, makeup or no makeup, you are all one of a kind beauties! 

- Lex