Today I’m sharing my latest base roundup of my favorites! I love trying out new foundations, powers, and concealers, and lately I’ve been into glow boosters and complexion enhancers.
This is what I have always loved. If you’re like me and find your regular foundation a little thick, heavy, or just doesn’t blend well, here are some tricks and tips to try.
foundation
I like my foundation to look similar and better to my skin, but I still need some coverage. I have a lot of sun spots and my skin gets red easily, so I’m looking for a formula with medium coverage to even out my skin.
dior forever skin perfect foundation ($57, nordstrom) is the best stick foundation I’ve tried. It blends easily, looks very natural, doesn’t feel heavy on my skin, and I love the way it looks. Easy to control coverage. I tried the hack of mixing this with road glazing milk and it’s really 10/10 worth a try. I usually mix colors between Dior shades. I tried 2.5N, 2W, and 3N. Right now I’m combining one of the 2’s with the 3 for a perfect match. Active here.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation ($69, chanel) It’s been my favorite bottle for years and I’ve lost count of how many bottles I’ve repurchased. My best match is BD41 and this golden undertone match is the best skin match I have ever tried. I love that it has a good shade range and different undertone options. They recently started adding BO with a strong olive color. It’s a really nice tone without being too green/yellow, if that makes sense. Covers up a natural glow, hydrates, lasts long and is easy to blend.
armani luminous silk foundation ($69, nordstrom and sephora) The new formula is tied to Chanel. Comparing the two, I think the new Armani formula feels a little lighter (thinner) and the coverage is a little thinner, but it’s still medium and glowy. I am wearing shade 6.5 in this formula. Active here.
It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow ($47, sephora and Ulta) is the best CC cream I’ve tried. Most CC creams tend to be very thick, but this one is the thinnest I’ve tried, allowing my skin to breathe easily even in humid weather. It’s creamy and a little thicker than other bases, but it feels like a skin-toned version of CC cream. I love that it has SPF 40. Perfect for everyday, beach, cycling, and any other occasion.
concealer
I try not to use concealer most days, but I still reach for it when I’m going to an event or a special night out. I love trying new formulas, but I know a lot of people don’t like to wear a lot of makeup, but just apply a tinted moisturizer and a little concealer.
Classic pieces like NARS, Hourglass, and Tarte are still great, but lately I’ve been reaching for YSL, Chanel, and Natasha Denona.
of YSL Touche Eclat ($40, sephora) is still the best under eye whitening concealer. I don’t have a lot of dark circles under my eyes, so this works well for me. Sometimes I want it to be a little lighter, but I like this consistency. I’m wearing shade 3.
Chanel recently launched a new concealer formula called. Ultra Le Temps Corrector Concealer ($53, chanel) and this is the first Chanel concealer that worked for me. I love their foundation, but I didn’t really like the concealer. This one is thin but easy to blend. I tried a few different shades and liked B40 or BD41 the best. When it comes to concealer, I tend to prefer something a little more peachy or neutral around my eyes. This is very similar to the Prada formula, but I prefer the Chanel one a bit more because the colors match. You can see it in action here.
natasha denona highgram ($32, sephora) is a full-coverage creamy concealer that’s perfect for wearing under the eyes or concealing spots. It’s creamy, blends well, doesn’t harden, and lasts a long time. 10/10 I love this.
Skin tone enhancer/shine booster
I thought there was no need to mix glow products. These days, foundation can sometimes feel too heavy or thick. Or maybe your skin is extremely dry and foundation doesn’t blend well, but at the same time you don’t want to apply any more heavy moisturizer underneath. I found some incredible skin tone mixers and glow boosters.
armani fluid sheer ($43, nordstrom) is a classic. I don’t use it as a highlight because it becomes transparent when blended. I like to mix it with foundation and I love it shade 10 It’s gold but it’s transparent. Adds a really nice glow to the skin. The only downside is that it’s incredibly expensive if you mix it with foundation on a regular basis.
one size base thinner ($36, sephora) was recently discovered. bronze pearl Shade and I am 100% obsessed. I love this shade and the way it adds the perfect amount of glow to the skin. It goes well with foundation and the color is perfect. Not too glittery, not too emollient, not too sheer, just perfect. I would also like to try the pink pearl combination. Skin looks fresh and radiant without being overdone.
loreal true match lumi lotion ($17.99, Ulta) is classic and budget-friendly. I like that each one has a different shade. I’ve tried several and I really like them. A really great multitasker. You can use it as a primer under your foundation, mix it with your base, or use it over top to add a bit of shine.
Saie Glowy Super Gel ($29, sephora) is also an excellent multi-purpose illuminator. I’ve tried several methods and my favorite way to wear it is by mixing it with foundation. I love pairing this with the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I’ve tried all the shades and Rose Glow is my favorite. I think this is perfect for dry skin, but it’s not too heavy. I like it because it contains gel and has a slightly translucent feel.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($50, sephora) is the OG Globe Booster. There are so many ducks to this, some very good, but I’d like to give kudos to the original innovators. I really like this and think it’s still worth the splurge. If you think this is too sparkly for you, I really love her too Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Foundation Stick As an alternative.
Sarah Claire Today’s Highlight Peptide Balm Luminizer ($55, sephora and Sarah Krell) This is my favorite cream highlighter at the moment. I’m sure many of you love dewy highlighters from brands like Westman Atelier, Chanel, and Merritt. I love the look of a lot of these, but since I’ve always lived in warm places, I’m concerned about a few hours of use = oil stains. Sarah Creal looks more natural but the formula is elite. Gives you a glow that shines from within.
road glazing milk ($20 to $32, sephora and load) is a must for 10/10 dry skin. I think you can use it even if you don’t have super dry skin. I love mixing this with my foundation to blend it into my skin better when it looks or feels heavy.
contour/bronzer
After years of experimenting with makeup, I have to admit that I’m still not into contouring. I prefer subtle cream bronzers that are a bit warmer, as cool tones tend to clash with my skin tone. These are the most natural looking ones I’ve tried.
Makeup Transforming Skin Enhancer by Mario Softsculpt ($34, sephora) is my favorite cream bronzer with an emollient texture and sheer finish. I usually set it with a powder blush or bronzer as I find it a little too creamy to wear alone, but I love this for adding warmth to my skin. I tried both medium and medium dark. Click here for the sample.
Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer ($32, sephora) is perfect if you have extremely dry skin or want ultra-thin or refreshing skin. It’s very sheer when blended, but I love the warmth it gives my skin and the very natural look it gives.
dior forever skin bronze bronze stick balm ($52, nordstrom) is also a great skin-like bronzer. This is probably my favorite bronzing stick that looks so natural on the skin. You can wear 02, 03, and 04, and I think they are quite easy to wear colors. It has a satin finish that looks like bare skin. I really like that it’s not too matte and is a non-condensing option. Click here for the sample.
powder
Last but not least, I would like to briefly explain the setting powder that I often use at the moment. I used to be a pressed powder person, but for the past few years I’ve been using pressed powder almost exclusively. laura mercier loose setting powder ($26-$48, nordstrom) in a puff. Powder lasts better and I think hers is the best for a natural look.
tool
Here’s a quick rundown of my favorite foundation brushes. I love things from it cosmetics, hourglass, fenty, Laura Mercier. Regarding concealer, hourglass and real technique.
That’s it for my favorites! What is your favorite place to go?
Source: The Beauty Look Book – thebeautylookbook.com
