My makeup purchases usually tend to err on the side of base products. I’m no good at a fancy eyeshadow look because blending just ain’t my bae, my lashes are non existent so mascara is not my main man (altho they’re getting better, post to follow) and the only thing I’m likely to splurge on is a lippie. Other than that, I spend most of money trying to achieve a flawless, porcelain base, a natural flushed cheek and a little bit of definition around the Pilsbury Dough cheeks.
I’ve found myself at a point recently where I’m feeling really comfortable in my skin sans make up thanks to one wonder product but have also dropped on some products that seem to be really working for my skin shade and skin type. 7 of them, in fact…
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo has been a skin changer for me and is what I owe clearer and less blotchy skin tone to.After using a couple of pea sized amounts prior to my usual moisturiser and makeup on a daily basis,it’s contributed towards my skin becoming much more balanced, less oily and its working its magic at warding off any pesky breakouts meaning I can switch up a heavier coverage foundation for the likes of the IT Cosmetics CC Cream. I know some people go crazy for the Unifant version of this which adds a hint of colour to the skin, not unlike a CC cream, which would be ideal for those down days when you don’t feel like a full face of makeup or just wanted to even the skin tone out a little. Unfortunately as with most products, the “light” shade is far too warm for me but I’d definitely be here for a “fair” version.
True Match Lumi Glotion may only be available in the US but I managed to pick it up from Amazon after seeing Ingrid Nilsen sing its praises on Instastories. Part of the “brightening” lumi range from the brand, Glotion comes in four shades: Fair, Light, Medium, and Deep and is designed to instantly hydrates and luminise skin for an all-over, fresh, natural glow, and boy, does this glow. Applied on its own it gives a really amazing glow and even brings that glow on when mixed with your foundation.I have the shade fair which works perfectly for my skin tone and has a pinky iridescent glow with no chunky glitter or disco ball look to it.
If you’re on the market for a good concealer, Tarte Shape Tape is one of those holy grail concealers that has to be seen to be believed.It’s heavy duty coverage, thats for sure so if you prefer a lighter feeling concealer, this won’t be for you but I love it for wearing alone without foundation, applied to any areas its needed (around my nose, chin, blemishes or underlies) and then buffed out with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.The doe foot applicator is huge in comparison to any I’ve tried before, which means less time in the morning dotting it all over my face, and the fair shade is perfect for my super pale skin.Makeup Revolution do a “dupe” of this particular product (the Conceal and Contour) and although the Makeup Rev offering is good, it doesn’t quite come as close as the original.
Problem: I want super luminous skin like a glowing supermodel BUT I also have an oily ass T Zone BUT I hate the feeling of tacky foundation on my skin. I get through powder like a 90’s music group, if you know what I mean.I tried the Vichy Dermablend Powder after recommendation from Mikhila and although I liked it, I felt like it gave my skin a white cast and I was getting through it super quickly. Bare Minerals Veil? Another recommendation from Mikhila and as usual, a good one at that. It’s a beautiful powder: extremely fine milled with a lovely glow, which did a great job at setting my foundation without going cakey BUT... the peach toner made my foundation look like it had oxidised Ah, the perils of super pale skin. I’d heard amazing things about the Laura Mercier Setting Powder and reviews online raved about how well the product sets makeup without giving a cakey, powdery or too matte a finish to the skin.The powder has a really unique light reflecting ingredient that gives an almost soft focus effect and doesnt cling to imperfections or settle in fine lines, which as a 31 year old I’m very thankful for. It’s a little more pricey than your drugstore alternatives (it comes in at £29) but you get 11.3g for your money and it definitely delivers if you’re looking for a super light and silky setting powder. What I also love about this product is that it comes in three different shades, Translucent ( a light, neutral toned powder), Invisible (your generic white setting powder) and Medium Deep (a darker toned powder). The Medium Deep is a cult favourite amongst WOC as it takes away the ashy finish that regular translucent powders can give to darker skin tones.
Remember I said that La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo has meant I can switch out my usual high coverage foundations for more light/medium coverages?Step up Nars Sheer Glow Foundation. If you want a glow and pretty much traceless foundation, it’s widely accepted that Sheer Glow is the way to go (hey, that rhymed) .Although not sheer as the name suggests, this foundation is a lot light in coverage than my beloved Double Wear and just looks a lot more natural on the skin. The colour range is amazing (I use the shade Siberia) and I feel like it just blends really nicely throughout the day. Even once my skin becomes oily, this product doesn’t move around too much or become patchy/separate as some can and is even quite easy to
You’re probably no stranger to Caudalie Beauty Elixir, a minty scented facial toning mist made up of a blend of antioxidants from grape extracts, orange blossom, rose, organic balm mint and rosemary that helps restore radiance to your skin. Inspired by the centuries old ‘elixir of youth’ used by Queen Isabelle of Hungary, its ideal for an invigorating spritz throughout the day to refresh skin & makeup or on bare skin when I’m having a no fuss day.
If you are a minty facial spritz kinda gal but don’t want to break the bank and want more or a makeup mist than toning, the Mint Mattifying Mist from the Bodyshop may be right up your street.Enriched with Kaolin Powder which is the ingredient that helps to mattify the skin, this mist is make up friendly making it perfect for those oily skinned gals like myself.The pump doesn’t distribute the lightest of mists, in fact
Ahhh there’s so much here I want to try! I’ve been using the Vichy powder and although I like it, I just felt like there must be something better out there, I really do need to pick up the Laura Mercier. Also the Glotion, IT cosmetics CC, and NARS Sheer Glow are all things I’ve really wanted to try but thought because my t-zone is oily they might not work so I’m really pleased I saw this post!