Rise and shine, morning glory! Unless we’re talking about foundations…in which case “Rise and glow” might be more appropriate. 🙂
Every few days I’m asked about the foundation I’m wearing, and since it changes from time to time (and I’m always on the market for new suggestions), I thought we could revisit it today.
Hi Karen,
I was wondering what foundation/highlighter you’ve been using lately? We have a similar skin tone, and in your Nars G-Spot review pic you look so glowy and fresh. Please let me know. Thank you.
Brandee
Hi Brandee,
Well, I’m always switching between a couple of different foundations, but for most of my pics lately I’ve been wearing Chanel Mat Lumiere in Soft Honey. It’s $54, so it’s pricey, I know, but I find that I don’t have to use very much. It gives great coverage, yet I think it still looks natural, feels light, takes to flash photography well and doesn’t aggravate my combination oily/dry skin.
But what I really love about it is the finish. It’s just shy of matte, so it doesn’t create that flat, artificial texture that I get from some matte foundations.
Other times, when I want a more satiny finish, I’ll reach for MAC Studio Sculpt in NC42 ($29.50) instead. It delivers easy-to-build, medium-to-full coverage, and lately I’ve been topping it with the MAC Careblends Powders ($23) for a fresh, glowy look. Like Chanel Mat Lumiere, it doesn’t give me breakouts, photographs well and looks great in real life.
MAC Studio Sculpt on the left and Chanel mat Lumiere on the right
There are just so many options out there that I can never stick to one for long. I know a lot of gals who swear by Make Up For Ever, CoverFX and Bare Minerals foundations, too. You might also find some good suggestions in the comments on this post here: What’s Your Favorite Full-Coverage Foundation for a Natural Look?
I hope this helps! If you describe your skin in more detail and let me know which foundations you’ve tried, I might have a few more ideas…
What Foundation Have You Been Using Lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chanel Perfection Lumiere, and the finish is quite similar to what you describe of the Mat Lumiere…
i like them both on you in the pics. I’ve been using MUFE Mat Velvet for when I want matte, studio sculpt for going out, and maybelline fit me for daily wear.
Chanel Aqua Vitalumiere and MAC Longwear Foundation!
I’ve been loving Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. It’s so lightweight. I feel as if I’m not wearing foundation.
I have been loving Neutrogena Healthy Skin lately. It provides buildable coverage that lasts all day and feels silky smooth!
I’ve been meaning to ask what you’ve been using ’cause your skin has been looking flawless, Karen!
I’m always on the hunt for less pricey foundations with the benefits you described for the Chanel Mat Lumiere. I need full coverage & long-wearing (supremely oily, scarred skin), but most give a very flat dimension to the skin if applied heavy-handed. I always end up returning to MAC Pro Longwear and Revlon’s Colorstay (only one I have access to right now since I’m in college). I don’t apply to the whole face. I like MAC Face & Body when it’s summer or I’ve got good skin days. That stuff lasts forever.
Giorgio Armani Silk Luminous No. 6 and I lOve it because the colour matches perfectly!
Finally!
But it needs some powder during the day :-/
I’ve been using NARS Sheer Glow in Santa Fe, MAC F&B in C3, and Smashbox Halo in medium. I use the Sheer Glow when i want an airbrushed type of look, the F&B when my skin looks dull because it leaves a dewy finish, and Smashbox halo when i don’t have but a couple of minutes to get ready.
I love the finish of both foundations on you. Btw I love you hair in the pic where your wearing Mat Lumiere; it looks so chic!
I have to admit the only pricey foundation I’ve ever owned is Bare Minerals. It doesn’t rub off, and it works well for my combo skin since it is a powder. Most of the time I just use concealer for any zits (a combo of Physician’s Formula Redness Corrector and Neutrogena with Salicyclic Acid in it) and the Physician’s Formula Glow Powder with a L’Oreal Finishing Powder over the concealer to keep it in place.
The other pricey stuff I use for my skin that works well is a retinol treatment (I’m only 23 but I have found it gets rid of zits quick and really helps get dead skin out of my pores) and Aveeno Positively Radiant SPF 20 face lotion. The retinol treatment is the CVS brand and was 18 bucks. The Aveeno face lotion runs about 16 bucks, and both will last you a long time (about 8 months to a year or more if you don’t slather a ton on your face). Any expensive stuff I buy at Sephora or Ulta, and it tends to be eye makeup. I swear by the Nars Orgasm Multiple Use Stick, and it lasts me a full year. I would probably buy the pricier foundations if they weren’t so, well, pricy!
Ysl’s teint resist and Jane Iredale pressed powder. Love!
boots no7 mousse foundation in blonde. its absolutely perfect 🙂
I’ve been using Diorskin Nude Glow foreverrr but am in the market for a new foundation! I’d like something with more coverage and a satin finish, thinking NARS sheer glow or the new Chanel perfection lumiere. I’m afraid studio sculpt would break me out. 🙁 Any other suggestions?
I’m still using my Laura Mercier oil free tinted moisturizer though I have Makeup Forever and Giorgio Armani foundations sitting in my makeup drawer.
A mix of Revlon Colorstay in Golden Caramel and Smashbox Full Coverage Cream M3-M4. I did a post showing how I mix it up. It’s the perfect post-summer mix for me.
I really like the finish of Studio Sculpt on you! love it! I personally have been using Chanel Perfection 24/7!! love it!
Revlon Colorstay. Matches my skin perfectly and the Oily/Combo formula keeps the grease at bay.
At the moment I’m using Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint. It looks very natural and the lightest color, Bare, is a great match for my skintone.
Dior ‘Diorskin Forever’ Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup. This is one of the best liquid foundations I have purchased. It is quite pricey at $46 but well worth the money. It provides great coverage that lasts all day! Definitely recommend at least trying a sample at your local Dior counter.
ive switched back to MAC Studio Fix Fluid (which is my number 1 favorite foundation of all time) … the weather isnt as hot as it usually is so my face can handle a bit of a heavier foundation.
i dont set my foundation right after i apply it — i proceed w/ cream blush, contour powder, powder blush and a setting spray. after all that, i set my makeup w/ a light dusting of MAC Pressed Blot Powder. 🙂
revlon colorstay in golden beige.
Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer (it makes me look like I have no pores!) and acts as a foundation.
I haven’t tried a full coverage foundation in decades (yikes, that was scary to re-read), but Careblends just made my list of powder to check out. Thank you! 🙂
I love the way Too Faced Amazing Face Close-Up Foundation looks (you realy can’t tell you’re wearing foundation but it offers awesome coverage). However, I have combo skin and I get oily prtty quickly with it. I’m testing Revlon Colorstay today in Warm Golden (for oily/combo skin, of course!) and I really like it so far! If that doesn’t work, I’ll switch back to Chanel Mat Lumiere and hope I get color-matched correctly this time 🙂 I use MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural as the setting powder over it and it really gives an air-brushed look! Over summer I just use Mac Mineralize Skin Finish Natural by itself.
Oops, meant *really, not realy and *pretty, not prtty. To excited talking about foundation!
Most of the time I just use Stila’s Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer with bit of powder over it, but when I use an actual foundation it’s MAC Face and Body in N2 or Bare Minerals.
The Studio Sculpt looks amazing on you! I don’t know, I’m more of a tinted moisturizer kind of gal… I love Tarte’s Smooth Operator and I’ve used Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer in the past.
Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge (tinted moisturizer) and Chanel Teint Innocence compact foundation on spots that need more coverage. I’m down to that last little ring at the bottom of the Chanel compact! Boo! Must repurchase!
Bobbi’s essentials foundation stick and bare minerals for casual wear. Both of your foundations look great.
Honestly? CoverGirl’s NatureLuxe Silk foundation. I would say it’s medium coverage, but buildable to full. I actually gave up using Estee Lauder Double Wear because I like the CoverGirl so much. It’s silky soft, natural looking and has a fresh, soft scent. Plus it’s one of the few lines that has an exact match for my color…that was a win right off the bat!! Plus the price is nice!!
I use Mac pro longwear in nc 25 mixed with nc 30 topped with careblend powder(:
Chanel perfection lumiere! A-MAZING!
Estee Lauder Double Wear Light. It lasts all day on my horribly oily skin. Buildable coverage. I might not ever use another foundation again.
Chanel Perfection Lumier or Vitalumier Aqua. Love love love both of them. Only wish the lightest shade was a tad bit lighter. I’m so pale.
bobbi brown oil free tinted moisturizer – loving it!
I love studio sculpt so I might try that chanel mat lumiere. I personally hated MUFE HD. Right now I am in a mac face and body phase….looks amazing in photos, especially when topped with the mineralize skinfinish natural.
Most days I combine my pretty-much-HG L’Oreal True Match with Bourjois Healthy Mix, but for winter I’ve been wearing Estee Lauder Double Wear 🙂
This post couldn’t come at a better time! I’m using Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer right now, although I would like to try either Armani’s Luminous Foundation or Nars Sheer Glow. I also ordered a Missha BB Cream…I was curious if you’ve used any BB creams and what your take was? Missha makes a darker shade (#31) that I think would work for my skin tone.
I have been loving NARS Sheer Glow in Barcelona (NC40 for reference). I am also combo oily/dry and this seems to last without enlarging my pores, making me grease up like a cheeseburger, and the finish is “my skin but better.” I’ve been wanting to try Neutrogena Healthy Skin for the price point, but I’m pretty happy with the NARS
MAC Studio Fix Fluid. It has a nice just-matte finish for my combo oily/dry skin and it stays put. My other is Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation, but while I like it’s sheer texture, it gets just a little too shiny too quickly for my taste.
I wear bare minerals in fair, because nothing in a liquid is light enough for me. I use to wear mac but even the lightest is still to dark.
I’ve been using BareEscentuals for years…keeps my skin clear and allows it to breathe. Lately, though, I started using the Clinique Acne Solutions Foundation just for fun. I switch it up between the two and my skin stays fresh and clear!
Bobbi Brown’s new Mineral Foundation. Doesn’t look mask-like or cakey, lasts all day on my slightly oily skin without “glowing” and hides pores. Makes my skin look flawless–really! Not the typical mineral foundation. Love it!
Chanel PL looks great on you! And what’s that purple eyeliner?
I’ve been wearing Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation. Trench No.8 is the perfect color match for me. Like PL it has a satiny, but natural finish.
Estee Lauder double wear!! Great coverage that will last me all day long, $34. Estee Lauder Renutriv pressed and loose powder are also favorites, beautiful natural setting, $50
I’m still loving Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua~
But for heavier coverage I like to use NARS Sheer Glow or Matte, depending on my skin 😛
wow, your skin looks absolutely gorgeous in the first picture! 🙂
xo
max factor lasting performance…only i’m so bummed i got the wrong shade again, fair. thankfully, it’s as pale as me only it has a peachy tinge, not yellow like me. god, i should have went with the ivory beige…i’m sure that was the one i tested, only that girl gave me fair. at least i got a free concealer…
I’m loving Garnier BB cream! it’s amazing. Really light and natural coverage which doesn’t clog your pores. And it’s great value!
I have such weird and sensitive skin, I’ve been using Everyday Minerals’ foundations and swear by them. Try a sample of their Semi-Matte foundation line for naturally glowy skin all day long. I have oily skin myself, but find unlike with all other types of foundation, once the oil mixes with the minerals, your skin couldn’t look healthier. Seriously!
I normally wear MAC Pro Longwear in NC50, but I just got the Stila One Step Makeup (they had a sale last tuesday so I took advantage) and I’m wearing that today. So far, so good. I’ve already gotten a lot of compliments on my skin.
I’m stuck on Revlon Colorstay. It gives good coverage for my blotchy skin, lasts all day and doesn’t break me out. Sometimes I try other foundations but I always come back to my colorstay!! I’ve been using it for a couple years now.
I have some tenacious post acne hyperpigmentation scars that unfortunately my MAC Face and Body Foundation can’t really cover. So I’ve been using Bobbi Brown SkinFoundation which has more coverage. I love the way it blends and feels and it will probably be my winter foundation until next summer when I’ll switch back to the MAC Face and Body Foundation.
For going out I really like Shu Uemura face Architect liquid, it a dead match for my Asian yellow skin tone. But, I do mix 2 shades #964 with another deeper shade (forgot the serial #). It also has a brightening effect in pic, not whitist cast or ghostly look. Just brightens. Currently, for daily errand, I use GLO Minerals pressed/loose OR Japanese BB Cream NANOCE. I hate Bare Minerals now, I think they’ve changed the formula. I’m tempting to try Asian Bobbi Brown BB cream now and Shu Uemura Japanese mineral foundation (Japan exclusive). I love Japanese foundation, great yellow undertone shades. Unlike western brands, too beigy, ashy or pink.
I love Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer (normally what I use), but Chanel’s VitaLumiere Aqua is fantastic. Tried the Perfection Lumiere and love it. Planning on getting it tomorrow, actually!
I always use my Everyday Minerals foundation. I love it.!!!
i have a tad dark chanel pro lumiere that i mix with either bourjois healthy mix or neutrogena healthy skin foundation. it gives perfect color with the slight dew i love.