Let’s talk about this question. The main reason that people can’t get their foundation to last is because they are using poor quality products that aren’t designed for long wear in the first place, or because they aren’t using the right foundation, primer and setting products for their skin type. If you have super oily skin and you are wearing a luminous liquid foundation, you’re not doing yourself any favors. There are products that are made to work with your skin, and there is no such thing as a one size fits all foundation line. So here is a nifty little guide about products you may want to be using.
Acne Prone Skin
For acne prone skin I recommend a cream or mousse makeup. They will have a thicker consistency which will help to cover acne as well as create a smoother finish. A cream is better if you are a rare person with dry skin who still break out frequently. If you have oily skin a mousse tends to control the oils better. Try setting the look with a powder (like the Temptu Invisible Difference Finishing Powder) and not a spray, as well as priming with something that has an oil control or matte finishing feature (like the Becca EverMatte Poreless Primer). With acne prone skin your face is already sensitive. Because of this you need to be using the highest quality foundation options possible. Dermablend is my go-to for acne prone skin. The ingredients are high quality, it is full coverage and it works. You can see the DermaBlend Cover Creme Foundation here (which as I said creams are better for dry skin) and the DermaBlend Blurring Mousse Camo Foundation (which is better for oily skin and pictured on the left). Dermablend also offers an Acne Starter Set, which includes a lending sponge, the mousse foundation, a setting powder and anti-redness concealer. It’s a steal of a deal.
Aging SkinFor aging skin I recommend you choose something super light weight and hydrating. You should truly focus on skin care for healthier skin. And be sure to choose a product that has SPF in it to prevent sun spots. You need to stay away from products that are heavy because they will settle into fine lines and wrinkles. You should choose an age reversing primer. Something Anti-Aging may help to prevent it, but ideally you’d like to heal your skin and increase firmness, not just maintain it. For primer the It Cosmetics No. 50 Serum Anti-Aging Collagen Veil Primer is a great choice because the collagen helps to actually firm and tone your skin, not just cover up the problem. To set your look read the guidelines below for oily or dry skin. As for foundation I love the Philosophy Miracle Worker Anti-Aging Foundation (pictured on the right) because it is hydrating and very light weight and has decent build-able coverage. To cover up age spots and under eye bags I love the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Pot which is light weight and creamy. The other concealer in the tube form it Cosmetics is a little to heavy for aging skin in my opinion.
Oily Skin
If you have oily skin you likely have large pores as well, and have a very hard time getting your foundation to stay on all day long. You will want to start off with a primer that is pore filling and mattifying. I like the Benefit Professional which you can buy here and read more about here. Another good one is the Becca EverMatte Poreless Primer. For foundation I highly recommend using a powder instead of the ever do popular liquid options. For full coverage try the Intense Powder Camo Foundation from Dermablend, for medium/full coverage try the It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation, and for medium/light coverage pickup the Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation (pictured on the left)set the look you should use a small spritz of a setting spray. I love the Pur Cosmetics Miracle Mist Spray for an affordable and effective option. If you HAVE to have a liquid foundation the Matte Tarte Tape Shape Foundation is a good option, but make sure you use a setting powder instead of a spray, like the Temptu Invisible Difference Finishing Powder.
. Now to
Dry Skin
This is where I live, I understand my dry skinned peeps because I come form the coast but I live in a desert. My skin was not made for the humidity-void air in the state I currently live in. My skin dries and flakes and peels and it’s just awful. We need to make sure we are using a moisture rich primer. The cream of the crop is definitely Sonia Roselli’s Water Balm (pictured on the right). It is hydrating, sealing and priming. It is hands down the best option for dry skinned people. But another decent one is Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer + Moisturizer in 1. But please do not skip the moisturizer with the Smashbox one. For foundations you need something hydrating and dewy. For something with medium coverage that is buildable I highly recommend Fenty Beauty’s Longwear Foundation. It has a matte finish but it’s not drying and it’s not your typical matte. It has a more natural finish in my opinion. For something more full coverage I like the Tarte Shape Tape Hydrating Foundation. Set your look with a good setting spray like the Cover FX Illuminating Setting Spray.
I have oily skin, using Rimmel Stay Matte primer, with Dermablend Blurring Mousse Camo, and setting with Dermablend setting powder, and this foundation is settling into my acne scars and large pores and creasing and breaking up in my T zone. I'm over 40, but have fewer wrinkles than average for my age. Everything I'm reading says I'm using the right products, but it just isn't working out. Any advice?