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Base Makeup Patrick TA

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo

September 27, 2022

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo

I’ve been playing with the new Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo ($52) along with his new Dual-Ended Complexion Brush ($45) and his new foundation has made it to my favorites list! It is definitely in my Top 5 of all time for makeup bases. If you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend venturing to your nearest Sephora to see it in person if you can.

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo Light Medium 2

The new Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation is a skin-like base that looks like skin but better. It has a buildable finish that evens out the skin tone, covers imperfections and spots in a natural way, has good lasting power and still manages to let the skin breathe.

The compact also comes with a Finishing Powder which is a sheer tinted pressed powder. I was able to attend a zoom master class with Patrick Ta and he likes to use this only on the T-zone. It has minimal pigment in it to set the cream product and look natural. I am a full face powder kind of person because I like everything to be set evenly. It’s sheer but blurs the skin and I love that it doesn’t darken or oxidize on the cream.

I tried a few different shades and the colors I tested are sheer enough that I can make them all work on my skin. I used the shade finder tool at Sephora and my match was Light Medium 2 which turned out to be a spot on match.

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo Light Medium 1, 2 and 3

I have Light Medium 1, Light Medium 2 and Light Medium 3 for the creme foundation swatched. Since the powder is really sheer it doesn’t really show up well in a swatch but each one has a slightly different undertone to match the cream.

On me you can see Light Medium 1 is more olive, Light Medium 2 is more golden and Light Medium 3 is more cool/rose toned.

Compared to other bases I really can’t think of anything quite like it. I’ve used and loved the MAC Studio Tech Cream-To-Powder Foundation but it’s more full coverage and has a matte finish. It has a natural finish like the Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick, but the Patrick Ta feels a little more creamy, a little lighter weight and slightly more balmy. To me the new Patrick Ta Creme Foundation is almost like what you would get if you put the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Tint in a solid cream compact form.

Here’s a BEFORE (bare skin) and AFTER with (creme + powder)

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo Before and After

Side by side with just the Creme applied vs bare skin

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo Before and After

Creme foundation blended all over

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo Light Medium 2

Full look wearing:

Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo Light Medium 2

Dual-Ended Complexion Brush

Patrick Ta Dual-Ended Complexion Brush

Patrick Ta also launched a new Dual-Ended Complexion Brush designed just for the the duo compact. It works really well and I love how it blends everything seamlessly. Since it is double ended I do wish it has some kind of cap or cover for it. The brush is very soft and smooth. It has the perfect density for both the cream side and powder side for flawless application. As much as I love it, I think you can use what you have.

Bottom line love. It’s everything I want in a foundation and powder! Natural, fragrance free, buildable, slightly radiant, blurring and great color range. Highly recommend. Since I have 3 shades I can make work for me I’m pretty well stocked at the moment, but I will 100% be repurchasing once it’s used up.

Available at Sephora and Patrick Ta Beauty.

Patrick Ta foundation and brush provided for review.

P.S. Thank you to all of you who have sent me messages about the hurricane. We are safe and staying put based on our zone and my in-laws are with us. Kitty and puppy send you all lots of kisses. We will most likely be experiencing power outages so I may not be able to respond over the next few days. Thank you for your heartfelt notes!

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Base Makeup Sephora

Must-Have Complexion Products For a Flawless Base

April 1, 2022

Best Foundations, Powder and Concealers at Sephora

Today I have an updated round up of my everyday must-have complexion staples just in time for the Sephora Spring Savings Event! The event runs 4/1 through 4/11 for Beauty Insiders! If you’re not signed up yet you can join for free here.

Use code SAVESPRING at checkout to save. You can use the code multiple times throughout the event. Exclusions apply. The access dates and details for each tier:

  • Rouge Members save 20% off 4/1 – 4/11
  • VIB Members can save 15% off 4/5 – 4/11
  • Insiders save 10% off 4/7 – 4/11

Also all Sephora Collection items are going to me marked down to 30% off (no promo code needed for these items) throughout the event.

Best Makeup Sephora Sale Spring

In today’s post I’ve included the best primers, foundations, concealers and setting products. These are the staples I always go back to for my everyday makeup look.

Primers

Best Primers Tatcha and Bobbi Brown

I like to keep my base as lightweight as possible so my skin can breathe and often look for multi-taskers. The Bobbi Brown Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer is my go-to for a primer + moisturizer in one. It works well with a wide range of foundation formulas. Can’t rave enough about it!

Also love the Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas which a lighter version of their classic Silk Canvas. The Liquid Silk Canvas is the one I prefer, it makes the skin look smooth and minimizes my pores. Foundation adheres well to the skin with this one!

Foundation

Best Foundations Fenty, Armani, NARS, Charlotte Tilbury

My most-used foundation is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It’s the best one for natural medium coverage with the perfect glow. It has enough pigment to even out the skin and just the right amount of luminosity!

For a lightweight base the Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint is another favorite. It’s what I would want in a tinted moisturizer but with a little more pigment and not as dewy (which is perfect for me). If you’re looking for a nice everyday base for spring to summer with light coverage but enough to smooth out the skin, check this one out. Wearing Shade 10 below.

Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint Shade 10

Two new foundations I’ve been loving this year are the NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation and the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation. Both have a skincare component to the formula. The NARS offers a bit more coverage on my skin, but both are really beautiful formulas I’ve used a lot this year.

Highlighters / Bronzer

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops and Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

To enhance the complexion the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter is hands down the best product I’ve tried. I own this in multiple shades but use Shade 3 and 4.5 the most (also available in travel-sized minis). It’s a versatile multi-tasker you can use under foundation to add a glow or as a subtle highlighter on the cheekbones or anywhere you want a highlight.

The Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops are essential in my routine for a truly natural bronzed look. I mix it in with my foundation to add a little warmth and glow.

Concealer

Best Concealers NARS, Dior, YSL

For concealing, if I had to use one the rest of my life it would be the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. I’ve used this for years (my match is Ginger) and it’s the best creamy under eye brightener that blends well, looks natural and lasts all day.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Ginger

The second runner up would be the YSL Touche Eclat Brightening Concealer (I use Shade 3 and 4.5). For more coverage the Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer (I use 2.5N) is a staple.

To set you can use your regular loose or pressed powder, but I also really love the Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Blurring Under-Eye Setting Powder to lock concealer and other cream products under the eye into place.

Powder / Setting

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder

Last I have a roundup of my top setting products. I always set my cream base with a powder to help extend the wear and set everything. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder is the best blurring setting pressed powder I’ve tried! I’ve gone through so many of these.

I also love the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder. It’s like magic on the skin for me! Blurs pores, smooths skin while being completely transparent. They have it in a translucent shade but it’s also available in tinted options as well.

For loose powder it doesn’t get more classic than the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. I alternate between the Translucent shade or Honey.

To set makeup or refresh my look the two best setting sprays I’ve used are the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray and Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. Both help give the skin a refreshed set look – so it’s not too powdery looking.

Best Setting Powders and Sprays at Sephora

You can find all of my favorites and staples at Sephora during the Spring Savings Event. It’s a great time to restock your staples or try something new! If you’re looking for a good base to try I hope you found this roundup helpful!

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Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsor this post! 

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Base Makeup NARS

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation Review

January 21, 2022

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation Review

The latest from NARS is their Light Reflecting Foundation ($49, available in 36 shades) and new shades of the Light Reflecting Setting Loose Powder ($39, now in 4 shades). I posted a video on my Instagram Reels showing the application of the foundation in Sahel and so many of you had more questions about the formula I thought I’d do a full review!

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation Sahel Review

The new NARS Light Reflecting Foundation is a foundation with skincare benefits described as a formula that will blur, smooth, conceal and maintain moisture. According to NARS the formula is 70% skincare. The NARS team sent a few shades and I found my best match to be either Santa Fe M2 or Sahel M2.5. I’m at my lightest right now, most of the year I’m usually a match to Vanuatu M3.5 or Barcelona M4.

In case you missed the tutorial you can watch it below:

The foundation finish has a natural glow and an easy to blend formula with medium coverage. I found it covered most of my sun spots and freckles without looking too heavy. I really don’t need concealer with this foundation! It has a lightweight feel I don’t feel it on my skin.

I would say texture is the biggest difference between this one and other NARS foundations. It has a more natural look and lighter texture compared to the Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation (reviewed a few years ago here).

A lot of you also asked how it compared to the Sheer Glow Foundation formula and I wish I could compare but can’t. I used it for a while when it launched, loved it, and then suddenly developed an allergic reaction to it so I stopped using it. I have no issues with the new Light Reflecting Foundation though.

I haven’t used this new formula enough to notice skincare benefits but I like the way it looks, blends out and feels on the skin. It does have a natural light reflecting quality to look like my skin but better. It is a long wear foundation that adheres to the skin so I find it essential to double cleanse at the end of the day. It’s not challenging to remove like a waterproof mascara but with all newer longer wearing foundations and powders these days you will need to take a little extra care at the end of the day to remove all of it at night.

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation swatches Santa Fe, Sahel and Vanuatu

Bare Skin vs a swipe of Sahel below

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation Review

Side by side with Foundation vs No Foundation (applied with a beautyblender)

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation Sahel Review

The Light Reflecting Loose and Pressed Powders used to be in heavy rotation when they first launched in the translucent Crystal shade. Both are stark white in the compact but smooth and set foundation without adding any white tint. I’m thrilled they decided to add more shades which I think will be better for tan to deeper skin tones.

Both the pressed and loose powders have NARS’ light reflecting complex. It diffused light, blurs out fine lines and has a soft look without any flashback in flash photos.

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder in Crystal

You can see the Light Reflecting Pressed Powder in Crystal in action in my Reel (linked above). I highly recommend giving it a try! It has a very stiff texture in the pan. If you swipe a brush you will almost think no product is being picked up on the brush but once you apply to the face you will see the transformation!

Here’s a closer look at the Light Reflecting Loose Powder in Shore for medium to medium-deep skin tones. It looked a little dark in the jar but I am pleased to report it doesn’t darken my foundation. This one has a mesh sifter cover and a lid to prevent spilling/leakage. It has a superfine light feel, almost like air.

NARS Light Reflecting Loose Powder in Shore

NARS Light Reflecting Loose Powder in Shore

One more quick look at one of my favorite concealers in the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger. Right now I find Macadamia a better match for spot concealing/brightening. I could probably use Custard too, but most of the year I’m either Macadamia or Ginger. In the summer I go as deep as Praline.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger

Makeup look NARS, Huda Beauty, Too Faced

Full makeup look wearing:

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation Review

Overall I really like the new NARS foundation! I like how it blends, wears and feels. You can find it now at Sephora and NARS Cosmetics. Have you tried this one yet? What did you think?

Shop the Post:

 

 

NARS Foundation + Powder provided for review. Press samples also have a * next to them.

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Base Makeup Chanel

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation + Le Correcteur de Chanel Review

October 18, 2021

Chanel Ultra Le Teint + Le Correcteur de Chanel review

Chanel recently reformulated two of their base products including the Ultra Le Teint Foundation ($60, available in 35 shades), Le Correcteur de Chanel ($43, available in 16 shades), and Le Correcteur de Chanel in a Color Corrector ($43, 4 shades).

I hauled the new foundation and concealer to put them to the test and have a closer look with swatches today.

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation + Le Correcteur de Chanel

Chanel Ultra Le Teint

The Chanel Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear All-Day Comfort Foundation is a soft matte finish foundation with a lightweight texture and medium buildable coverage. It’s been a while since I tried the original Ultra Le Teint so I can’t exactly recall what the old one was like, but I think I remember it being on the thicker heavy side. The new reformulation has a more fluid lightweight feel compared to the original. Compared to current Chanel matte/velvet bases it’s not thin and doesn’t have quite as much slip as the Ultra Le Teint Velvet (reviewed here).

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation in BD41

Formula blends well for a soft demi-matte finish. I swatched a few at the counter and the sales associate agreed that I looked like I was in between shades B40/B50 possibly a BD41. The undertone of BD41 matched better for my yellow/olive/golden skintone but is just a tad too light. The next shade up BD51 was too deep and olive for me. If I were to get my exact match I’d probably be a mix of BD41 with B50.

Once on the skin it doesn’t really oxidize but I was surprised that it adjusts and blends out perfectly. Most matte foundations tend to darken once they dry on my skin and I was really pleased that this one does not.

Lasting power is pretty impressive. Finish can be a little streaky if you have dry skin, but this can be fixed with a good moisturizer underneath and some good blending. Overall I like it but I still prefer the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation for formula and how it looks on the skin.

A few swatch comparisons for reference. I’ll link my previous reviews to other formulas below:

  • Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5 and 7 (review here)
  • Chanel CC Cream in 40 Beige (review here)
  • Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet in B40 (review + swatches here)
  • Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation in BD41 and B40 (more swatches here)
  • Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Matte in O40 (review here)
  • NARS Natural Radiant Foundation in Vanuatu (review + swatches here)
  • Comprehensive Foundation + Concealer Shade Guide for current formulas I’ve reviewed in my Foundation + Concealer Reference Guide for Medium Tan Skintones

Chanel Foundation Swatches B40 BD41

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation in BD41

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation in BD41

Le Correcteur de Chanel Longwear Concealer

I’ve received a lot of questions over the years about the Chanel concealer and how it compares to other brands like Dior and NARS. To be frank, I’ve never been a super huge fan of the Chanel concealers. The formula isn’t bad, it’s just not what I prefer. Finish tends to be thin, not creamy enough and the colors have always been a little off for my skin. Either too pale, too dark or too pink in undertone. This round Chanel added more shades with their Le Correcteur de Chanel Longwear Concealer.

Chanel Le Correcteur de Chanel

Formula is lightweight with a gel-based formula. It does the job at brightening and concealing the under eye. It won’t crease, it’s easy to blend, it has soft-focus pigments to diffuse light with a brightening effect (but has no shimmer/glow).

Overall it’s decent. It performs as described. I prefer formulas that are more creamy and emollient. I don’t think it has enough coverage for spot concealing although I did not try the color correctors to see if those work better. I just don’t think it’s the best out there. For a similar coverage I prefer the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer by far for the emollient texture and creamy feel. I like the color range in NARS better too.

For a color match, the first counter I went to was sold out of B40 so I went to another store nearby and didn’t realize until I got home that they sold me the old formula which is 40 Beige. So I have both the old and new 40 colors to swatch for you side by side. A few videos I watched on YouTube also showed that the old and new in the B20 color are also different. I suspect this might be the case across the board that the colors are slightly different.

I ordered the new B40 along with the B30 and BD31 to compare. I know a lot of you like one 1-2 shades lighter than your skintone for brightening. For me after testing all three, the best one for me is B40 but I think it’s still a bit too light and the next shade deeper is too dark.

Chanel Le Correcteur de Chanel in B40

Chanel Le Correcteur de Chanel in B40

Swatch comparisons to a few other brands:

  • NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Macadamia, Ginger and Praline (formula is more creamy and easier to blend)
  • Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion in 3N (more swatches here, formula is thicker and more emollient)
  • Tarte Shape Tape in 35N Medium (formula is full coverage, thicker, more creamy, better for spot concealing)

Concealer Swatches Chanel, NARS, Laura Mercier, Tarte

 

Full below look wearing:

Chanel Makeup Look

Overall I think the new foundation is a good basic semi-matte base that will offer medium natural coverage and last all day. The concealer is decent but compared to other brands I would say a pass.

Have you tried the new base products yet? What did you think?

Available at Chanel.com and all other Chanel counters.

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Base Makeup

Foundation + Concealer Reference Guide for Medium-Tan Skin

April 14, 2021

Foundation Shades for MAC NC35 Chanel B40 Dupes

By popular request I’ve put together a foundation + concealer guide with a comprehensive list of my current foundation and concealer shades. You can always refer to my BASE MAKEUP Category to see what foundations, concealers and powders I’ve reviewed too! A number of you asked for a list of all the shades I use or have reviewed in one single list for reference. This isn’t a complete list since a number of formulas have been discontinued or reformulated, but it’s a relatively current one.

I would describe my skin tone as medium to tan with golden tones. When I lived in San Diego I was around a MAC NC30 and now in Florida I am more often around a MAC NC35 or 40. Living in Florida I find that I tan very easily. I often purchase more than one foundation shade to mix, or switch as I darken with the sun.

For undertone, my natural undertone is more yellow/olive but the darker I get my skintone becomes more neutral/golden rather than warm. If there is more than one color undertone in a foundation brand, I’m usually the neutral option.

I’ve included links to all of the reviews and swatches I’ve done. You can see a lot more features in other makeup reviews and beauty breakdowns as well (but it might take a bit of searching).

FOUNDATIONS

Foundation Testing Fenty, Natasha Denona and Charlotte Tilbury

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in Shades 6.5 or 7 (review here)

Armani Power Fabric Balm Foundation in Shade 6.5 (review and on the face here)

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation in 4.25 Natural Tan or 4.5 Warm Natural (swatches of all colors here)

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Foundation in 400N or 400W (review here)

By Terry Nude-Expert Foundation Stick in 9 Honey Beige (review + swatches here)

Chanel CC Cream in B40 (review here)

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation B40 or BD41 (swatches here)

Chanel Les Beiges Les Beiges Water-Tresh Tint in Medium Plus (review here)

Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint in Medium Plus (review here)

Chanel Sublimage L’Essence de Teint in B40 (review here)

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet in B40 or B50 (review here)

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Foundation in Nude or Wheat (review here)

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation in 7.5 Neutral (review here)

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in Shade 6.75 or 7 (on the face here and here)

Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Fluid Foundation Matte in O40 (review here)

Cle de Peau Radiant Cushion Foundation in 030 (but this one runs a bit light on me however it’s the darkest shade they currently make, on the face here)

Dior Dreamskin Cushion Foundation in 030

EM Cosmetics Daydream Cushion Foundation in between shades Sweet Secret and Summer Hue (review here)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in 3W1 Tawny (review here)

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating and Soft Matte in 235 (review here)

Kosas Tinted Face Oil in Shade 6 (review here)

La Mer Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation in Shade 33 Warm Bisque (review)

La Prairie Skin Caviar Foundation in Satin Nude (I think this shade may have been discontinued, review here)

Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Foundation in Buff 3N1 (review here)

Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere in Latte 3N1.5 (review here)

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand 3N1 (review here)

MAC Studio Fix Tech Foundation in NC30 or NC35 (review here)

MILK Makeup Flex Foundation Stick in Golden Sand

NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Vanuatu or Barcelona (review + swatches of all the colors here)

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in St. Moritz

Natasha Denona Foundation X+ in 42WY (on the skin here)

Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation in LM14 or M15 (review here)

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Soft Radiance Foundation in 6 Natural (review here)

Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte in 6 Natural (review here)

Urban Decay Hydromaniac Glowy Tinted Hydrator in Shade 50 (review here)

Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick in Shade 6 (review here)

YSL Touche Eclat All-In-One-Glow Foundation in B40

CONCEALERS

Armani Luminous Silk Concealer 6.5

Armani Luminous Silk Concealer in 6.5 (review here)

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Concealer in 300 (review here)

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Liquid Concealer in Shade 6 or 7 (review here)

Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer in Buff (for an exact match, swatches here)

Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Corrector for Eyes in Ocher (a bit lighter for brightening, swatches here)

Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer in Beech

Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer in Shade 6 (review here)

Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer in 2N or 3N (swatches here)

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer in 3N (swatches here)

MAC Studio Fix 24-Hour Smooth Concealer in NC40 (this one runs light in color, swatches here)

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger (swatches here)

Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Concealer in LM12 to M15 (review here)

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch in Shade 3 or 4.5 (review here, applied in action here)

Foundation Concealer Guide for MAC NC35 Chanel B40

Linking my Top 10 below:

 

My top recommendations for each person depends on skin type and season, but if you want to know my personal favorites, my Top 3 most worn foundations are Armani Luminous Silk, Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion and Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection. I also wear a lot of Chanel. There are too many variables for concealer as everyone has different color preference for how light they want to go, how creamy they want it, opacity level, etc. Since I find most of my foundations do a good job at covering what I want, I don’t always wear concealer. The best brightening ones are from NARS and YSL in my opinion though.

Hope you found this helpful! You can find these at a variety of retailers but I mainly shop at Nordstrom and Sephora. Let me know if you have any questions or want additional details!

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Base Makeup

Spring Foundation + Concealer Edit

April 6, 2021

Spring Foundation Edit Review

I have a Spring Foundation + Concealer Edit for you today! I’ve put together a roundup of some foundations and concealers I’ve been testing this spring. There are a few newer launches I’ve been really excited about and if you’ve been curious about any of the formulas I hope you find this helpful!

Spring Foundation Review MAC, Chanel, Dior, Westman Atelier, By Terry and more

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Review Nude and Wheat

The Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion ($128) is one of the best cushion foundations I have ever tried. It gives that skin-but-better kind of glow with enough coverage to even out the complexion in a natural way. I tested two shades: Nude is a medium color with neutral undertones and Wheat is a deeper medium beige with more golden undertones. I’ve found I can wear either shade right now. I tan easily so Wheat will be my go-to summer shade and right now Nude is a nice match.

The cushion comes with a refill (which I love!). The formula is water-based and melts into the skin beautifully! I feels lightweight and fresh on the skin and once it sets I find it has good lasting power.

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion

Below wearing the Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion in Nude + Lip Chic in Clover, Tee by ATM

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion in Nude

Chanel Sublimage L’Essence de Teint

Chanel Sublimage L’Essence de Teint B40

I was a huge fan of the Sublimage Le Teint Cream and was really eager to try the new Chanel Sublimage L’Essence de Teint. I ordered shade B40 which is a good match. The main difference between the two is the original is a cream (heavier in texture, more opaque) and the new launch is a serum (lighter in texture, more fluid). It’s a medium to full coverage formula on me and has a glowy finish. Formula is very hydrating and smooth. It comes with a brush which is excellent! Smooth and well made.

Lasting power is pretty good with a powder. It does get a bit glowy within a few hours and need a touch up, but it performs well on me. Wearing it below with the Rouge Coco Flash in Easy. I would normally set with powder but for all the face photos in this post I wanted to show you more of what it looks like on the skin.

Chanel Sublimage L’Essence de Teint B40

A few of you asked whether I’d recommend the new Sublimage vs the Les Beiges Foundation vs the Tint vs CC Cream. I think they’re all a little different:

MAC Studio Fix Tech Cream-to-Powder Foundation

MAC Studio Fix Tech Cream-to-Powder Foundation NC35

I featured the MAC Studio Fix Tech Cream-to-Powder Foundation in a recent roundup but wanted to highlight it again. It’s one of the best solid cream to powder foundations I’ve tried! It’s truly long-wearing and has an easy to blend texture even though it’s full coverage. I’m somewhere in between NC30 and NC35. Wearing it below with the MAC Lipglass in Beaux.

Westman Atelier Vital Stick

Westman Atelier Vital Stick Foundation Shade 6

I finally ordered the Westman Atelier Vital Stick Foundation Shade VI since the brand is now available at Sephora. I ordered Shade 6 sight unseen and was thrilled to find it a perfect match! There are so many mixed reviews but really love it. Texture is creamy (not waxy as some felt) and it is truly easy to blend. Coverage looks medium natural and buildable. I am really happy with the lasting power, color, coverage and texture! The only complaint I have is that I find it very pricey for the amount you get, but I really love it.

Westman Atelier Vital Stick Foundation Shade 6

Dior Forever Natural Nude

Dior Forever Natural Nude Foundation

I had such high hopes for the Dior Forever Natural Nude Foundation. This is described as a lightweight base with 24-hours of fresh wear. It does have a lightweight texture with medium coverage and a radiant finish but the colors darkened on my skin significantly within a few minutes. I ordered my usual shades in the 3 range, 3N (more neutral) and 3W (yellow) and 3W worked a bit better for me as it’s a bit lighter and more yellow. Wear was inconsistent for me – some days it looked fresh and radiant for hours while other days it separated and became greasy looking within a few hours. The main deal breaker for me is that it irritated my skin and left tiny little red bumps on my face. For me unfortunately it was a miss.

Swatches below side by side for reference:

Foundation Swatches MAC NC30 NC35 Chanel B40 Westman Atelier 6

Concealer

I still love my go-to concealers including the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion, Pat McGrath and Cle de Peau for brightening and spot concealing, but have been trying a few different formulas.

YSL Touche Eclat

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Concealer

I started using the YSL Touche Eclat again and forgot how much I love this for brightening. It has finish that blends into the skin beautifully and I alternate between Shade 3 and 4.5 to brighten. Reposting the swatches from my last post below.

YSL Touche Eclat Glow Tint B40 and Concealer Shade 3 and 4.5

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Concealer

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Concealer 300

My newest try is the By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Concealer which is lightweight concealer that is 87% skincare based. This has medium coverage with a blendable texture. I was really impressed with the coverage even though it has mostly skincare (versus makeup). It evens out the under eyes and brightens nicely with a smooth and silky feel. Finish is what they call a lumi-matte – not quite matte, not quite dewy. I really like that it doesn’t emphasize fine lines, it’s creamy but not as creamy as the ones from Laura Mercier or NARS. For me this is best as an under eye brightener rather than applying on other areas of the face. As usual I always need to set with a little bit of powder to make it last.

I found Shade 300 to be a perfect match for what I needed. For reference I use her Hyaluronic Hydra-Foundation in 400N.

Swatches below next to a few others I have from NARS as I know a lot of you wear Macadamia or Ginger. Thought this would be helpful if you have similar skintone to me!

Concealer Swatches By Terry, NARS Macadamia, Ginger, YSL Touche Eclat 3 and 4.5

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer Duo

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer Duo vs Flawless Fusion

Last but not least is another look at the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer Duo. This is a super convenient product with one side for brightening under the eye and a more pigmented side for spot concealing. I reviewed this in my Makeup Favorites For a Flawless Glow post but had a few more shades to swatch and compare for you. I wear the 3N color in this formula and also the Flawless Fusion Concealer (this one is creamier).

  • N code is for neutral tones
  • W is for warmer tones
  • C is for cool tones

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer Duo swatches 2 and 3 family

I know I covered a lot in this roundup! If you want to know which one is the best, I would recommend product based on your skin type or what coverage/finish you’re looking for. I have normal combination skin but it changes by season. Right now I’m very normal-to-dry as we’re in the dry season in Florida. My favorites right now:

I hope you found my Spring Foundation + Concealer Edit helpful! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these and what you thought.

Shop the Post:

 

Press samples include the By Terry Concealers, Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion in Nude.

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Base Makeup Nordstrom

Makeup Favorites for a Natural Flawless Glow

January 22, 2021

Glowing Makeup Favorites from Nordstrom

Some of the most frequently asked questions I get are “what do you recommend for the best glow foundation?” and “what are you wearing that makes your skin glow?” I love a base that looks glowing but natural – like my skin but a bit better. Based on the messages and comments I’ve received from you, it looks like many of you do too! I thought I’d do an updated roundup of my glowy makeup favorites! I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share my top picks.

I’ve included my top picks for foundation, concealer, liquid highlighter and glow powders. For me I love layering product for a natural look. I’ll usually apply a light-to-medium coverage base all over and then add product as needed to help correct things like dark circles, dull skin, scars or acne.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Volume II

Best Glow Foundations

Best Glow Foundations Chanel, Armani, Laura Mercier

I have three favorite glow foundations and to me they are all suitable for a wide range of skin types. My most-used base is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (I wear shades 6.5 or 7) for a natural long-wear medium buildable coverage foundation with a subtle glow. I always set with a powder to make sure it stays locked in place.

I also highly recommend the Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation (I wear Latte 3N1.5). This has a tiny bit more radiance and is easier to build coverage compared to the Armani. Although it has a dewy finish as long as you set with a powder this too also has long lasting power and stays put looking fresh for hours. I like that they have different undertones for each shade category making it easier to find a match whether you’re warm, neutral or cool.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation (I wear B40 or BD41) is another favorite for medium dewy coverage. It has enough pigment to cover dark under eye circles for me (although mine are moderate in color) and also covers sun spots. It is fragranced though so if you’re sensitive to fragranced products I would do a patch test first. Out of all the bases I wear this is the one that gets me the most compliments!

On low maintenance days or good skin days I really love the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (I wear 3N1 Sand) for the best all-around sheer coverage base with moisture. It has sheer coverage and evens out the skin in the most natural way.

Below wearing the Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Foundation

Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Foundation Latte 3N1.5

Best Way To Add a Natural Highlight

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer and Highlighter

For that lit from within kind of glow I can’t rave enough about the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer and Highlighter. I like this because you can add glow to the foundations you already have and you can also control how much glow you want. It’s a versatile product you can wear under foundation as a glowy base, over foundation as a highlighter, under the eyes where you want to brighten. I usually apply under the eyes or on the cheek bones (similar placement to where you would put a concealer to brighten). I blend with a beautyblender sponge and it gives the skin more dimension and life. I’ve worn a number of different colors depending on what look I’m going for. Right now I like 3 for brightness and 4.5 for a closer match to my skin tone.

I also like the Armani Fluid Sheers and Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid to mix in with foundation for added shimmer.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter swatches

My favorite way to apply the Hollywood Flawless Filter in Shade 4.5 (you can blend with a brush or sponge)

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer and Highlighter 4.5

Best Powder Glow

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Volume II

I’ve been a fan of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder for a long time! I think they’re versatile to use as a finishing powder or a soft highlight. For my medium olive skin, Dim Light works as an all over setting powder (even though it has a pink tone) and Radiant Light works as a very soft candlelight warm soft bronzer (to warm up the complexion).

The palettes come with me on almost every trip I’ve been on. The original Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette has been a good one to use as a soft diffusing powder. Original has Dim Light, Incandescent Light, Radiant Light. I recently bought the newer Ambient Lighting Palette Volume II which has Soft Light, Radiant Light, Golden Bronze Light – it’s a deeper option which I really love. I think it’s going to be a more versatile option for me since I tan easily.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Original vs Volume II

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Original vs Volume II swatches

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Volume II

Powders are soft and melt into the skin. I also love the Armani Neo-Nude Powders for a good glow. Sometimes it can be a bit too glowy so I recommend applying with a light hand or layering with your regular matte powder.

Concealer

Best Concealers Cle de Peau, Laura Mercier, NARS and Kosas

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Stick Duo 3N

For concealer I love a good creamy formula that I can use under the eyes and blend easily. I usually try to pick a color close to my skin tone so it’s not too contrasted. Although I have olive golden skin, I often like pink or peach ones under the eyes to counter dark circles. My top picks include:

Best Concealers Cle de Peau, Laura Mercier, NARS and Kosas

Concealer Swatches Cle de Peau, NARS, Laura Mercier

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Volume II Look

Wearing:

Best Glow Foundations Nordstrom

I hope you found this roundup helpful! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments. Or if you want to share your favorites for a glowing makeup look I’d love to hear about them too!

You can find all of my picks at Nordstrom.

 

 

Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.

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