Now that you’ve done the skincare thing, it’s time to move on to your base. It can be as simple as slapping foundation onto your skin but that is a basic move. You don’t want to be basic.

Start with a primer.

Primers act as a barrier between your skin, skincare, and your makeup so your makeup doesn’t get broken down and start to crease, cake or travel.

They can reduce redness, illuminate skin, mattify skin - the options are endless.

Apply with your fingertips after your skincare has absorbed.

My breathable, non-comedogenic faves are:

Primer

Becca First Light Priming Filter has been a must-have in my kit for ages. I hear that they are closing shop… get it while you still can! (click the image & add to cart)

Charlotte Tilbury Warm Glow or Brightening Youth Glow both allow you to skip a foundation and flawlessly skip out of the house onto Wisteria Lane

Shiseido Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer diffuses imperfections, pores, and fine lines. (note: I have smothered my husband with it and he’s still imperfect.)

Chanel Le Blanc De Chanel has the potential of looking ashy or a ghosting effect on darker skin so I suggest light to medium tones only.

Foundation

Examine your needs. Your desired coverage is key. Always choose buildable formulations that can be seamlessly layered.

You can apply your foundations with your fingertips, sponges, or brushes. It’s your preference. I do use all three frankly. When using a sponge, dampen it slightly first.

Regardless of your application tool, tap aka stipple, the product on for that seamless, airbrushed look.

Light to medium coverage

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter is a magical hybrid that can be used as a primer or as a glowing foundation

Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow - can be used as a warming primer or a sheer tint with a tan feel - an hour on the beach in Thailand vibe.

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder - a buildable second skin. We pros like things buildable.

I clearly have a love for Charlotte’s line. Special thanks to Faulhaber Communications, her PR agency based in Toronto. Frankly, she needs them to handle her brand in Asia too. I love FC because they are an inclusive communications team.

Illumalift has active ingredients which means it is makeup and skincare - great for all skin types / skin conditions / healing / rosacea / lupus / Age Positive

Pixi H20 Skintint a sheer base that subtly evens out skin

Shiseido Synchro Skin - there are actually a few Synchro Skin formulas. I have tried and love them all.

Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Foundation for a candlelit glow; no beast, just beauty.

Medium + coverage

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation is a foundation that I have been using since 2002. It’s a beautiful base for red carpet to bridal to getting groceries.

YSL Le Teint Encre De Peau - a natural matte skin finish. I have worn this on many occasions. I love how it feels.

Waterproof

Shiseido Sports with SPF 50 the way this repels water is genius. Yes that model is underwater. Yes she is wearing this foundation.

Dark circle coverage (generally orange cancels darkness as the darkness is blue undertone)

Becca under eye brightening concealer, apply sparingly otherwise it creases and cakes. Honestly, you need very little.

Armani Master Corrector #2 (apparently discontinued but rumour has it something is coming 2022!!)

Pixi correction concentrate brightening peach or awakening apricot

Concealer

MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD, a seamless blend.

NUDEStix Nude Fix skin-like finish with zero creasing.

Laura Mercier Concealer Duo I love how this can brighten and conceal. Similar to the Secret Camouflage but I find this formula and stick to be more user-friendly.

Blemishes

Sometimes stippling more of your foundation over the blemish is enough, if not:

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

*All images are shop-able.

Note: I am using affiliate links which costs you nothing, but throws a few shingles my way - not the viral kind of shingles nor the ones for your roof.

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