Makeup Box | Similar Makeup Bag | It Cosmetics CC Cream | Bye Bye Foundation | Too Faced Born This Way | Giorgio Armani Luminious Silk Foundation | Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation | Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Treatment Foundation
I can talk myself into purchasing just about any lipstick. If it’s my shade, I have zero type. I’ll take it in liquid, gloss, cream, the works. I also have this bizarre notion stuck in my head that a new eyeshadow palette will somehow simplify my life.*As if an array of 24 different shades could ever make anything simple.* Like why do I want this? When will I wear the glitter?! WHEN?
But one thing I don’t mess with all too often is foundation. I find one I like and I marry it forever. I get nervous to switch around foundations because what if I break out?! What if it oxidizes? An allergic reaction? There’s just about nothing tempting about any of those scenarios, so I keep my eyes down while at Ulta or Sephora as I pass different foundation stations.
Needless to say, this blog post has been requested for years and I’m happy to say these are the ones I’ve worn for ages- minus the new drugstore find, but I’m obsessed so I made an exception.
What are my requirements for a foundation?
I’ve got normal to dry skin, but I do get hormonal blemishes. I also live in a hot and humid environment and my foundation has GOT to stand up to that. I don’t want anything ultra matte {since I’m on the dry side that can feel like concrete on my face} but I also shoot photos for my job, so sheer isn’t going to cut it in my book. But I’m picky and don’t like intense full coverage- it needs to be medium and breathable. Most days the fanciest thing I do is go to the grocery store so I don’t need wedding day foundation. I want to glow, but I don’t want anything showing fine lines/blemishes. Basically, I want a unicorn in a bottle. I’m not picky at all…
Here are the bottles that fit those criteria and more!
- Daily Foundation- It Cosmetics CC Cream or Bye Bye Foundation: It Cosmetics is probably the brand of foundation I most frequently buy. I think I go through about 2 or 3 of these tubes a year and I never regret picking this is as my daily foundation! I love the “illuminating” CC Cream or the Bye Bye Foundation. Maybe I’m clueless, but I can’t tell too much of a difference between those two. It’s like asking a sugar addict if they prefer a chocolate chip cookie or a chocolate chip cookie with peanut butter chips. Both are fabulous! I’m shade Light.
- 18-Hour Wear- Too Faced Born This Way: This is what I wear when I have a really long day for work or travel. One pump does it as it is more of a full-coverage foundation {not intense, though}! It says it is buildable, but I beg to differ. Yesterday I did my makeup at 5 a.m., shot outside in the heat for 2 hours, went to my ENT and had a little procedure on my sinus {lol- gotta keep it real!}, came home, cooked dinner, sat outside working and my foundation still looked fresh by 9 p.m. The *only* drawback is that this isn’t a dewy foundation {which probably wouldn’t be as long lasting} so I add a little more highlighter for this! I’m shade Ivory.
- Glowing Skin- Giorgio Armani Luminious Silk Foundation: Is it odd to be emotionally connected to a foundation? If so, don’t answer that. I purchased this foundation right before I took a flight to Chicago to meet up with Paul when we were dating early on. I loved that foundation and loved how my skin felt the entire trip. I wore it the entire time we dated and then they reformulated. It oxidized SO bad on my face and I was in denial. I was in such denial that I bought 3 bottles and had to return them all during this reformulation phase. However, I think it must have been switched back! I purchased it again a month ago and it was back to being perfect! I asked on stories if you all experienced the same and I had a ton of girls agreeing. Does anyone know if it switched back to normal?! Whatever happened, it is back in the lineup and I’m thrilled. This gives you that post hydrafacial glow, but with coverage! I’m shade 3.5.
- Skin Perfector- Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation: This foundation features some major skincare and is formulated to better the texture of your skin within an hour of application! It has mushroom extract, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin C. That helps remove a little bit of the guilt if I take a nap or two in my makeup. 😉 I have to say, I’m extremely partial to Charlotte Tilbury products. The line is just as luxurious as it is practical {I find some luxury lines aren’t as pigmented or never update products to stay current.} and she offers just as many cool tones as she does warm tones in the shade department. Don’t you hate when you love a line and they only carry warm-toned lipsticks and you want cool or vice versa?! I’m shade 3.5.
- Drugstore Fave- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Treatment Foundation: This is my favorite drugstore foundation and I think it is the perfect dupe of the Magic Foundation mixed with the Luminous Silk Foundation. The only drawback is you need to set it or it won’t last too long- but for the price, I can’t complain! It gives a phenomenal texture and doesn’t crease under the eyes as many foundations can. I’m shade 130 Buff Beige.
These make up the fab 5 that are always on rotation in my makeup bag. What are your favorite foundations?
Thank you for listing such a wide variety of recommendations, Katey! Especially for the drugstore produce, because I’m tight on cash at the moment, so luxury brands are off the list for me! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thank you for reading, girl! xo, Katey
You think you’re married to a foundation?? Girl I’m still sticking with estee lauder doubele wear haha. But I can’t find another that will cover all the red in my face with oily to normal skin and not oxifiz. I’m a teacher so a long wear is a must!! I may try the too faced one tho! It sounds like something I may need :).
Bahahaha! You are loyal girl! I bet you really would like the Too Faced then because since you’re up so early I think it would last for you! But honestly, there’s just not much better than Double Wear in terms of long wear! haha. xo, Katey
My fav is Dior Airflash. It’s so light but gives you a nice coverage. I always go back to it!
Amanda | http://www.cashmereandjeans.com
My girlfriend that owns GLAMboxes swears by that foundation!! It is her fave! xo, Katey
I live in a small town and I don’t know anyone in the whole state that sells the Giorgio Armani foundation. I’ve been dying to try it. I am going to New Orleans this weekend and hopefully can find a store so I can color match!
Talk about perfect timing on this post! I am on the hunt for a new foundation today and this was extremely helpful. I will definitely be giving the Too Faced Born This Way a try. Thank you!!
P.S. I am obsessed with the monogram cosmetics bag but am trying to hold out on getting engaged to order anymore monograms… is that normal??
Lol! Girl I did the SAME thing!! I held off for like a year before ordering any monogram items! haha! xo, Katey
Got the Maybelline after you mentioned it on stories and love it!! I actually think it does a decent job with staying on, but I don’t use primer, I’ve always felt that primer just makes my foundation melt off.
I have been wanting to try a few of the foundations on your list so I love this post! Do you use a particular foundation brush when applying these or do you stick to a Beauty Blender? Can’t wait to try these foundations for work. My current foundation isn’t doing too well.
OMG I am the same way, I hoard lipsticks of all kinds I do not discriminate….and I have also been dying for the Norvina palette but I’m like, “I’m 35, I work in an office, when will I ever need to look like a fairy or unicorn??” Never ever….but still desperately want it :/
Thank you so much for this post!! I am the same way lol! I never want to venture out and try something different when it come to foundation! I’m oily, so daily I wear Bare Minerals and when I want to look a little fancier I were Double Wear. That’s so funny that those were the ones you mentioned bc I’ve been want to try the IT and the Giorgio Armani!
Katey, I love this post and just about every other post you do! Your voice really shines through and is so authentic. I also LOVE the It Cosmetics CC Cream (I’m probably on my sixth bottle!), however I feel it is a little sticky and I have to use so much powder to reduce the sticky feeling! Do you notice that too? How do you prevent the “sticky” feel?
Hi Nicole! Thank you so much, you are so sweet! Mine hasn’t been too sticky, but I do use Laura Mercier translucent powder on my forehead with it! Maybe that is the trick! I’m so sorry, I wish I was more help. 🙁 xx, Katey
Love these, trying the Giorgio now. I love Loreal Infallable for a drugstore foundation and I love Estee Lauder double wear for a full coverage.
I am curious about Too Faced’s foundation! Although on my wishlist I’ve been thinking about either getting Nars All Luminous foundation or the Make Up For Ever ultra HD foundation (for special occasions)
On a daily basics I’ve been wearing the Too Faced cocoa Powder foundation, since it’s summer and no liquid foundation lasts a long time without feeling strange on my face.
Wishing you all the best,
Randomlydi
Hi Katey! I have been a longtime follower and just discovered your newsletter through your instastory the other day! I just subscribed and the mail chimp page after clicking subscribe says “Thank you for subscribing! Chronicles of Frivolity 2990 Blackburn Street” – I’m sure you have your bases covered but just wanted to let you know in case it was your private home address that was listed by mistake!
PS – I just moved to the DFW area and COF has helped me find all the great spots! Thank you!!!
Hi Kendall! Thank you so much and you are so sweet to check on this! This is actually my old address when I lived in Dallas! Legally, to send a newsletter out you have to have an address- isn’t that weird?! I need to get a PO Box and switch it! Thank you for reminding me! xo, Katey