Skin care - foundation help

[alison]

Hey gang. My foundation doesn't match my complexion anymore, and I'm starting to look like I'm wearing a mask, no matter how much I try to spread my foundation down my neck. It's just so much sunnier here than in Chicago, and I'm outside more.

I went to Bare Escentuals yesterday, but I didn't have the chance to get a consultation, because M decided to scream bloody murder (how dare I sit down).

What do you think about BE foundation with SPF 15? I did a search here, and saw that some of you find that it (a powder foundation) accentuates wrinkles. I don't have wrinkles, and am looking for a light foundation, so it might work for me. Are there any other drawbacks to BE?

I currently use Clinique City Base, but it's starting to feel heavy, and I feel like I have to use quite a bit of it for good coverage.

http://www.clinique.com/product/CATE...ons/index.tmpl

[scrub-jay]

I absolutely love BE. I have never been big on heavy makeup and BE has always looked very natural. I highly recommend it. I've been using it for nearly a year and a half and I wouldn't switch. In the morning, I put on Aveeno lotion and then the BE foundation on top of that, then spot check with either a little more of the foundation or their "Bisque". Foundation first, then coverup, finishing off with a top layer of mineral veil that keeps oil down.

They sell cute little kits ($60ish) that contain the foundation and a few other powders, as well as all of the brushes you need to start. They also have instructions on how to use. Great introduction.The powders do not irritate my skin or cause breakouts like some of the liquid foundations had previously. I don't apply it very heavy, but still find it great for things like the dark rings under my eyes.

Although I am endorsing it I swear they aren't paying me, I've just been really satisfied. I recommend starting out with their kit - it saves money on brushes and whatnot. Whatever you like (for me mineral veil and foundation) you can buy bigger containers later.

[alison]

Great! I think I'll go in and sit with someone over the weekend at BE.
Do you really need to do a second layer (Bisque) to keep everything down? It doesn't get bulky in your purse? It's just that I'd like to be able to carry everything with me for touchups.

[scrub-jay]

Great! I think I'll go in and sit with someone over the weekend at BE.
Do you really need to do a second layer (Bisque) to keep everything down? It doesn't get bulky in your purse? It's just that I'd like to be able to carry everything with me for touchups.

You don't need Bisque at all. For the past year, I just used the same foundation if I had any spots to add a little extra (like under the eyes). The mineral layer is nice to go over and is very light - sometimes I use it and often I dont. Foundation is versatile.

The BE staff will show you the tricks to using the product, but watch out - they'll want to sell you all sorts of things like "warmth" (feux tan) or "radiance" (shimmery) but all you really need is the foundation and the right brushes. Their kit was all I used for about a year before I branched out and added the Bisque (concealer) in. All that is pertinent for me is the foundation, perfect for touchups, although in the summer with the heat (=sweat and oil) I carried the mineral veil around instead.

ETA: They also have a great refillable compact for your purse, mine came with the kit. Recently I bought a refillable brush that is also very compact - I haven't tried it yet, but I'll let you know how it works. Still the only two I travel with are: foundation & mineral veil, w/foundation brush and concealer brush. That's it.

[alison]

Ahhhhh, excellent. Thanks for walking me through this.
I'm the type that comes out of the store with a whole bunch of stuff I don't need!

[spotty_dog]

FWIW, I've heard that people with sensitive skin often react to the bismuth in BE. So I didn't try it; I went with Aromaleigh instead. They also have $2 samples with free shipping so you can try as much as you'd like and get a perfect match.

[scrub-jay]

Ahhhhh, excellent. Thanks for walking me through this.
I'm the type that comes out of the store with a whole bunch of stuff I don't need!

Be careful then! Have fun with the consult (and learn how to use the products), but ONLY buy the beginners kit in your shade. Trust me on this one, I have the same tendencies. Once you figure out what you like, you can add later. I rarely use the "warmth" or "radiance" from the kit and am glad to have them in the smaller containers. They've changed the kit a bit since I bought it (looks like you get better brushes now), but this is what I am talking about:

http://store.bareescentuals.com/bare...efault,cp.html?

This shade is medium, but they'll find your shade. Enjoy, and don't let them talk you into the lotions/bases, my Aveeno daily lotion works like a champ, so whatever you normally use will be fine, despite what they try to pile on you!

[medpedspouse]

Go to Ulta or Sephora type of places. In case BE does not work for you, you can return the used product. I originally bought my BE from a boutique and could only get store credit.

[alison]

Nellie got me hooked on Aveeno. I was spending way too much money on Clinique's Dramatically Different.

Would it be weird to get the consultation at BE and then go over to Sephora to purchase it? I always find that the lighting at Sephora is so unnatural, and have problems when it comes to finding good colors.

[scrub-jay]

Nellie got me hooked on Aveeno. I was spending way too much money on Clinique's Dramatically Different.

Would it be weird to get the consultation at BE and then go over to Sephora to purchase it? I always find that the lighting at Sephora is so unnatural, and have problems when it comes to finding good colors.

That might have been what I did...the kit is priced similar everywhere, but I can believe that Sephora would have a better return policy. Truth is - if you like the product, eventually you'll be back to buy more - they know that, they just want to get you hooked. And btw- I love Aveeno face washes and lotions.

[SoonerTexan]

I use PurMinerals--very similar to Bare Escentuals. I actually use them over BE because BE had something in it that wasn't all that natural while PurMinerals lived up to the "Pure" part a little better--cant remember what the particular chemical was, though.

I've had really good results--I get it at Ulta. They have good specials every so often. I've found using a primer helps it stay on a little better, but it is pretty good on its own and much less fake-looking than other stuff I've tried.

[MissCrabette]

What Crystal said. I couldn't have said it better. If I had to add something, it's that you will probably need some kind of blush. I didn't like the "warmth" that came in the kit. Much too brown for me. I ended up buying "Glee" and I love it. I also love their eyebrow kit, but that's another story.

[medpedspouse]

Don't knock the "warmth" - I did not like it either - too weird on me UNTIL I learned how to use it. I don't wear it everyday because I am doing well to leave the house with any makeup on but I have now noticed that I get compliments on my makeup/look when I wear it.

ETA - by learned I mean - tried and retried a few times with the make-up girl at one of the boutiques until I got it.

[Meenah]

I think their website has a video you can watch, or at least it used to.

[Vishenka69]

If you feel that foundation is too heavy for daily use, consider a tinted moisturizer. I have a Bobby Brown one with SPF15 and really like it. It's not enough to seriously cover everything but it does even out my skin tone.