Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Matte Foundation

Coverage: 8 out of 10
Colour matching: 10 out of 10
Price: $31
Mattifying effect: 5 out of 10

This stuff is pretty great! Contrary to popular belief, this mineral make-up works on all skin types (Dry, combination, oily). It looks like a powder but it is actually not, it is more like a cream.
Not only is it a foundation, but you can use it as a cover-up! Even better, this stuff is SPF 15!!
Also, Sephora has a great deal on right now that you can pick your own foundation and add it to a starter kit for $70-75! It includes 1 face brush, 1 blush brush, 1 cover-up brush and your choice of regular and matte foundation. Unfortunately though, my face still gets slick around my T-Zone by mid-afternoon so this stuff doesn't really help keep my matte. There is also an original formula so you can choose the look you want.

Research Results:
Here's what women have said:
- 93% saw minimized pores*
- 85% experienced improved skin clarity with continued use*
- 89% said this foundation reduced oily shine throughout the day*
*Based on an independent consumer study

Foundation Application Brush....

Sephora Collection Professionnel Platinum Air Brush #55


Coverage:8 out of 10
Bristle Softness: 10 out of 10
Make up application: 10 out of 10
Purchase: Sephora.com / Sephora stores $34

Its claims:
Sephora Brand Professionnel Platinum Air Brush #55 is the secret to the smoothest foundation finish possible. This essential tool blends as it applies, allowing for a smooth, natural-looking result. Build from light to heavy with ease as you continue application—your results will be perfectly pretty at every level of coverage.

The girl at the Sephora store recommended this to me for a flawless and full coverage finish and she was right! This brush is awesome! It is SO SOFT and has synthetic bristles so it doesn't soak up the product (like real hair), instead, it just grabs the foundation and deposits it back on your face! It also is made to give you that 'airbrush' finish so that your make up doesn't look caked on and I agree!

Application Instructions: Put a little blob of your liquid foundation on your hand, swirl the brush, and then work on to your face in circular motions. I like to start in the centre of my face, mostly around my T-zone area as that is where my acne scars and redness usually is, and then blend in to the cheeks and outer corners of the face!

A question for you guys: Should I start posting before/after pics of products that I use? I was thinking of starting to post some eye make up looks and explain to you what colours I used and how I did it... I'm not sure if anyone is interested in that or not? But I thought it might be fun!

Foundation Factoration....

It is so tough to find foundation for my oily acne-prone skin! The following are the two foundations I have used over the past four years:

Currently using:


Vichy Norma Teint Anti-Imperfections Foundation

Purchase: $28 at London Drugs
Claims: For a clear, matt and long-lasting complexion.
Coverage: 5 out of 10
Mattifying effect: 5 out of 10
Skin clearing effect: 8 out of 10

I bought this product because a friend of mine said she loved it when her skin was breaking out because it was gentle and non-irritating. This much is true, however, I find the coverage is just not what I need for my complexion (which includes some red acne scars). Also, this stuff does not last all day. After just half-a-day of wearing it, it seems to disappear. Also, this stuff only comes in three colours. One is really light and the other two are quite dark so it is hard to match with all skin tones.


Almay Clear Complexion Liquid Makeup

Favourite:

Purchase: $14.99 at London Drugs
Claims: This soothing makeup works with salicylic acid, a proven blemish clearing ingredient to prevent future breakouts. Infused with meadowsweet to help purify skin as well as aloe and chamomile to protect against dryness and reduce the appearance of redness. Helps eliminates oil all day to banish unwanted shine.
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid
Skin Clearing effect: 8 out of 10
Mattifying effect: 7 out of 10
Coverage: 8 out of 10

This is my go-to foundation. My favourite colour is 'Sand' and I can usually wear it all year round (unless I go sunless during the winter months). This stuff is great! It has acne-fighting Salicylic acid in it so that the makeup is actually HELPING your skin instead of clogging your pores. My skin never got irritated by this stuff and the coverage lasts all day long. I cannot wait until I am done with my Vichy foundation so I can go back to this stuff! I definitely recommend this stuff!

Applying foundation:
There are many different ways you can apply foundation. Here are a few I have tried:

1. With your fingers:
Applying foundation with your fingers is a great way to blend in your make up. When you apply it to your hands and gently rub it in your skin, the heat made through friction helps the foundation to blend in to your skin beautifully. On the contrary, I have found that using my fingers does not give me the same coverage as using a sponge or brush. If you are going for the more 'natural' look I would suggest using your fingers but MAKE SURE your hands are SUPER CLEAN before doing this or else the oils from your hands will just clog your pores.

2. With a makeup sponge:
There are many different makeup sponges out there. Some you can wash and use multiple times and some you throw away. Some are triangle shaped, some are round and some are egg shaped. I have only used triangle shaped ones but make sure to get the better quality kind or else they will just flake off on your face (ask your cosmetician what she recommends). When applying with a sponge you will get better coverage if you blot at your skin instead of wiping it across your face. Also, always start at your nose and work your way outwards and make SURE to blend it in to your neck! The worst thing you could do is not properly blend your makeup in to your neck/jaw line!

3. With a foundation brush:
I have just recently started applying my foundation with a brush. I went with a cheap liquid foundation brush from LD that was about $8. You can buy fancy stippling brushes from places like Sephora or M.A.C.. I have never tried a stippling brush so I couldn't tell you how well it works. The liquid foundation brush I have works pretty well. I start at the centre of my face an work out and sometimes I even go in a swirling motion to make sure to use both sides of the brush (so that the liquid doesn't build up on one side). One annoying thing about this though is that you have to wash your brush ever other time you use it or else you will be putting old flakey makeup on to your skin, or worse, bacteria. I also suggest buying a brush with a protective lid so that it stays clean longer.

ATTENTION ALL VICHY USERS:
London drugs is currently having an awesome sale on Vichy product packs! Right now there are a few Vichy Normaderm packages (I can't remember what is included in them) from only $21! It is a great deal especially if you are just venturing in to using the products! I highly suggest trying them out!