Spring/Summer Foundation Trick & Tutorial: LONG WEARING

When the weather changes, so should your makeup routine. It just makes good sense. Warm weather = time outdoors = high temperatures = sweat = something that just does not mix well with makeup.
Equals no one likes that. Or your sweaty runny makeup face.
Couldn't resist.

So I wanted to share this great way of applying makeup during these warmer months in a way that keeps your makeup looking flawless, gives you great coverage, and really uses little product. So you're not suffocating underneath layers of products or heavy foundation.

To see my trick and my current Spring/Summer foundation tutorial, check out my video below!
xoxo,
Tiffany

Winter Foundation Tips & Routine

The cold and dry winter weather can really do a number on your skin. Your favorite products that work perfectly for your skin in the warmer months may not work the same on your skin in the drier winter months.
Changing seasons means changing skin care routines.
Don't stop at just switching to a different moisturizer. Changing your actual foundation routine is just as much a part of your skin care than anything else. So by keeping a few things in mind, you can keep your skin looking healthy and perfect all winter long.

Here are my go-to tips for winter foundation:

-Use a primer (skip the ones labeled "matifying" if that's what you usually use and opt for a regular formula). Using a primer before foundation creates a "buffer" for any areas of drier skin that would normally catch the pigments in foundation and look yucky. So the invisible primer will catch them first. Sounds weird, but trust me. It works.
-Switch to a more moisturizing, nourishing foundation. If you normally use a foundation labeled "for oily skin", "oil control", or "matifying", switch it up to a formula for normal skin or one with a more natural finish. These usually are less drying.
-If you have patchy areas of dry skin that are difficult to get rid of, use a damp sponge (like a BeautyBlender) to apply foundation to reduce visible patchy and flaky areas.
-Go light on setting powder and switch to one with a more sheer and natural finish, like MAC Mineralized Skinifinish Natural (pressed), which is what I use year-round.
...and of course, the most important- Use a good moisturizer after cleansing your skin, before applying any makeup. I currently use the Origins Vitazing or the Jergens Natural Glow Faces SPF25.

Check out my step-by-step tutorial below for a demonstration of my winter foundation routine.

Let's Talk Foundation...

I think the most important (and often the most difficult) makeup "feat" to master for most people is foundation. It sounds simple enough- No crazy methods of application, nothing too precise. However, choosing the right formula and type of foundation really makes all the difference. I guess finding the right formula (brand, type, etc) is the real feat.

After years of complete trial and error where foundations are concerned, I've found a few wonderful ones that work great for me. Since I'm pretty picky about foundations (and since my oily skin tends to make finding one that holds up and stays true even more difficult) I tend to stick with something once I find "the one".

Totally sounds like I'm talking about a serious relationship or something.

Foundations are serious business.

So I decided to create a little video (...ok a BIG 17-minute long video) talking about and showing my favorite (and some honorable mentions) foundations and concealers I've found that actually pass the test of all my picky-ness. That's totally a word.





Foundations and concealers mentioned in the video:
Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ Foundation
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Makeup
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment
MAC Studio Finish concealer
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder

A few honorable mentions...
Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Brightening Concealer

Full Foundation Routine: Easy and Quick!

I get excited about foundation tutorials. I don't get excited about foundation tutorials that make such a task seem like rocket science.



I'm guilty of posting a few of those in my day, I'm sure. Actually I'm positive.



So I really wanted to do an updated one showing you all that you can actually do a full foundation routine quick and easily using all the bells and whistles -- primer, foundation, concealer, setting powder... The works.

Just listing all of those things make me cringe because day to day, I like to keep things simple. But it dawned on me that these things are usually a part of my simple day to day look if I'm going out.



The best part? It only takes me a couple minutes to complete and the results last all day.



So if you want to see how quick and easy full foundation can actually be, or if you just want to check me out in my zero-makeup glory before things get rollin', check out a demo of my current foundation routine in the video below.



Products mentioned in the video:

Origins Vitazing Moisturizer

Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Undereye Roller (magic)

Too Faced Primed and Poreless

Sigma F84 brush (LOVE)

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ liquid foundation, #40

MAC Studio Finish Concealer, NC20

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, Light Medium

NARS Laguna bronzer

NARS Orgasm blush

Updated Foundation Routine (BeautyBlender)

So during my last skincare haul video, I mentioned the BeautyBlender sponge makeup applicator at some length. I had gone to the store looking for a generic makeup-removing facial cleanser to clean it with which then inspired the whole change in my skincare routine.

Which then inspired a long ramble in that video about my love for the BeautyBlender...

So as promised in that video, here is my updated foundation routine using this product.


Here are some BeautyBlender basics to remember:
-Always use the sponge damp. It expands to almost twice it's size and makes it much softer and springy..er. :) Dampening it really is what makes the product worthwhile and keeps it from soaking up (and wasting) most of your foundation like most other sponges.
-Apply your foundation using bouncy motions. (I demo this in the video)
-Clean it every 3 or 4 times using a gentle cleanser.

BeautyBlenders are available at sephora.com.

How to Make Powder Foundation Look Natural

Powder foundation is quick and easy, but sometimes an overly-powdered look is really not what I go for... Ok, actually an overly-powdered look is something I never go for. Remembering a few easy tricks and adding in a few crucial steps to your powder foundation routine can actually make it look extremely natural. No one will ever know your flawless skin came from a compact. I won't tell if you won't! :)

Tiffany's Flawless & Natural Foundation Routine

Where makeup is concerned, getting your foundation "right" is possibly the most important thing to master. I find the most difficult task (other than finding your correct shade which is a totally different story...) is finding a good combination of products that gives great coverage, yet looks natural. These are the products that do exactly that for me. Check out the video below to see how I apply these products step by step (and see me without ANY makeup...EEK).

Products used:
Origins Brighter by Nature Serum
Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ liquid foundation in #40
MAC Studio Finish concealer in NC20
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Medium & Medium Dark
YSL Touche Eclat in #1 Luminous Radiance (light pink shade)
Benefit Powderflage

Foundation Application & Review: Nars Sheer Glow

I thought it was about time to post an updated foundation routine. Especially now since I've been trying a new foundation with great results -- the Nars Sheer Glow liquid. Check out the video below for a full review of this product as well as a demonstration of how I apply it.