The Top 5 Budget Foundations

Since my skin has decided to be a major pain-in-the-you-know-what lately, I've been seeking comfort in foundation.  (I will say that my skin is ALMOST flawless again thanks to an amazing new serum BUT more on that later.) 

My problem with foundation is that most of them are either A) too heavy; B) too oily; C) too dark or D) too yellow.  So, when I find foundations that ACTUALLY match my pastey skin tone and look great, I knew I had to share...Without further adieu, the top 5 budget foundations.

1.  L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Compact Makeup

Photo courtesy of www.coupons4makeup.com

I am beyond obsessed with cream-to-powder makeup and adore this one because it matches my skintone perfectly.  Plus, it's not oily, stays on my skin all day and I never have to touch it up.  Quick note about this product though, apply it with your fingertips.  I was using a sponge at first and felt that my skin looked too made up.  Now that I use my fingertips, I use less product and can still control where I need the most coverage.

2.  Revlon Photoready Airbrush Mousse Makeup

Photo courtesy of www.revlon.com

This is the perfect travel makeup because you don't need a ton of other products to create perfect looking skin: This one product does it all!  I squeeze a nickel size amount onto the top of my hand and apply with a clean makeup sponge.  Once on, I dab on some highlighter and green concealer and I'm good to go.  I love this product because it's easy to apply, a little goes a long way and my skin feels extremely smooth when I have it on.

3.  Maybelline Fit Me Foundation 

Photo courtesy of www.coolspotters.com

Okay, this product has saved me in times of crisis, let me tell you.  I've mixed it with moisturizers to get a quick tint and I've blended it with highlighter to create an amazing glow.  I have to say, the best thing about this product is that it has a built-in base and highlighter to make your skin glow and look completely polished.  It's on the expensive side of budget BUT worth it if you use it everyday.

4.  Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Makeup 

Photo courtesy of www.shopping.com

Though I use this powder everyday, I have given it a 4 rating.  It matches me perfectly when I have a bit of sun but when I'm at my most pale (winter time) and since they recently reformulated it, it seems to be slightly darker.  Either way, the powder is perfect for oily skin and provides enough coverage to take you from the office to an evening out without touching up.

5.  Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation

Photo courtesy of www.shopping.com

I love this product and the price ($14) is amazing.  Apply with a big foundation brush and you're good to go.  I use this when I want to wear less makeup (only powder and concealer) and my skin still looks flawless.  The only downside to this product is that it's not available in stores and must be ordered through an Avon/Mark rep.  But, that aside, try it out and you'll love it.

Writing this post reminds me I need to pick up some foundation...ha.  Have any of you ladies tried these products?  What are your thoughts?

Flawless Coverage with Clinique

I know this girl who has, perhaps, the most flawless looking skin I've ever seen.

She's a co-worker friend of mine who's blessed with long, gorgeous dark hair and perfectly porcelain skin.....I know what you're all thinking but you can't hate someone who's as fun as she is.

We were having a conversation about foundation the other day and I casually asked her what she usually wears. She promptly said that she wasn't wearing any foundation or concealer. (We sit across the room from each other so I'm positive she couldn't see my jaw hitting the floor after she said this.) She explained that she was only wearing a tinted moisturizer and a pressed powder and both products were from Clinique. We conversed a bit more about the product and after I received a pic from her displaying the product, I ran out to purchase it.

The two items I picked up were Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint SPF 15 in Fair and Perfectly Real Compact Makeup in Shade 102. First, the powder is silky smooth and, best of all, the coverage is buildable. So, if you feel like wearing less one day but more the next, you can! I love how easy the powder slides on and covers any scarring or blemishes one may have. (I have a few scars and I hardly had to use any concealer since the powder did the trick.) Another great thing about the powder is that it stays matte all day. This was one of the first pressed powders I've used that does not make me oily during the day! A major bonus...

The Sheer Tint is phenomenal. (Thanks, Rheanna, for mentioning this product to me.) I, honestly, can not stop raving about this moisturizer!! Not only does it blend perfectly into your skin but it provides a fantastic sheer tint that actually covers redness and blemishes. (Honestly, I've yet to encounter any other tinted moisturizer that can do this.) On the days where I only wear some foundation, I'll mix a bit of this with my favorite foundation, apply with a sponge and I'm good to go all day. TRY THIS PRODUCT OUT!!!

You know, Clinique never used to be my favorite line but it's really starting to grow on me. If they continue making products like the Sheer Tint, I'm going to be hooked for sure. Have any of you ladies tried these out before?

Cheers

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy

I adore TLC's What Not To Wear.

I love everything about this TV show from the sarcastic banter between Stacy and Clinton, the many horrific wardrobes to the fantastic transformations. But, most of all, I love Carmindy, the makeup artist. She's bubbly, fun, knows sooo much about makeup application that I want to shove her in my pocket, take her home and force her to teach me everything she knows. Ha

Needless to say, while out and about on one of my many shopping adventures, I discovered Sally Hansen Natural Beauty. I should probably clarify because the reason I was interested in this product line after such a long time of never even glancing at it were the words "inspired by Carmindy". I instantly pulled out my trusty iPhone, googled Sally Hansen Natural Beauty and was met with Carmindy's face. Yes, MY Carmindy from What Not To Wear.

So, like any celebrity obsessed woman, I began grabbing everything I could see that matched my skin tone. (Okay, this is definitely an exaggeration but I did grab a couple items.) The items I grabbed were Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Airbrush Spray Makeup in Light and Luminous Matte Pressed Powder also in Light.

From left to right: Luminous Powder and the Airbrush Spray Makeup which is, yes, an aerosol can.

Though I grabbed the lightest shade of the Spray Makeup, it still seems to have a very yellow base color. The foundation itself though is very lightweight and has almost a cinnamon-y scent. (I can't explain the scent exactly but I really like it.) Another great thing about this foundation is that it's buildable. By this I mean you can either spray it in your palm and apply with you fingertips for sheer coverage or spray it on a sponge and apply for when you need just a bit more help.

Here, the product is rubbed in my hand. As you can see, that yellow tone has disappeared. Instead, it actually matches me perfectly.

The powder, though, is very fair, even for me. I am always the girl that buys the fairest shade in anything but for some reason, this powder is just a bit too light.

I have used the foundation a couple times and really like it. However, I'm eager to see what it looks like with a bit more depth so I'll be using a sponge applicator very soon. The powder, though, is not my favorite. It's great for reducing oil (on top of foundation) but I would never use this product alone. (I'd end up looking like a ghost.) I have been spending quite some time looking at the Sally Hansen website and though this pressed powder didn't hit home for me, I'm really looking forward to trying the loose powder.

Have any of you ladies tried this line before? If so, what have you tried? Did you like it?

Ciao