My current foundation routine is fairly simple and involves two staples: the L’Oreal Lucent Magique Liquid Foundation, which I’ve stated that I want to use up, and the RealTechniques Expert Face Brush.
Prior to using this brush, I’ve tried a stippling brush, a beauty blender dupe, and my fingers. I really like using my fingers and this brush the most. It’s a soft, dense brush, with bristles of varying lengths. It’s rather perfect for its purpose.
I actually apply the foundation with a sort of paddle brush first. I put a little bit on the back of my hand and dip in the RealTechniques Essential Foundation Brush from the Travel Essentials set, then draw five lines—one down the nose, then two streaks across each side of the face: one going upward and out, then another going down and out.
I blend this out with the Expert Face Brush. It gives a fairly natural finish, though I’ve noticed that if my skin isn’t prepped or if I skip the previous step, it tends to leave streak marks.
Occasionally, I will also mix in a little liquid illuminator in—either too cool for school’s Dinoplatz Pearl Bay Invasion or the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector—but this gives a fairly dewy finish anyway, by itself.
I then set it with a translucent powder like bareMinerals’ Mineral Veil or the Physician’s Formula Youthful Wear Cosmeceutical Youth Boosting Powder (phew!). These keep the face matte and doesn’t make you feel like your face is melting off.
This is a pretty full coverage for someone like me who has lately been preferring a lighter, simpler base, but I really want to get through my face bases and my skin’s been acting up. It might be the weather change or like, hormones or something.
Anyway, this is what I’ve been doing pretty much every time I wear makeup. Do you have a regular foundation routine, too?
My “summer”/hot weather makeup has changed since I made this post, though, so stay tuned for my Light Coverage Foundation Routine, which I’ll try to post ASAP. 🙂
Softly Sometimes 
I use the mac studio fix foundation in NC20 and rimmel translucent powder to set.
I havent been able to find another foundation that wont break me out, but I actually love my MAC foundation.
I’ve always wanted to try the Rimmel Powder! That’s awesome that you found one that works for you. 🙂
I haven’t been using foundation until recently, as I’ve been hooked on BB creams or tinted moisturizers over the summer. I wanted very few layers on my face because of the heat. I’m starting to rediscover foundations now that the rainy season has started. I’ve also yet to try using brushes to apply BB creams/foundations (I’ve been using ye olde fingers).
That’s, good! I don’t mind a lighter coverage if it’s much more comfortable to wear. I still can’t stand to wear foundations on particularly humid days, though, rainy season or not.
This is exactly how I do my foundation routine, too! Cray. I used to use the RT Buffing Brush, but found that the Expert Face brush is so much better for this foundation! Less streaks. 🙂
Ooh, twins! 🙂 I really wanna try the buffing brush, though!
Reblogged this on Ultimate Skincare & Beaute Report, LLC.
I’m about to buy a Real Techniques brush tonight because my current powder foundation brush is just falling apart after several washings. Never tried the L’Oreal foundation. At least it comes with a pump, I hate pouring foundation out onto my hand.
You know, I’ve never had a foundation that had no pump. I find it so weird that they sell that, lol. Let me know what brush you end up getting!
I love that expert face brush!
It’s pretty awesome, I agree! 🙂
I use my trusty Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation with a Real Techniques buffing brush when I want a medium coverage (nights out, weddings, serious events). When I want a lighter coverage, mostly to event out my skin tone, I use the Dior Diorskin Nude BB Creme with the Real Techniques expert face brush (which I’ve noticed gives me denser coverage than the buffing brush) and a healthy amount of concealer. I love the natural look it leaves me with — my skin definitely looks like skin, and it’s the only product that I’ve found that does that for me. Most things, even when it’s reasonably light coverage, still look like I’m wearing make up. Those are my current go-tos.
I don’t have the buffing brush but I’m soooooo keen on trying it out. I’ve actually never tried Dior anything but it seems like they have been churning out great bases lately.
Love lumi foundation and also real technq brush … For summer I use Revlon colorstay foundation 🙂
Is it lighter or does it have fuller coverage? 🙂
Lately I’ve just been going with Skin79 BB Cream + MAC MSF Medium Plus. I think I have that foundation but it’s called L’Oreal Lumi, I’m guessing it’s the same but different name. I never could figure out how to apply it & it would only look ok during dry months but it’s been so humid lately 😦 Almost seems to melt off.
Yep, I think it’s the same also. I don’t get why they have to keep renaming stuff! And I agree, I have been using mineral foundation lately instead.
Hiii, Carinaaa!
Love the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush! I do the same by swiping some lines of foundation on first, but with my fingers, and then blending it out with the brush.
Been feeling super ridiculous and excessive lately by mixing a pump of Diorskin Forever with a dot of Laura Mercier Silk Creme as my base. Only because I’m almost out of the former and really wanted to try the latter.
LOL NO, BUT LET ME EXPLAIN. The Silk Creme is a dream to apply, but ended up looking a bit too dark (in Beige Ivory) for my pale, hermity complexion. So instead of returning it, I’ve found mixing it with what’s left of the Dior (in Light Beige 020) has given me a warmer/not too orange/not too ghostly look that I am pretty happy with. Definitely thinking of more affordable options for when I eventually run out.
Foundation is followed by three different concealers (green stick, liquid, highlighter pen) because my skin is always a m e s s. And finished with a little Mac Studio Fix powder in NC25 because I’ve had it for ages and it won’t go down.
Oh, also, a sample size of Watt’s Up! that I hope never runs out.
Whoa, words! Whoa, products! ily and this blog, bye. 🙂
Whoa, wow! Haha no need to explain, my friend, I get what you mean. I’ve been trying out a different routine these days and it involves way more products, etc. no judgment here for mixing products. There are parts of things that we like more so yeah, best of all the worlds!
I have never ever hit pan on anything ever. The eventual day will be a glorious one.