I live in Metro Manila, Philippines and it’s usually too hot here to wear liquid foundations. If you’re going to be on a commute, exposed to the elements, it’s probably not a good idea to have too many liquid or cream products on your face. I think a lot of people here favor powder foundations.
While I like to wear liquid foundations when it’s not too hot or humid, I’ve also come up with a foundation routine that I’m super happy with for normal days where I just don’t want to bother with my face as the day goes on. I’m not really particular about covering up blemishes or having perfect, poreless skin. I think I mostly use face products a) to keep oil in check, and b) for the SPF.
HOURGLASS VEIL MINERAL PRIMER
This works super well with loose mineral foundation, as well as smoothening out my skin. I don’t have a lot of enlargened pores, but this adds a soft-focused blur on the places that need a little bit of help.
After, I add on some concealer, since most of what I have are cream products. After it sets, I put on my foundation of choice.
BAREMINERALS ORIGINAL LOOSE FOUNDATION
This is a super awesome product. I like it because it’s lightweight and is ‘barely there,’ but it truly improves my complexion. It adds just a sense of ‘polished’ to your look. I can’t really seem to build it up to full coverage without appearing powdery, but it’s been done by a ton of people. I wear Medium Beige, and it’s a pretty much perfect match for my skin tone.
Blush application happens now. I finish everything off with either of these:
BAREMINERALS MINERAL VEIL
Very mattifying, good for oily days or just particularly hot ones. It extends the appearance of being polished lent to my face by the BM Original Foundation. This takes away shine and locks in the makeup, without making you look powdery.
HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING POWDER
This is my other weapon of choice for finishing off my face makeup. It’s a light, light powder that really just adds to the entire look of the makeup. If you’re not familiar with the point of these powders, kindly check out this post that I made.
Keep in mind that this is not a full-coverage foundation look. This is for laid-back, low-maintenance days where I don’t want to worry about whether or not my foundation is coming off in patches. Not that I like it when I have to worry about it; but when I absolutely cannot be bothered, this is my go-to routine, as everything wears off well and naturally. 🙂
I hope this was useful. I am working on another foundation routine post, for perfect complexion~, as requested by a reader, Amy. So stay tuned for that. 🙂
Hourglass Cosmetics and bareMinerals are cruelty-free.
Softly Sometimes 
I really LOVE this post, I have oily skin with some enlarged pores around my nose, would you suggest the hourglass mineral primer? ps. I adore the id bare minerals makeup, feels like nothing at all and does not give me pimples! Have you tried the under eye concealer in “well rested”, its just like an under eye brightner but I also use to highlight the tops of my cheeks xxx
I didn’t notice any pore-filling magic, maybe try Benefit’s Porefessional?
Thank you so much! I haven’t tried it yet, but as I have medium skin, I am planning on getting Summer Bisque when my makeup ban lifts. 🙂
I love this post! You know it’s weird, I’ve never used powder foundations!
I haven’t used pressed ones, and in my head, those are quite different and thick! Also, thanks. 😀
So because I read this post this morning, I wore just a mineral powder today over my concealers (I usually use powder foundations to set liquid foundations or TMs). I liked it a lot more than I thought I would! I should do it more often. Hehe. But funnily enough, it took me a lot longer to finish my face today. Probably just something I need to get used to, though. Best part was that I felt like my skin was breathing better.
On a side note, my mom said she got me an Hourglass ambient lighting powder as pasalubong from the US… she gets back on Saturday and I’m almost as excited to get my hands on the powder as I am to see her– so bad! haha
Weird no? It’s like it doesn’t feel like you really did anything, but your face feels “done.” Haha yeah, you kinda have to buff the foundation in and really sit down and patiently do it. Which is annoooooying. But I prefer how it feels on my face!
What shade did you get? 😀 Hope you love it as much as I do! Haha and I’m sure your mom doesn’t mind!
I got Dim Light! Parang I want moooore!!! haha
Did you see the Ambient Lighting Powder Palette?? I AM DEAD.
I keep wanting to pick up that Hourglass powder but I always shy away from it because I don’t trust Sephora sales reps to color match me
You have medium skin tone, right? What shade of powder do you use? P.S. I love mineral veil!!!
The tints of each aren’t really that drastic, so I imagine you can match pretty much anything. The powder is quite sheer, though I would stay away from Ethereal Light (quite cool & white) and I think Radiant Light is the darkest one, which could be a bronzer for really pale skin. I think Dim & Diffused are favorites, but it honestly really doesn’t matter much what shade you pick up, unless you are really, really pale or really, really dark.
Gave my skin a rest after a long period of liquid foundation (and a lot of breakouts :c), I forgot I used to like mineral makeup back when I started. I think I stopped using mineral when my old one would oxidize on me, so I made sure this time to invest in a higher-end brand.
I’m currently using Laura Mercier’s Mineral Powder and I don’t think I might ever use liquid foundation again. Hahaha!
Boo breakouts!!! Haha mineral foundation is the best, but I REALLY cannot build it up to “full coverage,” like everyone claims is possible. I heard the Laura Mercier one is really good, so yay you! 😀 I have been weaning myself off of liquid bases, except for really, really light foundations, and tinted moisturizers. My face can’t handle BB Creams, it seems!