Edit| My Current Flawless Foundation Rountine

I swear to god, my skin has been my main obsession lately...since my stash is streamlined, my foundation game has to be tight and right and remain consistent. I needed several base products that would moisturize, sun protect, mattify, and fully cover the hyper-pigmentation in my face (which I should also address soon) during the course of a nine hour workday.

Although I've been flirting with several sunscreen formulations, I keep going back to Cerave because no other product with SPF will keep my nose as hydrated as this lotion. It's a little thick and heavy feeling at first, but it ensures that my makeup will glide on effortlessly.

Second, I pat and press a pore-filling primer into the center of my face mainly focusing on the areas around my nose. With any silicone-y primer that doesn't have a grip to it the best technique is to pat and smooth the product into the skin rather than spreading it around. After this step all minor textural issues are gone.

Then I go in and spread a pea sized dollop of the Tarte foundation onto the sleeved brush. I try to distribute the product evenly but focusing on the center of my face again. I also go back in and add an extra layer right on top of my left cheek that's been bothering me with its broken capillaries and dark spots. This way I can save time not applying any extra concealer that may not match my skin tone exactly.

Finally, I set my T-zone in place with the Duo Mat powder. This one is very lightweight and doesn't cake up especially if you use a light hand. I prefer it over my UD Deslick powder which is way too powerful for the current weather and my Rimmel Stay Matte which has no mirror and doesn't control oil as well.

From left to right: Cerave Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF30, Benefit Porefessional primer, Tarte foundation brush, Tarte 12 hour Amazonian Clay Foundation in Medium Sand, MUFE Duo Mat powder in 207 Golden Beige.

  

The main focus is of course the Tarte foundation, which has quickly grown to be my holy grail for an every day flawless base. Why? It lasts all day through minor heat and humidity and even a workout. I use the brush for every day and my fingers for the fullest coverage. Short of the 12 hour claim, it averages around 10 hours of wear before I notice any flaking or lessening of coverage.

The coverage is full yet very natural. If you pick the right shade it should blend right into your skin.

Medium Sand is the perfect match for me at NC30-NC35 while Light Medium Sand is more NC25-30. I love that they considered people with yellow and olive tones.

While the consistency feels thick when you first squeeze it out, it is very lightweight on the face compared to other full coverage foundations. I only have to blot once with this foundation (around my nose) and it will prevent oil for the rest of the day. It also doesn't dry out my skin. I would say it's perfect for normal to combination skin. Very oily skinned girls will have to blot and this won't play nice with rough or dry patches. I noticed no new clogged pores with this routine. 

Overall, I'm happy with my routine for the moment. It may seem strange to be using a full coverage foundation when the weather is warming up, but I seriously love the ability to skip concealer or powder if I need to.

xo Be