Building a Foundation

Lots of busy women tell me that they are too busy to wear makeup, and that they don't like it. What a shame, for a little bit of well placed and chosen foundation, concealer, mascara, lipstick and a few other things can give a face, particularly a colorless or aging one, brightness and life, as well as polish.You choose your clothing to flatter, and your face should also look finished.

I get it, who needs a lengthy, elaborate routine? Unless you are a Las Vegas showgirl, or appearing on television or in films, your morning ritual can be simple and short.

Heavy, cakey unnatural foundations are a thing of the past. Tinted moisturizers, BB Creams, Mineral foundations in loose powder and compact forms are all great options for light coverage, natural look and feel, and ease of use.

Here are some of the best choices for simple coverage that looks and feels great.

BB Creams...these were born in Asia and originally designed as blemish care that not only covered but treated problem skin with healthy ingredients. Makeup that's good for your skin! They can be drying, though, and are not for every skin type. The BB Creams that have grown popular in the USA are not as drying and are more like a tinted moisturizer, with a few great new ingredients like antioxidants,etc. Here the B stand for Beauty Balms.,,and they offer light coverage.

My faves are Dr. Jart's, a Korean brand that makes 4 different formulas for different skin (or if you're like me, skin that varies under different climates/conditions) 

A USA type that really goes on smooth and easy with a great natural look, Urban Decay NAKED SKIN Beauty Balm.

I reach for this next item most of all...it is so light and simple to use, yet makes your skin look perfect. Miracle Skin Transformer by Sarah McNamara...with spf 20 too! A must have on my vanity.

Very similar in texture to MST is Guerlain's Terracotta Skin Healthy Glow, a lightweight tinted moisturizer that evens skin tone and makes it glow.

Another brilliantly smooth, natural looking tinted moisturizer that has moderate coverage is in the pricey but wonderful French line (think Barney's and Neiman Marcus) CHANTECAILLE.       
JUST SKIN has spf 15.

More traditional textures can be found in FRESH Umbrian Clay Freshface Foundation. Great texture and coverage....and in Guerlain Terracotta Tinted Moisturizer.

For a bare skin effect, try French brand NUXE Moisturizing Tinted Cream. Very emollient.

My favorite powder mineral foundation is by Jane Iredale..the Amazing Base. Not much staying power with this type of foundation, but easy to use and natural looking.

A great new compact version of their well known mineral foundation, BAREMINERALS READY is great! I reach for it often.

To set makeup for a long day or a special evening, my favorite powder for years and years is one few Americans know about, a Korean and Japanese brand called PALGANTONG. It's named Theatrical Powder but it isn't showy at all... in fact it is SO feather light, like air, perfect for making everything last and look natural, not cakey.