All About That Base

Over the last year or so I have fallen for base make up.  For years I stuck to the same foundation, concealer and powder regardless of what I was doing, where I was going or how I was feeling, but lately that's all changed.

Primer

I didn't use primer until around two years ago, but it's kind of a necessity on my oily skin.  The Laura Mercier Foundation Primer has been hyped up a lot but this one really doesn't do much for me.  It kind of makes my skin a bit smoother, and kind of keeps my make up around longer, but it doesn't do anything life changing.  I wanted to love it, but I just don't.  The Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer is better, but still not perfect.  Creates a matte base with a sort of blurred effect on my skin, prolongs my make up a bit more but it is seriously overpriced considering it doesn't turn my skin to gold.  The last normal primer is the Make Up Forever Mattifying Primer and finally, this one with something to write home about.  Matte, smooth canvas, feels lovely on my skin and keeps my make up around longer than anything else has ever managed to.  There's a fully review coming soon but it's even good at controlling my oil production; don't get me wrong I still need to blot, but it's a lot better than anything I've tried in the past.

When it comes to something a bit different, the Mattify Cosmetics Ultra Powder can be used under make up as a primer or as a setting powder as normal.  It feels a little unusual applying powder under liquid foundation, but it kind of works.  You instantly have a matte base to apply make up to - I've used liquid, cream and powder foundations over this and they all looked pretty much the same as normal.  Lastly, the Urban Decay Setting Spray is my daily first and last step in my make up application process.  It just seems to help my make up hang around a bit longer - perfect for a long day or a late night.

Although I don't currently own it, I have to mention Illamasqua Matte Veil primer too.  It's the most unusual formula I've ever come across, but I adore it.  It's primer powers sit somewhere between Hourglass and MUFE, but I loooove how it feels on my skin, particularly during the summer months.  Its so light and refreshing, I love taking it on my summer holidays with me.

Foundation

As I have some acne scarring on my face, I'm very much a foundation girl rather than bb cream or tinted moisturiser as it gives me a touch more coverage and lasting power.  I wore Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup day-in-day-out for years when I was less confident with my skin, but lately I usually go for something lighter, as it has a tendency to look cakey.  It's by far the longest lasting foundation I've ever worn, and did make a difference to how oily my skin got so I still have a bottle for the odd bad skin day, but I don't reach for it often any more.  Sticking with EL, something I reach for much more is the Estee Lauder Double Wear Light foundation.  I wear this most days for work, it's a light/medium coverage which stays put pretty well and wears better than most others, which I need for a long day.

When it comes to bases, NARS are a bit of a cult brand - there are a huge array of positive reviews of their products across the internet, and I have to admit I gave in... twice.  My first purchase was NARS Sheer Matte because the Sheer Glow reviews sounded amazing, but I avoided the 'glow' on my oily skin.  I loved it initially, but lately it just isn't working for me.  It seems to just sit on my skin and look unnatural and cakey.  On the other hand, I've fallen head over heels with NARS All Day Luminous Weightless.  To see a full review click here, but in a nutshell the name of this little beauty is spot on!

I used to use L'oreal True Match Mineral Powder foundation religiously when I was in my teens, but it is almost impossible to get that to look even, so I looked further into the world of mineral powders.  Obviously the clear brand to go for is Bare Minerals.  This is the Bare Minerals Matte powder foundation, and I actually really like it.  It's a lighter coverage than I'd expect from a mineral powder, but it's easy to apply and a firm favourite for holidays.  The Laura Mercier Mineral Powder is a higher-coverage option, but still manages to still leave a natural finish and somehow lets some of your freckles poke through.  I love this for a night out because it covers any imperfections and lasts well, without looking too heavy.

Concealer

I won't go into too much detail because I have a full post on these three (here) but basically the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Flawless Finish Concealer is a heavy duty imperfection coverer which really does stay in  place.  MAC Prep and Prime brings a light boost to wherever it's brushed on; I love it under my eyes and on my brow bone.  Lastly the Maybelline Eraser Eye Perfect and Cover concealer is so easy to brush on, pat in and go. 

Powders

The Mattify Cosmetics Ultra powder is back.  Over foundation it can make things get a bit cakey/powdery, but nothing a spritz of setting spray can't fix.  The MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural sets your base, adds a hint of coverage (but it's hardly noticable) and mattifies shine without looking too flat or powdery.  The Bourjois Healthy Balance powder is pretty similar to the MAC offering; maybe a little bit more powdery but that is more than okay for the price.  Although I havent got it at the moment, MAC Blot is a blotting beauty - it just seems to eliminate shine without moving your base around your face or looking cakey.  You can reapply as many times as you like, it always looks good!

Tools

To apply my base there are a few go-to tools I always use.  Firstly - Real Techniques have got base down.  The Expert Face Brush for liquid foundations, the Buffing Brush for mineral foundation, the Blush Brush, Contour Brush and Powder Brush for powder and the Deluxe Crease brush for concealer.  It isn't pictured but the Miracle Complexion Sponge is a must-have for blending concealer and liquid foundation.

Zoeva are another brand I just can't get enough of.  I only have the eye set, but I love the concealer brush to buff on coverage and a few of the fluffy blending brushes are ideal for powdering under-eye concealer.

Lastly, the Sephora Mineral Powder Brush is amazing paired with a mineral foundation to buff it to an even finish!

Although this is a pretty extensive collection, there are still a few base bits on my wishlist - I'd love to try the NARS Creamy Concealer and the Urban Decay Naked Skin range.  What are your base must haves?