Fighting the Summer Oil Slick Series - Foundation Routine and Recommendations

Happy Wednesday everybody! Today finds me a bit "hangry" with the new diet. Yes, I am attempting to diet yet again -- for like the millionth time -- and as always I would deck someone for a donut about now. We will see how long this will last, typically at about a month I give up but maybe admitting my failings publicly will help to keep me on track. Doubt it, but we'll see. Anyways, continuing the discussion on how to work with your skin when it is hot and humid out, I thought that I would highlight a good foundation routine.

Now, if you are like me -- I don't really like to leave the house without at least a BB cream on and some powder to protect my skin with some SPF and even out my skin tone so that I don't scare the children. Also, I HATE when I start to sweat and get all disco ball shiny. There is nothing more frustrating than making yourself up in the comfort of your air conditioned home and then to going out and about and in less than 5 minutes feel like your make up is slowly sliding down your face! Ick! So here is my typical foundation routine that has worked to keep the disco ball at bay!

This is my standard "summer skin" foundation routine. I start with Rimmel's Stay Matte Primer ($6.49 at Target) pretty much over my entire face. I love this because it is a primer and mattifier in one -- it is also inexpensive and helps to keep me un-shiny! Next, I run my Beauty Blender under some cold water, wring it out and set it aside. You can find these at Sephora for $20 but Amazon sells them for $13.98. I am a firm believer in the beauty blend and I make sure I replace mine every 3-6 months. 

Since I tend towards some redness in my skin, especially during the summer I mix a little L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream - Anti-Redness ($7.99 at Target) with my summer BB cream. This is a green tinted cream that works to neutralize the redness that I get sometimes on my checks when I'm too warm. I mix it with my regular BB cream for a lightest coverage possible look. I want my face to look like my skin, but better. Let's face it, sometimes you just don't feel like going to the grocery store all made up to look like you are ready for a date night.

For foundation during the summer, I use either Estee Lauder DayWear Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit BB Cream SPF 35 ($40 @ Nordstrom or really any place that has an Estee Lauder counter) or Cover FX BB Gel Mattifying Anti-Blemish Treatment ($45 @ Sephora). Although it isn't a perfect match for my skin tone -- only coming in a few shades like many of the BB Creams out there, I like the Estee Lauder DayWear for every day use because it a multi purpose product. The DayWear is full of anti oxidants that protect my skin from aging, SPF 35, oil free and is an oil controlling formula. Because let's face it, in the summer I don't need to add any more oil to my skin.

I use the Cover FX BB Gel during the summer when I'm dealing with pesky break outs. Extremely lightweight, it comes in a seriously surprising number of different shades. Cover FX BB Gel is specially formulated with a hydrating clay (they don't specify) to retain moisture while at the same time providing a matte finish with what I can only assume are several of the company's patented mattifying ingredients. Cover FX BB Gel also contains Thyme Extract and 1% Salicylic Acid to help treat and prevent break outs. It is also inflammatory ingredient free, if you are into that sort of thing. One thing I have noticed in using this is that it sets and dries fast. On the days that I use the Cover FX BB Gel I blend it in like a speed demon because if I don't, I tend to get that cakey effect. Cutting it with the green BB cream helps with this too.

Last, but certainly not least, I set this process with a translucent powder. Really any translucent setting powder will do, Cover FX has one that is also mattifying if you are super, duper oily -- but right now I am using the old faithful -- Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Pressed Powder in Translucent ($23 @ Sephora). After my foundation is set I can add blush, bronzer or highlighter to complete my overall look -- however, if I am just going to the Giant Eagle around the corner this will pretty much do.

For those of us that need even less coverage and are more or less on the lazier side of the beauty routine -- check my next blog post -- a lazy girl's summer skin foundation routine! Less steps and less product look!

Stay Lovely, Columbus!

XOXO - Ann