Writer round-up: Our favorite foundation, base, spackle, whatever

By Jonniker

Foundation! The base for all good makeup. Or not, if you've got great skin, but some of us need a little help hiding those flaws, and a heavy-duty concealer just ain't gonna cut it. So! Without further ado, the writers of Style Lush share their best secrets for flawless, gorgeous skin from a bottle. Or a powder. Or a mini jar! Whichever!

We're dying to know yours, too. Really. Pony up in the comments, y'all. Prettify our skins, stat.

Elizabeth: "I use Clinique Superbalanced Makeup. It's awesomely sheer and light and blends really well into my skin - but honestly I probably love it so much because I actually got off my kiester and went to the makeup counter and asked if they could please help me find the right shade for my skin, so it's most likely the first foundation I've ever owned that was actually the correct color."

Natalie: "I'm a Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer fan mainly because I'm a little obsessive about sunscreen, and this has SPF 20. It's light and doesn't have a scent, which I also like. (Also am scared of full-on foundation because I fear looking orange. I should take Elizabeth's cue and get someone to tell me what color to use.)"

Jennie: "I love Stila's tinted moisturizer but want something for the weekends with more coverage and am at a loss. I also love Origin's Nude and Improved, but it's been a couple years since I've worn it."

 
Kerri Anne: "I hardly use any, but when I do it's BeautiControl's Secret Agent foundation. I originally bought it because I love my aunt and she was selling it, but now I can't use anything else. It conceals AND moisturizes and one tube lasts me an entire year."


 

Sarah: "I don't really do foundation, but I do use Amazing Concealer. It's...amazing! No really, one tube lasts at least a year, if not longer."

 
Kristie: "I really, really love Chanel Double Perfection Compact. It's on the pricey side but it lasts forever and travels well."

Maura: "I use Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer. I like the bit of youthful glow it gives me, but if I'm not careful I can end up looking like Edward Cullen when he's in the sun. I also cannot not rave enough about YSL Touche Eclat instant highlighter. It is a MAGIC WAND for dark circles under my eyes. A must have in my beauty routine."

Manda: "Oh dear. I suppose I should start using foundation one of these days. OOPS. Does [Mary Kay] tinted moisturizer count? I use that about twice a year."

Kate: "I only just started using foundation in the last couple of years so my experience is pretty limited, but I've been buying Maybelline's Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Liquid Foundation (that's a mouthful!) and quite like it. It's very light, blends into my skin tone seamlessly, is kind to my sensitive skin and best of all, it's very affordable!"

Christina: "Origins Nude and Improved-  I have pretty easy skin so I just need a little SPF, help to even out an occasional blemish but mostly the freckle factor.  This does the trick, it's so light and looks really natural."

 
Amy: "I'm a devoted Bare Escentuals girl.  I prefer the original to matte, and wear Fairly Light."

(Raven heartily seconded Amy's selection.)

Maggie: "I use Clinique Perfectly Real makeup. Because I walked up to the counter and begged for someone else to decide on the product and shade! Dying to try that Laura Mercier stuff though."

Jonna: "I've tried 'em all, from high to low end, and I swear by Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse. Nine bucks!"

Your turn, my little skincare buffs.

{Photo credits: Sephora, Laura Mercier, Amazon, BeautiControl, Bare Minerals, Clinique, Maybelline, Saks Fifth Avenue, Origins}

Comments

[Rebecca (Bearca)]

Depending on how much time I have in the morning, my picks are:

1) L'Oreal True Match! It's light, it has sunscreen and it's easy to find a match for your skin despite being a drugstore brand. Also: cheap.

2) Everyday Minerals (similar to the Bare Minerals, but only available online). I love it because it comes in a semi-matte finish, so you don't look either way too matte or overly shiny.

[Elsha]

When I wear foundation (rarely) I use Cover Girl. I bought some stuff from Ulta over the summer, but even their lightest shade was too dark for my pasty red-head's skin so I ended up giving it to my (non-red-headed) sister.

[elizabeth]

I used Bare Minerals for years, but last week switched to Jane Iredale...so far it's fantastic!

[Marie Green]

I use the Maybelline stuff you do Jonna, because I was out of (Cover girl, I think) foundation right around the time you first wrote about it, so I decided to try it.

I have two colors and mix them, and it works really well unless my skin decides to have a flaky day. I'm guessing since the climate I live in can easily be classified as "Extreme Winter" that I'll like it even more come spring. You know, when the weather doesn't freeze my face off EACH TIME I step outside.

[Tess]

For day to day, easy peasy I use Stila's Illuminating Powder foundation to keep the shine in check.

But if I want to achieve a polished look without resorting to a "heavily made up" look/feel, I wear Nars' Sheer Glow foundation. It doesn't have SPF, so I make sure to wear moisturizer with SPF on those days.

I am about as white as white girls come, so white in fact that it's hard to find lines that carry fair enough shades for me. These two do the trick.

I am a makeup junkie, I could talk about all of the foundations I've tried for days and days!!!

[Jen]

I used Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation for years, but I recently switched to the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse after reading a review of it here. So cheap, so great. Even my husband (who would never notice anything different normally) commented that it made my skin look really good.

[samantha jo campen]

I use the kind Halle Berry endorses, whatever it's called.

But dudes, no matter what foundation you use and how amazing it is, you MUST try Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. OH EM GEE. A little goes a long way so buy the travel size (cheaper) and soak in the beauty. Put it on BEFORE your foundation and it goes on smooth and flawlessly. My mom noticed. My co-workers noticed. My husband noticed. IT IS THAT GOOD and makes such a difference.

Seriously.

[HollyLynne]

I'm a Stila tinted moisturizer fan too! My everyday is the illuminating one, I use the spf 30 in the summer and sometimes I even break out the bronzing variety. They are ALL awesome.