Complexion Conundrums: When Should I Wear Each Coverage Formula?
There is a foundation for every occasion and complexion. (Photo: Henry Leutwyler)
Liquid. Powder. CC Cream. BB Cream. Tinted moisturizer. We live in a world with loads of options when it comes to perfecting our complexions — and more emerging all the time. But with more choice comes a loaded question: Which formula is best for which occasion?
To break it all down, we asked celebrity makeup artist Marni Burton to give us the 4-1-1 on the right product for every late-summer outing. Here’s how to get a gorgeous complexion, no matter where you are or what you are doing.
Date Night
Use: Liquid Foundation
Why? “You want to look flawless,” says Burton. “You also don’t need to weigh down your complexion with extra ingredients like sunscreen when you hit the town late-night.” So, stick to your basic foundation — and the right routine. “Start with moisturizer to create suppleness and radiance, and then use a brightening serum and cover-up in one. It transforms the undereye area,” says Burton. “Or you can use concealer alone to target dark spots or blemishes.” Follow that up with your foundation. Burton suggests one that is “highly pigmented but lightweight.” Finish with a translucent setting powder, and a setting spray to create a sweat-proof barrier.
Try: Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation ($48)
The Extras: La Mer The Moisturizing Lotion ($450), Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth Infusing Makeup SPF 25 ($45), La Mer The Powder ($65), Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix ($30)
Camping Trip
Use: BB Cream
Why? When you’re working up a sweat under the hot sun while camping, you probably don’t need anything that’s too full-coverage — so opt for an awesome beauty balm. “The BB cream is light,” says Burton. “It’s the ‘no makeup effect,’ so it feels like you’re not wearing anything other than moisturizer — but you’re still helping your skin.” It’s anti-aging and it conceals imperfections. Burton is also a big fan of BB night cream, so you can sleep in it, not wash it off, and not feel bad about it.
Try: Dr Jart+ BB Night Beauty Balm ($38)
At the Beach
Use: DD Cream
Why? With the right DD cream — which stands for various acronyms, from “daily defense” to “dermatologically-defining” — you get protection, a little coverage and a bonus slew of healthy-skin benefits, says Burton. Think of it like a super-charged BB. “We want to treat, hydrate and protect at the beach,” she explains. What you’re looking for is a DD Cream that’s paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalates-free, packs sunscreen, and evens, soothes and brightens complexion. Burton also suggests packing a powder or powder stick in your beach bag for oil touch-ups under the bright, hot summer sun.
Try: Dermadoctor DD Cream SPF 30 ($38)
Extras: Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 ($38)
Summer Wedding
Use: Tinted Moisturizer
Why? With a wedding, you may be in for a long day or night — in which case, less is more, says Burton. “A tinted moisturizer is a brightener for pictures, and it diffuses imperfections without having a cakey makeup effect in the heat,” she says. “You don’t want to overlap too many products.” Burton suggests using a brightening mask the night before to get a glowing complexion by morning. Then choose a tinted moisturizer that’s a bit on the thicker side to “really blur those imperfections and beautify.” Finish by dusting translucent powder in the T-Zone but be careful. “A lot of times, when you powder over tinted moisturizer, you’ll rub off that sheer, beautiful glow — so watch that,” she says “Even using bronzer can have that effect.” Test a week or so before the wedding, just to be safe.
Try: Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint ($55)
Extras: AmorePacific Luminous Effect Brightening Masque ($120)
Music Festival
Use: CC Cream
Why? As you’re gallivanting around a music festival, you want to look natural, but still picture-perfect and photo-ready at any given moment. This is when your color-correcting cream should come out to play. “Get that effortless, youthful glow with a CC cream,” she says. “It’s color-correcting, which evens out the skin tone. You can also re-apply until you get the coverage you want.” And if you like to set your face product, you can also opt for a powder with a “CC” effect.
Try: Giorgio Armani Luminessence CC Color Control Bright Moisturizer SPF 35 ($52)
Extras: Nars Pressed Powder ($36)
Work/Office
Use: Serum Foundation
Why? The more time you can save for beauty sleep in the morning before work, the better. “A serum foundation is great for someone with no time,” Burton says. “You only need to apply this, and this alone, since it replaces the other steps in your daily routine.” If you apply products over or under, your skin will look blotchy — so skip ‘em, and you still get a full-coverage complexion. You also usually get substantial sun protection if you spend time outside during the day. “You’ll look youthful and stay covered,” Burton says.
Try: Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40 ($62)
BBQ
Use: Matte Foundation
Why? At a BBQ, you’re eating and mingling… and things get hectic! You don’t want to think about touch-ups or reapplication while you’re having a good time, says Burton, but still want to keep the look simple and unfussy. “Apply a matte foundation lightly with a fluffy round brush, instead of applying with a foundation brush,” she explains. “You want the look to be ‘light and airy’ with a natural finish, and not have to reapply.” Follow up with a color-correcting powder for a healthy glow under the sun.
Try: Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation ($42)
Extras: Nars Yachiyo Kabuki Brush ($55), Doll10 CC Powder ($30)
Disclaimer: Bobbi Brown is the editor in chief of Yahoo Beauty.
Related:
Foundation 101: How to Find the Perfect Formula
