SCA helped me figure out that Cerave would make my skin better than ever, but that doesn't mean I don't want to smooth things out sometimes. What's your go-to BB/CC cream (I don't really know the difference) that makes your skin looks amazing? Preferably without shine?

So I feel like my eyelids have always been anti-makeup... in addition to being oily and prone to creasing, it seems like anything I apply does not go on easily. Nothing glides over my skin, and I have a lot of mini-creases and excess skin that make an even application incredibly difficult. Not to mention precision shapes are out of the question.

I thought everyone dealt with this until I put makeup on my friend with really nice a few weeks ago. I used everything I normally do-sugarpill eyeshadow, udpp and nyx milk, using elf and sephora brushes-and holy hell, the difference was unbelievable. Not only was her skin smooth without any extra skin pulling and whatnot, but the same eyeshadow worked so much better on her!

I just don't understand if it's a thing about applying others makeup or if it's a skin thing, a brush thing, a moisture thing... I'm thinking an eye cream might help, but I really don't know. Does anyone else deal with this?

mascara: Diorshow

eyeliner: Stila Kajal Eye Liner

lipstick right now: Mac Del Rio

Request: a blush brush! I want one with soft bristles.. REAAAALLLLYY soft bristles. The Sephora Pro Angled Blush Brush was recommended to me. Any better ones out there? I'm willing to spend the money on it as it's something I'll take care of.

EDIT: ANOTHER REQUEST - HOW DO YOU LADIES PROTECT YOUR LIPS? SPF lip balm then lipstick? Do they make lipstick with adequate spf protection??

My boyfriend always bugs me about my makeup routine, saying I wear foundation to cover flaws caused by my foundation. But since I have moisturizer and sunscreen under my foundation, that sounds really unlikely to me. How does this work? Does foundation clog pores, dry out skin or cause dullness? I've pretty broke, so I tend to use whatever is cheap and matches my skin. Luckily, my skin is quite clear, so I only use a bit and it's usually light coverage.

Hi all. I recently purchased the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream in opal. I told /u/dnb93 I'd give a review after trying it out for a week.

My skin is currently normal-dry, with the dry patches mostly along my forehead and chin. In the summer it's normal. My skin is not particularly sensitive, but I am prone to breakouts and redness. I am fair-skinned with cool undertones. For reference, I have L'Oreal True Match in C1 (winter) and C2 (summer). According to findation, my MAC match would be somewhere between NW10 and NW20.

This album shows some swatches on my skin in various lighting: http://imgur.com/a/ib59m

I picked this up in my quest for an alternative to foundation. The other BB/CC creams I've tried have been either too greasy or too dark. Complexion Rescue has a non-greasy, natural finish, and the color matches me really well.

The gel cream formula feels cool on the skin, which is neat. It's lightweight and sheer, which I like, and makes it more forgiving in terms of color matching. I found it did a great job evening out my skintone, eliminating a lot of the redness. It is buildable to an extent. It'll never completely cover blemishes, but it does diminish their appearance slightly. Unlike my foundation, it did not stick to my dry patches.

My winter skin seems to do better with a moisturizer > primer > cream/foundation layering combination. That said, I tried this both with and without a primer and it lasted all day either way. I don't think it's moisturizing enough on its own for really dry skin, so I still use my morning moisturizer underneath. That said, I think it'll be great once the air around here isn't so cold and dry.

As far as application goes, you really only need the pea-sized amount they recommend. A little goes a long way, and you can always add more where you think you need it. I've applied it with the Real Techniques expert face brush, a sponge, and my fingers. I personally prefer buffing it into my skin with the brush. It blends in really well that way, and to my surprise, the bristles didn't pick up any dry skin flakes.

One note: If your skin reacts to coconut, check the ingredients. "Coconut Alkanes" and "Coco-Caprylate/Caprate" are both listed.

Overall, I really like this! It works for my skin, and it does precisely what I need it to do. I think it'll be perfect for spring, summer, and fall. As always, YMMV! If nothing else, I hope this helps someone out!

I haven't found any yet. I just ordered Lucy Minerals, as Lucy Light only has three or four ingredients. Want to try LM Silk Creme, I'm hopeful it will work for me!

Concealer is supposed to be the good guy, right? It covers up past sins (PIH, PIE) and present sins (I only picked at it a little bit!) and things that aren't our fault (dark circles). It's supposed to give us confidence during the never-ending development of the elusive perfect skincare routine.

Concealer breakouts are especially insidious because we're often using it to conceal a breakout that's already there. Hmm, this is taking an awfully long time to heal. Then, oh no, there's a new sibling right next to it - have to conceal that one too. Look, another one! Pretty soon there's a life-cycle illustration of the Common Zit taking up an entire zip code on one's face. Then there's the awful balancing act of spot treatments, flaky skin, and some other concealer that one purchases in a hurry or digs out of a drawer. No time to patch test, because we have a concealer emergency here. Will it help? Will it cover? Will it highlight the flaky mess? Will it... oh horrors... cause another breakout? Who knows!

My 3 worst breakouts of the past year have been caused by NYX concealer in a jar, Kevyn Aucoin SSE, and now Physicians Formula green concealer. At this point I think I should be patch testing at least one concealer at all times, anticipating that whatever I'm currently using will fail me.

Anyone else? What is your nemesis ingredient? Have you solved this vicious concealer cycle? Tell us all your secrets!

I know I am not dehydrated, so it's not that. :)

I have tried Urban Decay's setting spray, but I don't like the idea of spraying my face anymore. It's a really weird sensation. These days I just blot. I have used ELF's Mattifying Powder in the past, which is fine, but I kind of want to try something else.

I use CeraVe, followed by a dry-touch LRP sunscreen, then Revlon's Colorstay for oily/combo skin.

So after watching a bunch of Korean makeup tutorials, I decided to ditch my Shiseido foundation and try out the BB/CC compacts that are all the rage in asia.

First I tried Amore Pacific's CC Cushion but I could NOT handle the smell. My bf told me that my face smelled like a powdered, middle-aged asian grandma whenever he leaned in to kiss. Also it had an overly "dewy" finish and made me super oily after a few hours.

I went to Target and saw Laniege's BB Cushion, which was cheaper so I tried it out and I LOVE it. The smell is not as strong, it has great coverage and doesn't make me oily. I'd say the finish is still "dewy" but since winter is drying out my skin, it's perfect. Also, the compact applies the cream so smoothly and it's so convenient because now I don't have to carry a bottle of foundation and a brush around when I need to touch up.

Totally recommend it. Does anyone else have any experience with BB Cushions/CC Compacts?

So as we know from SCA layering sunscreen products doesn't work, and mixing sunscreens could potentially hurt the spf of the product.... buuuut bb creams with spf seem like the most common type available and most bb creams have more hydrating ingredients (and over-all good for you) than regular foundations. Then again some women might be able to find a bb cream with a spf high enough and maybe they do actually use enough product at a time to give the advertised protection. So, what do ya'll think?

Are there any bb or cc creams that can legit replace your moisturizer? "Moisturizing" always seems to be a claim with bb creams but I'm curious how far it goes. Also looking to simplify my morning routine!

I've been using this "Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller" by Garnier for years. It's so sheer and has a no-makeup look to it, which I love. I picked up a new one last night, used a bit, and then checked the ingredients on the box. I was sad to see that denatured alcohol is the third ingredient It also contains lemon extract, which I am not too concerned about, but I also wish it weren't in there.

See the full ingredient list here: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Squalane, Bis-Peg/Ppf-14/14 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Talc, Nylon-12, Maltitol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sorbitol, Caffeine, Citrus Medica Limonum Extract/Lemon Fruit Extract. [+/- May Contain: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides].

The skin around my eyes does look dry sometimes, so I think that after this discovery, I shouldn't use it anymore, right? I am looking for a new concealer but it's so hard to find a good one. I saw that the NARS radiant concealer is popular in the other posts so I also went to Sephora last night but none of the shades in that brand match me very well. I have light skin with yellow undertones (I am between Vanilla and Custard in that NARS concealer. I wear the shade Frisky Abyssinian in Meow Cosmetics foundations). I ended up taking home samples of a Marc Jacobs concealer and a Make Up For Ever one. It's so frustrating to find a something which matches my skintone, doesn't look cakey, and and doesn't dry out my skin. Any suggestions?

But now that I'm using the BHA/AHA, I absolutely look HORRIBLE when I try to use it. It makes my pores look gigantic, and doesn't give me the smooth finish it used to.

I have found other foundation options that work for me, I was just wondering why this has happened.

A drugstore bb/cc cream that would hopefully have sunscreen, some coverage, or color correcting properties... Looking at the almay one currently because of good things on paulas choice but some people say it separates in the tube and oxidizes. Any suggestions? I have a fair skin tone (custard in nars creamy concealer) with acne scars and redness and combo/dry skin.

I've noticed that the Wayne Goss method has helped me significantly reduce the number of "cake face" days that I have, however, I also worry that I'm not allowing my skincare enough time to soak in before applying the next layer.

Products I use in the morning:

• Mario Badescu Rosewater Facial Spra

• Cerave AM

• Laura Mercier Radiance Primer

• NYX "Set it and Dont Fret it"

• Laura Mercier Flawless Fluid Foundation

While my cake face issue is more or less gone, I am still struggling with getting greasy pretty quickly. I wonder if this is because I put these layers on one after the other immediately, like Wayne Goss does in the tutorial of this method.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Edit: Formatting

I'm in the market for a new primer, preferably one from ulta so I can use my employee discount. ;)

I've used the elf mineral primers before, and the rimmel prep & perfect primer. both are okay, but I don't really get the feeling that they are doing anything special for my skin.

ideally, I'd like a primer that helps combat the forehead wrinkles that I'm developing! also one that is hydrating and/or redness reducing.

edit: in particular, I was curious about the it cosmetics primers, feel the moment and no.50 serums. both boast things that I'm looking for, but who knows if they actually deliver.

I've been using exclusively Covergirl Smoothers BB Cream for a few months, and my skin looks awesome. That means I can rule out the following ingredients as breakout triggers:

Behenyl Alcohol, Beta-Carotene, Bht, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Disodium Edta, Dmdm Hydantoin, Glycerin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Iron Oxides, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Palmitate, Laureth-7, Methicone, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Panthenol, Polyacrylamide, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Stearyl Alcohol, Sucrose Polycottonseedate, Talc, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopheryl Acetate

Nars Sheer Glow did break me out. Ingredients it has that CG doesn't:

1-Methylhdantoin-2-Imide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene, Curcuma Longa, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dis-Butydimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycol, Glycuosyl Hesperidin, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Phenoxyenthanol, Polusilocone-2, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Serralysin, Sesquiisostearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Glutamate, Sorbitan, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethylhexanoin, Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Mac Studio also made me break me out. Ingredients it has that CG doesn't:

Algae Extract, Butylene Glycol, Chloroxylenol, Chromium Oxide Greens, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone / PEG-10 / 15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone / PEG-10 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Lecithin, Magnesium Sulfate, Methoxy Amodimethicone / Silsesquioxane Copolymer, PEG / PPG-18 / 18 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Xanthan Gum, Octinoxate

I'm getting the help of a chemist to figure out of any of these names mean the same thing, but in the meantime, can anyone point out a common cause? Possibly Tocopherol?

Whenever I wear foundation with a decent amount of coverage, the texture around my nose shows sebaceous filaments (I think). Anyone else have this problem or a solution?? Also i am so excited this sub is a thing!

Is there a makeup primer that would also be a good moisturizer? I'm currently putting Cetaphil on twice a day because my adapolene is wrecking shop on my face (it's super dry). Unfortunately, it makes my makeup look really dewey, even with a good bit of powder. Definitely not the look I'm going for. Is there a primer that works well for dry skin? Any other tips are sooooo welcome.

I'll post a comment for Meow Minerals and one for Everyday Minerals - upvote which one you prefer!

I have a really important interview next week and am very nervous about it. I would like to wear a bit of makeup to make me look more professional, however I'm struggling with two issues:

1. I have rosacea which causes me to blush at the tiniest feeling of nervousness. Even just preparing for the interview with my boyfriend makes me blush a deep red, so I know I will look a hot mess during my interview.

2. My skin is incredibly dry right now due to my retinoids. Even when I use the beauty blender and a BB cream, it still looks flakey and gross.

So, do you think it's possible to wear foundation just on the areas that I blush and still look natural? I'm new to makeup so I honestly have no idea.

I'm beyond frustrated with my skin. I'm normally dry, but dry doesn't even begin to describe my skin right now. I've done all the skincare tricks and it looks ok barefaced, but every foundation I own is clinging to dry patches - even with extra moisturizer and hydrating primer.

I'm fair with cool undertones and I tend to be sensitive. I normally rotate between Nars Sheer Glow (Mont Blanc) and Nars Tinted Moisturizer (Terre Neuve), but both are failing me now. I've tried Dior, Urban Decay and KVD, but they all run too yellow for me.

Does anyone have any foundation recommendations for Sahara Desert dry skin?

For a website called Makeup Artist's Choice, I've never heard anything about their makeup, only their skincare. I was ordering a lactic acid peel and couldn't resist trying out their foundation. They sell sample sizes for $2.25. I got the shade Fair, which is the second lightest shade with neutral undertones.

Link

"Based in aloe vera juice, this foundation glides on easily and provides a luminous glow to the skin, while the aloe nourishes and protects the skin from irritation.

Additional Benefits:

--Jojoba oil is good for all skin types and is non-comedogenic... pore minimizing, it has a high concentration of ceramides which keep the skin moist, more elastic, and resistant to aging... anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial properties.

--DMAE and Rosemary Extract will lift and tone the skin.

--Titanium and Zinc Oxides provide UVA/UVB Sun Protection between SPF 15 - SPF 20

--Meadowfoam Oil provides antioxidant protection, non-greasy moisturization, and anti aging benefits

--Neem provides anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial protection

--Vitamin E nourishes.

--Rosemary Extract helps to enhance circulation and reduces the appearance of broken capillaries.

--Carrot Oil adds skin healing benefits, moisturizes, provides antioxidant protection and cell regenerative qualities."

Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Simmondsia chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Emulsifying Wax, Iron Oxide, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Zinc Oxide, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), Stearic Acid, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Oil, Daucus carota sativa (Carrot) Oil, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary Extract), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Tetrasodium Edta(May contain sodium bicarbonate and/or citric acid as pH adjusters).

With such intriguing ingredients, I just couldn't resist. It feel very light on my skin. Since it is aloe-based, it feels more like a cool skin cream than a makeup product. As a result, the coverage seems very light too. The shade might be a tad light for my skin but it seems to be wearable. Has anyone else used this product?

I try not to wear foundation or BB cream on an every day basis because I find that my face gets itchy and it seems get agitated by foundation. I'm not sure if there's a specific ingredient that I may be allergic to or something, but I use either the NYX BB Cream, Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation or Maybelline Dream Touch Fluid Foundation. Instead, I will wear the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer on an every day basis just to cover up a few pimples/under eye circles. Maybe it's time to invest in a higher end foundation? Any thoughts?