Two years ago I wouldn’t of guessed it that I would be writing a post about dry skin. My skin was combination and even oily in the summer and I always complained about it. Go figure, having dry skin is worse than being oily. With dry skin, you really need to prep the skin for a foundation to look good. Otherwise you will look like a dry flaky mess.
I can still make a matte foundation work for me and prefer the finish for special occasions. But when it comes to day to day wear, I love a good natural glowy base.
Here are some of my tried and true foundation that work even when my skin is at it’s driest:
Laura Mercier CandleGlow Soft Luminous Foundation ($48 for 1oz)- A light to medium coverage foundation that gives the skin a “lit in within” look. It is buildable so you can go as sheer or get a good medium coverage. The finish is beautiful. It’s basically a glowy filter on your skin. It’s glowy but it’s not overly dewy, so it actually stays put really well through the day. And most importantly, it’s very lightweight so it doesn’t feel like you are wearing anything on your skin. She also has a powder from the same line and it works amazing for dry skin.
La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20 ($110 for 1oz)- If you are looking for a foundation that looks and feels like skin, this is it. With a sheer to medium coverage, this foundation gives a beautiful natural and airbrushed look. It has skincare benefits and blurring technology that gives a flawless look to the skin. It’s pricy but a good investment if you’re looking for a long-wearing foundation that works for dry skin.
Givenchy Photo Perfextion Fluid Foundation SPF 20 ($51 for 0.8oz) – This is a sheer to light coverage foundation with a luminous finish. It looks very natural on the skin and gives a fresh healthy look. It also has blurring properties so it does make your skin look smoother and almost airbrushed. The only con I have is that the shade range is very limited, it only come in 12 shades.
Mac Next To Nothing Face Color ($31 for 35ml)- A moisturizing tinted cream that can be used on it’s own or under foundation. I like to use this on no makeup makeup days since the coverage is very sheer. I like that it adds a lot of luminosity to the skin but it still doesn’t make you greasy. It’s a great option if you are looking something similar to a tinted moisturizer. The powder from the same line is also amazing for dry skin.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30 ($42 for 1oz)- A light to medium coverage foundation with a natural finish. It’s very lightweight and gives a natural glow to the skin. It also adds plenty of radiance to the skin but it’s also oil free so even if you are combo, you can still use it. On me, it lasts all day even when I don’t set it with powder. This is like the lighter, more glowy version of the classic Double Wear Foundation but with the same lasting power.
YSL Touche Eclat All In One Glow ($48 for 1.01oz)- I’ve seen bloggers describing this as a foundation but it’s actually a tinted moisturizer. It gives sheer to light coverage if you build it up and has a beautiful glowy finish. It’s one of those “my skin but better” products that smooth out the skin and add some tint. It has SPF23 so it will be a great lightweight option for the summer time.
Some tips and what I do to prep my skin if I have dry patches:
- Always exfoliate before applying foundation. I like to use the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment and it works wonders on dryness and for removing dead skin. She also has a gentle option if you have sensitive skin.
- I use a heavy moisturizer after exfoliating. Something that’s very hydrating and moisturizing but also sits well under makeup. I use either the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer , Tatcha The Water Cream or when I need extra help, the La Mer Creme De La Mer.
- A hydrating primer is a must for me with every foundation. My current go-to primer is the First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer. I love it because it provides plenty of moisture but also illuminates the skin.
I was thinking of doing another blog post, but focus more on powders that work for dry skin. Let me know if you would be interested. Also please share any bases that you love that work for dry skin.