ISO a natural foundation (makeup)

[DrSally]

I have somewhat dry, but acne prone skin (weird, I know). I'm looking for something that looks natural looking (not too dry/flaky, heavy, or pore clogging).

I had some Revlon cream to powder stuff that just looked too dry/makeupy, although the cosmeticscop rates it very highly. I also have some Neutrogena glow sheers, which doesn't really provide any coverage at all. I don't use foundation every day, so I don't want to spend a lot of $$ on something that may go bad before I use it all. I wonder if I should just stick with moisturizer and concealer on blemishes? I know some of you are going to suggest Laura Mercier, but I don't know if I can stomach the price!

[mamicka]

I gave up on my search for the perfect natural foundation a few years ago. I've tried to take better care of my sking & just use concealer & light powder. DH says he much prefers this look anyway & I've grown to like it as well.

[DrSally]

I'm wondering if that's what I should do too--skip the foundation and just use concealer and translucent powder...

[SnuggleBuggles]

I use the Everyday Minerals foundation. It's great because you can put on a really thin coat or add more layers for a really primed look. I usually just do one light layer, enough to just even things out.

Beth

[artvandalay]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Boots Lifting & Firming foundation - found at Target. It's around $14 or $15, but is the best drugstore foundation I have ever encountered. It occasionally goes on sale. Gives really good coverage without being heavy. I have some acne scars, and it evens out my skintone, takes away the redness. But you do need to put a dot of concealer on top to completely cover a zit. Otherwise, you would need full coverage foundation, and these always look very fake and unnatural to me.

It spreads very easy. I am acne prone and has not broken me out. It is good for dry to combination skin types.

http://www.target.com/Boots-Lifting-.../dp/B0020C6D6Q

I am very fair skin and use New Ivory. Oh and it's SPF 15 which is a bonus!

[daisymommy]

Another vote for Everyday Minerals. It makes my skin look very natural, but airbrushed. Not like I am wearing a foundation mask. The natural glow of my own skin comes through. And it is totally green/non-toxic.
I have acne prone skin and it does not break me out at all.

It's very affordable, and lasts forever--like 2 years out of one pot of powder, for only $12.50. Can't beat that!

There are a ton of color choices, 4 different coverage options ranging from light to intensive coverage, and you can get free sample sets to determine the best color for your skin.

You've got to try some!
http://www.everydayminerals.com/store/base.html

P.S. Their bamboo brushes are wonderful as well.

[BabyH]

I vote for mineral makeup as well. I use Bare Minerals, but I keep seeing info about Everyday Minerals. I am going to need to check it out as well! I used to use Clinique or Estee Lauder but I felt like it looked cakey and I wanted to have my natural skin shine through (for as long as it still looks ok!) and I needed something fast. So usually I just use the BM foundation, eyeliner and mascara, but I'll add a little blush if I'm going out. Simple.

Oh, and FWIW, because I gasped at the price of Laura Mercier when I wanted to get a tinted moisturizer - the Sephora brand one is a good dupe, especially if you are noticing a little dryness. I don't use it often, but I love the way it looks when I do.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Bare Minerals has an ingredient that some people are sensitive too. I went to sephora to buy some and the sales' woman talked me out of it. She had me try it on and walk around for a few minutes. She said if I could feel it (itchy, tingly...even just it's presence) it probably wasn't good for me. So, I bought some Everyday Minerals and it has been awesome. I just bought the smallest size when experimenting with color and it lasted forever!

Beth

[m448]

I use minerals too but from BareFaced Minerals (not bare escentuals). Rhonda allowed me to custom mix my own color in the velvet glove formula and it's great. I use a smashbox kabuki brush - #19 and it applies the foundation beautifully. The trick to a flawless but not overdone finish is to buff the foundation in with your brush for 2-3 minutes. Your skin will glow.

[artvandalay]

I do like mineral makeup in the summer, but the reason I didn't suggest it for the OP is that she said her skin is dry, and with winter coming, that may not be the best combo for her skin.

That said, the mineral makeup I sometimes use in summer is Alima. I've tried Bare Escentuals, Meow Cosmetics, Everyday Minerals and Alima was the nicest.

Unfortunately, finding a foundation is really all about trial and error. What works for someone else may not work for you, and you might need to try many to find one that you like. I have sensitive skin and alot of them irritate me or break me out.

Good luck!