My Stash: Foundations

They are a necessary evil for me.

Since I've gotten really obsessive with makeup, I've been on the hunt for the perfect foundation.  I need it to be easy to apply (preferably with fingers), be a good color match, provide a demi-matte finish, blur imperfections without looking like a mask, and cost less than 20 bucks.

Am I asking for too much?

Well, at this point I am at a good working place.  I have foundations that work well for me, but not perfectly.  There's always something a bit off!

First, the liquids:

 

From Left:  Revlon Colorstay for Combination/Oily Skin in 360 Rich Ginger and 400 Caramel, Maybelline Mineral Power Foundation in Dark 2 Caramel (discontinued), Revlon Colorstay Whipped in Caramel, Covergirl Natureluxe in 365 Chestnut and 360 Nutmeg (discontinued).

Revlon Colorstay: It's a classic and my go-to for weddings and other all-day events. It wears all day and only requires minimal blotting.  I mix Rich Ginger and Caramel in different ratios to match my skintone throughout the year.  It works well, though I'm discovering that both shades are a little too pink/red for my skintone.

Revlon Colorstay Whipped: This also wears well, but not as well as the original. I love the texture! This would be a good foundation if I had a better color match.  Caramel is a little too dark and red, and Rich Ginger (which I tried, then swapped away) was waaaaay too light.  Maybe Revlon will come out with a shade between Rich Ginger and Caramel that would be a good match for me.

Maybelline Mineral Power: foundation is a good color match, but its silicone-y finish transfers easily.  Even if it was an awesome foundation, it's discontinued, so I still need an alternative.

Covergirl Natureluxe: This foundation met my finish requirements. It is easy to apply with fingers and dries to a semi-matte finish.  The undertones were just right, too; most foundations are too red for me.  However, I could not find a perfect skintone match. 


I also have liquid foundations:

Clockwise from left:  Avon Ideal Shade Cream-to-Powder Foundation in H304 Earth (discontinued), L'Oreal True Match Powder Foundation in c7 Nut Brown, Black Radiance Pressed Powder in Creamy Beige, Black Opal Oil Absorbing Pressed Powder.

Avon Ideal Shade: Maybe once upon a time this was a good match, but now it's a shade too dark and the undertones are too red.  I haven't used this in a while, but I remember it applying well, looking good, and not breaking me out.

L'Oreal True Match: This powder is the best match to my skin right now.  It evens out my skintone well and blurs imperfections.  This is my everyday go-to for a natural, everyday look. The only thing this doesn't do is control oil, and I have my Black Opal powder for that.   I've already repurchased this for when I run out.

Black Radiance Pressed Powder: I achieved a natural look effortlessly with this powder, but Creamy Beige is too red a shade for me.  I wish that the colors were easier to tell apart in the store.

Black Opal:  This is not a foundation, but it completes my collection of pressed face powders.  I talk about it here.

So I have seven foundations, some in more than one shade, which makes for nine foundations in my stash.  In my opinion, this is too many.   I only want three to four at the most: one or two powder foundations, a lighter liquid foundation for everyday wear, and a medium to full coverage foundation for a more flawless look.  To achieve this goal, I will purge what isn't working for me and throw away the expiring foundations.  I'll stay on the hunt to fufill my foundation, but resist the temptation to become a foundation junkie.

Holy Grail #2: Black Opal Invisible Oil Blocking Powder

My face is oily, especially in my T-zone.  My nose gets especially oily.  Without remedy, my nose will proceed to call all sorts of attention to itself with its shine.  Whether I use liquid or powder foundation, I need something extra to control the oil and keep me from looking greasy.

I had read good things about this powder on Makeup Alley, and when I accumulated some +UPs at Rite Aid, I decided to give it a try.

 

This is a translucent loose powder that can be used alone or to set foundation.  Because Black Opal makes products for darker-skinned women, this powder is darker than others.

 

I use my e.l.f. Studio Powder Brush to swirl this on my face.  I touch my brush to the powder, then tap the excess into the lid.  Then I take whatever is left on the brush and tap, glide, and buff it into my face.  Sometimes, my face looks a little powdery immediately after application, but it soon settles.  As time passes, it soaks up all the oil my face can put out there.  It doesn't keep me matte all day; nothing can do that!  However, a quick blotting and my face looks fresh again.  This product makes a big difference in how long my makeup looks good.  It even has a slight blurring effect on my face when I use it without foundation. I think it's because the powder soaks up the oil that would otherwise make my scars and spots shine.

The only problem I have with this is that it doesn't travel well.  So, when I got ready to go on a trip, I went and picked up the pressed version:

The pressed version works just as well as its loose counterpart. You aren't losing any effectiveness here. 

I recommend this powder to all with oily skin, even my fair and tan sisters.  You won't regret it!  There's a reason why the loose and pressed powders rank #3 and #6 on Black Opal's Bestsellers list.

You can find these powders in select Rite Aids and CVS's, as well as at Black Opal's online store.  It retails for $8.95.