Finding a good foundation has always been hard for me. For years I went without foundation, but as I've gotten older, my skin isn't as perfect as it once was. I have oily skin, enlarged pores, and redness, which has all gotten worse with age. I didn't have redness until I hit my 30's, and I try to hide and diminish my enlarged pores by at home masks and treatments, and am always looking for makeup that can mask these skin issues.
Face makeup- Jane Iredale. Photo by Arielle Lewis Studios.
To cover the redness, I started looking for foundation to help cover it. For me, finding a good foundation is like finding a needle in a haystack. I have tried many, many brands, but I have lots of trouble with it not absorbing into my skin, staying put, or looking too cakey. I was using MAC for a while, and while I still love MAC Studio Fix, its a little too heavy for my skin and it doesn't absorb well, but man does it cover that redness, lol. I also have a hard time with the heaviness of MAC in hotter months, so I was looking for a lighter foundation for the summer.
At Illusions of Georgetown, I have seen and used some of the Jane Iredale makeup line. Yvette, the Illusions Salon and Events Manager, swears by the line, so I decided to check it out, especially since its a lightweight formula. I also like that the line is natural, hypoallergenic, and cruelty-free and use high quality minerals and organic ingredients (when possible), that are good for the skin. I have been using the Smooth Affair for Oily Skin Facial Primer & Brightener, Liquid Minerals A Foundation, Purematte Finish Powder, Golden Bronzer, and Balance Hydration Spray. I'm obsessed. Like, completely. The primer works wonders to prime and smooth my skin, which makes the foundation application go on wonderfully. The foundation is light and provides light to medium coverage, and can be built up for more coverage. To diminish the shine of my oily skin, the Purematte Finish Powder seriously works wonders and keeps my skin matte for hours. The Golden Bronzer adds the perfect bit of bronze to my face, and the Balance Hydration Spray keeps the makeup intact all day. My skin has never been more hydrated.
My step-by-step process of applying these Jane Iredale products:
1. Prime face with Smooth Affair Primer and Brightener (I apply by hand, but you can apply by brush, too).
2. Apply Liquid Minerals A Foundation all over face, using with foundation brush (here is my fave).
3. Mist face with Balance Hydration Spray, let dry.
4. Apply Purematte Finish Powder with an oval toothbrush makeup brush.
6. Apply Golden Bronzer to cheekbones, top of forehead, and one swipe on the nose using bronzer brush.
7. Mist face again with Balance Hydration Spray and let dry.
The difference I have noticed by switching to my summer makeup is like a complete 180. My makeup stays put and doesn't run, hides my redness and pores, and like I said before above- my skin has never felt more hydrated and is so soft. I am in awe of the Jane Iredale line, and I'd encourage anyone with the same issues I have with foundation, to give this line a try. You can view the full line in person at Illusions of Georgetown or Illusions of Shirlington.
XOXO
Blonde in the District