My Top 3 Foundations

I have to admit that I like full coverage makeup.  There are days I want light coverage just to have something on, but those are few and far between these days.  If I take the time to put it on, I want it to cover my flaws.  I don't know why I'd want some minor imperfections to show through, when I could try to look as close to flawless as possible.
My goal = porcelain doll.

I know your first thought is that full coverage makeup either looks cakey, or feels thick and cakey.

The trick is in your application!  When using a full coverage formula, you can't apply as much onto your face!  Just like when you get 8 plus inches cut off your hair and you forget and squirt out a huge glob of shampoo and are in sudsville of wasted product.  It's just not necessary to pile on the layers when the product does its job and covers.

Grease happens!  Oily, dry, combination, whichever describes you, a light bb cream, cc cream, or tinted moisturizer is probably long gone by the end of a full day or night.  One swipe with a dinner napkin, and even a light/medium coverage foundation transfers to the napkin and you now have a stripe down your cheek of bare skin, which probably isn't noticeable because your foundation is barely noticeable too!  If I rub it into my hand and it disappears as quickly as lotion, I don't trust it as a foundation.  I know the natural look is preferred by many, but in that case, swipe your powder on and go about your day.  The point of foundation is to create an even look all over the face.

Benefits of full coverage:
-Smooths lines
-covers any color variations, red, brown, white, pink, or other
-most importanly, in my opinion, it is still there 8 hours later!

Here are my 3 favorites!

#1 Rimmel Stay Matte  coming in at under $5!    Long wear and it doesn't clog my pores either!

 
#2 Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation about $12

    

#3 Loreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte 24hr $13
     24 hour claims are pushing it, but might be my favorite foundation of all time!

                                           

     Loreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Powder 16 hr is $17 but I used my Harmon coupons!  

I also purchased the Loreal Setting Spray, which reviews claim is comparable to the Urban Decay settings sprays.

I use foundation as a barrier, to contain the oil in, to keep the dirt out, and to cover all my bumps, dots, and specks!  I don't want a kinda sorta sheer opaque transparent airy substance that doesn't transform my skin.  I'd rather save that money and use it on a foundation where a difference before and after applying the product is visibly noticeable, and not in my 5x magnification mirror, but by all!

Back to the tricks of preventing caking.
-Again, use less product!
-Apply one coat
-Let it dry before covering with powder
-Apply sparingly around the eye and use concealer atop
-Apply with a beauty blender
-Drag product down neck to prevent a line of application
-Don't over blend it into the skin
-Choose the right color
-I find applying my blush and bronzer, and then setting powder prevents the layer after layer look.  Adding pink blush on top of a white/beige powder can make the product looked raised and thick.
-If it FEELS cakey,  you used too much!  3 dots of product on my face, (cheek, cheek, forehead, DONE, not 13 dots all over!)

These are all drug store products, and not compared to high end.  Please let me know if you end up purchasing any of these to try for yourself!

-Erin

*All products mentioned were personally purchased and not sponsored by the companies.  Photos were found on their respective corresponding brand websites.  Products can also be purchased at Target, Walgreens, and Walmart.