Make Up For Ever HD Foundation in 110 - Pink Porcelain + Tarte Amazonian Clay Tinted Moisturizer in Agent 00
I'm pale, have freckles and pink undertones in my skin, and sometimes I have spots of redness. Because of these irritating factors, finding a foundation is incredibly difficult. From my experience, most foundations are made for skin with beige or yellow undertones, not pink undertones. Exhibit A: Whenever I get my brows done at the Benefit Brow Bar, they always try to cover the redness by putting foundation on my face. That would be great and thoughtful, except the problem is the lightest color foundation is SO far from my skin tone that I end up looking ridiculous, half red/half yellow. After repeatedly wasting money on foundations that salespeople swore up and down matched my skin (THOSE LIARS!), I finally found the right one:
A few years ago while living in San Francisco, I enlisted Lori, my roommate at the time, to help me on my quest for coverage. We went from counter to counter in Bloomingdale's, where the salespeople kept telling us whatever goop they smeared on me worked. Lori would shut them down completely. I loved it! Since I was uneducated about makeup at the time, I always hated talking to makeup salespeople -- they don't always tell the truth and I was too dumb to know it's not the right product for me. Lori was like my mom, taking me to buy my first training bra, and I was the awkward kid, too embarrassed to ask questions. Our hunt was unsuccessful until finding ourselves in front of the Make Up For Ever display at Sephora, where the salesperson helped us find a shade that ACTUALLY worked for me. Even Lori approved it after going outside to see it in natural light. Just like that, I found my place in the world. I'm shade 110, Pink Porcelain, a shade for people with "porcelain skin with pink undertones!" That's me! I belong!
A few years ago while living in San Francisco, I enlisted Lori, my roommate at the time, to help me on my quest for coverage. We went from counter to counter in Bloomingdale's, where the salespeople kept telling us whatever goop they smeared on me worked. Lori would shut them down completely. I loved it! Since I was uneducated about makeup at the time, I always hated talking to makeup salespeople -- they don't always tell the truth and I was too dumb to know it's not the right product for me. Lori was like my mom, taking me to buy my first training bra, and I was the awkward kid, too embarrassed to ask questions. Our hunt was unsuccessful until finding ourselves in front of the Make Up For Ever display at Sephora, where the salesperson helped us find a shade that ACTUALLY worked for me. Even Lori approved it after going outside to see it in natural light. Just like that, I found my place in the world. I'm shade 110, Pink Porcelain, a shade for people with "porcelain skin with pink undertones!" That's me! I belong!
Have you ever used Make Up For Ever products? With 25 shades available, it is near impossible for someone to not find a match. I also recently discovered a Tarte Amazonian clay tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 that also matches my skin (shade: "Agent 00"), which is great because the brand is natural and organic. For the days where I do not want a heavy layer of makeup or I need some SPF protection, I use the Tarte Smooth Operator.
What foundation do you swear your first born to? Let me know, I'm very curious!
I use NARS Sheer Glow foundation and have for about 5 years. I have some Makeup Forever HD stuff as well, but liked the NARS better. Might try it out again as my skin has changed some since I first tried it.
ReplyDeleteUsing a makeup sponge seems to be the biggest thing for me in terms of getting good, smooth coverage as ligt or heavy as you want. Check the jawline for streaks.
I go out in the sun though sometimes so my foundation is never a perfect match, it depends on how outdoorsy I've been. In which case I blend, blend, blend. But you'll never have that problem. :-)~
Hi! I'm so happy I came across your blog when I was looking for more information about this great foundation. I have almost identical skin tone as yours and for years have found difficulty with finding a foundation (unbeknownst to me, I have been buying foundation with yellow undertones). I was recommended this Makeup Forever foundation at Sephora as well and it is perfect. I was curious as to what other makeup products and colors you like that go well with really light skin? I watch a lot of the tutorials on Youtube and keep up with the makeup blogs, but most of them do not feature anyone with pink porcelain skin. Anyways, thanks and I'll be sure to keep following your blog!
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear Kate, pale people unite!!!!
ReplyDeletePOWDERS: I use MAC Studio Finish Powder in NW15 (from what I remember a while back when I bought the stuff, the NW range is more for our skin tone and the NC is for the yellow undertone skin -- but don't quote me). However, I don't know if I will repurchase that as I have recently discovered Smashbox's Halo powder (which I have used in the lightest shade -- "light" i think? -- from a Sephora sample.
TINTED MOISTURIZER: Tarte in Agent 00 -- only thing I have found so far that is anywhere close to my skin. It's a dead on match as long as I rub it in well.
CONCEALER: I use a Makeup Forever HD concealer in 310 (pink porcelain) and that works to cover blemishes or dark circles under my eye. http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P242203
EYE SHADOW: I try to stay away from pinks in my eye colors just because I already have enough pink going on in my skin. I lean towards neutrals out of preference because crazzzzy bright colors on my eyes tend to be a little much for me. I love champagne colors, golds, shimmers... for example: MACs "Green Smoke", "Tempting", "Honey Lust" --- but to get a lot of colors for a good value I recommend the NAKED palette by Urban Decay... so beautiful!!! (plus it's so popular that there are TONS of tutorials using this set on youtube that you could learn from).
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P267200&om_mmc=Googlepla&_requestid=42976&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-pla-_-{keyword}&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=1008572
BRONZER: I don't even bother with that!!!!
BLUSH: I think there are lots of blush colors that can be great with pale skin, the trick is to really blend and use it very lightly. I've been really into blushes lately and am trying to get more (including Tarte and more MAC blushes) but right now I generally use Hang Loose by MAC, Deep Throat by NARS (they have an amazing range of blushes), Tickled Pink by e.l.f. (only like $3, check them out!) or a Smashbox Blush due called Split/Second. But that's just because they are what I have, I'm working on getting more. Sometimes I used cream blushes alone or as a highlight and I really love MAC's cream color base in "Hush."
LIPS: I try to stay away from pinks and oranges because those can look weird on me. Even reds sometimes make my skin look more red. I really am into slight purples/pinks and berry colors on my lips lately!
EYEBROWS: I don't know what your hair color is but MACs "Lingering" eyebrow pencil seems to be the most universal and popular one of the colors. Benefit has Brow Zing sets, so doe e.l.f. for a fraction of the price. I like eyebrows to pop!
I think that's everything-ish? I have a youtube where I sometimes make videos about beauty related things and products I love, so check that out! I'm going to be talking about things I wear a lot in upcoming videos!:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AllDressedUpBlog
Also, I just discovered this youtube user and she has a similar skin tone... so I'm interested in watching her videos for recommendations:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SuperBeautyNerd#p/a/u/1/pZfP9VqM6Sc
Oh boy, that's a lot! Let me know if you have any more questions!!!!!
I have been using Tarte's Agent 00 for the past two years and LOVE it! I have similar skin tone as you and have always had problems finding coverage in my shade that doesn't make me either look like a pumpkin or give me cakey looking skin. I will have to try Make-up forever now! Thanks for the tip! Also, I love love love Tarte's amazonian clay smooth operator finishing powder! I wear a lot of moisturizer under my makeup and this powder takes away shine without making my skin look dry. It gives a really natural finish.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a great list! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, all my friends are tan so I love to chat about how I work the pale skin, haha! :)
ReplyDelete