THE PRODUCT REPORT: About face
- Elle Nicole
- Sep 17, 2014
- 3 min read
A flawless face is every woman's dream. But with the millions and millions of foundations, highlighters, concealers and bronzers out there, it can be a nightmare to go out and find the perfect products for your night on the town or even a regular day at the office. Don't worry SMS has done the legwork for you. Check out these worth-every-dime, less-is-more face enhancers for that complete, flawless finish you've been wanting.
Primer
MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum, $40, maccosmetics.com Primers set the stage for that flawless finish we all desperately want. This silky primer by MAC Cosmetics not only smoothes and hydrates skin, but it brightens for a more even complexion and application. If you suffer from dry, dull or flaky skin, this primer is for you.
bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer, $23, bareescentuals.com This primer single-handedly helped me understand the difference between makeup with and without primer. It goes on smooth and seals in moisture to not only help foundation last longer, but create that flawless, red-carpet finish you want.
Concealer
Clinique Even Better Concealer, $19.50, clinique.com Meet a dark spot's worst nightmare. This moderate-to-full-coverage concealer uses the power of Vitamin C, known to correct dark marks, to even skin tone while concealing unsightly spots. More importantly, it goes on smooth without caking.
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, $24, bobbibrowncosmetics.com If dark, under eye circles are your arch nemesis, then this is the concealer for you. This special yellow-based concealer targets dark circles to give you an even complexion. The creamy texture easily blends with foundation.
black Up Click Pen Corrector, $28.50, blackupcosmetics.com Women of color meet your new best friend. Black Up, a Paris-based cosmetics company that exclusively targets brown complexions, delivers the most radiant, smooth concealer a brown-skinned woman can ever find. Plus, the color selection ranges from honey complexions to the deepest ebony.
Foundation
Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Foundation and Concealer, $44, stilacosmetics.com As my personal favorite, this high-definition, matte foundation comes complete with an attached concealer cleverly hidden in the top along with a applicator and brush. It goes on smooth for a flawless, all-day, long-lasting finish. Even more, it includes botanical extracts and oxygen technology that increase blood flow and circulation to allow the skin to breathe while also providing anti-aging effects. Nothing is worse than caked on makeup that leaves pores clogged and skin feeling greasy. As someone with extremely sensitive skin, I can personally vouch for this foundation's lightweight, clean feel.
bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $27, bareescentuals.com This award-winning foundation is a dream for those with sensitive/problem skin. It simultaneously goes on weightlessly and provides full coverage with a smooth long-lasting finish. As a cheerleader for healthy-looking skin, nothing makes me happier than makeup without harsh chemicals like this one. The greatest part about it - the vast range of 20 different shades that can match the lightest to the darkest complexions without making you look too orange or too pasty.
NARS Sheer Matte Foundation, $44, narscosmetics.com
For those suffering from an uneven skin tone like most of us, this is the foundation for you. This oil-free matte foundation with buildable coverage offers skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula. It provides a beautiful clean finish while treating problem skin, so skin can improve over time. Even more, it comes in 20 shades to accommodate a wide variety of complexion shades.
Highlighter and Bronzer
CK One Color Skin Illuminator, $20, explore.calvinklein.com Looking for that trademarked J. Lo glow? Just a few dabs of this highlighter in the right places makes a world of difference. It's also available in three shades to complement your undertone.
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzing Powder, $28, benefitcosmetics.com This matte bronzing powder provides the perfect touch of color for those who want to add a little warmth. It's great for adding dimension to a fresh-faced look.
MAC Cosmetics Iridescent Powder/Loose in Golden Bronze, $25, maccosmetics.com A little goes a long way with this concentrated shimmer powder. A few strokes of a brush, and it adds the perfect amount of bronzed glimmer to your look. Caution: As a 10-year user of this powder, take care in using just a bit as it is highly pigmented and concentrated.
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