When we think about achieving the flawless base that will last al day even under a mask, it boils down to six basic steps:
- Primer
- Concealer
- Foundation
- Setting Powder
- Bronzer
- Setting Spray
While some may consider primer as an optional step, nowadays I think that it is essential. We are wearing masks and if you want to extend the longevity of your base, a primer is your best bet.. The two primers that I have found myself reaching for are the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip and the Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas primers. I have used them separately and also concentrated them on specific areas of the face and they have never let me down. They are both lightweight and work well over my skincare.
Next, I’ve been going into concealer first instead of my foundation and I really like doing this step in this order. My all-time favorite concealers are the Giorgio Armani Power Fabric concealer and the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection concealer. To cover up dark spots on my face that might need more help than my foundation can give, my go-to for a long time has been the Giorgio Armani Power Fabric concealer. Although a matte concealer it layers well under or over my foundation regardless of whether I am using a matte or a natural finish foundation. For my under eye area, the Pat McGrath concealer is the concealer I grab when I want a flawless complexion. I love it because it give phenomenal coverage and you do not have to use a lot. It conceals dark circles with a demi-matte finish and once set it does not crease. Both of these concealers are my favorites, however the Pat McGrath concealer has a much better shade range.
When it comes to foundation, this is probably the category that I have a lot of options it depends on finish that I am looking for. My most recent favorite is one of the newer foundations to the market—NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation. This foundation gives me the most flawless complexion. It is a medium-to-full coverage foundation and although matte it is not in anyway drying. My second favorite is a tried and true foundation that we all know love and is probably the most mask-friendly of all of my foundation recommendations—Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place. This literally does not transfer even if you don’t set it with a powder. It’s full coverage but does not feel heavy on the skin at all and lasts all day.
When I want a natural finish to my complexion the two foundations that I reach for are the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection foundation and the Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing foundation. Let me start off by saying that for these two foundations I would highly recommend setting this with powder to minimize transfer because neither of these are transfer proof and if you want it to last under your mask you will have to do that. That being said these two foundations are great when you want light-to-medium coverage. The Pat McGrath foundation is a true light-to-medium formula, while the Shiseido foundation is a true medium. Both of these have blurring properties that smooth and even the skin tone fo a natural finish. As far as longevity Shiseido is the winner but the Pat McGrath foundation will last a decent amount of time without touchups especially in the cooler months.
Lastly, if you are into satin or radiant finish, my pick would be the Make Up For Ever Reboot Active Care Revitilizing foundation. This is really a beautiful formula. It’s lightweight with light-medium coverage and melts into the skin. What is great about this foundation is that as we head into the colder months it has skincare properties to nourish the skin while providing a natural glow. Like the previous two foundations that I mentioned, because of mask wear I would definitely set this with a powder to increase the longevity.
The next step is important when it comes to crease prevention and longevity of your base products. In my opinion, setting powders are the protectors of a flawless base. I actually break this into two categories—brightening setting powders and blurring setting powders. I often use a brightening setting powder for my under-eye area and one (or two) setting/finishing powders for the rest of my complexion.
For brightening the under eye area, I always reach for one of three powders —Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof setting powder, Laura Mercier Translucent Honey Setting Powder or Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Under Eye Setting Powder. What I love about all of these powders is they really prevent creasing and never leave my under eye area looking or feeling dry. They are all finely milled and give a natural flawless finish to the skin.
For the rest of my face I go in with with one of the following setting powders: Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder in Medium/Deep or Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Loose Setting Powder in Medium Deep 4 and finish it with the cult favorite Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder. I know it seems like a lot of powders but believe me, these powders are so lightweight that they layer beautifully and will give you maximum staying powder that is NEVER cakey.
Next it’s time to add some dimension back to the face. I don’t feel the the need to go in with a contour product because we’re wearing masks but it’s important to add warmth back to the skin. For that a bronzer is essential and can create a natural contour. My go-to bronzers are the Mented Sunkissed Bronzer in Vacay and the Nars Matte Bronzer Powder in Quirimba. I love the buildable formula of the Mented bronzer that has a slight sheen and the warmth of the Nars bronzer.
We have now come to the end. It’s time for us to make sure that all of the products that we have applied melt together for a flawless skin-like finish and lasts until we are ready to wash it off. Normally, I would have a few options in this category but there is only one product that I can recommend that will truly give you a transfer-free beat. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is the game-changer in this category. It’s an ultra-fine mist that is both alcohol and oil-free. This is it and it comes in two sizes.
Well, there it is people. I’d love to see if you feel the same way after trying these steps with the products I mentioned or share your favorite steps or products for achieving a flawless, mask approved beat. Leave a comment below or on Instagram.