Some of you may have been following my blog long enough to read about my numerous attempts at finding the perfect foundation makeup. I’ve tried ‘em all…
- Mac StudioFix – blog here
- HD Makeup Forever
- TEMPTU Airbrush System – Blog Here
- Mary Kay
- Bare Minerals
and, sadly, the list goes on..
But, today, I bring GOOD news! I have found a combination that works perfectly for me. Notice I say for me, because everyone’s skin is so different. I believe in this makeup so much even after a few days, however, that I 100% recommend trying it to everyone looking for the perfect foundation. Here is my checklist for the perfect foundation:
- color must match perfectly – check
- coverage must be buildable and remain natural looking – check
- price must not be crazy – check
- must not break my skin out – check
- spf – check (I normally stay away from it because I’m prone to breakouts, but this one does not break me out yay!)
This all started when I discovered while face timing with my Sister, that my TEMPTU makeup turned white if I accidentally touched my face. For that much money, that stuff better be absolutely perfect. While the TEMPTU was pretty neat, here are the factors that led to it’s demise…
- I travel a lot, and the big ‘ol machine and pods were cumbersome.
- I accidentally touch my face and it turns white.
- You cannot simply touch up with TEMPTU as it requires an entire new layer of makeup it seems in order for it to look even.
- I missed having the flexibility of using a foundation brush to build in certain areas, if I tried using my fingers to even out the TEMPTU when I messed up it would turn white.
- Pods were $45 a piece and I went through them fast.
So, naturally, I turned to my Big Sister for help. She recommended I try Benefit’s powder “Hello Flawless.” And like a good puppet of a little Sister I went straight to Sephora. While there I saw Benefit also has a pretty highly rated foundation makeup, Hello Flawless “Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup.” Wow. The pretty Benefit lady put the foundation on my broken out face (stress breakout, 10 year reunion) and I was amazed. It felt amazing, it covered everything without looking caked on. Wow. I want to swim in this foundation. To make things even better, the powder my Sister recommended works like a charm with the foundation. After applying foundation, while it’s still a little dewy, use the powder with the sponge and press it into your foundation for a matte finish. It’s amazing. Truly. If you are a makeup junky like myself this is like finding the holy grail of foundation.
(High Beam, also pictured, is a pretty neat facial highlighter.)
So, after years of searching, I have finally found the perfect system for me. It is as follows…
(before buying, google around for the best price. QVC usually has great deals on Clarisonic and Philosophy products bundled)
Philosophy Purity Face Wash at night
Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash with Clarisonic in the shower
Philosophy Hope in a Jar Moisturizer after washing, and before makeup primer
Philosophy Miracle Worker Eye Cream (Morning & Night)
HD Makeup Forever Foundation Primer (Or Urban Decay Potion)
Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup in “Honey (I’m so Money)” hehehe
Benefit Hello Flawless Custom Powder Cover-Up, also in Honey.
To date, the Clarisonic remains my all time favorite purchase. It has made all the difference with my complexion and was worth every single penny. It allows all of your other products to penetrate the skin, gets rid of dead skin and bacteria that causes breakouts and leaves you looking fresh and glowing every single day without tearing up your skin.
So, there you have it. My big fat makeup and skincare post with my new favorite products. I hope this is helpful for those of you who are still on the hunt 
About Lindsey
Maybe I missed it somewhere previously, but what type of skin do you have? I am on a major foundation hunt as well and want to try the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow, but I’ve heard it’s not great on oily skin.
Thanks!
Hi Mary! I have combination skin, more oily than dry. I would definitely give it a shot
Awesome, thanks!!
giiirl I’ve been having so many issues with my skin lately. I have combination skin but lately, my skin’s been so dry it feels like I need to smother it with oil (I don’t). Today I was putting on my usual makeup and I could see my skin flaking (ewww gross). So this blog post of yours came just in time. I’ve never found a cream foundation that doesn’t cause me to break out whether it’s all minerals or products from MAC etc. Soooo after work today I went down to the mall and couldn’t find Benefit at either of the department stores in that mall so I have to go to another mall
I really do hope that it works for my skin too. Oh and btw I saw the foundation sells for $34USD and $55AUD SUCKS! Luckily I’ll be in the States in a few weeks and I will make sure I stock up!
glad you found something you’re happy with and works really well for you.
much love
Angela
Definitely let me know what you think, I still love this foundation and have repurchased it
Hope in a Jar would work wonders for the dry, flaky skin. Try using that at night and then lightly in the AM under your foundation primer 
Update… so I purchased the clarisonic and the benefit foundation whilst on post in San Diego and have been using them since November. I LOVE THEM. I get so many compliments on how flawless my skin looks and I’ve only had a couple of minor breakouts (hormones). Thanks so much for recommending these products.
much love from Sydney Australia
That is wonderful news, Angela! I’m so glad to hear it! I’m still loving my Clarisonic and foundation like the day I first discovered them. Fantastic products!
Sephora.com has all of these products as well
Finding the right foundation is such a pain! So glad you have one that works for you! My skin is so sensitive, I’m a clinique girl all the way. It’s the only thing that doesn’t leave my skin red and itchy.
I finally broke down and bought a Clarisonic a few weeks ago and I LOVE it as well! Totally worth the money! Especially for me because I can’t use even sensitive exfoliating wash without my skins going all dry and scaly. Do you use the benefit facial highlighter? Is it powder?
Yay clarisonic! It’s a dream
I use Benefit High Beam, but am wanting to try their new “fine one one” blush/highlighter all in one.. looks pretty sweet!
Thanks for the foundation recco! I’ve been looking for something new to try – I use Chanel’s water based foundation – it never makes me breakout but it gives too much of a “dewy” look and I want to be more Matte. I’m surprised you love the Clairsonic – I tried it about a year ago and probably used it too much (1x a day) and had the WORST breakouts of my life and it took weeks to clear up. I even tried using it 1x a week and still broke out terribly – I guess I have sensitive skin
That is so weird, Casey! I have never heard of anyone having anything but rave reviews about the clarisonic :/ I guess that just proves the ‘ol “nothing works perfectly for everyone” saying correct. It is one of the only things that works for my skin. Maybe it was the product you were using with it? Or the brush head? Did you try the sensitive skin brush?
I know! I guess I just have really sensitive skin – I don’t think I tried the sensitive skin brush – but after that experience I was too afraid to even use it again! I was using Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple Cleanser which I’ve used before and didn’t have breakouts like this! Now I’m back to Proactive – trying to get my skin in perfect condition for my wedding in 4 months!
I totally understand that, lol ironically enough ProActive made myself and my Sister break out worse than we ever had before. Why can’t one thing work for everyone and spare us the trial, error and humility :/ Congratulations on your wedding!!
i love my high beam!
Pretty neat stuff
I’m so glad I saw this post. After reading, I purchased purity and hope in a jar samples from Ulta. LOVE them! I will be buying the full size when I run out. I also purchased Hello Flawless in both liquid and powder. I’m the lightest shade, I’m pure 4 sure (ivory) liquid foundation and Champagne (me vain?) in the powder. I love these two colors together. Perfect match. Thanks a million for sharing, I feel like i hit the jackpot!
I’m so glad you found it useful!
You are so welcome!