{Beauty Bloom} Best Foundations & Powder

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Coverage

Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer

Lancome Translucence Pressed Powder & Dual Finish Powder 

You see these 6 products here? They give me life! Not every day, but for the days I have to wear makeup and look flawless, these are my go-to friends I love most. There's nothing like being able to create a pretty look that's soft, subtle, and natural. Surely, there have been times when we've all looked way too caked up.

Unless you're my sister who has baby butt skin in her mid-30s, you've looked into foundations, powders, concealers and everything in between to cover up not-so-pretty blemishes, scars, redness, unevenness or anything the environment (and stress) brings us. Even if you have great skin, applying some pressed or loose powder, at minimum, can enhance anyone.

I'm not for wearing foundation every day at all, rather leaving it for TV, photo shoots or really special events, but when I do, I've found a combination of liquid goodness that do that trick.

To start, you'll want something light that offers sunscreen. It's crucial. I fell in love with Laura Mercier's broad spectrum Flawless Tinnted Moisturizer. The tone I went for was so perfectly matched, it literally didn't look like I had anything on. Oh, but I did. It feels great on and doesn't weight your face down. A super thin application of Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer is excellent for a bit of added shimmer and bronzy color without looking like you've been tanning. But it's actually actually great alone if you just want a bit of luminosity, glow, and nothing else.

If I did wear foundation makeup every day, L'Oreal's Truematch is the bomb.com. It's everything you need to perfectly match your skin. The entire Truematch collection really does what it purports, so if you've ever had bad luck lining up makeup with your skin, this is your inexpensive option for department store quality. Seriously.

And, I love Shiseido's Sheer and Perfect Foundation for a super clean, smooth, high-end look. It's quality coverage with great matching ability, too. Next L'Oreal, this is my 2nd go to for more frequent use. It is a bit greasier than the rest but with a good matte powder, you'll be good. Go light, though.

To top it all off, Lancôme's pressed powders are now my new thing. I swore by Clinique's pressed powder (and still use on ocassion), but I truthfully like the lightness and duality of two of their powders. The Translucence is definitely every day use for me.... no foundation, just apply this silky powder with a brush. It mattifies your complexion and completes a lovely fresh, younger looking face. The Dual Finish powder is what you want for a bit more coverage than the translucence version. Still, without looking like a dolled up for a modeling booking, this one gives a super fly complete ultra-matte finish. I don't use the sponges they come with. I've always found powder brushes to create a smoother, not too obvious looks. And more even.

If I didn't have to do 5 different looks, I would have showed you what these look like. But, trust me girlie swirls on this one. I'm a master at finding good makeup that really works. If you're close to my complexion... (example would be Clinique's 'Stay Matte Honey'), these are respective colors from these brands that work well:

Foundations: 

L'Oreal Truematch: N5.5
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: Almond
Shiseido Sheer and Perfect: B60

Powders: 

Lancôme Translucence: 400 Bisque (for winter when I'm a bit more pale)
Lancôme Dual Finish: Matte Honey III (for now and summer when I stay naturally tanned)

So! These are my true finds and recs! What do you use that works lovely for you? Do share!

Will share the best under eye and eye luminizers next! Because, well, our eyes need some love with all the lack of sleep we endure .

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{Beauty Bloom}: The Introduction of Aerin

 (pic c/o Aerin)

My makeup stash can't keep up with the different looks I'm embracing. Every time I see a beauty ad in one of my fave fashion magazines, I rip it out and pin it to my mirror for reference. I never thought I'd actually use them, but they work. The make for a great guide if you know and understand the basics.

However, I have an awful habit of sticking to the same colors and hues if I like them. No matter the season, I'll revert to my go-to's that just work. In an earnest effort to keep up with the fluid looks this spring, I'm keeping my new prods out at reachable length... Plus, I'm kind of tired of carrying the same palettes everywhere I go. Literally.

When I came across Aerin's debut makeup line, I felt a huge, happy nostalgic sensation. I remember my mom and grandmother having really pretty makeup cases when I was a kid. A lot of them were well-made with lovely fabric coverings or enamel casings. And they lasted forever. At least it seemed. Aerin, the famed grand-daughter of Estée Lauder, has stepped up and out to boast her own collection. The young designer describes it as "mistake-proof makeup," full of soft palettes, bold colors, and bright hues. A real grab for existing Lauder fans and hard core makeup aficionados. The packaging comes in really pretty floral patterned cloth cases with gold zippers.

And while the color combinations are stunning and suitable for all day wear, the kabuki brush from the Essentials Collection is the best asset! I'm always looking for great brushes and totally embarassed to admit I'm still using a raggedy one I bought in Monaco 4 years ago. Something about not picking out the right ones... Hers is not only cute and perfectly-sized, but blends extremely well no matter what you use. Okay, and let's be real, the suede pouch just makes it too fabulous to carry around. At $48, love it well!

I've not tried them, but the other brushes and the floral illuminating powder look equally perfect. I'm getting a bit anxious about getting my hands on them. But for now, I'm excited for her and the new things she's doing (accessory collabs and more). Must be fun and challenging taking after abuelita!

See all Estée counters and department stores for a complete look.

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* I was provided with a portion of the collection to offer this review. All opinions and expressions are my own, always. 

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Clinique Chubby Sticks & Mascara for Fresh Summer Looks

4th hour of working up against the wall, wearing a mix of "oversized orange" and "voluptuous violet."

I wear makeup just about every day. If nothing else, the two must-haves are lip gloss and mascara. Don't leave home without it. What a genius coin. And one so fitting. My philosophy is, you just never know who you're going to meet. I've found myself ducking under my baseball cap or turning around faster than a salsa dancer and making a beeline in the other direction.

True story. 

I recently got my hands on 8 new lip balms, which are all the rave right now, by Clinique, hailing luscious on the lips. These chubby sticks are not shiny glosses that stick or long-stay lip colors for all day use. They are simply moisturizing balms that enhance bare lips or your existing color. The different colors appeal to every chica, especially those needing options and loving flirty, sexy chic makeup in her bag. I found that mixing the oversized orange with the voluptuous violet works well for my complexion. Having them at hands access just make sense, mostly when I'm lounging around, working from home and having an energetic day of calls, errands, designing and cooking. 

The mascara is the one I'll be clenching my hands around all summer. I love wearing falsies, but only when I'm on camera, so finding a mascara that offers me a close enough effect is my friend. Clinique's upcoming High Impact Extreme Volume mascara has all the elements I look for when selecting one. I swear by L'oreal's Volumous for everyday, every hour kinda deal, but this one is the one for that last minute, "I don't have time to buy or apply lashes" mascara that will elongate, thicken and cover every angle of my lashes! Boom! Can not ask for a better solution. This one is oversized so it should last longer than your standard tube. Love that. 

Chubby sticks are available now at any Clinique counter for a mere $16/each. The mascara debuts in August for $19.50. 

What are your two "Don't Leave Home Without It" makeup prods?? 

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* Chubby sticks and mascara were c/o Clinique. However, I was not compensated for this post. Products were provided for in order to write this review. Every opinion is my own, honest and authentic. 

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