What is the best foundation?

[#1]

I'm looking for a foundation that is good for a teenager. I want a natural look that doesn't look like I'm wearing any makeup at all. Since I use an acne treatment for my skin (I only have a few blemishes), the salicylic acid dries out my skin. Before I started using it, my skin was normal-combination skin. I'm oily in my t-zone but very dry on my chin. I want a liquid foundation that doesn't cake, looks natural, and won't become flaky due to dryness. I preferably want a liquid or mineral foundation. PLEASE HELP.

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Since you say you don't want a foundation that will flake, a mineral powder foundation is not going to be the best choice, especially if salicylic acid is already drying out your skin.  Powder is just going to emphasize that your skin is dry.  You also mentioned that you're a teenager with only a few blemishes, so this is what I'm going to recommend:

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer and Undercover Pot

Since you're young, you have pretty skin and don't need to really cover it, from what it sounds like.  The LM Tinted Moisturizer ($42)  is oil free, is very light and easy to blend, with the option of adding a little more for buildable coverage if necessary.  I've tried other tinted moisturizers (Sephora, made my skin react) and this is the one I keep coming back to.  It's my HG.

I also mentioned the LM Undercover Pot because it combines the Secret Camoflage, Secret Concealer and Loose Setting Powder in one ($34).  The camoflage is a little bit of a drier consistency than the concealer, but it is EXCELLENT for covering blemishes.  You can also mix the two to create a custom shade if needed.  The concealer is very creamy and emollient for under your eyes, which you want with dry skin (I have dry skin myself, rosacea as well, PLUS very sensitive skin).  It won't settle into lines around your eyes.  The loose setting powder can then be used to set makeup, concealer, etc. and you're pretty much set for the day.  I set my makeup with it for the day and it's done...no touching up needed.

It's a little expensive, but it's well worth it.  If you want an actual foundation, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is also a great option.  ($45).  It's very easy to put on with your fingertips and blend.   Since it's got more water in it than other foundations, it also feels very cool, almost like a drink of water, when you apply it.  It's sheer to moderate coverage, but your skin looks very natural and feels more like you're wearing a tinted moisturizer rather than a foundation that just sits on your skin and feels like a mask.

Since your skin is dry, make sure you invest in a good moisturizer.  A good one for $28 is First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.  I use this on a daily basis and it's great not only as a moisturizer, but on cuts, scrapes, burns, sunburns, insect bites, etc.  I use it on my hands (I have REALLY DRY SKIN on my hands....constantly applying hand cream.  This and L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream are my two go-tos for moisturizers and hand creams).

I hope this helps.

[#3]

Once I used Bare Escentuals, I never went back. It gives you a super natural look that is perfect for covering up minor blemishes. I get oily in my T-zone, so after using their regular foundation, I switched to matte. I love it! Its not "cakey" at all and it takes away the shine that used to show up in pictures. You should also consider using a primer before putting on your face makeup. Its made to "set" the foundation and it helps it to go on super smooth. My skin never felt so soft til I used primer! 

Bare Escentuals has a starter kit thats perfect for new users. It comes with a DVD, primer and brushes, and explains how to put on everything! I promise that you will love it!

Here's the link for it on this site:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P220533&categoryId=B70

[#4]

Make Up For Ever makes a great foundation. I love Bare Escentuals too, but it can be drying. I would also suggest The Body Shop's moisturizing foundation for medium, cake free coverage. 

[#5]

I love bobbi brown liquid foundation, it makes your skin look very natural, and it provides good coverage. 

I have some acne scars and it covers most of it, I only need a little bit of concealer. 

[#6]

I would try Bare Minerals, or maybe Lorac for liquid foundation.  Both are gentle formulas that shouldn't aggravate acne prone skin.  Good luck!