Primer and Foundation for combination skin

[#1]

I'm looking to change my foundation. I've been using Bare Minerals for years, but recently I haven't been liking how it looks. I want to find something that looks very natural and doesn't feel too heavy on my skin. I have combination skin that can be dry around my nose and cheeks and somewhat oily in the T-zone. I also have somewhat sensitive skin, and I want to avoid products that make me breakout or clog my pores. What would be the best primer and foundation for me to use? (I have fair skin with pink/neutral undertones).

[#2]

I also used Bare Minerals Foundation for over a year and the same thing happened, I no longer liked the coverage it was giving me.  I'm currently using Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12hr Foundation but combined with Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer.  I've been using this for a while now and I haven't seen my foundation come off at all.  Smashbox's primer works well if you have enlarged pores since it's silicone based.  The silicone fills in the pores and won't allow anything to get into it but it's still breathable so you can sweat.  The foundation is also silicone based and waterproof so if you sweat it won't be going anywhere.  I have really dry cheeks and a really oily T-zone and Bare Minerals foundation was only excentuating that when I didn't want it to.  Tarte's Amazonian Clay foundation absorbed all that oil that I always had to wipe off before and since it's liquid foundation doesn't dry my cheeks.

The key here is giving your primer a minute to absorb.  Touch your face, once it doesn't feel like something is on your face, then you can apply foundation smoothly like if it was your own skin.

I also want to try other foundations but I'm sooo in love with Tarte's that I really really don't want to go to anything else.  Hope this helps!

[#3]

I would recommend Tarte. They just came out with a new 12-hour full coverage foundation and it is really, really awesome. I will warn you though and say if you have an aversion to silicone that it may not be for you, however. It's got a fluffy, light texture and comes in plenty of shades. If you're fair I'd recommend either the Fair or Ivory shade. Tarte has 2 new primers to go with this foundation too (and you will want to stay with Tarte for a primer, because if you get another primer that has a lot of silicone in it, like Benefit's POREfessional or Smashbox--any by Smashbox, really--the foundation will slide off your face. This is because 2 silicones don't work well on top of each other, so you really need a primer that the foundation will stick to.) Try the new one from Tarte, the pore-minimizing one. If you go to your local Sephora and they don't have the new ones in stock just yet, get the silicone-free primer from their ReCreate line. Their setting powder is nice, too HPTH!

[#4]

I also have combo/sensitive skin and I love, love, love Laura Mercier foundation! It is very buildable in coverage, but feels so light and looks natural. It wont stick to your dry patches or highlight your t-zone, also it doesnt break me out. I'm in my 20's and love it but even my mother in her 40's swears by it! I use the lightest shade and it's perfect for my fair skin. As for primer, I've heard WONDERFUL things about Cover FX matte foundation primer and anti-acne treatment. Happy hunting!

[#5]

I don't have an answer, but I am excited to see the responses. I am in the same boat as described by gd28. My only other comment would be that I have very visible pores that I am trying to cover or blend.