Best Minimalist Face Base

[malday]

Alright guys! Let's get this minimalist group started, shall we?

Today's subject: Minimalist bases

What are your favorite base products to use when you're not feeling a lot of coverage? Foregoing a base? What about a spot concealer then?

My favorite combo on a minimal day:

• Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer to blur and slightly mattify my post-skincare/sunscreen sheen
• UD One & Done - this gives me juuuust enough coverage to feel comfortable most of the day. 
• NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer to spot conceal. I'm prone to dark spots and the occasional clogged pore so sometimes I just need a little extra something
• Bonus: If I haven't slept I'll dab a tiny bit of Innisfree My Color Corrector in Peach under my eyes to brighten them!

Your turn!

[mrsbaine]

This is a fun topic @malday! 

I like Mac's Next to Nothing base for my light days with YSL Touche Eclat pen as my concealer. It is VERY natural. When I'm having awesome skin days, this is the combo I do as well. 

[jellybean917]

I really want to try the MAC Next to Nothing! I've been hearing great things, plus your skin looks amazing. I just need to get to a counter to figure out my shade match.

[malday]

I was really curious about this foundation when they first launched but I'm a little afraid of MAC foundations because of past experiences (like, 12 years ago, I need to let it go 😂). Maybe I'll put this on my future list! @mrsbaine

[mrsbaine]

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malday wrote:

I was really curious about this foundation when they first launched but I'm a little afraid of MAC foundations because of past experiences (like, 12 years ago, I need to let it go 😂). Maybe I'll put this on my future list! @mrsbaine

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I was too @malday! I had an extending conversation with the SA at Mac about their return policy and how this was different than there less than desirable cakey foundations of the past. She assured me it was not going to make my face look like pizza. I used it once, waited maybe 4 days to see if my face freaked out and it didn't! I was pleasantly surprised! And the foundation ages well too. The only thing is their color selection is limited. I got lucky with this one. 

[blueviolet21]

I really love this topic. My minimalist routine mostly consists of MUFE Ultra HD concealer under eyes and around my nose and mouth. I like this because has a thin texture and a light reflective quality that deflects shadows. I have deep eye sockets as well as dark circles so light reflective stuff really helps. I would use Nars or Kevyn Aucoin concealer over spots. Then I go in with MAC MSF in light under my eyes and through my t-zone and a dusting of Hourglass ethereal light. 

I like the idea of using the Hourglass primer over sunscreen-- my sunscreen is a mineral formula and it can look quite glossy throughout the day without foundation to cover it up. But on the whole I've found a more minimalistic routine to be freeing. I do wish I could find a tinted moisturizer in my shade, though. If anyone knows of a good TM with a good shade range, I would love to know.

When I want more of an actual base I would go for Armani Maestro glow. That is the best lightweight foundation I know of.

Sorry if this reply ends up in the wrong place! I am still confused by the revamped BT.

[malday]

You're really selling that MUFE concealer to me, I may have to try it out. I have similar problems with deep set eyes and the dark circles.

[SheWhoSkis]

When I'm feeling lazy (which is most days), applying a illuminating powder all over my face and either a lip balm or a light lipstick suffices. If necessary, a creamy concealer.

• Powder:  Guerlain Meteorites
• Lip:  Dior Addict Lip Glow or NARS Lip Satin Lip Pencil (Rikugien)
• Spot Concealer:  I use the Glossier Cream Concealer, but Becca makes a lovely one as well.

[k617]

Here's my new daily base routine ever since ditching foundation!

1. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer - I wear this under sunscreen, even if I'm going to the beach bare-faced. I love the smoothing and oil control abilities of this product!

2. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - I use this to conceal my undereye circles and brighten that area. I have hyperpigmentation under my eyes, which sometimes look like horrible dark circles. I swipe on, pat in with ring finger, and smooth out with a brush (Marc Jacobs The Conceal). I prefer using this for under the eyes over NARS concealer since it's more liquidy and doesn't cake! I set it with Cinema Secrets translucent setting powder.

3. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - I use tiny dabs of this to spot conceal any post-breakout hyperpigmentation, and any active blemishes. I dot on, pat down with my ring finger, then smooth out with a concealer brush (Marc Jacobs). Most likely, it will only give active breakouts sheer coverage. I basically do this to minimize how noticeable marks and blemishes are.

4. Maybelline Better Skin Powder - I LOVE this powder. I use a jumbo powder brush and apply this all over my face using a pressing motion to set the NARS concealer and smooth out everything.

On a regular makeup day, I'll also use bronzer, highlighter and blush. Of course I also use brow pencil, brow gel, liner, mascara and use a lighter eyeshadow to line my lower lash line.

On a minimal day I'll use blush, liner and mascara. I'll also use the end of a spoolie to comb out my brows. If I'm too lazy to even do that, I'll usually just go out barefaced without even bothering with any products (usually only to gym on weekends and grocery store).

[malday]

@k617 This is close to my lazy day routine too! I always have to have the HG primer at least, it really gives the face a nice blur and keeps oil at bay!

[alexasteph]

I've been wearing minimal makeup the last few weeks due to traveling/being lazy. Here's my routine:

Face/Base: Primer (pore/oil reducing) and Josie Maran Protect + Perfect, with Laura Geller Balance n Brighten over as powder. 

Eyes: Neutral eyeshadow and a bit of mascara. Lately I've been wearing bareMinerals Lash Domination. 

Cheeks: Whatever blush I feel like. It varies. Something fairly natural though. I may or may not use highlighter. Depends on what I'm doing that day. Just on the tops of the cheeks though. 

Lips: I wear something different everyday. Low keys days I'll wear something like Bite Pepper, Marc Jacobs Slow Burn, or KVD Lolita 2. 

Brows: Just some clear gel. ABH or Benefit. Whatever's close. 

Oh. I'm just now noticing we were only supposed to put our base products. Whoops. I don't really pay attention to details...

[malday]

@alexasteph Haha no worries! I like to see everyones minimal routines...they're usually surprisingly complicated! (May I suggest the Glossier Cloud Paints for really natural blush coverage)

[txcatx]

Nars Radiant Tinted Moisturizer for me. If I need just a little more makeup to cover redness, I use the Anastasia stick foundation as concealer mainly because one of the colors is a perfect match to my skin tone.

[malday]

The Nars TM is one of my old favorites! It has surprisingly nice coverage

[carrieloulou]

This is my favorite...it doesn't take much and looks so natural. 

http://www.sephora.com/bb-creme-clair-P396093?skuId=1705839&icid2=products%20grid396093

[misscg]

I'm sure it's the combo of the heat and variable schedule but less is more right now! My routine is:

after moisterizer I try to sunscreen but laziness is catching up so: hourglass primer- it's has spf so it's all good lol

kvd concealer or tarte shape tape: dark circles and 2 annoying dark patches on my chin I conceal and blend out

If I'm feeling it or doing foundation - orange corrector in those same spots. 

[malday]

It's been suuuuper hot where I live lately so I'm afraid to leave without sunscreen haha. I looove the HG primer 

[misscg]

I know!! I'm being a bit of a rebel. I also carry the coola setting spray with spf with me too if I'm going to be in direct sun though.

[Sha789]

Minimalist make up for me means forgoing foundation!

I'll begin with a moisturizer (Philosophy hope in a jar), and then use the Benefit Cosmetics Fake Up concealer for coverage. I like this concealer because it's so hydrating without being super heavy on the skin. Keep it simple 

[malday]

Nice and easy! Do you powder too or does you concealer stay on its own?

[angelszenden]

I am a habitual minimalist by nature. I have maybe one medium/full coverage foundation that is rarely used. 

Go to is:

• Tinted moisturizer - I switch between Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF, and Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 depending on how much sun has made it through my shield attempts. 
• Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (HG of concealers) for dark circles.
  
  
  Days when I want a little more coverage, but still light:
  
  
• Becca Backlight Priming Filter
• Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer
• MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30
• Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer under the eyes

[malday]

@angelszenden My mum (half Irish, plenty of freckles, 49 years old) finds luck with those BB creams that adjust to your skin tone to even out her freckles, although I'm not sure what sort of coverage you'll be looking for in the future haha