Revlon Beyond Natural Foundation

I'm always on the quest to find foundations that are light but give enough coverage to make your skin look its best without looking fake or overly done. I stumbled upon this because it was buy-one-get-one and I already love Revlon's Colorstay and thought I would give this a whirl. It's truly on the verge of taking over Neutrogena's Tinted Moisturizer as my new holy grail summer foundation.

:: Revlon Beyond Natural Skin-Matching Makeup with SPF ::

Good things:

1. The skin matching technology is basically that the makeup comes out of the tube almost white like a lotion and it has tiny microbeads of color that are supposed to "match" your skin magically. Doubtful that there's any magic going on, but I like that it gives sheer coverage without feeling like you've got no coverage at all.
   
2. This gave me an even, natural, semi-matte/semi-dewy finish. I felt like it was my skin showing through at its best.
   
3. Completely neutral. I *hate* when foundations have pink or peach added to them and this is one of the few drugstore lines that is a neutral/yellow base. 
   
4. Lasted throughout the day, and I've even worn it on days when I'm outside and sweating all day and my face still looks reasonably put-together.
   
5. SPF. Nuff said. If you're not using an SPF product on your face I don't even want to talk to you.
   
6. Love the packaging, i.e. love when products are in a squeeze tube so you don't have to contaminate the product just trying to get it out.
   
7. At $13.99, pretty affordable considering the quality.
   

Bad things:

1. So far nothing, but I will unload a truckload of fury on Revlon if they discontinue this.
   

Tinted Moisturizer

Today is the vernal equinox, and with the changing of the seasons I usually change my foundation. In warm weather, I prefer tinted moisturizer over foundation. It's light and natural and just feels right.

This one is by far my holy grail.

:: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer ::

Good things:

1. Covers up problem spots without being too cakey or fake.
2. Evens out skin tone.
3. Has ingredients that improve the look of your skin.
4. Nice consistency and even application.
5. SPF formula is great.
6. Has natural, yellow undertones (hard to find in drugstore products...many are far too pink).
7. Love the pump bottle. Very sanitary and clean.
8. Great price.

Bad things:

1. Only bad thing I can think about is that it looks darker than it should in the container, but that's just an annoying thing and it goes on the color it should.

Pure Makeup

Stacey turned me on to this foundation and I've been digging it for a while now.

:: Maybelline Pure Foundation ::

Good things:

1. This is more like a tinted moisturizer (with more pigment in it) than it is a real foundation. Feels like lotion going on, covers imperfections but doesn't have what I would consider full coverage.
2. Nice and light, nothing in it that will irritate skin or cause breakouts (it's been said you can even fall asleep in it.)
3. Love the packaging...hygenic squeeze tube.
4. Cheap! ($5.99 at Target)
5. It can be a bit sticky but if you set it with powder, it feels so nice and smooth and face looks flawless.
6. Blends very well and the colors are true, not orangey.

Bad things:

1. Doesn't seem to last all day if you touch your face at all.
2. Some women have said that the color turns on them mid-day, but I think this is if you have truly oily skin.
3. Like I said, coverage isn't full but if you use a concealer on spots that need it, this will be light on your skin and natural.

Brush-Brush Here, Brush-Brush There

I recently got hooked on a great brush that I never thought I'd need: the foundation brush. I've used fingers and sponges to apply foundation in the past, both with good results, but nothing beats using a foundation brush to apply your foundation cleanly and strategically.

Good things:
Apply foundation and blend exactly where you want it, not all over.
Small enough to use under the eyes and on blemishes to use foundation like a concealer.
Uses less product because it doesn't absorb like sponges or fingers do. (I usually just use whatever is in the cap.)
Sanitary, if you wash your brushes frequently.
Gives you the polished, smooth look (like you had your makeup done professionally).

Bad things:
Can be a bit small for large areas like the cheeks.
Washing the brush every day can be a nuisance.

I really love the Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes available at Target. I use the Foundation Brush with Cover Girl's Clean Makeup (Fragranace Free) and the Powder Brush with my pressed powder for a natural look.