Shine Free

I have loved this item and this brand since junior high. I like to try new things in terms of powder, but nothing ever beats this so I always come crawling back.

:: Cornsilk Natural Matte Pressed Powder in No Color ::

Good things:
Finely milled, not cakey
Matches any shade of skin/foundation
Nothing controls oil as well. Nothing.
Matte finish lasts for hours.
Doesn't come off on your clothes, or other people's when you hug them.
Minimizes acne scars and large pores.
Cheap! Can be found at Wal-Mart, Target (I think), and at Big Lots for like $2.

Bad things:
Has a faint smell to it, which I don't find wonderful, but I put up with it.
If you have perfect skin, this may be too much coverage for you.
I don't like the pad that comes with it, so I use a powder brush for a more natural finish. (Sonia Kashuk's Powder Brush to be exact.)

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.