foundation

If you're a lover of mineral makeup, you might be familiar with Priori Coffee Berry Perfecting Minerals ($59.50). Just like Nude By Nature, Bare Minerals and other popular mineral makeup brands, this foundation offers a skin-friendly, natural alternative to heavier cosmetics that usually contain nasties like parabens and fragrances. The latter and other chemical additives like synthetic dyes, can cause clogged pores, cause breakouts and adverse skin reactions — hence the rise in popularity of mineral makeup a few years ago. That said, always check the ingredient list on any product claiming to be "mineral", as some still include the above. Keep reading.

Countless shirts have been ruined by an innocent hug that left a large foundation smear. While your first inclination might be to reach for the makeup remover, think again. The oil, which is meant for the skin, might actually make the situation worse. Save your shirts, towels, bath mats, and more with three tips for removing foundation stains. Just keep reading for the details.

While skin nourishing powder foundations and cooler weather go hand in hand, dehydrating formulas and cold temperatures do not a flawless complexion make. Becca Cosmetics' Mineral Powder Foundation ($50) evens-out the skin without a caked-on feel. It's due in part to its mineral base, which, instead of settling into nooks and crannies, provides a lightweight veil of coverage with a semi-matte finish. Aloe vera and honeysuckle flower help to moisturise, while antioxidant vitamins A, B, C and E help protect skin from environmental aggressors. Just add a pop of blush, a swipe of mascara, and a punchy gloss, and your daily beauty routine is in the bag.

Here at POPSUGAR Beauty, we're starting to see some of our favourite brands roll out CC creams to compete in the already BB-crazed market — and this one is a huge competitor. Smashbox's global lead artist, Lori Taylor, visited Australia from the States to tell beauty media all about their new all-in-one — Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($54.95) — and it was really interesting to see the product used by a professional.

We're all guilty of rubbing makeup between our hands and then onto our faces and while that's totally fine (if you have super clean hands), Lori worked her magic with this cream and a foundation brush. Lesson: BB cream and now its sister product CC cream, can be treated like a foundation and layered for a more full-coverage finish. Keep reading.

That's right, duo. You know I love me a hard-working product, and the best part about the Lancôme Teint Visionnaire Skin Perfecting Makeup Duo ($65) is it has a concealer inside the lid, along with a mirror. Now this isn't just any concealer, it is easily one of the best I've used. The consistency of the concealer is almost like a stick foundation, very thick. It is wax-like and glides under my eyes like a bat out of hell. If you think it's a little weird I'm singing the praises of the add-on concealer part of this new foundation, then you'd be totally wrong because I also love the main act, very much. And that's a lot coming from a girl who doesn't usually wear full-coverage foundation. I always feel like people can see foundation on my face, but this one is different. I liked it on first swipe and I've been wearing it every day since. It has a semi-dewy finish and because I'm oily, I go on with a powder around my t-zone just to keep things less... wet looking.

But I suppose you might like the facts? Lancôme Teint Visionnaire Skin Perfecting Makeup Duo contains LR 2412, the active ingredient in all the Visionnaire skincare aka, the stuff that makes the line so popular the world over. So actually, I am getting four things from this foundation: a pigmentation-reducing skincare treatment, a knock-out concealer, a compact mirror and a foundation. All for $65? That's what I'm talking about!

PS — Don't tell them I said anything, but my other beauty editor friends are using it, too.

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Shopping at a supermarket or chemist for foundation can be a frustrating experience. There are so many brands to choose from and very little ways to make sure you have the perfect shade for you. Sure you may be able to return those dud purchases, but who has the time? Get expert tips on getting the right shade up front when you keep reading.

Toss aside that glossy magazine you're fawning over — that flawless skin that seems so far out of reach has been bottled up and made available to the masses. Ck One Color's 3-in-1 Face Makeup ($55) has all four of the components you need for awe-inducing skin rolled into one: a serum, a primer, face makeup, and SPF. No first step needed. The lightweight, oil-free makeup smooths onto your skin in a thin layer and can be spread about like a moisturiser. But instead of the barely there coverage you get with a tinted moisturiser, Ck One's makeup gets into the nooks and crannies, covering everything from blemishes to dark spots. It's like giving yourself a mini facial every morning. And with eight different shades that you can be blend to match your skin tone, you'll be ready for your close-up in no time.