When you hear the word “wardrobe” you probably think of clothing and accessories. We create a collection of clothing that suits us for any occasion. We’ve got the yoga pants and Lulu tops for gym sessions, the sundresses for hot summer days, the perfect jeans for any occasion and the classic little black dress for a night out on the town. Why should makeup be any different?!
Creating a foundation “wardrobe” is essential for any woman that wants flawless skin that’s tailored for any occasion. This may sound ridiculous if you’re a one hit wonder kind of gal with your base but just hear me out here. You want to cover up your spots when heading to the grocery store but don’t want a full coverage face, right? (or maybe you do! : ) ) Creating a foundation wardrobe will not only save you time but it’ll save you money as you won’t have to keep trying out new foundations in hopes of finding your holy grail. You’ll already have your favorites on hand and ready for any occasion that the day may present! Let’s take a look at what a foundation wardrobe could look like (and remember…everyone’s wardrobe will be different just like a clothing wardrobe .)
Let’s start with the lightest coverage-think going to the gym, running errands or working around the house. A tinted moisturizer or a bb/cc cream is a fantastic option to have on hand. They offer light coverage, usually have a built in SPF (bonus!) and give that effortlessly glowy look to the skin. One of my favorites is Nars Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (not pictured) as it offers a glowy, natural coverage and has a built in spf. I also love NARS shade range as it offers many colors with a variety of undertones. I adore the Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer but be warned, it is pricey ($72 USD on shop.nordstrom.com.) I’ve had this one for quite awhile and only use it for special occasions. These lightweight products don’t only have to come out when you’re heading to the grocery store. Tinted moisturizers can give a very chic look when paired with a smokey eye or even with a nude eye and a red lip (very Parisian.) Another option I love is the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream. This is technically a CC cream but man, does it have good coverage. This is a great option if you want the benefits of a skincare product/tinted moisturizer but the coverage of a foundation. A few great drugstore options in this category would be Loreal Studio Secrets Magic BB Cream (such a unique product! Changes colors upon skin contact) or Elf Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20.
Now we move on to a light-medium coverage foundation. This will have more coverage than a tinted moisturizer but less coverage than what you would wear if you needed a super full look. It’s the in between product that could work on a Sunday when you’re running errands but your skin isn’t looking good enough for the lightness of a tinted moisturizer. It could also work beautifully in photographs or when you’re after a more polished look. It should be lightweight and breathable. One of my favorites is the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation. It feels amazing on the skin and gives just the perfect amount of coverage. (it doesn’t hurt that the rose gold packaging is stunning, too!) Another great option, especially if you’re on the dry side, is the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation.(pictured below on the far left) You guessed it…it’s a water based foundation and water=hydration! It has a velvety smooth finish and gives more of a natural/slightly matte finish. When I say matte, I don’t mean flaky skin, dull skin (trust me, I’m all about the glow.) I just mean that initially upon application, this little beauty gives more of a velvety finish rather than full on shine or glow like some dewy products give. It really is gorgeous and a staple in my foundation wardrobe.
The next product in your wardrobe can be a medium coverage foundation. This is usually your go-to, holy grail, don’t have to think foundation. You know the texture, the coverage and which shade suits you best. For me, hands down, this is Nars Sheer Glow Foundation.
If I had to choose one foundation to wear for the rest of my life, it would probably be Nars Sheer Glow. (dramatic statement, haha.) A medium coverage, natural finish foundation is so versatile. You can dress it down with a soft eye-just a bit of bronzer on the lid and mascara or you can vamp it up for a night out-smoky eye, bold lip. It works beautifully for any occasion. You know the result that it gives and you don’t have to worry about whether it will cover enough or if it will be too heavy because it’s a happy medium product. I own it in three shades (Punjab, Barcelona and Syracuse) so that I can mix and match throughout the seasons. One of my other absolute favorites in this category is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.
This is truly my favorite foundation but I save it for special occasions due to its hefty price tag ($64 USD on Sephora.com.) Whew, my mouth just dropped when I looked up the price. I think it increased by $4! I’m pretty sure it used to be $60. Hmm…too many people raving about it on their blogs : ) This was the foundation I wore on my wedding day and it literally lasted all day through tears, sweating on the dance floor and my kiss at the alter. ; ) Fantastic drugstore options in this category could be Loreal True Match Foundation or Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation.
And last but not least, we need the all nighter (literally.) The full coverage foundation that will photograph beautifully, last 10+ hours, not break apart on your skin and cover every single imperfection on your face. One of my favorites in this category is Urban Decay’s All Nighter Foundation.
I learned about this from a friend when I performed in “Finding Nemo the Musical” at Walt Disney World. We would do 3+ shows a day and we needed our foundation to LAST! Other great options in this category are Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (a cult favorite), Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick or Covergirl Outlast Foundation (great drugstore option-insanely good coverage.)
There you have it! Your own guideline to help you build your perfect foundation wardrobe. Obviously, these are just my suggestions and I know that not everyone needs 5+ foundations in their collection. If you’ve got your one holy grail foundation that you’ve used for ages and makes you feel beautiful, go for it! I do think that gorgeous makeup starts with gorgeous skin (ahem, skincare!) and why not use a bit of foundation to create that flawless finish for any occasion. As I said earlier, everyone’s wardrobe will differ. You’ll notice that I didn’t mention any powder foundations and perhaps you’re a Bare Minerals girl or guy! I simply prefer the finish of a liquid. Or maybe you rock the no makeup makeup like no other and only need a few tinted moisturizers in your collection. Amazing! Or perhaps you own 40+ foundations, have a different one for each day of the week and wear full face to the gym. In that case, I say “yes girl!” You better rock that cat eye on the treadmill ; )
Hopefully this inspired you to create your foundation wardrobe and say “hello” to flawless skin for all occasions. Now, most importantly, what is your go to all time favorite foundation!? I feel like this is one of my callings in life, haha…to find the absolute perfect foundation (and to invent the first red velvet cupcake that is 0 calorie, fat free, sugar free, guilt free but tastes like Heaven.) I’ll let you know when I figure that one out.
Let me know in the comments below if you decide to create a wardrobe of your own!
“My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage.” -Aunt Frances, “Practical Magic”
Love, Carrie xo
