My Holy Grail Foundations (yes, there are two)

How much is flawless skin worth to you? $20 every few months? $40? $65? Less? More? Well, I didn't really have a cap - though I'm hardly made of money. I had already decided my dream foundation was not in the beauty aisle of my local Target. I searched for it at Sephora, but had no luck. When I worked at Nordstrom, I checked there for it but to no avail. I tried a few mineral makeups and they were fantastic (props to Lumiere Mineral Makeup and Everyday Minerals [review pending]!) but not 100% what I was looking for. I worked with FACE Atelier foundations and loved them enough to put them in my kit, but that still wasn't my ideal foundation for everyday personal use. A few months ago, demoralized (but ever-stubborn) I tried yet another product and VOILA!: there was my perfect skin, my Holy Grail foundation.

Want to know what gives me luminous, flawless, glowing skin that looks candlelit and spectacular in any situation? Keep reading, guys and gals, and I'll share my secret...

Oh, and did I mention?: when I wear these foundations, I don't even need my primers!

Before I unveil, let me tell you what I am looking for in a foundation, 'cause I'm really, really, really picky!

1. It should look like skin. Very good skin, to be specific.
2. It should not break me out - that is not the sign of a good foundation, dudes (MAC, I mean you!).
3. It should be slightly radiant, but not glittery.
4. It should not streak.
5. I should forget it is there, that is to say it should be lightweight or, preferably, weightless.
6. It should not disappear after a few hours.
7. It should not transfer onto my clothes, husband, or daughter.
8. It should be the exact shade of my skin (which - hello Bobbi Brown and Chanel!- is NOT yellow).
9. It should feel nice: not dry, not slimy, not slippery, not eerily squeaky (Bare Minerals, I'm talkin' to YOU!)
10. It should not congregate around my nose nor settle in those fine lines I'm ignoring.

So what lived up to these seemingly impossible requirements? Drumroll, please...

Armani!

I'd heard for a few years about Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation - it gets rave reviews by makeup artists and consumers alike. The trouble is, I didn't have an Armani counter nearby and I wasn't about to spend $55 plus shipping to guess on the color! But then they opened a counter at the Saks nearby, and off I went to try it.

AMAZING.

This foundation, often referred to online as LSF, is a pumped liquid that gives sheer-to-medium buildable coverage. It's oil-free, which is nice, 'cause I don't need any help clogging my pores, thank you very much! Made with Armani's exclusive Micro-fil^TM technology, this foundation just glides right onto the skin, not settling in the imperfections on the skin but rather somehow filling them and making them disappear. I can't feel this product on my skin, but I can see the results: dewy radiant skin with hardly any flaws. And it's made for all skin types, too, which is a bonus.

The downsides:

• That "hardly any" bit about the flaws. I can still see some of my freckles when I wear this - not that this is a bad thing, but since I'm asking for what I want, what about a completely flawless, 100% unblemished finish??
• Did you see me mention an SPF rating on that product? That's 'cause I did not. What about sun protection factor!?

Again, Armani to the rescue! Cue Designer Shaping Cream Foundation SPF 20.   This is actually what it sounds like: a shaping foundation that has double-silk fibers that help firm the skin a bit. It's perfect for all skin types but is really great for anyone who needs a bit of tightening up (not me, but I still love this product!). It's called a cream, but it's like a really thick liquid rather than a full-on cream (I consider Studio Tech a "cream" and this is nothing like it!). I get a nice, radiant finish with this product, too - not quite as radiant as the LSF but still on the dewy side. And there's an SPF of 20, which is pretty sweet. And the best bit? You can get full coverage out of this one without much work. Lovely!

I have tested both of these foundations for periods of several weeks and I haven't experienced breakouts or shine or anything detrimental. I can see where folks with oiler skins may not like the finish of these two products because in my experience oily-skinned folk don't usually like to see anything but matte skin staring back at them in the mirror. I can also see where the Designer Shaping Cream might be too heavy for some oilier or sensitive skins - it's hydrating. But for me: perfection!

With each of these products, less is more - if you glop it on, you're apt to be disappointed. And I heartily recommend a brush for applying them. My best results are with my MAC 187 or 188.

LSF is $55 USD and the Designer Shaping Cream is $65 USD.

What price, beauty?

Comments

[kia]

haha love it! you are such a tease as the summary only showed in my google reader! omg i'll have to try this foundation now! thanks for sharing. i was previously a foundation whore and now that you said it's better than the topper on my wishlist face atelier??? ok, i've got to try it! thanks!

[Joy]

I've been soo lusting for Armani's foundations! I love Face Atelier as well but it's been my cheaper alternative since I can't afford Armani right now!! When my friend tried hers on me my skin looked and felt like heaven...

[*jen]

Kia - it is my duty to make you come actually read the blog. ;)

Joy - thanks for posting! it is nice on the skin, isn't it!?

[kytari]

I am also a big fan of Armani. Including the sheer one for highlighting and the bronze shade for contouring, one can achieve that runway look. They all build well over each other as opposed to powders that can promote that cakey look.
Another stellar foundation is the Kevin Acouin Airbrush. This will definitely provide the flawless and coverage you are looking for on those special occasions.

[*jen]

It's so true that layering those powders can get so cakey! UGH. I have to try the Kevyn Aucoin - I love all of his products that I've tried, especially the eyebrow pencil. I'll have to check it out!