BPGP: The Matte Face

For years, dewy skin was in.  Recently, magazine articles and runway shows have focused on a matte finish foundation for your makeup.  So how do I achieve the perfect matte makeup look?

Foundation.  I have combination/oily skin, so even matte foundations look dewy by 3:00PM.  A college friend once asked me, “How do you get your makeup to look wet?”  Overactive sebaceous glands are my secret weapon.  But I digress…

Stay Matte Oil Free Foundation from Clinique ($23) gives me all day wear with a finish that stays matte even in humid weather.  It has moderate coverage so you don’t look overly made up, but you can layer it if need be.  I prefer to apply it with a buffer brush, mixing it with my primer for smoother application.  I just set it with a powder and go on about my day knowing my skin will stay matte without touchups.

If you’re looking for a drugstore alternative, I’ve heard good things about L’Oreal Dream Matte Mousse ($9).

Concealer.  What most women don’t know, and I only recently learned, a woman needs two concealers: one for her blemishes and imperfections that’s heavy enough to stick to skin, and a lighter, liquid concealer for the under-eye area.  Why?  Because liquid concealer will run right off a blemish, and heavier, cream concealer will cake on delicate under-eye skin.

You learn something new every day if you’re not careful.

I tried Miracle Skin Transformer Concealer ($36) for the first time this week and I like it a lot.  I apply it with a flat concealer brush in a triangle under my eyes, and even though I can still see a hint of circle, it really brightens my eye and makes me look more awake.  I think getting perfect coverage is a matter of discovering exactly how much I need to apply.

Need a drugstore alternative?  I like the NYX Concealer Wand for $5, but a number of readers swear by Maybelline Age Rewind concealer ($9).

So will you be rocking the matte look this summer/fall?  Or are you all about natural and dewy finishes?