Help! I need guidance on a sheer (powder) foundation and a good brush.?

Hi. I'd like to get some input on buying makeup brushes and foundation.





I鈥檓 inclined to buy NARS brushes, because鈥攊n my limited experience鈥擨鈥檝e found them to be far superior to the few other brands I鈥檝e tried (eg, Mac) and they never shed. But please recommend whichever brand/model you think is best for me.





Here's my situation: I have mildly-to-moderately oily skin that鈥檚 acne free and has good natural color. Though I love eye makeup, I rarely wear face makeup, because I am in my 20s and I like my skin to look natural. I do did want to find a very light foundation (powder, if possible), though, to wear during the spring/summer, when my face can get quite shiny: something to matte things out and even out my color. I tried a Clinique pressed powder foundation but it made my skin look dry (';chalky';) and/or hairy, even though my skin is neither. It basically just looked very obvious on my skin, even though i wasn't using too much. I was, however, applying it with the original poof, which led me to look for a good foundation brush.





So:


1. Can you recommend a really sheer foundation that will be totally seamless and light but will accomplish my simple goals (ie, let my skin shine through while matting shine and evening out color)? Could I use Mac Mineralize Skin Finish pressed powder, or will that be way too sheer to do anything? Also, whichever powder I use: is it going to stay on?? I find that powders鈥攚hether blush, bronzer, or foundation鈥攁lways seem to wear off within the first few hours of wearing them. It would be nice to swipe on this foundation and have it stay on all day.


2. As for application, which brush should I use? The girl at Sephora sold me the NARS loose powder brush鈥?Should I exchange it for some kind of pressed powder brush? Or a stippling brush? Or a Kabuki brush? I want to be able to apply my foundation really well but also, if possible, use the same brush to blend all my face makeup.


3. BTW, I asked about the stippling brush because the Sephora girl recommended one for applying the Tarte cheek stain stick that she sold me鈥?and I鈥檝e seen a lot of you-tube tutorials that recommend stippling brushes or kabuki brushes to sort of buff the makeup into your face.


FYI 鈥?I already have a NARS bronzer brush, if this makes a difference.





Sorry my question is so convoluted, but I鈥檓 REALLY CONFUSED. As good as I am at doing eye makeup, I feel helplessly clueless about face makeup. I鈥檝e been to the makeup counters hundreds of times and they never seem to sell me the right thing.





Any tips you can offer鈥攅ven links to explanatory web pages鈥擨 would greatly appreciate. Thanks again!!Help! I need guidance on a sheer (powder) foundation and a good brush.?
1. The Mac Mineralize Foundation obviously has the benefit of being a natural product, helping to keep your skin hydrated and breakout-free. However, given your description of your skin, I would suggest that this is perhaps not the product for you. Such a lightweight loose powder foundation is definitely not designed for the purpose of reducing shine or lasting for a full day, especially during summer. In order to absorb the oil on your face, you'd have to apply at least several layers of this powder, which will again cling to the hairs, and any dryer areas, on your face.





In it's place, I would recommend you test Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation: http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.鈥?/a> It's a powder and foundation in one, but is still a dry powder product. The silica contained in the product absorbs oil easily, creating a matte finish, while the talc gives it a smooth velvety texture. This product is specially developed for people with oily skin, so you won't need to apply more than one light layer to gain the coverage you want, also meaning that the hairs on your face won't be emphasized. It's also very long-lasting.





2. A loose powder brush or kabuki brush is ideal for a loose powder. Kabuki brushes have the advantage of providing more even, lighter coverage (as you're 'buffing' the makeup onto your face, like you said) and being made of natural animal hair. However, if you were to opt for the Mac Studio Fix like I suggested, it might be better to invest in a sponge or pressed powder brush. Sponges have the advantage of being very inexpensive and reusable. You could still use your current Nars brush for blush and/or bronzer, so it won't go to waste. The best brands for brushes are always Giorgio Armani http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/_鈥?/a> and Sephora http://www.sephora.com/browse/section.jh鈥?/a>





3. Stippling brushes are traditionally more of a professional product, so only a few makeup companies manufacture them commercially. They're very similar to kabuki brushes, but are usually made of a combination of animal and synthetic hairs. If you already have a loose powder brush, and are going to purchase a pressed powder brush or sponge set, I wouldn't worry about purchasing this.





Hope this helps :)Help! I need guidance on a sheer (powder) foundation and a good brush.?
For a powder try the Clinique loose blended powder in ivisble blend you can barely tell you wearing any. Use a big brush for it i havnt tried any nars brushes so i dont no. If your applying mineral makeup or bronzer use a kabuki brush.


For Bronzer try Sugarbaby then give a nice glow if added lighly or a more subtle colour if applied more and it normally lasts for most of my day. But just keep a compact handy incase of any touch ups. Or what i used to do was but the maybelline 16hr stuff and just use the white stuff and that kept my makeup on all day even when i was doing p.e. etc or try a primer underneath your skin Natio has a really good primer kinda like napolean perdis primer but cheaper


Try makeup alley they have some reviews different types of makeup
I don't know where you got the information about pressed powder, but it is loose powder that DOESN'T givbe the chalky, not to mention, cakey, look. There is a bunch of chemicals that make it ';pressed';, and can be very drying.


I think people are suggesting loose powders because they are better, and when applied correctly, should not ever give you a chalky look. (May have been putting on too much).


Anyway, Bare Escentual brushes are great.. The Handi Buki and Flawless Radiance are my favorite. But then I use Bare Minerals Makeup, which is the best...