If you’ve ever gone searching for an alternative to foundation, you’ve probably been told to use a tinted moisturiser or BB cream, but more often than not these embody all of the traits that most people hate in foundation, plus more. Whilst tinted moisturisers can be a great alternative to foundation, they’re often thick, greasy, prone to oxidization, take more work to apply and blend than regular foundation, have poor staying power, and an even worse shade range. Whilst there are some great tinted moisturisers (BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Recovery Gel for example) they’re not necessarily the only option when searching for an alternative to foundation.

This is not a generic list of tinted moisturiser recommendations, but rather a list of skin pick me ups. Moisturisers, creams, primers, and other products that nourish, give a naturally gorgeous glow and the illusion of an even skintone.

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30

If you’re after the perfect product to moisturise skin, correct redness, AND provide sun protection, look no further than Dr Jart Cicapair. Whether you suffer from redness, sensitive skin, or just want a product that will make skin look great without all the woes of foundation, this product is a total must have. Upon application the product is a slightly thick green cream, but it quickly dissolves into a perfect, universal beige tint which counteracts redness, blurs pimples, and dries down to a skin-like matte finish.  Moisturising and lightweight, the formula has an added bonus of SPF 30, making it the ultimate all-in-one foundation replacement.

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 How to make your eyebrows extra full & fluffy with TWO brow gels

“Use Two Brow Gels: A fibre infused gel for texture. A clear gel for hold”

Should I use two brow gels? Can I even use two brow gels? The idea of two brow gels may sound a little scary at first. After all, who wants rock-hard eyebrows that feel uncomfortable and scratchy? Rather than envisioning crispy and uncomfortable brows, think of it this way: Apply one brow gel to add texture and volume, and another to really set those brows in place. Whilst fiber-fueled brow gels do provide some hold, it typically does not last as long as a tried-true-and-tested strong hold brow gel. Our recommended best volumizing brow gels provide amazing texture, but they do struggle to keep pesky brow hairs in place. Our clear brow gel recommendations are provided with both comfort and hold in mind so there are no crispy brows in sight.  

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Primers come in many different tones, formulas, and finishes, and whilst you can certainly choose a “one-size-fits-all” style approach to your primer, that’s not necessarily best for everyone. There are multiple variations of product which can help to target individual skin types and skin concerns.

IMAGE: GLOSSIER

PRIMER 101:

In short, primers are base products that you apply after you’ve cleansed and moisturized your skin, but before you apply any coverage products like foundation or concealer. Primers are designed to help make your makeup last a lot longer and smooth over the surface of the skin so your makeup applies evenly. 

They’re a great makeup prep product, but they’re not the same as your moisturizer. Some primers are skincare-makeup hybrids which allow you to simply apply it to your skin and get benefits of both. Depending on the primer you use, you may find combining a moisturizer and a primer provide too much “slip” to your skin, causing makeup to slide and apply unevenly. Majority of the time, this can be overcome by simply allowing a full 1-2 minutes for each layer of product to absorb and set before moving on to the next. 

PRIMERS FOR EVERYONE:

If your only goal and concern is to prolong the wear of your makeup without targeting any concerns such as redness or excess oil, stick with the basics and opt for a regular primer. These primers are not all universal, but their main goal and purpose is to simply keep your makeup looking fresher for longer, no matter your skin type. 

Try: Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

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Combination skin is a real thing. Not quite dry, not quite oily; knowing how to care for it isn’t always easy. This common but sometimes confusing skin type marries areas of the face that are in oil production overdrive with areas that are dry, forming a patchwork-like texture on the skin’s surface.  Simply, combination skin is out of balance, so sourcing beauty products to cater to it requires a little vigilance.

Alina Roytberg - co-founder of skincare company, Fresh - laid down the facts on this very skin type. She described the main indicators to include: “an oily T-zone (forehead, down the nose to the chin) with dry cheeks, or skin that’s [generally] oilier in summer and drier in winter.” If you ever wondered how your skin came to be this way, Roytberg will tell you that genetics plays a leading role, above environmental factors and personal lifestyle. Each step of your skincare regime can be curated to work in favour of both surfaces at play, where harmonising your skin’s hydration levels is key.

FACT: According to Roytberg, normal and dry skin types tend to lean more toward a combination skin type when you’re on your period.“

Your cleanser should serve as the backbone of your regime by manipulating the condition of your skin regardless of what products are placed on top. Choose cleansing products that work with, not against, your multi-faceted skin type; products that replenish and balance your skin’s natural oils. “Using a good, gentle cleanser twice a day,” Roytberg suggests, “will help cleanse the skin without over-drying or leaving any residue behind.”

Replacing oil with oil is also an effective way to rebalance moisture levels across the board – I love Frank Body’s Anti-Makeup Cleansing Oil. Alternately, opt for a gentle cream solution like Clarins’ Cleansing Milk containing extracts of soothing yellow gentian. Avoid cleansers that contain high levels of salicylic acid because this additive can further dry out the skin. On the contrary, cleansing balms that boast a thick, buttery consistency may feel a little over the top against areas that are producing generous amounts of sebum as it is.

TIP: “I recommend using a cream cleanser like Fresh’s Soy Face Cleanser after an oil-based [one] as a double cleansing ritual… to ensure skin is fully cleansed,” Roytberg says.

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Dry shampoo sprays have become a staple for everyone who needs a quick touch-up but has zero time to wash their hair. It is an easy way to refresh the hair after a workout or between washes, to enjoy that perfect blow-out for one more day, or to give a bit of life and volume to your locks during lunch break. However, the classic sprays or powder formulas often leave a visible, chalky residue and can sometimes dry out the hair, causing itchy and flaky scalp. The demand for another type of product that carries similar benefits minus the undesirable effects has brought the dry shampoo foam to the hair care world. And the ingredient that makes all the difference is a very simple one, a tiny dash of water.

IMAGE: AMIKA

What is Dry Shampoo Foam?

Frequent hair washing can lead to dry and damaged hair, frizzy, rough texture, and fast-fading hair colour. Dry shampoos help hair feel and look fresh and clean for longer without using water while leaving a nice scent and giving volume to the strands. Just like the classic dry shampoo sprays, dry shampoo foams are applied onto the roots of dry hair and massaged into the scalp, working it to the ends. The difference is in the added small amount of water in dry shampoo foams and the mousse-like texture that air-dries in less than a minute. The tiny bit of water in the formula makes it easier to apply and distribute the product through the hair without leaving powdery residue and drying the scalp. As the foam dries, impurities and oil are absorbed, and hair is refreshed.

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