I’ve gone through many phases in my life with (and without) foundation.Used to be the ones I favored tended to be seasonal determined by where I was on the globe. In more humid areas I might crave different ones then I crave here in the high country of Colorado, where it’s significantly drier. I’m finding more and more though that my favorites work no matter what the season or location, sometimes I just need to adjust the color based on how much I’ve been in the sun.

There are always a few things to look for when you are choosing the perfect foundation. Test drive it on your face (the back of your hand is not enough) at the store before you purchase. See how it feels when you’ve been wearing it for a few hours, how the color suits your complexion ~ it can change throughout the day as your natural oils show through. Another important detail is how much coverage you are looking for, light, medium or heavier. Also, some formulas have added benefits such as antioxidants, sunscreens etc. My all time favorite right now is Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr Soft Matte Longwear Foundation color #150. My 15 year old daughter introduced me to it & I’m obsessed. It decreases my pore size and is the perfect silky layer in-between my sunscreen and makeup.

Here are some more cult favorites to check out…

ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup This award winning foundation lasts for 24 hours and delivers a flawless matte finish. Medium to full buildable coverage. The oil-free formula controls shine, is waterproof and won’t run, rub off or smudge (great for those white tops) It also lasts in hot and humid weather. $42.00

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, I’ve used this one step powder / foundation for years. It’s great for gals on the go…all you need is a powder brush to apply, no need to mess up your fingers. It’s a nice matte, buildable finish for medium and heavy coverage. Long lasting formula, wears for up to 12 hours. $30.00

This SPF 20 Tinted Moisturizer by Laura Mercier is a sheer, lightweight multitasker for a healthy glow and natural dewy finish. It’s perfect for when you don’t want or need to look too made up. $46.00

Lancome’s Teint Idole Ultra Liquid 24H Longwear SPF 15 Foundation is an ultra long wearing, oil free liquid foundation that delivers a velvety-smooth complexion for up to 24 hours. Perfect for those long days when you don’t have time to retouch your makeup. This is a transfer-resistant formula that is infused with perlite and silica to ensure that excessive oils are absorbed, leaving behind a shine-free velvety matte complexion. $47.00

Chantecaille makes this Just Skin Unisex Tinted Moisturizer that offers just enough lightweight coverage with a a nontoxic mineral sunscreen. It has a new complex of botanicals that delivers protection from free radicals, smog and sun. Great for city living! $74.00

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer this is a BB cream, a CC cream and a tinted moisturizer all in one. Lots of great stuff here for all skin types. This formula offers sheer to medium coverage with mineral-based broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. $30.00

Dior Airflash Spray Foundation this is an ultra-fluid, water-based foundation that blends full coverage with a lightweight formula providing imperceptible second skin for up to 24 hours. Good for all skin types. The fine mist provides a soft, velvety complexion for buildable custom coverage for any skin tone and texture. $62.00

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+ This is a bestselling, award-winning, color-correcting, full-coverage cream with anti-aging skincare and SPF 50+ physical sunscreen, not sure we can ask for anything more here. I like that it has a higher SPF then some of the others. This formula won;’t crumble or crack under pressure and it’s infused with an advanced anti-aging serum. $39.oo

MILK Blur Liquid Matte Foundation is an ultra-weightless, full-coverage foundation with an oil-free, silicone-free formula that lets skin breath. This formula minimizes the appearance of pores and leaves a smooth matte finish that looks and feels as light as air. $40.00

There are different schools of thought on how to properly apply foundation. I use a combo of my fingers, the Beauty Blender and brushes. Just remember to always keep your applicators clean. I wash my brushes everyday with a gentle shampoo and let them air dry on their sides.

Foundation Brushes