Want Full Coverage and Glowy Skin?

Some hacks that can help you have both at the same time

I generally use full coverage foundation because I have acne scars, freckles, and some hypopigmentation that I like to cover.

However, even though my favorite full-coverage foundation (Estee Lauder Double Wear) helps “erase” some of these problems, I know I’m sacrificing a few things when I wear it.

For example, it has a matte finish, and I love the dewy look. In addition, it can look too heavy in the summer when sheer luminous foundation is the “go-to” look for beach bunnies everywhere.

So, after fighting an internal battle between glowing skin and high-coverage foundations, I did my research and found out that I could have my cake and eat it too.

Here’s how you can as well.

A little of this and a little of that

While there are some fabulous high-coverage illuminating foundations (I recommend It Cosmetics CC Cream or It Cosmetics Bye-Bye-Moisturizer), I’m still stuck on my Estee Lauder Double Wear because it covers the best. This is why I mix and match foundations to get my perfect look.

Mix two (or more) foundations together

For example, I found that mixing my full coverage makeup with a tad of sheerer more dewy foundation gives me everything I want all in one.

For example, I take the Double Wear and mix a dollop of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation into it. (By the way, using the Luminous Silk foundation alone is fabulous for those who want glowy skin but only need sheer to medium coverage.)

Once I figured out how much of each foundation I needed to make the perfect mixture, I was able to glow and keep the coverage I wanted.

For those watching their pennies

I’m a beauty junkie, so the products I use tend to be pricey. For example, It Cosmetics foundations run around forty dollars, and Luminous Silk costs around sixty-five. So that means my holy-grail mixture costs about a hundred dollars.

However, you don’t need to spend this amount to create a two-in-one foundation that looks dewy and still covers flaws.

For example, a fantastic full-coverage drug store foundation is Revlon Colorstay. It comes in formulations for dry and oily skin and hides imperfections beautifully (not to mention giving you all-day wear).

Mixing this foundation with the beautiful glow of L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow foundation will also give you a luminous look that keeps flaws hidden.

Another option to try

Mixing your high coverage foundation with a few drops of illuminator may be another way to give you the look you desire.

For example, Allure offers its recommendations for the best liquid highlighters.

They cite high-end products such as Charlotte Tillbury’s Beauty Light Wand and Milk Makeup Bionic Glow Illuminating Liquid Highlighter. However, they also include less expensive drug store versions such as L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion or Milani Soft Focus Glow Complexion Enhancer.

Note: Depending on the shimmery effect that some of these highlighters may contain, you may want to mix with your foundation sparingly at first. As you continue experimenting with the amount to use, you’ll eventually come up with the right combination for your perfect glow.

Application technique

IPSY advises how to create the perfect mixture and provides you with two other illuminators to try. Here’s what they say.

“For a quick-and-easy application, simply dab a few dots of liquid illuminator–like Clinique’s Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator–onto the back of your hand. Then, squirt your foundation or moisturizer on top of the illuminator, and mix until the two products are completely blended. Apply as you would normally apply your foundation or moisturizer, and that’s it–super simple, right?

If you’re even more pressed for time, dot the liquid illuminator directly onto your face (we like to use a product with a wand for extra-easy application here, like Starlooks “High Life” Liquid Illuminator), then apply your foundation, and blend as you apply to mix the two products together.”

The bottom line:

Singer Rihanna says:

“To me, makeup is a major accessory. It can change an outfit, it can make the outfit, it can be the outfit, and that’s why I like to play with it.”

So don’t be afraid to experiment. Play around a little. You may find your “holy grail” foundation is one you created all by yourself.

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