Build Your Basics: Base Makeup & Foundations

I’m excited to introduce the first installment of my year-long series on makeup! Last year, I broke down my “essentials” in each category for style through the Build Your Basics series, so we’re onto a new category for 2023!

For this year, I’ll be taking you through my top product recommendations in each category for makeup. We’re going to start with bases & foundations, as that’s the first step in my makeup routine. Let’s get into it.

Bases

My Base Makeup Picks

Setting a base for your skin is an important part of how your makeup will look & last throughout the day. While I don’t typically use a traditional primer because my skin doesn’t need it, these are the products that I use under my foundation that I would recommend.

Face “Illuminator”

SPF/Sunscreen

Eyeshadow Base

Under Eye Base

Lip Base

 

Foundations

My Foundation Picks

Foundation is a very personal preference. It depends on your skin type, what type of coverage you need, how you like your makeup to feel, etc. I like to have an option for each level of coverage depending on the overall look I’m going for. These are my go-to’s for every type of coverage.

Minimal/Natural Coverage

Light Coverage

Medium Coverage

Full Coverage

Along with sharing the products that I’ve been using and loving for years, I thought it would be fun to test out a new one each month in the category. Here’s my thoughts on this month’s “test item”:

This Month’s Test Item

e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter

Product Info

  • “Dupe” For: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($46)
  • Price Point: $14 for 1.06 oz
  • Shade I Tried: 2 Fair/Light
  • Key Product Info:
    • Can be worn alone, under foundation, over foundation, mixed with foundation, or as a highlighter
    • 8 shades
    • Suitable for all skin types
    • Includes squalane (moisturizes skin) and hyaluronic acid (hydrates skin)

My Thoughts

I really like this! It’s a good dupe for the CT flawless filter with just a bit less of the glow factor. I like that it feels a tiny bit lighter on my skin than the CT one, too. It’s very lightweight and wears well throughout the day. Overall, I’d give it a 9.5/10!

 

So there you have it! My top recommendations and products that I go back to time and again. What’s your go-to?

More Posts In This Series

build your basics: under eye products & concealers

build your basics: blush

build your basics: contour & bronzer

build your basics: powders

build your basics: eyeshadows

Hi there!

Lauren Bown Lifestyle Blog is an online destination where I share my personal style, beauty finds, and bits of life in hopes to inspire other women to feel good in their skin and find the beauty in the ordinary.

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1 Comments

  1. 1.30.23
    Felicia Williams said:

    Great post! Very informative and helpful. Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to more!