Mixing different foundation shades or just different foundations period.

Sep 4, 2016

Angela J.

I self tan a lot in the summer and a bit into the fall and I can't afford to buy 4 different shades of every foundation I like to have one for a fresh tan, fading, and basically no tan. Because of all the variations of tan I go through I end up having to mix shades sometimes. My big question is, how many of you mix different foundation formulas for this reason or other reasons? What are your favorite combos? I'm really interested to hear your answers!

Sep 4, 2016

Kristen W.

I have yet to find a foundation that I didn't have to mix. Downside to being very pale with extremely dry skin I guess. lol

For changing the undertone/shade of a foundation I love the MUFE Chromatic mixes. Just makes sure you get the base that will work with the foundation you're using.

As long as the foundation isn't water based I also like to mix in a drop of beauty oil. Because my skin is so dry it sucks up the extra moisture and just gives the most beautiful finish to the foundation. Even with the fullest of coverage. :)

Sep 4, 2016

Aurora S.

I don't think you need 4 different colors I mean you'd pretty much only need two, one that matches you without a tan (the lightest) and one that matches with a tan (the darkest) and from there you can easily mix the shades when it's fading, not as fresh etc
In fact, you can just get the foundations in your non-tan shade and buy the custom cover drops in a shade or two darker than the color of a fresh tan, that particular product works fairly well among different bases so it could be one that you use with any type of foundation and not worry so much about the base plus it has that dropper so you don't have to worry about pouring out too much of the darker shade and you'll get a feel for how many drop you'll need which could be faster than eyeing it

Sep 4, 2016

Aurora S.

And actually, I tend to have to mix my foundations with a little bit of green because they lack that olive hue that matches me better.
Most yellow toned foundations tend to look orange or pinky peach on me

Sep 4, 2016

Heather F.

When you say beauty oil, which exactly do you mean? I'm new to trying oils (have only tried rosehips for my fine lines) and haven't been brave enough to try adding moisturizer to my foundation (I tend to run a little oily anyway). But with winter coming up soon, my skin will be getting patchy so I'm curious about ways to avoid that.

Sep 4, 2016

Angela J.

Thanks Aurora! I tried the custom cover drops and they seemed to not get along with most everything I mixed them with but maybe I should give them a shot again. You're right about not having to do that originally but I hadn't thought it through and just kept buying foundations to match my current color lol. That's why I have so many drugstore options. Now I'm at a point where I can't justify buying more:(

Sep 4, 2016

Angela J.

Kristen I do that too. I mean with the oil. My skin is crazy dry and I love the tarte oil and the Peter Thomas Roth unoil! They both mix so well with foundation and seem expensive but last a damn lifetime:)

Sep 4, 2016

Kristen W.

SailorMoon S. - I have quite a few so sorry for the long list.

Estee Lauder Double Wear in 1C1
Mac Prolongwear in NC15
UD All Nighter in 0.5
MUFE Stick in 115
L'Oreal Pro Matte & Glow in Ivory
Givenchy Photo'Perfexion in Perfect Ivory
Smashbox Studio Skin in 1.1
Lancome Stick in 110C
Becca Complexion Creme in Cashmere
Clinque Chubby Stick in Intense Ivory
Dermablend Blurring Mousse in Ivory
and last but not least RCMA in Porcelain.

Also, before anyone thinks I'm a crazy person for having so many. 90% of those foundations were either given to me to review or ones I bought to review. The main foundations I use are The Estee, Givenchy and L'oreal Pro Matte. xD

Sep 4, 2016

Kristen W.

Heather - What oil you use will really depend on your skin type. The one I like best is the Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins. It's pretty pricey but since I only use one drop at a time it lasts forever.

Cover FX makes a few mixing drops that are sold on Beautylish. I haven't tried them myself but I've heard nothing but good things. If you are dealing with other problems than moisture you might want to go with those.

(Edit: Forgot to mention these were the cover FX drops I was talking about. Not the pigment ones. https://www.beautylish.com/s/cover-fx-custom-infusion-drops-e-chamomile-calming)

Sep 4, 2016

Ivey S.

It's better to use a lighter shade than a darker shade in my opinion. What you could do is use a medium foundation or a light foundation all over and then you could get the darker foundation and warm your cheekbones, jawline, and the top of your forehead.

Sep 5, 2016

Angela J.

Thanks Ivey! That's a great idea! Better than my bronzer freaking everywhere technique lol:)

Sep 5, 2016

Kitty K.

I am a beach bum, and I can easily go the whole day just laying in the sand and tanning, lol (I have even fallen asleep on the shore when the tide was still with all the fishes ). Living in Miami and having all year access doesn't exactly help.. so I go from my usual color to dark dominican real quick.. and the most cost efficient solution I have found was just to purchase a foundation palette.

RCMA has a 5-part palette for $30 and you get a great shade range
https://www.beautylish.com/s/rcma-makeup-5-part-series-favorites-palette-shinto

I actually have the VK palette but I have pretty much used all the shades in the 5 part series when I tan. I have my foundations that are all the same color for the rest of the year, summer time is when I pull out my RCMA so I don't have to worry about buying more and more.

Sep 5, 2016

Jacqueline H.

I have a pretty straightforward yellow undertone. For myself, I love my MAC Studio Fix. I'm a pretty spot on NC 30 to NC 35. Depending on the time of year, I mix the 2, and I always have a good match. Come summertime, I tan very very easily, and I go pretty yellow ochre, so I go to my RCMA Shinto series.

You can mix any foundation to get your match as long as the base of the foundation is the same. If I need to adjust depth and undertone on a wider scale, I use RCMA's Foundation Adjusters. They can be used to adjust any silicone, oil or wax based foundation.  :)

Sep 5, 2016

Marleen B.

I always mix. Either to tweak the color or give my medium coverage more coverage or vice versa. Also will mix a more moisterizing foundation with a more matte one.

Sep 5, 2016

Angela J.

Thanks Kitty and Jacqueline! I may have to invest in a pallet. I hadn't thought of that:) Also it's good to know that you can mix most if they are the same base. I'm pretty certain the ones I use most are silicone based so that should be helpful!

Sep 5, 2016

Angela J.

Marleen do you have any favorite combos? Any that make 2 foundations you love into your ultimate favorite formula/coverage/finish type deal?

Sep 6, 2016

Marleen B.

Angela. First of all, I have very dry skin with texture and melasma. So I need something moisterizing, smoothing, and medium to full coverage. Not as easy as it sounds. So my formula of mixing suits my particular issues. I like the light moisterizering feeling and dewy finish of the Loreal Lumi, but it doesn't give me the coverage I like. So I mix in a little Marc Jacobs Remarcable foundation to add more coverage. But I have to be careful not to add too much, because it will mattify my skin too much and take away from the Lumi dewiness, not to mention, make my skin look like the desert. And honestly, I do sacrifice a little dewiness for coverage by adding the MJ. But I feel it's worth it to get the coverage I need. Plus, I like the smoothing effects that the MJ gives due to its light, ink-like texture. I just will make sure not to add any further drying products afterwards and I will add highlight and my Pixi Glow mist to add back the dewiness. Sometimes when I'm extra dry, I will add some facial oil like Farsali Rose Gold Elixir or my Smashbox primer oil (which I also use as a primer, thats how dry I am) to my foundation

Sep 6, 2016

Marleen B.

Angela, I notice that you have Born that Way & the Lumi. Depending on your skintype (if you're not too oily), I would try that combo. I have Born that way too. I think I'm going to try mixing those two together instead of MJ. The BORN may add a little more coverage but may not be as drying as the MJ. But I still love the MJ, especially at night where the nighttime light is more forgiving.

Sep 10, 2016

Angela J.

Thanks Marleen! I'm going to try that combo tomorrow. I will definitely be able to get my current shade mixing those two atm yay! I also have very dry skin with texture issues but my triple whammy is acne scarring:( It makes everything difficult. It's turned into a circus of several different primers, serums, and masks on different areas of my face lol. Sucks!

Sep 10, 2016

Angela J.

I also add oil to my foundation in winter. I should pick up that Pixi mist...man have I been eyeing that tatcha spray lately but damn that price!