COMPLEXION PERFECTION: My Go-To Audition Complexion Faves

Obviously, different face and cheek products have different purposes. Some are going to give you very sheer coverage with a glowing finish or more of a full coverage, natural-matte finish. Whatever your preference is, it’s provably a combination of these. It’s probably my favorite from past clients, “I want a really sheer and lightweight full coverage matte-finish foundation with a little glow.” Yes. You read that right. It makes no sense and no truer words have been spoken.

So, here are a few of my favorite go-to face and cheek products, depending on the occasion. I tend to use these products for auditions, going out, everyday, etc. If I’m not going out, I don’t wear much makeup. I prefer to let my skin breathe. If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat, you know I am obsessed with face masks and skincare! More on that later.

You might think I’m biased and am in love with Hourglass based on the amount of it taking up the collage…. and you’re right. It’s just so good!

Hourglass Veil Foundation

To me is The Holy Grail of foundations. Here’s how we met: It was late on a Sunday. I was working at the MAC counter and had just clocked out. I moseyed over to the Hourglass counter at Bloomingdales and I asked the girl, “Oh, what is this? Hourglass? Never heard of it… What’s so hot about it?” “Just check it out,” she replied. I started swatching colors on my hand, and upon seeing the flawless finish and coverage, I had a fascinated head tilt in seeing the utter beauty that was appearing before my eyes. Was this magic? No. It was real. I immediately ran for a makeup wipe to try it on my skin. On it went with fingertips and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I WAS PERFECT. I WAS LITERALLY. PERFECT. It was so hydrating, gave the most perfect coverage, didn’t look heavy. I just, I felt like it was a light coverage foundation, just enough for me to look like a Barbie Doll. It was bizarre. It was amazing without looking like anything, if that makes sense. To this day, it is my “treat” foundation. It’s instantly hydrating and soothing for dry to combination skin types. It provides more medium to full buildable coverage, though it can go very sheer depending on how you apply it. The finish? OH THE FINISH. This is what all foundations should aspire to be. It fills in fine lines and pores, gives you the most perfect texture, finish and coverage without looking like a mask. It’s probably my favorite foundation in the whole wide world. The way it makes me FEEL is gorgeous. I prefer to use a damp beauty blender, or my new favorite Morphe brush M444. And, if you’re a person who is concerned with what goes on your skin, you’ll be happy to hear that all Hourglass products are vegan, paraben-free and this foundation is anti-aging. SLAM DUNK.

Hourglass Vanish Stick Foundation

HELLO FLAWLESS! It’s a combination foundation concealer stick. So easy to apply and incredible coverage. It’s more of a full coverage foundation with a natural-matte finish. I wouldn’t say it’s a natural skin like finish, but it isn’t super matte. It’s like. Cushiony full coverage perfection. I got this so I could have for when I’m going out and want an absolutely perfect full coverage finish. It’s not heavy at all but has a great finish. I liked blending it out with a damp beauty blender or again, with my new Morphe Brush M444.

Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme Foundation

This one is next on my list is amazing if your’e looking for something with more coverage than a tinted moisturizer but feels like one. It claims it can go full, but I’ve never needed that much. It’s hydrating for dry to combination skin types, which is me. My skin soaks it up and is very comfortable. It honestly feels like a water based foundation on my skin. It’s very light, very fluid-like and gives a perfect radiant finish. I wouldn’t set it with a powder, simply because I’m dry but also because you’ll kill the gorgeous finish. *** SIDE NOTE*** I was trying to search it here in the U.S…. I don’t think it’s available on their site or Sephora in the U.S. Strange.

Face Atelier Ultra Foundation Pro

Um. This foundation is absolutely gorgeous. There is a reason why this is the line’s most popular foundation. It gives me more of a medium to full coverage foundation with a natural satin like finish. It’s description on their website is very accurate. **This is probably my go-to audition time foundation.** I like that it looks natural, lightweight and fresh but with coverage with a natural finish. It doesn’t look powdery or dry and is comfortable on my typically dry skin. It is honestly one of the most perfect on-camera foundations and there is a reason that it’s used on set. It has a silicon base so it will be comfortable on the skin and creates an invisible barrier between your skin and the product to make your skin look super perfect. It also claims that it’s not necessary to wear a primer with it, as a primer is built in. I personally don’t usually use primers since I’m dry, but I’m going to look for this from now on. This is definitely something you need to have in your makeup bag if your’e an actor.

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation

This foundation is pretty good for when I want a natural-matte finish. From my experience it tends to be more on the matte than natural-matte finish. It provides very nice coverage and finish, but isn’t as comfortable or as hydrating on my skin like the other products. I like it and use it when I have an audition, but my skin has to be very well hydrated before I even think about using it. I wouldn’t set it with a powder, I think it would be too drying for my skin. I would definitely use a setting spray, a hydrating spray like Mario Badsescu Rosewater spray, MAC Fix Plus or First Aid Beauty Skin Finish.

Hourglass Hidden Concealer

It’s heaven. It’s super creamy, hydrating, full coverage and blends perfectly. I never feel like I’m pulling at my skin when I blend it out. It’s silky and gorgeous. It’s comfortable and I don’t feel like it creases or dries up like other concealers. Some super hydrating concealers I feel stay creamy and wet and crease. This one I feel does not. I could be biased but I feel perfect when I wear it. Must have for those late nights you’ve been up late studying your lines!

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

This was my staple go to for years. It provides me ultra full coverage for my super dark circles. It is creamy, but you have to warm it up/move it around with your spatula so it becomes more blendable. I used to have clients tell me that it didn’t give enough coverage and I would say, “FACT: IT COVERS TATTOOS.” And I would show them. And they’d be quiet. It gives great coverage, but after experiencing Hourglass, it isn’t as hydrating and after trying other products, I feel it pulls a bit on my skin. It’s generally a good concealer, especially for the price point. AND IT LASTS FOREVER.

Hourglass Diffused Light

I was sold when the girl told me it was like a real life Instagram filter. The End. It’s the most perfect powder, not powdery or flaky, it just perfects any foundation with a glow to have a soft low level pearl finish. It’s stunning. This is the type of powder you want to use if you want to set your foundation, but don’t want to kill your glowing finish. This is my setting powder for when I don’t want a radiant glow, just a subtle one. You can also pat on a bit more under the eyes and on top of the cheekbone for a subtle brightening highlighter. Must have for a night out or auditions!

Hourglass Dim Light

This is a perfect setting powder. For my fair skin, it tends to look like a bronzer, so I use it on my cheekbones to sculpt my face. I like it doesn’t get too dark or too orange on my skin, which most bronzers tend to do. Must have if you need a little color!

Hourglass Incandescent Strobing Powder

Um. This is. I was. I can’t. Speechless. It’s one of the most flawless and subtle highlighters on the market. It has a high impact that isn’t obvious. I love highlighters just like the next girl but I much as I want to be “extra”…. I need something that won’t blind people when they look at me. I let my dazzling smile and personality do that. Teehee! KIDDING. But seriously. All the strobing powders are fantastic. *Proof it’s perfect; a boy stopped me when I was out in WeHo and he said, “Girl! What highlighter are you wearing? You look perfect!” That compliment was worth every penny. Whoever your are boy from WeHo, you have a special place in my heart. MUST HAVE FOR GOING OUT!

MAC Ladyblush Creamblush

For the love of blush! I have been wearing this for years! It has the perfect rose/mauve finish with a hint of peach. It looks like a natural flush on the skin and is so buildable. I love having a soft cheek when I do something stronger on my eyes or lips. This looks great on-camera, very natural and doesn’t look wet. They dry down to a natural satin matte finish. You can always set it with a soft blush for more longevity. This is a must have if you want your blush to look like you created it naturally underneath your skin, not like it’s sitting on top.

MAC Have a Lovely Day! Comfortable Cheek and Lip Color

I love this! It’s a bit more blue than the Ladyblush and has a completely different texture. It’s a bit more sheer and more gel-like, more watery than creamy if that makes sense. I don’t usually wear this when I’m going on camera as it looks too wet, but do use it on my lips. This is a great staple to have in your makeup bag for an instant flush like you just got out of the gym.

Youngblood Mineral Cream Blush LUXE

I just discovered this line at Nigel’s the other day! It’s a mineral line that was created for skin that’s in recovery, like if you suffer from acne or intensive laser treatments that leave your skin raw or inflamed. So, it’s essentially a product that lets your skin breathe that allows you to wear makeup while your skin heals. That sounds great in my book. I was drawn to the color LUXE. It’s the most beautiful raspberry colored cream blush. It looks intimidating because it’s such a deep color but when it hits the skin, it’s this gorgeous, wind-burned kind of look. I know it sounds crazy, but trust me. It gives the perfect amount of color to the cheek. It’s so sheer but can be built up. You could use your finger, but a fluffier brush works best since it is such an intensive cream product. A finger could apply a bit too much. I know this from experience. A casting director was like, “Oh, am I embarrassing you?” It was rough. So, moral of the story, I would apply this one with a brush for sure. This shade is perfect for a range of skintones, from fair, to caramel to deep. It has the perfect amount of cool raspberry color that gives a natural winter glow.

Well I hope you found this post helpful and entertaining. These are just things that I keep on my vanity for my quick go to’s! Let me know if you have any questions or if you have any suggestions for great on-camera and everyday face and cheek products!

May all of you have a magnificent episodic season!

Cheers!

Xox Alyssa