Flawless Finish
8 Months Old
The beauty department at Nordstrom always sucks me in. I was helping my husband shop for shoes recently, and as he went over to the men’s shoe department, I veered right to head straight for the beauty area.
Occasionally I’ll hear from readers that beauty stores overwhelm them, and maybe even intimidate them, and while the beauty section at Nordstrom is filled to the brim, there are usually 2-5 employee’s available to help assist you. And they love all things beauty, so they are the people to ask if you have questions.
Foundation is one of my favorite makeup products to experiment with. There is such a dramatic difference between different formulations, and I enjoy seeing which works best on my skin!
I’ve tried a couple different products from Laura Mercier, and specifically love her primer. Her tinted moisturizer is also a fan favorite! I thought the Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation sounded intriguing, so I was excited to try it and see how it wore.
My current favorite foundation is a bit creamy, and therefore can feel heavy in the summertime. No matter how strongly I will Fall to show up, I’m confident I still have to endure a few months of summer temperatures, so a lighter formula sounded intriguing.
I’m trying to break the habit of using my fingers to apply foundation because I think it’s contributing a little bit too much extra oil/dirt to my face. I’ve noticed a bit more breaking out, especially around my chin, so I’m trying to stay extra clean with my tools/brushes.
Here I am with no face makeup:
With the beauty blender*, I’ve found that applying a bit of the foundation to my face first is better than trying to rub it all in with the sponge. I pour a little foundation out on the back of my hand, dot it on my face, and blend it in.
*like my nails? Details coming soon 🙂
I deal with a bit of redness around my nose, so to concentrate a little foundation on problem areas, I like to apply a few drops directly to the beauty blender* and press the foundation over top of the issues.
I finished with a bit of blush, and my favorite lip product, Bite’s BB cream lip tint in Flush. I am only 1/2 way through my first tube but I’ve already bought another! I’m scarred by Dior discontinuing the coral Lip Glow so when I find something I love, I stock up.
Like I mentioned before, I love the “lightness” of this foundation. It doesn’t feel too rich or creamy, but still provides flawless coverage. It’s rather liquid-y, so it takes a little getting used to to use it, but once you get the hang of it I think you’ll find it’s very easy to blend into your face. Sometimes the thicker, creamier foundations “sit” on top of the skin, but you won’t have that problem with the Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide by Laura Mercier.
You can find this foundation at Nordstrom in September!
*pictured is “The Perfector” by Sephora. I mistakenly picked up that sponge when I went to grab the Beauty Blender. I like the softness of the Beauty Blender better than this sponge, so I’d actually recommend it over the one I’m using in this tutorial. Sorry for the confusion!
This post was sponsored by Nordstrom.
comments
I agree it is nice to lighten up in the summer. This product looks great! I look forward to seeing your upcoming “nail” post too, cute!
http://palsywalsyblog.blogspot.ca/
What kind of blush are you using? I bought the Urban Decay Flushed palette you recommended in Streak. I do really like it, but I’ve never used a bronzer/blush duo and it’s taking a lot of practice to not look “stripey”!
Here I’m wearing Tarte’s Captivating 🙂
I will have to try this! I’m a teen just getting into makeup and am looking for a good “light” foundation. My only problem now is finding the right shade. Any tips? 🙂
Love your blog, Kate! 🙂
– Anastasia
Get color matched at a makeup counter!
Looks great and I hope this foundation will be available in Germany soon! May I ask why you put your foundation on the back on your hand before putting it on your face?
I dot the foundation directly on my face and then blend it in with the sponge. Works perfect.
Your problem area method makes sense. I will try this out tomorrow!
Best,
Jule
This foundation is a bit liquid-y, so I didn’t want it to drip down my face. Either way is fine though!
Do you ever review natural beauty products (make up, hair care, etc…)? I try to make sure all my make up is free of all the really bad chemicals (paraben, SLS, petroleum, etc..). I have a hard time finding natural products that work well. I do have a few I love, but it gets expensive trying all the different brands out! Just thought it would be great if you maybe had a few segments dedicated to natural products. Thanks!
Omg. Ance problems you’re having a girl!
I was going to say the same thing. My face started to break out like crazy during the first trimester and didn’t clear up until well after 20 weeks. And I had a girl!
Arbonne is my all time favorite foundation also. I have tried many of your other recommendations ( Tarte Amazonian Clay, Bare Minerals liquid…) but keep going back to the Arbonne. Their primer is my favorite also. I have scarring on my face from a car accident and skin cancer and am always looking for the “best” coverage for those areas. You are a beautiful inspiration to many of us and will never realize all the lives you have touched through your blog.
I have fallen in love with Chanel’s Vitalumière Aqua foundation. It’s terrific and light!
I have heard WONDERFUL things about that foundation!
I’m glad you liked it! I tried it and I was really disappointed, it just wouldn’t blend in! I had to use several brushes to get it to blend all the way. :'(
Laura recommends applying her foundations with fingers or a high quality sponge- it will blend perfectly and look like skin! She doesn’t even make a foundation brush because it doesn’t blend or look natural.
Do you use any sort of powder on top?
I have a cheapie version of the beauty blender and I love it I find that I am using a lot less foundation than I would if I just put it on with my fingers, but am still getting the same coverage.
This foundation is beautiful! I’ve recently fallen in love with Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar A-Z Cream, but also have the bad habit of using my fingers to apply. I need to work on breaking this one as well!
Your eyeliner looks fabulous in these photos–is it liquid and if so, could you possibly do a tutorial sometime? 🙂
Hi! Although I love to try liquid foundation I always end up going back to bare minerals powder because it’s the only thing I’ve found that doesn’t make me break out. I was wondering about the tarte primer you mentioned in your favorites video last week. Would that work with powder foundation or only liquid? Thanks!
Looks amazing! And I love the pic by pic tutorial! Which primer feels lighter on the skin, the Laura Mercier or Tarte? I’m getting ready to buy the Tarte, but could be persuaded other wise if the Laura Mercier is better.
I’ve used both and to me they both felt heavy. The Tarte one even balled up on my skin while I was applying it. I have fallen in love with the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer. It’s a little on the pricey side but it is so, so worth it. It lasts a while too. I ordered it at the beginning of April and I haven’t used the whole bottle yet. I only need about half a pump for my whole face. The stuff is like a miracle in a bottle.
Thank you for the suggestion!
The Laura Mercier primer feels lighter, a little bit more serum-like.
Great! Thank you!
I love your nails!! Can’t wait for your nail post!! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to try this foundation after reading a great review on Beautypedia. Paired with your personal review, I’m heading to Nordstrom today 🙂
It’s not available until the fall. This is a sponsored post so I don’t think she actually went to Nordstrom and tried it.
Yeah, I figured that out once I got there. The beauty advisor was very friendly and gave me a couple of samples to take home. She said that it won’t be available until August 30. FYI, it’s available at Sephora now.
I’m sorry for the confusion–I completely meant to update the post sharing that it’s released 9/1 but I was away from my computer for the bulk of the day. : /
Can you tell me how you clean your Beauty Blender? I’ve used other brushes and sponge-like applicators but I feel like are dirty and full of old foundation. What is your suggestion for keeping it clean? Thanks!
check this out : http://www.beautylish.com/t/rpjus/how-do-you-wash-your-beautyblender-sponge
Thank you!!! 🙂
I used to hate it because I was too young to wear make up, but now I love it! 🙂 I’m always looking for a good foundation. Thanks for the tip!
xoxo Allison
http://allisons-eye.com/
Do you use a dry Beauty Blender or do you dampen it?
I prefer it dry. I’ve tried both, but I like working with it dry the best!
Kate, may I ask which shade of the Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide you’re wearing in these photos? Any idea when Nordstrom will be launching this product in their stores?
I’m wearing Ivory and it’s launching 9/1!
You’re so pretty! Love this post!
I want Nordstrom to sponsor my life.
Random question….how do you clean your beauty blender???
Oh that looks lovely hadn’t thought of trying it I will now
Love so many of the products you’ve featured on here! Revision’s Intellishade is my favorite summer tinted moisturizer. Definitely one to try- although I can only find it at my dermatologist and amazon! Bobbi Brown’s full coverage face brush is my favorite for any foundation.
LOVE your nail color and can’t wait to see a post about!
How did you try this foundation at Nordstroms when you were there looking at shoes for your husband if it’s not available until the fall?
I found the foundation elsewhere, but as a part of this post I was to inform readers that it’s launching at Nordstrom on 9/1!
Maybe it’s the resolution, but your pic without makeup doesn’t look it- I’m jealous ! I’m having to cover up recent acne marks every day now, makes it harder to go au natural on the weekends
it’s definitely the lighting– up close you would be like “whoa”. 🙂
Darn you for being so gorgeous makeup-free!! 🙂 And I too used to put foundation on with my fingers, but I must’ve not been very good at it, because there was always a spot that ended up with too much or too little. Now that I use a foundation brush, I’m a new woman! It’s SO much easier to get that even, airbrushed look. Tried the beauty blender before too, but didn’t find it nearly as easy to apply (or blend) with as a brush.
I LOVE my Beauty Blender! I use it exactly the same way you do – applying a little foundation directly to my face and then “stippling” and blending. Although I don’t completely wet the sponge, I quickly pass it through a stream of water. I use the cleaner that comes with it to clean the sponge, but I also replace mine every two years. Best product ever!
Oh my, I’m 45 and I’ve tried it all. My Holy Grail, the one I keep coming back to is Clinique Pore Perfector. (Not sure about perfect spelling) That stuff is great, just wish they would make a bigger tube and stop raising the prices!!!
I’m intrigued by the BeautyBlender, but when I clicked through on your link, it showed a teardrop shaped sponge rather than the sort of “soft serve ice cream”-looking one in your pictures. Is yours just contoured from having held it in the middle for a number of applications or are there different shapes? Thanks!
Looking Different!
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Hi, I would love to try the Bites BB cream lip tint you mentioned. Where can find it? Thanks.
FYI The coral lip glow is back in stock at Sephora.
THANK YOU for that info!
Just wondering if you still like this foundation? I am ready to try a new foundation-but this one has mixed reviews-just wondering if you still like it. sometimes it takes a little while to really decide. Thanks-Just out of curiosity, what foundation does your mom use? (i am probably closer to her age) :). Hope you are feeling well-