Let me first inform you that I have not been wearing any skincare products, except for eye gel under my makeup. That may come as a surprise, as many of you know that I am heavily into my anti-aging skincare routine (both A.M. + P.M.). I have been testing the waters and not doing my entire routine for several weeks and have found that with the oil I produce, my skin does much better with no product under makeup. I do not however, completely skip my morning skin care routine, all together. Let me explain . . .

I apply a Vitamin C Serum, fresh out of the shower. From there, I do my eye makeup. If I am not in a hurry to be out the door, I will do some morning household duties + work. This allows some time for the vitamin C to do its magic prior to me washing it off. From there, I wash it off and proceed to do my makeup. I also do NOT wear makeup every single day. I generally have about two days a week, where I do not apply makeup at all. On those days, I really vamp up the anti aging skincare routine to make up for the days that I miss the opportunity to do the whole gamut.

This post is not about skincare, so I don’t want to spend any more time in that department. This post is about my Foundation Routine. But if you want the details on my a.m. skincare routine, check out the blog post, here.

This foundation routine is a very long wearing, full coverage routine. This may not be your everyday, wear to work and quick application. Unless of course, that is what you are looking for. This routine requires ‘up front’ time, so that it STANDS the test of time. The steps that I take fit me. They certainly may not fit everyone. The best thing that you can do is find what works for you, and master it. Also, it is never good to over-do anything. Always start out with little, and build as you go. It is easier to add product, than it is to subtract. And don’t forget to blend …. harsh lines look fake and terrible. Blending is the key!!! Let’s dive into the products, tools, and application of my Full Coverage, Long Wearing Foundation Routine

1. Primer: HOURGLASS VEIL MINERAL PRIMER

After hearing so much rave over the years on Youtube … I took the plunge.  This Primer is pricey. I purchased the small 0.3 oz. size, to give it a try. Yes, it is ALL that it’s cracked up to be, and more. I love it. Using my fingers, I apply this to my entire clean face, including under-eye, where I had previously applied my eye gel. Also sold at Sephora

2. Foundation: URBAN DECAY ALL NIGHTER LIQUID FOUNDATION

Using my favorite foundation brush, I apply the shade 5.5 or a mix of 5.0 and 5.5, depending on if I am my self-tanning, or not. My goal is to match my face to my neck and decollate while looking straight into the mirror. I apply the foundation a section at a time, avoiding the under-eye area. Making sure to blend into my ear area and underneath my chin for a seamless look. This foundation made it’s debut this year. It is as full coverage as you can get. It is my current favorite, and all that I have been using since I picked it up. Also sold at Ulta

3. Under-eye Concealer/Brightener: BENEFIT ERASE PASTE

I have been using this product for years and love it. I have a blog post devoted to my under eye concealing and brightening routine using these products. You can check that out by clicking, here. Using the e.l.f. Professional Concealer brush, I dab the product under my eyes in a somewhat upside down triangle, carrying it up to the temples to lift and brighten the under eye area. From there, I use my Bare Escentuals Concealer Brush to blend it in. Lastly, I dab (blot) the concealer with a small Beauty Blender. I just recently started using the beauty blender. I use the knock off beauty blenders by Swisspers. You can purchase them at Walmart. Erase Paste also sold at Ulta

4. Setting Spray (Round 1): URBAN DECAY ALL NIGHTER MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY (packaging has recently been changed)

Immediately after foundation and concealer, I give my face a good mist. I use this spray again at the end of my foundation routine. I am telling you, your makeup will NOT move …. all day!!! Also sold at Ulta

5. Setting Powder: LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT LOOSE SETTING POWDER and LAURA MERCIER SECRET BRIGHTENING POWDER #1

Using a Beauty Blender, I press (blot) the loose setting powder over my foundation, avoiding the under eye area. I do this heavy handed and really press it in good. From there, I take the other Mini Beauty Blender and set my under eye concealer with the Secret Brightening powder. Whether you purchase the original mini beauty blender or the swisspers brand, two will come in the package. What I like about the swisspers is the package comes with two different colors. This helps keep the one that I use for powder separate from the one that I use to dab the Erase Paste.

After I have pressed all the powder in, I take a fluffy brush (from Target), and lightly buff my face. The brush that I use is actually a blush brush. But I love it for this step, as well. It is so soft. This brush feels and works like any high-end (luxury) brush on the market. I actually have two – one for this purpose and one for blush application. Its easy to keep the two separate, because the brush that I use for blush, clearly has color to it. Laura Mercier Setting powder, also sold at Nordstrom, as well as the Secret Brightening Powder.

6. Contour/Bronzer: KEVYN AUCOIN THE SCULPTING POWDER – Medium + NARS LAGUNA

Using a Tapered Blush Brush and the NARS Ita Brush, I do a little contouring. I recommend you search contouring for your specific face type. Demonstration diagrams are available and out there. You can also search on Pinterest. My face is oblong, but angular. This is not a common face shape. Therefore, I search ‘Contouring for Rectangular Faces’. For the most part, I follow the guide. The main objective with a long, angular face is to give the illusion of a shorter face by contouring the forehead and chin. I also soften the angles along the jaw line and temples. I do sculpt out the hollows of my cheeks on photo shoot days or for evening makeup … where I will be in an environment with soft lighting. I also do a light contour on my nose. My nose is not large, but the tip is off center. Contouring helps give the illusion of a straighter nose, as well as a narrower nose. I do feel it is important to do a little contouring when doing a full coverage foundation routine. Your face can look really flat without it, excluding dimension. It is not necessary to go heavy handed, however to achieve some contouring. And make sure you blend, blend, blend. If you are wearing a sheer foundation or BB Cream, you can get away with little to no contouring. Kevyn Aucoin, also sold at Nordstrom. Nars Laguna also sold at Ulta

7. Blush: BURBERRY LIGHT GLOW – NATURAL BLUSH Cameo

I recently gave a couple of my daughters some of my blushes. That put me in the market to pick up one or two. I did my homework before plunging in. I purchased this beautiful Burberry blush with my Sephora Loyalty card. I had heard great things about it over the past couple of years, and kept the information in my notes. I knew that it was more of a matte finish and leaned cool-toned .. which is exactly what I look for in a blush. The reviews were all high, so I knew this was the one. I love it. It’s a very buildable blush. You can go natural, or really give yourself a pop of color. The same principal applies for blush placement, as does for contouring. It really depends on your face shape. I tend to keep my blush high and on the apples. The older we get, our face really starts sagging … keeping the blush high on the apples creates a more youthful effect. If I am looking to achieve a more softer – blown out cheek, I use the same brush that I mentioned above (in the powder section) – Target’s Up & Up. If my goal is to have a little more color pigment to the cheek, I use a more denser brush to pack it on. That brush is by Real Techniques. Blush also sold at Nordstrom

8. Highlight: Laura Mercier ‘Matte Radiance’ Baked Powder 

I use shade 01. Using a Fan Brush and the e.l.f. Flawless Concealer Brush , I dust a little highlight down the center of my nose, center of my forehead, and center of my chin. Again, you can always search where highlight application looks best for your shaped face. Generally, if you search contouring for your specific face shape, the diagram will show both contouring and highlighting positions for applying to your face. Highlight also available at Nordstrom

9. Setting (Step 1): Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender 

I love this stuff so much, I have a whole blog post devoted to it. You can read that, here. Using the sponge that comes with it, I swipe the sponge into the product and then PRESS it all over my face. I do this several times until I am happy with how well it is set. Not everyone may need to use this product. Again, I am as oily as they come. Setting my makeup is very important.

10. Setting Spray (Step 2): Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

Using this product again, for the second time. I give my entire face a mist and I am good to go.

Touchup Products that I carry in my handbag for those ‘just in case’ moments:

Boscia Blotting Linens | NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder Translucent Crystal | Sephora Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush for under-eye touchup

If you would like for me to do a video on my full coverage foundation routine, please let me know in the comment section below. To see my Smokey Eye tutorial, click here. Soon, I will be doing a ‘Favorite Beauty Products of 2016’ series.

I have already done my ‘Best In Beauty – Face’. Check out that video here: Best In Beauty | Face