Best of Beauty 2013: Makeup Edition: Face Products

First, I would like to apologize for lack of posts the last few weeks. Life has been in the way what with sick children, holiday preparation and dealing with personal chronic illness.  Thank you for understanding. I hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday. 

It's the time of the year to reflect back and pick favorites. I will be doing a series of best of beauty posts that will include makeup, skincare, bath and body and hair care items.  Here is the first installment.

Favorite Face Primer:  I use a combination of two primers: Benefit The POREfessional in the t-zone and Tarte Clean Slate 12 Hr Brightening Primer on the rest of my face. POREfessional is made to blur pores and hide slight wrinkles while Tarte helps keep makeup in place and provides hydration and healthy complexion. Since discovering this duo, my makeup looks fresh all day and no seeping into pores in t-zone. I highly recommend each of these primers. I've repurchased both, so I plan to keep on using them into the new year. 

Favorite Tinted Moisturizer :   NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. I recently purchased this one as I love NARS Sheer Glow and wanted a lighter type product for the summer. This product is wonderful in coverage and wears like a second skin. While some tinted moisturizers can be greasy and flat, NARS is just the right balance of moisture and radiance. I wear shade Finland which is a light neutral shade. 

Favorite BB Cream:   I'm not a huge fan of BB creams. I don't like the American versions because they tend to miss the mark on performance as compared to Asian versions. And, both versions contain parabens and suspect ingredients. However, I do have a favorite that I keep around in spite of this to wear on days when I need coverage with an all in one product, and my skin is going crazy. I like Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream for those type days. I can always count on this when I'm in a hurry and just need to get out the door fast. 

Favorite Foundation:  My absolute favorite foundation for this year is Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Invisible Skin Fusion Foundation (01 Beige Pale). This has wonderful coverage and wears so well on skin. It applies like a dream and wears nicely especially on normal/combo/dry skin. It's never cakey and does not cling to dry patches. Yes, it's expensive, but it's perfect for me and worth every dime.  

Favorite Foundation Powder: If I want extra coverage, I use Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder. This is a great powder for normal/drier skin types. It's very hydrating and never cakey. It can also be worn alone for light coverage. 

Favorite Setting Powder:  My holy grail has to be Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. I always have a back up of this at the ready. This is so light but covers and minimizes shine perfectly. It looks very natural on skin which is a bonus for ladies over 40 like myself. 

Favorite Pressed Powder:  No one makes a better pressed powder than MAC in my opinion. My favorite for touch ups and on the go is MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder. For only $25, it performs as well as higher end counterparts like Chanel and Dior. I've used them all and always come back to Select Sheer . One thing I love is that not only does it give me a natural semi matte finish, but the powder also blurs pores and does not cake up on my 42 year old skin. 

Favorite Concealer:  I own one concealer: Yes you read that right. I've passed along or sold all other concealers as NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer does it all for me. It's my holy grail in that it covers dark circles perfectly without creasing, and any blemishes disappear with just a touch of this one and no cakiness. I need no other.... I wear shade Vanilla . 

Favorite Highlighter:  I rarely wear highlighter as I feel it emphasizes those pesky wrinkles. However, Benefit Watts Up! does not do this and looks very natural on me. 

Favorite Bronzer:  Confession time: I'm 42 and just learned how to apply/wear bronzer.  I love Physician's Formula Bronze Booster Glow Boosting Pressed Bronzer in light/medium. I chose this one because it's light enough for me, not too orange and not overly glowy. It blends very well for a drugstore product as well. It's a win all around. 

Favorite Powder Blush: Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Naked Rose has been my go to blush since I purchased it from Gummy Vision's blog sale a few months back. If a makeup bag needed a blush, it is this one. So pigmented and never chalky. I'll be buying more of these in the future.  The formula just cannot be beat. A second runner up is NARS Guy Bourdin LE blush in Day Dream. 

Favorite Cream Blush:  I enjoy cream blushes for my dryish skin. I've tried more expensive and lower end, and I always come back to Stila Convertible Color products. I don't like them as lip products but love the wear and feel on my cheeks as blush. My favorite shade right now is Rose which is a perfect berry shade for fall and winter. 

Are any of these products your favorites? Let me know your favorites in the comments. 

Next up: My favorite eye products.