I finally nailed down a skin makeup routine that has resulted in my skin looking like everything I’ve always wanted it to, as far as in a quick, everyday routine. So dramatic sounding I know, but all I ever wanted was to find some products to give me a finished, even, almost flawless, but natural look, and all the better if no foundation was involved. Tall order, I know. But I really have found four products that make my skin look splendid. And saying my skin looks great? I thought I would never say such a thing.

I do love foundation, but most of the time, I try to keep it minimal for everyday unless I really need it. As in for going out for dinner/with friends/for fun, having a not very good skin day, where I will be photographed, etc. My go-to is Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Fusion Foundation, but that is for another post. So here is how my routine goes:

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm – I use this as a primer, and it is a wonderful old-school product. It smooths my skin and kind of does this tightening and de-puffing thing, which is great in the morning when my fatigued face could use some assistance. You can use it alone or under makeup – with that said, if you use any makeup with it, put it on immediately after the balm. It is even in the instructions! This way the products won’t mash and ball up together, and will instead blend together more seamlessly.

Clé de Peau Concealer - I have been using this concealer for about two years, and I still use the same stick that I originally bought. Which reminds me, I probably should buy a new stick, because now it is kind of an old concealer! But no irritation from it as of now. Anyways, this concealer is a magic stick. It has a powdery formula, blends perfectly, and I use it for around my eyes, dark spots, redness, and blemishes. It seriously covers any sized blemish, and the finish is undetectable. In conjunction with the beautyblender sponge and the Clarins Balm, this concealer is a dream. I usually swipe in the middle of my forehead and on dark circles and any spots, and then follow with the beautyblender.

Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen – I like this so much more than the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat, which is basically blasphemy to the cult following of the Touche Éclat. At one time I thought the Touche Éclat was a good product, but in the back of my mind, I thought it felt short of its praise. Too sheer for my liking, kind of just didn’t blend in, and really wasn’t very multi-functional enough for me. So I bought Skinflash on a whim while strolling about Sephora, and it is awesome. I think of the Skinflash pen as a light version of concealer-concealer (like the Clé de Peau), but has some light-diffusing substances to blur imperfections and brighten. I love using it with the Clé de Peau if I need a little extra brightening, but it is wonderful by itself. I use it around my eyes, especially in the inner and outer corners, nose, and my lips. The outer corners of my eyes and around my nose are always a bit pink for some reason, so this really helps.

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder – This is the best makeup purchase I’ve made in a long time. Such a bold statement, but true. This powder is divine – only a little gives such a nice finish and texture to my skin, and it looks flawless. Really, it does. Or at least I think so! It is not too talcy, too fine, too much, just perfect. I also love that there is so much product and the packaging doesn’t cause a big, powdery mess. Prior to this find, I used Make Up For Ever’s HD Powder for the longest time, but what I didn’t like so much about it was that it didn’t control oil very well for me. Honestly, I’m not really sure what difference it made in my makeup other than just setting and blending whatever I had on. So an added plus is that I’ve been using less oil blotting papers throughout the day, since this powder really controls your skin. And here is my tip to apply loose powder – pat the powder with a powder brush, don’t brush and swoosh with abandon. I dip the brush into the powder, tap the excess, and pat it on my face, just lightly swooshing if need be. This way, you don’t waste product, and powder doesn’t end up all in your eyebrows and lashes.

So there it is! Oh and I’ll use some blush if I feel like it, before I powder. Benetint, Nars, Korres, or Tom Ford, it just depends.

- Lavang

Shades I use for the Clé de Peau concealer, Dior Skinflash pen, and Chanel powder: Ivory, #002 Candle Light, and #020 Clair, respectively.