5 Alternatives to Makeup Foundation

Either due to the time it takes to apply perfectly or because of the ‘painted’ look it sometimes gives, many women are constantly on the lookout for alternatives to foundation. I give you 5 of my tried and tested alternatives that are sure to give a much more natural and luminous look.

When going through this article on Makeup Blush Alternatives, I couldn’t recount the number of times I had used my lipstick as both a blush and eye shadow. It was (and still is) my quickest way to bring color to my face on the go. But however much you try to perk up a face, you simply do not get a glow without getting the base right. And mornings are simply too rushed to get the foundation right. To achieve the right look in a few seconds, I swear by these foundation alternatives:

BB Cream

I have been using BB creams since before I even knew they are called BB creams. My mother bought these expensive creams in pretty-looking, dainty blue tubs sold as some ‘imported’ cream that the store-owner had scouted from his foreign trips to Asia. We used them when getting dressed up for parties and there was need for foundation. Then, the store owner and the creams both disappeared and we were left with foundation brands that could not really fill that void. Years later, the ‘BB Cream’ rage took over all the makeup counters and we discovered, to our joy and surprise, that our beloved product was back. BB actually stands for ‘Blemish Balm’ and virtually covers any skin imperfections giving a uniform base to the facial skin. From Korean creams like Missha ordered through eBay sellers to branded BB creams like Estee Lauder and Garnier, I have tried them and prefer them as my faithful handbag must-haves.

Tinted Moisturizers

It was a ‘love at first sight’ with tinted moisturizers. A product as light as a moisturizer, that gave an instant base just like a foundation, was too good to be true. But when you think of it – why not? Makeup tips for applying foundation always suggest blending it with some kind of lotion for ease in applying. It seems natural that this particular product found its way into the makeup world. It is perfect for daytime wear when we I do not necessarily seek the coverage of a foundation but need a healthy glow on my face. Wait, there’s more! This is a lotion we are talking about. So, depending upon your skin care needs, it can come with add-on benefits of an anti-wrinkle cream, sunscreen etc.

Concealer

The concealer is also a great alternative to foundation. Sometimes all you need is a little concealer to hide minor imperfections such as dark circles, redness or other signs of fatigue. You can opt for a creamy concealer to take care of such points by, usually, applying it around the nose, chin, as well as directly over the imperfections. The key to perfectly concealing imperfections is to blend it well. Once you blend it uniformly, you will notice that it creates a very good base.

Corrector/Perfecter

Often used as primers under foundation, these solutions for hiding all your imperfections are also a perfect alternative to heavy foundations. By reducing dark circles and redness, your complexion is freshened up without the use of any foundation. One of my favorites is the Clinique Pore Minimizer which is of a mousse texture and comes in different shades. All you need to do is find the one that matches your complexion, apply it and finish with loose powder. Guaranteed to make makeup removal a breeze!

Powders

‘Powder rooms’, ‘Powder your nose’ are all a testimony to the use of powders for touching up your makeup. Long before foundations were created, ladies prepared their faces for balls and dinners with powder. Loose, pressed or luminous, you have a wide range of powders available to replace the daily use of foundation. But Bourjois takes the cake! For their 150th anniversary celebrations, the acclaimed cosmetics brand re-launched their heritage product – Poudre de riz de Java (Java Rice Powder). This illuminating rice powder was a rage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is sure to bring back the ‘powdering your nose’ concept back.

There – you have them all. The world of cosmetics, nevertheless, is constantly changing. There will be new products launched everyday that could replace foundation. All you need to look for is their ability to cover imperfections and illuminate your skin as naturally as possible.