A couple of weeks ago, I posted a photo on my Instagram showing my makeup that I did to attend one of my high school friends’ wedding. I took this occasion as a challenge because I had PMS and my skin was breaking out pretty bad. Not just that, my skin was really dehydrated and there were quite a few of dry patches because I still had a flu back then. Bottom line, my skin wasn’t its usual self.

That day, I needed to look presentable (more than usual), polished without looking like I piled on a lot on my face; I never liked that look and I’m not about to start now. In this post, I will cover a lot of things, not just list of products, but also details on why I like them and how I use them. This way, I hope that I also can share my complexion makeup routine.

That being said, this is going to be a LONG post. Brace yourself. Grab a popcorn.

Without further adieu, here’s what I did and use on my complexion:

THREE Ultimate Protective Pristine Primer (Translucent), Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer (Light), RMK Control Color UV #01

I am a bit of a makeup base/primer-obsessive. It all started long ago with using a primer before using a foundation (was a makeup newbie). Back then, one of the main reasons why I use a primer (aside from looking to prolong the wear of the makeup) was because it acts as a barrier between the bare skin and makeup. I need it because my skin is sensitive and reacts to a product quite quickly and a primer does the trick, provided that the primer suits my skin. Along the way, I discovered the wonders they could do to enhance the appearance of my skin. Since then, I never skip this step.

In general, I usually use two makeup base products. One to smooth things out (usually slightly tinted) and the other one is to illuminate the skin. On this special occasion, I used three. I used a little less than a pump of THREE Ultimate Protective Pristine Primer (Translucent) and smoothed it all over the face. I’ve been loving this primer A LOT as it really does what it says. Next I applied close to a pump of Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer. As in the review, this primer truly has been a game changer for me as I rarely wear foundation anymore. In this case, the reason why I added this primer on top of THREE is because it adds hydration to my skin and plumps it up even more. I sorely needed it!

Last step, of the makeup base. I like to have that healthy glow so I’ve been reaching RMK Control Color UV #01 to achieve just that. The pale pink-white shade will not only illuminate the skin, but also brings extra radiance and brightness onto the skin. I use this mainly on the center parts of my face and feather it out. I also like to dot this a little under my eyes as well because heck, I need all the help I can get.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation #4, Innisfree Eco Air Magic Puff, Burberry Beauty Sheer Luminous Concealer No. 03 Rosy Beige, Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch #2, Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer (Beige)

After using a few foundations in the past, I keep only one, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It has never failed to make me look immaculate. I started with half a pump, dotted the foundation on the center parts of my face then spread it out. To do this, I used Innisfree Eco Air Magic Puff and seriously, this ingenious little cushion puff is ZE BOMB. I just pat, pat, pat and the result is this very even, natural-looking skin. No cakey-ness or streaks in sight. After that one thin layer, I added another half a pump to areas where I needed more coverage. Pat, pat, pat.

For the concealers, I used two kinds: for the under eyes and for the spots. For my under eyes, I started by applying Burberry Beauty Sheer Luminous Concealer No. 03 Rosy Beige. The pink peachy shade acts as a corrector that will neutralize the blueness on that area. Next, I made a few dots of Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch #2 over that area to even everything out and also brighten the under eyes. I also like to add a touch over my nose because the yellow-tone recedes the redness over that area.

Now, because of PMS, I had quite a bit of breakout and I need to camouflage them a little. For this, I hand over the job to Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer (Beige). This full coverage concealer will, for the most part, cover what I needed to be covered. Not 100% though because let’s face it, these spots are in different shades and to be able to cover them perfectly, I’d probably need an actual concealer palette where I can custom mix a shade to cover each spot. Yeah, ain’t got no time fo’ that. The Clé de Peau Beauté works beautifully for me. I just use my ring finger and dab the product on top of the spots then softly smooth the edges out.

THREE Ultimate Diaphanous Loose Powder (Glow 01), Guerlain Météorites Perles 01 Teint Rose

I always blot my face, before I set it with powder. The blotting step will remove any excess moisture or oils and makes a huge difference in how the powder will adhere to my skin, also increases the longevity of wear time. My favorite loose powder as of late is THREE Ultimate Diaphanous Loose Powder (Glow 01) and it is DIVINE. Its super finely milled texture will cover every bit of the skin, making the skin look amazingly smooth and refined. To apply this, I use the puff that it comes with, just pat it onto the skin.

Long time ago, I followed the generic ‘rule’ and used a powder brush to apply loose powder. But one day, I decided to use the puff and BAM, everything is changed. The result is so much smoother! I personally like to set my whole face with powder because I like my face to be dry to the touch, not sticky. Applying powder bronzer or blush is easier too because they will glide on the same dry surface. I don’t mind looking matte in the beginning. My skin’s natural oil will resurface anyway and it will blend with the makeup, creating the perfect amount of glow.

Now, after I’m done with bronzer and blush (which I will cover in a bit, hang in there), I use Guerlain Météorites Perles 01 Teint Rose (I believe it’s now called Clair 02) as my finishing powder. It is my holy grail for finishing powder at it really does complete the makeup with its illuminating effect. There’s a love and hate with this product, I absolutely LOVE it! I have used this for nearly four friggen years and these balls still pretty much look pristine. Not even half-empty! It’s a total investment. I just swirl my Bobbi Brown Face Blender Brush over them and apply all over the face.

*A little tip: wash the powder puff regularly. Not just for hygienic reasons. Unwashed puff will change the texture of the loose powder because the grease from the puff will stick onto the loose powder that falls back into the pot, making the powder not as smooth and airy anymore. In all cases, keeping makeup brushes/tools clean is always important.

I never do the whole Kim K contour-highlight shebang because it’s neither in my interest nor my preference. I do need definition, but not that much, thanks. The usuals that I do are shade the sides of the bridge of my nose and give a little more definition under the cheekbones and jawlines. For that I use Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder Medium. Sometimes, I will also use this to shade along my hairline as well. I’m thinking of doing a full review on this, let me know if you’re interested!

To give the face some warmth, I bronzed it up a little with my trusty Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder 002 Sunlight on the outer side of my cheeks, temples and a little bit over the nose. Moving on to blush, which is another favorite part because I like layering different ones. For this look, I use Burberry Beauty Light Glow Tangerine and pop a little bit of Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Blush Delicata on the apples. Blend everything and make sure there’s no harsh edges.

Apply the Guerlain Météorites Perles and I’m done!

I’m wearing Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème in Miss Scarlet
(review coming up soon)

It’s obvious that I really do spend the time in the complexion. Not so much in perfecting to cover up everything (believe me, I don’t), but rather the waiting time. Doing my morning skincare routine alone has usually taken me about 15-20 minutes, then I still wait for about 10 minutes (while figuring out which makeup base to use) until everything is well absorbed before applying any makeup on. A well-prepped skin will make the makeup to look prime. To add to that, every product applied is never a slap-and-go, I actually take the time to work them in, especially the makeup bases. It’s highly therapeutic for me.

Please note that even if it looks like I piled on a lot, I use every product with moderation and just sparingly as needed.

In the past year or so, I’ve rarely worn foundation anymore, only on special occasions. Not because I’m a snob who thinks she has perfect skin, no I don’t, but because I don’t really feel the need for it on a day-to-day makeup. My skin still has a lot of imperfections and to be honest, I do like these imperfections to show a little. My dark spots, freckles, they’re all a part of my skin’s personality and characteristics. I want to feel and look like myself when I wear makeup, not aiming to look like someone else; or live up to a certain standard. Besides, no matter how lightweight a foundation is, I can still feel I’m wearing one.

In this post, aside from using a foundation (and heavy concealing), this is pretty much what I do for my daily makeup. Makeup bases and powders are my go-to. In exchange of a foundation, I use MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural after the loose powder to add a slight more coverage.

*Secret tip: applying a loose powder first before a pressed powder is my not-so-secret-anymore trick in achieving a smoother complexion. With this step, the pressed powder I put on top never goes cakey or patchy on me anymore.

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There you go, my complexion routine.

I tried to cut down the post, but I really can’t because true to my traits, I like to be thorough as much as I can. As I’ve mentioned earlier, it’s not just a slap-and-go. I’m actually very loyal to this routine ;)