I'm lost.. what's the diff btwn.. foundation, powder, concealor & tinted moisturizer?

[MAC Melly]

I've read thru the MAC site and everything sounds great. I just.. don't really know how you use everything. Do you use it one after the other... moisturizer, concealor, foundation, powder? Or... do you just use one product according to your needs? For example, I was just looking for something to give me a glowy, dewy look and perhaps cover the dark under my eyes on Monday mornings. I've used a tinted moisturizer before but honestly, never on a regular basis. My one priority is to find something with spf coverage. I'm 26... still a newbie at the "foundation" of makeup. On a regular basis, I put blush, lipgloss and eyeliner when I go out. I really don't reapply once I'm out. Anyways.. any advice would be helpful.. thanks, *newbie* (but not really)

[luvmakeup]

A lot of MAC's foundation have SPF in it....like the new studio fix fluid spf15, select spf15, hyper real spf15...
I usually use Primer, Foundation, Concealer, Powder
the powder is just to set the foundation so that i don't need to do re-touch during the day...because i have dry skin...so i don't really need to blot or anything.

If you want to hide ur dark circles, i recommand u using concealer for sure..and u can use ur tinted moisturizer, coz it's a really really sheer foundation just to even our the skin tone....and then maybe a powder on top to set it.

hope it helps~~

[mspixieears]

There are some stickies about this above, but I moved it here because I think you'll get more answers/help here

[litlaur]

if you use tinted moisturizer, you don't need foundation, but people often use concealer to cover blemishes and dark circles and/or powder with it.

If you want heavier coverage, buy a foundation. Even within foundation there are varying levels of coverage. There are liquid, powder, and cream foundations, and certain types suit different skin types better than others.

It sounds like you would be fine with tinted moisturizer, concealer for dark circles, and maybe powder to blot throughout the day (MAC Blot powder - doesn't really cake on or add color). You can add a shimmery product like Strobe Cream or Revlon Skinlights for a dewy look.

[martygreene]

Foundations range from sheer coverage to full coverage, and are skin-colored products designed to even out skin tone and cover minor problem areas. Foundation is designed to be used over the entire face, blending up into the hairline and ears, and down over the jaw-line (to prevent a mask-like effect). Some foundations have diffferent finishes, depending on the appearance you prefer. Some are matte, some are more natural, and some are shimmery/dewy. Foundation is applied in different ways, depending on the formula. Most common are foundation brushes, cosmetic sponge wedges, and fingers. Again, depending on formula, the application techniques vary, but most are rubbed or blended over the skin. Foundations are generally set with powder, to make them wear better.

Concealer is a more heavily pigmented product similar to foundation. Often found in three forms- liquid (either in a squeeze tube or wand applicator tube like lip-gloss), stick, or creme (usually in a pot). Concealor is a heavier product than foundation, though liquid concealers can be fairly lightweight. Concealer is used just as it's name indicates- to conceal. People generally use these to hide birthmarks, blemishes, strong discolorations, and dark under-eyes. Concealers often come in corrective colors as well, not just skin tones. Mint green is used to counteract redness, lavender is used to counteract sallowness (yellowy spots), pink helps brighted the eye area and is often used to correct a greenish tinge which you can get from illness, and peach or yellow concealers are used to counteract dark bluish areas. Concealers are applied with a patting motion, not a rubbing motion. This helps build the coverage in light layers, without irritating the skin (or damaging delicate eye area skin). Concealer can be used alone (set with powder so it doesn't melt off your face) or along with foundation or tinted moisturizer.

Tinted moisturizer is a cross between your regular facial moisturizer, and foundation. It imparts a small amount of color- just enough to even out the skin tone somewhat, without much coverage. It is used in a similar manner as foundation. Some consider tinted moisturizer another form of foundation.

Powder comes in a few forms. Generally, powders are sheer to translucent. They may impart a slight color, but generally not enough to give any coverage or even out skin tone. Powder is generally used to set foundation and concealer, and to tone down overly dewy looks, or to combat oiliness. Powder comes in two forms- pressed and loose. Pressed is either applied with a puff or a brush, and is easier to transport as it comes in a little compact with a mirror and puff. Pressed doesn't give as flawless of a finish as loose however. Loose comes in a container with a sifter top, and is applied with a brush. Loose powders give you more control over the amount of product used.

Does that help? I can explain anything you are still confused about in more detail if you need.