Cream Foundation

Cream foundations aren't as commonly talked about in comparison to others these days. The first cream foundation I remember seeing was one that my mother used from BeautiControl. They are great for buildable coverage and can give medium to full coverage normally. For sheer coverage, you can either mix a little moisturizer with it on the back of your hand or on a palette or you can use a wet sponge to draw the product out thinner.

Many cream foundations can also be used a concealers. You may want to use one of these as a concealer and use another type of foundation for the rest of your face.

I do not recommend cream foundations for oily or acne prone skin, with the exception of the Eve Pearl Dual HD Foundation. It is usually used for normal to dry skin.

Application Method: Potted Creams

Step 1: Foundation Brush - This is the only tool that will consistently spread a cream properly and evenly. Foundation brushes come in several sizes and shapes. Synthetic bristles like taklon should be used for cream products.

Step 2: Wet Sponge - Using a wet sponge to blend the foundation is very important. Wet a cosmetic sponge (I prefer distilled water) and gently pat the foundation into the skin with a rolling motion all over. Do not drag the sponge across your skin unless you intend to reduce the amount of coverage. If you need to blend areas of foundation together, use small strokes so you don't remove much makeup. This will give you a much more natural looking finish.

Application Method: Pan Sticks

Step 1: Either lightly tap the stick on your skin on the key areas of your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin or use a foundation brush to apply all over the skin.

Step 2: Wet Sponge - Use a wet sponge to blend the foundation to even coverage. Wet a cosmetic sponge (I prefer distilled water) and gently pat the foundation into the skin with a rolling motion all over. Do not drag the sponge across your skin unless you intend to reduce the amount of coverage. If you need to blend areas of foundation together, use small strokes so you don't remove much makeup. This will give you a much more natural looking finish.

Suggested Products

Laura Mercier Stick Foundation

• Oil free
• Water resistant
• Moisturizes
• Medium Coverage
• Contains SPF 15 - good for everyday use, but not recommended for flash photography
• $40 / 0.33 oz at Sephora
  

Max Factor Pan-Stik

• Waterproof
• Matte finish
  
• Inventor of Pan type makeup
• Ultra creamy
• Will be discontinued in the US due to competition in 2010, but will be available in other countries (order online from the UK!)
• $7-8 / 0.5 oz at drug stores or Ulta
  

Make Up For Ever Pan Stick

• One of the best professional cosmetic brands in the world
• Can also be used as a concealer
• Sheer to full coverage based on application
• Recommended for dry and problematic skin
• $30 / 0.7 oz at Sephora
  

Eve Pearl Dual HD Foundation

• This is included for experienced makeup users
• Contains vitamins, minerals, proteins, peptides and anti-oxidants 500 times stronger than vitamin E
• Safe for acne and other skin problems because it is made to calm and improve skin
  
• Buildable coverage, requires lots of blending
  
• Requires skill in matching and blending foundation, if you are on the lighter side of the color you have to layer the darker color under the lighter color with the same stroke (1 tap in dark, 2 in light), if applied improperly it can look orange
  
• To learn how to apply it, see Eve Pearl's tutorial on YouTube
• I currently use this foundation
  
• $54 / 0.41 oz at evepearl.com