Last year I decided to step up my makeup game. When it comes to my morning makeup routine, I’ve always been pretty simple and laid back, usually defaulting to a more natural look. But as a blogger, I wanted to improve my makeup knowledge and put a few new “know-hows” under my belt.

One of the first things on my list was to go out and find a good foundation (which is not always as simple as it sounds!). I was especially motivated after taking a picture with one of my girlfriends. Looking at the picture, I couldn’t help but notice the breakouts on my forehead. But, foundation is an incredibly broad topic — so many types, shades, and brands. It completely overwhelmed me! Where do I even start?

So…

I decided to try out BareMinerals. I had heard of them before but had never given them a try. They use natural ingredients in creating their products, making them gentle on skin as compared to some other brands. This is especially beneficial for those with sensitive and acne-prone skin as it can be less likely to cause irritation.

I was looking for a foundation that offered light coverage and helped to even out my skin tone (especially during the winter months). I was trying to avoid anything that was heavy or cakey.

I went to one of their stores and they recommended a few different options, and I ended up walking out with their Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream and, I LOVE it. Like, love. It is now a part of my everyday makeup routine. Sometimes, that and mascara is all I do and it is wonderful for a no-makeup look.

It is very lightweight but also does a great job in covering redness and especially in evening out the skin tones. Not to mention, it acts as a hydrator as well to help keep skin moisturized. Win-win!

If you are near a BareMinerals store, I would recommend you go in and give them a visit as opposed to purchasing online. That way, you can be sure to get the right match and to find out what other products to use for your skin tone. If not, they have free shipping and returns on their foundations so you can be sure the get the right match for you!

To apply, I simply use a foundation brush. I put a dab of the gel cream on my hand and use that, brushing it on my face working from the center out. I also brush over my eyelids and neck so it is all nice and even.

One huge mistake to avoid is applying the foundation to dry skin (yes, I learned this one from experience). While the BareMinerals cream does help to moisturize, it is not enough to rely only on that — especially if you experience the dry winter seasons (as I am now!). If your skin is dry, applying the cream to your face will only highlight the dry flakes as opposed to your beautiful features. Yikes!

(To moisturize, I love to use coconut oil in the evenings. I lather it on before I go to bed. You can find it at most local food stores. In the mornings, I use Olay Active Hydrating Lotion which does a wonderful job of hydrating without feeling greasy or sticky — and it’s incredibly affordable.)

Beyond foundation, BareMinerals carries all other makeup products, including skin care, so that you be sure your skin is getting the TLC it needs. Also, they are usually always offering some sort of deals (which is fantastic for us gals on a budget!) in addition to their free shipping on orders over $50. And as mentioned above, they offer free shipping and returns on their foundations so you can be sure to get the right match.

Browse their site and check them out! Their selection is great, making it easy to personalize your purchases to best fit your style and skin tone. I would love to hear what you think or what products work great for you!

Have a wonderful day, Beautifuls!

This guest post was written by Aly, the girl behind Branded by Grace (a lifestyle and fashion blog).