Trick people into thinking you have perfect skin this summer

Hashbrown Nofilter

In case you hadn't gathered from my previous post about my favorite sunscreens, beauty/skincare is another area about which I'm rather obsessive, and it's because I have genetically crappy skin.



Unless you're genetically related to either me or my partner, or knew me before the age of 21, when my face exploded (adult acne is the WORST), you've likely never seen me without at least some makeup. If you're surprised, it's probably because I generally eschew eye or lip color in favor of the appearance of nice, smooth skin — the kind I so wish I had naturally. You see, I have chronic cystic acne and lots of scarring and hyperpigmentation from past outbreaks. Without some beigey goop, it's not a pretty sight.

Makeup is certainly no substitute for an excellent skincare routine (which I'll talk about in later posts), but my current favorite Instagram-filter-in-a-tube is La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur, a lightweight mousse that blurs, protects from the sun (broad spectrum SPF 20, but definitely wear over another sunscreen, as you're unlikely to use enough of this for adequate protection!), absorbs oil, and provides a bit of coverage, all resulting in a smooth, satiny finish.

A pea-sized amount is all I need for my entire face, as it spreads easily, and the oil-absorbing and visual blurring it provides mean I don't really need powder or extra coverage on top, making for a very lightweight feel on the face that is ideal for summer. It's the only makeup-like thing I'm wearing in the photo above (over sunscreen, of course!), and even I'm impressed by how well it evens out my facial nooks and crannies in it.

The downside is that it's only available in two shades: Fair/Light (what I use, though it's actually the tiniest bit darker than my skintone) and Light/Medium. But if you're within that range, and this is an excellent option to try.

Pros: Lightweight, blurring, light coverage, broad-spectrum SPF 20, inexpensive.
Cons: Limited shade range, not for dry skin.
Best for: Normal, Oily, or Combination skin; those seeking light coverage and oil/sweat absorption.
Price: $29.99 for 1 oz.
Where to Buy: Amazon, Target

Do you have a favorite face makeup product for summer? Do you use any at all? Let me know in the comments below!