or maybe it's the powder...?

when i put on my make up, i do foundation first, which is mac, and then the powder, which is clinique. i don't think it matters though.

i put on foundation with a brush, and i never pack it on. but for some reason, when i'm done doing both, my pores look bigger and my skin looks dry upclose. this happens wether or not i put moisturizer on beforehand.
and then, after i'm all done with all my makeup, it looks a little darker. and i'm very fair skinned, so it's sort of noticeable. both my foundation and powder are very light. i wouldn't buy anything i thought was too tan. and the foundation is brand new, the powder....not so much.

how can i get my face not to look so dry, my pores not so big, and my makeup not too dark?

maybe less foundation and use concealer on darker bits...how do you put powder on?

i really don't use much foundation to begin with. but i put the powder on with a big powder brush. i think tonight i might try a different powder, something lighter. and since mine is about a year old.

try using a primer? like beauty flash balm by clarins. i think thats a primer anyway. it does wonders.
also napoleon does a grand primer.
or try modelco pore refiner.
or stop using mac because it looks draggy and try minerals maybe?

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.So maybe I should enlighten you on what happens in your absence. This selfish existence where this introvert turns extrovert and dons their social armor. I became the perfect party apprentice, with a PHD in sitting on kitchen counters and drawing my cheeks in and shooting you looks that I don't even mean. Hips that grind to scratchy indie hits and shoes that stick to nightclub floors...

mac foundation is awful.

I like Make Up Forever HD foundation. It's fabulous. and I use smashbox primer (in green) and it goes on nice, and i use lola's micro (whatever it's called, I can't remember) it's in a very nice red compact...anyhow, I use that powder which is way too expensive but VERY nice and my skin looks like porceline when I'm done.