BB cream / serum / flash balm / primer - what the eff of Jeff are they all??

[FusionChefGeoff]

I would like to revisit how I wear makeup - now I mostly don't but when I do it's very slap dash - bit of Boots foundation smeared on with fingers then eyeliner, mascara and some benefit illuminator stuff if I can be arsed.

As I've now left 'proper' work for mostly freelance from home I am happy going naked, if you like, but now I want to be polished but naked and also have some better stuff / techniques for when I want to bring the big guns out.

So what should I be using?? What are all these magic skin things which I imagine should make me look like a slightly less rough version of myself??

And which ones actually work like make up to part-time improve things and which are longer term like moisturiser?

Bump!! Had a chat with someone on the Benefit counter and I'm not much further on - I definitely don't understand difference between BB cream and foundation...

However, I think I need a primer recommendation for illuminating skin with red tones - can anyone help?? I liked the benefit one but it was pinky so I don't think that's good for my tone.....

Oh and should I be using a brush for foundation or do fingers work as well?

Hi Geoff,
I'm not going to be much help with this as, like you, I'm quite new to this foundation business but didn't like to leave you chatting to yourself!

But, having had a go with the Boots No7 team as couple of weeks ago, I can definitely recommend using a brush to put on foundation - I was a bit dubious before but if you have a good, specifically designed foundation brush, it really is brilliant at applying it (mine cost about £14 from Boots).

BB cream is an updated/rebranded tinted moisturiser really.
And a foundation has more coverage, and is firmly in the makeup camp, not skincare.

A primer is a thing that comes after skincare but before makeup - it is like smoothing the canvas out to allow makeup to go on more smoothly and stay put.

And an illuminator tends to have miniature particles that catch the light to make it seem like there is a glow.

Re foundation, a brush gives a more 'made up' effect, and fingers possibly a more natural look. But use what you like best. And wash a brush or applicator regularly if you use one!