One-Step Skin: Five Fantastic Cream to Powder Foundations

Multi-tasking products often do two things half as well as dedicated, single-task things. For instance, when was the last time you took a good picture with your camera phone? One notable exception is the cream to powder genre of foundation. Picking out a concealer, foundation and powder is fun, but carrying a super stocked makeup bag doesn’t always work with a cute clutch.

Luckily, these clever formulations, when you pick the right one, will cover redness like a concealer, smooth skin like a foundation, and set to a mostly-matte finish to circumvent the use of powder. Here are five excellent versions that provide flawless skin in a single step.

1.) Vincent Longo Water Canvas: A cult fave, Vincent Longo’s luxe version of this base comes in a vast array of tones. While certainly not a bargain pick, the formula covers blemishes and imperfections without settling into fine lines. Apply with a brush for lighter wear, or use the included sponge for more intense coverage.

2.) MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation: In a word, no nonsense. This full-coverage, blendable foundation gives a totally airbrushed, polished finish to skin. This is not a frou-frou, tinted foundation dewy look. Most MAC girls (and boys) get use this serious, long-wearing foundation for their flawless look at the counter.

3.) Too Faced Amazing Face SPF 15 Foundation Powder: Too Faced wins the compact contest here, with an unobtrusive yet adorably retro entry. The foundation formulation contained within is adjustable, and you can build it from light and sheer to full-coverage. Too Faced also cites oil-balancing and skin-renewing ingredients in this Oreo-like mirrored option.

4.) Urban Decay Surreal Skin Cream to Powder Foundation: Another standout in the packaging department, Urban Decay’s cream to powder foundation both comes in purple and has an adorable mini-brush. The formula glides on smoothly and cleanly, and blends well. And while there isn’t MAC-like choice of skin-tone options, Urban Decay offers a respectable eight hues from ‘Kismet’ to ‘Mirage.’

5.) Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage Foundation UVA/UVB SPF 15: Smashbox’s Camera Ready also comes with a brush, and a very nice one at that- softly bristled and somewhat like a fan/kabuki hybrid. The semi-matte formula has skin protecting SPF as well as Vitamin C, and works well for both initial application and touch-ups. (It also comes with a small sample of primer to try out.)

Are you a cream-to-powder devotee? Which formula do you find most appealing?