Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
discover Discover

Dry Skin Fix: Brushes & Repair Faves 🖌️
Purple Star emoji 30 items
By
Judith Chetwood profile picture
Judith Chetwood
My skin gets SO dry in winter that foundation just sits on top and flakes off. After way too much trial and error, these are the brushes, primers, and skincare that actually make makeup work on desert skin.
Sections
6
 
Kabuki Brushes That Don't Irritate
 
Skin Prep That Actually Works 💧
 
Primers for Dry Skin
 
Foundations That Won't Cake Up
 
Setting Without the Desert Look 🌵
 
Repair Tools for Between Wears

Kabuki Brushes That Don't Irritate

I used to think all kabuki brushes were the same. They're not. These are soft enough that my dry patches don't get angry when I buff product in.

 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
the density on this one is perfect. buffs in foundation without dragging on flaky spots 🙌
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Face & Body Kabuki Brush 160
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
so pillowy. feels like nothing on my skin.
ILIA Soft Focus Finishing Powder with 12-Hour Shine Control
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
honestly underestimated this one. picks up powder without going cakey on dry areas
Kabuki Face Brush
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
I use this for setting powder and it never emphasizes texture. my friend bought one after trying mine lol
Too Faced Mr. Right Perfect Powder Brush - NO bowtie New
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
great for a light dusting of powder. doesn't cling to patches at all 💯
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Blush Brush
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Skin Prep That Actually Works 💧

Skipping skin prep used to be my biggest mistake. Now I spend more time prepping than doing actual makeup and it shows.

 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
I slap this on the night before a big event. wake up with actual soft skin for once.
LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask for Moisture Barrier
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
doubles as a primer if you use a thin layer. smells so good too
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask + Moisturizer Deep Hydration
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
rich but not greasy. my foundation glides on after this 🤝
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream ≡ Sephora KSA
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
pricey but worth it. this is the one that finally stopped my forehead from flaking
Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream
placeholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
layer this under moisturizer. game over for dry patches.
Avocado Green Mattress
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Primers for Dry Skin

Finding a primer that doesn't pill over moisturizer took me literal years. These four play nice with everything I've thrown at them.

 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
tacky in the best way. makeup just sticks to your face all day
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gripping Primer
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
moisturizer and primer in one. I've repurchased this three times now 😅
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base+ Moisturizer & Primer
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
gives you that lit from within thing without being glittery
Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Illuminating Serum
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
no silicone feel. just smooth, hydrated skin ready for foundation.
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer - Hydrating
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
lightweight and doesn't dry me out. sits really well under tinted moisturizer
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Pore Diffusing Primer
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Foundations That Won't Cake Up

If your foundation looks crusty by noon, it's probably the formula. These actually move with dry skin instead of cracking apart.

 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
feels like skincare, looks like skin. this converted me from full coverage forever.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 - Hydrating Foundation
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
the GOAT. never looks dry, never looks too dewy. just right.
Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Liquid Foundation with 24 Hour Wear
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
my skin genuinely looks better after wearing this all day. not kidding 🧴
Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25 with Hyaluronic
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
perfect for days when my skin is angry and I just need something gentle
SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation - Tower 28 Beauty
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
medium coverage that photographs beautifully. doesn't settle into lines either
Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Setting Without the Desert Look 🌵

I was terrified of setting products for years because they made me look like sandpaper. These ones actually work without drying you out.

 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
mist this on and your makeup just melts into your skin. so satisfying.
Saie Airset Radiant and Weightless Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
a tiny bit goes forever. never cakey, never chalky
Hourglass Veil™ Translucent Setting Powder - Talc Free
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
the classic for a reason. I tap off excess and press gently, never sweep on dry skin
Translucent Loose Setting Powder - Laura Mercier
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
not technically a setting product but it adds moisture back where powder dulls things down
Tower 28 Beauty SuperDew Shimmer-Free Highlight Balm
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
locks everything in place without that tight feeling. smells nice too 🌸
Charlotte Tilbury Transfer-Proof Setting Spray
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Repair Tools for Between Wears

Makeup aside, my skin needs constant repair in cold months. These keep the flaking under control so I'm not fighting my face every morning.

 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
thick but absorbs fast. my skin barrier owes this cream everything
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin™ Skin Barrier Moisturizing Eye Cream
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
the big tub lives on my nightstand. I go through one every two months easily 😂
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair® Cream Intense Hydration
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
squalane is the ingredient I wish I discovered sooner. so calming for raw skin.
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream-5 ml
placeholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
feels like a drink of water. I put this on after cleansing and just let it soak in
Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream - Peter Thomas Roth
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Judith Chetwood profile picture
gentle enough for my worst flare ups. never stings or reacts badly
Rose Skin Care for Deep Hydration
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder