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!

Base Instincts: My Step-by-Step Guide to Skin That Looks Like Silk

Purple Star emoji 15 items
When I first started doing my makeup, I thought the secret to a flawless look was just finding the "perfect" foundation. I quickly realized that if your base—the canvas underneath—isn't prepped and locked in correctly, even the most expensive foundat...
Sections
5
 
 
 
 
 

Primers

I’ve learned that you can’t build a smooth house on a rocky foundation. I use these primers to physically "resurface" my face before a drop of color even touches it. I’ve curated these specific formulas because they don’t just sit on top of the skin;...
 
darcieliee profile picture
I honestly think this is a bottled miracle for anyone with dull skin. What I love most is the "juice" it gives the face; it’s packed with Vitamin C and niacinamide, so it’s actually brightening your skin while you wear it. When I apply it, I notice m...
Yummy Skin Glow Serum Primer - Danessa Myricks Beauty
 
darcieliee profile picture
If you’ve ever felt like your makeup "disappears" by 4 PM, you need this. I love the unique, aloe-based gel texture because it feels refreshing, but once you pat it in, it becomes incredibly tacky. That "grip" is what keeps your base from migrating i...
Hydro Grip Hydrating Face Primer
placeholder
 
darcieliee profile picture
I don't consider my base routine started until I've misted this. I love how it uses hypochlorous acid to kill bacteria and soothe irritation. If you struggle with "maskne" or general breakouts, this is a game-changer. I spray it on clean skin to crea...
SOS Save.Our.Skin Daily Rescue Facial Spray - Tower 28 Beauty
placeholder

Serums

The real secret to silk skin isn't just the makeup—it’s the hydration underneath. I always prep my skin with these specific high-performance serums because they provide a "lit-from-within" plumpness that no highlighter can mimic. I’ve selected these ...
 
darcieliee profile picture
I love that this is a makeup-skincare hybrid that doesn’t rely on mica or glitter for its shine. It gives what I call a "wet look" radiance. I usually pat a few drops onto my cheekbones before foundation, and it creates this internal glow that looks ...
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Serum
placeholder
 
darcieliee profile picture
I love the versatility of this product. It’s water-based, so it doesn't feel oily or heavy. I often mix a pump of the shade "Starglow" into my foundation to shear it out and add a luminous finish. It’s perfect for those days when you want your base t...
Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Illuminating Serum
placeholder

Concealers/Foundations

I’m done with cakey, heavy foundations that feel like a mask. I’ve narrowed my list down to these "skin-first" formulas that offer incredible coverage with a weightless, breathable feel. Whether you’re looking for a sheer tint or a full-glam finish, ...
 
darcieliee profile picture
I was skeptical of the hype until I tried it, and now I’m obsessed. I love that it’s formulated with over 20 skincare ingredients, specifically fermented arnica which is amazing for soothing inflammation. On days when my skin feels a bit reactive or ...
Triclone™ Skin Tech Foundation
placeholder
 
darcieliee profile picture
This is essentially a treatment and a concealer in one. I love the inclusion of caffeine and hyaluronic acid; the caffeine actually de-puffs my morning eyes while the hyaluronic acid keeps the area plump. I’ve found that I don’t even need to set this...
Revealer Concealer
 
darcieliee profile picture
There’s a reason every makeup artist has this in their kit. I love it because it’s the ultimate "special occasion" foundation. It uses "Micro-fil technology," which basically means the pigments lay flat on the skin rather than stacking up. This preve...
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
 
darcieliee profile picture
Mario is the king of contour and base, and this foundation proves it. I love the "moisture grip" technology in this formula; it feels like it’s hugging my skin. It has a very luminous finish that makes the skin look "bouncy." I’ve noticed it photogra...
MAKEUP BY MARIO SurrealSkin® Luminous Hydrating Foundation
placeholder

Facial spray/Setting powders

This is where the magic happens—turning "wet" makeup into a velvet-silk finish that won't budge. I’ve curated a mix of ultra-fine, "air-milled" powders that blur the skin without looking dry, paired with setting sprays that melt all the layers togeth...
 
darcieliee profile picture
This is arguably the strongest setting spray on the market, and I love it for that reason. It’s an aerosol mist, so it distributes evenly without leaving big wet droplets on your face. It gives a matte finish that is completely waterproof and rub-pro...
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
placeholder
 
darcieliee profile picture
This is my "security blanket" powder. I love it for the middle of the day when my T-zone starts to get a little too shiny. Unlike loose powders, this pressed version uses rose wax and almond oil, so it blurs pores and soothes shine without ever looki...
Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder: 2 Medium
placeholder
 
darcieliee profile picture
I am very picky about powders because I hate looking dry, but I love this because it’s so finely milled it feels like air. It has a slight floral scent that feels very luxurious, and the "net" in the packaging makes it easy to control. I use it to "b...
Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder
placeholder

Extras

To keep skin looking like silk and not a flat mask, you need to add back the natural shadows and flush of the face. In this section, I’ve picked cream and finely-milled powder blushes and contours that melt into the skin rather than sitting on top of...
 
darcieliee profile picture
This is my secret weapon for redness. I love how the green tint magically neutralizes any angry red spots or rosacea on contact. It has SPF 30, so it’s great for protection, and as you rub it in, it turns into a beige tint that matches your skin tone...
Dr. Jart+ Color Correct
placeholder
 
darcieliee profile picture
I love these blushes because they are incredibly high-pigment, meaning a tiny dot goes a long way. They blend into the skin rather than sitting on top of it, which makes the flush look like it’s coming from within your skin. They also play incredibly...
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
placeholder
 
darcieliee profile picture
I love this because it’s the most natural-looking contour I’ve ever found. The undertones are cool and "ashy" rather than orange, so it actually mimics a real shadow on your face. The formula is packed with organic jojoba oil, so it melts into your f...
Mini Petite Face Trace Cream Contour Stick - Westman Atelier
placeholder