I believe in primers. Primers fill in minor imperfections and smooth the skin texture. Primers can also work magic in evening out skin-tone concerns (ruddy, too-yellow, or discolored). I stock Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, and Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer in my kit.

For foundation I carry a few products. Whatever the product, I need coverage I can count on- to even the skin tone, and reliability - to withstand heat, sweat, hot lights, and oil. My usual foundation choice is Joe Blasco’s cream foundation. I carry every color in a palette with me at all times. For tinted moisturizer, or a natural beachy look I prefer Laura Mercier’s Tinted Foundation Moisturizer SPF 20. The SPF in this case is appropriate because most beach shots are taken in natural light settings.

I carry a slew of concealer, but there are only two brands I trust to deliver the coverage I expect - Joe Blasco, and Ben Nye. Both are cream concealers and both impart the most coverage of all others in the business. You can neutralize, color correct, and conceal EVERY little thing with these products! I never leave home without Ben Nye’s Orange Highlight, and Joe Blasco’s Red Away and Dermaceal.

I always use a loose powder, or no powder. I prefer the finely milled texture of loose to the larger granulated pressed counterpart. Want a concealer/powder trick? Apply powder under eyes, on top of concealer with an eyeshadow brush for the best setting power - helping you avoid an unsightly and embarrassing under eye creasing. I use Clinique Loose Powder in Yellow Mineral Powder,Transparency Neutral-Transparency 5. I do not recommend any of their “glow” powders, however. I also use Ben Nye Loose Powder in No Color, Sienna, Chesnut, and Ebony.