Ok. So i’ve had a great experience both with bobbi-brown and laura-mercier foundation liquid foundation … and i am finally going to invest in one of the two before leaving for pakistan in a week’s time. but 2 days ago … i went to the bb counter again just to kind of see again how it felt since it’d been a long time … and the woman did not have the liquid foundation with her in my shade … so she used a compact instead …
QUESTION
what is the difference between a compact and a liquid foundation? why should one be preferred over the other? who should use a liquid foundation, and who should use a compact?
Re: what's the essential difference between a liquid foundation and a compact?
hmm.. in my experience liquid gives better coverage without having to apply too much. powder is good if you don't need coverage but want to even out the skin tone. usually powders don't have as much staying power either; they will rub off more easily and/or begin to look cakey. sometimes they look to dry and powdery too.
i have quite oily skin and i found that compact foundation made the oiliness a lot more obvious, even though it's supposed to absorb the oil. :/
the only people i know who use compact powder foundation are the ones with flawless skin already. they all keep it in their handbags too for touch ups during the day... something i never have to do.
Re: what's the essential difference between a liquid foundation and a compact?
i don't use either now actually. i used LM Silk Creme for a while, it's nice but i would never use it for wedding makeup. for just over a year i've been using a creamy foundation that's in a compact (almost the same consistency as a pot concealer). i don't apply it with a sponge or fingers though, i use a synthetic foundation brush and just the lighest layer on my cheeks and around my mouth/chin.
Fluid foundation gives a heavier coverage and a compact helps ‘set’ the foundation and absorb oil. (although loose powder does a better job)
Fluid foundation = medium coverage
Stick foundation = heavy coverage
Pot foundation = heavy coverage (can be controlled using a synthetic brush and blended really well)
Cream-to-powder foundation = medium to heavy coverage
with LM, the MUA also used silk creme in combination with the tinted moisturiser to get the correct color match for my skin. i went back and got some samples. it has excellent coverage i must admit … a little goes VERY far … and has a very nice dewy finish … no need to add any illuminizer or anything …
but i have found that it has a more pink undertone … and that is why i was going ga-ga in my head for why doesnt it perfectly match my neck … and i was trying various percentages of the TM to the silk creme … but wasnt getting it … of course … cuz i need yellow undertones.
so … there is BB … the epitome of yellow undertones … i think i am going to buy that … but by compact, i didnt mean powder compact … but the oil-free even finish compact foundation … it’s not creme … but not stick either ..
the only downside of this compact is that it totally rubs off! a couple of girly cheek rubs and kisses to start off the evening, and the foundation is probably gone before you sit down. … but i really liked how it sat on my skin, and looked so natural.
but with the liquid one … everyone keeps saying that any foundation with an spf is horrible for flash photography!
sooooooo … what to do … Gina i think you use BB professionally … what do you do?
Re: what's the essential difference between a liquid foundation and a compact?
yea it's best not to use spf when there is going to be flash photography.
i used LM silk creme in beige ivory. it was a very nice colour match. i just don't think it photographs that amazingly.
if you had a mac pro store in the netherlands (i hope i'm not remembering this wrong), i would totally suggest you try Full Coverage Foundation. it's a perfect wedding foundation in terms of coverage, long wear and it's a lot less yellow than MACs normal foundations or BB. i bought it for my wedding but love it so much i use it as my everyday foundation too, as described by my last post.
when i was trialling foundations, i made sure to take lots of pictures in different lighting conditions.
For everyday use I use the fluid..for events and shows I use the stick foundation. If u use a good primer and a fixing spray, u're makeup will last all the cheek-rubs!
Re: what's the essential difference between a liquid foundation and a compact?
farrah; in that case i recommend joining a few makeup communities which have tv and print makeup artists lurking around. they should be able to direct you to what brands are good for professional foundation palettes. they don't touch the department store brands.
that's where i got a lot of useful info when i was purchasing my wedding makeup!
… and has a very nice dewy finish … no need to add any illuminizer or anything …
a couple of girly cheek rubs and kisses to start off the evening, and the foundation is probably gone before you sit down. 
any suggestions?