haven't tried much of the ben nye makeup selection, but i WILL say that i like final seal. didn't bother my skin at all, and i'm very sensitive (eczema). however, it's not as much of a final seal as could be desired...thus it may or may not be enough for you. :/ personally, hairspray works the absolute best for me...but it's not the best option, either, as it's frankly kinda gross, and things can get...sticky. and it's also not matte. hope that helps?!

Okay, as far as foundations. The Color Cake is sweat resistant if you do nothing else. It is geared to be body makeup, and designed so that you can put it on, rub it with your hands and go. The Matte is designed with high pigment, and a more skin like finish. It is meant for close up theatre where you need a really natural skin look. It still needs set with powder, but it doesn't require as much. The draw back is that it doesn't hold up to the heat of full stage lights without touch ups. But the finish is really nice. The Creme is your basic stage makeup. It is really the best for stage use, and has high pigment, and the widest range of shades. Do pay attention to the series designations when thinking about what you want from them. I use colors from all of the series, but it is helpful to keep in mind what they will behave like under the lights. This is definately the foundation I use the most. I set it with the Translucent Powder (which is sweat resistant/proof) and have great results. No accidental transfer (of course it will transfer on things like bra edges if you put makeup there, but not onto like veils), and no dripping from sweating.

For concealers or neutralizers, you could get a cover wheel, which comes with 4 or 5 of the color corrective shades. The 5 one, which is a bit more, contains a greenish tone for covering reds (the other 4 are the same on both). You can also use the drugstore stuff here since it is used in small amounts on the face. Physician's Formula is a good one, and holds up to the rigors of stage. Truthfully though when it comes to picking out colors, in person is so much better. Call around to your local theatre supply type stores and see if they carry Ben Nye products. If they do, they probably have a sample case and will let you try whatever you like on.

Final Seal: this stuff is liquid gold if you perspire heavily. For really drenched dancers, I spray the face first with Final Seal, then put on the Creme foundation (do all blending, countouring, concealing, etc) and the Translucent Powder (press this in with a puff, I put the loose powder in a cotton sock and use that, then dust off extra with a brush). Then I spray again with Final Seal. Then I put on eye shadow, blush, lip stick, etc. And when all is finished I dust once more with the Translucent Powder (this time on the brush, not the puff), and then spray one last time with Final Seal. This method holds up to anything. I have even worn it swimming. Although I was only in the pool about 45 minutes. But my makeup still looked fine when I got out. Just gently blot, and dust (with a brush) with powder and go.

I have used it on a lot of clients and haven't had a problem yet (most of them it goes over the makeup though). It is hypo-allergenic. It does have mint fragrance in it though, so be aware of potential problems with mint allergies. Especially if you put it on bare skin. And it also has alcohol in it to help it dry quickly, this usually makes people's eyes tear up if they aren't expecting it and get a nose full. Takea breath, spray and breathe out. By then it is dry and you can go on with things. Again, I would say see if you can find a local store and ask to try some out to see if you have a reaction to it. I have done this with lots of stage makeup products for both myself and fellow dancers I take makeup shopping. I use a lot of Ben Nye products, mainly because they are designed with sensitive skin in mind, and they are a cruelty free company, besides being quality products. I hope that helps.

I swear by Ben Nye's final seal. I did some elaborate eye makeup (think sunrise yellow and neon orange with wingtip black eyeliner), sprayed on a bit of Final Seal on... Spent hours at Warped Tour up in Denver, (It was a super hot sweaty day!!) and my eye makeup NEVER moved. Of course, all the rest of my face melted away, since I only sprayed my eye area. :P It has a very pleasant smell, and I didn't find that it irritated my skin at all. I LOVE it.

I used Ben Nye stick pancake once for theater, and had a severe allergic reaction to it. (My face felt like leather for days!) I rarely have reactions (except to certain frosted eyeshadow ingredients), and was surprised by what a horrible reaction I had. If you've ever had a problem with allergies, definitely do a patch test before you wear it!

I also sweat like crazy, and have been pretty happy with the Colorstay liquid foundation.