Monday 31 May 2010

Foundation Ramble & Favourites

This post started life as the 2nd of my '5 Favourites' series... However, I soon realised that I actually don't LOVE any of the foundations I own or have tried.  I am still very much on the quest to find that one foundation that does everything I want it to....
  • Even out my skin tone
  • Help to conceal redness around my nose and on my cheeks (to be then topped up with concealer if needed)
  • Leave me with dewy, healthy, fresh looking skin (My skin is pretty much 'normal' but slightly on the dry side)
  • Look fresh all day - with only the occasional sweep of powder needed
Not too much to ask for is it?! 

The reality is that my skin is OK and in the last few months I have wanted to use this to my advantage. I therefore now look for a more natural, dewy looking foundation whereas before I aspired to a matte look.  It is this change of heart which means I am now lemming Bobbi Brown Skin, NARS Sheer Glow and Chanel Pro or Vital Lumiere.  I have always been a bit wary of buying high end foundations as the few times I have, I have always been colour matched wrongly or hated the product after a day. However now I feel more comfortable in my product knowledge and colouring I think I need to take the plunge.  I am hoping to get a few samples next time I am in Selfridges to see how they wear on my skin - I really do not want to throw £30 down the drain!

So for the moment, I can't really say I have five foundations that I really love or would highly recommend.  I have however used a few in the past that if push came to shove, I would happily use...
In no particular order:

MaxFactor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation

This is the foundation that I am currently using and it has featured in my FOTD posts.  I did really like and I have purchased it a few times but I have recently changed my mind and I'm not so crazy about it anymore.
It is a solid foundation which turns to a liquid on contact with your skin and dries matte.  I apply this with a sponge and I would say it gives a light to medium buildable coverage which is what I like.
I am however finding it now slightly too matte for me and it also works out very expensive at £11.99 for only  11.5g which with every day use, only lasts a month or so..

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup

This was the first high end foundation I purchased and I still remember the thrill of sitting on the stool getting myself colour matched!  However, back then I didn't know to check in natural light first and was pretty upset when I got home, tried it out and realised how orange I looked.  I should, with hindsight, have taken it back but I decided to stick with it.  After a little fake tannage it looked OK and I actually really liked the finish.  It keeps you matte in your t-zone and hydrated in any dry areas.  I would repurchase this I think but get in the right colour..!


Ruby & Millie Sheer Base

I first really started experimenting with make up when I had about 20 of the Boots £5 No 7 and Ruby & Millie vouchers a few years ago.  I picked this up one day and used it for months.  It is a pump action brush-on foundation and gives a very light coverage, perfect for day time.  It does need a slight setting with powder on the t-zone but gives the cheeks a lovely glow.


L'oreal Studio Secrets HD Smoothing Foundation

Perhaps my favourite of this selection.  Another brush on foundation which provides a medium coverage.  It does leave me looking dewy but perhaps TOO dewy?  If my skin was slightly drier this would be HG material.  However, as it is, I still need to powder over the top.

Honourable Mentions
  • Revlon Colorstay - Of course, a somewhat cult product.  I don't mind this for evenings when I want a serious heavy duty foundation but for the most part I have to mix this with tinted moisturiser as I really am not a fan of the heavy matte look it provides.  It is OK, but I don't love it.
  • ELF Mineral Powder Foundation - I like this to set my foundation on nights out or over tinted moisturiser in the day for no-make-up-make-up-days.  I'm not sure it really gives any coverage though and the lightest colour only looks right on me when I have serious fake tan on.  I like it though for my first try of mineral make up.
I really feel like no matter how great your eye make up is or how pretty your lipstick is, your base needs to be as flawless as possible.  Foundation is therefore the one product I would spend the most on and invest the most time researching.  I am very fickle though and get bored and like choice.  Even if I found a HG product, I'd still probably search for a better one...!  I also hate shopping for it - the potential of getting the wrong colour and also needing one for when tanned; pale; in between - arrrggghh the drama ..!

What are your HG foundations and have you tried the NARS, Chanel or BB?

xxx

17 comments:

  1. Loved this post! Think i want exactly the same things in a foundation, though im a little on the oily side, but still not much to ask! I love the clinique foundation too but also have it in the wrong shade i think! I have nars sheer glow to test so i'll let you know how i get on with it xxx

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  2. I hate buying foundation too for the same reasons its so stressful I never am never matched to the right colour! I have tried so many foundations both drugstore and high end and the one that I like at the moment is revlon colorstay (oily skin) but I am always on the search for something better

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  3. I have been using the Revlon Colorstay and love it. I like wearing a full coverage foundation. I also like the Clinique Even Better, have you ever tried that one? I have had NARS Sheer Glow on my wishlist and hope to try it soon...
    Good luck on your hunt for the perfect foundation!

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  4. sorry if i am being stupid but what does hg stand for?! x

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  5. @Lydia - Oh yes, you must keep us updated on how you find it! xx

    @Mango9 - It is so stressful isn't it?! I'm not sure I'll ever be truly satisfied - I'm too fussy! xx

    @LabelSnob - I haven't actually tried the Even Better - I'll have a little look at that now! I think I need to invest in some brushes like the 109 and 187 and see if I can get the Colorstay to apply a bit better on me...I haven't fully given up on it yet! xx

    @Anonymous - You're not being stupid! I didn't realise for ages..! It means Holy Grail - so that one perfect product you are always on the search for! xx

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  6. I currently use MACs Studio fix fluid. Although expensive a bottle does last me about 4-5 months with every day use so I can justify it.
    I do however want to try some of clinique's foundations, maybe i'm just bored with using the same product for a year now, i just think i want a bit more of a dewy finish.

    The grass is always greener, so they say. x

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  7. @Miss Lipton - I've always been a wary of MAC's SFF - I think it may look so heavy on me? I will probably buy some when we get into winter but for Summer I am definitely on the quest for the perfect dewy finish!

    I think you are the right though - the grass is always greener and I always get bored too - the woes of being a product junkie!
    xx

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  8. i have all three of they foundations and love them all. bobbi brown skin foundation and pro lumiere are amazing and i think my favourites :) they look more natural and even out my skin perfectly. xxx

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  9. @LDEE24 - Would you say you prefer the BB/Chanel over the NARS?? xx

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  10. I use Neutrogena and I have never used a better one. =D

    XO NANCY

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  11. Let me know if you find something! I'm sticking with BB Tinted moisturiser for the time being. I recently bought MAC Select (liquid) and I HATE it! I wouldnt be adverse to trying MAC SFF though, and Im also intrigued by what Sleek have to offer.

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  12. @Nancy - Unfortunately we cannot get Neutrogena cosmetics here in the UK - only skincare! xx

    @Anthea - I sure will! I am contemplating just using a tinted moisturiser and then a heavy duty concealer. Decisions, decisions! I am very wary of MAC foundations ever since Pixiwoo said they aren't great.. xx

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  13. Hey! I have the Ruby and Millie one too - for the same £5 off voucher reason. It's a great colour match for me, but I don't like the thought of the brush buiding up germs and spreading them over my skin!!

    I really like the No.7 foudation which changes to match your skintone - takes all the guessing out and provides a really lovely, natural coverage

    x

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  14. i have all three of they foundations and love them all. bobbi brown skin foundation and pro lumiere are amazing and i think my favourites :) they look more natural and even out my skin perfectly. xxx

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  15. I currently use MACs Studio fix fluid. Although expensive a bottle does last me about 4-5 months with every day use so I can justify it.
    I do however want to try some of clinique's foundations, maybe i'm just bored with using the same product for a year now, i just think i want a bit more of a dewy finish.

    The grass is always greener, so they say. x

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hate buying foundation too for the same reasons its so stressful I never am never matched to the right colour! I have tried so many foundations both drugstore and high end and the one that I like at the moment is revlon colorstay (oily skin) but I am always on the search for something better

    ReplyDelete
  17. Loved this post! Think i want exactly the same things in a foundation, though im a little on the oily side, but still not much to ask! I love the clinique foundation too but also have it in the wrong shade i think! I have nars sheer glow to test so i'll let you know how i get on with it xxx

    ReplyDelete