I have an ongoing search for a foundation that will make my skin look more even, smooth, youthful and luminous, while not looking cakey/powdery and obviously made-up. There are so many choices out there, it’s hard to know which one will be my holy grail. Here are some things I found out in my quest for the ultimate flawless base.
If you are looking to purchase foundation you can click the links below, or visit my curated online boutique.
Foundation Options can include:
- Liquid – has, not surprisingly, a fluid texture. Examples include L’oreal Paris True Match (my all time favourite base, it has every shade under the sun, it cost effective, looks like skin but better, not drying or oily, great coverage) and CHANEL VITALUMIÈRE Satin Smoothing Fluid Makeup (this is a very luxurious formulation and is great if you want a natural dewy look)
- Powder – can be loose or pressed, used with a wet or dry sponge. A standout in this category is the beautiful Shiseido The Makeup Powdery Foundation – I used to use this in the 90’s and was in love with it, but at $90 per refill I switched it for a less expensive alternative. Powders are best for oily skin.
- Cream – can come in a pan or jar. Creams tend to be higher coverage. Be careful of these for blemish prone skin. My pick for this category is Laura Geller Cover Lock Cream Foundation
- Stick Foundation – comes in a tube and are generally medium to full coverage. Examples include Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick.
- Cushion – a liquid foundation infused sponge and I have recently tried and liked the idea, but it is dependent on the actual liquid in the sponge. The applicator is not worth keeping in either of the following, and applying takes ages to build colour – PUR Air Perfection CC Compact Cushion Foundation as well L’Oréal Paris Nude Magique Cushion Foundation.
- Mineral – this is usually loose powder that is buffed into the skin. An example is Nude By Nature Mineral Cover. I have found with these foundations that they oxidise through the day and go orange, as well as the fact that I find them very drying as I work in air conditioning all day.
- Oil-Free – prevents shine and breakouts such as the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
- Anti-ageing – hopefully contributes to a more youthful complexion, my recommendation goes to Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind – Eraser Treatment Foundation (although I am not as much of a fan of this, as I adore the concealer in this family, but the foundation no so much) or you can head towards La Prairie Anti-Aging Foundation SPF15 which, although expensive, is amazing.
- Moisturising – Prevents skin drying out through the day, for dry skin. A good option is Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation.
- Luminous – imparts a dewy finish, with the use of fine mica which is made of reflective particles
- Matte – sets to a flat, flawless surface.
- Silk – slightly dewy without being shiny, which has one product that delivers, being the Giorgio Armani, Lasting Silk UV Foundation, which is stunning for a medium coverage.
- Light coverage – evens out skin tone, don’t cover blemishes or imperfections. Examples include Nude By Nature Natural Tinted Mineral Moisturiser
- Medium coverage – evens out skin tone and softens imperfections. Try this one Clarins, True Radiance Foundation SPF15.
- Full coverage – covers it all, completely flat colour. Stick foundations are generally in this category, so you can check out Shiseido Stick Foundation SPF15
- SPF – protects from the sun’s harmful rays, although I wouldn’t recommend this, pop it in your skincare routine. There are many, one being Clinique, Even Better Makeup SPF15
- Colour – cool, neutral, warm, light, medium, dark – best to get samples of the colour/s you probably are, so you can test, in natural light and daylight that the:
- formulation is right for your skin type
- colour is correct
Note on colour matching: I recently bought the “Born This Way Foundation” from Two Faced and had to buy three different shades to find the right colour but it was still too apricot coloured, and then decided that it wore terribly through the day. I could have saved myself over $150 just by asking for samples. There is also a great matching guide here on Temptalia.com
for samples to try. Anyway, I then realised that the coverage was very unflattering for my skin and it was chalky on my skin. I have since gone back to my true love with L’Oreal’s True Match in N2, which wears well through the day and is the right colour.
The list of foundation options seems endless. And that leads me to Primers…
Primers address issues such as:
- Mattifying – this is a primer that prevents shine and oil. Examples include Rimmel Stay Matte Primer, (I adore this formulation, but hate the packaging on my dressing table – works like an antiperspirant, with ingredients to slow down oil and sweat on the face) or Philosophy Total Matteness Oil-Free Visible Pore Eraser (not sold on this, doesn’t seem to do much that I can see, if it works for you please feel free to comment)
- Luminising – adds shine and radiance (can look oily or sweaty though if you don’t use it correctly) such as Dior Capture Totale for the upper end and for the budget friendly, try BYS Foundation Primer Luminizing
- Anti-blemish – if you breakout, then you’ll want a primer that won’t make you spotty such as Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Blemish Treatment 30ml
- Pore minimising – as we age, our pores get larger, so a primer like this is supposed to prevent foundation from settling in the pores, exaggerating the pore. An example is Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer – Pore Minimizing
- Anti-redness – if you are prone to redness, then a primer with a green tint (subtle please, and only on the red areas and blended within an inch of its life, we don’t want you rivaling the Hulk). An example is Max Factor Colour Correcting Cream
- Long lasting – this has the effect of making your makeup last longer, or so they say. I love the Laura Geller Spackle Mist, as it works as a light primer as well as setting and refreshing spray for post application.
