I’m as fickle as the next woman when it’s comes to makeup but foundation in particular has become a real problem area for me recently. Over the years in my professional life, I’ve tried many many different brands, types and formulations of foundation – At this stage I’d like to think I know what’s good and what isn’t however, amusingly enough, when it comes to my own personal foundation, I’m at a loss.
Living in a hot climate with oily, sensitive, acne prone skin with the added bonus of pigmentation, has really thrown me a curve ball in recent months. Due to the pigmentation and the fact that I rarely, if ever, sunbathe, my body and neck are now significantly lighter then my face. Not a problem I hear you say except, when I match my face to my body I look like a ghost. I’m quite naturally pale but dark hair and darker eyes are not helping me me out when I’m trying to look alive. On top of this, I need my foundation to sufficiently cover my skin, balance it out and still not look like I’m wearing any makeup. Not a lot to ask, right? Hmm…
My current collection of foundation (above), minus Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua which I’ve just run out of, is a veritable mish mash of decent and disappointing foundations. Here’s the lowdown on the good and bad of the above;
1. Bourjois Flower Perfection – Probably my current favourite. Full coverage, semi-matte to matte glowy finish. My issue with this is my skin has become slightly dry as the temerature has dropped and it’s started to cling on to some of the patches.
2. MAC Face & Body – I have nothing really bad to say about this except the coverage is way too light for what I need right now and I reserve this purely for my better skin moments, which are very few and far between at present.
3. Chanel Matt Lumiere -The newest addition is just ok. Not as matte as I’d like but generally ok. Nothing majorly negative to say but it’s just not doing it for me, you know?
4. Make Up For Ever HD Foundation – Although a fabulous foundation, it’s pretty bad when it comes to clinging on to dry skin and sinking into the pores. Currently not right for my skin.
5. Bobbi Brown Natural Foundation – Another ok foundation, initially I loved it but now it’s slipping around on my face too much.
6. MAC Studio Fix Fluid – Good coverage with a decent matte finish but it smells terrible and feels way to heavy for the glowy effect I’m trying to achieve at present.
And there we are. Am I just being too picky and annoying? Probably. Anyone using any of the above at the moment? Either I’m having a bad skin moment or my life has just gone down hill since I ran out of Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua…
12 Comments
I’ve used the Bobbi Brown one and liked it. I don’t actually wear foundation very often, I think I just got used to going bare because of how hot and sticky it is here. I also like MACs satin finish (the liquid one) but I don’t use it all the time because it already is pretty reflective and that’s not what you want when you already have shiny skin!
December 10, 2011 at 6:27 pmYou don’t need to wear foundation because your skin is fabulous!
December 10, 2011 at 9:25 pmSimone, defo try the Face Atelier Ultra, it has loads of coverage and still gives a brilliant glow! X
December 10, 2011 at 7:19 pmHmmm I’ve heard many good things about this Dee but I can’t get it here or order it to here it seems. Where can you get it at home and I might pick it up when I’m back?
December 10, 2011 at 9:24 pmIt’s only online AFAIK, you could order it to here from Cloud 10 Beauty maybe?
December 12, 2011 at 2:15 pmI like the Mat Lumiere.. It has a lovely finish.. But a lil too drying for me at the moment.. I tend to reach for the Korres Wild Rose foundation or the UNE loose mineral powder foundation which is lovely andlight for everyday
December 10, 2011 at 7:57 pmI actually quite like Une Loose Mineral Powder but again, it’s not giving me the coverage I need at the moment.
December 10, 2011 at 9:25 pmI just got the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and it’s working really well for me. I’m having the same skin troubles right now. I also have Face Atelier which I got from Cult Beauty, but it’s been goes so shiny when the weather is warm and my skin can’t handle a load of primers and powder right now to stop it going over dewy. Boo.
December 10, 2011 at 9:35 pmHow about NARS sheer matte? Have you tried that? The ingredients in it are really good… You can also try the ne Chanel one: Perfection Lumiere (i felt it was too thick for me, I prefer lighter coverage and liquid foundations…) 🙂
December 10, 2011 at 9:42 pmSo, as foundation expert what would you suggest to me: I like light coverage (I have freckles and don’t want to cover them). I’m at a great stage with my skin (i think I found the right products :D) I have normal to combination skin, minor dryness in winter, especially in the checks and chin, and minor oilyness on the T-zone… I’m a NW15/20 colour right now… THANKS!! 🙂
December 10, 2011 at 9:46 pmhey i have skin like yours and have tried soooo many foundations at the mo im loving jemma kidd light as air great coverage but feels light and has a semi matt finish honestly i have skin just like yours and im 31 wrinkles and spots not coo,l i use shade ultra light its silghtly pink tone and light wich is quite yelow i mix the two im inbetween nc15 and nc20 more on the side of nc15 im also loving collection 2000 concealers they dont budge i have all four shades and mix as i need xx
December 11, 2011 at 3:34 amI’m a foundation freak too, it’s terrible! I’m going between Make Up For Ever’s Mat Velvet +, The Body Shop’s liquid mineral foundation and Avon’s new one, Ideal flawless. I really want to give Mac’s Face and Body a go but cant justify buying it yet until I finish a bottle or two!
December 18, 2011 at 1:11 pm