Foundations 101

FOUNDATIONS 101

Foundation is a key part of my make up process. I personally like a full coverage, matte flawless finish look. I don't have problematic skin in relation to Acne etc apart from the monthly hormonal zit that will pop up however I do tend to get quite oily particularly in the T-Zone area, therefore foundations that have a dewy finish are not my friends. Luckily, I have been able to find a number of foundations some high end and some drugstore that have worked and kept my oiliness at bay. To be honest the best foundations that have worked for me have been drugstore which is always a plus especially being a Uni student and funds running low. Colour matches have not always been easy with drugstore products, especially being a tan/olive skin tone however I have not had any significant problems, nothing that a bit of bronzer or lighter powder couldn't fix. Here are a few of my favourites and not so favourites.

1. Loreal True Match Foundation

This foundation is my everyday go-to foundation. It's light but still medium - full coverage (buildable) and matte. My colour is Honey N6 - the colour match is perfect for my skin tone and the formula has an SPF of 17. It has a good amount of product and usually lasts me 2-3 months. It lasts all day and usually when I use it I can only see oil start to seep through in the evening at around 6/7pm having worn it since 7am in the morning.  It can get a bit cakey at times especially if using a heavy powder over the top, I usually use a light translucent powder e.g the Laura Mercier Powder but on the whole it is a great foundation at a great price. Cost £10-12.

2. Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin

This foundation I've been using for a while although having become a little bit tanned in the last week due to the unusual great weather we've been experiencing in the UK it is not a great colour match anymore. The one in the photo is the colour 330 Natural tan and it has an SPF of 15. Nonetheless it is a good foundation that does really last all day. This foundation comes in a variety of skin types, obviously because I'm an oily beast I chose the foundation suited for combination/oily skin however there is a dry/normal skin foundation as well. This foundation really is matte and has very good coverage, it is very easy to blend and a little goes a long way. £8-12

3.Revlon Photoready Foundation 

This foundation is in the colour 008 Golden Beige and has an SPF of 20. I used this foundation for about a week before deciding to not use it ever again. I was very disappointed as many people had recommended this to me and I have consistently been impressed with Revlon products as a drugstore brand. Although a fairly good colour match for my skin, in photos it looked too yellow probably due to the high SPF. It also got quite patch through the day and by lunchtime my t-zone had to be powdered to absorb the excess oil. I definitely would not repurchase this again. Cost: £10-13

4. Maybelline SuperStay 24Hr Foundation

This foundation for a long time was my holy grail drugstore foundation. It's lightweight but still medium-full coverage. It is a little dark for my skin but once blended with my lighter concealer and powder became a perfect match. Despite having an SPF of 19 it photographs well without casting any white shadows or looking yellow. However, having used it for a while now it has started to lose the flawless effect that it once had. I'm not sure if the formulation has changed or if I have just become more oilier than before. I have found that having repurchased it 3 times in the last year the formulation doesn't last as long even though it claims to be 24 hr wear. It usually lasts around 6-7 hours before I start to see oil seep through in the T-Zone area. It's a good work foundation and on the whole I would recommend it. Cost: £10-13

5. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation 

This foundation is loved by many including me! I tend to use it when going out in the evenings as it gives that flawless matte finish which hides everything! I'm in the colour NC42 Sometimes it can photograph slightly yellow however with the right amount of powder and bronzer it pictures just fine. This is on the pricier side however it lasts for a long time and is super blendable. i would definitley recommend this especially for those who are on the oilier side as it literally soaks up the oil leaving you with a flawless base to apply even cream products. there are only 2 significant issues I would mention, firstly the scent, it smells like plastic which can be offputting as you are putting it on your face and it will be around your nose for a long time however for me the smell did not linger for that long and it was not a real problem for me. Secondly, the packaging is a pain, if you wish to purchase this product make sure you purchase a pump which MAC sells separately (very annoying) as you will struggle to get last bits of product out. On the whole a very good foundation worth the the money and a wide range of colours to choose from. Cost: £18-24

6. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation 

This foundation is for the days where I need to let my skin breathe or I'm just running errands that do not require me to look my best. It's lightweight, blendable and has a wide range of colour matches. It has a nice dewy finish and would be good for days at the beach. On the whole it is a good foundation to keep in your collection for those days where you don't want or need to wear too much. Cost £8-12

7. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

This foundation received a lot of press and was promoted on a large scale in the UK so obviously being the make-up junkie that I am, I simply had to run out and buy it only to be bitterly disappointed. Although it was a good colour match it did not blend well at all and looked cakey when more was applied. It was also quite an oily formula which did not do any good for my oily skin. I used this once and did not use it again. Cost: £6-10

8.MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

This is a gel based foundation that I use mainly for going out and special occasions as I sometimes feel like it's a bit to heavy for everyday. It's a great foundation that gives full coverage and a flawless finish if blended in well. I usually apply it with a damp beauty blender sponge and have found that this method of application gives a better finish than applying it with a brush. It may seem odd that someone with oily skin gets on well with a gel based foundation but this seems to suck in the oil although I occasionally have to touch up with powder in the t-zone. Also a little goes a long way so this lasts for a quite a while. Cost: £18-25

9. Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation

I saved the best til last! This is my current holy grail foundation! I have been using this foundation for about 6 months now and I can honestly say that it is the best foundation I have used! It's completely matte and lasts ALL day! My colour is in 400 Natural Beige which is a good colour match. Even though the foundation is a matte finish I still tend to use a powder over the top (just a light swish) and this ensures that I do not get oily at all throughout the day. I usually apply it with the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and then buff it in further with the Real Techniques Buffing brush, before going over it with a damp beauty blender sponge. I would definitely recommend this product. Cost: £6-8