Your complexion is the most important component of your makeup look. You could have the most amazing blended out cut crease, but if your skin looks blotchy and uneven then your whole look is ruined. Also please remember keeping a strict skincare routine, always exfoliate and moisturise and your skin will thank you for it.
For me personally, these are the key elements I look for when buying a foundation
- Semi Matte Finish
- Medium to Full buildable coverage
- Oil Controlling
- Yellow / Warm / Golden undertones
Although the search is never over, here are my latest foundation obsessions:
Nars Sheer Glow - Barcelona
"A glowing, natural radiant finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage that immaculately evens skin tone. Replete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, it leaves skin hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother."
Sheer Glow was recommended to me from a good friend who said this is a good 'all rounder' foundation. It suits nearly everyone as it is a good buildable foundation that looks great in pictures as it has not got SPF. The only bummer to this foundation is the packaging. The cap gets so dirty with fingerprints and there is no pump, so you have to pour it out. Apart from that, i think if your on the look out for a good all purpose foundation for pretty much any skintype - give this a go!
Ultra HD foundation - Y315 Sand
"ULTRA HD foundation feels like a second skin, but still provides medium coverage, and the light-diffusing formula looks natural and makes skin look flawless and feel moisturized. Exclusive 4K Complex guarantees invisible, natural and comfortable makeup. The fluid texture blends in seamlessly and conceals imperfections"
This foundation is amazing. The finish of it is so smoooooth and buttery. It makes your skin look like plastic, the finish is more of a satin finish. Paired with a good primer and powder, if will last you all night. You can now get Makeup Forever easily in the UK from Debenhams which is great.
Mac Studio Fix Fluid - NC40
"A modern foundation that combines a natural matte finish and medium-buildable coverage with broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 15. Comfortable and long-wearing: lasts for up to eight hours. Applies smoothly, builds coverage quickly and easily. Contains specially treated micronized pigments and soft-focus powders for a super-smooth look that helps minimize the appearance of imperfections. Absorbs and disperses oil. Contains special skin-conditioning ingredients"
Ahh, Studio Fix Fluid, you either love it or you hate it. This is actually my Go-To foundation if i'm ever in a pinch and I know this foundation will look good no matter how my skin is looking. The thing i love the most about it is the fact that it is so buildable. You can layer this puppy up so well and it doesn't remove the layer that's underneath (yes that happens with some foundations). It looks great in pictures and comes in a massive colour range with different undertones to suit all. It is very matte so i wouldn't suggest this if you have a drier skin type.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation - 8
"Problem skin transforms into perfect looking skin before your very eyes. The hyper-intelligent formula dispenses evenly over your skin and does not sit in imperfections. Magic Foundation is a miracle in a bottle that transforms every skin type into flawless, poreless perfection. My chemists worked for five years to create a “hyper-intelligent” formula that’s totally full-coverage yet completely weightless. The formula dispenses evenly over your skin and does not sit in imperfections creating your flawless second skin."
This is the newest foundation i have tried, so far, so good! Upon my first application it's less coverage than my other foundations i usually go for, however it is extremely buildable. The finish itself is great and leaves me very poreless and smooth. You can also feel this foundation slightly setting on the skin, which is great as you know if won't slip off your face anytime soon. The finish is a semi matte finish but not powdery, i feel all skin types can wear this foundation and will be happy with the result. Pop into your local Charlotte Tilbury counter and get yourself a foundation sample, they come in a small little sachet that you can get 2-3 uses from.
Cover FX custom cover drops - G50
"Custom Cover Drops can be mixed with anything liquid to add coverage - moisturizers, serums, oils, primers, foundations and tinted moisturizers that are water, oil or silicone-based. These revolutionary drops feature our Flash Fusion Technology™ formula, so as soon as you drop, the solution flashes off leaving behind the pigment that weightlessly transforms your favorite beauty product into the sheerest tint all the way to a total coverage foundation, depending on how many drops you add. "
This is an amazing way to customise your other foundations, I like using this to give my other foundations more of a yellow tint if it has not got enough golden tones running through it. I also like it on its own as a concealer, but a small drop goes a very long way and can be a tad dry. The formula is extremely lightweight with full colour pigment, you can mix it into your day cream for a tinted moisturiser too. They also have an extensive range of colours with different undertones to suit lots of complexions
Loreal True Match - W6
"L'Oréal Paris True Match Foundation has a micro-fine, creamy texture that contains 3 light, non-greasy oils. You can build up layers of True Match Foundation coverage for a made-to-measure finish.T rue Match Foundation gives outstanding coverage without caking, conceals imperfections, without caking : its micro-fine, creamy texture blends perfectly with the skin's texture."
This is one of the only drugstore, more affordable foundation that is still has excellent buildable coverage, it is best for more combination skin as it is not as mattifying as I would like, however there are plenty of shades to choose from, including warm and cool shades - which is rare for a drugstore brand! They have recently repackaged this item, also if you are in the US, the packaging is smaller with no pump.
Here I am wearing newest to the addition, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation:
Please tell me below your Holy Grail foundation, I am always looking to test out new foundations, they are my weakness! Also, let me know what you would like to see next.
Follow me on @xthuyle for updates
- Thuy x
