Okay, so let’s start with foundation. Foundation is a very personal and sometimes emotional thing when it comes to makeup. Some will not part from a foundation that they have been using for years. I, on the other hand, will try new things and sometimes change according to what my skin is going through at that time.
Even though I have combination/dry skin I do like a matte to semi-matte finish. I rarely go for a luminous foundation unless it is winter and my skin needs it. I like to look made up. Even though all the trends are a no makeup look. I am a true diva and I go for the gold, beat for the Gods face when I am wearing makeup. I cannot seem to pull off that no makeup look. It always goes too far for me and then I go full glam. I am not ashamed to say that.
In my quest for the perfect foundation, which is on going, I have come across a few that have impressed me. Some high end and drugstore. The thing with me is not price. I will pay for quality over quantity any day as long as my hard earned money is spent well. I have no preference of high or low end products. I use what works for me and what I love.
Most of the brands and products I will speak about have been tried and tested over and over again in various ways. I give each product a rigorous testing to make sure that it does what it claims and that it doesn’t fail. My aim is to get it to fail. If in fact a product does fail or misses the mark, I will immediately let you know what my thoughts are on that product and the manner in which it failed.
So let’s get started.
Maybelline
This company has come out with two favorites of mine and they both are the Fit-Me foundations, Original and the Matte and pore-less, The original foundation was in fact the only luminous foundation that I would reach for even though it was released in late summer, which is common for most foundations. The Original Fit-Me required a lot. Priming and powdering and not touching it was important for its longevity. It was beautiful on the skin but without primer and setting powder it didn’t last long. It seemed to never dry or set which also made quite a mess as it transferred on my hands and clothes all day. I am a hugger so it also would embarrassingly transfer onto anyone I gave a great big hug to. This to me was ridiculous, but in essence, considering the price, I got what I paid for.On a higher note, this was a beautiful foundation and it made me glow and with a little experimentation I got it to do what I wanted it to do and not transfer. That is what made this one for me.
The Matte and Pore-less is a shocker. I was hoping for this foundation to come out in a matte formula and then, it did! I was amazed at the shade range but was still weary because I know how bad matte formulas tend to oxidize. I didn’t want to be a giant Um-pa-loo-pa face. I tried it in cocoa and coconut. Both were too dark so I got the next up which in the bottle looked way too light but ended up being my perfect shade. I haven’t been able to put it down since. Great job Maybelline. The powder and the blushes are great in this line too.
Estee’ Lauder
I have been wearing this brand since I started wearing makeup in my teens. I know that this is a well established company and their brand is international but up until recently their foundations weren’t. Double Wear is their “Golden Child”. This line has expanded so much over the last four years. The thing that got it all started, Double Wear foundation, Wow. This is the most long-wearing, bullet-proof, no smudge or budge foundation in the world. No one has even come close and if they have, they are a part of the Estee’ Lauder family of companies underneath their umbrella. Every skin tone is covered from alabaster to rich mahogany. The only flaw is the weight of the foundation on the skin which, since the first claims were made, prompted Estee’ Lauder to reformulate. My favorite from this line is Double Wear Light, That is my everyday foundation. Hands Down.
A newcomer to the Estee’ Lauder family is Perfectionist CPR foundation which is another luminous foundation that I love, It has the CPR serum inside so its like skincare in your foundation which is brilliant. I can cover and treat all at once. It is medium build-able coverage, which I like. It has a soft luminescence which I also like and my skin has visibly improved since I started using it. As with any other luminous foundation, it transfers and doesn’t exactly dry or set. It also takes a little work to make this foundation stay put and do what you want it to do. Unlike Double Wear, which sets fast and doesn’t move, this one will move around if you don’t set it properly.
Revlon
This company has been the leader in long-wear for a while now. The Color stay line is it’s “Golden Child”. The best thing about this line that drew me in was that it came in normal/dry and combination/oily formula which covered everyone across the board. The shade range is awesome and I have no complaints about the coverage, The only thing about this foundation is that your oil would come through at about the 5 hour mark or so. I don’t even have an oily T zone until I met this foundation.
One prize I keep going back to in this line is the HD foundation which I think is awesome. I’ve gone through four already. I can’t say enough. The shade range is a little limited and for some skin tones you have to mix two shades. Other than that, it’s a great alternative to more higher priced HD foundations.
L’Oreal
There is only one favorite for foundation and it is True Match. This foundation never fails and looks so natural. This is as close to a no makeup look as I can get. The matching powders and blush from this line are amazing also. They blend so well and they are soft and creamy to the touch, which I know is a hard to find thing with drugstore makeup.This company deserves their props for this one. Everyone I know uses or has used and loves this foundation. It’s light on the skin, very blend-able and build-able, great coverage, wide shade range, its just awesome. It’s only flaw is that it is not long wearing. You can get six good hours out of this foundation with touch ups. That’s it. Don’t go looking for more. You’ll only be disappointed.
True Match Lumi for me was an epic fail. It made me look greasy and it broke me out terribly. I just couldn’t take it.
MAC
Saving the best for last. MAC is iconic in the beauty industry. Their legacy is television and stage makeup. They have been a makeup artist company and brand for decades. They have graciously agreed, after Estee’ Lauder bought them, to let regular people have access to these professional grade products and excellent service.
Okay, enough brown nosing and BS. MAC is the worst shopping experience ever in life but, I will put up with their rude customer service and horrible manners for the products that I live by. I only have three staples from MAC but they are in my everyday routine,
Pro Long-wear foundation and concealer. Holy grail products. Cannot live without these two. They are my friends and lifesavers. Pro Long-wear foundation came along at the right time for me because Studio Fix Fluid was becoming too much for my skin. Pro Long-wear came in and swept me off my feet. I committed to him quicker than my wonderful husband but, I digress. I was so in love with this foundation that I use up every drop. Six bottles and counting. Four of the concealer.
With all the brands we have to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one favorite. I like having options and being able to cater my makeup to my mood or activity. I like what I like even though I sometimes like everything. I just wanted to share my thoughts and opinions of these products so that maybe I can help you pick a favorite or two. Always remember to do what makes you happy in your makeup and everyday life. Play, have fun and if it doesn’t work for you, its only makeup. Wash it off and try again.
Fix Your Crown 