I have tried countless foundations and usually have trouble finding one that checks every box on my list. When I look for a foundation, the main things I look for are as follows:
1. Color – I am very fair with pink undertones and most foundations are either too dark for me (yes, even the lightest shade) or too warm and turn yellow on me.
2. Consistency – I change up how heavy I wear my foundation constantly, so I like a foundation that’s build-able. I don’t like needing multiple foundations for different occasions, so finding one that builds on itself is a huge plus.
3. Doesn’t sink in – I’m a huge fan of primer and wear it daily, even on light makeup days. However, even with a good primer, many foundations still sink in making wrinkles and pores more visible than without makeup at all. It’s very important that my foundation stays on top of my skin and finding one that actually does that isn’t an easy task.
4. Length of wear – Most of us do our makeup first thing in the morning and pray it lasts until we get home in the evening. However, most foundations start to wear off by lunch and we find ourselves re-powdering by mid-afternoon just to get through the day. There are many long wear foundations out there, but finding one that isn’t too heavy or cakey can be a challenge. I tend to look for foundations that are long wearing but still look natural. It’s a delicate balance!
In my quest for finding the perfect foundation, I have found a few hits and a lot of misses. Below I have rounded up a few that I have tried lately. Remember that all skin types and skin tones are different and what works on me might not work on you and more than that, what might not work for me might just work for you! These reviews are based strictly on my personal experience with these products.
Estee Lauder Double-Wear – This foundation is my absolute favorite for summer. It is very build-able and can be worn lighter or heavier for full coverage if desired. This particular foundation is typically used for gals with more oily skin. I have very dry skin and this can get chalky on skin like mine if I’m not too careful. On days I’m feeling more on the dry side, I mix a drop of my favorite moisturizing serum in with this foundation and it is the perfect consistency for my dry skin. Overall, this one was a hit!
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation – I loved the color of this foundation. It matched my coloring perfectly. The problem I had with it was how long it lasted. It has a beautiful finish…very dewy and glowy for about 3 hours and then it’s gone. Overall, I’d have to say that this was a miss for me even though it is beautiful while it lasts.
NARS Sheer Glow– This foundation had many problem areas. It sank right into my wrinkles the second I applied it, even with primer underneath it. I also had trouble matching it to my skin tone. Overall, this one was a miss.
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick – Again, the color of this foundation was perfect for me, just like their liquid foundation. However, the consistency was not my favorite. It was much lighter than I had expected and didn’t build on itself at all. It also sank into my wrinkles very quickly, even when used over primer. Overall, this one was a miss.
Chanel Perfection Lumiere – I love this foundation, especially in the winter. It is great if you’re more on the dry side like me. It is build-able and long wearing. However, I would not call this one a full coverage foundation. The color is also a perfect match for my skin. Overall, this one is a hit.
Armani Luminous Silk – I loved the light consistency of this foundation. It is long wearing but not full coverage. It probably would not work if you’re on the oily side or looking for a true full coverage foundation. The problem with this one was the color. The lightest shade was still too dark and turned yellow on me.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – I lived in this tinted moisturizer when I was in college. It was just enough coverage while letting my 19-year-old skin shine through. Now that I’m 10 years older, I need something a little heavier that covers the sunspots and wrinkles I have from being irresponsible with sunscreen back in my college days! I would recommend this one if you have beautiful, young skin. Overall, when this was all I needed, it was a hit. But now, it’s sadly a miss.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid – I love this foundation. Typical for MAC, it comes in a ton of shades so it’s easy to match most skin tones. It is definitely long-wear and builds easily for a more full coverage finish. It does not sink in to my wrinkles and has a beautiful finish. Overall, this one is a hit.
Thanks for stopping by today, y’all!
July 19th, 2016 at 8:27 pm
Great tip about adding moisturizing serum to heavier foundation.
July 19th, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Very informative! I’ve wanted to try the Eatee Lauder and after reading this I will for sure.
July 19th, 2016 at 9:03 pm
I had the same problem with the BB foundation. I wish it would have lasted as long as they claim that it would have.
July 19th, 2016 at 9:11 pm
Great post❤️
July 19th, 2016 at 10:47 pm
I’ve heard so many positive reviews about the double wear but I found it too cakey for me. I love your tip about mixing a moisture serum with it. I want to give that a try and see if that changes my mind about it.
July 20th, 2016 at 9:51 am
I had the same problems with the NARS. Glad to know I’m not crazy!
July 21st, 2016 at 7:19 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, girl!