In the past few weeks I've been asked a lot of questions about what foundations do I used for everyday light makeup and for more heavy night out makeup. I have a small foundation collection but I can still give you guys some tips on what to look for in foundations.
(L to R: Rimmel Wake Me Up - Ivory (100), Revlon 24hr Colorstay - Buff (150), Bourjois Healthy Mix - Vanilla (52), Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum - Vanilla (52), Make Up For Ever HD - Marble (117) Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream - Light Beige (32)) Pic below: Opposite order.
What to look for in a foundation? I'll be using these examples above to help you find yourself the perfect foundation!
Skin Tone & Undertone
When I was first looking for foundations, I wasn't actually aware that it wasn't just the colour of your skin that helped you colour match - it was greatly to do with your undertone. Generally, there are three undertones that will help you identify which colour would match you: warm, cool and olive undertones. These can also refer to pink, yellow and neutral undertones. Four of the five foundations above have warm undertones as I have a yellow skin tone. The first foundation is definitely a cool, pinkish undertone which didn't match with my skin whatsoever. Besides that it was light and I could possibly get away with it, I just looked really washed out and ghost-like - it didn't give me that golden glow like my Bourjois Foundation gives me. I find it really important to know what your skin tone and undertone is, so that you don't end up spending loads of money especially on high end products ending up with a pink or too yellow face!
Skin Type
In general, there are four skin types:
- Dry - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundations, Revlon Colorstay, Rimmel Wake Me Up
- Normal - Bourjois Healthy Mix, Revlon Colorstay
- Combination - Revlon Colorstay for Combination Skin
- Oily - Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
This is not to say that you can't have dry skin in winter and oily skin in the summer - it is just a key that could help you pick the right foundation formula. For dry skin I would recommend a more dewy formula because it helps hydrate your skin during the day while being able to cover up your imperfections on the skin. The Bourjois Healthy Mix foundations are probably my favourite for hydration because you can really feel the formula blending with your skin and doesn't feel drying at all after I have applied it. Also, some foundations like the Revlon Colorstay have specific categories for their foundations, such as my one which is for normal/dry skin again helping your skin breathe even with foundation on. For those with more pinkish undertones I would recommend Rimmel's Wake Me Up because it is very moisturising, almost to the point of too oily but if you have really dry skin this should definitely hydrate it. For more oily/combination skin, it's better to look for mattifying formulas such as the Bourjois 123 CC Cream because it helps control the oil on your skin and kind of 'soaks it up'. The Bourjois one isn't the best example because it is only semi-matte, so it gives you a dewy but mattified look at the same time. Not many drugstores do have matte foundations, but there are great powders that help set and mattify your foundations such as Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder, Australis Fresh and Flawless Powder and NYX HD translucent setting powders. When I come across a good matte foundation for oily skin I will definitely update you guys on it!
Coverage & Longevity
The coverage you are looking for is important as well because you might not want to look caked up during the day but at night you need that extra coverage. Or even you've chosen a really lightweight foundation that doesn't last long for the night but is decent for daytime.
Coverage & Longevity
The coverage you are looking for is important as well because you might not want to look caked up during the day but at night you need that extra coverage. Or even you've chosen a really lightweight foundation that doesn't last long for the night but is decent for daytime.
- Light - Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream
- Medium - Revlon Colorstay
- Medium-Heavy - Rimmel Wake Me Up (especially to 'wake you up' - it can be quite a heavy formula), Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
- Heavy - N/A I don't have any good examples of this
- Buildable - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundations (can go from very light everyday coverage to a medium-heavy coverage for the night out)
- Doesn't last very long - Bourjois 123 CC Cream
- Average lasting - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundations, Rimmel Wake Me Up
- long-lasting - MUFE HD, Revlon Colorstay
High End Vs. Drugstore
The only high end foundation I own is MUFE so I can't really give a substantial comparison between high end and low end but I'll give it a go! Particularly comparing MUFE and Rimmel, because I find that Revlon and Bourjois have excellent quality foundations, there is a big difference on formula. The Rimmel foundation is quite thick and doesn't apply evenly on the skin. The MUFE foundation is great because it can be a thick formula but it blends out beautifully and takes a short amount of time to blend into the skin. Rimmel's formula seems to sit on the surface of the skin rather than blending in for a more natural look. In terms of colour selection, MUFE and other brands like MAC really have a great range - they cater for different skin tones and undertones. Especially Bourjois and Rimmel, they have a very small colour selection. The Healthy Mix only have 3-5 (which are mostly yellow tone) depending on which country they're in, and the Rimmel one has about 7-8 but are mostly pinkish tone. Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation has all three undertones. Obviously the price of high end is usually quite steep ranging from $50-$100, and if you get the wrong colour you would've wasted a lot of money! Drugstore foundations in Australia can range from $10-$30 which would be better for those on a budget.
My all time favourite goes to:
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 52
This foundation is just perfect for me. I have normal skin but it gets quite dry in the winter so the dewy formula is very hydrating. The coverage is build able so I can use it on a quick shopping errand or build it up to medium coverage for those messy nights out. Also, it actually is the perfect colour for me because it is for yellow-tone light (not fair) skin tones so it doesn't make my face look too white. I went to a MAC counter the other day to get colour matched and the retail assistant even said that I have the correct foundation colour on. This was my first ever foundation and I still love it to this day and will continue repurchasing it forever! The fruity smell just also makes it feel like you're putting something fresh on your face. This is definitely my HG!
Thanks for reading and hope this helps you find the perfect foundation for whatever use it is! Feel free to comment on what your HG foundations are :)
Product Listings and Locations
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation 52 - priceline.com.au, $32.00, asos.com/au, $19.61
Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum 52 - priceline.com.au, $32.00, asos.com/au, $19.61
Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream 32 - priceline.com.au, $25.00, asos.com/au, $19.61
MUFE HD Foundation 117 - Make Up Forever US Website, $55.00
Revlon Colorstay normal/dry Foundation 150 - priceline.com.au, $34.95
Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation 100 - priceline.com.au, $19.95, asos.com/au, $16.67
Toodles,
Janie :)
Toodles,
Janie :)
