I get asked a lot which foundations are the best to use, and I think that’s a hard question. Everyone’s skin is so different and reacts differently to products, but for those who have skin similar to mine, this post hopefully will be a little helpful.
I generally have pretty normal skin, a little combination, normal/oily through my T-zone. But lately I’ve been noticing it to be a little dry in places, partially my skin changing, partially getting eczema patches on my cheeks (not fun). I have some foundations I absolutely love, like the Estee Lauder Perfectionist, L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte, and Lancome Teint Idole, but I have set those aside to try out some others over the past year. Currently in the mix are a handful I’ve been using for months, and some I only recently started using within the past month or two. And while I do reach into my face drawer for some others, these are the foundations currently in my main rotation.
L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow: Let’s start with a good one. I love the L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte foundation, which is more a demi-matte than a flat, matte foundation. But when they came out with the Pro-Glow, I was excited. I jump back and forth between wanting a matte face and a natural finish, different days, ya know? I think this offers a medium finish, at least that’s what I see with the amount I apply, which isn’t a lot. I like to wear this when I’m having a good skin day. It lasts a good 4-5 hours before it starts to settle and fade on my face. I’ve purchased two bottles of this if that tells you anything.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD stick: I received this for free for testing purposes from MUFE and Influenster a little while ago, and when I tried it the first few times, I really didn’t like it. This was my first experience with stick foundation, and I thought it made me look shiny and oily, it didn’t blend it well, and I was left a streaky mess. That was applying with a Beauty Blender. Since then, I’ve tried playing a bit more with various brushes, and I’ve since learned to love it with the Expert Face Brush from Real Techniques. I probably won’t repurchase this when I run out, but I do like it. I wouldn’t recommend to someone with oily skin, at all. I don’t think you’d like it.
Fiona Stiles Matte Finish Foundation Concentration: I picked this up during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Sale a little while back, making it the newest foundation in my collection. And…I love it. You know how sometimes you edit your photos to soften your face? This foundation does that. A little goes a long way, it’s a medium to full coverage, I’d say, but it doesn’t feel heavy on your skin when you build it up. It also doesn’t get oily and shiny around my nose and forehead, like other foundations tend to do. I like applying this with a Beauty Blender. It’s an Ulta Online Exclusive, but I would recommend.
Rimmel Lasting Finish: This is the cheapest on the list, and I really like it. It offers a medium/full coverage, doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin, and creates a really flawless finish. It also doesn’t clog pores and lasts a good amount of time. However, it takes a while to dry down and feels tacky in the process. I don’t try to apply powder right away to speed up the process, because it tends to look cakey that way. Instead, I let it dry for about 10 minutes and then go in with a light dusting of loose powder. I love the glow it gives to my skin. The shade range isn’t good, unfortunately.
MUFE Ultra HD liquid: Unlike the stick foundation of the same collection, I love MUFE’s Ultra HD liquid. I’ve been using this for a few years. It makes your skin look flawless, but it does feel a little heavier than some other products I’ve used. I like wearing this when I know I will be photographed and want my makeup to look effortless, and for special occasions. Not to mention, there are 40 shades, which is a nice sahde range in comparison to a lot of foundation products on the market.
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea: I was excited for this. I figured it’s be lightweight and natural coverage/finish. I’m only kind of satisfied. Mainly, I think I get thrown off because I can’t find a shade that matches me, which is an immediate deterrent for me, because it makes me not want to use it. As for the actual performance. It isn’t bad. It is lightweight, it claims to fight free radicals which I like, there is no smell, and it makes your skin look natural but borderline flawless. However, I just notice it doesn’t feel dry on my face and slides throughout the day. Applying with a damp Beauty Blender as opposed to a brush helps, but I still feel like I can take my finger and move the foundation around. But that’s on my skin, I know a lot of other people who love. I personally won’t repurchase for color reasons mainly, but I wouldn’t say refrain. It’s a good product.
As I said, everyone’s skin is different, so some pros and cons I see in these foundations may be different for you. Overall, I’d recommend trying them all. They’re all a bit different but good products.
Let's Chat!