My Favourite Foundations

If you have a similar skin type and like the same foundation finishes as me then this should hopefully be helpful.  I have dry skin around my eyes and cheeks, I would say these days after plenty of good skincare use my t zone is normal rather than dry.  I have no acne or scarring.  I wear foundation every day, the only time I don't wear it is at the gym (and then if I go straight from work I usually leave it on by accident). I have a bit of a foundation addiction and have gone through so many more than I have mentioned here so if you are interested in another please ask as I may have tried it!

The Criteria For The Perfect Foundation

Sheer to medium coverage
Easily to blend
Buildable
SPF as high as possible
If possible healthy ingredients such as vitamins
Suitable for dry skin but not greasy or oily

I have worn foundation since I was around 16 but only since blogging have I moved to more sheer, natural formulations and products.  I have also learnt to look for foundations with SPF and ingredients such as vitamins and natural extracts.  My aim now is to make my skin look perfect but natural - flawless is the aim! I do NOT want to look dry and cakey, orange or powdery.

My Foundations

Nars Sheer Glow
I bought this a year ago just as the Nars Sheer Glow hype was starting and I wanted to see if it worked for me as I love sheer and I want to glow! I can see why it's popular but it's definitely overpriced if you consider that you have to buy the pump separately, personally I think a pump is essential when the bottle has such a large opening as this does, it gets very messy.  The coverage is medium and it is buildable (plus points) but it can start to look a bit cakey after a day at work and does need touching up.  

Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF15

I find this a great foundation to wear at the weekend as it will last all day long and looks fantastic in natural light. It has a thin consistency so a bottle lasts and is good value for money.  The foundation really does give a flawless finish and looks great in daylight and in photographs, it leaves a semi matte finish. The SPF15 is great for everyday.  All in all this has really made me impressed with Bobbi Brown   See my full review here

Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid

This is the best drugstore foundation I have found.  I love that it makes you look luminous without looking greasy and gives my skin enough moisture to make sure it doesn't ever get cakey or get oily so I have to keep blotting.  It has a pump and the bottle is easy to hold which helps when you are half asleep.  I mentioned this is my YouTube video about foundations for pale skin here as you can see I have liked it for some time.  I would say this was an everyday foundation due to it being so moisturising, I wouldn't say this would be a great one for nights out or partying as if you sweat it might make this look a bit greasy.  Fantastic value for money if you can find a shade that suits you and easy to find on any high street.

 

Korres Wild Rose Foundation

This contains SPF 20 which I am impressed by and healthy ingredients such as wild rose oil (which means it smells lovely)  and is free from free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes and phthalates. The consistency is similar to sheer glow, it isn't a thick creamy foundation.  It is great for dry skin as it feels moisturising without being greasy and if you set it with  powder it lasts all day - a good 8 hours. I like that this gives a luminous but non shimmery finish.   The packaging is a bit annoying as you can't see how much is left and it doesn't have a pump so like the Nars Sheer Glow I end up in a bit of a mess.

Origins Youthtopia Skin Firming Foundation

If I am not sure which foundation to use I pick this one. Origins products are formulated without Parabens ● Phthalates ● Propylene Glycol ● Mineral Oil ● PABA ● Petrolatum ● Paraffin ● DEA ● Animal Ingredients (except cruelty-free honey and beeswax).  Origins tests its products on (human) volunteer panels. – i.e. no animal testing. This foundation provides medium, buildable coverage and is also supposed to firm, lift and restore a look of youthful radiance. Now I am not sure about the lifting  but my skin looks so radiant when I use this and does feel quite firm!  It evens out my skin tone and my complexion look better.  It makes my skin looks like it is naturally healthy and fresh rather than like I am wearing a good foundation.   See full review here

Korres Quercetin and Oak Anti Ageing Face Primer
Not a foundation granted but I have used this every single day since I got it.  It contains no silicone and my skin is already looking better since I stopped using silicone primers.  They may make your skin look flawless but they dry it out if you repeatedly use them.  Quercetin and Oak is their new primer which combines anti ageing super-technology with a primer - ingenious!  It keeps my makeup on all day long and I recommend if you buy nothing else from this page then get this - it's awesome and you can use it instead of a moisturiser in the morning and still give your skin anti ageing natural goodness.


Korres Watermelon Tinted Moisturizer

This is the best tinted moisturiser I have found, strangely there are only 3 shades but they are very sheer.  The formula is amazing, it is extremely sheer and I assume it is water based, so it does dry fast - so work quick! I use my fingers and slap it on. I am always in a rush anyway.  Once dry it is easily buildable with another layer if necessary.  It leaves me skin moist and non-cakey but not greasy. It is SPF30 and the packaging is great you can get every last bit out so no wastage and the lid screws on tight so safe to put in your handbag.  Perfect if you are a vain gym-goer who likes to wear makeup as it is sweat proof. I also adore the light watermelon scent although if you don't like watermelon then this might be a problem!

Korres Ginger and Vitamins Foundation

This is the perfect foundation really, it's the consistency of a cream foundation with the coverage of a tinted moisturiser.  Wearing this makes you look like your own skin is perfect not like you have foundation on at all.  It is easily buildable and blendable and gives a great flawless finish. Your skin looks luminous and healthy and my skin never gets clogged pores when I use this.  Even though this has light coverage it evens out your skintone well and also has an SPF10. See full review here

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse

This is the foundation I use when I am fake tanning, I mix it with a bit of one of the Korres foundations for a thinner consistency but it seems to work perfectly with fake tanned skin to make it look more natural and even, as fake tanned skin can look quite one dimensional and unlike real skin should.  It does give the skin a matte look so is great if you plan on using highlighter or luminisers so the rest of your face remains matte and doesn't look greasy.  Decent shade selection and packaging although sadly no SPF.  Its really easy to blend in and mixes really well with other products.  Feels really light on the skin not like a heavy face of makeup.

My Favourites

Korres Ginger and Vitamins

Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation

Origins Youthtopia

I hope this helps those that were interested.  I also plan on doing a few more 'my favourites' posts so let me know if you have anything in mind - mascara/hair products etc.

What is your favourite foundation?  Do you prefer a sheer, medium or heavy coverage?