Foundations of Success

One of the first foundations i used was the Max Factor pan stick, which wasn't bad but was certainly not sophisticated and felt very greasy on the skin, with quite an unnatural shade. Today, foundations wear like a second skin on your face and have shades that can match anyone's skin tone. I have been trying out a number of foundations over the last couple of months and would like to share my findings with you.

My skin type is normal with an oily T-Zone and i suffer with open pores and red patches within the T-zone. I also have a pink tone to my skin. So this is where i need to concentrate on when i use a foundation.

When i apply foundation, I tend to start in the centre of my face and blend outwards, using a stippling foundation brush. I will re-apply if i need to and add a touch of concealer as required, and then set with a fine powder.

I will be testing foundations on their ability to stay put for 6-8 hours wear, coverage and shade, and how they settle into the skin. I will also take on board the indications set out by the manufacturer. As i have not used some foundations for more than two uses, i cannot say whether they may cause allergies, this is because it may take a couple of weeks of everyday use for an allergic reaction to occur, or so i thought! Read on. Prices correct as November 2012.

Guerlain Parure De Lumiere SPF 25 30ml/£36.50

Diorskin Forever Moist Extreme Wear Powder Makeup.SPF25 10gm/ £35.50

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Compact.SPF15 12gm/£39.00

Indications

Water like feeling when it hits the skin. Melts into the skin. Rapid and easy application with a second skin perfecting result. Glowing skin with a nude like finish.

The Good.

Lovely light fluid with a mild fragrance. Blends very easily and quickly on the skin and sets to a satin finish. Light/ Medium coverage. Doesn't feel like there is foundation on your face and covers small blemishes and imperfections.

The Bad and the Ugly Truth

There are two minor downsides to me. One is that it looks a bit cheap in the plastic bottle and you need to shake it for a good 10 seconds to get the right consistency. It can also settle into fine lines as well. 8.5/10

Indications.

Made with mineralised sea water for and light reflecting spheres to give skin a flawless finish. Hydrates the skin. Smoothes out fine lines and auto adjusts to the skin.

The Good

Lovely coverage like the original Parure. Covers blemishes and gives a flawless finish but also feels weightless. Medium coverage. I use shade 3 a warm beige but i can get away with 2 as well which is a cooler beige tone.

The Bad and the Ugly Truth

I noticed after three hours wear that it was looking slightly patchy across my face, which the original one never did. It wore off my t zone as well,so i had to do a retouch. It also made my face look very shiny and i don't really like that. I think this one is going to be perfect for people with dry skin. 7.5/10

Max Factor Face Finity 3 in 1 Foundation 30ml/£11.99

Indications

Contains oil of Myrrh for youthful regeneration and mineral water for hydration. Gold reflecting pigments also.

The Good

Glides on the skin and blends really well. Has a slightly heavier coverage than Parure de Lumiere but it does not settle into any fine lines and a very little goes a long way. It never wore off my t zone as fast as the Parure one did either.

The Bad and the Ugly Truth

It is expensive and i was happy with Parure de Lumiere so i wouldn't really go out and buy this one exclusively. No other bad points about this though.

7.5/10

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation SPF10 30ml/£24.00

Indications

3 in 1 foundation. Contains primer, foundation and concealer in one. For all day flawless coverage.

The Good

It did offer good coverage. Dried to a matte finish and no need to apply any face powder to reduce shine because there was none. I never needed to touch up or powder my face all day. Did not settle into pores or fine lines

The Bad and the Ugly Truth

Once the foundation set it made my skin feel tight. This feeling stayed all day. I also felt that my skin could not breath. I developed a rash on my face two days after using this. I cannot say it was the foundation that caused an allergic reaction as it could have been any number of factors however; it was quite a coincidence that it was after i had used this and one of the reasons i do not use high street foundations is for this reason!!

4/10

Indications

Light reflecting and oil free hydrating mineral foundation. Combines plant and mineral ingredients for a smooth even results with light to medium coverage.

The Good

Light coverage and is quite cheap in price. Nice range of shades and sets to a matte finish, which is good for my oily t-zone.

The Bad and the Ugly Truth

This one set on my face and like the Max Factor one, it felt quite tight. This didn't let up all day either. Because it has quite a light coverage, it does not cover blemishes or imperfections therefore; i had to use plenty of concealer. Not really impressed with this foundation. Great for oily skin with no imperfections

6/10

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation 30ml/£7.99

Guerlain Parure Gold Rejuivinating Gold Radiance Foundation SPF15 30ml/£50.00

Indications.

Many shades to fit every skin tone. Matching concealer and translucent powder for every shade. Fits skin type to give a natural finish. No oils or waxes.

The Good

I really liked the way this looked on my face. It did set to a semi matte finish and was sheer. Good colour, very natural looking without that orange tinge found on high street foundations. Good price and only needed to use the same amount as i do with my high end ones.

The Bad and the Ugly Truth

It did set on my face and i continued to feel the presence of foundation all day, which i don't like. Other than that, i did not have any other faults with it. Not sure if this would cause break outs or an allergic reaction as i only used it twice. All early indications were very good though. 8.5/10

Indications

A powder makeup which incorporates full skin care benefits. Ultra soft powder which fuses with the skin giving a satin finish. All skin types with medium coverage and is hydrating. Refill available.

The Good

This is great for me in the summer. My skin is super shiny then and it just mattes it off really well without the shine returning an hour later. Covers minor blemishes and is so easy to apply. Does not cake and gives skin a lovely velvety feel with a smooth appearance which i don't get with a liquid one. Lovely natural shade as well.

The Bad and the Ugly Truth

I can't really use it in the winter as my skin does dry up a bit.. This would not be a good foundation for dry skin but fantastic on oilier skin types. 9/10

Indications

Cream based foundation which contains 24% water for hydration but still gives medium coverage. Gives a natural glowing result. Refill available, which is £10.00 cheaper. Designed for normal to dry skin. Contains Vitamin E.

The Good

Lasted very well on my face over eight hours. Goes on easy with a foundation brush and blends out really well. Sets to a satin glow with a natural finish. Worked great on my skin and i have an oily t zone. Didn't settle into my lines. Covered blemishes and red patches very well.

The Bad and the Ugly Truth

Very expensive first time you buy it. If you need heavier coverage then you can use the sponge to apply but it uses a lot of product up quickly if you do this. 8/10

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Skin Perfecting FLuid SPF15 30ml/£32.00