Hello, beauties! Does anyone else feel like they're always on the search for that perfect foundation? I'm always easily swayed by positive reviews and 'revolutionary' formulas, although I have yet to find a foundation that would tick all of my boxes. I find that a lot of them look good on the skin for about thirty minutes, but at the end of the day, well, it's usually a complete mess (especially if your skin is very oily, like mine). Recently, I've decided to truly commit to finding my perfect foundation, so I've been trying out a few new brands and formulas. Today, I will be sharing some honest thoughts on my recent acquisitions, as well as old favourites that I've decided to re-visit. Hope you enjoy!
Max Factor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion (£12.99) - my shade - 45 Warm Almond
This has been my go-to foundation for the last five years. Funnily enough, it's not even that great. The reason I keep going back to it is because I love the flawless finish it gives, plus it feels very lightweight and comfortable to wear. It's incredibly convenient - the liquid-cream formula is easy to apply and blend, making it my first choice whenever I'm in a morning rush (so, every single day!), and need to get my makeup done quickly. The coverage is medium to full and easily buildable, with a slightly dewy finish which probably isn't the best for oily skin types, such as myself. I've tried many foundations since that are a lot better, but I always find myself re-purchasing this one, because it is such a 'safe option'. It does everything I'd expect from a drugstore foundation, but my biggest criticism is that is simply doesn't last long enough and becomes quite patchy after four to five hours.
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse (£5.99) - my shade - 16 Vanilla
I first tried this foundation about five years ago, and back then I absolutely hated it. It went on cakey and turned completely orange after about two hours, plus it accentuated the massive dry patches I used to suffer from. Half a decade later, and this foundation works absolute wonders for my now oily skin. It offers fantastic coverage and a fully matte finish that lasts for hours, although I'd recommend using a good primer first to stop it from looking cakey (I personally like to go with Soap&Glory's One Heck of a Blot). The mousse formula is a little awkward to work with, but gives a natural-looking finish when blended out properly. This isn't the kind of foundation I like to wear on a daily basis because of how heavy it is, although it's my top choice for longer days out when I need something that will keep my skin matte and oil-free for a long time.
Max Factor Facefinity 3 in 1 (£12.99) - my shade - 45 Warm Almond
I purchased this hoping that it would be a longer-lasting version of my go-to Miracle Touch, but it ended up being a massive disappointment. This foundation doesn't get along with my skin at all - the formula is thick and heavy, and it ends up looking patchy after only a couple of hours. Funnily enough, the shade - Warm Almond - turned out to be way too dark for me, despite it being the same shade as the Miracle Touch foundation (which matches my skintone perfectly). I've also noticed that the formula oxidizes quite a lot and turns a little orange, so I'd recommend going for a shade lighter if you're interested in trying it out. Personally, I don't have anything good to say about this foundation, which is a shame as I was expecting a lot more from Max Factor. I'm not sure whether it's just not right for my skin type, as I have heard some good things about it. Either way, I doubt this bottle will be getting much use!
Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless (£5.99) - my shade - 115 Ivory
I talked about this foundation in my recent drugstore mini-haul, and back then, I wasn't overly impressed with it. I've had a chance to wear it a few more times since, although my opinion hasn't really changed. This foundation is just 'ok' - I like how it helps me to control the shine throughout the day, but the runny formula makes it difficult to build up the coverage you want. The finish is matte and natural-looking at the beginning, but it becomes patchy after a few hours, and rubs off really easily. I suspect that the UK version might be slightly different than the US one - the UK shade range is much more limited, plus the packaging itself is completely different. Perhaps the formula isn't the same, either, as this foundation definitely doesn't live up to the many positive reviews I've read online. I'll use up what I have left, but won't be repurchasing unless I can get my hands on the US formulation!
Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink (£32.50) - my shade - BR30
A few months ago I was on a bit of a high-end foundation craze, until I realised that my wallet couldn't handle it anymore, and also, that most designer brand makeup simply isn't worth the money. This foundation is one of many that ended up being a major disappointment. Whilst the packaging itself is absolutely gorgeous, the formula leaves a lot to be desired. The consistency is very runny, and it's difficult to build up the coverage you want. Honestly, I've tried BB creams that cover up more than this £32 foundation... The wand-shaped applicator is awkward to work with, supposedly to help you get the right amount of product, but I'd be much happier with a proper pump. I think this could still be a decent choice if you want something that's lightweight and sheer, but personally, I prefer makeup that's more heavy duty. One thing I'll say is that this range offers a fantastic amount of shades to suit every skin tone, so you won't have an issue finding the one that suits you.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup (£31) - my shade - 1C1 Cool Bone
Finally, we're saving the best till last! This is one of the very few high-end foundations that I actually believe is worth the money. It offers amazing, buildable coverage and a flawless matte finish, and it truly lasts all day without having to touch it up at all. I remember asking my boyfriend about his thoughts on it once, and he said that it made my skin look 'radiant' - and that was twelve hours after applying it! Of course, the long-lasting matte finish and incredible coverage come with a price. This foundation is very drying and tiring on the skin, because of how heavy duty it is. I made a mistake of wearing it three days in a row, and ended up with clogged pores and massive breakouts. I'd recommend using it on special occasions when you really want your makeup to last all day (and night!), as it's simply too heavy for everyday wear. If you're interested, check out my full review of Double Wear here!
Have you tried any of these foundations?
What other drugstore and high-end foundations would you recommend?
PS.: If you haven't yet, make sure you enter my Zoeva eyeshadow palette giveaway here!
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