20151001

The Best Foundations & Bases for Combination Skin


Finding the right foundation is 50/50 between matching your skin tone and matching your skin type. I've tried what feels like hundreds of foundations and I've had a lot of disappointment but I had a look through my stash and picked out 6 bases for just about any occasion that are great for combination skin.

The Light Base Pick: Cover FX Mattifying BB Gel* | £35

I'm not sure why this doesn't have more hype but it was my #1 base over summer, especially when I was on holiday. It's super-lightweight and feels very natural on the skin but the coverage is actually really good! It has a matte finish but isn't overly drying and comes in a really wide shade-selection. It also has some serious staying-power. As well as all of this, there are anti-blemish ingredients in there that are perfect for spot-prone skin and definitely helped keep my sun-induced breakouts in check.

The Satin Glow Pick: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation | £31

This is one of two 'everyday' foundations I use and is definitely my Holy Grail. It's probably the most misnamed beauty product out there, which is why it took me forever to try it. It doesn't have a dewy finish, as I'd assumed. The glow it gives is a velvet/satin look, which is the perfect way to get radiance without shine (as I talked about in my Matte Glow post). It's a medium coverage that is extremely easy to build on, and whilst it's not 'no makeup' makeup I find it has a natural finish. It also lasts throughout the day without going patchy or uneven over oilier areas. My major downside for this is that it doesn't come with a pump, and although it's only an extra £3 and you can reuse it, I still think it's pretty tight when you're already paying over £30 for the product itself. Also, they never seem to have them in stock anywhere!

The Flawless-But-Natural Pick: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation | £29.50

This is a pretty new addition to my stash. Although it seems everyone's been running out to buy it, I really don't think it would right for drier skin types. Although it does have hydrating elements, it is a semi-matte formula so those are to stop it being drying on the skin. What I love about this is how natural it can look with one pump but how easily the coverage can be built wherever you need it. Even just with one pump, it seriously evens out my skin tone and reduces any redness from blemishes. The finished result is a really natural but flawless look. I would say this is also a satin finish as it's a tiny bit more hydrating than a full-on matte (these kinds of finishes are the best friend of combination skin). I personally find this lasts the day on my skin and there's a really wide selection of shades.

The Evening Pick: MAC Studio Fix Fluid | £22

This is a bit of a nostalgic product for me because it reminds me of nights out at uni! It's pretty much the perfect night out foundation for me. Although it comes without a pump, it's reasonably-priced at £22 and they are very cheap and easy to get hold of. Again the finish is quite satiny, though I'd say it's the most hydrating of the lot. It gives a really good medium-to-full coverage (though it's not really build-able, it just sort of goes on like that and stays the same sort of coverage). Like pretty much all MAC products, the shade range is huge so almost anyone could find a match in this. Although it does contain some SPF (like all of these except Sheer Glow and Colourstay), I find it photographs really nicely and is so long-wearing (even on my oil-slick t-zone...)

The Drugstore Pick: Revlon Colourstay for Combination/Oily Skin | £12.99

I had to get one drugstore foundation in there! This isn't one I talk about a lot as the colour match isn't great for me (they're pretty much all very neutral-beige in tone even though there's a good selection in terms of light to dark). That's essentially why I don't reach for this over my others, however the formula is just too good not to talk about here. It really annoys me that this doesn't come with a pump, Revlon don't make one separately and no other pumps I've come across fit it. However I just give it a good shake and try my best to control how much comes out (inevitably though, there's a lot of waste) and once I begin applying, it's very easy to blend. This gives a very full, matte coverage and although it does last throughout the day it does start to settle slightly into any creases after the 6 hour mark.


The Flawless Matte Pick: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup  | £30

Finally is the fullest coverage base I own and probably the most matte of the bunch. I tend to reserve this for nights out to hold back the shine or for when my skin is on the oiler side, as it can be a little drying. Again, it comes without a pump! I don't believe Estée Lauder make a pump for this but MAC's fit it (perhaps as they are owned by Estée Lauder). This gives a completely shine-free finish so I often add a bit of highlighter on top so that I still look glowing even though my skin is free from shine. It's super long-lasting so perfect if you kind of know it's going to be 'one of those nights'. It does completely mask any blemishes too, but if I'm wearing it during the daytime I tend to mix it with Sheer Glow so it gives a less intense coverage.

What are your favourite bases for shine-prone skin?

 



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*DISCLOSURE - ITEMS MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK ARE PR SAMPLES/GIFTS. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. PLEASE VISIT MY DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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40 comments

  1. I have recently ordered Double Wear can't wait to try it out! I really want to try the Charlotte Tilbury one! x
    Emma | Emmys Beauty Cave

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  2. Revlon foundie failed on me :/

    Have you tried Covergirl Outlast Foundation? It's my HG foundation at the moment :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We don't have that brand in the UK unfortunately :( xx

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  3. Estee Lauder does own MAC! As well as Clinique and Bobbi Brown (and a whole bunch of others). I love the double wear - at first it was a massive miss but I really love it now. I seem to be the only person on earth who can't get MAC studio fluid fix to work for me though? Maybe I got a bad batch but for me it doesn't blend well at all and is too gooey? Would love to try the CT & Revlon foundations too!

    Zoe xo
    z0elouise || Latest Post: Makeup Geek Haul !! <3

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  4. I really really want to try Sheer Glow - I have combination skin too and the name has always put me off, but it sounds like I need to try it out. I have the Weightless Luminous Foundation and it's good, but not my first pick. I've found the Too Faced Born This Way to work really well with my skin, but my favourite right now is the Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless (picked it up in the US, not available here) which is absolutely amazing and so, so cheap! x

    Amy | Get Glam

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    Replies
    1. I've heard a lot about that one but I don't hold much hope of it coming to the UK! xx

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  5. Such a useful post - I haven't tried any of these foundations x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness x

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  6. I have dry skin so I'm not sure how these would perform for me, but I could not agree more with your opening sentence! :)

    Style Sunrise☀

    :)
    x

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  7. I'm so glad I just stumbled across your blog as I have been looking for a post like this. I really struggle with foundation but my skin is just a nightmare really. I really like the sound of the Cover Fix BB cream but is it really worth £35?

    Beth x
    www.ProFemaleBlogger.com

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    Replies
    1. In my experience yes because it's the only base product I've tried that can truly stand up to the heat and doesn't break me out in the sun xx

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  8. What a great blog post my Dear !:) I really like all news from you :)
    Please help me with collaboration and clickHere <3

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  9. What a great post. Nars foundation sounds interesting to me, need to check it out.

    Nina
    http://www.ninasstyleblog.com

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  10. I wasn't a huge fan of the Nars Sheer Glow or the EL Double Wear but simply because I found them a bit too full coverage and I prefer makeup that looks more natural. Although I'd be interested in trying them with a beauty blender and see if it works better. Really wanna get a sample of the CT new foundation. x

    Renata | Diorshow Mascara Giveaway

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  11. Loved reading this post such as informative post. I am really looking into Nars Sheer Glow and reading this has made me want to purchase it more as well as the Estee Lauder Double Wear.

    Lee | thatbellemakeup.blogspot.co.uk

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  12. I have the MAC, Nars and Revlon and agree with everything you've said about them all! The other three all sound really brilliant though. Really want to try CT's Magic Foundation!

    Katya | The Beauty Harbour

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    Replies
    1. If you like those I think the Magic Foundation will be for you :) xx

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  13. I have DoubleWear, Colourstay and Sheer Glow and love all three so may just have to check out your other recommendations now!

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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  14. I want to try the Revlon Colourstay but I feel it's a bit "steep" for drugstore. But I might be wrong, it could be amazing! xx

    Jasmine || http://www.blogsallbeautyy.blogspot.co.uk

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  15. I have tried the Studio fix and I absolutely love it.. also next on my list is the EL double wear foundation as I have heard literally everyone praise it :)


    Chic Peachy Pink l Twitter l Instagram l BlogLovin' l Facebook

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  16. Gorgeous foundation!

    I currently have a giveaway on my blog, you could win a pair of sunglasses - let me know your thoughts:

    * Electric Sunrise - Fashion and Lifestyle Blog *

    x

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  17. I'm a lover of the Nars Creamy Concealer so I have high hopes for the Sheer Glow foundation which I'm planning on getting this month.
    Dalal x
    monochromedaisies.blogspot.com

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  18. I have combo skin in the winter so I would love to try the MAC Studio Fix!

    Brunette-ish

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  19. Thanks for the recommendations. There are some I haven't tried and I will definitely check them out. It is such a struggle to find a foundation/base for combination skin which will last for long and won't look super shiny at the end of the night! xx

    www.elabellaworld.com

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  20. I'll definitely have to check a few of these out as my skin is super-oily! I had a bottle of the Revlon Colorstay and the lack of pump drove me mad.

    Jess xo
    http://just-jesss.blogspot.co.uk

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  21. I really dislike Sheer Glow as well as DW on me. Neither worked for me. I'd like to try the CT foundation, it seems to have a lot of mixed reviews, some like others don't.
    The Beauty Bloss

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    Replies
    1. It's quite similar to Sheer Glow so if you don't like that you probably won't like Magic Foundation xx

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  22. Interesting to see NARS Sheer Glow on this list! I've not heard the best things for combo and oily skin, but I've always wanted to try it out!

    xoxo
    http://www.hellohimawari.com/

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  23. Ah, the bane of my life being an oily skinned girl and trying to find a foundation that isn't too matte but doesn't get too greasy and break down by the end of the day! My favourite long lasting foundations would have to be Estee Lauder double wear light and L'Oreal infallible, but my all time overall favourites are Georgio Armani Luminous Silk and Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum.

    jessica - littlehenrylee.com

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  24. I've recently been wanting to try out a new foundation and step outside my comfort zone of the one I'm used to but have no idea on which one I'd like to try! So I'll have to keep an eye out for some of these! x http://coffeeatmidnight13.blogspot.co.uk/

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  25. As a fellow combo skin gal, this is such a handy post Jasmine :) I have the CT, Estee Lauder & Revlon foundations and they all work well for my combo skin :) xx

    Brenda BusyBee

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  26. I'd love to try the Charlotte Tilbury one!

    Sara - She Who Is Short

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  27. Jasmine, I could not wait to read this after seeing the picture on Instagram. I right away, before seeing the username, knew it was a post from you because of the brands and photography! This is such a lovely post and you make me want to try the CT foundation so badly, since I can get a little red from my Welsh side of the family.
    http://www.lipstickisalife.com/

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    Replies
    1. Aw thank you lovely and I hope you enjoy it if you do :) xx

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  28. I'm desperate to try the Charlotte Tilbury foundation! I've heard a lot of good stuff about it and you make it sound perfect for my skin type ;)

    Love, Charline | Charline Has a Blog

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  29. Great selection you have done here! I have been through SO many foundations, and I think I am about to settle on the Estee Lauder Double Wear, as it is perfect coverage, and great for my combination skin, and quite matte, which I love! :) Great post!
    haveyouseenhowshespeaks.blogspot.co.uk

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  30. I am very intrigued with the Color | FX foundation! This is such a great post!

    xo Tiffany | teefmay.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. It definitely deserves more praise I think :) xx

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  31. I will have to check out Vitalumiere Aqua - I'd never considered it for my skin type due to the name, I need to stop doing that haha xx

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  32. Thank you for your comments :) xx

    ReplyDelete

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