20191112

WHY YOU DON'T NEED THAT NEW FOUNDATION | CURATING YOUR BASE COLLECTION


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I think it's fair to say the majority of us are a bit 'foundation-fatigued' at this point and I was struggling to understand why I just wasn't feeling a lot of the new launches. Then it hit me: a lot of the products being released were just duplicating what I already have in my collection. Of course, as a blogger I'll always have more makeup than most so I can review and compare, however that just isn't necessary for the vast majority of people. If you're feeling tempted by any of the new launches; keep reading, because you probably don't need whatever it is you're eyeing up! Today I'm going to talk through the categories of foundation, concealer and powder that make up your collection as the absolute maximum you could ever need for your skin type and different occasions. Hopefully this will help you curate your collection and buy less...

- FOUNDATION -

For me; there are (at most) five spaces available in your curated foundation collection. These are: your lightweight everyday base, your light-medium coverage natural / glowing foundation, your medium coverage satin-finish foundation and your full-coverage 'glam' foundation. I've realised that everything in my collection broadly falls into these categories and I don't really need to have duplicates of the same thing in there. Whilst I might try something different when I run out of a product instead of getting the same thing again, and whilst I might go from a dewy tinted moisturiser in spring to a powder foundation for my light base in summer; they still perform the same function.

Lightweight everyday base

This is the product you reach for on a work day. It's quick and easy to apply, it's natural and it just enhances what you've already got. If you have oily skin or get a lot of surface shine (and it's summer), you should consider a powder foundation to fill this gap in your collection. I personally think the Bare Minerals Powder Foundation in Original* and Matte (16 & 14) | £28 each | full reviews | are brilliant. If you're very oily; go for the matte version, but if you're just wanting to keep a bit of extra shine at bay then try the Original formula. A light dusting of this with a large brush will give a bit of natural coverage and even out the skin's tone whilst still letting your natural skin come through.

If you've got normal or combination skin then try an oil-free tinted moisturiser. If you want something more affordable then opt for the ColourPop Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturiser | $14 (12W & 13W) | full review | but if you can make the splurge, my favourite is the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser | £31 | full review. I like applying these sorts of bases with a damp beauty sponge to get that fresh, natural look. Both of these products are long-wearing too, making them perfect for busy people who just want a low-maintenance 'my skin but better' look.

Finally, if you have dry skin; a tinted face oil could be a godsend. I'm a huuuuge fan of the Kosas Tinted Face Oil* (Shade 6) | £40 | full review. It's definitely dewy but still really lasts on my skin and just evens out its tone nicely. I can imagine those with drier skin than mine would absolutely love this all year round!

Light-medium-coverage natural foundation

This is what you go for when you want something a little more. Say, you're going out after work and just want something that's natural but a little more polished. This is also something I'd wear on the weekend when I'm out and about meeting friends, maybe going to a restaurant or something but it's still pretty chill.

I prefer a dewier, glowing look for my skin so I tend towards that when it comes to a medium-coverage option, however you should tailor the finish to your own skin type. My absolute favourite in this category was always the Estee Lauder Double Wear Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup* (4W1) | full review | but they went and discontinued that perfection! However the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation (Shade 8) | £34 | full review | does a pretty similar job. It's fresh, it's natural and it has a coverage that you can build, so it looks more polished than your everyday tinted moisturiser but still isn't anything too high-maintenance.

Medium-coverage satin finish foundation 

This is the sort of thing I like to wear out in the evening to dinner or drinks. I don't really go 'full glam' all that often, so this is really my go-to look when I want things a little more flawless and perfected. This is probably as 'matte' as you'll want to go if you're on the dry side, so if you want a glam look without things looking flat or drying out your skin; this foundation category could be your best friend!

For me; this has to be Nars Sheer Glow Foundation* (Barcelona) | £33.50 | full review. It isn't overly matte or drying, gives a perfected look, keeps the shine at bay and is long-wearing. It has a build-able coverage but I generally consider it to be in the 'medium' category. If you want something a little more luminous-looking then try the Nars Radiant Longwear Foundation (Barcelona) | £35 | full review.

Full-coverage glam foundation 

Finally, for foundations, it's you're 'going out-out' option, when you want that totally flawless glam look that will photograph amazingly and last you all day and night! I find that these foundations tend to be on the more matte side, though I do sense that might be starting to change. I tend to use a matte foundation with a luminous cream mixed in or a very hydrating primer, so my skin prep counteracts any dryness and ensure it looks flattering on my dehydrated skin.

My go-to in this category is generally the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation (250) | £27 | full review. This isn't overly drying and gives me that perfect, long-wearing finish. The coverage is easy to sheer out or build up, so you don't even have to go too crazy with it! It's my go-to for a party or a night out and comes in a famously amazing shade selection. If you're after a more affordable but pretty similar option then the L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation (106) | £14.95 | full review.

- CONCEALER -

When it comes to concealer; there are really only three concealer types you could ever possibly need! It's the one part of your routine that probably doesn't vary that much. Whilst I switch up my foundation; my concealer is pretty much always the same...

The colour corrector

This isn't something you need if you don't have dark circles (in which case; curse you!) However, if that's something you want to look less obvious then try a corrector instead of caking on lots of skin-coloured concealer, which dark circles can just shine right through. Correctors are usually an orange or peach colour (depending on your skin tone) so choosing one that matches you will counteract that darkness.

My go-to that I've repurchased a million times over is the Bobbi Brown Corrector (Peach) | £19.50 | full review. It's a cream that comes in a little pot which I apply before my foundation. This comes in a ton of colours, so whether you have fair or deep skin, you should be able to find a match.

The 'do it all' everyday concealer

This is my go-to product for spot-concealing or for light coverage under the eyes. I tend to use a cream potted concealer that's not overly highlighting for this. It's the product I can dab on with my fingers and I'm ready to go!

For the past several years the Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer (Ginger) | £24 | full review | has filled this spot in my collection. I just love how natural it looks on the skin and how it warms under my fingers to apply perfectly. It doesn't crease, it's long-wearing and it gives a coverage that's natural but just enough!

The liquid concealer

For those days when my under-eyes just need that bit more (which is 90% of my days, in all honesty); a liquid concealer is what I reach for! 

These days I really love my Milk Makeup Flex Concealer (Medium) | £23.75 | full review. It isn't the fullest-coverage formula in the world, but it works nicely with the base products I reach for on an everyday basis; it looks a bit much sometimes if you have a tinted moisturiser then a super full-coverage concealer. It doesn't crease and it nicely brightens under my eyes. If you're really keen for something more full-coverage then try the legendary Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (Medium) | £28 | full review. And if that's not hydrating enough for you then give Too Faced's Born This Way Sculpting Multi-Use Concealer | £25 | full review | a go.

Compact powder

This is the powder I throw in my bag for touch-ups throughout the day. You can definitely have this as your one and only powder if that's what you prefer. I go for something that's skin-toned so it looks as natural as possible and I can apply it quickly and carelessly without causing any white cast.

I recently returned to an old favourite; my MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural (Medium-Dark) | £26.50 | full review. This is a very fine, slightly luminous skin-toned powder that will blot down any shine that's come through during the day without ever looking cakey or leaving the skin with a dry / flat finish.

Loose setting powder

This is my personal preference for setting my makeup after initially applying it, as these powders are so hard to go overboard with and they seriously lock my makeup in place all day. I hate it when the concealer under my eyes creases and setting it with a loose powder has stopped it being such a big annoyance for me. These powders take absolutely ages to finish, as I'm currently finding in my bid to use up the ones I have open! So; if you're enjoying your loose powder, there's really no need to rush out and buy the latest launch.

I'm currently plugging away at my Charlotte Tilbury Genius Magic Powder* (Translucent) | £33 | full review. This slightly tinted powder isn't too bright on my skin and the powder is pretty much traceless on my skin. It isn't overly matte, which is good for my dehydrated skin, but really holds my foundation and concealer in place.




What are the essential categories in your base makeup routine and how do you resist the temptation of new launches?


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