'PROPER' FOUNDATIONS I'VE ENJOYED LATELY

 

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Today I wanted to round up and review some new foundations on the market that I've actually enjoyed testing out. I'm definitely a light base person and reach for tinted moisturiser for day-to-day use, however it's always good to have an actual foundation in your collection for special occasions when you want that flawless look. I sometimes even combine the two and apply my tinted moisturiser and then a tiny bit of foundation to build the coverage where I want it. Let's dive into the formulas that make the cut for me...

Let's start with the Trinny London BFF All Day Foundation* (Jess) | £41 | demo. Trinny makes one of my favourite tinted serum products, so I was intrigued to see them launch an actual foundation, in what feels like a new wave of these sorts of products. The shade range isn't great; both in terms of the number of options, but also in terms of the gradient (there are so many subtleties on the light end that are not present on the darker side of the spectrum). That being said, I do think Jess was a good match for my skin tone. Whilst I can forgive that in the tinted serum, which is sheerer, you can't really get away with that in a product with more coverage. This has what I'd describe as a 'medium but buildable' coverage and a satin finish. It has a creamy texture that blends really nicely on my skin. I like to use one pump dotted onto my skin and buffed in initially, then I can take a look and dot a further pump onto any areas I think need a bit more coverage. It doesn't hide my skin and it still looks natural, just a little more airbrushed than it would with the tinted serum. It doesn't matte down my skin too much and still allows a bit of shine-free radiance through, whilst having really great staying power for long days (or nights).

I also recently enjoyed the MAC Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation* | £39 (NC20) | demo. This is a foundation formulated with added hydration from hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and Vitamin E. It has more coverage on initial application than the Trinny London foundation but I find the consistency pretty similar in that it has the same creamy texture. However, the shade range is definitely better in this line with 56 options with different undertones. But, if you know your shade in Studio Fix Fluid; don't assume you'll be the same colour in this product. Although the names are the same, they actual tones aren't! I'm NC35 in Studio Fix Fluid but I'm NC20 in this, which is pretty confusing. However, I do enjoy this medium coverage foundation; it applies really smoothly and doesn't settle into pores and fine lines, even after hours of wear. It does what people loved Studio Fix Fluid for (i.e. it gives a perfected appearance and stays shine-free for hours) whilst offering a softer, less matte, more hydrating and satin-look finish. As with the Trinny formula, I prefer to apply a little product, blend it out, see how it looks and build up the coverage as needed. It's a great option for a festive glam makeup look.

Finally, we have the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur & Smooth Tint Stick (Shade 9) | £29 | demo. This is a stick foundation, so tends to be something I use for on-the-go touch-ups, but I actually do really enjoy this as an all-over base product. You can swipe this on, buff it and it has a kind of sheer balm texture, so the coverage can really be built and customised to what you're feeling like on the day. The shade range is good and I'm the same shade as I am in the original Eaze Drops in this stick formula, which makes life easier (there's even a Pro Filt'r conversion chart on their website if you know your shade in that formula). I completely agree with the product name that this formula kind of glides over imperfection and has a blurring effect that casts a soft-focus lens on the skin. It has a soft, natural finish that's neither matte nor dewy and allows your natural skin to shine through whilst also evening things out nicely. It stays shine-free for hours of wear, though I do feel it settles slightly into pores and fine lines as the day goes on.

Have you tried any of these foundations? Do you still wear foundation?

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