Top 5 Series: Foundations

Hey beauties and welcome to the second instalment in my new Top 5 Series which I began last month, I covered my favourite primers (here) so the next thing for me was naturally foundations. I know some people go for concealer after their primer, but I do mine the other way around.

I can only speak for myself but if I had to venture a guess I’d put money on it that I am not the only one who has a hard time finding a foundation that I really like. Believe me when I tell you that trying to choose 5 to feature in this post was no easy task. My chosen foundations vary in price and coverage to try to get a good mix included in this post. The foundations I’ve picked out work well for me having oily combination skin, that isn’t to say they will work well for you depending on your skin type and needs. Only one of the foundations is targeted more toward an oilier skin, the rest I feel are quite versatile and would be suited to many skin types.

When I shop for a new foundation I always have to test it before I buy, I could never colour match, buy it and use it, I’m way too fussy for that. Personally I enjoy a foundation that is a medium coverage that you can build up, I hate any that cling to dry patches, I don’t often have any but we’ve all been there when we’ve put our foundation on and its found the dry patches and it totally accentuates them! Not a good look! I also hate it when a foundation works into your pores and just sits there making them look even bigger and more prominent. After hours of wear I still want it to be where I left it, not slipping and sliding around the sides of my nose or under my chin on my oily areas like its bambi on ice. No thank you!

When it comes to foundation, it’s definitely the product I’m most critical of and comes under close scrutiny, but why not. It’s the biggest surface area we use it on so it has to be right else the whole look can be ruined. Nobody loves a cake face.

One thing I will say is that I never ever wear foundation without a primer underneath or without using setting powder. These will of course help get more longevity from it, but I don’t believe that detracts from these foundations. I think I’ve rambled long enough now so let’s get into my top 5 foundations.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24h Matte Foundation

If you are a regular reader than you will have seen this mentioned in other posts. Now it’s no secret I am a huge lover of this foundation. It gives a medium to full coverage which can also be built up if you prefer a fuller coverage. Application is effortless as it glides onto the skin with such ease, it melts into the skin and blends out to reveal a natural, matte finish. I find it incredibly long wearing and it doesn’t move around throughout the day. The quality product you get for the price point is a steal in my opinion. Its my favourite foundation and most used. I can only speak good things of this product, L’Oreal have created an amazing foundation with this one. The packaging is a tube with very narrowed point for a more precise distribution.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup 

A cult favourite and for good reason, this foundation is a medium to full coverage long wearing hero foundation. It applies beautifully and blends into the skin effortlessly to leave a flawless and natural appearance. It feels lightweight, comfortable and it stays in place all day, it even lasts through hot days which you will know is no mean feat. Makeup applies beautifully over top of this foundation also. Estée Lauder have a wide shade range in this to cater for every skintone. This has been a long-term favourite of mine and I’ve yet to find a foundation to rival it for me. This comes in a glass bottle with narrowed neck which you pour the desired amount from, not my preferred type of bottle if I’m honest but it is what it is.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

Formulated from a vitamin-rich fruit therapy with litchi, goji berries and pomegranates to give my skin a boost of radiance and an even complexion. It feels lightweight on the skin and gives a light coverage which is also buildable. Being a gel like texture it glides onto the skin for a very natural finish for a no makeup effect for more casual days. It covers imperfections and signs of fatigue to leave you looking fresh faced for the day, I find the formula long wearing even on my oily combination skin.  This comes in a glass bottle with pump dispenser.

YSL Beauty Touche Éclat Le Teint Foundation

We all know and love the cult Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Concealer. This is the foundation equivalent. This gives medium to full coverage when applied, I find it very lightweight and long wearing. I love the beautiful brightening effect it has on my skin, adding a certain radiance and luminosity. It blends into my skin with ease masking over any dull areas to reveal a flawless, smooth and even appearance. It is packaged within a glass bottle and comes with a pump for application. My personal favourite for hygiene reasons complete with matching gold lid.

Benefit Cosmetics Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation

Three things I love about this foundation is that it is oil free, it is hydrating and it contains 25SPF. They’re all quite important to me although this isn’t something I look for in all of my foundations, I do like that I have this in my collection and if it’s a sunnier day this is usually my foundation of choice as it hydrates whilst protecting my skin from the suns rays. The foundation is a light to medium buildable coverage for a more natural look. The formula really brightens up my skin giving my a beautiful healthy radiance and it also helps boost cellular respiration for a ‘plumping up’ effect. Containing vitamin C & E which helps to prevent the signs of ageing. It is packaged in a plastic bottle with pump dispenser which I also love.

What are your favourite foundations? Have you tried any of the five I mentioned in this post? I would love to know your thoughts, please drop me a comment below to let me know.

You can find links to my other posts within the series below

Primers 

Concealers

Bronzers