I was going to call this post ‘A Solid Foundation’ but then I thought, that’s only funny to you (you sap) so go with the obvious and stop annoying people.
I wear a lot of make-up. Not in a ’90s-Elizabeth-Arden-cream-compact-troweled-on-an-inch-thick kinda way. And as a beauty editor, it’s *almost* my actual job to get dolled up – I’m sure it says it in my contract somewhere.
Right or wrong, I do use a lot of different products to achieve a ‘my real skin on its absolute best day’ glow. And the older I get, the more I see the importance of flawless skin. A good base can make any eye or lip look go from Mancunian Corrie extra to Hollywood A-lister in an instant.
With that in mind, and given the amount of foundations I constantly try out, I said I’d do an aul experiment. Seven different foundations over seven days seemed like a good idea (mostly because I had seven on my chest of drawers and there are, rather jammily for me, seven days in a week.
The upshot? Here you are.
MONDAY
Le Teint Encre de Peau by Yves Saint Laurent, €40
What it says it’ll do: Sixteen shades, dinky little fountain pen applicator. Wants to give you a light base with buildable coverage that finishes RADIANTLY *does twirl* and kinda matte.
What was deadly: The dinky little applicator made me feel all fancy. The coverage was indeed buildable, it smells pretty great and it felt as light as air on my skin.
What was grand, like: The finish was matte. I was a bit radiant. I firmly believe a decent glow-inducer (like MAC’s Strobe Cream or the like) is needed to give camera-worthy radiance, but YSL LTEDP (my short name for it) brought me close.
What was a bit shite: The applicator is cute, but for hygiene, wastage and handiness reasons, I almost considered transferring this into some kind of pump action jobby.
Would I buy it again: At forty of my hard-earned euro, I would want to have a voucher for BTs on me before I’d fork for it, but for a treat… Absolutely!
Should you buy it: If your skin is in half decent condition and you’re looking for a special, fragrant, luxe foundation treat, you can’t bate it with a schtick.
TUESDAY
HD Foundation by BUFF Make-up (from Hession Hairdressing), €30
What it says it’ll do: This says it’ll do EVERYTHING. Look great on camera, suit all skin, medium to full coverage, buildable but light, water resistant. And, they tell me, the ‘slebs are mad f’rit.
What was deadly: I did, actually, look good on camera in this one. Selfie City, population me. I liked how it felt as it went on too, it blended smoothly.
What was grand, like: The smell? Grand. The bottle? Grand. It lasted grand. Shure lookit.
What was a bit shite: The coverage felt a *little* closer to full than medium, if I’m honest. For a night out, I’d be all OVA this. But for day time, it was too much.
Would I buy it again: Yeah, if I was planning on having craploads of pictures taken of me, I’d hand over thirty blips.
Should you buy it: Are you planning to walk a red carpet? If the answer is yes, MY answer is yes.
WEDNESDAY
HD Foundation, Make Up For Ever, €38
(they’re on Clarendon St, in case you didn’t know! And I think that’s what I paid for it. I actually can’t find the bloomin’ receipt anywhere.)
What it says it’ll do: “The HD range includes complexion products designed for the new needs of high definition image using very fine ingredients for an invisible, natural makeup finish.” – Abso masso lookin’ skin, in other words.
What was deadly: Where do I start? I properly LOVE this foundation, so I’m biased. But I love the texture, the finish is FLAWLESS (Beyoncé would use this in her sleep before she ‘wakes up like dis’) and it laaaaaaasts.
What was grand, like: There’s no lovely smell. I mean, it doesn’t smell like arse or anything, but it just doesn’t make your face smell like you might be a princess.
What was a bit shite: Very little, if I’m being honest. If I was Craig David, I’d be happily singing “we were makin’ love by Wednesday….”
Would I buy it again: Hells yeah, and I do. On the reg.
Should you buy it: Yeah, fo’ sho’. Now, it’s rarely in stock, so ring Clarendon St and reserve your shade. I’m N120 and I’m a pasty Irish girl who occasionally tans poorly. Oh, it mightn’t work too great if you’ve oily skin – it could slip and slide a bit.
THURSDAY
Infallible 24hr Foundation by L’Oréal Paris, €14.99
What it says it’ll do: Shocker – it’s meant to last 24 hours with no ‘mask’ effect, no dry out and no shine or imperfections visible. Now listen, I did NOT wear this for 24 hours. In the interest of full disclosure, I must share that with you.
What was deadly: No surprise, but it really lasted all day. All day. I got home after a long day and a trip to the hairdressers and I still had coverage. Even around my mouth, usually the first place to wear off.
What was grand, like: The packaging is lovely. It’s simple and there’s a pump and sure isn’t everything just GRAND.
What was a bit shite: Hmmm… The price is fantastic, so it can’t be that. If I had to pick, I’d say that the texture was a little on the heavy side.
Would I buy it again: Well for that price, you’d be an eejit not to.
Should you buy it: If you’re looking for a quality foundation for half the price of some equally good ones, then yes indeedy.
FRIDAY
Perfectionist Youth Infusing Make-up by Estee Lauder, €46
(jaysus!)
What it says it’ll do: It’ll infuse you with youth. I thought €46 swans was pricey, but if it gives *actual* youth, maybe not. It has serum, it wants to be lighter than the EVERLIVING GOD of foundation, Double Wear.
What was deadly: Yes and no. Mostly… Meh. It didn’t last quite as long as I had hoped. Maybe I was sweating too much, maybe it was too warm. But it slipped a bit, requiring a top up, after about four hours. I liked the shade match, I liked the smell and the texture as I applied it.
What was grand, like: The look of it is absolutely grand. I feel better about it than I ever did about Double Wear because I feel like my skin can breathe – BONUS.
What was a bit shite: The slip factor, as above.
Would I buy it again: For €46, probably not. Soz bbz.
Should you buy it: If you’re worried about foundation ageing your skin, then yes. You’ll feel better knowing there’s skincare benefits happening AND an SPF of 25, which cannot be sniffed at.
SATURDAY
Bareskin Foundation by bareMinerals, €31
What it says it’ll do: You’ll find THE shade – they’ve 20, whopper. It’ll be super kind to your skin with all its vitamins and whatnot, AND it’ll apply to all those people who WANTED to use bareMinerals mineral foundation and couldn’t because it wasn’t, well, liquid.
What was deadly: So, I used this with the brush they recommend you use, and I hated it, to be frank. The brush did nothing for me. Then I used it with my normal foundation brush and was mad for it. So if you don’t want to spend the beans buying the brush, no panic. It’s still great otherwise.
What was grand, like: The coverage was grand. It was medium, I’d say. They tell you it’s buildable but I hate that term because I don’t want a double layer of anything on my face, thanks. So medium it is.
What was a bit shite: It’s made from very few ingredients (ah, the environment, or something) and so is kind to skin, but I feel like the thing that keeps it all solid on your face might have been left out.
Would I buy it again: To be reallllllly honest, I’m not mad for it. I can see it being a cult love though, like bareMinerals as a brand, I guess. So don’t listen to me, try it for yourself and see.
Should you buy it: Like I said, get a sample, see how you feel. It might be your dream. It could be particularly spectacular on dry skin.
SUNDAY
Perfection Lumiere Velvet by Chanel, €44
I think its that price. I know ‘normal’ Perfection Lumiere is that much anyway so I can’t be far off.
What it says it’ll do: It’ll give you luminosity, imperfection correction, soft focus and a second skin effect, or in their own words, “a matte foundation with absorbing powders that assure the absorption of excess sebum all day long.” Ooh er, Chanel. You don’t half promise the world!
What was deadly: Come on, lads. Chanel know their shizz when it comes to foundation. I’m sure that’s not the way THEY’D like to be written about, but anyway. They got it spot ON. Smell, texture, finish – great. It lasts. It’s fancy. Win, win.
What was grand, like: If you had particularly dry skin, you might want to stick with their Vitalumiere Aqua. Or if you were into slightly lighter coverage. Just an ‘if’, mind you.
What was a bit shite: But what if Madamoiselle Coco is listening??!
Would I buy it again: OF COURSE.
Should you buy it: If you love Chanel and can’t afford their handbags (ME), knock yourself out. If you’ve super sensitive skin, watch out. ‘Tis scented so it is.
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So there you have it. As scientific an experience as you’re ever likely to get from me!
Please do tell me which you love/hate/rate/slate.
OH and all the pictures are mine and were taken in the… rustic… surrounds of my front garden.
Soz.
Think What You Like 