Reader question: My foundation collection
How many foundations do you have and whats your current fave? - ManilaJen
Hi Jen! Fab question. I love foundation, and even on good skin days I still prefer to wear a little. It really helps enhance the skin, to take it to the next level of flawlessness not humanly possible. Well maybe it's possible if you have genes the aliens would like to keep in storage but that's beside the point. Foundation can make skin look even better and hey, I'll take that any day!
Currently, I have 22 foundations in my collection (I forgot to add the Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme and the Age Defy since I can't seem to find them!). I don't use all this all the time - I still have exactly one face - and there are a few that I haven't actually tried yet. But I do like to rotate. I use only light foundation if I'm stepping out, and the long-wearing, heavy ones are reserved for special events.
I regularly cut down on my foundations. If something isn't my shade or if the formula does not suit me, I give it away to someone who would appreciate it better (after I've reviewed it). I honestly hate things going to waste!
Now my usual foundation routine consists of a liquid foundation + loose mineral foundation. This gives the most flawless, lasting real-skin effect compared to just a pressed powder base. I prefer a glowy finish because I want my makeup to look as close to skin as possible.
I promise to add links here in the very near future, but in the meantime please just use the search bar to look for my reviews. I've written about 75% of the products here!
My most used foundations in the liquid category would have to be the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation, the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup, and the Lancome Teint Miracle. These are all reliable, beautifying bases with shades that match me perfectly.
As for powder foundation, my top three are: Lancome Maqui Blanc Miracle Foundation (nice natural coverage with SPF35), Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Mineral Makeup SPF15 (subtle but makes skin look amazing), and the Snoe Poudre Extraordinaire (loose powder but has medium coverage so I'll call it foundation).
Buuuut if I have to choose one and only one foundation that I would use everyday, it would be the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow. :) It's light, makes my skin brighter and more alive, wears well throughout the day, and has SPF25. This is my default foundation et ceteris paribus, and if I'm not reviewing anything new.
So there you go! :) What's your ultimate favorite foundation?
PS Thought I'd add a note here re the Benefit Oxygen Wow. :) I have oily combination skin, and this foundation wears well for about five hours, the average amount of time that I'm usually out of the house. This has sheer to medium coverage, not that buildable, but then again that is what I need.
If you're oily and need heavy coverage, this is not the foundation for you. It's not the best foundation that I've ever tried - best being great coverage, lasting power, texture, etc. as that would probably go to the NARS Sheer Glow - but it's the foundation I would prefer to wear everyday. So it's my favorite. :) Just to clarify!
