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Sunday 30 March 2014

Covering all of My Bases

Hey, everyone! Despite my makeup madness being in full effect for nearly two decades (geez, I'm old), until quite recently I was the kind of girl who only had a single foundation in her stash. Maybe two. While my lipstick, blush, and eye shadow collections have always been bountiful, my selection of base products was typically quite sparse. Over the past two years, however, my foundation stash has grown exponentially. With so many incredible formulas in the market, it's been hard to resist!

My current foundation lineup consists of 10 products, ranging from sheer to full-coverage, dewy to matte, and $5 to $70 price tags. The full gamut! Here's a peek at them:



For today's post, I thought I'd provide a description of each foundation, including the finish, coverage, undertone, and closest MAC shade (as it seems to be a universal reference point). Hope you find it helpful!

For reference, I have a fair skin with neutral to warm undertones (MAC NC15-20). My skin type is combination/oily and acne-prone and I generally prefer bases with medium to full coverage.


By Terry Cover Expert Perfecting Fluid Foundation
Shade: #1 (neutral-cool, ~NW20)
Coverage: Medium-Full
Finish: Semi-Matte
The newest addition to my collection and one of the most expensive. It has a lovely matte-but-not-flat finish and gives beautiful coverage. Very little need for additional concealer and powder! Wears evenly with minimal shine for 7-8 hours. To see me wearing it, click here!

Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation
Shade: #784 (warm, ~NC15)
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Satin-Matte
Had high hopes for this when I purchased it, but have reached for it rarely. The initial finish is even and mildly glowy, but unfortunately this doesn't have the best staying power. Plus the shade is a bit too pale for my skin, except for during the depths of Winter. To see me wearing it, click here!

Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
Shade #1 (neutral, ~NC/NW15-20)
Coverage: Light-Medium
Finish: Natural Matte
I used to wear this ages ago and am happy to have it back in my stash. This offers lovely natural coverage (not too dewy, not too matte) and the colour match is pretty spot-on. The coverage can be built up to medium and it wears 5-7 hours with minimal shine. To see me wearing it, click here!

Wet N' Wild Coverall Cream Foundation
Shade: 815 Fair (neutral-cool, ~NW15-20)
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Satin
This was a pleasant surprise, especially given that it cost only $5! Evens out skin nicely with a glowy, but not greasy finish. The shade is slightly light on me, but wearable during the Wintertime. Unfortunately the wear time isn't the greatest, as there is significant breakthrough shine after 4-5 hours. To read a full review of this, click here!



Laura Mercier Mineral Powder
Shade: Real Sand (warm, ~NC20)
Coverage: Light-Full
Finish: Satin Matte
This was a staple in my daily routine a few years ago and I recently picked up a new tub in a makeup swap. This is the best mineral foundation I've ever tried- the coverage is impressive and it leaves a heavenly glowy finish. The wear time is good, but not phenomenal- it starts to get a bit cakey on my oily skin after about 5-7 hours. To see me wearing it, click here!

Revlon Colourstay Makeup Combination/Oily Formula
Shade: 150 Buff (neutral-warm, ~NC15-20)
Coverage: Medium-Full
Finish: Matte
My all-time favourite foundation. Hands down! Leaves skin looking matte and flawless for over 10 hours without looking cakey or feeling heavy. If you like fuller coverage and are on a drugstore budget (or just want to try something awesome), you have to check this out! To see me wearing it, click here!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup
Shade: B10 (warm, ~NC20)
Coverage: Light-Medium
Finish: Satin
This foundation is quite out of my comfort zone, but I love it! The coverage is sheer, but buildable and it leaves a wonderful glowy finish that feels weightless on the skin. It looks like my real skin, but better! The wear time is impressive given the sheerer texture, but is not one to reach for when you need a foundation to wear all day. Looks it best for the first 5-6 hours. To read a review, click here!


Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream Combination to Oily Skin Formula
Shade: Light (warm, ~NC20)
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Semi-Matte
Another new-ish addition to my collection, I'd heard great things about this! This leaves skin looking ah-mazing upon first application. It covers most imperfections and gives a completely non-greasy glow. Unfortunately, this tends to get shiny and a bit cakey after 5 hours or so, but for the first few hours, it's perfection! To see me wearing it, click here!

Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer
Shade: Bliss (warm, ~NC20-25)
Coverage: Sheer-Light
Finish: Dewy
I was lucky to score this in a makeup swap, as it's quite pricey. This is the best tinted moisturizer I've tried, hands down! Makes skin look natural, but perfected and gives a dewy, not oily finish. Bliss is a bit too dark for my complexion, so I generally use this to sheer out and add a glow to my fuller-coverage, matte foundations. To see it mixed with ColourStay, click here!

Too Faced Beauty Balm
Shade: Vanilla Glow (neutral-warm, ~NC25)
Coverage: Light-Medium
Finish: Satin
I also scored this in a makeup swap because I'd heard great things! This blends beautifully into the skin and evens skin out nicely. It wears reasonably well on my oily skin (6-7 hours, which is better than many BB creams I've tried), but unfortunately, Vanilla Glow is noticeably too dark for me. Even in summer! Contemplating whether I should buy the lighter shade, Snow Glow, and mix the two.


And here are all 10 foundations swatched on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone). I tried to arrange them from lightest to darkest and have labelled each:




And one final shot of all my bases:



So there you go! I hope you found it helpful to read a bit about all of the foundations in my collection and take a peek at them swatched side-by-side. I'm definitely going to make an effort to use some of these up over the coming months and perhaps swap away the few that just aren't my favourites. There are a few foundations I've been super tempted by lately (for instance, Tarte's Amazonian Clay options and BeneFit's new BB cream offering), but I must finish others up first!

Have I tempted you with any of the foundations here? How many bases do you have in your stash? What are your all-time favourite base products?

Thanks for reading! xo

33 comments:

  1. Wow - that is a lot of foundations! I'd love to try Chanel's Aqualumiere, it seems lovely and light now that summer is coming :o) Xx

    Makeup by Candlelight

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  2. I love Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, it's definitely my favourite foundation!

    Great post, it was great to read about a whole host of bases in one place.

    Kimberley // Kimberley's Beauty Blog

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  3. I need the Vitalumiere Aqua! NEED IT :D!
    Great post Jen, as always, really helpful and informative.

    xx
    http://gita-oddsandends.blogspot.com/

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  4. I'm a new reader and I love your blog!! I am in a bad foundation place currently; my skin is so much lighter than usual (I am NC42 in summer) and none of my foundations match.So I have to mix and match which is hit or miss ;). I have Nars Sheer Glow in two colours, Tom Ford Traceless Foundation in liquid and stick, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Laura Mercier and Nars Tinted Moisturisers, Becca Radiant Foundation...and Giorgio Armani Maestro in the compact. Oh. M. G. I have never types this out before, and it's sick!

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  5. woah thanks for this round up!!been thinking of tryin to find a new foundation so this was helpful. i thin im a touch darker than you but the color references were still helpful!
    Jenn
    A Beautiful Zen

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  6. thisss is so cute!xoxo
    www.supongoestilo.blogspot.nl

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  7. I have yet to try the Revlon one, everyone says it's so good!!!

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  8. I am really thinking of picking up that Chantecaille Tined Moisturizer now.
    My go to foundation is the Healthy Mix Serum foundation.
    I have also love Chanel foundations but the colour range doesn't work for me :(
    Lovely overview!
    TarteTanya

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  9. looks like you're an expert on all things foundation!! you're just the person we've been looking for!! What would you recommend for people that have drier skin that tends to get oily, especially in the Tzone as the day goes on??!! (weird, we know!)

    www.mkstyleramblings.blogspot.com.au

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I've heard great things about Bourjois Healthy Mix for those with combination/dry skin. If you like a bit more coverage, Revlon also makes a version of their ColourStay foundation for combination/dry skin. Should hydrate but last even when things get shiny later in the day :)

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  10. Love the sound of the Wet n Wild! I've tried the Too Faced one before, and it's great! I really should look into investing in a larger tube.

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  11. Beautiful foundations!

    Keep in touch on BLOGLOVIN

    Love,
    FASHIONHYPNOTISED

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  12. Wow, that's quite a collection! I tend not to want to try new base products too often, but from time to time I do get tempted! I finally tried Estee Lauder DayWear BB cream, and I actually like it a lot (it's more for oilier skin though)! I'm also going to give Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Velvet a go soon :)

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  13. Totally foundation heaven :) I have noticed my foundation pile growing as well and I love it. Depending on how my skin is looking I can change up my foundation accordingly. If it's more dry, or if I am breaking out I have a foundation that fits!

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  14. Fantastic post Jen! I love everything about this from the title of the post to all the info you gave about each of the bases. I haven't tried any of these and you have spiked interest in many of them!

    Have you ever tried BareMinerals? If so, how would you compare it to the Laura Mercier mineral makeup? And I'm about to pick up that Revlon Color Stay! Everyone seems to rave about it.

    Des | Simple Charm Beauty

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Des! I've only tried samples of Bare Minerals, but in general I've found that the Laura Mercier has a bit better coverage and is more suited for my oilier skin :)

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  15. I have NO knowledge when it comes to foundation and concealer!! hahah so thank you. also thanks for the comment on the blog!!! xo
    francesca from Frank Vinyl

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  16. great information! I definitely need to learn more and this is really helpful! Thanks!
    xo,
    nancy

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  17. what a detailed review my goddd...fantastic post

    http://islandchic77.com/

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  18. I've tried the garnier one, it was really good for me!
    XOXO
    Ylenia

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  19. Wow, so good foundations. *__*
    Lovely greets Nessa

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  20. Awesome review! I need to try the Revlon. I think we have similar skin tone and type . I swear by Lancome. www.twinkleboots.ca

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  21. I use the foundation of Shisedo one, it's really good though :)

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  22. It's always difficult to me to find the perfect one!
    Fabrizia – Cosa Mi Metto???

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  23. great job! I so love this post. Wanna try the Chanel one.





    xoxo;
    Glitter DailyBeauty Blog


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  24. This was SUCH as helpful post, kudos to you :)
    I've been loving mineral makeup recently so the Laura Mercier really tempts me
    Second that on the garnier bb, I love how it looks, but if anything, it makes my skin oilier? strange. maybe it's just me! but I'm a little disheartened since it's aimed towards oily skin
    x

    AmBlog | Life, Beauty & Anything In Between.

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  25. QURL, I feel u. I actually only have 3 bases right now! I recently picked up Tarte's Airbrush one because of the Sephora sale, as well as some of their other bases AND I WANT EVERYTHING. I actually find Revlon's Colorstay to look cakey on me sometimes...which is why I blend out out with a BB cream.

    YOU HAVE SO MANY BASES *-*...but it's ~good to have all your bases~ covered though, right? ;)

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    Replies
    1. Heehee, exactly! I'm also super tempted by the Tarte foundation!

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  26. Thanks for sharing, nice post! Post really provice useful information!

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All of your lovely comments make my day! Thanks for taking the time to share your musings, ideas, and opinions. Feel free to leave a link to your blog- I'd be happy to check it out :)