Which Foundation?

To run alongside my ‘Which Tinted Moisturiser?’ post, it’s only fair that I give foundations the same treatment. It’s an oft-asked question – ‘What foundation would you recommend for *insert skin type/budget/mates name here*’ – so today I’m running through the top five that have survived the test of time in my stash and between them have every eventuality covered. Spanning the coverage spectrum, all price brackets and complexion concerns I reckon I’ve got just the ticket for you if you want a foundation pick…

For a purse-friendly price – Bourjois Happy Light Foundation (I wear 50) – £11.99 – from Boots. Yes I’m trying to make a personal record for times a product can be mentioned on VDM in a one-month window. I jest, I jest. Bourjois is a good place to start if you’re foundation scouting on the highstreet. The formulas are good quality, in a range of finishes and most come in at around a tenner. The shade range is their only downfall. I’ve given the full deats on their Happy Light offering here; but here’s the abridged version. A sheer-to-medium formula that lasts pretty well throughout the day and lets a hint of natural glow through all while looking natural and smelling blooming’ loverly – a good all-rounder, for all skin types.

For a full coverage finish – Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (I wear 4) – £34.50 – from Selfridges. Yes, yes – I’m still harping on about this. When it comes to a full finish ‘covers blemishes, redness and the kitchen sink’ formulas, nothing delivers like this does. No cake, no tell-tale powder particles. In fact I can get nose up against a mirror with this and it’s still undetectable yet so darn covering. I’ll end the rave there, but if you fancy the full one click on.

For a sheer coverage finish – CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (I wear B20) – £32 – from Selfridges. Bridging the gap between tinted moisturiser and foundation is this plastic packaged-up product from CHANEL. A luminous finished formula, I’d say this is a good pick for all (giving that oiler souls don’t mind a bit of glow), that when applied with the fingers gives off a sheer coverage. It can be built up with a brush, but I like it most rough and ready slapped on with my tips. And I’ve got to touch on that packaging; it’s not the most luxe, but it’s compact and light meaning that whenever I pack my suitcase this is a regular traveller with me.

For an oily complexion – Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation (I wear Sand) – £30 – from Selfridges. With matte textures only just beginning to make their comeback, finding a foundation formula that’s suited to oiler skin can be a bit of a toughie. Though a sheen-producing complexion doesn’t mean to have to dump dewy completely. A good compromise is this from Bobbi Brown (have a gander here for a full review). One – it’s über long wearing, like all day. Two – it gives a medium to full coverage. Three – it provides a satin-skin finish that allows a hint of illumination though without giving in to grease.

For a drier complexion – YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation (I wear B20) – £29 – from Selfridges. I’m more of a combination gal myself, but I do suffer with the odd pesky dry patch and when things are a little dehydrated I plump for this offering from YSL. Dewy enough to impart a glow on even my most parched epidermis episodes, without the cakeyness that can collection in arid areas; it gives a medium coverage that takes care of redness and any pesky pimples. Mature and dry skins, if you want a glow-giver then say hello this bottle. See it in action, here.

A word of warning: this five may become six very soon as I finally managed to get my hands on that YSL Youth Liberator Foundation that everyone’s waving their buffing brushes in the air going crazy for. I’ll keep you updated…