Foundation Roundup - New Releases
Foundation can make or break your makeup look.
While the right ones can result in flawless, airbrushed skin, others can look like a cakey, oily mess. Since everyone's skin is different, finding the right foundation can be tricky- and when I find the perfect one, I usually stick with it.
For some reason I am always finding myself scouring the makeup aisles for the newest releases - especially at the drug store. Over the past couple of weeks, I've tried out a variation of different foundations ranging from matte to luminous finishes, to see if I can find a new holy grail. If you know me, you'll know that the Maybelline Matte and Poreless foundation is my ride or die drugstore fav.
Keep reading on to see how my testing phase went.
Also side note, if you're planning on purchasing any of the below products, be sure to use Ebates, beforehand, so you can get cash back. You can use my link https://www.ebates.com/r/HKUKAJ?eeid=28187 if you'd like to get $10 off your first purchase of $25. I am always using Ebates, before shopping at Ulta, Sephora, Walmart, etc. (there are over 100 stores to shop from). (This is not sponsored btw, just trying to share some saving tips).
Flower Beauty
I've heard so many great things about the Flower Beauty brand created by Drew Barrymore. I was interested in trying out the new foundation, when I spotted it on the Ulta website. I was hesitant to purchase it online, however, since I was unsure what my shade would be. It was during a recent Walmart trip, that I spotted it and ended up choosing the shade Ivory.
Credit/ Ulta Beauty
The Light Illusion Liquid Foundation from Flower Beauty retails for $13.99, which is pretty average for the drugstore.
According to the Flower Beauty website, the foundation claims to have buildable coverage, a soft luminosity, weightless, nude skin feel and will diminish imperfections and uneven skintone. It also has a broad spectrum of SPF 15 sunscreen.
All of the claims caught my attention, not to mention the pretty gold and white packing and the foundation pump.
Wear Test:
I'll be honest, since I have oily skin, I was extremely hesitant to try the foundation, since it has a luminous finish. However, I decided to give it a go anyways, since I've been wanting a change from my usual matte ways.
I used a primer, and applied a foundation with a damp beauty blender. When using it, I found that the foundation was very easy to blend and had a light to the touch finish. One layer gave off a medium coverage, however I added a bit more to see how it would build up, and I was pleasantly surprised. The finish was flawless, and not cakey looking at all. I did set the product with a loose powder just to remove any sticky feeling that luminous foundations usually leave on my skin. I enjoyed the dewy, not oily looking finish and found myself reaching for this product numerous times over the testing phase.
I will say one con is that if you're planning on taking flash photos, I'm not sure this will be a good choice as there is some flashback, due to the SPF inside.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this product for dry or oily skin, since I think it will work on various skin types. It's great for those who want a softer, natural look for everyday or can even be for those who prefer a full coverage look. This has definitely been sitting front and center in my collection.
Bare Minerals
I've always been interested in trying Bare Minerals products for as long as I can remember, so when Bare Minerals sent over some goodies including the Bare Pro performance wear foundation, I was super excited to try them out.
On its website, the foundation claims to be transfer-resistant, blurs pores and imperfections, last for 24-hours and has a matte finish. The product also claims to be full coverage and has SPF 20, which is great for the warmer months.
Credit / Bare Minerals
It even claims to be "so pure you can sleep in it," ( I didn't want to test this out as I always wash my face before going to bed).
Wear Test:
I was sent two colors, 12 - Warm Natural and 14- Silk. These colors are a bit dark for my skin, this time of year. I think they will work better in the warmer months, when I am a bit tanner, however I still decided to give them a test.
I found that when I pumped the foundation, it was a bit runny and had a thin consistency. Suprisingly however, the foundation was full coverage and also had a matte finish. This product did not last for 24 hours such as it claims. It did last over eight hours for sure with no product breaking apart. I found that setting it with powder also helped the product last longer.
As I mentioned earlier, the color was a bit too dark for me, so I will have to get a lighter shade. For me however, the product was just OK, it was nothing special. I have plenty of foundations that act similarly, so I will maybe reach for this time to time, when I get my appropriate shade.
L.A. Girl
I was a bit skeptical to try the new L.A. Girl Pro Matte foundation. I had tried the L.A. Girl Pro Coverage foundation and ended up returning it because it wasn't my cup of tea. However after seeing Youtuber Casey Holmes rave about this product (we both have oily skin), I purchased this on the Ulta Beauty website for $8.99 in the shade Bisque.
The foundation claims to be long- wearing, light weight, and medium to full coverage. It also states that it evens out skin tone and a has a soft suede matte finish.
Credit / Ulta Beauty
Wear Test:
Like my other foundations, I applied this with a damp beauty blender after applying primer. I found that it was lightweight and did have great coverage. It did hide my blemishes that I had from a previous breakout.
I did find that after awhile there was some separation on my skin, which had to be fixed with a bit of powder. I really did enjoy the satin like finish which looked almost airbrushed. But after some time of wearing the product, it just looked faded and some areas clinged to dry patches, I'm not sure why. It could have been the primer I used, etc, but I was not crazy about how this looked on my skin.
I don't recommend wearing this for a special event, where you are going to want long lasting makeup.
Overall, I was a but disappointed as I had high hopes for this product. I will try to use it again, maybe applying it with a brush and seeing if I get different results.
Physician's Formula
I don't own too much Physician's Formula products, so when I saw they released a new foundation, I was interested in seeing what it was all about.
I purchased the Healthy Foundation in the shade LN4 at Rite Aid during a buy one, get one half off promotion. The product normally retails for $12.99.
The product claims to be long-wearing, buildable, and breathable, with lightweight, medium coverage.
It also claims to be "compatible with all skin types" and features Brightening Complex and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate, brighten and improve the appearance of skin tone. There is also Protective SPF 20 in the product.
Wear Test:
For one thing, the doe foot applicator was a con for me. I'm not huge on these applicators, because I feel I can't get the right amount of product out and have to keep dunking in my applicator for more.
Once again, I used a damp beauty blender to blend the product out. The product has a sort of thick consistency, and blended out well. At first, I really liked how it looked on my face. However when I applied the rest of my products, such as concealer, a bit of bronzer, blush, etc. I feel like I looked very washed out. I'm not sure if it was my color choice, but for some reason I looked like I was having a no makeup day. I did not like how the product looked on my face at all. It has a satin finish, not matte or too dewy and has to be set because it does transfer.
I have seen so many people rave about this product so I had been looking forward to trying it, but I was just not sold on it. I'm thinking in the future I may try another shade.
Maybelline Superstay
Years ago, and I mean years - as in my high school days, the Maybelline Superstay Silky was my everyday go to foundation. Back then, it was a dual dispenser that would pump a white silky product and the foundation one at the same time, not sure if anyone remembers. Back then also, while I hate to admit it, I would apply foundation with my fingers- I know we've all been there... Well after some time, the product was discontinued and it wasn't until only months ago, it was revamped.
I knew I wanted to try out to the new formula to see how it would perform on my skin and of course now I wanted to see how it would apply with an actual beauty tool.
I purchased the Maybelline Superstay foundation in shade 112- Natural Ivory at my local drugstore for $11.99.
The product claims to be light-weight with high-impact coverage, and a flawless finish.
Credit/Ulta Beauty
Wear Test:
I applied my Smashbox primer first and then used a damp beauty blender to blend out the foundation. It has a thick consistency, and amazing coverage. It has a super matte feel, almost like the Huda Beauty one, but even more comfortable. Also, side note, I found that the Huda foundation was breaking me out badly each time I used it, so I have not been using it anymore.
Back to the foundation - I really like how all of my makeup blended out and the long wear the product has. I did not notice any product breaking apart or dry skin patches, etc. I did set the product with a powder just because I was afraid it would transfer on my phone, etc. but I really think you can get away without setting it.
I have been using this constantly and really do enjoy it. I think the color is a perfect match and would definitely recommend this for oily skin gals. I'm not sure if it would work for dry skin, as the product is matte.
Swatch Test:
Below is a picture of the five foundations swatched next to each other to give a better sense of the texture and coverage in each. As you can see below, there is luminosity in both the Flower Beauty and Physician's Formula foundation, while the others have matte/ satin finishes.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, my favorites from the bunch were definitely the Flower Beauty and Maybelline Superstay products. I will give them all another test run once spring weather is finally here, (my skin has taken a toll with the cold weather), to see if they perform differently. Let me know if you've tried any of these foundations and which is your favorite.
