What is your holy grail foundation? What do you look for in one?
Right now, it’s Guerlain’s Parure Gold! I need light-to-medium coverage that feels lightweight, has matte to semi-matte finish, and photographs well.
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I’m loving Boots No7 Lifting & Firming foundation. Great coverage!
Mac liquid NC25..I prefer medium coverage with a matte finish which can def be hard down in the south!!
Nar sheer glow at the moment, light but buildable coverage, not too matte, not too dewy 🙂
I think mine is Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation. It offers light to medium coverage, with lots of moisture and is glowy without being dewy.
NARS Sheer Glow!!! Love love love it
Urban Decay’s Cream-to-Powder. i loooooove it.
MUFE mat velvet…i’d die if they ever stopped making it!!
Mac face and body in c2 it is perfect and almost no touch ups coverage is amazing and I have oily skin so finding a foundation that doesn’t make me oily is a holy Grail
MUFE face and body. It’s water resistant, doesn’t cake on my dry skin, provides the coverage I want.
i have 2: chanel vitalumiere and laura mercier mineral powder. both give great coverage and has a dewy finish.
in the many years i’ve been wearing foundation, this is the only time i’ve found foundation that was a perfect match for my skin. and this was BEFORE i found out about the foundation matrix ! :p
DiorSkin Nude! Makes my skin look flawless
Guerlain Parure Extreme!
It’s everything I dreamed of in a foundation. Long lasting, matte finish, buildable medium coverage, holds up to my oily t-zone, sets and doesn’t budge. It would be nice if the lightest shade (01) was available in Canada though!
Could you do a review on that foundation? I want to but it but I can’t figure out what color I would be. Sephora only has it online…
Hey Liz,
Were you asking me about Guerlain Parure Gold or someone else? I reviewed Parure Gold several months ago! 🙂
Hi Christine,
Is the Gold different than the Extrme?
Thanks,
Wendy
Hmmm.. I didn’t see paure gold on sephoras website just paure extreme and one other one… Do they still sell it?
I believe Nordstrom does!
Revlon Photoready. I’ve tried a lot of department store foundations and they all seem to be too heavy.
Bobbi Brown Skin! Perfect light coverage and natural finish, a few steps up from tinted moisturizer.
Love, love, love my MUFE HD foundation.
ditto here !
Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup Oil Free SPF 15- in 1.5 Nude. I feel like I have nothing on, but my skin looks great. I feel like it’s the perfect no nonsense foundation.
Guerlain Parure Extreme (02) is a perfect match for me.
I love the Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation, something that hides my pores and dark circles well. I don’t really need concealer after putting this on, ahaha! ^.^
Clinique acne solutions
MUFE HD.
I want to try their mat velvet, though.
I Agree with Sam. Revlon Photo Ready. I have very oily skin, and it looks so good on my skin all day long. I use it with a touch of Make Up Forever HD powder and it looks beautiful. I bought it when I was on vacation in May because my other foundation was finished and I would buy it again.
right now it’s NARS sheer glow, don’t know how long it’ll stay HG though, i’m going to keep looking!
Well, it was Prescriptives Virtual Skin. I liked the light coverage and it was one of the few brands that matches my very pale skin. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I run out.
I also have Guerlain’s Parure (not the gold one though, which costs way too much, even the regular one costs like 70 dollars here), but I use it only in winter. Lately I have been using Mac Face&Body and MSF Natural.
I’ve just discovered Guerlain Parure Extreme and I’m loving it 🙂
Right now? It’s Bobbi Brown’s stick foundation. Fast and easy to put on, it looks very natural and most importantly, doesn’t melt off my face after 5 minutes outside in Taiwan’s hot and humid weather.
I’m using Revlon’s New Complexion liquid foundation and I really like it. It has the same lasting power as Colorstay, but it’s sheerer. I don’t know if I’ll repurchase, but that’s just ‘cuz I get bored of using the same one.
FaceFabric: Secondskin Nude Makeup.
I thought I found mine but apparently not 🙁 A lot of them look great in the morning but mid-day it goes down hill. Most of them oxidize! It is really frustrating. The other issue is most of them are not long lasting like they claim to be. I have tried using primer and setting it with powder and still get the same results.
I just got a sample of the foundation from Burberry in the lightest shade – we’ll see what happens tomorrow.
Georgio Armani lasting silk, its a little more matte than the luminous silk and has an spf for everyday!!! I am obsessed!!
Another vote for MUFE Mat Velvet! I know a lot of people prefer a glowing look to a matte one, but my skin “glows” enough on its own without any help from my makeup. Hah!
To be honest, I haven’t found anything that I’d consider to be a “Holy Grail Foundation” yet. Right now, I’m at a point where I don’t bother with foundation; I just put on Maybelline’s Dream Matte Powder over my moisturizer very lightly. That’s worked well enough for me for the past five months or so.
There ARE a lot of foundations I need to try though. I just need to be a little less lazy about it. Haha.
I don’t use a proper foundation, but I love using the MAC MSFN as foundation, it gives me medium coverage, without looking cakey or dusty, and a nice almost matte finish, that still gives me a little bit of a ‘glow from within’.
I love both Nars Sheer Glow and MUFE Mat Velvet.
Dior Skin Nude, hydrated, buildable coverage and doesn’t cause outbreak on my skin
Biotherm Long Wear Detox Foundation in 545, it’s amazing! Light, smooth, matches my skin tone perfectly and it lasts for a very long time! I also have the pressed powder as well 🙂
I’m really loving neutrogina healthy skin right now. But I never really stick with a foundation very long.. like a maybe 2-3 months and I move on.
I’m actually looking for a sub to this. I love it but i get soo oily. I’ve used Nars sheer glow but broke out. Have you found another that provides this finish?
Right now it’s Chanel Pro Lumière fluid foundation.
Great coverage without looking heavy and creamy without being oily.
Gives a nice all over glow 🙂
Loreal true match liquid. Doesn’t get enough credit at all in the makeup world.
Always has amazing build-able coverage, doesn’t feel cakey at all, very blendable.
LOVE it, plus it has three different color ranges, warm neutral and cool.
=)
Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid <3
Clinique Superbalanced for daytime, because it is nearly invisible but makes the skin look flawless and for nighttime Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation.
Since I know MAC Studio Fix Fluid (NC15) I can’t live without it… It matches my skin perfectly and gives me a flawless finish. It also sets really natural on my skin =)
But I’d like to try Fresh Wear form Lancôme, for summer, as the MAC’s one is too heavy when it’s hot outside.
Guerlain Parure Aqua 😉
It would be estee lauder double wear light, but unfortunately no color seem to work 100% for me 🙁
MUFE mat velvet+ – love it!
i use clinique’s superbalanced foundation for more than a year now..
it has light to medium coverage and looks very natural!! i love it!!
MUFE HD!
MAC Studio Fix powder foundation, which is fine as long as I use powder after as it really is just a foundation in powder form, MAC Mineralize loose powder foundation, or Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.
I’ve been dying to try Becca’s tinted moisturizer too.
Estee Lauder Double wear , really long lasting and kinda sheer and gives the right finish
Even though I have dry skin, the best foundation I’ve ever used was MUFE Mat Velvet+. I really like medium-full coverage foundations that five you that “flawless” look without looking cakey.
Up until 4 days ago it was Guerlain Parure Extreme-(I like heavy coverage) but I have been using Avon Everlasting foundation and I was pleasantly surprised how great it was! I dont know…..it could be my new HG.
Wendy5815
dont have it yet .
MUFE HD!
The Clinique Acne Solutions foundation has really caught my eye. I have combination skin with small pimple issues with my chin area. This stuff makes my skin look beautiful, lasts all day and has helped with my breakouts as well as overall skin texture.
Jane Iredale PurePressed Base! Evens out my skintone nicely, and can be build up from light to medium to full coverage. Always looks natural on me, and gives a pretty sheen, not too glowy or too matte. I’ve tried lots of other mineral foundations and they tend to slide right off my skin after an hour or so. JI stays on all day! I have oily skin, so I still get shiny after a couple of hours, but that happens no matter what foundation I’m wearing, and even if I’m wearing no foundation at all. But with JI the oil can just be blotted away, and it looks pretty much as when I first put it on.
I’ve tried sooo many traditional foundations in the past, but none of them seems to work for me. Firstly I have a really hard time finding the right color. They’re either too yellow or too pink (I need a warm peachy color) and no matter what brush I use, they end up looking really unnatural on.
I finally tried Nars Sheer glow yesterday. Thought I’d give it a chance since I’ve hard great things about it. I started off with a teeny tiny amount, and it didn’t cover anything, but still looked a bit cakey. Applied a bit more, and it gave me the right amount of coverage, but still looked cakey and even more unnatural. So I decided (as I did a couple of years ago) no more liquid foundation for me. They have never worked in the past, and probably won’t in the future. Complete waste of money.
Sorry about the long essay-like comment btw, I’m in a very talkative mood today lol.
I haven’t found my holy grail yet, but for right now I’m using mac studio fix, I heard that Chanel foundation is very good that’s the next one I’ll try.
Cle De Peau – Cream Foundation! Very long lasting! 😀
Revlon Colorstay!
Love this foundation! It gives me just the amount of coverage and great for my oily skin, i’ve tried plenty of high end foundations like nars, makeup forever, sephora && mac but this is the best!!
Estee Lauder Double wear in Tawny
I havent found it yet
Shy uemuras face architect!
Make Up Forever’s Mat Velvet Plus Foundation!
revlon colorstay
MUFE face & body. Nice and light and it lasts <3
Mary Kay! It works best for helping me not break out.
I din’t have one. I’m currently using Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation, but I wouldn’t say it’s my HG foundation. In the winter I’ll be back to using Givenchy Photo’perfection foundation, but it’s too light (colour) and heavy (texture) right now. Maybe I should try one of the Guerlain ones. I tested the new Lingerie foundation the other day, but didn’t get it as I still have far too much of the other two. Can’t remember, have you tested the new Lingerie foundation yet Christine?
Nope, I haven’t. I have a shade, but it’s about 10 shades wrong for me.
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra and Teint Idole Fresh Wear.
Same here!
It`s so good and lightweight that it doesn`t look like you`re wearing foundation and it has a full coverage!
Shu Uemura’s Nobara and also Face Architect. Great coverage and great shade match
Eve Pearls foundation duo in Fair. I have to ration it out since i don’t know how long the palette will last and I want to get it on sale again, if possible. But it looks AMAZING, especially for photography.
Clarins Everlasting, it really does stay put all day on my oil slick of a face!
At the moment it’s Shu Uemura Nobara cream cover stick foundation since we’re having a cold rainy spell. I use Shu’s powder and liquid foundation during the summer though. These have buildable coverage and doesn’t make me look like wearing a mask and depending on the application technique, I can make this as sheer and soft and luminous as I want.
MAC Studio Fix! Whether in liquid form when it’s cool or the powder form when it’s hot, no other foundation has been able to keep my super-oily skin under control. Tested in both the LA and Florida heat, it stays true. You’ll have to pry it from my cold dead fingers. LOL!
Mac face and body n1. Great buildable coverage without caking and lovely natural finish.
Also loving mac studio sculpt mixed with a little strobe cream
Diorskin nude in Sand 031, my perfect match, has spf and does not cause breakouts. Natural finish with light to medium coverage that doesn’t slide off my face by mid day.
I am currently using Lancome Dual Finish powder foundation and in cooler weather I use Chanel Pro Lumiere.
I find that using a real foundation makes the flaws on my face show up even more, so I only use MAC Select Sheer powder as foundation–just to even out a bit of redness and to give a more perfect glow to my face.
MUFE HD Foundation in shade 115. Unfortunately it’s hard to get in the UK so I generally use Revlon Photoready which I also like!
Doh! I mean Revlon Colorstay 🙂
Guerlain Parure Extreme, because of its matte yet luminous medium coverage and extreme wear (up to 12 hrs).
I really really love NARS Sheer Glow. I will keep buying this forever or until they discontinue it.
Don’t have one yet. Currently using Lancome’s Teint Idole Ultra, and I like it. Not loyal though. I’m always trying different brands.
It was NARS Sheer Glow, until I realized that it is what was causing me to break out.
So… now I don’t know! I’m trying to find a new one!
Meow Cosmetics loose mineral foundation in Purrfect Puss formula. I couldn’t wear foundation before because it would clog my pores and make my break out. This stuff evens out my skintone, looks very natural, and it doesn’t give me zits! In fact, I think my skin is actually a little better since I started using it.
Hooray, Meow! I just ordered my first samples (like 10 of them!) in both pampered puss and flawless feline formulas Glad to hear you love them. I have never worn foundation so I am hoping this can break me into it gradually. I just LOVE the color range.
When I first bought Mac Face and Body I found it to watery and even the c1 shade was too dark for me. But when I started paring it with mac studio fix powder plus I found the perfect coverage and texture.
NARS Sheer Glow. I work in the beauty industry and get tons of gratis foundation and am able to try hundreds (literally!) of foundations but this is the one for me. I’ve repurchased it, twice!
For evening, when I want a full on polished look, I love Chanel Vitalumiere topped with a dusting of Guerlain meteorites. For everyday wear, I’ve fallen hard for the new Edward Bess cream foundation. It is so incredibly light and smooth, gives light to medium buildable coverage, and doesn’t dry out my already mature, dry skin. Love it!
For the moment NARS Sheer Glow!
Only because I get so many comments that I have a great skin 🙂
Mine is Revlon’s Colorstay Active Light Makeup. It’s slightly sheer, it really does last all day, and there’s a shade that matches my skin tone perfectly. People compliment me, thinking I have a perfect complexion, when I’m wearing it.
Right now, Chanel Vitalumière liquid foundation 40 for a very natural and dewy look. But Mac studio finish fluid NC35 is also very good….hard to tell which one is really my HD
It’s a toss up between FACE Atelier Ultra and Countess Isserlyn Liquid Makeup. Both are highly pigmented. One is a very modern silicone based foundation. The other is a classic oil based foundation. Both have been used by pro MUAs.
For Fall, Winter, Spring…MAC Studio Fix Fluid and I’ve tried out the NARS and MUFE and the Revlons…pffft. SFF covers very well without having to build.
For Summer and I consider this a light foundation, Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer…been rocking it with powder on top all Summer and it feels like nothing is on my face and it looks so natural. Love.
For daytime, regular, work days: Bobbi Brown EXTRA Tinted Moisturizing Balm in Dark Tint
For photos, night life, special occasions: MAC Face and Body foundation in C4!!!—great coverage, lots of product in the bottle, and waterproof!
Studio Fix Fluid. For a very long time now. I like the texture, coverage and finish. It just works for me 🙂
Revlon Colorstay for dry skin, over 1 year now!
My is Bobbi Brown,skin foundation spf 15 in color Honey. Love the consistency and the cover
Nars Sheer Glow, Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer for more casual days
Definitely Chanel’s Teint Innocence Compact!
i haven’t really found a true HG yet. i love the finish of my nars sheer glow, but the lasting power is not so great. my revlon colorstay has great staying power and coverage, but the closest color match gives me a slight grey cast. i’ve heard great things about estee lauder doublewear, maybe i’ll try that after my sheer glow runs out.
I LOVE Bobbi Brown’s Natural Finish Long-Lasting Foundation (even though it’s a mouthful LOL!)
For a while, it was MUFE HD. When I switched from MUFE to BB, I noticed my skin troubles started to clear up. My skin was no longer flaky and my blemishes cleared up. I had thought for the longest time that my skincare regime was to blame, never would I have guessed it was my foundation!
Anyway, the foundation is perfect. Nice, natural looking coverage, it’s long wearing, and my skin troubles are gone! Yay!
I love this one too – doesn’t get enough attention in the blog world. I also love Nars Sheer Glow. I recently added that Philosophy foundation to my top 3 thanks to Christine’s review!
MUFE HD foundation- i use sephora’s “hd” brush spritsed with water to sheer it out
I’m liking Sisley Foundation. I like it better than the NARS Sheer Glow. I find NARS doesnt stay as well but Sisley one is easy to blend, glowy and stays on!Makes my skin soft too!
I’d pair leopard luxe eyeshadow quad with pet me blush.
Diorskin Nude. Its the best foundation I’ve ever tried.. 🙂
MUFE Mat Velvet+ !!!!!
Until recently it would be MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC30. Since I discovered Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup. It’s become my holy grail liquid foundation. It does “stay-in-place” all day (from 9-6). Absolutely Amazing!
OMG!! i can’t believe you posted it! thank you so much! 😀
haha it’s exciting to me because i consider you like a celebrity ><"
and….right now my favorite is MAC studio fix fluid in NC15, i don't know why, but i always go back to this one… (?)
and what i look for in a foundation is first of all, to LAST ALL DAY!!
i cannot believe how HARD it is to find one that actually lasts all through my school day! i also prefer medium-full coverage because of my acne.. :\ (darn it!) and a semi-matte finish 🙂
long list ha? 😉
Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation. Great coverage but still feels light. Stays put all day after powdering. No better cream fondation than this.
Mayabline Super Stay……GREAT product, AMAZING coverage, AWSOME Price. I refuse to pay $46 for foundation.
NARS Sheer Glow. It’s absolutely beautiful, applies smoothly and looks really natural on my skin.
I don’t have one, but I just recently switched from liquid foundation to cream and noticed a major improvement in my skin (less acne, more even tone). I am considering buying Eve Pearl’s, though!
Department Store – NARS Sheer Glow
Drugstore – L’Oreal True Match
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation. oh yeah.
Shiseido Dual Balancing liquid makeup is the best liquid foundation I have found for my blotchy, combination skin.