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What do you look for in a foundation?
I like medium, buildable coverage that has a natural finish–not totally matte but not dewy either. I want it to dry down and feel comfortable but not tacky. I want it to wear for a solid eight to nine hours with minimal change. It should respond well to powder on top, whether setting powder or powder blush/highlighter/bronzer. I prefer liquid over cream/powder but like creams/gels (just depends).
— Christine
You basically just described what I want too, although I prefer light-to-medium coverage or sometimes tinted moisturizer.
Tinted moisturiser works best for me, too!
The one and only Lucidity from Estée…but of course it is now discontinued.
Mainly, that it covers up any redness around my nose area, plus areas of melasma and old acne scarring. But it must have a natural looking finish to it with the ability to last the entire day or outing during our beastly AZ summers. Then there’s the difficulty in finding shades that match me! Very few brands have even gotten close, because my undertones are olive, but my overtones are just weird and hard to describe. Oh, and it mustn’t pool in my pores or go all creasy on me for at least the 1st 8-10 hrs, if at all! All said, I do believe that my newest foundation fits the bill very nicely: Lancôme Teint Idole 24H.
Of course, color match and skin compatibility (doesn’t make me break out or dry out). Then, I prefer liquid, sheerer coverage that dries to smoothness. Longevity is a plus of course, but if I get all of the above, then I’ll live with having to touch up occasionally.
I look for skin-like finish, a light texture that doesn’t look cakey, and generally medium, buildable coverage.
Hi Christine! What’s your best everyday foundation? What would you recommend? Thanks!
Matte or satin finish, at least medium coverage and a good staying power, like 8 to 10 hours (a work day, basically). And no separating…
First, something that doesn’t give me polkadots on my face by settling into pores! Then I like long wear or at least a product that doesn’t break down in an unattractive way as the day wears on. If it can also contain a decent level of SPF, that’s great too, since I don’t like wearing too many layers of stuff on my face but am religious about sun protection every day.
I like a medium coverage foundation that feels lightweight on the skin. I prefer matte or semi matte. That lasts a work day and requires minimal touch ups. Oh and I hate when it makes my skin feel sticky. I don’t want to feel it on my skin after it dries down. I don’t wear powder or cream foundations. Never heard if a gel foundation
I want a foundation that is light coverage and skin-like. I don’t want it to bunch up and separate between my brows and on my chin. I want something that evens out my skin tone but doesn’t cover everything, since I like my natural skin to shine through.
I like a medium to full coverage that looks natural and is on the dewy side. Deal breaker is if the wear is any shorter than a full 8 hours.
Hi Linda – what brands have you found that provide what you like in a foundation ? Thanks, Robin
Hi Robin!
After trying SO MANY, right now I am happiest with Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able and EL Double Wear (in that order). The MJ I like A LOT, but I will say the application takes some getting used to and some practice. It’s a consistency I have not used before. What, for me, gets the best finish is to apply that product with my fingers. With all the brushes and what-not I have, the MJ foundation works best with the blenders I was born with.
I like setting that foundation too. I use Sisley Poudre Libre — the setting powder I can use at my age that doesn’t make me look ancient. 🙂 The EL I can set it or just use a finishing step — or not.
With MJ I would recommend, if you can, sampling it and deciding for yourself. If you can’t sample, then get it and don’t be guilty if you have to return it. I like it very much, and it has the coverage I’m looking for with the finish I want. But I can see where it would be tricky for some.
Do you have a foundation you like?
Hi Linda – thanks for the response. Right now I alternate between Lancôme Renergie Lift and Clinique Even Better . I never get a dewy look – perhaps too much setting Powder . I will try to get samples of MJ Remarkable and the EL. I tried the Double Wear before and the color match was so bad it was unusable .I never returned it ?
I prefer a light coverage (Nars pure radiant tinted moisturizer is my go-to right now, bare minerals complexion rescue is also one of my favs) but for actual foundation, I like medium. I like a satin finish mostly because I don’t have to set it if I’m using cream/liquid bronzers or highlighters. I need it to wear for at least 6 hours, but it needs to fade gracefully otherwise.
If anyone can help, I’m looking for a BB cream WITHOUT sunscreen. I’m going to a wedding and I don’t want the flashback, but I want the light coverage for a natural finish.
What you say, but #1: no chem sunscreens or benzyl salicylate. 2. Sufficient cool or red to match. Who knew that was such a tall order that it would take 2 years? 3. Not a deal breaker, prefer no added fragrance.
I’m pretty much the same though I’m willing to accept sheer if it tamps down redness well.
Color: I can do my own minor color correcting, especially if it’s the right tone and only needs to be lightened.
Coverage: Easily buildable. If it isn’t, it’s a deal breaker.
Formula: Liquids are best for me. Nothing drying or matte. Nothing that needs to be ‘buffed’ into the skin. Nothing that doesn’t feel comfortable after dry down. Nothing that doesn’t hold up for at least 8 hours. SPF is nice in that it’s just another layer of protection. No creams or pan sticks — too drying, too heavy and too difficult to apply. Prefer mineral formula foundation powder for added coverage or setting powder, but nothing drying or matte. Just recently learned from a reader here that SPF mineral formula powders are great for sunscreen touch ups.
I’m just happy when I find a color match…
Simple…one that makes me look like I have perfect skin. I don’t ask for much, do I? LOL
The first & most important thing for me is that I get a good match. I am fair and yellow toned and it is tough finding a pale enough match. So that weeds out a ton of good foundations right there. I refuse to “blend” a bad match or put foundation on my neck. If it doesn’t match my neck-nope. Then I want light to medium coverage and a “not too matte/not too dewy” finish. And zero oxidizing. Since I am retired wear time is not a big issue anymore but I’d like it to stay put for at least 5-6 hours though since my nose is oily still I do touch up with pressed powder.
I want it to match my skin tone which is not an easy task. I am very fair but have some yellow and pink undertones. It should be medium coverage and a satin type finish. I prefer oil free as long as it doesn’t end up matte. It should not settle into pores or fine lines and should last 8 hours and not move around in greasy streaks. And I don’t want any aluminum products in the formula. I had to return my latest find (Shiseido Snychro Glow) because it had 3 different aluminum containing ingredients (shame on me for not reading the label first).
My number one thing: moisturizing. I’m okay with coverage/color/finish fading as the day goes on, but not with the foundation losing it’s moisture factor! I avoid “long wear” formulations as I’ve come to accept this means they are designed to not break down with skin’s natural oils; but on my dry skin, those long-wear formulas create tiny flakes of skin where I didn’t even have dryness (yuck!). For this reason I also avoid “mattifying” formulas. I like a dewy to natural finish. I love bb and gel-cream formulas. I like very sheer; sheer; to at the most somewhat-almost-medium coverage. I really hate stick foundations, and get annoyed when MUAs hear me say “dry skin” and always seem to recommend a stick foundation — I have found stick does not necessarily mean moisturizing at all!
First of all, I look for a skin color and undertone match. Next most important thing is that it doesn’t oxidize. These are the biggest hurdles for me, and knocks most foundations out of the running. I expect a foundation to last at least 8 hours. They have to work well with powders, as I have oily skin and powder products are a must for me.
For a liquid or cream, I prefer oil-free, and a satin, semi-matte or matte finish, with medium, buildable coverage. If I go full coverage, it has to feel lightweight. I can’t stand foundations that feel like a mask. No strong scents or botanicals.
Powder foundations have to have buildable coverage and a satin, semi-matte or matte finish. It should not look dry or turn cakey. No strong scents or too much shimmer.
If I was answering this 6 months ago, I would have said full cake coverage, and powdery matte.
But lately, i’m really digging lighter end of medium coverage, with a satiny finish!!
I like it to be VERY yellow toned, to match my very warm complexion.
I like it to blend easily without streaking or pilling. I like it to last at least 9 hours.
And I would prefer my oily skin not to break through for at least two to three hours!!!
I strongly prefer a full coverage foundation but can easily handle a medium to full coverage with a build-ability factor. I like liquid, can handle gel foundations and have even used cream foundations with some success. Any foundation I use must have some coverage as I have texture, and a bit of hyper-pigmentation issues that drive me nuts so the coverage is important. However, I want coverage without cakiness.
As an aside, foundation is just one of the most difficult of makeup purchases because you can start out great with a particular product but it can go south in a heartbeat. I think the search for the perfect foundation is my life’s work.
Long wearing- I am literally out from 7am-7pm and I need my makeup to last. Light weight- I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing a metal mask. Have no scent, and be full coverage. Good reviews, does not cause breakouts, is no drying.
That’s an easy question for me. I have found everything I love in a foundation with Laura Geller. It can be used wet or dry. I prefer wet on me. It’s buildable and is so light, you don’t know you’re wearing it. With my UD setting spray it stays on from early morning to bedtime. Doesn’t break down. Thankful I found this.
These are the factors that I look for when choosing a foundation.
1. I only look at liquid foundations.
2. A genuine porcelain shade (not just ivory or light or fair) that has pink undertones. This is where most brands fail – they’re just not light enough nor do they have pink undertones.
3. Medium coverage – full coverage tends to look far too thick on my skin and results in that cakey look.
4. A natural finish – matte is too deadpan for me (mature skin) and dewy, illuminating foundations tend to look greasy and shiny on me.
5. Lasts all day – I just don’t want it wearing off before the end of the working day.
6. It should contain at least SPF 15 for the harsh Australian sun.
Quite a wishlist, I know.
Me too Christine.
Sheer to medium coverage, satin to dewy finish. SPF preferred but not necessary. Ability to take powder on top is a must. I prefer a medium thickness liquid foundation (i.e. doesn’t run down my hand but isn’t borderline a cream). I also set my face with powder foundation 98% of the time (the rest I set it with a translucent powder), and with powder foundations I prefer light coverage, a little bit of a smoothing effect, and either matte or satin (no shimmer).
Excellent color match of course, great consistency non sticky, tacky, thick or yellow caked face. I prefer light ones such as Maybelline Fit Me just to even out skin tone a bit but let my decent skin shine though don’t mind a few freckles showing at all just second to skin and a natural look. I do like a bit of glow but very minimum. Spf or not depends whether to use in the morning or night. I find Rimmel powder to be really nice after it is very thin and does provide a soft sheen. Love it more than Maybelline even the lightest shade has a rather yellow hint to it. Cover Girl is nice also. I like the L’Oréal Dewey ones also great products.
I like a sheer to medium coverage, matte to natural finishes, long-lasting, and oil-free foundations. I also want it to feel light-weight on the skin. I want to apply it and forget about it basically!
In a foundation, I am look for:
1. Liquid foundation – I don’t like powders or creams
2. A genuine porcelain shade with pink undertones
3. Medium coverage
4. Natural to semi matte finish – dewy ends up making me look shiny…
5. A longish wear time – several hours at least.
I am looking for….