33 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Lizzie - IsolatedColor Avatar

Quite rarely! It’s been maybe two years for foundation and about one year for concealer. It’s just too much of a hassle to find a shade match and I’m not interested enough in trying new formulas for the effort to be worth it. What I’m using now works well and that’s good enough.
Foundation and concealer are boring to me; I wear them purely because they make my skin look better. It’s stuff like eye shadow and lip products that make me enjoy trying a variety of things.

Lydia Avatar

I usually wait to use up my current foundation before trying a new one, but if the one I’m using isn’t working or just isn’t what I want, I’ll get a new one to try. I don’t repurchase foundation that much because there’s always a new one that looks beautiful to try!

Erica Avatar

I’m down to three concealers. One for under the eye brightening , one for correcting and one for spot concealing. As for foundations, I have a BB cream, one that is matte and one that is more dewy. I’m not buying anything else or “trying” anything new until those are used up. I have what I need. I don’t buy until I’m in need!

Matilda Avatar

I try a new foundation or concealer only when either I have run out of what I am using or there is no way that what I am using will work or it has stopped working.

Jo Avatar

I’d love to be able to try them all at once and figure out the best one for me because I’m still looking. If I found the perfect match, I’d definitely be faithful to it!

DVa Avatar

Way too frequently.
There are some foundations I really don’t reach for anymore and others have different finishes. I have stick, powder, tints, full coverage, luminous versions… Some are for winter and some for summer.
I play less with concealers, although I think I have 5-6 different ones right now. Some I reach for because they are easy to use and sheer out easily but are not as full coverage. It all depends on my mood, how lazy I am, or if I’m just doing a quick “no-makeup” look.

Martha Avatar

I’d say once every couple of years. I’ve barely worn foundation for the past year since my face is covered in a mask while at work. But I was intrigued by the new Fenty blurring tint, so I did buy that recently and quite like it. Concealer is so hard to get right, I find, so I only buy it once in a blue moon.

Debbie Avatar

I usually will buy a new foundation to try during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty, so that puts me at about twice a year. Same with concealers. Pre-pandemic I used to go to Sephora whenever something new came out and would get a sample to try.

Kira Avatar

I might do it once every 1-3 years, and only after I’ve used the last drop of my current one unless there’s a serious color match problem. I have been following your foundation journey somewhat, and really loved Guerlain, followed by Tarte Rainforest of the Sea.

Right now I have two open foundations (Glossier and Pat McGrath), and one open sample (Tarte), because I was having trouble doing color matching during the pandemic when I was becoming much paler. Thankfully I’m making good progress on them and think I’ll use them all before they go bad.

Kimmwc03 Avatar

I normally wait to finish my foundation before trying another so about twice a year. As far as concealers, I have a hard time finding one that works but I try every new, hyped one hoping it will be “the one.”

Wednesday Avatar

I used to have this compulsion to try and find the most perfect foundation so I purchased latest greatest relentlessly until finally coming to my senses and accepting it simply doesn’t exist. I do like a variety of coverages and finishes so I always have a small handful of product on hand which I rotate depending on mood. I bought a new foundation this year because I starting finding my existing products were aging me: iT CC+ and NARS tinted moisturizer. It has to do with how they both settle into lines. For quite some time, I have wanted to try Estee Lauder Futurist Hydra rescue and find there is a lot to like about it so I have no regrets and it has become my most often used base product when I’m not bare faced.

Mariella Avatar

I haven’t purchased a few foundation in ages. I’ve got so many bottles unfinished that it’s a bit embarrassing but the truth of the matter is that I rarely wear foundation and when I do, I don’t wear much. I think the last one I purchased was one of the Diorskin Forever formulas (the one that has SPF and now seems to be discontinued in Canada though it might still be available in the US, however, I will not be travelling to the US any time soon). I do really want to try the new Fenty Eaze one but I won’t until I can try it in store for colour match and maybe even get a sample to try at home. I won’t be buying foundation (unless it’s a replacement for my IT CC cream) any time soon.

Concealer – different story. I’m always on the scrounge for a new, better, “magical” one. The last one I purchased was the newest Dior one and I took a real chance on the colour (stores were open but there was no sampling or swatching allowed). Based on my Dior foundation and on the SA putting a swipe on a lucite palette and letting me sort of hold it against my face, I lucked out and it’s a good shade.

kjh Avatar

Every co that makes foundation should have a multi-shade set of 1-2 app packets for a small fee. It’s such a simple thing and takes the guesswork out. Being cynical, makes me think maybe they want mistakes and repeat tries/buys.

Helene Avatar

When I bought foundation from Charlotte Tilbury I got three samples, with enough product for some three or so applications, the idea was to try the one ordered, one darker and one lighter before opening the bottle. I think that was such a good idea as finding the right shade when shopping online is really difficult, as we all know.

kjh Avatar

Many foundations are out for me due to allergies. Added a TM (BM) about 2 years ago. Then tried the Saie TM…and I use the description lightly…extreme bust. KGD is HG. I could improve; it could not. Leave well enough alone. Concealers are a whole different kettle of fish. I don’t count, but I have a smaller and a medium container full and overflowing. If no sensitizing ingredients and grossly suitable for color, I’m in. I think it’s because I have had dark circles since fourth grade and have thought they needed improvement my whole life.

Frozendiva Avatar

I might try a new one if one interests me and my current bottle is almost empty. If a sales associate gives me a 10 day sample.

I wore EL Doublewear for years. No issues until the formula changed and it was no longer working for me. It became gloopy. I also added the Armani Luminous Silk. Now I am using the Dior forever glow or whatever it is called. I think a new one with 35 SPF is coming out soon. I think I also have a Chanel cushion Les Beiges that I use for summer and touch ups.

Lesley Avatar

I am always searching out new foundations but I don’t try that many because of my personal criteria. If a brand that doesn’t test on animals introduces a new foundation that has the coverage level I need, I want to try it. Since swatching is not possible now, I am trying much less because I won’t buy a full size unless I can get a sample or a promo size (which I might pay for). If we are distinguishing between concealers and correctors/brighteners, I don’t try new concealers because I don’t think I will find anything that works as well for my aged undereyes as Tarte Creaseless but I am always looking for the perfect color corrector and/or brightener.

Ana Maria Avatar

Nowadays… never. 😅 In the two years or so I just kept repurchasing my old favorites. I can’t even remember the last new one I tried. I came to a point I’m just not interested in the new stuff; I like what I like, I discovered something that works for me, I don’t want to experiment anymore.

Denise S. Avatar

I don’t wear foundation. But I’m always on the hunt for my holy grail concealer! I have a full makeup bag of various concealers in my quest for the perfect match.So ever couple months or so I’m trying out different concealers. A lot of the time I end up using 2 different colors.

Latika Avatar

I usually only have about 2 foundations at a time one sheer the other maybe medium coverage . I have so much difficulty with them so I find a concealer and powder match better. Maybe buying the sale online has messed me up – I can’t get my shade right looking at suggested colors and everything tends to make me look pink . In my MIND I am a bronzed goddess in reality ehh not so much a kinda light yellow ugh that’s why I love eye shadow I can be whoever I want that day!

Genevieve Avatar

I haven’t tried a new foundation for a couple of years, since L’Oreal extended their True Match range to include porcelain with pink undertones. It was really hard for me to find the right kind of foundation at a reasonable price – as I go through so much of it. I need a medium coverage to ensure that my skin tones are evened out and that my patches of redness don’t shine through.
As for concealers, I am lucky enough not to need them – but you never know in the future.

BrandiD Avatar

I have massive allergies, so I pore over the ingredients list of every new release and I buy at least one new-to-me foundation every sale season. I have yet to find my HG — my old HG (Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Natural Perfection) is currently too light in 00N and 2N is too dark. I am thinking I will need to mix them. I do also like MAC ProLongwear Nourishing Waterproof, but it’s very heavy and I’m currently experimenting with ways to sheer it out. My older skin is starting to complain about the matte, drying formulas I love so much — however, dewy formulas turn into a grease slick within an hour on me. My face is often a cranky mess — hence foundation experimentation galore!

Mary Avatar

Usually I’ll be curious to test something new during a change of seasons … maybe twice a year ..although because of the Covid protocols it’s prohibited to swatch formulas .
I just went back to Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Bouncy Foundation…
which I really like .
So I’ll play with different finishes during warmer or cooler months.

brendacr1 Avatar

I only purchase when I’m running low and I need a different finish now so somehow I will need to buy it on line, hopefully it goes well, I’m doing my research so I have high hopes. I have a couple of concealers open, they last a long time so I won’t have to repurchase for a while and I love my Cle ‘de Peau concealer so I will repurchase it.

Nikki Avatar

Very rarely. I stick to rebuying my beloved Fenty 110 foundation and concealer as I run out, and I keep a few backup formulas (UD All Nighter 2.5 foundation, L’Oreal True Match C3 Creamy Natural foundation, Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin 10-I think it’s called Ivory?-concealer) on hand in case I order the Fenty too late and run out while waiting for Sephora to ship the new container.

Helene Avatar

I’ve not bought a foundation for about two years. I have a lot of bottles and have decided I prefer powder foundations, I use MAC Studio Tech something something, I also like the Bare Mineral matte mineral foundation. I find that liquids and creams settle into my pores, making my face look polka dotted. I’m trying to find a combo of primer/foundation that would fix this. I have many times washed off all foundation, being so frustrated with my pores.
Concealers, I’ve not bought any for a long time as they all enhance the dry wrinkles under my eyes, I find I’d rather have a bit of darkness than pronounced wrinkles.
Back when I lived close to actual makeup stores and department stores I tried both concealers and foundations a lot as getting samples was so easy.
I mentioned in an answer in this thread that CT sent three samples with my order of a foundation so one can try the shades, I really liked that idea, I do wish you could just order samples, as getting the wrong shade is so annoying and here we can’t return makeup.

Z Avatar

*Very* rarely. Ingredient sensitivities make it so it’s incredibly infrequent that anything is released that I can even put on my face. Then I’m very pale so there’s another layer of issues around shades available. And then I need a yellow-based concealer/foundation to cancel out the redness. There’s three checkpoints for a new foundation or concealer to make it past for me and I’m not much in to complexion products so…yeah.

Mariele Avatar

I’ve been wearing the same one for three years. I have a backup so I’ll probably wear it for another year. But they discontinued it, so I’ll be forced to look for a replacement soon…

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!