What is the difference between a good and great foundation for you?

A great foundation applies beautifully just about every time, matches my skin tone well, is long-wearing while also fading evenly, and sits well on skin. A good foundation will do the same things, just not as well.

— Christine

10 Comments

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Seraphine Avatar

I haven’t found a great foundation yet, but I’ve settled for very good. A very good foundation matches my skin tone, is full coverage, does not oxidize, is easy to apply, stays on all day without touch-ups, is not drying, and has a matte finish. What would make it a great foundation would be if it looked more natural (which is hard to do because I need full coverage).

Penny Avatar

I’m still on the hunt….my ideas on this subject change as I get older…..My dream foundation would be full coverage but very light weight so it looks like skin and doesn’t settle into lines. The perfect undertone…and does not oxidize…One that plays well with all skin care and lasts all day….not too matte but one that makes you look like you have healthy skin. Not dry looking but not greasy either….the perfect in between. It would be nice to be able to look like you have perfect skin…not perfect makeup…..It seems like you have to settle for either great coverage (and look heavy) or very skin like and not enough coverage to hide imperfections…..As science keeps progressing I’m sure some day it will come!

Deborah S. Avatar

A good foundation must match my skin pretty much perfectly. It should apply evenly, wear off evenly and maintain whatever finish it advertises. I use to like full coverage but after dealing with cakey looking foundations that settled into my fine lines and wrinkles, I have opted to lighten my coverage. A great foundation would not be cakey, would not settle into my lines and wrinkles, will not look too
makeup-y and should seem to be like my own skin. Hard to find but I feel like I have settled some of the issues by backing off the coverage and using a concealer where I feel I most need it. Now, I am trying to find a balance between glowy and too matte. I do feel like glowy is more youthful but when you have hyperpigmentation and some texture it is hard to achieve without emphasizing those issues.
I am also very fair so I need all of that to work within the framework of super pale with neutral undertones. I wish there was some standard for undertones but that isn’t going to happen.
Currently I am using 3 foundations to make my perfect foundation. I am using one pump of the Chanel Water Fresh Tint in Light, one pump of the Chanel Complexion Touch in B10 and just a smidgen of the Chanel No1 Camelia Red foundation which just adds a bit of coverage.

Genevieve Avatar

As I have also been on a foundation hunt – I can now really discern the difference between good and great in these products.
A great foundation is one that actually matches my skin tone, has pink undertones and a semi matte finish that isn’t too dewy. It has a great pump, lasts all day without going cakey or turning to a shade darker.
I want it easy to apply and blend and fade evenly.
A good foundation will do some of the above, but not all.

Stephanie Avatar

One that I don’t have to mix to get the right finish & color combo. I like the coverage on the heavier side of medium, and something that won’t be drying. Fenty’s original foundation looks so magical on me but is so drying. Haus Labs, Armani Luminous Silk, and NARS Light Reflecting are the best ones I have tried, and tbh I have tried most of ’em. Drugstore foundations will look nice on my skin but never last very long, again probably due to dryness.

Nancy T Avatar

All I want is those in the “great” category!
Great: Perfect match to my skin in every way: undertone, depth, overtone. Looks very skin-like, yet has medium but buildable to higher coverage if needed. Does. Not. Dry. Out. My. Skin. Like, seriously, I don’t want to see any weird crepeyness that I don’t see when I see my skin without foundation, nor do I want something that FEELS tight and drying. Also, no cakiness!

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