I am utterly and completely obsessed with foundations, finding that perfect base. My foundation collection is around 30 now. I do mainly prefer higher end bases as I find 95% of the time they work better on my skin and work well. I have tried many drugstore foundations most I have hated so to find my top 4 has taken a long time but now I am happy with each one for different reasons.
Max Factor Face Finity 3 in 1 Foundation | £12.99 | Link
I first tried this foundation a few years ago and I hated it, I mean HATE. It just didn’t work for me but a few months ago I decided to pick it up again and see if it worked. For me to be mentioning this in my top 4 shows just how much I have changed my opinion on it. I especially love this when I use with the Kiss Light Reflecting Mattifying Primer. This foundation provides medium coverage, you can still slightly see my freckles on my cheeks. It looks flawless but natural. It makes my skin look healthy. I find even when I have breakouts it doesn’t cling to them. When used with the right primer this lasts well over 8 hours. I have extremely oily skin and I am usually oily within 3. I am so shocked at how this lasts on my skin with no touch ups!
Available in 9 shades to suit all skin tones.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation | $7.99 | Link
This is the US version, I have tried the UK version and it isn’t as good as the US one. The US one has better shades and the formula is slightly different. The US one makes my skin look flawless! It has medium coverage but it is buildable. It blurs my pores which I love. This also keeps me matte all day! I have tried this with many primers and especially love it with the L’Oreal Infallible Mattifying Primer.
I buy mine from Ebay or Amazon usually for £10-£12 inc postage.
Shades Available:
24 shades US
6 Shades UK
L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation | $12.99 | Link
Again this is the US version, I tried the UK one and oh my it is horrid. It didn’t keep me matte no matter what primer and powders I used. Within 1-2 hours I was an oily mess. The US one is slightly thinner in consistency but it applies like a dream, my skin looks unreal with this. I find it keeps me matte really well. I find it keeps me fully matte for 6-7 hours and then I get the smallest amount of oilyness around my nose but if I touch up it is fine.
I buy mine from Ebay or Amazon usually for £10.
Shades Available:
12 shades US
6 shades UK
Bourjois Air Mat Foundation | £9.99 | Link
I can’t believe this isn’t more raved about. I got this as soon as Bourjois released it. It is a full coverage matte foundation. It is honestly full coverage within one coat. It isn’t heavy even though it is a thicker consistency. I love how this covers every blemish and my skin looks. incredible. They have added more shades to this foundation as it did start off with only four shades but it now has seven.
Available in 7 Shades
All four of these foundations are worth having. If you prefer a medium coverage the Max Factor and Maybelline ones are perfect. If you are after a full coverage finish then the L’Oreal and Bourjois ones are for you. For me the US L’Oreal Infallible Foundation is a complete Dupe of the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation! I was shocked at how similar they were!
I don’t know why the UK can’t bring out more shades as the US have more than double what we have. I will definitely be stocking up on the L’Oreal one when I go to New York in November!