the quest for the perfect foundation (very pic heavy)

In my infinite quest to find the perfect foundation I have bought a lot over the years and because I am hoarder I never throw them away even if they don't work for me. Pretty much every shade I buy is the lightest one of of the range and the difference between companies becomes very apparent. As a result of this comparison test I will be throwing away a fair few of these because as you can see I would have to be mad to wear them and actually can't believe I ever did.

Everything was photographed in natural light on fresh clean skin.

Bourjois

1. 10 Hour Sleep Effect (71 abricote clair)

2. Brush Foundation (31 beige clair)

3. Healthy Mix (51 vanille clair)

4. Mineral Matte (81 tendre ivorie)

Bourjois is possibly my favourite brand of makeup and their foundations are second to none (same company as Chanel don't you know) Colour and texture is always great the only one I am surprised by is the mineral matte(4) as it looks a little dark but actually looks fine on my face. As you can see the healthy mix(3)is the best coverage and colour which is what I expected as it is my favourite liquid foundation.

Rimmel

1. Stay Matte Mousse (100 ivory)

2. Renew & Lift (100 ivory)

3. Lasting Finish (100 ivory)

Rimmel has always been hit and miss for me but as always the price of them makes them very tempting. Interesting that they are all named ivory when the difference is colour is so vast, I wanted to love the stay matte mousse(1) but as you can see from the picture even the lightest one is unbelievably orange and it is more jelly than mousse the texture just doesn't work for me.

Revlon & Max Factor

1. Revlon PhotoReady (002 vanille)

2. Revlon Beyond Natural (210 light pale)

3. Max Factor Colour adapt (70 natural)

4. Max Factor Second Skin (040 creamy ivory)

Wow, Just wow! look at the difference in shades on show here, the PhotoReady (1) is very yellow toned which actually works well for me as it balances out my pink tones. The Beyond Natural(2) is a great tone but is very light on the coverage. Check out the horror of the Max Factor(3) this is meant to be colour adapting, adapting to what? This was the lightest shade they had and it is just not right for me this one will be going in the bin. Second Skin(4) was my previous favourite liquid and the shade is a little dark but not too bad in summer when I have a bit more colour.

Mishmash 1

1. L'Oreal True Match Roll On (R2 vanille rose)

2. E.L.F Tinted Moisturiser (ivory)

3. 17 Skin Perfecting Balancing Foundation (fair)

4. Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid (010 ivory)

This is the foundation that makes me the most sad is the L'Oreal roll on foundation(1) just look at the application it is easy and even, light and soft. It is also orange and also the lightest colour it comes it, it is supposed to be "true match" but it just doesn't to it for me. Great product just not my shade. The E.L.F(2) is a lovely shade and a tinted moisturiser so not much coverage, it sits in my pores and makes me a little greasy so I need to find a way to work with this one. Another destined for the circular file is the Boots 17(3) great coverage and really does stop me getting shiny but just way to dark for my skin. The only foundation I have tried from Maybelline(4) and it is actually really nice lives up to the product claims if the shade was a touch lighter this would be perfect.

Mishmash 2 (sorry 3 and 4 are the wrong way round in the product shot)

1. MAC Select Founation (NW15)

2. No7 Essential Moisture Foundation (10 new ivory)

3. Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick (0 porcelain)

4. Avene Couvrance (01 porcelain)

This is the product that I was most surprised at when I swatched, I wore the MAC foundation(1) for my wedding and it works well with my combination skin I am just a bit shocked at how pink it has come out. I guess it works with my pink tones rather that fighting against them. The shade of the No7(2) is glorious but I have to be a little careful with the finish on my combination skin, lovely product though very impressed. What can I say about the Bobbi Brown(3) I love this foundation the colour is perfect and the coverage is perfect it also had great staying power which is what you would expect from a pan stick. Which leads us on to the only problem with this foundation is that it is a pan stick it leaves me greasy and I need to powder a lot to stop it slipping around, having said that though I have nearly used the whole thing and when it is finished I will be investigating their liquid foundations as the shade is so good. The Avene(4) one I got from work and whilst nice and kind to the skin is way too yellow.

So to sum up

top 3

1. Bourjois healthy Mix

2. Bobbi Brown pan stick

3. No7 essential Moisture

going in the bin

Avene, 17 and Max Factor colour adapt

hoping to find new homes for

the Rimmel Mousse and the L'Oreal

Review - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

With flash

Natural light

So as you know I am always searching for that perfect foundation and I am a sucker for "budget" brands with Bourjois being my favourite. So I was excited to give the Healthy Mix range a trial run, it seems like a dupe for the new Clarins Everlasting Foundation which I loved. Both products boast to improve the radiance of the skin with Bourjois using natural extracts.

Apricot for Radiance

Melon for Hydration

Apple as an Antioxidant

Ginger for Energy

I as always picked the lightest shade (51 Vanille Clair) and when I first applied it I actually though it was perhaps a little grey and I wasn't that impressed but I did like the way it set on my skin and it lasted really well. I have been using this on and off now for a few weeks and I really really like it, it layers up really well and the shade is perfect for me. I also have to report that I think my skin does look better it gives you that dewey glow with out ever looking shiny. I am also in love with the concealer in the range and it too has the fruity extracts

Apricot for Radiance

Raspberry for Micro-Circulation

Melon for hyradtion

Again I got the lightest (51 Eclat Clair) and this is the most pigmented concealer I have ever used, it is very very similar to the Dermablend concealer but without the drying cakeyness. You need such a tiny, and we are talking pinhead here, amount that the generous tube will last you years. It is great for the under eye area but it is also good for a tiny little scar I have on my chin and is actually the only thing I have ever used that has covered it, stay put and not looked like a weird blob of colour on my skin.

If you haven't already tried this DO IT NOW!

No makeup day Hissyfit reveiw

I have a condition called Menieres disease which means from time to time I get dizzy. I get really bad spells of vertigo, lack co-ordination and find it hard to balance. This morning was one of those mornings which meant I didn't put on any makeup before going to work. This turned out to be ok because it gave me a chance to try the Hissy fit cream by Dr Lewins I have been wanting to. It's a combination of skincare, sunscreen and foundation or so it claims. The shade I tried was nude as even the light was too dark for me. What can I say it goes on like a suncream (it's quite gloopy) and gives a thin veil of coverage but not enough to look like a foundation. It is very shiny and did not compliment my combination skin but if it doesn't make me break out like I have heard it can do then I may buy it in the summer to use just for the sun.