Over the years I have accumulated an abundance of liquid foundations in my ever growing collection. Some have worked, some have not and some have managed to reach holy grail status from the get-go. Others grew on me with time, and others grew on me…like a rash (thumbs up for Bianca del Rio reference).
I have narrowed down my favourites to present to you, ranging from drugstore to high end to…very high end. Let us begin.
MAC Face and Body
The makeup artist fav. This foundation is loved and used very frequently from professional MUAs in photoshoots and runways and there is a good reason behind it. It looks like skin, it is water-resistant (to some extent),it comes in an array of shades including white AND it is good value for money ($36 for the 120ml bottle, I mean come on…). The beauty of this foundation lies on the fact that you can see the shift in texture while you are applying, letting you know it is about to set.
Coverage: Low, buildable to Medium tops.
Skin Type: Dry, Combination,Normal
Works well with: Glycerin primers,mattifying primers.
Applies better with: Fingers
Cost: $$$
Make Up Forever HD Foundation
We’re talking about the original formula here, not the Ultra HD Foundation. MUFE is one of my favourite brands in general, I believe they can do no wrong. So it should come as no surprise that I really really enjoy working with this foundation. Again, it’s one of those foundations that provide skin-like results, so I am all for it. It comes in a storm of shades for literally EVERYBODY, plus the HD formula really makes a difference. Are you going to be photographed? From #instaselfies to prom pictures to wedding videos, this is the foundation that delivers every single time.
Coverage: Medium, buildable.
Skin Type: Normal, Combination.
Works well with: Mattifying primers, smoothing primers.
Applies better with: Buffing brush, flato top kabuki, beautyblender.
Cost: $$$$
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation
Good old drustore to the rescue. This is the ultimate winter foundation for me. It is hydrating, easy to blend, affordable and if you live anywhere in world apart from the U.S. it comes with a handy-dandy pump. There are enough shades to go around and you can find them basically everywhere…in Greece you can find them in the super market. Yes, I would like a dozen eggs and a foundation please. Thanks.
Coverage: Medium, buildable.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry (ideal), Combination
Works well with: Any primer will do.
Applies better with: Buffing brush, flato top kabuki, beautyblender, fingers.
Cost: $
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
Dipping into the high-end waters, we come across the infamous Sheer Glow by Nars. This foundation really surprised me. The coverage it provides is very high, and a little bit goes a long way. I know that the price should put me off, and the fact that I need to pay extra for a pump should flat out outrage me, but I cannot be mad at it. I just can’t. It is really hard to find full coverage liquid foundations that don’t make you look like a cake-face after all.
Coverage: High to full. Can be sheered out to medium.
Skin Type: Normal,Combination, even dry with the right allies.
Works well with: Glycerin primers, smoothing primers,mattifying primers.
Applies better with: Buffing brush, stippling brush, beautyblender.
Cost: $$$$$
EX1 Invisiwear Liquid Foundation
I know I had a beef with this foundation about the available shades, but as I got to using it when I was tan, I realised that the formula is amazing. Truth be told, it is a bit unsettling to see only 5 shades in a foundation range. But it wears beautifully and holds up outstandingly in heat, humidity and time. Good job EX1, you made an excellent product. Now make it available everywhere, and add like 15 more shades so that everyone can enjoy it.
Coverage: Medium to high.
Skin Type: Normal,Combination,Oily.
Works well with: Glycerin primers, smoothing primers,mattifying primers.
Applies better with: Buffing brush, beautyblender, flat top kabuki, stippling brush.
Cost: $$
L’Oreal Infallible 24-Hour Matte Foundation
Now we’re talkin’…This is the most affordable out of all featured in this post. Not only that, but it offers 35ml instead of the regular 30ml. THANK YOU L’OREAL! This foundation is a real gem in the drugstore world. It provides a matte finish, that is long-lasting without being cakey or heavy on the skin. Readily available, but not in a great selection of shades. We can only hope that they will come out with more.
Coverage: Medium to high.
Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Normal
Works well with: Glycerin primers, smoothing primers,mattifying primers (if you’re an oil slick).
Applies better with: Buffing brush, beautyblender, stippling brush.
Cost: $
Too Faced Born this Way Foundation
This is my latest obsession. It is a gorgeous foundation inside and out. If we were in highschool, this would be the pretty girl that is not a bitch. Very rare, to be honest. It gives a really nice finish to the skin, not cakey at all while masking the face demons. I don’t know what all the commotion with Hyaluronic Acid is about lately, but this baby has it. As well as coconut water…and alpine rose. So fancy…
Coverage: Medium to high.
Skin Type: Combination, Normal, even Oily with the right primer.
Works well with: Glycerin primers, smoothing primers,mattifying primers.
Applies better with: Buffing brush, beautyblender, stippling brush, flat top kabuki. You name it.
Cost: $$$
Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation
How could the stepmother of MAC not make a really good one? Estee Lauder is like a MILF in the makeup world. This foundation is an oldie but a goodie for me. When I am in dire need of longevity, this is the one I turn to. I will admit, you can feel it on the skin, but that just means it is here to stay! It will come off when YOU decide it should come off. And that is a miracle. It is a more lightweight formula than the original Double Wear (the one in the glass bottle) but still awesome in every way.
Coverage: Medium to high.
Skin Type: Oily,Combination, Normal
Works well with: Glycerin primers, smoothing primers (recommended), hydrating primers
Applies better with: Beautyblender. Anything else will just make your life unnecessarily hard.
Cost: $$$$
Before letting you go, I have a couple of honourable mentions. First off, the Inglot High Definition Perfect Coverup Foundation. It is a dream. If you can get your hands on it, don’t hesitate to give it a go. It will blow your mind. Lastly, the Kryolan TV Paint Stick. It didn’t make the list a) because it is not a liquid foundation and b) I would not recommend ANYBODY using this on a regular basis. It’s true, it covers literally everything, but it can be really heavy and it tends to take a toll on the skin when (ab)used.
What are your favourite foundations? Any diamond in the rough? Let me and the world know.
