Jun 13, 2011

Foundations: The Good and The Bad

Foundations are an extremely personal choice.

What might work for one, could be a horrible selection for another.  However, if a paste-y sister says that a specific foundation is perfect, I'm the first to run out and purchase it because finding a product that actually matches my skin tone is a pain.  That's what this post is about today.  After reading many of my favorite blogs and hearing great things about three different foundations, I knew I had to try them out myself.  I don't do comparisons to often, but these three were worth it:  Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse in Porcelain Ivory, Diorskin Forever Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup in 010 and L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup (Cool) in Alabaster.

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse

Pros:
Full coverage 
Matches my pale skin tone perfectly 

Cons:
Too oily 
Coverage is much too thick
Takes a long time to fully blend into my skin
No SPF

I wanted to love this, I really did.  But it was lacking in too many areas for me.  I found that during the day with this product on, my skin became extremely greasy and almost slick looking.  No matter how much I blotted my skin, it stayed very oily.  The oddest thing is that I don't have oily skin normally.  Another issue was how long it took to blend into my skin and I even used a sponge.  I will say that if you live in a dry climate and are needing full coverage, this may be a good foundation for you.

Diorskin Forever Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup

Pros:
Silky smooth finish
SPF 25
Full coverage without the weight
Looks like you're not wearing anything
Full/sheer coverage 

Cons:
Price 

Of all the foundations I've ever tried (and trust me, there have been a lot) this is, perhaps, the best one I've ever used.  Not only does it provide full coverage (should you need it) but it can also be applied lightly for a more natural look.  This foundation has an SPF of 25 (YAY!!!) and leaves your skin silky smooth AND it stays that way all day.  The only downside to this foundation is its price tag: $55 it quite a bit for a foundation.

L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup

Pros: 
Light feeling on skin
Full/sheer coverage
Blends well 
SPF 17

Cons: 
Almost too liquidy
Halfway through the day can become slightly oily
$20 for a drugstore foundation is a lot

For a drugstore foundation, I actually don't mind this one.  Yes, it's not perfect but, to be honest, most foundations aren't.  This one offers great coverage, is one of the fairest colors I've ever seen and still offers an SPF.  I will say that it is rather liquidy, even for a liquid foundation.  The product seems abnormally runny but yet still blends well and matches my winter-fair skin.  Oh, and another thing, it keeps my skin from looking slick.

This picture shows a comparison of the three foundations together.  From left to right, Maybelline, Dior and L'Oreal.  As you can see, the Maybelline one is very thick compared to the other two while the one on the far right (L'Oreal) is extremely runny.

 All in all, I will definitely be repurchasing the Dior.  It's become my everyday foundation and I can't live without it.  However, if price does become an issue, I'll be knocking down L'Oreal's door for sure.  Have you used any of these products before?  What are your thoughts?

XO

12 comments:

  1. I really want to try Diorskin Forever, have heard so many good things about it, though a few people have said it's not great on oily skin?! Dunno.. But I'm hoping to get a sample of this as 010 looks like a perfect match for my skintone too

    xoxo

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  2. Great info! I really love these comparison posts.
    I've really been liking the Natureluxe foundation by Covergirl because it's so light.
    Thanks again. xo

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  3. Great review, I've been interested in trying Diorskin as well. Ive used the dior foundation spray before and love it, but its very much for a big night out or something as its too much coverage for the day. Gonna have to try the diorskin since you like it so much!!
    Aesthetic Lounge

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  4. @Miss A....the Diorskin is PERFECT for my pale skin and I know it would work for you. It's fab

    @Bronwen...I was using that one too but found it left my skin slightly oily. However, the smell of it is divine

    @Mimi...I have wanted to try the spray dior too so I must pick some up. I like the pump on the diorskin as you can control how much you need.

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  5. The Dior one sounds awesome, but I don't think I'd pay that much for foundation!

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  6. i haven't tried any of these - i usually use mac or presciptives. i've been wanting to try chanel's mat lumiere for a long time, though.

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  7. Great review! I can't believe how much the Dior foundation cost though. Wow.

    -Dinah
    dgsbeauty.com

    *Check out my giveaway:
    http://www.dgsbeauty.com/2011/06/dgsbeautys-100-followers-giveaway.html

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  8. The only one I have used is the L'Oreal True Match.. and I nearly choked when you said it's $20! I guess that's the difference in countries.. It's like $8-9 here in the States.

    I agree that it has a great selection of fair shades (as I am ridiculously pale in the winter) and that it can be almost "too runny" ..However, to me it leaves this tell-tale "foundation texture" on my skin no matter HOW I apply it. I've tried brushes, sponges, fingers.. nothing seems to make it blend right.

    I've tried it multiple times over the years to see if maybe it was my lack of application expertise that was the problem, but I think the formula and my skin just don't get along. Sadness.

    I really like Cover Girl's Clean foundations. The oily skin and sensitive skin ones are great for me. :)

    Great post, as always! ♥

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  9. I've never bought anything Dior so maybe the foundation should be my first purchase! Sounds perfect.

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  10. oye! Foundation is tough! I don't care too much for SPF because I am so used to putting it on separately, but price is definitely a factor. However, I don't mind paying more if the foundation is highly pigmented.

    I have never tried Dior or that particular Maybelline, but found Loreal's true match oxidized and got oily through out the day on my skin.

    Great post!

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  11. Great reviews, its a shame the Dior one is so pricey, but if its perfect then its worth the price I say :) xxx

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  12. Nice breakdown! L'Oreal True Match is a drugstore fave. It's nice to know that it's there when crunch time comes and I feel guilty about buying an expensive foundation. When it's on sale, it goes down to about $11 sometimes so I deem it well worth the cost for the quality!

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Thanks for the love!...XO Christina


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