The Top 5 Budget Foundations

Since my skin has decided to be a major pain-in-the-you-know-what lately, I've been seeking comfort in foundation.  (I will say that my skin is ALMOST flawless again thanks to an amazing new serum BUT more on that later.) 

My problem with foundation is that most of them are either A) too heavy; B) too oily; C) too dark or D) too yellow.  So, when I find foundations that ACTUALLY match my pastey skin tone and look great, I knew I had to share...Without further adieu, the top 5 budget foundations.

1.  L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Compact Makeup

Photo courtesy of www.coupons4makeup.com

I am beyond obsessed with cream-to-powder makeup and adore this one because it matches my skintone perfectly.  Plus, it's not oily, stays on my skin all day and I never have to touch it up.  Quick note about this product though, apply it with your fingertips.  I was using a sponge at first and felt that my skin looked too made up.  Now that I use my fingertips, I use less product and can still control where I need the most coverage.

2.  Revlon Photoready Airbrush Mousse Makeup

Photo courtesy of www.revlon.com

This is the perfect travel makeup because you don't need a ton of other products to create perfect looking skin: This one product does it all!  I squeeze a nickel size amount onto the top of my hand and apply with a clean makeup sponge.  Once on, I dab on some highlighter and green concealer and I'm good to go.  I love this product because it's easy to apply, a little goes a long way and my skin feels extremely smooth when I have it on.

3.  Maybelline Fit Me Foundation 

Photo courtesy of www.coolspotters.com

Okay, this product has saved me in times of crisis, let me tell you.  I've mixed it with moisturizers to get a quick tint and I've blended it with highlighter to create an amazing glow.  I have to say, the best thing about this product is that it has a built-in base and highlighter to make your skin glow and look completely polished.  It's on the expensive side of budget BUT worth it if you use it everyday.

4.  Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Makeup 

Photo courtesy of www.shopping.com

Though I use this powder everyday, I have given it a 4 rating.  It matches me perfectly when I have a bit of sun but when I'm at my most pale (winter time) and since they recently reformulated it, it seems to be slightly darker.  Either way, the powder is perfect for oily skin and provides enough coverage to take you from the office to an evening out without touching up.

5.  Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation

Photo courtesy of www.shopping.com

I love this product and the price ($14) is amazing.  Apply with a big foundation brush and you're good to go.  I use this when I want to wear less makeup (only powder and concealer) and my skin still looks flawless.  The only downside to this product is that it's not available in stores and must be ordered through an Avon/Mark rep.  But, that aside, try it out and you'll love it.

Writing this post reminds me I need to pick up some foundation...ha.  Have any of you ladies tried these products?  What are your thoughts?

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