News | MAC Launches Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation

MAC has just launched its newest foundation, the Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation.

Fusing the science of skincare with the power of makeup, MAC's new serum-infused foundation provides a lasting radiant finish, medium buildable coverage, and a number of skin benefits. Oh, and it's available in 56 luminous shades.

News | Saie Launches first Foundation

Saie, the US beauty brand celebrated for its high-performance formulas and sustainable packaging and practices, has launched its first foundation, the Glowy Super Skin Foundation.

Review: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating SPF25 Foundation Stick

The bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating SPF25 Foundation Stick is not your typical foundation stick. It claims to be the first clean, water-based liquid foundation in stick form, so I had to review it...

Review: Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15

Full disclosure - the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15 isn't new, it was released early last year. However the shade range has been extended. And now, with 43 colours to choose from, I've finally found a shade perfect for me. So the time has come to review it...

Review: Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear

The Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation promises long lasting, full coverage without the cake. Lancome recently hooked me up with this newbie and I've been putting it through its paces for the past month. I'm glad I did...because I love it.

Laying The Right Foundations

When it comes to applying makeup, my main focus is creating the kind of skin that looks like it's been snatched from the face of a porcelain doll.

A solid skincare routine and quality products are the best starting point, of course. However there are many other products I depend on to keep my foundation flawless and imma lay them out for you...

The Tuesday Tip: Make Your Foundation Glow

Achieving gorgeous glowing skin is on every girl's wishlist but, luckily, you can create it by adding a small step to your makeup routine. This extra step just requires a mosituriser, liquid foundation and liquid illuminator...

The Tuesday Tip: Perfect Foundation Application

Liquid foundation can arguably be applied any number of ways, however there is one method that reigns supreme. It doesn't come down to the type of foundation you wear or the tools you use; it all rests on where you begin applying it...

Review: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation

I tried the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD foundation in 117=Y225 last week and I love it so much, I had to review asap.

The Promise: "Ultra HD Liquid Foundation creates a naturally flawless complexion—on and off camera. Completely invisible under the latest, super-focused 4k lens, this revolutionary foundation features uniquely-coated pigments that provide medium coverage with a lightweight texture that looks just like skin"

The Price: £29.00 / $43.00

Understanding...Foundation Primer

Makeup artists swear by it, beauty fanatics love it…so what is foundation primer?

Foundation primer, unlike some beauty products, is quite self explanatory – it primes the skin in preparation for further make up application. However, foundation primers have many other benefits that help make them so freakin’ popular.

A foundation primer can help to:

• Ease the application of foundation
• Even out skin tone
• Increase the longevity of foundation
• Create a protective barrier between foundation and skin
• Keep foundation in place in hot conditions
• Prevent foundation and face powder caking

Foundation primers are usually water-based or silicone-based and, like most skincare products, there are a variety of different foundation primers available that cater for all skin types. In all honesty, most primers work well with all skin types. However I would advise those with oily skin to beware of the generic gel primers, as these often contain high amounts of silicone that cause greasy skin to look greasier!

Recommendations

1. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light (£25.00 Boots / $36.00 Sephora)
2. Urban Decay de-slick in a tube (£18.00 Debenhams)
3. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Hydrating (£29.00 urbanretreat.co.uk / $33.00 Sephora)
4. M.A.C PREP + PRIME SKIN (£21.00 maccosmetics.co.uk / $30.00 maccosmetics.com)

Weekly Worship: bareMinerals, Dermalogica and Paul & Joe

Price: £26.00 / $29.00 30ml

Stockist: bareminerals.co.uk / Sephora

When bareMinerals announced it was releasing a liquid foundation, I was intrigued. The brand is famous for providing gorgeous natural coverage with its mineral powders, so I had to find out if they could work the same magic with a liquid. They absolutely  can.

The bareSkin® Pure Brightening Serum Foundation promises a seamless, natural-looking finish and it makes good on that promise. The foundation feels lightweight on the skin and blends like a dream. It feels runnier than other liquids, however as it's so pigmented, there is no comprise on coverage. I have been using this foundation for months now, so it has become a firm favourite. It has all the qualities a great foundation needs and  it benefits the skin.

Price: £36.36 / $46.00 30ml

Stockist: lookfantastic.com / ULTA

There are many skincare products out there that claim to remove spots quickly and effectively, however - as I've just discovered - none seem to do it quite like the Dermalogica Special Clearing Booster. Containing 5% Benzoyl Peroxide concentrate, this zit zapper is pretty powerful. When I apply it to a spot before bed, the spot is significantly reduced in redness and size by the morning and, after one to two further applications, the spot disappears completely.

Now it is on the expensive side, however only a tiny amount is needed per treatment, so it will take a while to get through a 30ml bottle.

Price: £12.00 / $20.00

Stockist: beautybay.com / beauty.com

The Paul & Joe Lip Concealer Duo is so amazing that I struggle understanding why so many brands haven't produced something similar. It is far from your average lip pencil, as it not only keeps your lip colour in place, but corrects and defines the lip line and helps lips to appear fuller.

I achieve the most well-defined red lip with this lip pencil and always have it on hand to correct any mistakes I may make when applying lippy. The one thing I really love about this lip pencil, is that it's perfect for blocking out the natural colour of your pout - a necessity when wanting to achieve a nude lip.

Weekly Worship: Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Perfectly Nude Foundation SPF 15

Price: £28.00 / $38.50 30ml

Stockist: Boots / elizabetharden.com

When it comes to liquid foundations, I have been loyal to the YSL Touche Éclat Foundation for some time. It covers beautifully, colour matches perfectly and provides the most gorgeous illuminating finish. I recently finished up another bottle so thought it was about time I tried something new, cue Elizabeth Arden's new Flawless Finish Perfectly Nude Foundation...

This liquid foundation has a light, creamy texture that provides a smooth and easy application. It is so highly pigmented that only one full pump of product is needed to cover the face. It also provides a buildable, light to medium coverage that is available in 20 shades and, to find my perfect shade, I underwent the brand's colour matching service. The service involved a handheld machine being pressed against three different points of my face to determine both my skin colour and tone. The machine selected two foundation shades that would best suit my colouring and it was then up to me to decide which shade I preferred. Cool, huh?

Now what really makes Elizabeth Arden's new foundation worship worthy is its finish. It is glowing, illuminating and - in the words of Queen Bey - flawless. What I love the most about the finish is that, no maker how much you build the foundation, it still looks natural. And, in addition to all of that, this flawless foundation keeps skin moisturised throughout the day, reduces the appearance of pores and is packed full of antioxidants!

Faithful Four: Budget Foundations

Revlon PhotoReady Make-Up

Promise: “Revlon PhotoReady™ Makeup - for poreless, airbrushed skin in any light. Photochromatic pigments bend and reflect light to erase every flaw. Complete, yet undetectable coverage”

Price: £12.99/$12.99 30ml

Purchase: Superdrug, ULTA

Of all the budget foundations available, the Revlon PhotoReady™ Makeup provides the best finish by far. It creates a luminous flawless finish that doesn't look heavy of cakey on the skin. The liquid foundation contains micro shimmer particles that give skin that gorgeous natural-looking glow. The foundation also contains SPF20, is oil-free and is available in 12 shades! The Revlon PhotoReady™ Makeup provides medium coverage, is easily buildable and has incredible staying power. As for whether it makes you photo ready... it really does. Skin looks flawless on film, I promise!

Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation

Promise: “A whipped foundation innovation featuring a lightweight, hydrated formula for an on-trend demimatte, flawless finish. The new supersmooth, hydrated formula instantly achieves the perfect balance between controlling shine and enhancing skin’s natural luminosity in one quick, easy application”

Price: £9.99 18ml

Purchase: Boots

The Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation has a smooth mousse texture that applies onto the skin like a dream. The lightweight foundation does an amazing job at hydrating the skin, a quality not usually found in matte foundations. The finish is demi-matte - aka a flawless matte finish with a slightly radiant glow - and the coverage is medium and easily buildable. The Whipped Creme Foundation evens skintone and reduces excess shine. Its non-drying formula also makes it perfect for use on all skin types. If that is not enough it is oil-free, fragrance-free and dermatologically tested. Finally, The Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation has real lasting power - I can get through a whole working day without the need to reapply. The only downside to this foundation is that it is lacking in SPF and is only available in 6 shades.

e.l.f. Studio Flawless Finish Foundation

Promise: “This liquid foundation applies easily and lasts all day for visibly brighter and radiant looking skin. The lightweight formula blends in naturally for a beautiful semi-matte finish”

Price: £6.75/$6.00 23ml

Purchase: eyeslipsface.co.uk / Target

The e.l.f Flawless Finish Foundation is one of the best preforming budget foundations around. It is cheap in the UK and even cheaper in the US of A. It is a liquid foundation that applies like butter and blends into the skin perfectly. It provides medium coverage and a semi-matte finish, leaving skin looking luminous and picture perfect. The foundation, which is equipped with SPF15, is oil-free with a lightweight texture, making it ideal for those with oily and acne prone skin. It also has great staying power, lasting a good 6 hours before the need to reapply. The only downside to the e.l.f Flawless Finish Foundation is that it is only available in 6 shades.

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation

Promise: “Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse is a revolutionary whipped formula, providing an air-soft, perfect matte finish coverage, with a weightless feel”

Price: £7.69 / $8.99 18ml

Purchase: Boots, ULTA

The Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse is one of the world's most popular foundations and it is clear why. The foundation applies effortlessly, feels incredibly light on the skin and leaves a velvety smooth matte finish. It is also fragrance-free, dermatologically tested, allergy-tested and non-comedogenic, making it perfect for sensitive skin. The foundation also works well for those with oily and normal skin, however I wouldn't advise using it if you have dry skin as you may find it a little drying. The Matte Mousse provides medium to full coverage and is easily buildable. Finally its matte finish enables you to get away without wearing powder, helping to cut costs and time! The Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse is available in 16 shades - an impressive amount for a budget foundation. The only downside to this foundation is that it lacks SPF.

Ask TBI: Do I Apply Foundation Or Concealer First?

Question: I have the worst dark circles so concealer is a must! However I also use foundation religiously. So which do I apply first? - Jenny, Detroit.

Answer: When it comes to the natural order of things, foundation should always come first. However when concealing dark eyes, although foundation should still be applied first, it should not be applied where you intend to place concealer. This may sound a little confusing but too much build-up of product around the eyes will just cause creasing. So when applying foundation, I recommend avoiding the eye area altogether. Once the foundation is applied, you can then apply a colour corrector, followed by concealer, in and around the eye area.

Bobbi Brown has a great tutorial on how to conceal and correct. Take a look below...

Faithful Four: Illuminating Foundations

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation

Promise: “The light of Touche Éclat foundation targets shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. With no opaque powders, its perfecting texture evens the complexion and helps conceal your imperfections, while enhancing your skin’s natural beauty”

Price: £29.00/$55.00 30ml 

Purchase: www.yslbeauty.co.uk, www.yslbeautyus.com, Saks Fifth Avenue

YSL's Touche Éclat foundation is the latest addition to the Touche Éclat family and, for this reason, it was one of the most anticipated beauty products of 2012. Available in a wide number of shades, this medium coverage foundation has a runny, gel-like texture that helps it glide onto the skin. However, what makes this foundation exceptional is the beautiful finish. Unlike some illuminating foundations, the Touche Éclat is able to brighten the skin and promote a natural glow without leaving skin looking greasy or too shiny. In addition, this foundation is long lasting, has a SPF19 and smells amazing. The only downside is the pump - it is almost impossible to control exactly how much comes out when you use it.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Promise: “A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage that immaculately evens skin tone. Used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves the skin's brightness and texture”
Price: £30.50/$44.00 30ml
Purchase: House of Fraser, narscosmetics.co.uk, narscosmetics.com

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is a much-hyped foundation for good reason. It provides a beautiful satin finish that helps to even-out skin tone and brighten skin. Although the foundation is named 'Sheer Glow', the coverage is medium and is easily buildable. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance free, however it is lacking in a SPF. This foundation's greatest strength is that it is incredibly hydrating - a real plus for those with dry skin. The only downside is that this foundation has no pump, which is surprising when you consider how much it costs.

Chanel Vitalumiére

Promise: “The light texture of Vitalumière gives a slightly satin finish, for a radiant, natural, youthful–looking make–up”
Price: £34.00/$55.00 30ml

Purchase: House of Fraser, The Garden, Nordstrom

Vitalumiére is a real hero in the foundation world. It has won numerous beauty awards and is one the best illuminating foundations on the market. Though on the pricey side, this easy-to-apply foundation provides medium coverage and builds incredibly well without caking. It leaves a beautiful dewy finish to the skin, helping to reflect imperfections and give a youthful, fresh appearance. It is the perfect foundation for dry skin and also has a SPF15. The only downside to this foundation? It has to be set with loose powder as it can often make skin appear too shiny in photos. 

Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation

Promise: “Never heavy, chalky, or dull, Illuminating Liquid Foundation glides on weightlessly for sheer-to-medium coverage and a silky semi-matte finish that evens out flaws while letting your skin's natural luminescence shine through”

Price: £25.00/$38.00 30ml 

Purchase: Boots, Sephora, BeautyBay.com

Stila's Illuminating Liquid foundation, unlike other illuminating foundations, actually contains tiny particles of glitter. Some people love this aspect, whilst others see it is as a huge downside. I personally think its a benefit, however it does mean that I only wear this foundation during the evening. Although described as having a semi-matte finish, I would consider the finish to be quite dewy. The coverage is sheer to medium and is buildable and easy to apply. This foundation's greatest strength is that it does not aggravate the skin, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. Even when heavily built-up, this foundation feels lightweight and soothing on the skin. The downside to this foundation is that it is lacking a SPF.