3 Beauty Blogger Approved Foundations
We all have our things we wish we could change about our appearance right?! I can fire off about a dozen off the top of my head. My #1? My skin.Being from San Diego, active and loving the outdoors, I have years of sun exposure and the proof is all over my skin. I have blotchy sun spots on my face not to mention hyperpigmentation. Coming off this last pregnancy, my skin has reached its lowest point and now that I'm breastfeeding, I still unable to treat any of it aggressively. My solution? Covering my face impurities with makeup. Foundation has become the most important product in my makeup regiment the last few years.Finding the right foundation is kind of like finding the right man; there’s a lot of trial and error, a lot of heartbreak, and a lot of time wasted with the wrong ones. But when you meet your match, you want to cherish it and never let it go. Just like men, there are many foundations to choose from so it’s almost impossible to know where to start, and there are a lot of empty promises. But there are some good ones out there, I promise (both foundation AND men)!Most of the professional foundations on the market now are remarkable, but you need to make sure your skin is properly prepped before applying, otherwise your results will be less-than-stellar.
Make sure you use a good moisturizer and let it sink into your skin for a few minutes
Use a primer and let that sink into your skin for a few minutes
Invest in a good foundation brush
Use a beauty blender
Now, let's get to the reviews!
HOURGLASS VANISH SEAMLESS FINISH FOUNDATION STICK
This product had been buzzing around YouTube for a bit so I was excited to try it out. I have already used the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (it's great) but this was my first time trying a stick foundation ever. Seeing such positive reviews online gave me high expectations for this product.
Application
I swipe the stick all over my face – maybe 3 across each cheek, one across my forehead, one across my chin, and one down my nose. I use a foundation brush and beautyblender to blend it into my skin.
Being that it is a stick foundation, I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it blended out. It seemed as if the product just melted into my skin.
They call this a full coverage foundation but I would consider it on the medium side. I will usually will add more product to areas that I want more coverage, and blend that out.
The biggest benefit of using a stick foundation like this is how clean it is – there’s no pumping liquid out onto your hand.
Benefits
Medium-to-full, buildable coverage
No Mess Foundation Stick
Longwearing Waterproof Formula
Finish
Soft matte – not dewy. True to its name, it does leave a pretty seamless finish. I mean, it’s not going to make large bumps or blemishes disappear, we’re not talking miracles here, but it does do a nice job of evening out skin tone and camouflaging hyperpigmentation. Even after building it up to full coverage, it still looks and feels lightweight and doesn’t leave you looking or feeling cakey. Great foundation for dry skin.
Cost
$46 for .25 oz If I were to use this foundation every day, with using enough product to achieve full coverage, I don’t think it would last me more than 6 weeks. You get 0.25 oz. of product, which isn’t a lot, especially when the industry standard is about 1.0 oz. With that being said, I don’t think I can say that it’s worth the cost. There are other great foundations on the market that’ll last you much longer for that cost.
Rating
I’d give this foundation a 4/5, taking 1 point off for the stick not being long-lasting. I could have docked another point for how little product you get in the tube and cost, but that isn’t really related to the quality of the foundation – it’s more of a brand thing. Plus, that would have sounded way too low of a rating because it is a great foundation.
NARS NATURAL RADIANT LONGWEAR FOUNDATION
I LOVE NARS. Especially when it comes to complexion products like foundation and concealer, they make some of the best. I’m already a huge fan and avid user of the Radiant Creamy Concealer and I’ve heard that this foundation is supposed to be a foundation version of the concealer. This is the newest foundation I'm reviewing.
Application
If you’re just looking to even out skin tone and cover up a few imperfections, just 2-3 pumps will give you a flawless look – it’s THAT full-coverage
Apply foundation starting at the center of the face and blend out with fingertips, foundation brush or beautyblender. Focus on one area at a time and blend well
Too much formula accentuates lines and imperfections so avoid excess application around eyes or contours of the face
Benefits
Medium-to-full, buildable coverage
Transfer-resistant. Sweat-resistant. Resists oxidization so color stays true all day
Weightless and breathable texture
Natural finish. Doesn't look or feel cakey or heavy
33 skin-matching shades (to be exact) to fit all skin tones
Finish
I'm obsessed with the finish of this foundation. It gives you the most beautiful radiant finish without being dewy. When I hear the work ‘dewy,’ I think of an oily look, but the finish is not oily. I like to think of the term ‘radiant’ (when it comes to describing makeup) as being life-like. Sometimes when foundations are so full-coverage and so matte, the skin ends up looking there’s no life in it. There’s no dimension or natural contours of the face – it’s just kind of flat. At that point, bronzer, blush, and highlighter become very necessary to give the skin some life. But, with this foundation, even though it gives you amazing coverage, it doesn’t flatten you out at all – you still get that natural looking glow on the high points of your face that would normally happen on bare skin.Despite the full-coverage nature of this foundation and with how thick it is when dispensed, it feels really lightweight! It’s definitely ‘full coverage without the weight,’ just like NARS claims. And the greatest thing is that it stays lightweight throughout the day. You know how some foundations tend to feel really heavy at the end of the day and you just NEED to take it off so your skin can breathe? I don’t have that feeling at all with this foundation. I can attest to the ‘breathable’ texture that NARS claims this foundation has.
Cost
$49 for 1 oz This foundation is a bit pricey. Especially when you compare it to other foundations with the same amount of product....but gals, it's NARS. I would consider NARS to be on the higher end of makeup. And for that price, you’re paying for all the extras like the nice packaging, pleasant scent (or lack of bad scent), and for the brand name, of course. Given that you don’t really need a lot of product for a great application, one bottle of this foundation has lasted me a very long time. Granted, I don't use full coverage foundation everyday but I did buy this foundation back in February and I JUST needed a new bottle in September. To me that's worth the $49 price tag.
Rating
I HAVE to give this foundation a 5/5. There just isn’t anything that I don’t like about it! NARS makes some of the best complexion products and this foundation is no different. The coverage is full (just how I like it), the formula is so easy to blend, and it has the most amazing finish to it. It’s literally everything.
MAKE UP FOR EVER ULTRA HD FOUNDATION
One of the most popular foundations on the market. It’s ranked high on many beauty bloggers’ lists and it’s easy to see why. There are seemingly endless amounts of shades, it’s strong against even the worst, most unflattering lighting, and it’s so soft on the skin no matter how much you build it up. If it's beauty blogger approved, that's saying a lot. They are constantly posting Instagram selfies and close up videos, this foundation is fabulous for how it appears on camera; smooth, flawless, and not oily at all.
Application
A little goes a long way, I use 2-3 pumps max
Use a damp beautyblender for lighter coverage that can be built up
Warm the foundation up with my fingers and pat it into my skin resulting in medium coverage (my preferred method with this foundation)
Does not need to be buffed into the skin or could look streaky
Spreads easily and smoothly across all skin types
Benefits
Medium-to-full, buildable coverage
40 skin-matching shades to fit all skin tones (most of the 3 I reviewed)
Invisible, seamless coverage
Suitable for HD Photography & Video
Finish
This is a satin finish foundation. I really like how the finish on this foundation looks when set. It not only gives a flawless finish but it gives the skin a tiny bit of a glow too. When set, the coverage is full without looking cakey and I have found lasts. Not as long as the NARS foundation but still impressive.The foundation does spread nicely on the skin; however, I can only use particular foundation brushes with this foundation without it looking too streaky. Ironic enough, the foundation brush they advertise to use with this foundation is my least favorite. I find that it works best when spread with your finger and a beautyblender.
Cost
$43 for 1.0 oz Preferred by makeup artists, loved by photographers and used by beauty bloggers. This is arguably one of the best, top-selling foundations on the market. This is also the least expensive "professional foundation" that I reviewed here. No question, I think 1.0 oz of product is worth the $43 price point.
Rating
I would give this foundation a 5/5. The formula gives you a great natural YET still buildable finish. And I love the color matching selection (when matched correctly) the foundation is literally seamless. My other favorite part is the "HD" component, it's such a plus to be able to wear a foundation that you know won't wash you out in photos.
