Moisturiser/Foundation Combos that Work

Or perhaps, more importantly - some that don't.

I struggle with remembering the combinations of moisturiser/foundation that work for me. Sometimes, I'll wash my face, moisturise, leave it a few minutes to sink in and then apply foundation and discover the foundation goes all dotty (that's the only way I can think to describe it!) on my face, of the moisturiser and foundation start balling up together and looking like they're peeling away. Other times (and this is how I know it's not all me!) everything just looks good.

Where I've reviewed a product, the product is linked to the review. Updated as I go, most recent first.

Also - please note that this is not about individual products being good or bad - it's about how they work together on MY skin. Some products I LOVE (for example, Clarins Beauty Flash) but if they don't work together they'll still get filed under 'bad'!

Jan 2018

BAD

L'Oreal Revitalift (day) + Revlon ColorStay
L'Oreal Revitalift (day) + Nivea Express Hydration Primer + Revlon ColorStay
Clarins Beauty Flash + Revlon ColorStay

GOOD

Olive Skincare Day + Revlon ColorStay
BontanicES Face Crème + Revlon ColorStay
Kosmea Replenishing Moisure Cream + Revlon ColorStay
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery + Revlon ColorStay

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Powder Foundation

 

I've been using Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Powder Foundation for ages now and I'm still not sure if it's a powder or a foundation!

The label says 'powder foundation' (which is why I bought it - a cheaper replacement for a more expensive Max Factor product I'd been using) but the Rimmel website has it as 'powder' and that seems to be the category that most retailers use for it. Having said that, to me, it's much more foundation than powder, unless you think that powder is something which gives you pretty solid coverage. I don't. Though I suppose if I used this with a brush (it comes with a sponge) then it would fall into the powder category.

It only comes in 4 colours - I purchased 003 Silky Beige which is a pretty good match for my skin (not too orange, which is what I find often happens in products where the colour range is limited). The coverage is pretty good. I've been using it dry and I can build up coverage where I need to. One thing I have found is that, because I'm using the slightly flimsy sponge provided, I can't be quite as precise with that build up as I would be if I were using a liquid foundation and my fingers.

before

after

This doesn't catch in dry spots (one of the things that started my love affair with powder foundations), and does last well. It's finish is very powdery which, over the course of using it, I've kind of fallen out of love with. However, that does mean that you don't develop shine too quickly.

I've worn this a lot through Adelaide's rather hot and sticky summer and it's held up really well. Another bonus is that the packaging is lovely and compact so it's perfect to take with you. The sponge is a little flimsy and I'm sure makeup pros will have their own applicator of choice. When I purchased this I did actually also buy some slightly more robust makeup sponges but haven't actually used them so if you're not fussy you'll survive!

I think you can see from the photos above that coverage is very light and not as good (in my opinion) as the Chanel foundation. Of course, the Rimmel will set you back < $20!

Once I run out, I won't be buying this again immediately but I may buy it again in the future. If you're looking for a bargain product to throw in a handbag or keep in a desk drawer (or for travel) then I would recommend this.

Chanel Les Beiges

I actually wasn't going to blog about this product - my sample was literally a tiny sample sachet that I picked up from DJ's. I'm not swinging past a department store that often these days, but I'd received an email about the sample just days before I was in the city.

I used to be the queen of collecting these kinds of things ... and also the queen of never ever using them (I was saving them all up for some kind of 'special occasion'). I'm now pretty focussed on using samples - and when I don't have something new to play with I have an impressive backlog in the bathroom cupboard ... :D

Les Beiges is Chanel's new 'Healthy Glow Foundation'. The lady at the Chanel counter picked out shade no 30 for me and this was actually a pretty good match. Les Beiges comes in 14 shades and I was very impressed that the woman who served me picked an appropriate shade very quickly. If I were to buy this - and I am very tempted to do so but $89 is quite a lot of money - I would spend a little time checking out a couple of the other shades although I do think I'd end up using no 30!

The fact that it is SPF 30+ is a good thing. I personally now probably wouldn't consider spending money on a foundation or moisturiser that didn't have some kind of protection. Like every Chanel product I've ever owned, the scent was lovely - very light floral, nice and sophisticated. This is something I really wish some of the cheaper brands would get their heads around!!!!

before

after

Performance wise I loved this. My one sachet I managed to eke out over multiple uses so the coverage was very light - which is what I like. I thought it did a great job of evening out my skin tone (see the photos) with a very natural look. Absolutely what I am after.

In a few spots it did 'catch' on patches of dehydrated skin. This seems to be a problem for me with pretty much every liquid foundation ever. However, it didn't settle in fine lines, it didn't settle in pores and it lasted well without tending to greasy or shiny patches (please bear in mind I do use very light coverage!).

Over the few days of using it, it caused me no skin problems at all.

Aside from that tiny bit of catching (which if you look hard enough in the photos you can spot!), I loved this and had a serious moment of considering buying it. We'll see what happens next time I need foundation ... but at present this is a serious front runner.

If you have tried this and committed to a full size purchase, please let me know your thoughts!

I've included this post in Ingrid's Monday round up of beauty posts.