It seems like a never ending search for the perfect foundation and the right shade of color. I often find myself being matched to a shade in store and absolutely adoring it; until a few weeks later when I realise it's a complete different colour. Nevertheless, I will continue to search for the perfect shade that matches to my yellow undertone! These products are good for those with a warm undertone and have great coverage. So the five foundations I will be reviewing is the - Make Up Forever HD Foundation, Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation, Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation, Revlon Colorstay and Shu Umera Face Architect.
Just so everyone has a general idea, I have yellow undertone and I'm matched to NC25 in MAC. The shades I received for these foundations were:
- Make Up Forever HD #120
- Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation Shade SB 06
- Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation Natural 4
- Revlon Colorstay 180 Sand Beige
- Shu Umera Face Architect 754 Medium Beige
Make Up Forever HD
This is usually the holy grail foundation for a lot of bloggers. When I came across the reviews, most bloggers seemed to praise this non stop. I was searching for ways to get it for months, kicking myself that I didn't purchase it the last time I went overseas.
I finally ordered this in December from Tarazz. I wore this while in Singapore which was probably a mistake considering how humid the weather was there. Being a high definition foundation, I would not recommend this for everyday use.
There's a pump at the top which makes it easy to dispense the product. As you can see above, one pump does provide quite a bit of product.
Texture is actually quite thick and does not blend as easily. It's definitely not the foundation to use when you want natural even skin tone glow. However, it does provide full coverage and is perfect for photographs. I would recommend a moisturised face before using this as it seems to accentuate dry skin and any fine lines.
Overall, I would rate this product a 7/10. Not exactly the right shade for me as it has a pink undertone but it serves its' purpose as a HD foundation. Would only recommend this for special events with lots of photographs. Definitely not an everyday foundation though!
Revlon Colorstay
A drugstore foundation that has been hyped about a lot recently. I couldn't help myself but pick one up at Chemist Warehouse for half price, around $18AUD. I purchased the colour 180 Sand Beige as it seems to be the closest it had to my skin color.
It has a pump lid, greater control on the amount of product that is dispensed compared to the rest. I actually loved this foundation for quite sometime despite until I realised that it wasn't the right shade and it started to break me out.
I purchased the combination/oily skin foundation and after using it for a week or so, I realised that I started breaking out in areas that I haven't before. The only change in my routine was the foundation so I was pretty devastated when I found it wouldn't work for my skin.
It's a full coverage foundation,nice dewy finish and glides onto skin to blend. Would rate this a 6/10 as there isn't a shade for those with yellow undertone and for some reason it broke me out despite being made for those with combination/oily skin
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation
For a few years, the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation was my holy grail. Until they discontinued it and replaced it with the "improved formula." Bobbi Brown is also one of the few that are catered to those that have a yellow undertones so I was really really excited to try this foundation again. The reviews of it weren't that great but I thought, hey why not? I ordered this in shade 'natural - 4' as that was the previous shade I had.
A full coverage foundation with a pump lid. Lasts pretty much all day except the shade was definitely not for me. Perhaps I should've chosen a lighter color but I will definitely not repurchase this foundation again. I'm usually not so picky about the scent of my foundation but this has a pungent lavender scent. I'm not a big fan of lavender scent, especially in hand creams but this is even stronger. Just by opening the bottle, you are able to sniff the lavender scent.
Of course some reviews had warned me beforehand but I thought 'it can't be that bad right?" I was wrong. Would rate this product a 4/10, definitely not repurchasing this and now stuck with a mostly full bottle contemplating what to do - oh foundation woes!
Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation
This foundation is a squeeze bottle and has a slight vanilla sweet scent to it. I love the scent of sweet things so I actually liked it. Foundation blends quite easily and has a medium to full coverage.
My only complaint would be the shade seems more like an ivory and does not match my skin at all.
Shu Umera Face Architect
I actually quite like this foundation as it is extremely easily to blend. It's a medium to full coverage foundation and despite being a shade too dark, I think if I had purchased the correct shade I would absolutely love this. Surprisingly, when it's not in natural light it seems to match my skin quite well. Definitely will repurchase and try it in another shade! Will definitely revisit this foundation, overall a 7/10.
All of the above foundations have great coverage and last quite long during the day. The only downside is finding the right shade! Let me know your thoughts if you try any of them!
