Counting Down: My Top Five Fav Foundation Picks And Why

Yellow there (from a very humid city). I was at the airport a couple of days back and (of course, I’d done basic makeup) I realised there, that I’d screwed up my foundation. I was sweating because of its heaviness- I opted for one with high coverage and hence was heavy.

So I thought I’d do a run up on my top 5 favourite foundations– why and when I use them!

PS: I have combination skin– the most common Indian skin type- where my T zone has extremely hyper sebaceous glands; the rest of my face is rather dry.  While some foundations will work beautifully, some might not work for your skin. Do give them a try before you buy.

Number 5: Stila- Stay All Day, Foundation and Concealer

I bought the Stila Stay All Day Foundation and Concealer off Strawberrynet.com a couple of years ago. It has a lovely design where the concealer was on the lid and the foundation was in the bottle of the same container. (‘How convenient’- says my makeup hogging soul)

When I use it: I use this when I’m doing my makeup for a night that has contouring and a lot of use of my blush. This foundation tends to lighten your skin tone and ends up getting a little heavy, but best used on a night with a lot of air conditioning when you want max coverage (read acne scars and under eye bags)

Rating: 5/5 for coverage 3/5 for heaviness 2.5/5 for non- stickiness

Number 4:  L’Oreal Infallible 24H Stay Foundation

While this was a drugstore purchase, I didn’t know I would like this as much as I did. So a couple of things- the plastic lid on top invariably always breaks for me and the foundation spills in my bag- I HATE when that happens. Other than that, this is brilliant for daily use.

When I use it: Everyday. This has above average coverage without being too thick. It lasts me a decent 5 hours without a primer and concealer. Only applying the foundation to my face makes me appear to be much less sleepy than I feel from within 😛

Rating: 3.5/5 for coverage 4.5/5 for heaviness and 4/5 for non-stickiness

Number 3: Milani Conceal + Perfect 2 In 1 Foundation + Concealer

A popular brand in the US, this is my current favourite (also my airport mishap) but this gives you insane coverage and a very dewy complexion. You literally DO NOT need any primer, concealer or highlight with this. This is a brilliant product and I’m hooked. The only drawback is, you have to pick the right skin tone because this sticks to your skin and eventually your face and neck could be two different colours.

When I use it: When I need to get dressed and I don’t want to take the pain of using 3 products (or when I’m out of primer) This gives me a lot of coverage and it has a brilliant 8 hour plus stay. (Despite sweat and water)

Rating: 5/5 for coverage 3/5 fer heaviness and 2/5 for non-stickiness

Number 2: Chanel’s Vitalumière Aqua

Now, if this weren’t as expensive as it was, I’d be wearing it all over my body. This is THE MOST barely there foundation I’ve ever come across. Plus, it doesn’t feel like you have anything on. It’s also perfect for that dewy look if you’re stepping out for a chic brunch and it’s also got sun protect (yay). While I wore this all the time on my honeymoon, if you can lay your hands on this, I’d say it’s a keeper.

PS: Two of my last ones have had very loose lids, I don’t know if it’s just me or the caps are sucky.

When I use it: If I could, I’d use it forever, all the time, everywhere. I don’t feel like I’m even wearing anything. It’s got pretty great coverage and it stays, although you’d need primer and concealer if there are scars and bags to hide. It perfects skin tone but isn’t great at hiding your skeletons.

Rating: 3.5/5 for coverage 5/5 for heaviness and 5/5 for non-stickiness

Number 1: Bobbi Brown’s Liquid Foundation/ Foundation Sticks

Together, they’re answer to all my problems. I use a stick and a liquid concealer on top and I’m good to go for 8 hours of not worrying about losing my face (geddit?). I don’t need a primer, makeup setting spray/ loose powder or pretty much anything else. Individually, the liquid foundation is brilliant. The foundation stick can double up to perform a perfect contouring. 

When I use them: I use them for heavy duty makeup. For example, for my pre-wedding photoshoots I used them both for max coverage, sweat control, stay, and minimal rub off on my husband’s white shirts. If I talk about an everyday use, on a hot day, I’d use the stick with a BB cream and leave it at that or the foundation with a setting powder, depending on how hot and humid it is and where exactly I’d be heading to.

Rating: 

Liquid Foundation– Coverage: 4/5, Heaviness: 4.5/5, Non-stickiness: 5/5

Foundation Stick–  Coverage: 4/5, Heaviness: 4/5, Non-stickiness: 5/5