One of the things I took away from my many copies of Just Seventeen, More and Mizz – aside from a heavy dose of misogyny, body negativity and the idea that pleasing men should be at the core of my reason for existence (seriously look back at some of them, it’s no wonder we’re all a bit fucked up) was a little bit of make up advice. Now I can’t recall which magazine it was in, or when I read it, or even who suggested it (seriously this was the nineties, I’ve grown up a bit since then), but it was very simple.
When it comes to make up invest in your skin – in the moisturiser you use, in the foundation you put on top of it, in a good concealer. Invest in eye liner and mascara – these are worth the money. The areas where you can budget are eye shadows, and blushers.
That advice has stuck for the most part. I tend to buy my eye shadows and blushers from budget brands and my eyeliners are more expensive – except the coloured ones, where Nyx rules. My mascara is from Max Factor and for me, I’ve yet to find one that suits me better. But skin? That’s where my real effort goes.
So when I realised that my skin had changed and was struggling with the powder base I was using from Lily Lolo. I knew it was time to swap. It had begun to go dry and patchy no matter how much moisturiser, serum or primer I used.
And swapping terrified me. I’ve used Lily Lolo for years, and I still love their Star Dust highlighter, but powder foundation whilst keeping irritation at bay, wasn’t working any more. But where to start?
In my heart I knew. It was time to brave the Beauty Hall in Selfridges. Time to let the professionals have a look.
With a little help, 5 brands were identified for a visit. Illamasqua, Nars, Giorgio Armani, YSL and Estee Lauder.
Over the course of an afternoon I stopped by each stand, discussed my skin type, the issues I have, the right tones and colours found, even the right primer or base selected too. I even had the opportunity to ogle the brand new Victoria Beckham collection from Estee Lauder (the highlighter is particularly beautiful).
As I chatted on each stand, discussing skin type and concealers, foundation types and bases, it became clear. Each stand sees someone coming in for a foundation trial once every three or four hours. And it isn’t scary. They’re not going to insist you try something and buy immediately, there’s no pushy sales. You get a sample and you trial it at home. Which is why my face ended up with five different foundations on it in patches…
… yes there are five here. And how the big trial began, as I went home with this little lot.
I tried each sample over a two week period. In different circumstances but without retouching all day. I tried them with the recommended primer and mixed and matched. If I’m investing £30+ in a foundation, I want it to work for me.
The losers were easily identifiable.
The NARS Sheer Glow unfortunately dried into patches almost as soon as I put it on, faring a little better with the Hydra veil from Illamasqua as a base, but not by much.
Similarly with the Giorgio Armani – though their rep was incredibly knowledgeable, I still had little dry patches forming mid way through the day as my skin sucked all the moisture from the foundation.
Smack bang in the middle was the YSL foundation. Their Touche Eclat pen is still amazing and a go to highlighter/concealer, but the Touche Eclat Foundation started to get patchy about 9 hours in, just when I’d normally top up and head out for the night. Close, but not quite there.
The winners – well, there are two. Because I’m struggling to make a decision.
Illamasqua has long been a loved brand, and their foundation is great. The Hydra Veil worked best for me of all the primers/bases that I tried and I’m definitely investing some money in this. Their Foundation Base was great. Lasted through the day into the evening, gave me good coverage, but didn’t feel heavy, and didn’t even come off onto my glasses at the bridge of my nose (a particular bugbear).
But even as I write, I think there’s a foundation that worked a little better.
Yes, there’s a reason it’s one of the best selling in the UK. The Estee Lauder Double Wear. Stays like a pro. I was even told it could cope with sweat and a gym visit. So I tested it out and after a whole day in it, went for a run.
Yep. Serious staying power (though I’ll stick with taking it off before class).
So where is my money going?
Base: Hydra Veil from Illamasqua.
Foundation: Double Wear from Estee Lauder.
Concealer/highlighter: Touche Eclat from YSL.
Roll on payday.
With thanks to Selfridges for organising my visit – this is available to anyone. Anyone can go and trial foundations and I’d highly, highly recommend that if you’re in the market for a new product, that you do. It’s well worth it.