Foundation - Inspired Living SA

This is the third post in my favourites for 2013 series and today I am featuring My Favourite Foundations for 2013. I am without doubt a liquid foundation girl! I have tried compact and mineral foundations but find I always come back to liquid, which I think is because I prefer the application. I also feel that you can get better and more even coverage with liquid foundation.

MAC Face and Body Foundation ~ You may remember that I featured this foundation before in my Everyday Makeup Essentials. I love the feeling of this foundation on my skin, it feels so light but if I require more coverage, I can build it up from medium to full coverage. I apply this foundation with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush {which is awesome}, which I find helps give me a wonderful flawless finish. A useful tip when applying liquid foundation is to pour a bit, onto the back of your hand, this allows the heat of your hand to make the foundation more fluid and you tend to use less product this way. Face and Body provides medium build-able coverage and a flawless, natural satin-shine finish. Recommended Retail Price: R310 (50ml) MAC

Smashbox Liquid halo Foundation Spf 15 Oil-free ~ This foundation is a more recent addition to my beauty regime but it has quickly become my favourite everyday foundation! I think this is mostly because it is oil-free, which is a definite must for me during the hot summer months. In fact I have almost finished it and I think it is definitely a product I will re-purchase. Liquid Halo is the first-ever foundation with 100% Liquid Light Technology, which completely evens out skin for a totally natural, luminous finish. It also contains a broad spectrum SPF 15, which is an added bonus! Recommended Retail Price R370 Woolworths.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light ~ Last year I attended an event hosted by Estee Lauder, which featured the launch of their Modern Muse fragrance. We were also treated to beauty and makeup tips by the amazing Estee Lauder makeup artists! This is where I was first introduced, to the Double Wear Light Foundation and we each received one in our goodie bag to take home. Unfortunately when I initially tried my foundation, I found the shade I received, to be too dark for me, so it has been tucked away in my Beauty Box, until a few weeks ago, when I decided to give it another try! I think because I am a bit more tanned it is a slightly better match now. One of the things I love about this foundation, is its staying power! Once you have applied it literally will not budge! I would really like to try the Double Wear Light in a lighter shade because I still find that there is a slight orangey tinge to my skin, when I wear it. It is also the most pricey out of the three but definitely worth it, for the amazing coverage and staying power. Recommended Retail Price R415 Estee Lauder

My most recent beauty review for the Beauty Bulletin, is of the Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Sponge-On Makeup. You may recall my review of the Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Colour Radiance Blush, which was the first Elizabeth Arden product that I had used. I have been most impressed with the blush and was really excited to try this foundation.

I am quite fussy when it comes to choosing a foundation for myself, not only is my skin quite oily in parts but I also have pigmentaion. A foundation has to fulfill a fair amount of requirements for me – it has to give good coverage with out being too thick and pasty and while I like it to be moisturising, it cannot be overly so and make me look like an oil-slick.

I have tried quite a few mineral foundations, with not much success and liquid foundations can be a bit light on the coverage front, which is why I really like a compact foundation. Not only are they neat, easy to store and carry in your makeup bag but I find the application is much more even.

The Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Sponge-On Makeup, which I have been using is the perfect mix of moisturising and great coverage. The colour that I have tried is Cognac, no.56. I was a bit worried at first that the colour was a bit dark for my skin but I have been happy with the colour and the overall appearance of my skin after application. The end result definitely lives up to the promise of a flawless finish 🙂

The makeup comes in a neat gold compact, with a sponge applicator and a handy compartment to store it. Perfect for makeup touch-ups on the run!

Makeup application is very much personal preference. Some people prefer to apply foundation with a sponge for applicator but you can also use a foundation brush or your finger tips, to apply it to your skin. I have used the sponge applicator with this makeup, as well as my finger tips to apply it and would recommend either of these, over brush application. The main thing is to ensure that your hands are clean and that you either wash or replace the sponge regularly, to avoid a build up of bacteria!

My general routine is to apply serum, moisturiser and a bit of concealer or primer. I usually wait for approximately 10 minutes before I apply my foundation and the rest of my makeup. I have also made a video review for you so that you can see the makeup application in the “flesh” – I hope you enjoy it and would love you to subscribe to my YouTube Channel, so that you do not miss out on future reviews and tutorials!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roTq4RJGS08&feature=share&list=UUW-Ptg2fpKFHowi0_J6Po_w[/youtube]

This product is available from all major retail outlets with beauty counters, as well as certain pharmacies and Edgars Red Square Stores.