Lemsip in hand, I thought I'd post on a subject I touched briefly on in an Instagram post, which received interest in taking it further so here we go...
The hunt for my 'Holy Grail' foundation:
This seemingly endless (and currently fruitless) search has taken me from designer to high street to bargain buy and back again, seeking that elusive holy grail foundation. That foundation which applies perfectly, dries evenly, photographs flawlessly and lasts endlessly...that foundation which makes your friends and family question a possible pregnancy glow, the makeup which still looks good under fluorescent strip lighting and in changing room mirrors! Where the bloody hell is mine?!
So let us start at the beginning. I began using makeup in my early teenage years having been bullied mercilessly for my abundance of freckles. I will admit that my first forays into the world of makeup were not my finest moments, but we all have to start somewhere. I remember feeling ever so grown up, applying my Maybelline foundation (appallingly matched and equally hideously blended) with a triangle makeup sponge. Atop this base I liberally applied bronzer, despite my ghost-like natural complexion, therefore enhancing the already overly noticeable tide lines encircling my face. Moving on to eyes, my mother had discovered a set of Mary Quant pastel metallic liquid liners, during one of her car boot sale rummages. Age of product questionable, I made use of these treasures giving myself a thick upper liner and cat flick in either baby blue, pastel green or champagne, dependent on mood. Mascara was, of course, absolutely essential and choice was made dependent on price rather than product owing to the limited income of my 13 year old self. Despite my pale colouring, auburn hair and near-invisible eyebrows, I decided that a black mascara, applied liberally, would be most flattering.
Flashing forward a couple of years I had moved on from my Mary Quant liner days (most likely I had run out) and discovered the joys of black eyeliner pencil. Taking inspiration from 90s Witch Flick - The Craft - character Nancy, I opted for a waterline, upper AND lower coating in jet black kohl which again contrasted somewhat glaringly with my blonde (bordering on clear) eyebrows. This look was short lived and I soon toned it down to just a waterline and mascara combo. The following years contributed blue mascara, coloured eyeliner pencils, eye-shadows in various unflattering shades, the appearance of eyebrows in a variety of shapes and widths, and an abundance of garish lipsticks, to my makeup routine. It wasn't until I started modelling, when I turned 21, that I really started to hone my makeup skills, and it was here that my search for the perfect foundation began.
Skin type:
The key factor in selecting your ideal foundation is identifying your skin type. This, on paper, is a simple process of stating either Oily, Combination or Dry. Easy peasy yes? NO!
For example, during my period my skin is most definitely slap bang in the Oily category, yet a week later it will be incredibly Dry and then settle back into a textbook Combination skin type until of course, the next month and my next period. Ah, the joys of womanhood. As a rule I lean toward a Combo/Oily focused foundation as I find this generally works for the majority of the time.
I find I tend to maintain a fairly oily t-zone, nose and chin, with the addition of larger pores on my nose. My period causes breakouts around my mouth and chin, utterly delightful I know, but lets face it, it happens to us all at one time or another. I have a fairly relaxed skin care routine but over time I am improving it and looking at ways to more adequately care for my skin and hopefully delay aging signs for as long as humanly possible.
Foundation products:
So you've finally decided on your skin type, now comes the dilemma of selecting a foundation. With such a vast array of BB Creams, Mineral Powders, Mineral Fluids, Pressed Powders, Cream to Powder, Fluid and Mousse Foundations available, the hunt for the perfect base is somewhat akin to finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. Coverage is my initial key factor, I like a medium cover foundation with the option of it being build-able. If you are lucky enough to only need a light cover then a good option is a BB cream or a mineral powder as these are generally better for your skin whilst providing a light base for the rest of your makeup. Heavier cover usually warrants a fluid foundation and this is where I find myself, having tried and failed with many different powder and cream-to-powder varieties.
My key points when looking at a new foundation:
Before making a foundation purchase I will always do two things (where possible). I will spend time looking at reviews online - Boots or Makeup Alley are a great place for this, with the obvious addition of beauty blogs. Bear in mind that each review is one persons opinion and our skin varies person to person. Take the time to read through multiple reviews and pay attention to feedback from customers with similar skin types to yours if it is stated in their review.
Secondly I will ask for a sample. This is necessary for colour matching and testing the foundations durability on your skin. A lot of counters will either give you a sample pot or offer to apply a small amount. The key factors I look for in a foundation are as follows:
- Coverage
- Durability
- Buildability
- Wearability (not too heavy/mask like on the skin)
- Colour Match
- Suitable for Sensitive Skin
- Minimal Transfer
- Overall Application and Finish
And so we move forward into test runs and purchases. I hope to share with you my views on the numerous products I have tried and tested over the years. Obviously I have already rambled on quite sufficiently for today so I will sign off on this post and continue on to reviews in a separate post later in the week. In the meantime, I will be attempting to recover from this damn cold and getting some serious retail therapy on the go tomorrow in West Quay. I look forward to sharing my purchases with you (for a sneak peek, keep your eyes peeled on my Instagram account). Have a good eve whatever you are up to and think of me, snotting uncontrollably whilst watching utter crap on Netflix.
Emma-Louise x
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