Foundation and the Holy Grail

A few months back for whatever reason my skin decided to change completely and I found that my Bobbi Brown stick foundation was no longer suitable. Sadly it had stopped applying beautifully and I was left with dry flaky patches and streaks, which in all honesty is not a good luck. So I decided to go on the hunt for a new foundation. After much research I settled on Benefit's Big Easy Bigger Than BB (you can read my first review here). After using a sample for a few weeks I fell in love and bought it thinking that my hunt was over and I had found 'it'. However after a few months I started to despise Big Easy. No matter how I applied it; with my fingers, different brushes or a beauty blender, with & without primer, or mixed with moisturiser it looked horrible and within minutes would turn into a cakey mess. I even tweeted Benefit themselves thinking I was doing something wrong, but they suggested everything I had already tried. So, since then I've been on the hunt for the perfect foundation and let me tell you I think it's one of the hardest things a woman has to do in her life. Forget finding the perfect pair of jeans, that is a walk in the park compared to finding the perfect foundation. My journey so far has led me to Yves Saint Laurent and Lancome. In the past I had worn Clinique's Acne Solutions and their Super-balanced foundation but I had troubles with both of these. I had also used Urban Decay's Naked Skin for a while but again, I found that the application wasn't great and the colour wasn't ideal. And Benefit's Hello Oxygen WOW! was way to dark so completely out of the question. That meant I had in my local Debenhams the choice of Dior, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, Chanel, Bare Minerals, Clarins, Lancome and YSL to delve into.

First I tried the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation. Antoinette, the lovely make-up artist at YSL in Newbridge gave me a sample. I went home excited to try it for work the next day. However straight off I knew the colour wasn't right. I'm pure porcelain, nearly snow white, hence my trouble finding the right foundation and straight of the gate this sample had a strike against it. Of course I was told by my co-workers that it was good to 'warm-up' my skin and it looked great, but I felt so self concious the whole time wearing it because I knew the colour wasn't correct. This was unfortunate as the coverage and application on the other hand were perfect. It covered my imperfections with only a little bit of concealer required and was easy to apply with my Yves Rocher brush. If you're listening YSL and bring out lighter shades, I'll be the first in line!

Next I decided to try Lancome. Laura, the wonderful make-up artist at Lancome Newbridge is so

knowledgeable of her brand and products and she asked me loads of questions about what I was looking for before recommending Teint Miracle. This time the colour was nearly perfect (005) and both the coverage and the application good. I thought, this is it. I've found it. However when I wear it, I find by the end of the day my skin becomes tight especially in my drier cheek area and this was never a problem I had had before considering I'm normally an oil slick. Turns out the number 3 ingredient in Teinte Idole is alcohol and my skin just doesn't appreciate it.

Which means that I'm back to square one and don't know which way to go. I've had suggestions of mineral make-up, which I have tried before and hated due to the oxidation, making me look like an oompah-loompah by end of day. Another suggestion was the new Too Faced Born This Way foundation. From what I've read, it sounds great, but is only available in the Debenhams in Blanchardstown and I can't justify driving up there just for a sample. Plus it's always sold out on-line so if I did love it and want to buy it, how likely would it be available for me? ARG!!!!! So my faithful readers, this is where I turn to you. Have you found your HOLY GRAIL foundation and want to share with me and others? If so let me know in the comments below. Until next time, let the search continue!

#YSL #Lancome #benefitcosmetics #foundation #makeup