Intents Beauty Favourites: Foundations

I'm definitely quite fickle with my foundation. I may get into a routine for a week or so, using the same product, but I can never settle on just one for very long. However, after a lot of experimentation and testing my collection of foundations with different primers, application methods and setting powders I've streamlined my everyday, go-to foundations to just four absolute favourites that I know I can always rely on. I've provided a detailed review of each foundation below:

// Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Gel

The Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue has been a staple in my routine all year and a base I continue to reach for when I'm after a light, but perfected base. I absolutely love the glowy finish it gives to the skin as well as how incredibly comfortable it is to wear. I am also always impressed by how well the Complexion Rescue wears, whether I just quickly throw it on for uni or I completely set it with a powder. Highly recommend as a light-weight base that would be great for summer!

• Light Coverage
• Broad Spectrum SPF 30
• Best applied with fingers or a buffing brush
• $43 for 35mL

// Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup

Whenever I want a decent coverage with long wear I always reach for the UD Naked Skin Foundation. Naked Skin has a really unique, thin texture that sits incredibly comfortably on the skin and is fantastic for building up coverage. The finish is definitely matte but doesn't look dry or powdery at all, especially on my combination/oily skin. The matte formula is one that does dry down and sets on its own so you can get away without setting it with a powder. 

• Medium, build-able coverage 
• Best applied with buffing brush for fuller coverage or a beauty blender for a lighter coverage.
• $60 for 30mL

// Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint

This is one foundation that really surprised me when I first tried it and one that I love to wear when I want my skin to look glowy and healthy. It has quite a thick texture that is best blended in with your fingers or a synthetic blending brush (Hourglass No.2 brush is perfect!). This is not my longest wearing foundation, however when applied over the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer and set with the Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light, you have a winning combination that tends to last me the entire work day. Another great feature of this foundation is the inclusion of Hyaluronic Acid which makes it really comfortable to wear.

• Medium Coverage
• Broad Spectrum SPF 15
• Best applied with fingers or a buffing brush
• $80 for 30mL

As you can tell from my choices, I definitely prefer higher end brands when it comes to base products. The main reason is the shade range available and I can never seem to find a perfect match in drugstore foundations. However, if you are looking for a great foundation formula at a more affordable price I recommend; Maybelline FitME Matte + Poreless, Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation and Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation.

xx Cat

Review: L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau de Teint Foundation

A relatively new release from L'Oreal and initially had thought I wouldn't pick it up because the shade range didn't seem to include any pale shades that would suit me. However, I received a sample for this foundation with my Priceline payback voucher and after one wear I had to get my hands on it!

The foundation has a light to medium coverage which is really impressive considering the formula is very thin, almost water like. I like to use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to buff this into my skin. Because of the thin consistency it blends in beautifully. The shade is a little too dark for me, however, because it does blend in so nicely it is quite forgiving in terms of colour match. I have the lightest shade available on the Australian market, 120 Pure Ivory.

I absolutely love the powder finish which looks so velvety and does wonders for my skin! It reminds me of the finish of mineral powder foundation in the way that it melts into the skin and looks better as the day goes on. This foundation also lasts a usual long day of uni which is fantastic considering I don't need to powder over it. It's one of my favourites to wear on a long day because it looks the most natural after a long day of wear.

Without foundation

One layer of Eau de Teint Foundation

The big flaw with this product is definitely the packaging. I think that the small glass packaging definitely does look really luxurious but it is incredibly inconvenient. Particularly because the foundation itself is so watery, trying to dispense product out of the bottle by pouring it out is not easy. I can definitely see a lot of product being wasted (and a huge mess!) if you aren't super careful when pouring out the product. A pump is definitely need and something L'Oreal should consider. I'm also confused as to why there is only 20mL of product as opposed to the usual 30mL. This annoys me a bit considering it retails for $24.95 in Australia.

I love the finish and staying power of this foundation, however, because of the inconvenient packaging I don't see myself reaching for it as often as I would like.

xx Catherine

Review: Dr Dennis Gross CC Cream

Say hello to my new favourite every day base product. One fateful day after handing in a stressful assignment, I took a emotional trip to Bondi Junction to shop away my sorrows (I would end up getting my first HD for a law assignment so it really was a good day all round). The fluorescent lights and the soothing white decor of Mecca Cosmetic called my name and I walked in ready to release all my feelings and spend all my money.

Now after my very exciting story on to the actual review. The texture of the CC cream is really interesting, it is a moussey kind of texture that I find is best blended in using two fingers. It has a very light coverage which can definitely be built up. Even with one layer it evens out skin tone and covers redness. It is a perfect coverage to just have a nice light base for every day - just what I wanted. I got the shade fair which is absolutely perfect for my skin tone - I'm talking perfect match!