Loreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation

The US appears to have fully embraced the Korean trend for cushion foundations and despite offerings being available from the likes of Lancome and even Marks and Spencer on the high street it feels like we're still being a little slow to catch up.

I certainly hadn't given much thought about them until I saw L'Oreal's drugstore offering until American YouTubers started raving about L'Oreal's True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation. It was added to my shopping list hoping that I would be able to get a head start before it reaches the UK. Which I shall add I hope is very soon as I'm loving it.

This is the first cushion foundation offering from the favoured high street brands although there is one available from KIKO in CC Cream form currently at 30% off priced at around £11. I paid $16.99 in the States which works out around £11 so it'll be interesting to see on it's release here what price point it'll be but I expect around that point.

Whilst I've mentioned some other cushion foundations available the only other on my radar was really Lancome's offering released last year and we know who owns them, L'Oreal so one would make the assumption that we might have a high street dupe on our hands.

I'm unable to compare to Lancome Miracle Foundation other than by facts, such as packaging differences for example but the biggest thing to note is that Lancome offer a refillable compact, and the refills are priced at approx £13 on Feel Unique. This isn't something that worries me too much, especially as I tend to prefer to make a fresh purchase rather than refill packaging which I'm sure would get messy and the lid scratched.

Both the Lancome and L'Oreal cushion compacts seem very similar. The cushion portion is plastic and a shiny lid, Lancomes in Silver and L'Oreal in Rose Gold which I'm sure will make it more popular and instagram worthy.

Your L'Oreal compact opens to reveal a mirror in the lid and a slim face sponge. You open the further sealed compartment and reveal your foundation soaked sponge. If anyone else has walked past the Lancome counted and scrunched their nose up at the dried out sponge on Lancome counters you might agree with me that even in its moist state the cushions for these foundations look like those cheap dish sponges you can find in Tesco's.

I have to confess I'm not too interested in the science and reasoning behind why and how certain foundation formulas are put together, for me I'm in interested in how it feels and looks on my own skin. In short it looks flawless and feels so lightweight.

I have been using this pretty regularly as despite initially thinking the whole process would be cumbersome I actually find it both quick, easy and pretty therapeutic. So used to buffing foundation in with a brush or slap dash with my fingers this sits somewhere in the middle. I thought I'd find the sponge application technique outdated but I could literally see my skin being smoothed like I was applying my very own instagram filter. Its a light to medium 'luminous finish' depending on how you like to build up. For days of running errands I could use just a few swipes but when wanting a heavier coverage just keep smoothing on. I also found it easier for me to apply and build up in areas that needed more attention than with other application tools.

There's a lot of talk about the hygiene aspect of cushion foundations which I'm not sure I understand. If you're using your fingers for application (something I've not tried yet) wash them and it's not different than popping them into your cream blush. Likewise wash the sponge applicator as often as you do your brushes. It would be nice to able to buy more of those separately though. My biggest issue right now is how long will this foundation last before it dries up as I'm sure that will factor into whether the price is practical and affordable. I'm very diligent to ensure that I tighten the inner lid after use for fear of speeding up that drying process. My SIL also picked this up and says that she found after 2 weeks it felt drier than day one and as I'm now a few months into it's purchase and of course as a 'blogger' I'm using numerous products over the course of the months so the Loreal Cushion Foundation is picked up here and there (usually when I'm in a rush!) and I have found it's not as 'wet' as it was originally but I'm still able to use.

This is also the perfect foundation for those of us that like to apply make up on the go as it is so compact and all you need is the enclose sponge. I could quite happily use this on the train without worrying about getting messy fingers or pulling out brushes.

If I were to note one thing which some may class as a negative it would be the lack of SPF but as someone who applies separately I'm not worried.

As mentioned my SIL also picked this up and she is very picky about her make up products and swears by Estee Lauder Double Wear but this has got her hooked and like me we're both panicking we may run out before it hits the high street.

Have you tried any cushion foundations before and will you be lining up to try L'Oreal's? Word is it's hitting stores next month.

2014 Foundation Favourites

2014 was definitely a year for foundation where I was concerned having previously preferred lighter bases and favouring BB creams such as that from Erborian. As we begin 2015 I have made the decision to pare back my foundation collection in large part due to the three products I will talk about today. I only have one face and I'm conscious of beauty products expiring, especially foundations. I want to use what I have and enjoy using rather than excessively buying. Whether this will remain the case I don't know but for now lets chat about, in no particular order what three base products topped my favourites list for 2014.

No 7 Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation link
I picked up this foundation in March 2014 armed with those vouchers Boots seem to hand out constantly (I have another pile in bag already this year). In addition to the money off the Superlight foundation was new to the range, I could get colour matched in store rather than working out for myself and I wanted a heavier coverage than the aforementioned Erborian BB Cream but without the weighty coverage some foundations can bring.

As I mentioned in my original post this is a light-medium coverage which I enjoy wearing. It appeared in the following months favourites and then was cast aside as other products can into the mix. Over Christmas I left my current foundation choice at a friends. I was heading out and still wanted to have a sturdy base and reached for the No 7 foundation and instantly remembered why I loved it so much the earlier part of the year.

Make Up Forever HD Foundation link
I first picked up Make Up Forever's famous HD Foundation in Las Vegas back in 2013. I had a fantastic experience in Sephora from one of their make up artists who colour matched me and gave me a mini makeover. Unfortunately I was quite pale at the time so whilst loving the product the shade (115) was off and I was mixing to make it work. When I hit Las Vegas again last year I picked up a darker shade (125) which is much better. I'd usually reserved the MUFE HD foundation for special occasions but as we entered the festive season and I was at work all day and heading straight out of an evening I wanted a foundation that hung around.

This is certainly not a light weight base but as some one who always preferred the lighter end of the scale this works perfectly. Yes it's heavier than my BB creams etc but the flawless finish it leaves is amazing and I find it comfortable to wear. I experience some dry patches which this foundation doesn't work well with so be wary if you have drier skin/make sure you up your moisturiser game before application. I'm lucky that I have minimal blemishes and find that when wearing this foundation my need for concealer is minimal.

Even better with the news that Make Up Forever is coming to Debenhams in a matter of month there's no need for a transatlantic trip to Sephora to stock up.

Chanel Les Beiges All In One Healthy Glow Fluid link
Another product from the Les Beiges range from Chanel which I am in love with. I am a big fan of the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder and use it daily but wasn't too fussed when they mentioned a liquid form. That changed when I tried some of those magazine samples and absolutely loved the finish. I applied on a nothing day at work when testing base products was suitable and couldn't believe how I looked, I think I described it as looking like I'd returned home after a day on the beach. My skin was glowing and in a good way.

I resisted purchasing until I hit duty free last September and so glad I did. On my return to the UK and as evenings were getting darker and Winter was drawing in it was great to have some Summer glow remain. I wear shade 30, as I do the powder form and it's definitely a lighter coverage and for good skin days but nonetheless it's a product I enjoy wearing. Of course held up against the MUFE HD Foundation there is no comparison but they are obviously completely different products and carry different expectations. I'm interested to try this product in the Summer when we have some 'natural glow' and see how it differs as it's consistency will lend itself well to the lighter bases we want at that time of year.

There you have my favourite foundation/base products of 2014, what have been yours?

What's on my face // Cheering myself up

Before I went off to Las Vegas I put myself on a spending ban knowing full well I would be spending more than enough in the likes of Sephora and Walgreens. Of course this was easier said when after a bad day at work I decided to cheer myself up with a few purchase in Superdrug.

My chosen cheer me up beauty buys were L'Oreal's Eau de Teint Foundation, Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in As You Want Victoria (of course!) and a Sleek Blush in Antique. As is often the case with week day purchases I don't find the time to experiment with them till the weekend when I tend to pile them all on at once - as well as a few other products from my stash including Mac Omega, Cranapple Liner, Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara* and Chanel Illuminating Powder.

It definitely made a change to sport a full face of make up on a lazy Sunday and I'm pretty pleased with the choices I made.

*PR Sample

#theSOproject // Week 3 Foundation

Foundation in one form or another has been with us a long time, from lead paints used by the Romans via Max Factor's first commercially available offering to today's varied choices from mineral powder to liquid it's quite hard to know where to begin.

Let's start with the purpose of foundation which is to even your complexion and cover any flaws. The condition of your skin will determine which sort of foundation coverage you require; sheer, light, medium or full. If you're lucky you may not even need foundation and can get away with using tinted moisturisers or BB creams with a little concealer for the odd blemish (see last weeks post on concealer).

Foundation should only be used where and if necessary, do not feel obliged to add foundation to your routine if you do not need it. I didn't start wearing foundation until I was in my thirties favouring Benefits You Rebel back in the day and even now I'm comfortable with the coverage my favourite Erborian BB Cream provides (see a recent review here).

The most daunting part of choosing a foundation in my opinion is finding the right shade for your skintone. This morning I suggested seeking assistance from a beauty counter but if you want to go it alone here's what you need to know. Your foundation should be exactly the same colour as your skin and tested on your jawline, NOT your hand. Never try to go a shade darker, I'm still scarred by a friend at school who had the tell tale orange tide line around their neck from badly colour matched and blended foundation. Next view the swatch in natural light, store lighting is not your friend. The shade least visible is your match.

An important thing to note is that cosmetic colours are not standardised in any way so whilst you may be a medium beige with Bobbi Brown (beige, such a dreadful colour association don't you think) Rimmel may call you dark beige and so on. You will need to find your colour match with any product each time. You also need to consider different shades for the seasons as you may be darker in Summer than Winter.

In addition to finding the right shade, deciding on the coverage you require, whether covering bad scars or simply evening out your skintone you'll need to decide on the type of foundation suitable for you. The variations to formulation will often be decided with coverage but you may want to try a few products to decide what works for you.

My 'first' foundation was from Bare Minerals. When I decided I needed more coverage but wasn't looking for anything to full on their mineral powder foundation appealed to me and felt foolproof to my amateur hands which were scared of liquids. I am aware some people are allergic to one of the ingredients so you'll need to bear that in mind but as with any product what works for one will not for another. MAC foundations seem to divide opinion, some cannot live without, others find it causes terrible breakouts so investigation is key.

I also use By Terry Light Expert Foundation and it's fantastic and perfect for those on the go. This is a favourite to apply on my commute to work and whilst the brush applicator may not be everyone's cup of tea it makes carrying around lots of brushes unnecessary.

This leads me nicely on to applying your foundation. Depending on your foundation type will often depend on your method of application, for example you should stay away from applying water based foundations with cosmetic sponges. The Real Techniques Buffing and Expert Face Brushes are great and really do aid using the smallest amount of product on your face and create the flawless finish you should get from foundation.

I hope you find some of that advice useful, foundation shopping can be something of a mind field but if you investigate thoroughly you should hopefully avoid too many mishaps. I'd love to hear any other tips you have for finding the right foundation.

Beauty // Try Before You Buy

This evening's post for #theSOproject will be on foundation and no matter how much investigating one does if you're anything like me it's always worth diverting to the experts in store for colour matching. The beauty of buying high end is that you have the opportunity to test products, whether they're foundations or lipstick on your own face whereas in drugstores you're often relying on hand swatches. A drugstore product may be cheap but there is a danger of buying multiple products till you find the right shade and you could've invested in something from a designer brand that was just right.

All this said beauty counters can often be intimidating, surrounded by hoards of shoppers (the MAC counter at Selfridges anyone!) and I thought I'd give you a little review of my recent experiences as I always try to have a chat with the sales assistant and try products before I splash the cash.

Space NK is a shop even at my ripe old age of 34 I find intimidating. My local branch is a short walk from my office, it's where I go monthly for my eyebrow threading but still when I walk in I don't find it the warmest of experiences. Earlier this year I decided I wanted a new foundation and went in to see what advice I could be given. I was a bit hazy about my details as I'm not a big foundation wearer so the assistant tried a BB cream and the By Terry Light Expert Foundation on me.

Now we all know store lighting isn't the best and what might feel right in store after an hour or two on the face might be very different so I said that I would go away and pop back later when I decided which I preferred - yes people I went back to the office with two different products on my face but as they were both the right shade for me and blended properly there was no danger of scaring anyone!

I found this was important as the foundation would be worn at work so if I didn't like it's appearance in the office then it was not going to work for me.

Never be afraid to walk away from the counter when you've had a product applied/tested so you can decide if its for you.

Space NK #2

I went in the same branch on another occasion to ask about Nars Sheer Glow which everyone is, was and still are raving about. I was offered little assistance nor the opportunity to try it on my skin but they did provide me with a small sample (which you can see in the pot above) which I could use at home. I wasn't convinced on using it at home that it was the right shade for me. I tried another branch and they colour matched me differently but I wasn't given a sample. I plan to attempt for third time lucky next time armed with the knowledge of which colours I have been matched to so far

Try different stores for confirmation on colours and question their choice if you have been given other advice 

MAC stores and counters can be a nightmare to browse. Always a fight to the counters even in my local House of Fraser branch but if like me you arrive as soon as they open you might be lucky and they're great at allowing you to try lipsticks etc. I popped in my branch when the All About Orange range launched. I wanted something, I thought a lipstick and walked out with a blusher as well all due to the sales assistances help. I was in the store as soon as it opened (well actually I was waiting outside for the doors to open..!) and had the counter and assistances to myself. I said I was interested in trying the brightest lipstick and then asked for advice on a blusher. I would've gone for one of the paler shades to be safe but she suggested the brighter (jasmine orange) and popped it on with my new lipstick (neon orange) and I left the store with both. Left to my own devices I would've either brought solely the lipstick or ended up with a dull and insipid blusher. (you can see what I brought here)

If you're not sure of your shade, ask for help.

I had a less than successful experience at the Chanel counter which I must stress was due to a different lady than I usually deal with when I'm trying out new products. I explained that I knew Les Beiges would be out of stock but I wanted to colour match so that when it returned I could just pick up what I needed or order online if necessary. I told the assistant I wanted to use as a foundation/powder base rather than a bronzer. She then proceeded to tell me I should be one shade but didn't have one available so would put the next shade up on me instead. I explained I also already had make up on me which should be removed to match properly and she just looked at me again and was like no this will be too dark so I stopped her from putting on me.

Another much raved about but not cheap product is the Dior BB Cream so again I popped into House of Fraser to enquire about trying. This again was not a successful experience. Sat on the chair I had a small area of my face removed of make up and the cream applied but not sufficient to see what coverage it would give.

If you're not confident with the assistants choices stop them and if the test isn't sufficient to make your decision do not feel obliged to purchase. There are plenty of counters to try

I picked the hottest day of the year to have a consultation with Benefit to try their foundation. I don't know whether it was the brightening primer or the fact it was the hottest day of the year but the shine wasn't a good one.

Pick the right day to test products

Recently I've also had fantastic experiences with The Garden Pharmacy where the Chanel assistant who I can only assume was bored and wanted something to do gave me full make up when I asked about one or two products and the Chanel counter at a local Boots. I went in last Friday to buy re-released Les Beiges and whilst sitting in the chair asked to try the cream blushes. Previous advice from one of the assistances on another shopping trip told me the shade I wanted wasn't for me and instead suggested I went for the paler shades. This weeks assistant agreed with my choice (separate post coming later this week) and popped it on and it looked great and I left away with 2 rather than one purchase.

I hope this has been a helpful post and you're encourage to seek the advice from your local beauty counters but have the confidence to walk away without obligation to buy. I'd love to hear more about your experiences with beauty counters, good or bad.