Choosing the Perfect Foundation | 5 Top Tips

How to Choose the Right Foundation

Choosing the correct foundation is probably the most important thing to get right when looking at makeup. This is because it will be very noticeable of you get it wrong and it is the base of you makeup and whatever you put on top will look wrong if the foundation isn't right.

I am a bit of a foundation addict and like to try out lots of different ones, last count I think I have 15! So you would think that because I buy them often, I'd get it right. Wrong! I still get foundations wrong if I don't follow the correct steps to getting the right one.

Some of the foundations I own.

I have put together 5 top tips to make it easier for you to get the correct one.

1) Know Your Skin
You need to know what skin type and tone you are to know which foundation to wear.
Do you have dry, normal, oily skin or a mixture? Many makeup brands have foundations for specific skin types so look for the ones in your skin type.

You should also look into the undertone of your skin as this will affect the foundation that will match your skin, is it more pink or more yellow? Or maybe it is neutral. If you are unsure you can always ask a makeup artist at a counter in the drugstore to check it for you.

2) What Do You Want The Foundation To Do?
Unsurprisingly different foundations do different things! So have a think about what you want the foundation for, to mattify skin, to brighten up dull skin, to give a healthy glow?

Also think about the coverage you want - light, medium or full.

3) Do Your Research
Research different products for your skin type and tone. See what other people with similar skin to you recommend.

Don't buy a foundation because you like the packaging or because your friend uses it as it probably wont be any good for you.

4) Colour Matching
I think the worst mistake you could make with foundation is getting one too dark for your skin and looking orange. This is not an attractive look and I think if in doubt go a shade LIGHTER than your skin as once blended out it will look better than a darker foundation would.

I found this video by makeup artist Lisa Eldridge really helpful for colour matching.
Choosing The Right Shade Of Foundation

I also use a website called Findation.com which helps to match foundations to your skin based on other ones that you know do match.

Basically you enter in the brand, product and shade of two or more foundations that you know are right for you (the more you put in the more accurate it will be). It then shows some others in the correct colour for you. This website is great because it has both high end and drugstore foundations and you can input foundations that have been discontinued.

I would highly recommend this website but would still advise you to still go and test the foundation out first before you buy it.

5) Go Outside
Also lighting in shops is really bad because they use florescent lights. Try to go outside when you have the tester on your skin as the natural light gives a better gauge of whether the colour is right.

If you have followed all these steps you should have the perfect foundation for your skin, yay!

Remember throughout the year your skin colour changes, i.e. in the summer it will be more tanned so you may need a slightly different shade on the hotter months.

I hope all of these tips have helped, thanks for reading!

Love Hannah xoxo

Instagram: hannah_price93

Highstreet/Drugstore Mascara | Maybelline The Falsies

Maybelline The Falsies

This mascara is everywhere at the moment, I first saw Tanya Burr talking about it on her YouTube channel and she said it was her favourite mascara and it looked so good on her.

For around 3 years my favourite mascara has been Maybelline The Colossal and I am dubious about trying other mascaras as they always fall flat and I end up going back to it.

There has not been such a massive hype about a mascara in a long time so I thought I would do a little research and read a few blog/vlog reviews about it and I found everything to be positive, so I bit the bullet and bought it.

I like the packaging of this and with many of the Maybelline mascaras it is in a bright colour and the same unique shape. I got the colour black drama which has a  pretty lace design on the top.

The brush is a spoon brush which I haven't got on well with in the past but I still gave it a go.

 

Being honest, I hate it! I think the brush is awful and it makes your lashes clumpy and uneven. When you go to brush through the clumps to get rid of them it distributes more mascara on them and makes them clump more.

This was really disappointing as I think the formula of the mascara is really good but the brush lets it down.

Below is a picture of a comparison picture of the two mascaras, Colossal on the left and Falsies on the right:

As you can see The Falsies had clumped together on my top and bottom lashes and compared to the other mascara it looks awful.

I definitely think that this is because of the brush as looking closely my lashes do look longer and blacker.

The Colossal's brush is just so much better as it is thicker and has loads of bristles which lengthens, separates and adds volume at the same time.

 

I have swapped the brushes over and used the Colossal's brush in the Falsies formula and it is perfect.

However judging the Falsies alone it is a massive let down and I don't understand the hype around it.

Overall I wouldn't recommend it.

Thanks for reading!

Love Hannah xoxo

Instagram: hannah_price93

Highstreet/Drugstore Foundation: Collection Lasting Perfection (Oily Skin)

Collection Lasting Perfection Foundation Review

If you're into makeup which I imagine you are, you will have heard of the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer.

But did you know that there is a Lasting Perfection Foundation too? I didn't until I went to repurchase the concealer and saw it. As the concealer was so great (full review HERE) I thought I would try it out and see of the whole range is any good.

 

 

First Impressions
As many do, this foundation comes in a glass bottle with a pump applicator. The frosted glass and simple black writing make this foundation look classy and more expensive that it is. The pump on the other hand is a bit rubbish and the spring gets stuck and tough to push, but that may just be mine that is faulty.

The texture and formula is lovely and it goes on the skin really well and looks truly flawless, it also gives a healthy glow. I would say that Lasting Perfection is a medium coverage and covers blemishes well.

How long did it last?
Unfortunately Lasting Perfection Foundation does not last as long as the concealer on oily skin. After applying it in the morning I needed to re-powder at lunch  time and again when I had got home. However as this foundation is not specifically made for oily skin touch-ups have to be expected, just remember to carry powder with you!

Colours
There are 6 shades available in the collection, the colours are as follows:
- Ivory
- Natural Beige
- Vanilla
- Biscuit
- Golden
- Honey

I bought the shade Ivory for my fair skin and it goes well with the matching concealer and my skin tone.

 

What Collection say
- Ultimate wear foundation provides up to 16 hours of flawless skin
- Lasting Perfection Foundation will take you from dawn to dusk and back again, with no need for reapplication
- SPF20 to keep skin safe in the sun

I am not convinced with these statements as on oily skin it lasts nowhere near 16 hours and I would need to reapply if I was wearing the foundation for a really long period of time. This may, however, be true for different skin types.

Price
Lasting Perfection Foundation is currently priced at £5.99 at Boots, but they only stock 4 shades.
http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-2000-Lasting-Perfection-Foundation_984439/

Superdrug stock all 6 shades and there is currently £2 off making them £3.99!!
http://www.superdrug.com/search?q=collection+lasting+perfection+foundation

Products used with Foundation
- Smash Box Photo Finish Primer
- Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
- Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

 

Rating
Although it didn't last particularly long on my oily skin I would wear it if I only needed makeup for a short time (5-6 hours) and not all day, I also think that foundation would be great for normal to dry skin as it wouldn't need touching up so often if at all. So all this being said I would give it 3.5/5.

Thanks for reading!

Love Hannah xoxo

Instagram: hannah_price93

Highstreet/Drugstore Concealer: Collection Lasting Perfection (OilySkin)

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Anyone who is into makeup knows that the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer is one of if not the best drugstore concealers around and the blogging and vlogging world have been hyping it up.

I was aware of the buzz around it and thought I should give it a go. I can see why everyone was talking about it - it is brilliant.

First Impressions
It has a thick and creamy consistency and has good coverage so can cover dark under eye circles and blemishes alike.

It is also light enough to wear alone on good skin days.

Lasting Perfection has a doe foot applicator which is handy as you can put as much or as little you want onto your skin, it's also less messy.

How long does it last?
Collection advertise this product as concealing flaws, imperfections and blemishes for up to 16 hours and I would have to agree.

I usually have to touch up my concealer especially on red blemishes but with this one I didn't. this means that it didn't slip off my oily skin during the day (hooray!).

Colours
Lasting Perfection Concealer comes in 4 different shades:
- Deep
- Medium
- Light
- Fair

I got mine in Light which matches my skin tone and foundation really well.

What Collection say
Collection advertise this concealer as:
- Ultimate wear concealer conceals flaws, imperfections and blemishes for up to 16 hours
- Transfer proof and water resistant for full and long lasting coverage
- Provides beautiful, shine-free, blemish-free skin for every waking hour

I would agree with these statements 100%.

Price
This little tube of magic is also under five quid! It is currently available at Boots for £4.19.
http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-2000-Lasting-Perfection-Concealer_984434/

Rating
I love this concealer and would give it a perfect 5/5.

There is also a lasting Perfection Foundation that I've got my hands on and I will be reviewing it soon!

Thanks for reading!

Hannah xoxo

Instagram: hannah_price93

Urban Decay Naked Palette Review

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Urban Decay is best known for its coveted Naked pallets.

There are now three in the range

• Naked
• Naked 2
• Naked basics

Today I am reviewing the original naked palette.

 

I love the packaging, mine is quite well loved and is getting worn. But essentially it is brown velvet with gold writing on it.

Inside there is a small mirror, a brush and 12 beautiful neutral shades.

The formula of these eye shadows makes them go on really well and super blendable. I love using this palette because all the shadows go together, it doesn't matter which ones you use.

The brush is also really good for initial application of the eye shadow but I use another for blending them out.

Here are some closer images of the eye shadows.

 

 

 

The Urban Decay Naked palette eye shadows also have great names, from left to right they are:

• Virgin
• Sin
• Naked
• Sidecar
• Buck
• Half Baked
• Smog
• Darkhorse
• Toasted
• Hustle
• Creep
• Gunmetal

The colour pay off on these eye shadows is amazing and all are highly pigmented. there is definitely a reason why they are so popular.

I have oily eyelids so I apply my eye shadow after using the Urban Decay Original Primer Potion, and the two together last all day.

  
In the UK you can get Urban Decay from Debenhams, House of Frasier, Beauty Bay and Look Fantastic.

I got mine from www.beautybay.com because there is free delivery (yay) you also get a mini primer potion too!
http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/urbandecay/nakedpalette/

I also got the full size primer potion there too.
http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/urbandecay/g/eyeshadowprimerpotion/

I think that this is definitely worth the £38 price tag. This is because they are so wearable, the quality is so good and they are very pigmented.

The longevity of the product as a whole is great I use mine almost every other day (I switch between the Naked 1 and 2) and have had it for around 6 months and as you can see from the photos there isn't even a dent in them.

This is a look I created using just the Naked Palette:

I would recommend this palette to anyone looking to start out in make up as the neutral palette is so diverse and you can create so many looks with it.

Thanks for reading!

Love Hannah xoxo


Follow me on Instagram: hannah_price93

Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick Review and Swatches

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipsticks

What could be more perfect than a venture between one of the most iconic British models and one of the most iconic British makeup brands.

I love Kate Moss and I love Rimmel, so I was overjoyed to hear that Kate was designing her own lipsticks for Rimmel in 2011.

So far Kate has brought out 3 collections, Lasting Finish, Lasting Finish Matte and a new spring collection.

The simple black design with the Kate signature is beautiful and elegant, to me it looks more like a high end lipstick than a highstreet/drugstore one.

I have two of from the Lasting Finish collection (03 &05) and one from the new spring collection (16).

The colour pay off on these lipsticks is brilliant, they don't dry out your lips and they last for ages. They are not the most moisturising of lip sticks but they also don't flake off like some of the long lasting ones do.

One thing that I really like about these lipsticks is that they wear off well, by that I mean they wear off the whole lip with time and don't leave you with a coloured line around the edge of your mouth.

Number 03 is definitely my nude lip staple and looks great with a strong eye look or with a barely there make up look. Its like your natural lip colour but better! I find myself grabbing for this one a lot as I know it looks great and a nude lip works for everything.

Number 16 is a beautiful baby pink colour which is great for day looks and it is bright and pretty, I usually pair this with a brown/neutral eye look as the pink gives a subtle pop of colour and finishes the look without being too much for daytime.

Number 05 is a bold deep pink shade which I wear with a simple eye look, just mascara and eyeliner. I also wear with a smokey eye at night to give a more glam look.

When I'm having one of these days where I don't really have much time to spend on my make up I always grab this on and put this on as it makes me look more put together without even thinking about it.

Overall I love these lipsticks and I think that there is a wide range of shades through the collections, there is definitely one for everyone.

They are great quality for the price too.

You can get them in Boots at the moment for £5.49:
http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Kate-Lasting-Finish-Lipstick_1230439/

The matte ones are also £5.49 in Boots:
http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Kate-Matte-Lipstick_1281356/

I cant wait to get a few more of these and I look forward to more collections in the future, so Kate hurry up and get designing!

Thanks for reading!

Hannah xoxo

Instagram: hannah_price93

Highstreet/Drugstore Foundation: Loreal True Match Review (Oily Skin)

Loreal True Match Foundation

This foundation seems to be pretty iconic at the moment with bloggers and vloggers alike. everyone is going on about it, so I thought I would see what the hype was all about.

First Impressions

The foundation comes in a glass bottle with a pump applicator which I like because its less messy. I think the packaging is quite smart and doesn't look cheap or tacky which some highstreet/drugstore foundations do.

True Match has a medium to high coverage as it covers blemishes and gives a flawless appearance.

I usually use a light or light/medium coverage foundation so it looked quite different on that other foundations I have tried, but if you prefer a fuller coverage foundation then this would be great.

I applied this foundation with a brush which gave it a perfect finish, but you should apply with what you prefer.

How long did it last?

This foundation didn't last very well on me, maybe as I have oily skin. Even though I used a primer it only lasted around 5 hours before it started to slide off (yet it is oil free?). I did just touch up with powder and it was OK but it wasn't as flawless as it previously was.

I do think that this was due to my oily skin and if you have normal to dry skin you should be fine.

Colours

Available in 22 shades which is amazing for a highstreet foundation so everyone should be able to find something to suit their skin tone.

I got the colour Rose Ivory which was a great match for me.

What Loreal say
Loreal say that:

"True Match super-blendable liquid foundation perfectly matches the colour and texture of your skin, hiding imperfections with its fine, creamy texture.
The result: Flawless coverage"

I think that this was correct when I first put it on but throughout the day it changed and wore off my skin. However typically products that are bad for oily skin are good for dry skin and the other way round, so this may be good for dry skin.

Price
This foundation currently retails for £9.99 at Boots.
http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-True-Match-Foundation_16049/

Products used with Foundations Smash Box Photo Finish Primer
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

Rating

due to the high coverage and low longevity of the foundation I would only use it on a night out so I would give it 2/5.

Thanks for reading!

Love Hannah xoxo

Instagram: hannah_price93

Highstreet/Drugstore Foundations | Upcoming Blogs

So many foundations, so little time...

So, I've bought a few (ok a lot) of foundations this month and I thought that I would review and compare them in blog form.

I have already made a few posts about some and will be doing the rest in the near future, so that's something to look forward to.

Here is an idea of what foundations will be appearing on the blog soon:

Various foundations by Rimmel, Collection, Loreal, Miss Sporty and Bourjois.

 

And yes I did really buy them all in 4 weeks! I have a problem.

If you couldn't tell, I like to try out lots of different makeup so if you think that there is something that I should try out then remember to comment and I will try and test it out.

****

On another note, I have also bought a few of the Kate Moss for Rimmel lipsticks recently that I will also be writing about, but here is a sneak peak :)

I also post quite a few pictures of the make up I wear on my Instagram, you can follow me here: hannah_price93

Here are a few of my eye makeup Instagramies :)

Thanks for reading!

Love Hannah xoxo

Highstreet/Drugstore Foundation: NEW Rimmel Stay Matte Review (Oily Skin)

NEW Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation

I decided to buy this foundation as I had previously bought the original Stay Matte foundation and really liked it so when Rimmel decided to reformulate it I had to give it a go.

First Impressions
The packaging I think looks quite cheap and I like a pump applicator better than a tube.
Differing from the original Stay Matte Foundation which was a liquid, this is a mousse. I think that this is good as there aren't many mousse foundations on the market and Rimmel didn't have one.
The texture is very light (it being a mousse and all) and goes on the skin well. It is most definitely weightless and you cannot feel that you are wearing any makeup.
It doesn't give you a 'healthy glow' but with oily skin, who wants shine!
I also think this version of the Stay Matte Foundation is way better that the previous one.

How long did it last?
In short it lasted all day, and kept my super oily skin matte. It still looked good when I got home from a busy day at the office.

Colours
This foundation is available in 6 different shades which I think the majority of people could find a match for their skin tone. This is also an improvement from the original which only had 5.

What Rimmel say
Rimmel have described this foundation as:

- A Feather-light, liquid mousse that blends flawlessly for natural-looking skin and all day shine control.
- Silky smooth formula for a perfectly matte, baby-soft finish
- Lightweight texture won’t feel heavy or greasy
- Minimising the appearance of pores

I would agree with these statements 100%, it is weightless and stays matte all day (woop!).

Price
The foundation currently retails for £5.99 at Boots which is ridiculously cheap compared to other foundations.

http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-London-Stay-Matte-Foundation_1378522/

Prodcts used with Foundations
- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
- Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
- Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

Rating
Overall this foundation is the ONLY one that leaves my skin truly matte throughout the day, I could imagine it flaking on dry skin though. However for me I would give it 5/5 and would highly recommend it for oily skin.

Thanks for reading!

Hannah xoxo


　

Highstreet/Drugstore Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Review (Oily Skin)

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation
I thought I would try this foundation because I watched an old video from Zoella 's YouTube channel where she tried it and although she didn't like it on her dry skin she did recommended it for oily skin.
Zoella's Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/zoella280390

First Impressions

The foundation comes in a glass bottle with a pump applicator so you can get the right amount out.

Healthy Mix has a light to medium coverage as it covers blemishes whist still letting your skin show through.
There is a fruity scent to this foundation which some may not like, but I don't mind it.
I applied this foundation with a brush which gave it a flawless finish, but use a sponge or your fingers if you prefer.
The formula leaves your skin with a nice glow and makes it look awake.

How long did it last?

Coupled with the other products I used (details below) it lasted all day, even through work in a busy office! But as I have oily skin I did have to touch up with powder a few times.

Colours

Available in 8 shades which is good for all skin tones.
I got the colour Vanilla (52) which was a great match for me.

What Bourjois says
Bourjois claims this foundation will:

• give skin a radiant boost
• leave it looking flawless for up to 16 hours
• even out complexion while letting in the natural light for that healthy looking glow
• leave you skin beautiful, radiated and hydrated

I think that although there are a few fancy words, this is mainly correct. My skin tone was evened out, and looked healthy and glowing. However, I don't think that this foundation would last 16 hours (not on me anyway) even though I did use a primer and a power.

Price
This foundation currently retails for £10.99 at Boots but Bourjois is usually on a 3 for 2 offer.
http://www.boots.com/en/Bourjois-Radiance-Reveal-Healthy-Mix-Foundation_1313681/
Products used with Foundations
Smash Box Photo Finish Primer
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

Rating
Overall I thought this foundation was really good and would give it 4.5/5.

Thanks for reading!

Love Hannah xoxo

Highstreet/Drugstore Foundation: Rimmel Wake Me Up Review (Oily Skin)

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

This foundation gained a lot hype around it on blogs and YouTube, so I thought that I would try it for myself.

First Impressions
The foundation comes in a clear glass bottle with an orange lid, which I think looks great. It also had a pump applicator which is more hygienic than the squeezy tube ones.

As the foundation is liquid it is runny but not watery and goes on the skin really well.
I did notice that there is a slight shimmer in it but it is very subtle and for someone who has always preferred matte foundations for my oily skin, this shimmer wasn't overpowering at all and I quite liked it as it gave a nice glow which made my skin look healthy.
I buffed it into my skin with a brush but it would still go on well using a sponge or your fingers (but not sponge fingers :-P).
I would say that this foundation gives a medium coverage as it covers up blemishes and discolouration but doesn't look too full on.

It also is SPF15 which is an added extra!

How long did it last?
Now I have quite oily skin and find foundations don't tend to last very long, even with a primer.
I applied this foundation at around 7.30am and it lasted all day through until around 9.00pm when I took my makeup off, yay! I just had to touch up my powder once.

Colours
This foundation comes in 6 shades which is quite limited, especially if you have tanned or dark skin as there is nothing in the range that would suit.
I first picked up the colour Ivory (100) which is the lightest colour and found it slightly too light so I also bought the next shade which was True Ivory (103) and found that when mixed together they were perfect for my skin tone.

What Rimmel say
Rimmel have described this foundation as:

• Having a light, moisturising texture applies smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable all day
• giving an instant flawless, natural-looking finish
• giving visible anti-fatigue effect

I would agree with these claims 100%.

Price
The foundation currently retails for £8.99 at Boots but it is constantly on offer somewhere if you look around.
http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Wake-Me-Up-Make-Up-Foundation-30ml_1246748/

Products used with Foundations
Smash Box Photo Finish Primer
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

Rating
Overall I thought this foundation was great and would give it a solid 4/5.


Thanks for reading!

Love Hannah xoxo