The Foundation Edit — Charlotte Phoebe

The base is always the most important part of any makeup look. If you nail your base then everything else will come together that bit better. Whether you're looking for something to perk up your complexion or to cover imperfections there are plenty of products that can help. So many in fact that it can seem rather daunting. When you find a foundation that works for you it is brilliant, you no longer have to worry about whether it's a good match for you or whether it works well with your skin. You can rely on it to leave your skin looking it's best and to give you the confidence boost that you need. I love trying out new foundation formulas and seeing how they can fit into my makeup routine. Normally I know instantly whether something is a love or whether it will end up at the back of my foundation draw. I've tried numerous formulas with varying finishes and it's safe to say that I have more than one favourite. My foundation of choice tends to change based on what I want each day and what the occasion is. I might want something lightweight for day-to-day or something high coverage in the evenings. Some day's I'm not all that fussed about wearing a lot of makeup at all and others I feel like going all out. That's the great thing about make up, you can experiment and just wash it all off at the end of the day if you decide it isn't for you. I've whittled down my top foundations and the reasons why I love them so if you're on the hunt for something new and you're not quite sure what to go for then stay tuned.

The Super Lightweight One

If you aren't a fan of a traditional foundation formula and hate the idea of anything that feels at all heavy of the skin then give the Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Foundation a go before you discredit all foundations. The formula is so lightweight that it is hardly even a foundation and just a couple of drops blend onto the skin beautifully with the tips of your fingers. The coverage is fairly lightweight, it gives more of an instant blurring effect than a full coverage perfecting look, but it is enough to perk up your complexion and even out tone whilst still leaving skin looking how skin should.

The Glowing One

Healthy and radiant skin is always on trend but it's having a particular moment this season. Whether you want to jump on a trend or just want something to leave your complexion that little brighter the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation is the one for you. If you have oilier skin you aren't going to enjoy this one as it is very radiant and will probably leave you verging on oily rather than glory, but if you have drier skin then check this out. The formula blends our quickly and evenly with a medium coverage a good dose of radical to the skin. In terms of lasting power this isn't the strongest player but if you aren't fussed about it lasting for 12+ hours then you shouldn't have a problem.

The Favourite One

The ultimate foundation (for me at least) is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. This has everything that I could want from a foundation; it blends out quickly and evenly, your skin looks radiant and natural, it gives a good amount of luminosity to the skin without looking oily, it has a good coverage and lasts all day long. This is my go-to if i'm heading on a night out or something where I want my skin to look flawless. I know I can rely on this base and it works well with all of my other base products to give that perfected base that we all want. Even with a good coverage and it's lasting power ti certainly isn't too much to wear it on an everyday basis. Its comfortable and I find myself forgetting that I even have anything on my face.

The Affordable One for Everyone

The lack of diversity within shade range in the beauty industry has been shot topic of conversation for some time now with some of the largest beauty brands being heavily criticised for still not providing a shade range extensive enough to cover all skin tones. L'Oréal Paris have started to change this though, introducing 23 shades to their True Match foundation range meaning that 98% of UK skin tones can now be matched within the range. With True Match coming in at under £10 it really is one that's for everyone. The formula again is lightweight and looks natural on the skin. It blends out seamlessly to give a boost of radiance to the skin but it isn't too much. It lasts all day and has an excellent build able coverage so whether I want just a hint of coverage where I need it or whether I want to build it up to a more full coverage True Match has me covered.

The High Coverage One

Sometimes only a high coverage foundation will do. Whether you're having a bad skin moment, want a totally flawless finish or just feel more comfortable with a high coverage base then Vichy Dermablend Foundation is the one for you. When it comes to high coverage Dermablend takes some beating. It covers every mark, spot and patch of redness but incredibly does not look heavy on the skin or as though you are wearing a lot of makeup. It is comfortable on the skin, not at all how you would image a high coverage foundation to feel. Apply with your hands for the best results and work this into the skin a little at the time for a complexity flawless finish. If you're skin is dry then beware, this might cling to drier patches so make sure that you exfoliate and moisturise well before use. If your complexion is a little oiler though this could be your best friend. Throughout the day it works nicely with the natural oils in your face to leave you with a radiant finish by the end of the day,

Navigating foundations and the countless base products on the market can be daunting but hopefully this has helped to give you a snapshot into exactly what I am looking for in a foundation and the ones that I am obsessed with.

What are you favourite foundations?