A foundation usually lasts me about three months. However, back in February I bought my first bottle of Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation swayed by the claims I was going to get awesome coverage and staying power. The reason the bottle has lasted me so long is because the liquid is so chalky to apply I have to ‘dilute’ it with another base. (In my case, Clinique’s Super Balance Foundation)
I have combination skin and suffered from acne in my teens which has left me with some scarring. Unless I religiously stick to a cleansing routine and drink a load of water I’m very prone to breakouts and oily patches. I’ve become really self conscious about my skin and when I first started using Double Wear l loved knowing I could face the world with a matte face. However, what I didn’t like was the cakey coverage and inevitable tide marks if I hadn’t been quick enough to blend in before it ‘set’.
I was tempted to give Double Wear Light a whirl and was thrilled to find my local Debenhams were offering the Estée Lauder iMatch consultation. If you’re not familiar with this service it’s designed to find your ideal foundation formula and off you pop with a ten day sample of your most suitable shade. Unfortunately it turned out no staff were available to do the consultation and so I went to store after store only to find there were no samples available. Dejected I started wandering around the Brighton Boots store and clapped eyes on Cara Delevingne smouldering over on the YSL counter. (It wasn’t the real Cara obviously, just a campaign photo). Within a few minutes I was having a consultation and trying out Yves Saint Laurent’s new wonder product Fusion Ink Foundation.
Apparently over 12,000 women joined the waiting list for the make-up with claims the product would offer 24 hours of soft-matte protection and comfort. I walked away with a spring in my step and a seven day sample in my bag. After a few applications I’m ready to share my verdict… It’s flipping great.
The formula is so thin it’s a doddle to apply with the bottle’s in-built dipper. You simply dot over your face with minimal blending as the product appears to almost melt in. After applying my skin looked smoother with an even coverage and an almost velvet finish. I applied over Benefit’s POREfressional Primer and was really pleased with the overall finish.
There’s obviously a lot of science behind the product and so it has many claims and some high-tech ingredients. One of them being a hydrophilic agent designed to soak up moisture from the face to leave it shine-free all day.
In my own experience though my skin wasn’t as matte as using Double Wear and I did feel the need to top up with more powder during the day. After attending a wedding I reapplied in the evening but for your average day the formulation stays on for the duration. Best of all I received several comments on how good my skin looked.
With Double Wear I felt it was a complete mission to remove at the end of the day. In comparison Fusion Ink is much easier to take off.
I’ve decided I’m definitely splashing out on a full size bottle, though I’m still unsure on the shade as my sample seemed a little dark for my pale skin. I would have thought those with less oily skins will find they don’t need a primer or powder. I’d be really interested to hear how those with dryer skins respond though.
If you’re tempted to get your hands on a bottle, Debenhams are offering free next day delivery on Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Foundations.
How long did it take you to find the perfect base? What foundation do you use for long-lasting coverage? Have you tried YSL’s newest foundation yet? Any converts from Double Wear?
I have yet to find the perfect foundation, it is the holy grail as far as I’m concerned. I dread to think how much I have wasted on rubbish foundations!! If anyone can recommend a good foundation for really pale (I am shade ‘alabaster’ at Bobbi Brown – for alabaster read ‘damn girl you’re pale!’) dry skin then I’m all ears! X
My Clinique shade is Alabaster Kayleigh. I’m pale too. Sorry I can’t help out with a dry skin foundation but hopefully one of the lovely RMS readers will x
Suqqu cream foundation is a real game changer. I’m the palest person I know and have dry skin. I also hate to look made up or too unnatural. I was going to buy Armani for my wedding but when I tried Suqqu, there was no going back. It covers my large pores, red patches and really evens out my fair colouring. It’s hideously expensive BUT 3 month in (wearing it every day, sharing with my bridesmaids!) there are still 2 thirds left. I’m slightly evangelical about it.
Clips I love Suqqu as a brand generally, expensive but amazing. I hardly ever hear anyone mention it. x
NARS do lots of very fair shades if you can find a formula to suit you… at Space NK aka the beauty shop of dreams…
Hey, my favourite foundation for dry skin is by far the YSL touche eclat foundation. I adore it! I’m pale so I use the shade b10 which is just right for me, it gives the most beautiful dewy finish. Sometimes I use the Diorskin nude foundation which is a little lighter in colour and gives a very similar effect, though I prefer the ysl one.
I use MAC’s liquid foundation it doesn’t budge on nights out and the few times I’ve fallen asleep without removing ny makeup (naughty I know) it hasn’t ended up all over my pillow. For everyday use it is a bit heavy so I tend to mix it up with a moisturiser for slightly lighter coverage. I have just run out so I’m tempted to give your recommendation a go… xx
Hi Helen, you should nip down to the make-up counter to get a sample. It’s worth a try x
I’m yet too to find my perfect foundation. I always try to divert but always end up back with Mac fluid fix as it doesn’t budge all day, however sometimes it looks a little powdery. I do have fairly dry skin too though so exfoliating keeps it at bay.
I was a YSL convert for a while with the Touche Éclat foundation but it just hasn’t got much staying power and I find I look a little patchy by the end of the day. I did get comments on how good my skin looked though so I’m definitely going to try this new one. Fingers crossed! xx
(I also swear by Benefit Porefessional, love the way it just melts into your skin)
With the porefressional I read amazing reviews on it and was a a bit disappointed when I first used it as I couldn’t see a difference. However I have had a lot of comments when wearing it so other people must be able to see a difference!
Let us know how you get on with the new YSL foundation Becca.
I use Lancome’s Teint Idole 24 hour which is really good and does really last but these last few weeks appears to make my skin dry and then a bit flaky-cakey which is nice! I swapped moisturiser from Lancome Hydra Zen to Avene and I think that might be the reason why – at least I’m hoping. I love that foundation because it provides excellent coverage but doesn’t look plastered on. I used to use a Bobbi Brown one so I’m not that loyal. I think the Fusion YSL one would dry my face out if its got moisture sucking up qualities.
Love the term ‘moisture-sucking up qualities’. It’s probably the best way to describe what it does! x
Ah, it’s a shame you couldn’t get a consultation with Estee Lauder because I swear by their Double Wear light. I like a light coverage but too have an oil problem – pretty mush isolated to my nose which drives me mad! In the run up to my wedding I went on a mission to try heaps of different foundations and one of the samples I received was the 10 day sample from Estee Lauder of their double wear light – which is a very generous sample to get for free. (Don’t go to Boots for it – the woman on their counter told me they weren’t allowed to give out samples! Debenhams is the best place)
I love it. I don’t feel like I’m wearing too much make up at all – I apply it with this brush from Mac – http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/146/772/Products/Brushes/Face/187-Duo-Fibre-Brush/index.tmpl – which I use to stipple small amounts of the foundation all over my face and then rub it in with circular motions to get a really light coverage.
And then, for an oily complexion, I swear by Mac’s blotting powder – http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/159/301/Blot-PowderPressed/index.tmpl. I have the compact version of this so I can carry it in my bag and top up if necessary. I normally only have to do this once in the day and my make up stays in place right until bed time.
I don’t find it difficult to remove with a cleanser at all.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for the Mac blotting powder recommendation – I may give it a try. I’m using Soap and Glory ‘One Heck of a Blot’ and it’s fine but I’m willing to give anything a try 🙂
After commenting on my friends lovely dewy skin I set off to Clinique at the beginning of last year. After a consultation it would seem Even Better is the best for my skin and I’ve never looked back. I’m also delighted it comes up in the best foundation reviews all the time! I discovered make up tutorials on You Tube in the run up to my wedding last year and got a MAC foundation brush. Maybe it’s the combination of the two but I’ve never looked back and haven’t applied foundation with my fingers for months. My foundation lasts me around 8 months I’d say and I do use it most days. I’ve used Benefits POREfressional as well but sometimes I feel it dries my skin out – I always end up going back to Clarins Flash Beauty Balm for a nice glow 🙂
If my skin is a little more sun kissed I use MAC BB which I have in a slightly darker shade which is also great.
I just can’t get the hang of a foundation brush Lynn. What’s your technique?
Flash Beauty Balm is a miracle product 🙂
Um I don’t know if I have one – I kind of paint it on (!) and then sort of blot it and blend blend blend! Go to You Tube and type in foundation brush tutorial and you’ll get lots of results. I got slightly obsessed with make up tutorials last year 🙂 You use far less foundation as well I find by using a brush!
Will take a peek, thanks Lynn.
I’ve also heard the YSL Touche Eclait foundation is good too – has anyone tried it?
I’m a big fan of the YSL Perfect Touch Foundation & have been using it for years, but after having my third child my skin type seems to have changed slightly; so definitely going to get my free sample & give this a go. Always love to hear a RMS recommendation xx
Apparently Debenhams stores are running low but hopefully you can still get a sample in Boots x
Yay, I love a post for us combination skin girls! I converted to Double Wear last year but found it was just a bit heavy for everyday use, though I still love it when I’m going out. When it launched earlier this year, I tried Benefit Big Easy and I’m hooked http://www.boots.com/en/Benefit-Big-Easy-Multi-Balancing-Complexion-Perfector-SPF-35_1449251/ . Feels much better for everyday but still does everything Double Wear used to in terms of keeping the shine under control. I use ‘heck of a blot’ too to fight the midday shine, but definitely tempted to give the MAC blot powder a go too! Thanks ladies! x
Big Easy sounds great for summer Emma, especially with the mighty SPF. I might give it a try next year.
I tried the new YSL foundation, but it broke me out :(. I am pretty sure that my skin can’t take silicones as all primers bring me out in cysts the next day, as do a lot of liquid foundations. If anyone can recommend a great silicone-free foundation that might not break me out I would be so happy! Am 32 and still haven’t found one to use :(. Have tried double wear light and still no joy. *stamps foot*
Lauren – having done so so much trying and testing before getting married last year, I could go on about this but I have 3 suggestions 🙂 1. Double wear needs (very) well moisturised skin and a good quality damp brush (spritz with water) and you’ll get the staying power without the chalkiness! Watch pixiwoo on YouTube if foundation brushes aren’t your thing yet! 2. If you ever take a trip to harrods, try dolce and gabbana matte foundation (the wedding one I settled on) it’s beautiful! 3. Bourjois 123 perfect range are very good for the money and last well on my oily skin. Phew sorry for the foundation essay!
Thanks so much Becki. I was slathering on the moisturiser before but never thought about the damp brush. You are very clever 🙂 Might have to try the Bourjois one for an every day foundation. Thanks again.
I am currently using Estee Lauder BB cream (intensity 1.0) after finding the double wear too heavy. (I also think the perfect foundation is like the holy grail!) I have just emailed Suqqu about some samples delivered to NZ but i am intrigued by the YSL one – might look in duty free next week! thanks!
Good luck Jess, hope you like it x
I’m not convinced by the Benefit POREfessional – I got a sample in a magazine (Glamour??) and was super chuffed to try it out but it seemed to dry out my skin 🙁
I have since found a brilliant product from Kiehl’s – Micro Blur Skin Perfector
(http://www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/by-concern/firming/micro-blur-skin-perfector?gclid=CO3ai_quwsACFUTkwgodbSMAbw)
Its super!! I use it over Stilla One Step Colour Corrector
(http://www.boots.com/en/Stila-One-Step-Correct-Colour-Corrector-30ml_1220953/?cm_mmc=pla-_-google-_-PLAs-_-Boots+Shopping+-+All+Products)
It keeps any shine down plus it minimizes pores and over time actually makes pores smaller (apparently)!
I know this isn’t strictly about foundation however it would be a very good non drying, oil hiding base 🙂
So at the moment I have Mac foundation that is pro long wear, but I have a sample of YSL fusion ink foundation and I really love it as it makes my face really smooth and does a full coverage even though I don’t apply much of the foundation but I was also using Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation about 7 months ago and I liked it too, but now I’m stuck between YSL and Estée Lauder and don’t know which foundation to get and my YSL sample is running out, ahhh help anyone?