Searching for the perfect colour match: Foundation

Today I thought I'd talk about base products.  Being pale, they're something that I love and detest all at the same time...

Everything I've tried on my face that I could possibly find in my cupboard.
(Concealer post coming separately - or this one would go on for ever!)

I remember my first foundation being the Max Factor Miracle Touch - it looked about the right colour, and covered up the pesky tween spots that I had.  It also left a lovely tide mark, which to this day I still cringe about when looking back at photos.  This was the start of a somewhat disastrous foundation journey, which resulted in me avoiding the stuff like the plague for the last 3 or 4 years, and instead sticking to the palest of the palest concealer and mineral powder that I could find!

Nowadays it's supposed to be much easier to find a colour match on the high street, but I've still found that sadly isn't the case (even if you toddle up to the most expensive counters everything is still too orange!)  I'd love to try Illamasqua Skin Base, but at the moment have finally found a few products that match my ghost skin pretty well :)

Here's everything I'm going to be talking about today.

• The first brand that I am loving (and have done for several years now) is Lily Lolo.  Their Mineral Foundation in the shade 'porcelain'- a powder in a sifter pot - has been a favourite of mine since the beginning.  Although from the swatches below it looks quite yellow toned, it matches my uber pale pink undertoned skin beautifully.  (They also do a concealer range, which I'll talk about in an upcoming concealer megapost.)

• I've also been using Soap and Glory's One Heck Of A Blot for the last 6 months or so, and could not live without it now! It is technically an oil control/setting powder, but if all you want is something that blurs your skin a tiny tiny bit and takes the shine away (perfect for use at school) it's wonderful.  I used it on my foundation-hating mother recently when I dolled her up for a passport photo, and she loved it!

• Along with these I've been using Missha's Signature BB Cream in No.13.  I blind bought this on Ebay after reading many many blogposts, and was not disappointed.  It's literally the perfect colour for me, and blends in beautifully with fingers.  I just wish I could find a matt BB cream in the same shade, as it needs a lot of setting powder over the top to work with my oily skin.  But along with a dust of the Lily Lolo for a little extra coverage, and One Heck Of A Blot to set it's stuck around for a good 12 hours on my face!

In the swatch I've also included any other foundationy type things for colour comparison.  

• Max Factor Lasting Performance foundation in 'Fair' isn't a terrible match as the undertones are alright, but I don't use it any more as it's just too heavy (makes me want to claw my face off!)  
• The Clinique one is the result of a very bad colour match at the counter - lord knows why I didn't take it back - it's the 'Almost Makeup' in shade 9.  I believe it's been discontined/packaging changed.
• I recently got a sample of the YSL Touche Eclat foundation, as I love the clicky pen as an undereye concealer, but unfortunately it oxidises sooo crazy orange that I haven't even tested it out on my face (hence the extra little swatch above - this is fresh and unoxidised for comparison).
• I've also included Benefit's Porefessional, as this has a slight tint that works just fine blended in under makeup.

Unblended swatches of them all

...and blended out a bit

And yes, I did use waterproof eyeliner for the labels.  My poor sore red arm has persuaded me to work out how to do proper labels on the computer!

Also, in the future I'll probably do a proper review of the ones I use on a regular basis.  Let me know if that'd be useful for you!

Most of these are available at Boots or John Lewis.

Lily Lolo can be found at Feel Unique or here.

Missha products can be purchased on Ebay, but I'd recommend checking the seller out beforehand - beware of counterfeits!

Phew, that was a long one.

Hope you have a lovely week

xxx

Review: Soap and Glory's Glow All Out

Today's post is going to be a review of Soap and Glory's Luminizing Face Powder :)
I'm a huge fan of Soap and Glory, especially their makeup line (the blotting powder being a HG product for me!) and having had "Glow All Out" for a good few months now I think I can give my final opinion of it now.

I was initially worried about the packaging getting dirty and broken, but it's pretty sturdy cardboard, and is actually more 'drop proof' than my plastic compacts!
Also, look at it.  So cute and girly, but a little risque...

When you read the product description it says it will "lift up your cheekbones" and give a "moonlit look".
It doesn't claim to be a highlighter, so I wasn't expecting it to be crazy glittery and all 'in your face'!  I've used it just as a highlight along my cheekbones though, and it gives a lovely soft glow that stays put all day.

The pressed powder has a very soft, creamy consistency, and I found out the hard way that swirling your brush in it is not the way to go - hello glittery jeans!  I get the best results by dipping a small brush (like the Real Techniques Setting Brush) in it a couple of times and dabbing it on.

There's a decent sized mirror inside, and the powder itself is a peachy pink colour (true to the picture)

And here's the standard arm swatch (natural light).
  I'm as pale as they come, hence why it looks more like a pale blush.

I've tried the all over setting powder look, and to be honest, it's a little too much for me.  I have combo skin with the standard oily T-zone, and it just emphasises the pores far too much.  Its also a little dark for me all over as I have ghostly pale skin, but it's just right on the cheeks.

I would really recommend it for girls at school (or ladies at work) who want a subtle look.  I've also read that it is quite similar to the Hourglass Ambient Light powders, but I can't justify purchasing one of those yet (Hourglass is significantly cheaper across the pond...) so it could be a dupe in the works?

It's £11 for 7.5g from Boots, and is currently on 3 for 2 with the other Soap and Glory makeup :)

xxx

A Brief Introduction

Hi to whoever may be reading this!  Hope you've been having a lovely day :)
This is my first ever blog post *squeaks*, so I thought I'd start off with a little bit about myself.

I've just finished exams, and thought that whilst waiting to see if I'd gotten into uni that I should fill my time with something relatively constructive.  It's pretty easy for me to let time slip by pretty quickly, so I thought that a blog (with perhaps *shock horror* a schedule) might be a good thing to do!

I love reading other people's blogs on beauty, fashion, cooking, travel etc so I'll most likely doing random posts along those lines.
I'm also going to be studying Biology at uni, so I'm probably going to be throwing some medical/science stuff in the mix occasionally!

Off we go then!
Thanks for stopping by xxx