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