Complete Foundation Review + Tips
- Natural with Nat
- Jul 25, 2024
- 12 min read
Finding a foundation that matches your skin tone can be daunting. Whether it's the undertone, finish, or lack of inclusivity in a shade range, these are just some of the issues we experience while we are looking for our perfect foundation. I want to share my expertise to help you find the best possible match for your skin tone and skin type. You can achieve this through these simple steps.
1. Finding your undertone is key to finding the perfect match. Typically you can use your wrist to determine your undertone, looking at your veins what do you see? If you notice more of blue or purple colour you could have a skin tone on the cooler side, or if you notice a more green colour you could have more of a warmer skin tone. Maybe your veins are in between in colour, this could mean that you could have more of a neutral skin tone.
2. You can use jewelry to help differentiate your skin tone, this is easily done by wearing gold accent jewelry on one arm and silver accent jewelry on the other. Which side would you say is more flattering with your skin tone?
3. Choosing a finish you enjoy, that works best with your skin type is key.
Whether you prefer a matte, dewy, or a satin finish, you need to consider your skin type to guarantee that all day long wear. If you have an oilier skin type you should consider prepping your skin with a mattifying primer to keep oil at bay and ensure all day performance from your foundation. If you have a drier skin type you should consider a hydrating primer to allow your foundation to adhere and apply evenly texture wise. If you have combination skin type you can apply a mattifying primer in the places you have more oil production, and a hydrating primer on the more drier areas.
Now that you've considered these aspects, let's dive into the breakdown of foundation brands and see what they have to offer. Here is a complete list of foundations I have tested. I've categorized them with a rating system out of five, 0 being worst and 5 being the best based on my experience from using them. That being said, I have a dry skin texture so these reviews are examples of how they react on my skin. This list also has clickable links, just hover over the product name and click to be directed to the website.
$62 CAD - 42 Shades - 10g - V - Cruelty-free
This foundation is a solid, cream consistency that offers a satin finish. It is unscented but has a very slight chemical smell to it. The component is a plastic tube with a twist up portion and a cap lid (Be careful you don't have your foundation twisted up too far as the lid is concave and will ruin the top of it!). It provides a good medium coverage and is layerable, it is best applied with a stippling brush or your fingers to get a smooth finish. Although the consistency is a solid cream, the texture has a dry feeling to it. This foundation does not oxidize, and has an extensive shade range with good undertones. It is convenient to take with you as it is a travel friendly size.
Pros: The packaging makes it easy to quickly apply the foundation, travel friendly.
Cons: The consistency has a dry/gritty texture to it that can adhere to dry patches.
$33 CAD - 36 Shades - V - Cruelty-free
This foundation has a cream serum consistency that offers solid medium coverage. The texture is very lightweight compared to other cream foundations, and it is buildable so it layers nicely. This foundation is unscented and applies best with fingers or a stippling brush. It offers a dewy finish and needs to be set so it doesn't crease into fine lines. The component is a 100% biodegradable cardboard compact for the outer portion (with the option to purchase a separate plastic compact with a magnetic closure) and the product is in a plastic/metal enclosure. This foundation does not oxidize and is travel friendly (especially if you purchase a magnetic compact).
Pros: Great shade range, nice feeling on the skin for the coverage it provides.
Cons: The compact can be a little loose and can slightly pop open by itself.
$35 USD - 12 Shades - V - Cruelty-free
This foundation has a mild sweet vanilla scent to it, is a liquid serum consistency, and offers a satin finish. It gives light to light-medium coverage. This 'second skin' foundation has a unique texture that dries down to a satin (not completely matte) finish which doesn't need a lot of powder to set. The component is a glass bottle with a pump and snap close cap. This foundation has a thinner consistency and blends easily into the skin. Using your fingers or a brush is the best way to apply this foundation (a makeup sponge will absorb the product). The shade range is quite small for this foundation, and the undertones are fairly warm for this product. When applying to the skin the colour changes slightly until it is completely blended in, which takes a few moments. You are able to layer this foundation to achieve your desired coverage.
Pros: Has a nice feeling on the skin.
Cons: Not a wide shade range.
$59 USD - 36 Shades - V - Cruelty-free
This foundation has a liquid cream consistency, is unscented, and offers medium to full coverage. The component is a glass bottle with a pump and snap close lid. The texture of the foundation is creamy and has a satin finish. It blends out nicely with fingers, stippling brush, and a makeup sponge. It does layer nicely and is a great three in one product when used as a base, concealer, and spf! Provides mineral SPF 25 that is reef safe. The shade range is good, offering four undertones to find your perfect match. I find that this foundation oxidizes slightly, so I recommend swatching prior to purchase.
Pros: Great multi-tasker. Provides expiry date on bottom of bottle.
Cons: Does acquire a smell after some time, can slightly smell of a fishy odour.
$37 CAD - 13 Shades - V - Cruelty-free
This foundation is unscented, has a cream consistency and offers a solid medium coverage. The component is a compact with a mirror and has a snap lid closure. The formulation is waterless, and has a thicker consistency that is easily blendable and layers nicely. It can be applied with your fingers, a brush, and a sponge - they all give a flawless result. This foundation does not oxidize, and is true to the colour in the pan.
Pros: Has good coverage and layers easily for customizable coverage.
Cons: Can feel a little heavy on the skin.
$64 USD - 30ml - 13 Shades - V - Cruelty-free
This foundation has a liquid serum consistency with a satin matte finish. It provides light coverage but can be layered to achieve a slight medium coverage. The component is a glass bottle with a pump (because of the consistency it can squirt out of the pump unevenly and makes a mess - be careful). It has a slight citrus scent and is applied best with your fingers. This foundation does not need a lot of powder to set it as it dries down nicely. The formulation has quality ingredients such as organic essences, and the first ingredient is aloe vera juice which is super hydrating! I did notice that the colour oxidizes, I pump the product onto the back of my hand and it turns to a very warm shade, but once applied it goes back to the original colour.
Pros: Hydrating and a light airy feeling on the skin.
Cons: Can stick to and accentuate dry patches.
$70 CAD - 18 Shades - Vegan - Cruelty free
This foundation is unscented and has a serum consistency that offers light to medium coverage. It has a dewy texture and a satin finish. It layers nicely and needs to be set with a light dusting of powder. The component is a glass bottle with a unique doe foot applicator that has a hollow center to allow the brush to grab more product. The formulation contains organic ingredients and plant oils which hydrate and soothe the skin. This foundation is a true makeup-skincare hybrid that offers the best of both worlds.
Pros: Very comfortable on the skin, good shade range, and does not oxidize on the skin.
Cons: Because of the serum consistency, I would not recommend using a beauty blender as it will absorb majority of the product.
$68 USD - 13 g - 15 Shades - Vegan - Cruelty free
This foundation is unscented, has a cream consistency, and offers medium to full coverage. The component is a glass pot and it offers a solid medium coverage that can be built up to full coverage in areas where needed. It has a satin finish, and the creamy formulation has plant oils which hydrate the skin. If you have a drier skin type you'll really like this foundation, I don't find it to stick to dry patches - you'll need to set this foundation though because it can crease. I wouldn't recommend this foundation for anyone with oily skin as it is an oilier product already. It can be blended out with a sponge or a brush (I prefer a dense stippling brush), the thickness of this foundation won't be easily absorbed into a sponge so there's not much waste.
Pros: Amazing shade range with excellent undertones.
Cons: Has a heavier feeling on the skin.
$35 CAD - 50ml - 10 shades - Vegan - Cruelty free
This foundation is unscented, has a whipped mousse consistency, and offers light to light-medium coverage depending on application. The component is a glass bottle with plastic pump. It applies best with your fingers or a stippling brush. This foundation offers a semi-matte finish. I recommend working in sections while applying this foundation, I do feel it dries pretty fast. I find this foundation to oxidize quite a bit so I recommend a shade lighter than what you would normally choose (as it turns darker/warmer in colour).
Pros: Contains hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated.
Cons: Can slightly settle into fine lines/wrinkles.
$68 CAD - 30 ml - 19 Shades - Vegan - Cruelty free
This foundation is unscented with a liquid consistency and offers buildable medium coverage. The finish of this foundation is dewy and hydrating, which is great for drier skin types as it keeps the skin plump during the wear time. The component is a glass bottle with plastic pump. It does not oxidize, the colour you see in the bottle is very close to what you get when applied. I recommend setting this foundation to maximize a full day wear from it. If you enjoy the glass skin look this will be the perfect foundation for you (dewy hydrated looking - no oily look/feel)
Pros: Good shade range with complimentary undertones. Contains organic ingredients.
Cons: Does not have a long shelf life (6 months).
$68 CAD - 9g - 7 Shades - Vegan - Cruelty free
This foundation is a cream consistency, with a mild cream foundation scent, and offers a natural light to medium coverage. It has a satin finish and applies best with a stippling brush. I find that this foundation has a coating on top that you have to break through to get the product to apply to your brush (I use my finger to warm up the top layer and remove it). The component is an aluminum compact.
Pros: Travel friendly with a sleek compact.
Cons: Has a very limited shade range - not inclusive. Very expensive for the amount of product you get.
$17.99 USD - 30 ml - 12 Shades - Vegan
This foundation is not scented but has mild odour, has a liquid consistency, and offers light coverage. This foundation is a great tinted moisturizer, it sinks into the skin giving you that second skin feeling and appearance. If you use a blender sponge it will be absorbed, so the best way to apply this is with either your fingers or a flat foundation brush. The component is a glass bottle with a dropper.
Pros: One of the most comfortable foundations to wear, feels like a lightweight moisturizing cream.
Cons: The component is not great, the dropper barely fits into the glass bottle and creates an overflow of product down the outside of the bottle.
$58 CAD - 12 Shades - 30 ml - Vegan - Cruelty free
This foundation is unscented, has a liquid consistency and offers light to medium coverage. This is a great light weight foundation that has a second skin appearance. It has a dewy finish that needs to be set with a good mattifying powder to ensure all day wear. It can be layered easily, and can be applied with a stippling or flat foundation brush, and your fingers to easily buff into the skin. The component is a PCR squeeze tube and cap lid, great for allowing the exact amount of product needed for each use.
Pros: Hydrating to the skin, has a great texture - feels like a luxurious cream/serum hybrid.
Cons: I find this foundation can slightly separate in the t-zone area.
$18 USD - 30 ml - 6 Shades - Vegan - Cruelty free
This foundation is a CC cream with a SPF of 17, has a liquid consistency, offers light coverage. It has fragrance added of a floral scent. The shades tend to run on the warmer side so keep that in mind. This CC cream does melt into the skin which does give it a nice second skin appearance that doesn't need too much setting powder. The component is a plastic bottle with a pump.
Pros: Good for a quick use-your-fingers application.
Cons: Contains fragrance, if you are sensitive pass on this one. Also contains silicone.
$58 CAD - 14 Shades - 30ml - Vegan - Cruelty free
This foundation has a mild scent (from essential oils) and a liquid serum consistency that offers light to medium coverage. This foundation will completely absorb into a beauty blender because of its thinner consistency, so it is best applied with a stippling brush working from section to section. I recommend applying product little by little on the back of your hand and working quickly as this foundation dries really fast (if you don't work fast the application can be streaky). The component is a glass bottle with a pump.
Pros: Dries down to a semi-matte finish and doesn't need much powder to set. Contains organic ingredients.
Cons: Alcohol is the second ingredient, this foundation is not good for sensitive skin as I found it can have a burning sensation.
$36 CAD - 20 shades - 30 ml - Vegan - Cruelty-free
This foundation has a mild scent and offers medium coverage that dries down to a powder like finish. It is a liquid consistency and applies best with your fingers while working in sections. It doesn't necessarily need setting powder as it sets itself nicely. This is a great foundation for people with a more oily complexion, as it is oil free! The component is a glass jar with a pump and cap lid. I feel this range has a true neutral undertone for the shades, great for anyone with neutral to cool complexion.
Pros: Dries down to a satin matte finish, has a beautiful component that is worthy of your countertop.
Cons: Application can be splotchy, work in sections.
$46 USD - 13 shades - 30 ml - Vegan - Cruelty-free
This foundation has a natural lavender scent (from essential oils), has a liquid consistency, and offers light coverage. The first ingredient is aloe leaf juice which gives this foundation a nice hydrating feeling to the skin. The component is a squeeze tube bottle and is made from sugarcane and can be biodegraded through composting. I find this foundation is best applied with a flat liquid foundation brush, or with your fingers. I recommend applying this foundation section by section because it can slightly streak. If you want to build up this foundation I suggest waiting until the first layer has dried completely before going on top again with more product, as I find that if you apply a second layer right away it tends to pick up the previously applied foundation.
Pros: Packaging of product allows you to use all the foundation inside, YAY no waste! Contains organic ingredients.
Cons: The lavender scent can be overpowering.
$14 USD - 12 Shades - 29 ml - V - Cruelty-free
This foundation has a liquid consistency and offers a natural matte finish. The component is a squeeze tube with cap lid. It is unscented and is best applied with your fingers or a stippling brush. The formulation of this foundation is water based and it feels more like a tinted moisturizer over a foundation. It offers sheer light coverage and I find the best way to apply this is by using your hands to apply like you would a cream, let it set for a moment, and then pat/press into the skin so it doesn't look streaky.
Pros: The component is made from 50% PCR.
Cons: Can stick to and accentuate dry patches, takes a long time to blend.
I hope these tips and product breakdowns helped you feel a little more at ease for when you try out your next foundation. If you've found your perfect foundation you should check out my blog post on a complete concealer review + tips for a breakdown of the best performing concealers! I would love to know if you've tried any of these foundations, and what your opinions are about them. If you have any questions leave a message in the comments and we can connect.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Nat xx
For reference for photos 1 & 2, swatches from top to bottom: Lily Lolo cream foundation, MOB beauty cream foundation, Juice beauty serum foundation, ILIA Skin Rewind, Kosas Revealer, 100% Pure water foundation, Fitglow foundation+, Pacifica kind tint, Beauty Care Naturals second skin. *Photo 1 is ring light, photo 2 is natural light.
For reference for last photo, swatches from top to bottom : Pacifica Ultra CC cream shade warm/light, Physicians Formula Organic Wear Silk foundation elixir shade 02 Fair to light, Elate Refresh foundation shade RN1, Elate Uplift foundation shade UN1, Sappho New Paradigm foundation in shade 2, 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Water foundation shade Neutral 1.0, 100% Pure Cream foundation shade Alpine Rose, Au Naturale Creme foundation shade Biscay, TMF Dream Conceal shade 1, Ere Perez Oat Milk foundation shade Latte, Nude by Nature foundation shade N2 Classic Beige, 14e foundation shade Seashell 01. *Some foundations were discontinued and hence removed from list.
Notice: Some clickable links are part of an affiliate program where I make a small portion of commission from a purchase.
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