Friday 22 August 2014

The High End Foundation Breakdown.

High end foundations are definitely a love-hate relationship. (I love them, my bank balance does all the hate). I've tried my hand and uhh face at many makeovers and samples over the years, heck I've even partied with a pretty penny in exchange for a 30ml bottle on numerous occasions(that might explain the overflowing drawers). Here's a run down of my favourites, just don't ask me to to pick my number one..

1. Chanel Vitalumier Aqua
Oh Chanel. My first real high end Foundation. I love everything about the product: The packaging, check. The formula, check. The Texture, check. The longevity, check. It's comparable to Nars sheer Glow in terms of texture but I find it to be so much longer wearing. It's a great all-rounder and I love the fact that it's not oil based. The shades are limiting: I vary from a B20 - B50 (or 4 out of the 5 shades) depending on my tanning situation from the night before.

2. Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation
A slight cheat here as I typically carry this around in my bag ready for on the go touch ups, but it does work lovely as a full coverage powder foundation as well. The product itself is  pretty conveniently packaged with a handy mirror and a sponge. Admittedly, not the most hygienic in terms of application but its actually quite nifty - the ultimate "swipe" and go product. 

3. Estee Lauder's Double Wear
Caution! This product comes with extreme high coverage. If you're having a particularly bad day skin day or just want that extra level of full coverage this is youre guy. I'm in the shade 2c3, Fresco. Its about as matte as they come, and although its not one I use all that regularly (I now favour more dewy/natural finishes), it makes for flawless looking skin and probably the only foundation on the planet where I've woken up to a full face of makeup after a night of forgetting to wash my face. Naughty Naughty.

4. Make up forever HD Foundation
Controversially, this is actually my most expensive foundation. (Blame Sephora and their extortionate international prices) It was bought during a holiday to Portugal. It's pretty incredible stuff although I try and limit this as much as possible due to the importation issues. The coverage although it claims to be medium, I would say that initially, it's more of a lighter formula (although can be built to more of a medium level of coverage). It does a good job of covering blemishes but can be a little drying on the skin and I'm in the shade 118 which is great for relatively light skin gals with beige undertones. 

5. Georgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
The latest addition to the collection. LSK is my go to for filming or for anywhere that I know I need my makeup to last, I'm in the shade 4.5. Last Saturday left me Über impressed after it was applied first thing  (8am to be precise) and took me right through to the early hours of the following morning. The finish is a bit of an oddity: Its dewy but not in the sense that requires a constant touch up with a setting powder. It's just really natural looking. Did I mention that it photographs really beautifully thanks to the no SPF. No white ghost face here.

6. Nars: Sheer Glow Foundation
Last but not least I couldn't make this post without mentioning Nars Sheer Glow. I use the shade Mont Blanc for winter and although it's now far too light for me I'm seriously considering buying it in a darker shade. The texture is b-e-a-utiful, and although labelled as 'sheer', to me this has more coverage then that of the MUFE HD. My biggest bugbear is that even with a primer I really struggle for this to last on my skin but this could be down to my choice of shade.

So there we have it the top hard hitters all with the KDR seal of approval. 3+ years of experimenting rounded neatly into one relatively condensed post. All in the name of research, eh? Looks as though I'll be on beans and toast for the rest of this month..

What's your favourite high end foundation?

22 comments:

  1. The Armani silk foundation is probably my favourite out of all of these! It gives such a smooth finish, I love the feel of it :)

    www.imaniqbal.blogspot.com

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  2. Estee Lauder Double Wear for me. I like a full coverage! Some of these others you've mentioned sound very interesting, though. x

    Kate Louise Blogs

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  3. I've just purchased Mac's Studio Fix Fluid in a shade that's better for me and I'm loving it. I find the coverage similar to Sheer Glow. Maybe powdering Sheer Glow might make it last longer on you? You may already do that? I always powder even though my skin is not oily at all. Gemma x

    Beautiful Life as I know it

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  4. The Chanel, Armani and Nars have been on my list forever! But they are so pricey! Which would you say is definitely worth the price for daily wear!? I'm have combination skin! :)

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    1. That's a tough question! I would go with the Armani just because of how beautifully it photographs. It's good skin in a bottle! Xx

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  5. You have a fabulous collection! I'd love the try the Chanel one and NARs sheer glow! :)

    Style Sunrise☀

    :)
    x

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  6. You have some amazing foundations, i'd love to try estee lauder double wear and nars sheer glow!
    xprincessjas | ♥

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  7. you're so lucky, these are amaaaazing!

    http://www.mesmemosphotoblog.com/

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  8. I've been wanting to try the NARS foundation for so long it sounds so amazing!

    Salt and Chic // UK Fashion Blog

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  9. I've been lusting after the NARS Sheer Glow for ages now, this may have inspired me to go for it! Estee Lauder sounds great too x britishmermaid.blogspot.co.uk

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  10. Sincerely I don´t have any favorite high foundation!
    Thanks for your post!
    Now I´m following you in Bloglovin´#9 and GFC #80
    I hope your follow me back in both!
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com
    I want invite you to Join to my Giveaway Etude House and Lioele

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  11. Four of my favourite foundations in there!

    http://beautylymin.blogspot.ie/2014/08/giveaway-lorac-pro-palette.html

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  12. really want to try luminous silk! need to get my hands on it

    from helen at thelovecatsinc.com // blog sale

    ps. enter my £300 rayban and beauty goodies giveaway! click here.

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  13. Great collection of foundations. I think it's worth it. I want some of them too but I just don't have enough money for it. Great post.

    LEJA

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  14. Hello there!
    I adore your blog, so I nominated you for the Liebster Award!
    Take a look at my blog post in the link below, for details <3

    -T'keya

    http://dellarouge.blogspot.com/2014/08/lifestyle-leibster-blog-award.html

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  15. Wow, would LOVE to try that chanel foundation! Love your blog :)
    xo,
    Grace
    styelartandgrace.blogspot.com

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  16. Amazing collection! So jealous!

    New post on my blog it'll mean the world to me if you check it out :)
    http://mathildasbeautylife.blogspot.com/

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  17. I used to use Double Wear, but found it looked super cakey and dry on my skin so I stopped! I have been wanting to try the Nars Sheer Glow for the longest time, it's a shame it doesn't last for very long on your skin!

    The Velvet Black // UK Style, Beauty & Lifestyle Blog

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  18. My favourite high end has to be Dior Forever, I really want to try Armani LSK though heard only good things

    Over on my blog I am having a Real Techniques, YSL and Barry M Give away http://milliecbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/real-techniques-ysl-and-barry-m-giveaway.html

    x

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  19. Great post Katie! Very handy guide - I still haven't tried NARS Sheer Glow but would be concerned about it lasting on my oily tzone, too!

    Emma | Fluff and Fripperies

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  20. great informative post. i really want to try doublewear.

    www.simplymee89.blogspot.com

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  21. Dying to get Nars Sheer Glow once I finish one of the foundations I currently have on the go. I feel as though I'm on an endless quest to find THE perfect foundation haha

    Magpie Jasmine // magpiejasmine.blogspot.com

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