So last week my foundation ran out (sob) after scraping the bottle with an old eyeshadow brush it was about time I let the poor thing rest in peace. I was using the much raved about Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, and had both the original and the serum formulas (shade 52 and 53 respectively, if you were interested!) As much as I liked these, I'd been using them for quite some time and thought it was perfect timing for me to give something else a shot. I've been staring longingly at the Maybelline Superstay Better Skin foundation for weeks now, but the Big Boots in Manchester (to give it it's full title...) only ever had one tester in! I've also been debating the Revlon Colourstay foundation, but the lack of a pump realllyyy puts me off. To cut a long story short, I went over to the L'Oreal counter. I don't know if it's the same in all larger Boots stores, but in Manchester the L'Oreal counter is usually manned by a (somewhat) helpful "expert". So, despite the lack of testers there as well, I set my heart on the True Match Foundation. I've seen several reviews, videos and blog posts claiming this is good for oilier skin types so I got the lovely lady to try and match a shade to my skin.
I was a little scared to see her instantly head towards the medium shades, as I would definitely class myself as fair skinned. My Dad's Scottish genetic influence is great for withstanding cold but not so fab for my skin tone. After asking if I prefer my foundation to match my skin or to be darker (?!?!) she picked out two shades and swatched them on my jaw and I was forced to choose between two that I really thought were a touch darker than I need. However, being a little shy and afraid of confrontation I just went with the sallower (is that a word?) shade that didn't look so orange on my face. She then kindly made up my whole face with the foundation, a little powder and a touch of blush. If you're interested, we went with W3 Golden Beige. Who knew I was Golden or Beige anything?!
Swatches from left to right: highlighter, bronzer, bb powder, true match foundation.
After a few days use I'm getting used to the colour, although I think it is definitely a touch too tan for my skin tone, maybe some St Tropez will help with that. And I'm starting to like the colour and life it gives my complexion. I look a lot more ill when I remove it. I assume that's a good thing? Anyway, as I'm sure you know it never goes quite so simply as popping in for one thing and buying only that one item. Especially when there's a Boots 3 for 2... Not only was it 3 for 2 on L'Oreal face make up (as I was told after I'd spent ten minutes swatching lip stains on the back of my hand...) But if you spent £20 on L'Oreal you got this snazzy little Eau de Soleil free. Why not!
The BB Powder I was pretty skeptical on, I bought Light, as I generally prefer translucent powder. But wow. This stuff does actually give a different finish to that which I am used to from a setting powder. It kind of blurs imperfections and almost photoshops your skin. This sounds crazy right? The packaging claims to be a "velvet skin beautifier, 5 in 1. Mimics the texture and finish of velevety nude skin." And it does! My only problem with this is it doesn't last as long as I'd like. Whether this is due to my primer, foundation, powder or combination of them, it does need touching up after a few hours. But having had oily-combination skin all my life I'm used to a powder touch up at lunch time.
I also picked up the Glam Bronze bronzer and highlighter duo. They only had the one shade Blonde Harmony. But given how fair I am I really think anything darker would be ridiculous on my skin. The highlighter doesn't have much effect, I think. At least it hasn't edged out my Benefit Watt's Up. I picked this up as my Hoola Bronzer is basically gone, and I wanted something a little cheaper to replace it. I'm still getting the hang off contouring, but this is making my life so much easier. It blends easily to a natural finish (once I realised a lighter hand applies and blends so much easier) and it's worth it for the bronzer alone. They do have a bronzer only compact, and I'm not really sure why I chose this, but I did. So there.
All in all I would definitely recommend the foundation, powder and bronzer. There is a great range of shades in the foundation and it does blend in well to match your skin tone. The powder gives a lovely finish, even if it doesn't last the 8 hours it claims... If you have any recommendations, advice or have had any experience with these products please let me know!
