I have fallen for a foundation that costs a little over a fiver. As surprisingly, it’s a serum formula: one that must be shaken vigorously before use to blend the water, pigment and silicone. Generally, I view this type of base (also knows as “fusion”) as ideal for oily skin, but matte and flat on others. But I find The Ordinary Serum Foundation (£5.70) by far the most agreeable of its kind. It gives a bright, flattering finish to even my dry skin, while being reassuringly oil-free, lightweight and long-lasting for those overburdened by grease. It’s vegan-friendly, and The Ordinary’s ethnically inclusive colour range is unusually good, with clear, logical labelling. For example, I’m a 1.2 (light), but within that, there are four choices of undertone: pink, yellow, neutral (neither pinky nor yellowy) and yellow with flecks of gold (my match). It makes choosing a shade online, as I did, terribly easy. Frankly, the rest of the beauty industry – from budget to luxury – should watch and learn.
The Ordinary’s foundation is marketed as “light coverage” and the packaging recommends fingertip application, but I disagree on both counts. I found it nearer the medium mark, and in practice a stubby, dense-bristled brush gave a much smoother finish (Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, at £8.99, is ideal). I’ll be wearing it for much of the summer. If you favour a more opaque formula, buyers’ club Beauty Pie’s Everyday Great Skin Foundation (£4.75 to members) is a more traditional foundation with yet more coverage, and is still excellent value and cruelty-free. There are just eight shades, but six more are imminent.
While we’re on the subject of foundation, I’ve recently been so chased around social media by viral adverts (declared or otherwise) for silicone foundation sponges that I finally caved in in the name of curiosity and research. These are those clear, teardrop-shaped blobs of silicone (they look a bit like a tiny breast implant) that are being marketed as the hygienic, durable alternative to traditional makeup sponges. All of a sudden, there are seemingly hundreds of companies making them, and while I can’t rightly dismiss every one, the sponges I’ve tried so far (three in total) are all equally dreadful. They don’t blend at all, and instead push wet foundation pointlessly around the face, leaving streaks everywhere. They really are about as useful as a chocolate teapot and are best avoided.
