Since it’s such a quiet time work wise at the moment I thought I’d sneak in a couple of ‘favourites of 2018’ posts. I’m on my second jar of Shiseido Future Solutions LX Total Radiance Foundation which at £75 a pot is madly expensive, but oh my – it’s so good. Everything about it is foundation perfection for me, from coverage, texture, smell and skin-feel; I find it transforms my complexion every time I use it into an even, soft and brightened canvas. It’s really a ‘proper’ foundation in the old fashioned sense, in that it’s not aiming for a no-make up look, but more of a polished and finished flawless skin look. I use Neutral 2 although I also have a pot of Neutral 3 that I can mix when my tone is warmer. You can find it HERE. The only down side to this is that there aren’t enough shades.
Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation is also an immediate perfector, although it’s a more fluid consistency than Shiseido. The shade I use is Wheat which is mostly fine although sometimes I think it runs a little bit pink. Nonetheless, it gives that magical flawlessness and blends like a dream. It’s good for a day foundation where you need decent coverage without it being completely full. When I met up with my make-up artist friend, Kenneth, we spent a full ten minutes raving about what a great foundation it is – he’s put it on some very famous faces so I felt pleased that he also thinks it’s marvellous. There are 22 shades going down to a very deep tone and it’s £30 HERE.
The big surprise this year for me concerning bases was how much I love the Clarisonic Foundation Brush. It’s compatible with all Clarisonic devices so you might want to dig your neglected face cleaner out of the bathroom cupboard and give it some new life. I more often than not use it to apply and it delivers an utterly seamless finish wth no tide lines. If you have the knack of a perfect finish already then you don’t need it but if you’re like me and sometimes notice (well past the point of being in front of the mirror) a patchy bit (by my ears often) or a bit of an uneven spread then it sorts that out well and truly. It’s £32 on Amazon Prime HERE.
I can’t not mention my beloved bareMinerals Complexion Rescue which I use virtually every single day. I’m still that person that can’t quite leave the house with no make-up at all and CR just gives my skin – I think you’d say a BB finish. It’s not obvious other than to warm my tone (handy on the 8am dog walk) to a more healthy looking state and to do a bit of perfecting and evening. It’s also got SPF30 which I don’t assume will last me the day, but will do for that early morning walk. It’s a comfort feel on the skin thanks to the gel consistency, giving some moisture but mostly, I think of it as a nude slip for my modesty – I’m not naked but neither am I dressed. It’s £28 in 15 shades HERE. I take Wheat (again!) but play about with Suede and Bamboo depending where my tone is at.
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6 comments
Belated Happy Christmas to you Jane and very best wishes for a wonderful New Year. Great post from you and super helpful as ever. I’ve had my eye on both the Clarins Skin Illusion since it was launched and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue. I use Chanel Les Beiges and EL Double Wear Waterfresh Nude foundations and would something a little easier on the budget for summer!
I also wanted to mention that the Tony Moly x Moschino Chic Skin Essence Pact arrived over Christmas. It’s sooo lovely and… it’s a lot bigger at 18g than I was expecting plus I received 2 adorable samples so I am very happy! Thank you for that post. Looking forward to seeing what’s on the BBB radar for 2019. xxx
Thanks Chrissie!
I love the Shiseido foundation and the Bare Minerals complexion rescue. But I discovered that the Shiseido Synchro Skin tinted gel cream foundation is very similar to the Bare Minerals one (Shiseido owns BM), and I’d say it is slightly better in terms of coverage and in covering large pores. I’m going to try Clarins Skin Illusion this week. Thanks for your reviews.
Hi Jane. I have been in pursuit of the holy grail of bases, since I first discovered makeup 25 years ago. That said, my requirements have changed a lot over the years; 25 years ago, it was all about covering up ALL my skin with a masklike product. Now, it is about providing luminosity and coverage that lasts. Clarins Skin Illusion is one of 2, that I have discovered and loved. My parents bought me another bottle Christmas, and it is a dream to use. It smells beautiful and goes on effortlessly and seamlessly. My other go-to foundation is Guerlain Parure Gold, though it is nearly twice the price of the Clarins! Happy New Year. Sarah
That’s great to know! Happy new year to you too xx
Shiseido Future Solution LX foundation is also one of my favourite foundations. I also like Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation and Dior Forever foundation but I’ve always found the texture a bit too thin and watery. Shiseido Future Solution LX has same nice finish but with a thicker whipped texture. It’s the most expensive foundation I own and I also have to buy 2 shades to mix- golden 3 &4. The shade range is terrible, gol den 4 isn’t even sold in the UK or Asian, only in US and Aus. That’s appalling especially for shiseido who is one of the biggest cosmetic companies in the world.