We’ve reviewed everything from dry shampoos and mascaras to lipsticks for #EscentualWears; this time, skin-caring foundations are on the team’s testing schedule.
We’ve rounded up the bases that offer more than makeup; these four foundations contain skincare benefits, too. From Givenchy to Dior, find out which the team rate and if their kind-to-skin formulas are worth it…
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1. GUERLAIN L’Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation SPF20
2. Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Skincaring Foundation 3. Clarins Everlasting Long-Wearing & Hydrating Matte Foundation 4. GIVENCHY Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation
1. Guerlain L’Essentiel
Best for: Buildability
Name: Ceryn
Job Role: Communications & Campaigns Assistant
Foundation: GUERLAIN L’Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation SPF20
Coverage: ★★★/5
Longevity: ★★★★/5
Buildability: ★★★★★/5
Comfort: ★★★★★/5
Shade Range: ★★★/5
Watch Ceryn’s Review Video ⬇
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What do you usually look for in a foundation?
I want a light texture foundation – I don’t like feeling as if I am wearing foundation. I usually opt for light to medium coverage that you can build without it going cakey; when a foundation is like this, you can use it for natural and glam looks.
Does a skin-caring foundation appeal to you?
Yes, definitely. I wear foundation every day, so if it can care for my skin while I’m wearing it, great!
What did you like most about the foundation you tested?
I liked how it felt on my skin! It felt as if I wasn’t wearing foundation, and isn’t that the goal? My skin also didn’t look as if it didn’t have makeup on – my skin but on a good skin day!
Has the foundation had an effect on your skin?
It’s hard to say as I have been testing other products. That said, my skin is excellent right now, it’s clear and hydrated, so maybe this foundation’s 97% natural ingredient line-up is to thank!
Do you have any tips to share after reviewing this foundation?
Consider how you apply it. I use a buffing brush for medium coverage, but a sponge will give a lighter coverage, and a foundation brush will be fuller.
Who would you recommend the foundation to?
I’d recommend this foundation to anyone who wants a foundation with moderate, buildable coverage and a natural finish on the skin. It’s a great everyday foundation for someone who wants natural ingredients on their skin.
2. Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish
Best for: Comfort
Name: Keavy
Job Role: Communications & Campaigns Assistant
Foundation: Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Skincaring Foundation
Coverage: ★★★/5
Longevity: ★★★/5
Buildability: ★★★★/5
Comfort: ★★★★★/5
Shade Range: ★★★★/5
Watch Keavy’s Review Video ⬇
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What do you usually look for in a foundation?
I usually look for a medium to high coverage glowy foundation that stays put all day. The lighter texture feel and coverage was a refreshing change to my usual daytime foundation.
Does a skin-caring foundation appeal to you?
Yes, totally – I feel like every foundation should be good skin. I love the idea of foundations that do more than make your skin look flawless while you’re wearing it and improve the look and feel of your skin when it comes off too. I can safely say that the Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish does this thanks to its impressive list of skincare ingredients in the formula itself, such as vitamin c, vitamin e and hyaluronic acid!
What did you like most about the foundation you tested?
For me, what makes this foundation unique and a little different from the rest is the army of powerful skincare ingredients it has inside, which make wearing this foundation good for your skin rather than making the problem areas you’ve covered worse and harder to cover in the future.
Has the foundation had an effect on your skin?
When I wore this foundation, my skin looked fresh and radiant due to the foundation’s skin-like finish. How did it feel? The best way I can describe the feeling of this formula on my skin is that it’s weightless – so light, you don’t even realise you have it on – and the texture of the formula is thin and watery.
The most marked effect of this foundation was how it made my skin look and feel afterwards (this is where I think this formula shines!). My skin felt soft, brighter and more hydrated than before I applied!
Do you have any tips to share after reviewing this foundation?
Pair with a high coverage concealer if you have any blemishes you’d like to cover.
Who would you recommend the foundation to?
I would recommend this foundation to anyone looking for anti-ageing results and a foundation that takes care of your skin while you wear it. Preference wise – I would recommend this to someone who likes to wear lightweight formulas with light to medium coverage.
3. Clarins Everlasting Matte
Best for: Coverage
Name: Kate
Job Role: Communications & Campaigns Assistant
Foundation: Clarins Everlasting Long-Wearing & Hydrating Matte Foundation
Coverage: ★★★★★/5
Longevity: ★★★★/5
Buildability: ★★★★/5
Comfort: ★★★★★/5
Shade Range: ★★★/5
Watch Kate’s Review Video ⬇
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What do you usually look for in a foundation?
I don’t wear foundation very often, but I like to go for something that offers even coverage and perhaps a slight, natural-looking glow when I do. That said, I do have slightly oilier/blemish-prone skin in places, so I’m always conscious of whether a foundation will give me an overly oily-looking T-zone.
Does a skin-caring foundation appeal to you?
Definitely – if there’s a makeup product with added skincare benefits, I’m all ears.
What did you like most about the foundation you tested?
The thing I liked most about this foundation was how lightweight it is. Even though it offers high coverage, it didn’t feel heavy or uncomfortable to wear, which I really liked.
Has the foundation had an effect on your skin?
It mattified and corrected my skin nicely, especially given that it was such a warm day! Although it was mattifying, I didn’t feel like my skin was dry or uncomfortable while wearing it.
Do you have any tips to share after reviewing this foundation?
Even though it’s full coverage, I’d still say it’s pretty buildable, so if there are certain areas that you don’t want to cover as much, then you can apply a small amount in those areas. Plus, I’d also recommend using a small amount to begin and applying a little more at a time until you’ve built the coverage that you’re happy with because it’s such high coverage that a little goes a long way.
Who would you recommend the foundation to?
Someone with an oily-prone complexion who wants their skin to look healthy and hydrated but still effectively mattified.
4. GIVENCHY Prisme Libre
Best for: Longevity
Name: Darcey
Job Role: Copywriting Junior
Foundation: GIVENCHY Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation
Coverage: ★★/5
Longevity: ★★★★★/5
Buildability: ★★/5
Comfort: ★★★★★/5
Shade Range: ★★★★/5
Watch Darcey’s Review Video ⬇
View this post on Instagram
What do you usually look for in a foundation?
As someone who suffers from dry, sensitive skin, I usually look for hydrating and dermatologist-tested foundations to reduce the likelihood of reaction or dry patches throughout the day.
Does a skin-caring foundation appeal to you?
Absolutely! Combining science and makeup sounds like a win-win to me. I love that skin-caring foundation are tailored to individual skin types and carry through all the hard work you’ve put into your skincare routine into your makeup look.
What did you like most about the foundation you tested?
I was impressed with the Prisme LibreFoundation; its lightweight formula felt comfortable on my skin all day long! The dewy finish quenched my skin, and it left me with a natural refreshed glow. Usually, I find foundation dries out my skin throughout the day leading to rough patches, but even 4 hours in the GIVENCHY Prisme Libre gave me a radiant, soft complexion.
Has the foundation had an effect on your skin?
After a week of use, I found the non-comedogenic formula started to benefit my skin. Unlike other foundations I’ve tried, this luminous complex didn’t block my pores, which reduced spots.
Do you have any tips to share after reviewing this foundation?
I love this foundation for day to day use; however, if you want to cover imperfections, I’d use it alongside a full coverage concealer.
Who would you recommend the foundation to?
I’d recommended the GIVENCHY Skin-Caring Glow Foundation to anyone suffering from dry or sensitive skin that struggles to find makeup. Also, its non-comedogenic composition could be universally appealing to anyone with blemishes.
