every foundation i currently own, reviewed

And ranked in order of wear.

My relationship with foundation has evolved over the years. I used to own just one (Bourjois Healthy Mix or L’Oreal Infallible) that did me for every occasion, be that popping to the shops or heading out for the night. But as I’ve learned more about makeup (and the beauty industry has boomed), I’ve really changed my tune. Nowadays, I spend more time perfecting my base than I do on my eyeshadow — which would probably disgust 2016 Valerie, who sped through foundation application so she could get stuck into her Modern Renaissance palette. So, with that in mind, let’s explore my foundation stash and see what we find!

Just to note: My skin is normal-combination (kinda oily around the t-zone) and I tend to favour medium coverage foundations with a natural, glowy finish.

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk

Listen, you already know. I love this. I wore it again last weekend and my skin looked so good. It has medium but buildable coverage, allows your skin to peek through just enough, wears well, and my shade (5) matches me perfectly. I honestly think it would suit most people, though I understand “Luminous” might put you off if you’re on the oilier side (it did for me for a while). It’s not actually that glowy, more of a satin finish, in fact. The only thing I’m annoyed about is that I dropped it and the lid broke, so it’s not extremely travel-friendly any more. Other than that — chef’s kiss.

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream

Another one I’ve harped on about again and again. But how could I not? It’s just perfect as an everyday foundation — fresh and glowy, long-lasting, plays well with other products. I think this would also suit most skin types, though there are matte and luminous versions in case you prefer a particular finish. The order of this list is very correct, actually, as this falls between Luminous Silk and my next pick as a foundation that’s a step up from “no makeup makeup” but not “going out out makeup.” I love you, always forever, near or far, closer together…

Armani Beauty My Armani To Go Cushion Foundation

Back when I briefly became obsessed with finding a skin tint/tinted moisturiser/sheer foundation for “no makeup” days, I bought several products before finally giving this a go. It had been sitting in my stash for a while and wouldn’t you know, it was exactly what I was looking for — light but buildable coverage with a radiant finish. Armani describes it as an “essence-in-foundation,” and it does feel like tinted skincare. Just lovely!

Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation

When I’m not delighted with how my skin is looking and want more coverage, this is what I turn to. It’s got a touch more than Luminous Silk — just a touch! — and feels kind of like a good pair of M&S tights for the face. Encasing you with love, staying where it’s meant to be, not too sheer, not too thick. Reliable. Does this analogy make sense? I’m trying.

Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Serum Foundation

I got the complete wrong end of the stick with this one, which I recently bought after seeing it lavished with praise on YouTube and TikTok. When I hear “serum foundation,” I think light to medium coverage, glowy, skinlike finish. However, Ms Myricks was NOT playing around here. This is a high-coverage foundation! On my first go, I applied two drops and, frankly, was scared by how much it covered. Perhaps ideal for some, but not for me. 

Since then, I’ve been using one squeeze on a well-primed face (sometimes with some Flawless Filter or Glossier Futuredew mixed in, too), which is much “yummier” for me than the full whack. I acknowledge that I am manipulating the product into being the foundation I want it to be, but I think that’s on the branding and not me. 

Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder

Did I also have the wrong idea about this product? Yes! What up, I’m Jared, I’m 19, and I never fuckin learned how to read.

I thought this could be used as a primer under foundation (kind of like the Tatcha or ELF primers) and/or a powder substitute. So I tried it under a foundation and was once again SHOCKED at how my face suddenly resembled a mask. This is a foundation product. On the Danessa Myricks website, it says you can use it to prime, set foundation, and add “sheer” coverage. I guess I have a different interpretation of sheer? Like, it’s definitely not full coverage, but you can do quite a bit with it. There is a translucent one available, but Boo Boo here had an idea of some miracle product in her head and went for the tinted one.

just to give you an idea of that texxxture

ANYWAY. Once I got over the learning curve, I started reaching for this on days when I just wanted to slap something quick on and get out the door. I apply a few swipes with a dense brush and buff it out. It’s definitely more matte than I’d typically go for, but it also evens out the skin very nicely and requires little to no powdering throughout the day — so if you’re a bit oilier, you might enjoy it. I don’t find that it plays very well under or over my usual foundations (or the Yummy Skin Serum Foundation, oddly), therefore the multipurpose aspect does not apply to me. TLDR: It’s a strange product, but I like it? I think.

Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Foundation

I’ve mentioned this before On Here (in my very first post, in fact!) — I still think it’s a beautiful foundation, but I haven’t been using it as much because I feel kind of weird about how old my bottle is. I am on record as not really caring about makeup use-by dates, but foundation feels a bit different? This is from 2018 or 2019, so… four years-ish. Writing that down, it doesn’t seem that bad. It looks fine, it doesn’t stink, it’s getting used. I will not be judged for it! This foundation makes me look fresh as a daisy and I won’t apologise!

Sculpted by Aimee Tint and Glow

I purchased this shortly after the Fenty Beauty skin tint debacle as I was simply determined to find a lighter foundation that worked for me (this was before I properly tried the Armani cushion). However, I haven’t used it as much as I thought it would for two reasons: a) My shade picking was off and it’s too dark, and b) when they say glow, they mean GLOW. And unfortunately, it’s glitter rather than gleam, which is not terribly flattering on me, I’m afraid. I wore it a few times over the summer, but it may be on the chopping block during my next cull.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation

Here’s one I’ve been hanging on to because I like it, but the shade is so blatantly wrong on me that it puts me off wearing it (also, like the Shiseido, it’s a bit of an antique now). I don’t really rate Chanel makeup or skincare, for the most part, but their foundations are often quite nice. The name describes it exactly — it offers a healthy glow which, as you might have gathered by now, is exactly what I look for in an everyday base. But I consistently reach for the It Cosmetics CC Cream over this, so I probably wouldn’t repurchase this in the correct shade. Another one that will probably go during my next declutter.

And because I am always keeping my peepers peeping when it comes to new foundations, here are the ones I would buy if I ever actually finish the ones I have:

• Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation: Who is surprised? I tried a sample of this and liked it, but it looked and felt very similar to Luminous Silk on me, so I didn’t see the point of having both. Definitely one I would consider as a replacement, though.

• Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation: I think once I’m finished with my current tube of the It Cosmetics CC Cream, I’ll switch to this for the gawk. To me, it appears to be exactly the same thing, but people are raving about it. I’m curious.

• Sculpted by Aimee Satin Silk: Another one that seems to be inspired by Luminous Silk (not a bad thing, BTW!), though it’s advertised as high-coverage, which the Armani is definitely not. I’m interested in anything that claims to be long-wearing while feeling light. To be honest, I might pick it up anyway because I’m researching bridal makeup products and isn’t that a great excuse?!

• Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum: A skincare/foundation hybrid? Sign me tf up. I’m so predictable!

Thank you for reading Vanity Project! Are there any foundations you think I am missing out on and absolutely must try? Let me know!