Finding a foundation that ticks all the boxes can feel like a daunting task. Whether you need a product to stay put throughout your workday, brave a heatwave, or see you through a night out, there’s a perfect match for everyone. Beauty writer Emily Sleight put a range of foundations, from budget drugstore buys to premium picks like Charlotte Tilbury, to the test, starting from just £3.49 (currently on offer). With options spanning all price ranges, one foundation stood out as a clear winner for Emily, as reported by Liverpool Echo. Here’s her verdict:
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation – £39
Emily shared: “Seeing this foundation used on celebrities like Kate Moss and Salma Hayek, I knew it had to be good. From the moment I applied it, I noticed a flawless finish, instantly covering any blemishes. It truly delivered on its promise of a weightless feel and for the most part, stayed put all day. However, the shade did oxidize slightly after around 20 minutes, which is common with full coverage foundations, making it appear slightly darker. I did need to touch up with some powder halfway through the day. Overall, I’d recommend this foundation for achieving a flawless, smooth look, but I wouldn’t call it the ultimate long-lasting option.”
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation SPF 10 – £39.50
When it came to Estee Lauder’s foundation, Emily explained: “For most people, the name ‘long wear foundation’ immediately brings to mind Estee Lauder’s Double Wear – and it certainly lives up to its reputation. The fact that it comes in 60 shades is incredible, ensuring there’s something to complement every skin tone. This isn’t a lightweight formula by any means, but if you apply a moisturizer beforehand and use a sparing amount, it works wonders. It covered everything I wanted it to and built up nicely in areas where I needed extra coverage. The foundation lasted for a full 12 hours and still had some life left in it. I even tried mixing it with my moisturizer for a more natural look, and it worked well this way too. ”
L’Oreal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid – £10.99
Emily also tested a couple of budget-friendly foundations. She continued: “Described on the Boots website as a foundation with ‘true-to-skin’ coverage, this foundation promises to ‘improve skin quality within two weeks.’ If you struggle with finding the right shade (like me), even if you don’t get it absolutely perfect, this foundation manages to blend and match your skin tone after oxidizing on your skin. Oxidizing is the process where pigments and oils in makeup react with the air, causing the foundation to turn slightly darker. I always advise testing this foundation out first to find the perfect shade, but overall, the formula is lovely. It gives your skin a flawless, airbrushed effect and doesn’t settle into fine lines at all. While it didn’t last a full workday, I did need to touch up. ”
Collection Lasting Perfection Foundation – £6.49 (currently £3.49 on offer)
Emily couldn’t help but share her enthusiasm for the Collection Lasting Perfection Foundation. She said: “I’ll be raving about this foundation for a long time, especially considering it cost me less than a tenner. I wore this Collection foundation to my office Christmas party and it stayed on for a very long time without any touch-ups, although it did get a little shiny. As I mentioned in my previous review, this foundation formula is quite thick, which is something to keep in mind. The best part is, it doesn’t actually feel thick when you blend it onto your face.”
