Summer Foundation Favorites
Foundation is my makeup kryptonite - it’s hard for me to resist trying a new one when it hits the market. After having struggled with acne for so many years, the allure of perfect skin with the single swipe of a brush is very tempting. In the summer, I prefer lighter coverage bases that feel like nothing on the skin. As I have oily-combination skin, I also need the product to last. All of the bases in this post can go the distance. Some need powdering, some need a blotting after a few hours on a particularly oily day, and some can get me through the day without any interference at all.
I rounded up my ultimate top five picks ranging from barely there coverage to buildable light medium, and you can see them all in action in this video:
PRODUCTS MENTIONED
Chanel Water Fresh Tint (Medium)
Trinny London BFF Tinted Serum (Binky)
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (Alaska)
Giorgio Armani My Armani To-Go Cushion Foundation (4.5)
Dior Face & Body Foundation (2WO, 1N)
I love them all in different ways, and reach for them at different times depending on the look I would like to achieve, the weather, or how my skin is behaving on a particular day. The Chanel Water Fresh Tint really took me by surprise - I did not expect to fall in love with it as much as I did. It is entirely water based and offers a hint of tint and hydration to the skin. It wears beautifully throughout the day and can also be mixed into other foundations to give them an added healthy glow. This is my ultimate “no makeup makeup” product.
Trinny London’s BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum is equally flattering on the skin, albeit imparting a bit more glow and moisture with a hint more coverage. A beautiful product with added skincare benefits, suitable for all skin types and my go-to if I’m in need of a quick moisturizing base before I head out the door. I skip moisturizer if I want to wear this for the day.
If you’re teetering more towards the oily/combination skin side of the spectrum, the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is an excellent option. It has a newly expanded shade range, is super easy to blend and boasts great lasting power for a tinted moisturizer. Most tinted moisturizers I try tend to slip and slide from my face within a couple of hours, but the NARS can go the distance. I prefer applying this (and most tinted moisturizers/serums/skin tints) with fingers for the most natural finish.
Moving towards more medium coverage bases, I have been madly in love with Giorgio Armani Cushion Foundation for over three years and there’s no sign of my love fading away any time soon. It’s comically hard to find in my shade in North America but I stocked up on refills when I could. It’s like a magic eraser for me - imparting perfect amount of coverage for everyday. Super easy to blend with a brush, a sponge or the applicator it comes with. Dior Face and Body Foundation is similar in coverage albeit a bit more buildable with a foundation brush. The longevity is fantastic; it withstands heat and humidity like no other foundation in my arsenal, while maintaining a natural yet perfected look that doesn’t feel heavy on my skin.
