I have two must have foundation recommendations: one from Sephora and one from the drugstore. Both cost around $20: Sephora 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation and Physician’s Formula Nude Glow Foundation (comes with a small foundation brush).
As you may or may not know, Sephora offers a free mini-makeover where a Sephora Pro uses technology to identify the perfect foundation. I have gotten 7 mini makeovers. The first six times, the Sephora Pro did not find the perfect foundation. In the beginning, I tried very expensive formulas such as YSL and Milk Makeup. I am willing to spend $50 on a foundation if my skin looks amazing. However, the shades from those brands did not match my skin, even after trying many different colors from their respective product lines. I learned I need a brand not only offers a wide shade range, but shades with pink undertones- the majority of light foundations have a yellow undertone, which looks like a yellow mask on my skin.
The seventh mini-makeover, I found success! I had a new approach. Instead of relying on the technology to find the perfect shade, I asked for a long wearing foundation that would even out my skin tone with a wide range of colors. The Sephora Pro recommended the Sephora 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation. I found in previous mini makeovers, it was very time consuming having the Sephora Pro go back and forth to try new colors as the first one they picked often did not match. This time, I asked the Sephora Pro to bring over 6 colors from that line within my shade range. After trying four of the six colors, we found the perfect match. My skin looked flawless!
The Sephora 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation is very thick and full coverage. If you are looking for the flawless finish but do not want or need a full coverage foundation, I would recommend thinning it out with an illuminating primer or serum. I personally mix a little of the Physician’s Formula Illuminating primer with the foundation (1 part primer to 3 parts foundation).
If you do not live by a Sephora or prefer drugstore brands, Physician’s Formula Nude Glow delivers as promises: a glowing, even skin tone. The only downside with Nude Glow is that it comes in only a few shades. Physician’s Formula did create the Healthy Foundation with a variety of shades in response to many complaints about the limited shade selection for Nude Glow. Either line, Physician’s Formula foundations are excellent.
As for the product, I love that Nude Glow’s coverage is buildable. What really sets Physician’s Formula foundation apart is the luminous glowy finish. When combined with an illuminating primer (NARS Radiant for special occasions or Physician’s Formula for daily use), my skin looks radiant.
It is important to note that neither of these formulas has SPF. I use Garnier’s Clearly Brighter Moisturizer ($17, with coupon at CVS $13) with SPF 30 for daily use before applying both primers (pore minimizing and illuminating). If you are going to use these foundations, applying sunscreen underneath is crucial.
I hope after reading this you have a new approach for selecting foundation at Sephora and have new foundations to try!
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