Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H (£27.50)

The next chapter in my foundation story features the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H liquid base.  This has been my foundation of choice ever since my disastrous experience with MAC Studio Fix foundation (I whinge more about that here!).  With my skin in a really bad way I had to change the way I choose my base and the things I look for in a foundation.  I used to ask myself three simple things ‘will this make me look orange?’, ‘will it last all night?’ and ‘how cheap is it?’.  Now, whilst still considering those factors because they are still important, I realised I need to take a different approach and look at what I was buying a little more in depth.

I had a consultation with a fabulous MUA for Lancome who really spent a lot of time helping me pick this foundation.  I told her I like a lot of coverage yet I wanted my skin to be able to breathe.  I needed a product that my skin was going to love as much as I did.  Together we settled on the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H in shade 02.  

This foundation is non-comodegenic which means it doesn’t block my pores.  It has a build-able coverage so if I’m feeling like I want a more natural look, one layer of the stuff will do.  If I have a problem area I want to cover (my chin for example), then I simply buff another layer into my skin and I have more coverage.  This makes it a great multi-use product - perfect for day and night.  I can leave this on my face all day and my skin doesn’t feel irritated at all.  I would never leave my make up on for 24 hours so I don’t know if it fully lives up to it’s claims but it does last a long time.  Personally I think the price tag is worth it for this foundation.  I really like how it looks on my skin and most importantly I’ve had no reaction to it.  I would re-purchase it but not yet.  I was stuck in a rut with my old foundation for so long that I’m going to play with a few more before I commit to saying I’ve found ‘the one!’

If you are looking for a new foundation I would definitely recommend having a good chat with the counter girls to make sure you’re buying one which suits you.  My experience with the lovely Lancome lady was worlds apart from the MAC counter.  I think this was my fault as I didn’t ask enough questions when buying Studio Fix - I’d already decided I wanted it.  But seriously, do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for a sample a this will help you decide it it’s for you.  Good luck!

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Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Real Techniques Stippling Brush (£11.99)

One beauty lesson I’ve learned over the years is that your make up is only as good as the tools you use to apply it.  Yes I know that brushes aren’t always essential; a smokey eye can look just as good smudged in with a finger and lipstick can be applied without a lip brush.  However there’s one brush that is a must-have and that’s a good base brush.

I introduce to you the Real Techniques Stippling Brush.  Designed with flat-headed bristles to buff away all imperfections, this is my foundation brush of choice.  I really can’t rave about it enough.  I move the brush in circulation motions across my face and it distributes my foundation smoothly and evenly.  I’m left with no pesky brush marks on my face and an overall polished complexion!  It can be used to blend in other liquid and cream products too such as cream blusher or highlighter.

Real Techniques brushes were designed by MUA and super-blogger Samantha Chapman from sister-ran blog Pixiwoo.  They’re perfectly priced and relatively cheap considering how much you can pay for some brushes.  For example, MAC’s stippling brush costs a whopping £32.50 so the Real Techniques brush really is a steal.  I’d definitely recommend trying it to see the results for yourself.  I was really impressed and can’t wait to try some of the other brushes in the Real Techniques range.  I’ll keep you posted!

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MAC Studio Fix Fluid

MAC Studio Fluid Fix (£20.50)

Sometimes I find myself in a bit of a make-up rut.  If I come across something I like I stick to it, hence the reason I've used the same foundation since I was 16.  I'd been ever faithful to L'oreal Infallible but following many months of denial and picture after picture of my make up looking 'a bit iffy', I accepted the fact I needed a change.  I can't pinpoint what was wrong with L'oreal Infallible other than the fact it just didn't suit my skin anymore.  It was time to look for something new and so the hunt for the perfect foundation began.

I decided my first stop would be my favourite make up brand and after many recommendations from friends and beauty blogs, I settled on MAC Studio Fluid Fix in NW20.  At £20.50 for 30ml it was almost twice the price of what I was currently paying for my base but I'd pay double again for the perfect product.  I was matched by one of the counter girls and happily skipped away thinking my foundation woes were over.  I was wrong.  Before this post starts to get really negative I want to say that I do LOVE the way this foundation looks on my skin.  It's a great colour match (well done counter girl) and makes my skin look fresh and bright.  I only needed a few pumps to achieve full coverage and it was great at covering blemishes and imperfections.  Imagine my disappointment when I realised a few weeks down the line that it was the foundation itself that was causing said spots and pimples.  In fact, it was completely breaking me out!  I've had breakouts in the past but have never been able to pinpoint the cause to a specific product.  This time, it was undoubtedly the foundation so I had no other choice but to stop using it.

Reading a few forums online, it seems as though I'm not the only person to have had issues with this product.  My skin for reference is combination and can get a little sore during the colder months but I wouldn't say it was particularly sensitive.  Since I've stopped using it my face has cleared a little but it's not completely back to normal yet.  It's so disappointing because breakout aside I really liked this product and wouldn't want to put anyone off buying it.  Instead, I would recommend asking for a 7 day sample first just to be sure you're skin is okay before fully committing to buying.  I know that's what I will be doing in future as the search for my perfect foundation continues.

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