Hi friends!
I thought it was time for another “tour around my collection” kinda post today, and this one is all about my current base or foundation collection. You may remember that I did something similar a while back with my cream blush collection. I try to keep my bases as edited down as possible because how often do you actually finish them before they go off, am I right? (Somehow I still manage to end up with one too many, but moving on!) Now, if we’re being very precise here my foundation collection is really more of a tinted moisturizer collection; you know how much I love a light coverage/dewy finish base that packs loads of moisture!
So, as in my earlier cream blush post, I will take you through each one of my foundations/tinted moisturizers now and rank them from least favorite/least used to most favorite/most used. This was a bit of a challenge for me as I like each one of these products for different reasons.
Let’s get into it!
DISCLAIMER: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK. FIND OUT WHAT THAT MEANS HERE. SOME ITEMS WERE GIFTED, BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN.
5. NEUTROGENA HYDRO BOOST HYDRATING TINT
Even though I found the whole ranking process kinda difficult, I knew this one from Neutrogena was going to be the last on the list. It’s in no way a bad product and I wouldn’t say I dislike it; it’s just simply my least favorite of this bunch. I generally love Neutrogena products, and I’m keen to try out more of their Hydro Boost skincare line specifically. But this Hydrating Tint just wasn’t what I expected it to be. I was expecting a lot more hydration and a lot more dewiness. Even though it’s called a “tint,” it surprisingly has more coverage than you’d think, and the finish is definitely what I’d call “natural.” Again, nothing bad, but just not my ultimate preference. I do like the packaging; it has a large doe-foot applicator very similar to the Hollywood Flawless Filter from Charlotte Tilbury, making the application very easy and clean.
I did an entire review of this product here, so I suggest taking a look at that if you want greater detail. (I’m wondering if Neutrogena is discontinuing this product. It’s currently discounted on their site and most of the shades are out of stock…)
4. BOBBI BROWN SPF 25 TINTED MOISTURIZING BALM
Speaking of discontinued products, I’m still hanging onto the dregs of my beloved Tinted Moisturizing Balm from Bobbi Brown. Honestly, I’ve probably had this way too long but every time I use it I make sure to smell it first – so far so good! I won’t speak about this one too long considering it’s not available anymore, but just know this was the juiciest, most hydrating tinted moisturizer ever! I was absolutely obsessed with it, and was heartbroken when the brand discontinued it. It barely has any coverage yet it still manages to make my skin look evened out and healthy. I’ve put it second to last only because I do have to be extra careful how close I take it to my under-eye area. At times it’s made my concealer crease like an absolute mofo!
Read this: Take a tour of my MAC brush collection
3. IRIS & ROMEO BEST SKIN DAYS
I was very kindly gifted this base when Iris & Romeo initially launched their brand last year, and what a treat it is! It ticks all the boxes when it comes to my favorite kind of bases – light coverage, lots of moisture, lots of sheen. This is definitely a hybrid between skincare and makeup; in addition to coverage it also serves as your serum, moisturizer, SPF and blue light protection. So if you’re into those quick, one-and-done type base products, you may love this. It has a very pleasing cream texture that’s super easy to blend, and gives the skin a beautified appearance. I’ve placed this in the third slot because, although it looks stunning, the glass tub packaging isn’t as functional for me as, say, a squeeze tube would be.
If you want more in-depth info, just check out my complete review here.
2. ILIA BEAUTY SUPER SERUM SKIN TINT SPF 40
This was also very kindly gifted to me by the brand. The Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40* just launched back in February and it’s quickly become a fast favorite in my foundation collection. It’s another skincare-makeup hybrid much like the Best Skin Days, but it has a completely different texture. It’s thin and watery with a pipette delivery system, and it packs quite a punch in both the hydration and dewiness departments. It gives the skin such a beautiful and polished finish without adding tons of heavy coverage – I just adore it!
If you want more in-depth info, just check out my complete review here.
Read this: Tour my pink eyeshadow collection!
1. BARE MINERALS COMPLEXION RESCUE
This just edged out the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint because, to me, it’s the ultimate user-friendly, one-and-done kinda base. It’s light, easy to blend and gives your skin sun protection (factor 30) while evening everything out. It certainly won’t tackle major problem areas but that’s what they made concealer for. Plus, you’ve got squeeze tube packaging that’s lightweight and ever-so-easy to throw in your handbag or travel bag (we will travel again one day, folks). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve travelled with the Complexion Rescue for this reason. All in all, it’s my absolute favorite base that I will continue to repurchase again and again.
If you want more in-depth info, just check out my complete review here.
What’s in your current foundation collection? I’d love to know!
xo and be well, Erica
PIN IT!
I’m pretty sure the bare minerals is the only one I can get here and since it’s your favourite I’ll have to give it a go. it sounds amazing!
It’s a winner, in my opinion 😉😊.
I need to give the Ilia foundation a go. Everyone I’ve seen trying it is having such glowy beautiful results!
It’s so lovely if you want a really natural, second-skin look but with amped up hydration and glow!
I was intrigued by the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue a few months ago, I read numerous reviews and watched a number of YouTube reviews, it does sound lovely! What skin type is it best suited for? What shade do you wear?
It’s so lovely, and so easy to use! I have dry skin but to be honest I don’t see why someone with oilier skin couldn’t wear this. You may just want to lightly powder it, or just be accepting that it may not 100% last on you throughout the day depending on how oily you are. It’s an easy base to wear especially in the summer. It’s not greasy at all or overly dewy where you think it will slide off in a matter of moments (weather conditions depending of course). I wear the shade Opal, which I believe is the lightest shade in whole range, but believe me it’s not that light!
My skin is dry too. Will definitely consider trying this in future 😊
Would love to know how you get on with it!
I love bare minerals! After I ran out, I tried a knockoff and it just wasn’t quite the same coverage.
Hi Sarah! Bare Minerals is such a good brand, isn’t it? I always want to try more of their stuff but just never get around to it. I’ve heard their skincare is really good too!
I had purchased a starter kit one time. Everything was pretty neutral colorwise. I was happy with all of it…it had great coverage. One of my friends got me into it. Her husband even noticed her “glowing” complexion when she switched.
Wow, for her hubby to notice you know that has to be good! Men don’t generally tend to notice those things 😉.
Have you tried Maybelline Fit Me foundation? It’s around £7.99. It doesn’t dry out your skin, is long wear, and has a decent coverage without it feeling heavy. Great post! I’ll look out for your foundations xxx
Thank you! I haven’t, but that sounds like a great review! I have tried the Fit Me Concealer, which I really loved. I generally don’t wear really long-wearing bases since I have dry skin already, so as long as it doesn’t exaggerate that, I’d be interested. (I do have a review coming up on another Maybelline Fit Me product though, so stay tuned!)
My t zone gets very dry but my skins is fine whilst wearing this product. Maybe you could try a tester? Oh thank you, I’ll give the concealer a go next time I’m shopping! 🙂 x
Honestly you could make a lot different foundations work if you just prep the skin right. I always tend to put moisturizer on first or an illuminating primer/moisturizer to give the skin some slip. The Fit Me concealer is pretty creamy if I remember it correctly, so I assume the foundation would be a similar consistency.
I’ve never heard of Iris & Romeo, that foundation sounds perfect! It has everything that I need for Summer, I’ll have to check it out.
Currently in my collection I only have drugstore foundations: The Nyx tinted skin veil, ColourPop’s stick foundation and the hyaluronic acid one, Maybelline Fit Me, and Catrice HD Liquid foundation. It’s more than I usually have at once so I’m wondering how long it will take to finish them all!
They’re a very new indie brand with only two products at this point (I think) – this foundation and a colored lip balm. It’s got a beautiful consistency and for something that doesn’t cover an awful lot, it somehow still beautifies the skin.
I actually just had to get rid of my Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizing Balm since writing this post – it virtually went off overnight! So now I only have the four and that still feels like too many! I heard both the Maybelline and the Catrice foundations were really good!
Very cool! I will keep them in mind.
Aw that sucks! Sometimes it’s just time to move on from a product. It’s nice that it lasted so long though!
I’m so surprised it lasted so long considering how creamy it was!
it makes my heart so happy to see bareminerals at the top of this list because i’ve tried two of their foundations, a serum one and their original powder and absolutely loved the way they made my skin look! i’ve been giving it a thought about what other foundations I want to try and I may go for ILIA as it seems like something I”d want to try. I’m so over those medium coverage foundations, as I’ve been going foundation free most days lately 🙂
thanks for sharing!!
I’ve heard their original powder foundation is absolutely beautiful and not what you’d expect from a powder. I’ve never tried any powder foundations before, but I really trust Bare Minerals as a brand. The Ilia base is really lovely, and these days I’ve been applying it with a fluffy brush and LOVING the way it looks even more! Hope you and your family are doing well ❤️.
definitely not! it feels amazing and doesn’t feel like a powder on my skin. it also doesn’t feel like it’s drying my skin either its absolute perfection in my opinion. 🙂
i still haven’t tried applying liquid foundation with a brush but then again i havent found the right foundation yet 🙂
we are doing well, thank you! i hope you and yours are doing good too, have an amazing weekend! x
Glad to hear you guys are doing OK, considering the circumstances! How is it like to apply the powder foundation? I assume it’s all about technique and having the right brush?
I had a friend who worked for BM and she gave me a few pointers. Best applied with a stipple brush and use stippling motions to really get a nice and even finish. I used that method as well as circular motions and didn’t really note any difference? looked the same to me, but the finish looks amazing either way and it looks so natural 🙂
Interesting, thank you for the tips! I really must add that to my list. It consistently gets high marks so it’s gotta be good!