While many of us are happy to bare our (almost) naked skin in the summer months (helped by just a smidgen of tinted moisturiser or BB cream), winter skin often calls for something more hard-working.
The problem? Many of us tend to find a foundation we love and stick to that one, re-buying once we run out and rarely testing out new ones.
This, my friends, is a big mistake. Not only because science and innovation keep moving forward all the time, meaning there are some seriously impressive ones out there to try out, but also because our skin keeps changing too, both with the seasons and also as we get older.
It is easy to feel lost in the makeup jungle, or spend all day (and night) on Youtube looking at review after review, so to help you out, here are six new(ish) foundations we have tested out and will without a doubt be buying again:
1. YSL All Hours Foundation
If you are on the hunt for a foundation with serious staying power, we think you can not get anything better than this new makeup bag staple from our beauty favourite, YSL.
All Hours Foundation is not only waterproof and transfer-resistant, it also has a super-rich level of fine pigments, creating a completely flawless and full-coverage finish which will last you a whopping 24-hours. Perfect, in other words, for party season.
YSL All Hours Foundation, €42, House of Fraser, Arnotts and selected department stores nationwide
2. Max Factor Healthy Skin Harmony Miracle Foundation
We love how we are seeing more and more and skincare and makeup merging into one, and the new foundation from Max Factor does just that.
The clever new formula offers 24-hour hydration, making sure your skin doesn’t dry out and start looking flaky, and it also offers protection against daily life, like pollution, sunshine and other environmental stressors. It is also perfect for those with combination or oily skin, as it works hard to control shine and absorb exess moisture.
Max Factor Healthy Skin Harmony Miracle Foundation, €21, from Boots and pharmacies nationwide
3. No7 Lift & Luminate Foundation
There is a reason Boots’ No7 products have cult status at this stage, and this new foundation is no different, delivering pretty much exactly what it promises.
The clever new formula is meant to move with your facial movements, which stops it settling into your lines, and, impressively, also contains the same amount of anti-ageing matrixyl as No7’s Protect & Perfect day cream, as well as optical wrinkle blurrers and light-reflecters to make skin look fresh and smooth.
No7 Lift & Luminate Foundation, €24, from Boots.ie
4. BareMinerals BarePro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20
If you have yet to try Bare Minerals’ amazing products, this new foundation is bound to get you as hooked as the rest of us.
What can you expect? 24-hour, breathable, full coverage with a natural matte finish, as well as velvet-y skin texture, blurred pores and imperfections and plenty of good-for-your-skin ingredients.
BareMinerals BarePro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20, €30,50, from here
5. Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr Foundation
There has been an almighty buzz around Rihanna’s new beauty range, which comes in an impressive 40 different shades. And even more impressively, pretty much every review of this product has been positive, with consumers saying they have been looking for products like these their entire lives.
Having tested it, we were also seriously impressed, not least with how this foundation is pretty much an instant Instagram filter for your face.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr Foundation, €33, Harvey Nichols, Dundrum Town Centre
6. Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30
Confession: Estée Lauder Double Wear has been my go-to foundation for absolute ages. And this new version isn’t going to be changing that, I think.
I love how it feels super-light on my skin. I pretty much only wear tinted moisturizers on a day-to-day basis, switching to foundations only for nights out. But this one doesn’t feel as heavy as a conventional foundation, especially considering it has a great, buildable coverage, and gives my skin a seriously summery glow.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30, €36, Boots.ie, Debenhams and selected department stores nationwide
