Curious: how many foundations do you own, use and why?

May 20, 2016

Samina M.

Hello! I've been experimenting this year with different foundations, since I've been on the hunt for the perfect shade + formulation that will suit my oily skin after I've colour corrected and concealed. I've previously always used one foundation and it never occurred to me to own more than one brand or formulation type or to even change foundations between seasons. Now, I'm suddenly owning 4 foundations, all in different formulations and with very subtle variances in the shades but they work well with my skin tone. And I love all of them :)

A while back I used the MAC Studio Fix Fluid and Powder in NC43.5 but stopped since it just wasn't agreeing with my skin anymore. It was a good colour match however.

Currently got the following:

1) Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in SX11 (the only foundation I used for the last 3 years) - the little tub lasts forever! It is just a hint too yellow hence I decided to hunt for other foundations.
2) Natasha Denona Glow foundation in #75 medium dark. A perfect shade match and I'm enjoying the glow factor.
3) Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Fluid in SF08 - was curious about its oil-free "watery" liquid formulation. I enjoy it's light-weight feel plus the matte finish.
4) Natasha Denona Phenomattic Flawless Texture in #7 medium-dark bisque. The "self-setting" factor made me want to try it out. Love the soft smooth matte finish it leaves on my skin.

So why do you own more than one foundation? And when do you use which formulation (matte, glow, illuminating, cream or liquid) for what occasion or season?

May 20, 2016

Diana T.

I have about 5 but I used to have like 10 just from trying things out - but half of them expired and they had SPF in them so I got rid of them - my current five that I own are the MUFE mat velvet, Clinique acne solutions foundation, tarte Amazonian clay foundation, KVD foundation liquid and powder foundations - the ones I'm currently using are the KVD - because they both provide full coverage without feeling heavy or cakey - the powder I use over my Clinique cc cream and the liquid I use alone with the tarte setting powder and KVD setting spray over it - but the shade on it is perfect for my lighter winter skin and it's still pretty cold here in Germany but in summer I will switch to the tarte after I tan and go on vacation because that shade is a little darker.

May 20, 2016

Samina M.

Thanks for the explanations Diana + Aurora :) Now I don't feel guilty for still wanting to experiment despite having 4 foundations.

Aurora, if my husband ever complains about why I own 4, I'm going to show him your picture of the 16 foundations to justify any additional purchases I make  :)

May 20, 2016

Aurora S.

Sorry, that first and second sentence were kind of confusing, I had wrote something else then changed it but then I didn't delete the rest of what I had wrote before changing my mind lol.

Haha and that's understandable lol.

I've just been trying out different ones to see what I'd stick with. I could just try samples but I don't feel like... You get enough to really play around with product to see if you really like it or not.
There have been times I've tried the sample, loved it then hated it after buying it and using it a while or I hated it at first then played around with it and started loving it.

I think the biggest issue is that some of my favorite ones lack the olive/green tone to match me so I end up trying more.
I'll probably just have to buy a green airbrush product to add to formulas to have them match better but it can be inconsistent.
For example, I love the MAC Pro longwear nourishing waterproof foundation but the NC35 is a tad dark and looks pink/peach on me and the C35 over doesn't help much so I hardly wear it unless I feel like mixing a green pigment with it.
I also try out some drugstore "dupes" to compare and see whether I'd just go for the drugstore one.
For example, I heard the L'orèal true match compact makeup was a dupe for the MAC studio tech so I gave it a shot but it wasn't a very good dupe IMO

May 20, 2016

Shengmin L.

I own 5 foundations. My very first foundation was the Benefit Hello Flawless oxygen wow, It was a newbie foundation and I didn't like it much because it turned my face orange. It had a nice coverage tho. The second foundation I bought was MAC matchmaster and it was super cakey as hell on me. It's semi-matte with medium to full coverage, I got it in the shade 4.0 but it looked too orangey on my face. My third foundation which was pretty ok was my Laura Mercier Candleglow foundation. It's a dewy foundation which I felt suited my skin and gave it that inner glow. It's sheer to medium coverage foundation but it really makes your skin look like skin instead of just layers of cakiness. Plus the shade I got matched me very well. I also own Estée Lauder double wear in desert beige and even tho I was matched to that color, and it looked like it blended in well in the store I felt like it looked too white in natural lighting and I looked like Casper haha. It's a matte foundation but it dries super fast and even though it's full coverage I didn't like it that much. The last one I got but which I use a lot and is my favorite isn't really a foundation but it's a good medium coverage and it's the Bareminerals complexion rescue. I love it so much even though it's a tinted moisturizer. It's better for my skin and it's moisturizing so you don't need to apply moisturizer. The shade matches my skin very well (I got it in vanilla). It's extremely blendable and you can get a nice medium coverage of you use a foundation brush instead of a beautyblender, but I always go over it with a beautyblender after applying with a brush. It doesn't make my skin look cakey, it makes it look nice and natural. I love it.

May 20, 2016

Marleen B.

I switch up 4 foundations.
1. Marc Jacobs Fullest coverage, matte.
2. Too Faced ,Medium coverage satin/demi matte
3. L'Or?al Lumi Light /Medium coverage, dewey.
4. Estee Lauder ReNutriv Light /Medium super dewey, almost moist (good for super dry, flakey skin).
I switch up depending on my skin condition, and the look I'm going for.

May 20, 2016

Jacqueline H.

For my personal use, I have 4 foundations that I use the most. RCMA, MUFE HD, UD Naked Skin and MAC Studio Fix fluid. The foundations I carry in my kit are a bit more extensive.

Formula wise I like a more natural looking finish versus something that is traditional flat powdery matte. I'm lucky, I truly have a normal skin type, so I can get away with a lot more in terms of what types of formulations and finishes work on me. I still like to have the ability to be able to see my skin through any foundation I wear. I'm not a full coverage every day kind of gal, but I do like to have the ability to build up a bit more coverage if need be.

MUFE HD and the Urban Decay Naked Skin would be considered HD foundations. I love these types of foundations because I don't have elastic 20 year old skin anymore, and these types of formulations contain reflective particles that create a more soft focus effect on the skin. They even out skin tone, and cover minor to somewhat more moderate imperfections quite nicely, and they don't look or feel heavy on the skin. Great for TV/Film work, but you have to be careful with flash photography and HD foundations. I've been using MUFE HD for a long long long time, and I find this formula works for my skin in the cooler months, whereas the Urban Decay Naked Skin is great for the summertime for me. I live in Vegas, and it can get pretty hot, and the UD Naked Skin just adheres better to my skin during more heated months. Both the UD Naked Skin and the MUFE HD are beautiful foundations.

I think my most cherished and favorite foundation is RCMA. I've been using RCMA products for well over a decade, and they never fail me. RCMA doesn't really have a discernible finish to it, it just processes and looks like your own skin, but better. One only really needs a pea sized amount for full face application, so it is quite economical. Professional grade products at a very reasonable cost.

I still love my MAC Studio Fix, and I use it when I want a bit more coverage, and a more semi matte finish. The MAC Nourishing Pro Longwear is also a nice one, but for some reason I just don't reach for it all that often for my skin, but I do love the formula. It's a pretty tenacious foundation in terms of standing up to heat and humidity, but I think MAC saying that this formula is waterproof is a bit of an overstep, just my opinion.

May 21, 2016

Samina M.

Thanks so much everybody for sharing your foundations :) After reading all your comments, I may actually add another one or 2 different formulations to my small growing collection - I'm also keen to try out some CC creams for those days I want a quick light wash of coverage. My home city can easily weather 4 seasons in a week, so I'm learning the benefits of switching between my foundations based on how my skin is behaving in combination with the weather  ☔️☀️🍁

May 21, 2016

Jamie D.

I think I own three at the moment?

The RCMA Color Process Foundation in Ivory, which I use for my stage makeup as I'm active in my area's theatre circles. It's a lovely product - it really does look a lot like skin, matches me wonderfully, and you barely need any at all! It does however have a bit of an application learning curve, and it's not something I love to wear everyday, although I will pull it out for special events or photography.

The MUFE Mat Velvet + in No. 15 (I think that's the shade?) which I imagine I'll be using a lot more now that summer is emerging and my skin is more oily. A decent shade match, although a tad pink, and very mattifying but not overly dull unless I'm having a dry skin day. Great for my oily spells.

And the MUFE Ultra HD in Y205. This is a very very pale (almost too pale! That's never happened before!) lightweight foundation with medium coverage. It's decently oil controlling, and I don't enjoy it when my skin is too dry, but it leaves a great natural finish and doesn't look heavy on the skin. The coverage is medium, and I like this on days when I want to look fresh and natural.

Truthfully though, I can't remember the last time I wore foundations! I used to have a couple others that I got rid of because they were old or I never used them. Even when I do my makeup, I actually just blend out the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly around my problem areas, powder my face, and then go. It's a great balance for me between coverage where I need it, but no heavy product all over my face where I'm not breaking out. It's my holy grail honestly :)

May 21, 2016

Rebecca J.

I have about 8 foundations. I had about 20plus but gave them away to friends and family. I love foundation, I'm always on the hunt for the perfect one. Most of my foundations are medium to full coverage with a satin or matte coverage. I like to switch them up every two weeks or so because I get bored using the same one over and over. My all time favourites are Estée Lauder double wear, Mac prolong wear (not the waterproof version) and loreal true match.

May 21, 2016

Rebecca J.

Satin or matte finish*

May 21, 2016

Samina M.

I'm now curious about the MUFE and RCMA foundations :)

For the ladies using MUFE foundations, do you pair it with a MUFE primer?

I was about to clear out and give away my MUFE Step 1 primers since it wasn't working well with my foundations, hence I changed primers. The mattifiying primer only lasted a few hours before I'd get break-through shine plus it never really blended into my skin, always felt there was a product layer beneath my foundation.

Maybe I'll keep primers if I try it out with a MUFE foundation?

May 21, 2016

Dana E.

I have only 3 right now lol. I'm looking to pick up the loreal true match actually.

On a daily basis I wear the IT cosmetics CC cream. I truly believe it helped clear my skin! I know a lot of people don't like this because they believe in keeping skin care and makeup separate however I truly love this product and it is a holy grail for me.

When I go out I use the MUFE ulta HD! It's definitely not full coverage at all which I'm not used to however it still looks beautiful on the skin. I love it. I use it with the MUFE hydrating primer however I really don't think I'll be repurchasing the primer because I honestly don't see it making a difference.

I also still have my Mac studio fix fluid but I honestly hate this stuff now. I don't even have dry skin and I feel like it just sticks to my face not actually blend into the skin no matter how I prep my skin and apply it.

May 21, 2016

Samina M.

Thanks for your input Dana :)

I've actually ordered the IT cosmetics CC cream + waiting in anticipation to use it; wanted a skin-care-cum-light-coverage product that is quick to put on but still has SPF.

Have you got a different primer to use with your MUFE foundation? After reading your post, I'm leaning towards saying goodbye to my MUFE primers. But still keen on trying out a MUFE foundation!

May 21, 2016

Alexis C.

In my collection I have the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream, Estée Lauder Double Wear, Cover FX Custom Cover Drops, Lorac Natural Performance Foundation, and Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Foundation. I've also just ordered the Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover.

What I always do is use a foundation for awhile, get tired of it, and move on to something else so I kind of just hoard the foundations I'm not using.

I currently use the Double Wear most of the time, adding the Custom Cover Drops when I want more coverage. On lazy makeup days when I don't want to do a full face but still want to wear makeup I use the IT Cosmetics CC Cream. I got the Double Wear Maximum Cover to use when I go to VidCon and for other special occasions.

The Lorac and Kat Von D foundations are just sitting in my makeup drawer unused now that I've moved on from them.

May 21, 2016

Dana E.

No problem!! I honestly have pretty much strayed away from primers lately in general. To me I feel like they don't make a difference on my skin. Maybe I just haven't found the right one I don't know!

Definitely try out MUFE!! I love it so much. It looks beautiful in photographs I'm so happy.

May 21, 2016

Aurora S.

@Samina I've tried the MUFE Ultra HD and the RCMA both have their pros and cons.

Both look great with flash photography and in person.

The Ultra HD really works best applies with a synthetic flat top kabuki and sort of just press it in your skin.

The RCMA I feel, works best with my fingers, I felt I used less when I used my fingers, not that I had to use a lot at all.

If you are oily... These foundations aren't the best, you'll definitely
get shine throughout the day unless you don't mind powdering and such which I personally don't mind.

I found a shade that matched me with the MUFE quite well. The RCMA shade looked a bit pink on me, I used the shade "Shinto II"
I believe that's their most yellow range, I did feel the KO range was a bit more peach whereas the Shinto was a tad more yellow, it's very slight IMO. The undertones aren't so saturated which is good for most people.

On oily skin, the RCMA sort of slides around so I feel I HAVE to set it (the wax in it may stay liquidy especially if it's warm out and on the skin it looks really nice and very natural despite the fact it's so full coverage.
A plus, is that it made my pores less noticeable.

The MUFE Ultra HD had a tiny bit more of a matte finish on me but it didn't make my pores look less noticeable, it didn't emphasize them either.

On more normal to dry skin RCMA gives that slight glow but on oily skin, a few minutes later it kinda looks shiny.
That's a problem I had with both, I would constantly look a tiny bit shiny.
I didn't expect a fully matte look, I liked the slight glow/dewiness but it would constantly end up being a tiny bit too much not long after.

Then, I went ahead and switched to rice and kaolin powder and just used a little bit of one of those and I felt it toned down the shine better than the talc based powders I was trying (Ben Nye, Cover FX to name a couple)

I liked both of them though, keep forgetting to purchase them but I feel they'd be easier for me on days my skin isn't as oily otherwise they're kind of high maintenance on long days but great if you know you're going to be photographed they're great.


I quite like the Smashbox Photo Finish Light which I felt work quite well for me and definitely helps. It doesn't control my oils all day but it definitely helps keep my makeup looking fresh, longer plus it's very lightweight.

May 21, 2016

Bridget C.

I have 2 foundations! One for summer, and one for the other seasons! I only have two because I'm only 13 years old.. 😂 But I hope to get more in the future!

May 21, 2016

Jamie D.

I like the MUFE primers with the MUFE foundations! For mattifying, I use the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer (which works great under any foundation!) but I use the MUFE Nourishing Primer for my dry spots. I like it under all of the foundations I own! But I imagine each one behaves differently. :)

May 22, 2016

Samina M.

Aurora, I just had a look at the Shinto and KO range on the RCMA website. Looks like I can find a match and it's great that they sell samples to try out. Have taken into account it's a wax-based foundation and that it will shine somewhat on my oily skin. I intend to attend a family winter wedding in in couple of months, so there will be lots of photographs but perhaps with the cold weather, the RCMA will suit the occasion? I've got time to try it out beforehand plus see how it sets with different powders.

I have previously used the Ben Nye Banana powder but it didn't work out; I think the combo of my yellow-toned KA SSE SX foundation plus my skin's natural yellow undertone AND the yellow Banana powder was just too much!

Got a flat top synthetic foundation/kabuki brush :)

Will be placing the MUFE HD foundation on my wish list to try out before the end of the year.

May 22, 2016

Samina M.

Alexis - nice to know I'm not the only one who wants to use the IT Cosmetics CC Cream for lazy days :)

Jamie - thanks for mentioning the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer, just looked it up, it sounds divine and may add it to my collection  ;)

May 22, 2016

Samina M.

Bridget - hey there! Thanks for sharing your foundation use ☺️ You're definitely wise for your age, since I'm only just figuring out this year on how to use different foundations for different seasons! Enjoy your future makeup adventures  😉🌷💜