~~Clarins Ever Matte Foundation – Shade: 103 Ivory~~

~~£28.00~~

Retailing at £27.50, Clarins’ Ever Matte Foundation is a steep hike from the cheaper alternatives. However, this product is oil-free, making it less likely to provoke acne outbreaks. I have used this product since January and it’s the best foundation I’ve found.

Whilst inconvenient for those shopping on a budget, it’s definitely worth investing in. The coverage is exceptional whilst remaining very lightweight. The foundation is really buildable too, and I found that even without applying concealer, my pores and spots were concealed effortlessly.

Being a university student, I take a lot of spontaneous naps without removing my make-up. When I wake up, my pillow is usually clean and my face still intact. With this in mind, the foundation is long-lasting and I only have to apply it once with confidence it will last the whole day.

My acne has cleared up at least 40% this year and I honestly hold this product as largely responsible. With only 11 shades available, it isn’t the most versatile range, but for those that find their tone I strongly recommend this product.

Rating: 5/5

~~Natural Collection Colour Foundation – Shade: Porcelain~~

~~£2.99~~

I have acne-prone skin and so it is essential I choose an Oil-free foundation. This Natural Collection Foundation contains paraffin and cetearyl alcohol, ingredients which all score highly on the comedogenicity (pore-blocking) scale.

This means that for those of us with sensitive skin, this along with many other oil-based foundations is very likely to clog your pores and lead to your skin developing blackheads and pimples. In this category alone, this product was definitely one I would not be returning to.

There are only 6 shades to choose from and although I chose the lightest shade, once applied the foundation appeared three shades darker. The foundation felt very wet although it dried extremely quickly once applied. Consequently, the coverage was poor at best. The colour would stick to wherever it first touched your skin and from there would just leave patchy orange stains across your face.

Within a few hours the make-up had faded entirely. I used this product for a long time during my early teens and when it came to concealing spots and pores, it provided little to no coverage and only emphasised my pores and the oiliness of my skin though its shiny finish.

Rating: 0/5

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Pretty cheap - Foundation

Whilst we gawk over air-brushed inner-beauty campaigns, a genius spinning on an office chair somewhere has just come up with the next gimmick.

In a market where consumers prioritize brands over innovation, it’s easy to correlate quality with a price tag. Whilst it’s usually true that ‘you get what you pay for’, with the hunt for ‘dupes’ becoming increasingly more popular, there’s even more reason to experiment with new affordable brands.

To work out just how superior these glossy brands really are, I’ll compare two products, one big brand and one budget bargain.

Hypothesis? “The more expensive the make-up, the better you’ll look.”

Spending a sizable amount of money of anything can leave you feeling a little guilty.

However, if you are buying something you will use regularly and where quality matter, than consider it an investment rather than a splurge.

I have stuck with Clarins' Evermatte Foundation for almost a year now, and the results are far too good for me to ever consider substituting it with something else.

Verdict?

The big brand takes this one!

Written by Rebecca