Finally. Here it is.
For the last 5 years or so I've suffered with problematic skin including excessive oil production combined with cystic acne and large pores. I'm on medication to help control the acne but it's always been a huge insecurity of mine. Obviously it would be incredibly hard to find a foundation that would make my skin look completely flawless due to these problems, but I think I've finally found one that's hard to beat.
When trying new foundations, the first thing I always go for is one that gives me a matte finish. I've tried various brands, ranging from drugstore to high end. I found that drugstore matte foundations like Rimmel Stay Matte would make me look cakey and the colour range wasn't great. Givenchy Eclat Matissime was the one I wore for quite a while, but I was still becoming pretty oily after only a few hours, and it didn't give me much coverage at all. I've also tried Laura Geller powder foundation, as well as Bare Minerals, thinking these would reduce my breakouts but I couldn't get on with those either. I wore Revlon ColorStay and sometimes Mac Studio Fix Fluid for about a year, but they both looked too thick and again, turned my face into an oil slick within a couple of hours. (Mac Studio Fix also gave me major cysts on my cheeks, so there's no way I'm going back to that).
A few months ago I spent hours trawling the internet for some solutions, and came across a review of Estee Lauder Double Wear on Youtube. I thought it would be worth a try, so I got a sample from House of Fraser. Literally within 2 minutes of applying it, I'd fallen in love. For the first time ever, the colour match was perfect as well (props to the consultant at the counter!)
I'm now onto my second bottle and it's absolutely amazing! It claims to be a long wearing, stay-in-place makeup with SPF 10 and a semi-matte finish. I have to say, it lives up to all of those claims. I always make sure I use a primer before-hand, and I apply it with a beauty blender sponge. It has a similar consistency to Revlon ColorStay but it's not quite as thick. It provides a medium coverage with one layer, but it's easily buildable for a more flawless full-coverage look, perfect for a night out. It photographs really well too, especially with flash!
After finishing my foundation and concealer, I just set it with my Smashbox loose powder (which is also my favourite finishing powder EVER... these two combined are just a dream). I also use my Urban Decay matte setting spray which gives me a slightly dewy glow, but once this is done, I'm good. I have to only touch up with a bit of powder on my nose and chin about 7/8 hours after applying which is amazing in my opinion. On days when I go out after work, I come home and my makeup still looks glowy but not oily after 14 hour wear, and it doesn't crease either! Sometimes I come home and don't even want to take my makeup off - that's when you know it's good!
I can honestly say this is the best foundation I've tried so far, and it retails at about £29 in most places which isn't too expensive for a high-end brand. The colour range is vast too, so I know that when summer comes and I'm more tanned, I'll easily find a slightly darker shade to match. I'm still tempted to try Nars Luminous Weightless foundation because I've heard such good things about it, but for now, Double Wear is my holy grail! I would definitely recommend this to anyone with oily or problematic skin. It's perfect. Estée Lauder, you did good!
Hannah x
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