Part Two: Medium Coverage Foundation

This is part two of a three part post. I was asked about what foundation is the best, although there is no exact answer (it depends what you are looking for from your foundation) here are some foundations I would suggest. Part two of my foundation posts consists of foundations that provide medium coverage. I tested foundations at Mac and Sephora, I found Mac had a wide range of colours and the price was slightly lower than many of the Sephora products.

I will begin with the foundations that provide the most coverage and end with the foundations that provide the least. At Sephora I tested the Clinique Superfit Make Up. This was closer to full coverage, but still had some sheerness and could be lightly applied. It had a matte finish. Priced at $26.50 CAD I would highly recommend this foundation.

The Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation has a medium to full coverage, dewy finish and is available in twelve shades. It is priced at $55.00 CAD (at Sephora), although it is a good foundation, I would suggested a lower priced foundation (such as the Clinique Superfit Make Up I just spoke about) over this foundation.

Other medium foundations that have fuller coverage (and are under $40.00 CAD) are Clinique Even Better Make Up: available in twelve colours and is $30.00 CAD at Sephora, Mac Pro Longwear: available in a wide range of colours and is $35.50 CAD, and Stella Illuminating Powder Foundation: a powder foundation (which I personally prefer over a liquid foundation) available in eight colours (making it slightly more difficult to perfectly match your skin tone) and priced at $37.00 CAD at Sephora.

Slightly higher priced medium plus foundations (ranging from $40.00-$50.00 CAD) are Stella Illuminating Liquid Foundation: Shimmer finish (excellent if you want a glowing effect) available in eight colours and priced at $50.00 CAD at Sephora, Lorac Natural Performance Foundation: Oil- Free, dewy finish, available in ten colours and priced at $47.00 at Sephora, and Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover: Dewy finish, available in wide range of colours and price at $47.00 at Sephora.

The next three foundations provide the least coverage of the medium coverage foundations (remember I still have part three: light coverage foundations). First is the Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation: Matte Finish (excellent if you have dry skin and want a moisturizing foundation without a dewy finish) priced at $55.00 CAD at Sephora, Shiseido Stick Foundation: available in seven colours, I would suggest this foundation as a highlight (choose a colour slightly lighter that your skin tone) as it is a stick and you can apply it directly in areas you wish to highlight and then blend it out, it is priced at $42.00 at Sephora, and Korres Wild Rose Foundation: Oil-free with a shimmer (I would suggest this foundation over the Stella Illuminating Liquid Foundation for creating a glowing effect) and is priced at $39.00 CAD at Sephora.

Medium coverage foundations are good if you have good skin but sometimes have areas that you want to cover up (such as the famous pimple on class photo day). Medium coverage foundations provide enough coverage to cover flaws, but still let your natural skin come though. Apply lightly over entire face and then heavier in areas of difficulty.

Part three will be posted soon, so check back if you are looking for a foundation with light coverage. This will be the final post of my foundation testing, after that I encourage to go out and find the right foundation for you. Decide what type of coverage you need, the finish you want (dewy, matte or a shimmer)and the type of foundation you like to use best (cream, liquid or powder), finally go shopping! At the end of the light coverage post I will also include how to test the colour of your foundation to ensure it matches you skin tone.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Part One: Full Coverage Foundation

This is part one of a three part post. I was asked about what foundation is the best, although there is no exact answer (it depends what you are looking for from your foundation) here are some foundations I would suggest. Part one of my foundation posts consists of foundations that provide full coverage. I tested foundations at Mac and Sephora, I found Mac had a wide range of colours and the price was slightly lower than many of the Sephora products.

The foundation I found that had the best coverage (you could cover EVERYTHING) was Mac: Studio Tech. It is in a compact and I would suggest applying it with a brush or a sponge. I would also recommend that you use a loose powder after to set the foundation and avoid creasing. If you have "dewy" skin, I would also recommend carrying a pressed powder in your purse for touch ups through out the day. This foundation is marked at $35.50 CAD with a wide range of colours, well worth the price!

Other full coverage foundations from Mac are Select SPF 15 liquid foundation and Studio Fix Fluid liquid foundation. These have slightly less coverage than the Studio Tech, but still provide full coverage. I would recommend these if you do not necessarily want to have to apply powder, as it is less likely to crease (however I still suggest to always powder your foundation). Since these foundations are not as oily as the Studio Tech, there would be less need for touch ups through out the day. Both these products are priced at $31.00 CAD and come in wide range of colours.

Out of the Mac store and onto my Sephora finds. The lowest priced foundation with full coverage I found at Sephora was Clinique's Perfectly Real Make Up. It has a Matte Finish and comes in many shades. I would suggest this product, especially if your really do not want to use a powder to set the foundation. It was marked at $30.00 CAD at the Sephora location I was at, it is most likely available at other stores, possibly with a different price point.

The other matte finish foundation I found with full coverage was Lancome's Teint Idote Ultra. Priced at $50.00 (again price may vary depending where you are shopping), I would say this is a good foundation, but there are more cost efficient alternatives that easily compare in quality.

Foundations with full coverage and a dewy finish I found were Tarte: Recreate Foundation with Wrinkle Rewind Technology (priced at $48.00 CAD), NARS: Firming Foundation (priced at $55.00, with a wide range of colours) and Laura Mercier: Silk Creme (priced at $55.00, with ten colour choices). I would recommend any of these foundations I you are looking for the fresh dewy look. Since the Tarte foundation is priced the lowest I would assume it would be the most sensible choice, I personally like the Laura Mercier foundation the best.

Part two will be posted soon, so check back if you are looking for a foundation with medium coverage. If you are looking for foundation with light coverage, be sure to look for Part 3.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Stay tuned for more coverage on foundation! (Bad joke I know, but it just needed to be written)

Help for the Holidays

This holiday season, ensure you look your best at all the parties you attend. Whether you want you make up done for a special event, want help choosing the right eyeshadow palette or give personal instruction on how to apply the perfect smokey eye; I can help you with what you need.

Make up application: I will apply your make up for a special event. Single or group bookings available.

Personal Shopper: I will go with you to choose the right make up for you, anything from foundation, to lip stick... I can help fill your make up stocking, so Santa doesn't have too.

Make Up Lessons: I will give step by step instruction on how to properly apply your make up. Lessons are based on what you specifically would like to learn (for example if you want to learn how to apply foundation that looks as though you are not wearing make up, or a perfectly blended smokey eye). Personal and Group Lessons available.

What ever your make up needs this season, I would be happy to help. Email me at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one) for details, availability and pricing.

All I want for Christmas is for you to look and feel your best!

Happy Holidays!