It gives a bright, flattering finish to even my dry skin, while being reassuringly oil-free, lightweight and long-lasting
I have fallen for a foundation that costs a little over a fiver. As surprisingly, it’s a serum formula: one that must be shaken vigorously before use to blend the water, pigment and silicone. Generally, I view this type of base (also knows as “fusion”) as ideal for oily skin, but matte and flat on others. But I find The Ordinary Serum Foundation (£5.70) by far the most agreeable of its kind. It gives a bright, flattering finish to even my dry skin, while being reassuringly oil-free, lightweight and long-lasting for those overburdened by grease. It’s vegan-friendly, and The Ordinary’s ethnically inclusive colour range is unusually good, with clear, logical labelling. For example, I’m a 1.2 (light), but within that, there are four choices of undertone: pink, yellow, neutral (neither pinky nor yellowy) and yellow with flecks of gold (my match). It makes choosing a shade online, as I did, terribly easy. Frankly, the rest of the beauty industry – from budget to luxury – should watch and learn.
The Ordinary’s foundation is marketed as “light coverage” and the packaging recommends fingertip application, but I disagree on both counts. I found it nearer the medium mark, and in practice a stubby, dense-bristled brush gave a much smoother finish (Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, at £8.99, is ideal). I’ll be wearing it for much of the summer. If you favour a more opaque formula, buyers’ club Beauty Pie’s Everyday Great Skin Foundation (£4.75 to members) is a more traditional foundation with yet more coverage, and is still excellent value and cruelty-free. There are just eight shades, but six more are imminent.
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