Double wear is like the marmite of the foundation world, you either love it or hate it. I have been a lover of double wear for about 5 years now, and I tend to wear it most days… Here’s why.
I have oily skin that tends to break down makeup pretty quickly during the day. With most foundations, by midday it has practically disappeared and I’m left with a patchy looking mess that ruins any other blusher, highlighter or bronzing products that I use over the top.
On my annoyingly hard to manage skin, Estee Lauder Double Wear -£31 stays put. I apply a small amount to the centre of my face (where my skin is most oily) and blend that outwards with a buffing brush. Applying a thin layer not all blemishes are covered and double wear mimics a medium coverage foundation. Adding an extra, thin layer of foundation creates a flawless base perfect for those times when I need just a little more coverage.
The thing I love about this foundation is that it lasts, by midday (when doing my makeup at 6.30am) my base is still intact – and for me, that’s a confidence boost. Shade wise, I used to use Fresco which is the top swatch in the picture, I naturally have a pink under tone but I tend to wear some sort of fake tan throughout the week, so I’ve found that a better shade match for me is actually Desert Beige (the swatch below), which has more of a neutral/ warm yellow undertone matching the shade of my neck much better. The shade range of Estee Lauder foundations is pretty amazing and I’m sure there would be the perfect match for anyone, from extremely light shades to much darker skin tones.
I’ll admit the glass bottle is a bit of a pain when it comes to travel and using the product, but that isn’t something that will stop me repurchasing.
OVERVIEW
Coverage: Buildable, mainly a full coverage foundation but can be toned down by using less product and blending the product.
Comfort: Ok! By the end of the day I’m ready to take off my makeup and get on with my skincare routine, but who isn’t. Throughout the day I don’t really feel this foundation on my skin,
Value for money: I think so… As far as high end foundations go the £31 price tag is pretty average. I find a bottle lasts me around 6 months, so I’m more than happy to pay the price. I haven’t found a full coverage, long wearing foundation that matches this yet.
Staying power: All day wear. This really is “Stay-in-place” makeup as the front of the bottle says – the exact reason why I love it!
Suitable for: Normal – oily skin types that need something long lasting with a good coverage. I think that this could cling to dry patches so if you do have dry skin it may not be the best for you.
Finish: Matte, but on a oilier skin type this will turn to a satin look throughout the day. Thankfully this doesn’t end up looking oily and patchy, but works with the skins natural oils leaving a base that still looks flawless even after 10-12 hr.
Oxidation: Nope, no oxidising from this foundation for me. I would say that once the foundation has dried down it may turn slightly darker, but nothing that would mean having to change your shade.
I think this is one of those foundations that you shouldn’t knock until you try. I’m tempted by the Urban Decay All Nighter foundation, but I’m already pretty certain that nothing will beat this for me…
What’s your holy grail foundation?
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