Some days just call for a long lasting, full coverage foundation.
As much as I love the look of a dewy, glowy base on other people, they just don’t co-operate with my oily/ combination skin, and most of the time I need something with a little more coverage, and a lot more staying power. Over the years I’ve tested countless foundations in search for the perfect, long lasting yet none cakey base that is a good medium-full coverage…
My all time favourite that I always go back to is the Estee Lauder Double Wear. This lasts a good 8 hours on my skin and actually looks better as the day goes on, it lets any natural oils come through in a nice way, without breaking down the foundation (if that makes sense?). It is a full coverage, and it’s one of those foundations that dries down matte pretty quickly so you don’t have long to blend. I have the shade Desert Beige which is perfect for me as it’s a neutral tone. I can see why this foundation isn’t for everyone, but if you struggle to find a base that lasts a full day then I really recommend atleast picking up a sample.
Another high coverage foundation is the Vichy Dermablend*. This is seriously pigmented and has more of a creamy texture than double wear. I loved using this when my skin was at it’s worst to cover my chin, it’s such a full coverage that I couldn’t use it all over my face, but it really helped to cover the problem area. The finish is matte, and surprisingly this doesn’t feel heavy at all. In terms of the staying power it doesn’t wear quite aswel as double wear, after 9 hours the blemishes were noticeable more visible, but, it’s still a really good option. If you suffer from sore, red breakouts or have a lot to cover I think this is the one for you.
Next up is the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish foundation. I haven’t heard many people speak about this but I absolutely love it. It’s another highly pigmented base that really will cover anything and everything. I like to apply this foundation to the outside of my face and then blend in towards the centre, just because it can look a little heavy all over with it being so full coverage. This is definitely more suited to those with oily skin, I have combination skin and on the days when my skin is feeling a little more dehydrated it doesn’t sit as well. In terms of lasting power it’s impressive, lasting 9-10 hours (with a touch up of powder inbetween).
One that I don’t reach for as often is the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion foundation*, not because I don’t like it, just because for me it takes a little more work than the others. This is again very pigmented and has quite a creamy formulation. They recommend to apply this with your fingers to warm up the product, but I just can’t get on board with that. Instead I like to use a Beauty Blender (I use this brush with the others), and for me on a day to day basis I don’t have the time/ can’t be bothered to be blending my foundation for over a minute. Anyway, it’s a slight flaw for me, but once applied this is again a really lovely, long wearing foundation. It’s also very lightweight as it claims, no transferring and it doesn’t look cakey on the skin.
I’ve actually saved my current favourite till last, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk*. I can’t believe just how much I love this foundation, with the name luminous silk I thought it wouldn’t last well on my skin! It’s not quite as pigmented as the others but leaves the skin with a flawless finish that isn’t as matte, it just looks very natural. My skin has been the best it’s been in a long time and I’m not needing as much coverage, so this is perfect. If you like the look of flawless skin but don’t actually have much to cover then I think you need to try this. It does last well against the oils but it definitely breaks down more than the others around my nose/ pores, but that’s easy to touch up. If you have normal skin I think this would make a beautiful bridal foundation.
I don’t find any of these foundations to oxidise (nothing like the Urban Decay All Nighter). They don’t transfer, and they don’t sit in any pores.
I’m always on the hunt for a good, full coverage foundation so if you have any other recommendations then please let me know!
This post may contain affiliate links… Products marked * are PR samples.
I recently got the Laura Mercier one and I’m obsessed! I think it is a brand people seem to have forgot about. I also love the Vichy one.www.EmmyWritesAbout.com
It's so good isn't it! I used it the day this post uploaded after seeing your comment and it reminded me how much I love it, been using it more ever since. I agree, I love the primer and powder though so I need to try more x
I absolutely love ELDW and most recently the Vichy! I apply both with a damp beauty blender. http://www.blonde-tea-party.com
You can't beat a beauty blender, I need to try the Vichy with one x
Thank you for all the recommendations! I love the sound of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk – I'll have to keep an eye out for it :)Sammy // sammyetc.com
It's a gorgeous foundation! I hope you love it as much as I do if you do try it 🙂
I've heard countless good things about Estee Lauder foundation! I need to invest and give it a go!Cloe X http://clxelouise.blogspot.com
It's amazing, so good if you need a foundation that will last all day!
The Estee Double Wear foundation sounds amazing, it's probably a good thing that it looks better throughout the day (especially if you're going out after work). I need to repurchase the Vichy one, it was so good for nights out whenever I had breakouts! xxwww.iridescentplaces.com
Yeah it's the only foundation that has that effect for me, definitely a good thing! Agreed, such a good full coverage x
I literally love Estee Lauder Double Wear! It's a miracle worker. I'd love to try the Laura Mercier one.Beckie // The Pale Tails
So glad you like it too, I think you would love the Laura Mercier one if you like Double Wear x
Vichy's Dermablend is my go-to foundation for long days! It's coverage is incredible and it wears like a dream for me!Megan. xoThumbelina Lillie | UK Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
Oh no I find it chalky – how annoying!
It's incredible isn't it! x
I think I'm the only human that does NOT love GA Luminous Silk. It literally makes my eyes water. After several attempts, I learned that it has too much alcohol in it for me. It just doesn't feel dewy. It feels like a tight rubbing alcohol feeling.
I've always struggled with foundation not lasting well on my skin, so need to try Double Wear! I've been hearing great things about its staying power for years!Pumpkin Lemonade
Yes you will love it! So good or that x
Estee Lauder Double Wear will forever be my favourite foundation, and I completely agree that it seems to look better as the day goes on. It's also the only foundation that I can seem to get an exact match for my skintone – I'm just not so thrilled with the expensive price tag! xx
I think it will be for me too, it's that staying power that no other foundation has! Yes that is a downside, I don't know whether you live near a designer outlet but there's a shop called The Cosmetics Company that stocks Estee Lauder DW and sells it for £21! That's where I get mine from and it's a good £10 saving x
I absolutely adore the Esteé Lauder Double Wear and it's my current fave! The Bobbi Brown foundation sounds lovely and one I definitely need to look into purchasing next xoChar | http://www.charslittleblog.co.uk
gosh i really need to try any of these. i've heard only good things about them! xErin Azmir
I love double wear but barely wear it since I started getting really dry skin. It’s actually so frustrating because I still get so oily in my T-Zone! I need to try it out again and try and make it work better for me with a good moisturiser and maybe an oil! Xx
I love the estee lauder double wear, such a perfect foundation!Lucy | Forever September
The Bobbi Brown foundation has been on my list to try for such a long time. My friend uses it all of the time and it always looks so beautiful!Danielle xxhttp://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/
ELDW dries up so quickly it's quite difficult to work withMel ✨meleaglestone.co.uk@meleaglestone
I wish ELDW played well with my skin! I find it settles into the pores around my mouth quite terribly, no matter what primer I use. I'm SO intrigued by Luminous Silk, I hear so many fellow oily skinned gals raving about it! Lately, I've been loving Shiseido Synchro Skin. It's a medium (but buildable!) coverage, matte foundation that lasts well on my oily skin and doesn't oxidise at all. A xxalexisadrienne.net
I love Luminous Silk, but it is just so darn expensive!
I'm always looking for a good foundation that'll work over my blemishes and scarring. it's hard to find a nice one that doesn't look cakey.-Sophie xxCherries & Perfume
Bobbi Brown will forever be my favourite foundation. It's also the only foundation that I can get an exact match for my skin tone and for my dry skin. I also love the Vichy one. The key is to apply foundation with a damp beauty blender. Great post. Sharon Elsie | diva-in-me.com