Although the sun hasn't fully come out just yet I thought it was time to talk lighter bases that give a healthy glow and let the skin breathe.
I personally only have a few full coverage foundations in my collection, preferring to go for a light coverage (especially come spring/summer) touching up areas with my concealer of choice. And when I fancy a matte finish I simply dust with translucent powder to dull down the glow.
Here I've selected five wonderful foundations and BB/CC creams, from the sheerest of formulas to light coverage foundations that you can build. Basically, there's something for everyone here!
Gosh Foundation Drops
£12.99 Superdrug (Available in 5 shades)
If you are looking for the ultimate definition of a sheer foundation, i.e very light coverage, then this is the foundation to go for. Feeling more like a facial oil when shook up in the bottle and being applied with a pipette it gives you an idea how liquid this foundation is. You may be thinking what is the point of such a sheer foundation but although ultra light it evens out skin tone a dream and takes bare skin to something more healthy and awake looking. With added oils this foundation subtly hydrates the skin and doesn't cling to dry patches. It also stays well for such a light base... however I would say concealer is very much needed. On good skin days this is often my base of choice but come the odd heatwave this also gets used as it's just so lightweight and the perfect non-foundation foundation days.
Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream
£9.99 Boots (Available in 4 shades)
As most of you will know, Bourjois do foundation well and if like me you're a bit of a base lover then you will have likely tried quite a few foundations from Bourjois in your time. Although quite a few Bourjois foundations are on the light side I decided to cheat a little and go with this smooth feeling CC cream (which acts and looks like a foundation to me). What I love about this slightly runny base is that the oil-free formula blends into the skin a dream and pretty much looks like it isn't there but with all the benefits masking redness and imperfections. It's also a foundation that although gives a subtle glow to the skin works well on combination to oily skin, staying put for most of the day and definitely staying put all day when set with powder. Another impressive Bourjois base product here ideal for summer. Side note - This does have a heavy scent which may put some people off!
Guerlain Meteorites Baby Glow Foundation
£34.20 Escentual (Available in 3 Shades)
This is a foundation I opt for a lot in summer when I'm having a bad skin day as its light but does cover and offers colour correcting, toning down any redness and shallowness in the skin. In a way, this feels like the big sister to the above CC cream as it's slightly creamier, with a gel-like formula, feels just as smooth, gives colour correction and works well on all skin types. It even has a similarly perfumed scent! However, it just feels more sophisticated and in a way more foundation-like. If you like more expensive foundation and love Guerlain products then you may wany to check this out. Side note - Although mentioned, this does have quite a heavy violet scent to it.
Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation
£32.00 Feel Unique (Available in 10 shades)
Meet my new favourite foundation! I really cannot get over how perfect this foundation is for a light coverage formula. I mean you often find brands creating good full coverage foundations but getting a light coverage foundation spot on seems to be a rarity. For me, this combines everything I want in a light foundation - light but with coverage, radiance-enhancing, super comfortable on the skin, undetectable and importantly long lasting... Charlotte Tilbury really has made something special here. I'm also pretty sure it's suitable for all skin types as it suits my combination/oily skin well but I know a few makeup lovers with dry skin also love it. If you are looking for a staple spring/summer foundation then really do consider this one! Find out how to try a free sachet sample of this foundation in my blog post here.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur
£14.00 Escentual (Available in 2 shades)
If you are looking for a light coverage foundation and you have an oily skin type you may find that not many are that oil absorbing, especially as most go down the route of being radiance enhancing and glowy. However, La Roche-Posay has you covered with this whipped mousse-like formula that not only blurs pores and blemishes but absorbs oil, all whilst letting the skin breathe. It even includes 10.6% Titanium dioxide which gives an SPF 20 meaning you can actually use it as a low sunscreen if you like! What I love most about this foundation/bb cream is the air whipped formula as it feels so lightweight on the skin although giving a demi-matte powdered finish. This is one I whip out when we are having a heatwave, with SPF 50 underneath, as it absorbs any excess oil on my skin from my SPF application and keeps me shine-free!
Let me know what your own favourite light coverage foundation is for the summer months!
Fee xo.
