What's the opposite of cakey?
Salad-y?
Well, I have been in pursuit of the greatest salad-y bases for my face ever since it grew a few wrinkles. Laugh lines. Crinkles of experience. Grown-up stripes.
When I was in my 20s, I didn't really wear foundation. Not because I had perfect skin (LOL) but because I was scared of it. The only kind of foundation I knew about was the kind that was heavy and claggy like a powdery mask. I would like to stress that is not necessarily because all the products were like that, but more because I didn't spend any time thinking about it, or hunting for the good ones. I was too busy getting drunk, let's be honest.
But in the years since, I have become very, very keen on bases.
A wise woman told me that one of the best things you can do to make your skin look good as you get older is NOT to erase wrinkles but to even out your skin tone. And it checks out. So ever since, I've been in pursuit of the perfect "salad-y" foundation that doesn't sit in lines or make me look like a wax doll.
Over the years, I've had a few favourites. The very exxy and excellent Luminous Silk by Armani is an icon for a reason. But there's only room for one "payday treat" base in my bag, and you'll see it's no longer that one.
I also have loved – and still love – Rageism's All Day Mineral Foundation. It's what I wear when I want full coverage and is still usually my "out-out" face.
But what I've been obsessively chasing lately is a base that's not quite a foundation but something subtle and glowy and buildable. And there are loads of products like that on the market now, so I've been having fun trying them out in my shed.
Here they are, my favourite Savey, Mid and Spendy bases for grown-ups.
BUT FIRST – I've been going nuts on the hydration lately. I use all kinds of things to help keep my skin from drying out, but I have two new heroes.
Hada Labo Tokyo Lotion No 1 Super Hydrator
This is from Priceline. It's $35.95 but often you can get it for less on special. And it's 150ml, which is BIG. It's a serum that is super hydrating. And because the bottle is so big, and the price is so reasonable (it's $28 at the moment), I'm not scared to splash it around a bit on my chest and hands while I'm at it.
AND
Go-To's Very Luxe Face Cream Deep Replenishing Moisturiser.
I LOVE THIS CREAM. I finally woke up to the fact that even with my serums doing their thing, my grown-up skin was always, always thirsty. It didn't used to be, but it's turned. So a good old-fashioned (I'm sure it's not old-fashioned at all, and is all state-of-the-art and stuff) thick, luscious moisturiser has changed the game.
I use it under make-up, and I often use it over a vitamin A at night too, if I'm not using a face oil (Ipsum Best Skin's Face Oil Intense Treatment is my favourite, always, $75). Am almost empty right now and definitely re-buying, if there's even any left. Not cheap, but worth every cent if you, too, have thirsty skin (and not in the way it needs compliments but also in that way too). It's $79.
ANYWAY.
Now we're hydrated. On to the bases. All of these are hydrating as well as offering coverage. Which is, again, crucial to not being cakey and drying. This is the only time we're saying no to cake, friends.
SAVEY: Miracle Hydra Glow Oil Free Foundation from those legends of affordable, quality beauty, MCo Beauty.
Image: supplied.
This is water-based, light and, as the name suggests, not oily, but goes on easily. Not loads of coverage, but that's what I'm after if I'm using it. Gives a nice glow and is sheeny rather than shiney.
It comes in 15 shades and is $29 and you can find it in the supermarket so really, what's not to like?
A very special mention in this category also has to go to Mia's favourite, L'Oreal True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum. It was my bestest savey before this one and stays on the list for being light, moisturising and affordable quality. It's around $39 but often on special at Priceline and Chemist Warehouse.
MID: IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow.
Image: supplied.
Oh, hello, my old friend, I like your glow-up. Literally. A couple of years ago, thanks to beauty guru Leigh Campbell, everyone went nuts for the IT Cosmetics CC. It is great, but as I started moving away from wanting lots of coverage, I did begin to find it a little thick for every day. Enter CC+ Nude Glow, SPF 40. It's got the same great product DNA, but it's lighter and glowier and I am obsessed.
There is bad news. Sorry to be that person, but I bought this from Sephora when I was in Malaysia on holiday last month. Right now, it's hard to get in Australia, although you can find it online at places like Perfumes Club and Cult Beauty for between $45-65 dependent on specials.
Mia tells me that the more accessible foundation (IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation) is brilliant, although I haven't tried it yet. And that is here, at Sephora. Let's start petitioning for the glow.
SPENDY: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops.
Image: supplied.
I'm so sorry. I am.
I said there was only room for one exxy base and there is and it's this one. It's a payday treat, a thing to ask for as a present, a splurge.... etc, etc, etc.
And it's Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops.
You get the drops from MECCA. They cost a fortune ($109). And they are glorious.
You only need a few drops, smoothed on with fingers or a blender or a brush, and you are lit from within and shiny AF. Too shiny, perhaps, for some, but not for me, who's trying to chase that rich-lady serum-y vibe.
There are lots of fancy skincare ingredients in there to justify the price tag, and the packaging is great and super-convenient to throw in your bag, but all you really need to know is that it glows like heck.
Okay, I'll be off now to keep shed-testing my fancy skin things. Tell me what you think and what I should try next and please send my apologies to your budget.
Feature Image: Supplied.
