Finding a properly pale foundation can be a tricky business as I know all too well, so I decided to do a little round-up of my pale foundations so you can take a little peek and see how the shades and finishes compare!
Just to let you ladies know, I’m a pale gal with pink undertones and my skin is combination but more so dry.
Vichy Aera Teint Pure: Clair Ivory
If you’re in any way oily, skip on to the next review because this isn’t for you. This foundation is very light and greasy and will be nice for very, very dry skin but apart from that will leave you looking very shiny even when you’ve just put powder on and will quickly slide off your face. It also doesn’t have an SPF which is a must for me. I didn’t like this one unfortunately.
Score 3/10
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 02
Good for pale shades, this gives a lovely finish to skin without looking cakey. I really like it, I just wish they did it in an even lighter shade for an absolutely perfect match. If this shade suits you though, you’re in for a treat. My only gripe is that this doesn’t boast any SPF.
Score 9/10
Max Factor Weightless Foundation in Light Ivory
Fair play to Max Factor for offering some great colour choices in their range of Weightless foundations. This is a properly pale shade that’s more orange in tone to my favourite Lancome one which I’ll mention very shortly. This is also better suited to oilier skin tones as I found it quite drying but offers decent lasting coverage without feeling heavy and has an SPF which is a must.
Score 6/10
Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation
I reviewed this foundation in more detail here but it’s well worth mentioning again as it offers a lovely light finish suited to dry skin. The pale shade again was a little too orange for me but for the majority is probably perfect. Well priced and surprisingly nice with the added bonus of an SPF, critical for summer.
Score 7.5/10
Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation
This oil free and water resistant foundation is suited to oily and combination skins and has a powder finish for added longevity. This is the lightest shade, Porcelain which is far too dark for me. It’s a worthy option for oily gals who want decent coverage and comes in a fair range of shades as long as you’re not too pale.
Score 6/10
Skin79 BB Cream
I have reviewed this already here, but to sum up, this is amazing. This covers any bad skin days and leaves skin looking 100 times better without really looking like you’re wearing make up. I wear this alone as well as mixing it with my normal foundation if my skin is extra dry. This has a slightly grey tinge but will magically adjust to suit your skin tone after a few minutes while also protecting your skin with an SPF 25. The best €12 I’ve ever spent online and a must have for me now!
Score 9.5/10
Lancome Teint Miracle in 007
Ah this really is a miracle foundation. A beautifully pale and uniquely shimmering pink shade, this is illuminating, light and a beautiful match for my skin. It’s great for dry skin although it can still be a little drying around my serious problem areas but that’s a matter I need to adjust with skin care. Honestly with the shade range available and the finish it gives, plus an SPF 15 to boot, this is a total winner in my book. Love it!
However, I’m still trying to work out whether they do in fact test on animals or not as I’ve read a lot of conflicting information. If they don’t, I will definitely repurchase this, if not, with a very heavy heart I’ll have to look elsewhere.
Score 9.5/10
So what’s your favourite foundation and what problems do you encounter when you’re on the hunt for that perfect base? Let me know!
