Show #8: Much Ado about Foundation!

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Today's Topic: Foundation

With so many different brands, each offering multiple formulations, it was hard to present a well-rounded review of what's available in foundation. First, you need to decide on what you want from the foundation (matte finish, sheer coverage, blemish control, oil control, moisturizing etc.), then you need to pick a colour that will look good in natural light. And don't forget to blend, blend, blend!

Airdrie's Picks

1. Good, cheap and smells great. May be better for women with cooler complexions since they tend to be on the pink side: Cover Girl Clean Makeup ($5.99 CAN, $3.99US)
2. Fights pimples with 0.6% Salicylic Acid: Almay Clear Complexion ($10.99 CAN)
3. Worst case scenario, you get SPF 18 for 16 hours: L'Oreal Infallible ($17.99 CAN $12.99US, 1 oz)
4. Goes on smooth, my favourite of the five. L'Oreal takes some of the guesswork out of choosing the right shade by classifying their shades Cool, Warm, and Neutral: L'Oreal True Match ($13.99 CAN $9.99US, 1 oz)
5. The talk of the town: MAC Studio Fix Fluid ($29 CAN, $24US, 1 oz)

Kerry Anne's Picks

After seeing so many rave reviews about Laura Mercier's Oil-Free Foundation ($40 USD, $55CAD, 1 oz), I decided to try it out for myself. The product goes on very smoothly, and has great coverage, though it's more than I'm used to. I liked it, but it took a few tries before I could achieve the finish I wanted, and found that applying it with my fingers worked better than with the sponge. A definite splurge at $55, this one is great for those who want a luxury item and break out easily from foundation. I was in between the Warm Ivory and the Blush Ivory and opted for the darker shade since summer is coming and I wanted to have an oil-free product to wear in the hot weather. It is available in twelve shades and was selected as one of the best foundations by InStyle magazine's 2006 Best Beauty Buys. Try it on before you buy it to see if it's right for you because the number one complaint from users of this foundation line is that it tends to be a bit on the "orange" side. Even though it's a good product, the coverage is not as sheer and natural looking as it is touted to be.

My next pick is MAC Select Tint SPF 15. If you are looking for a great sheer foundation, the Select Tint blends wonderfully to even the complexion out. The website says that it "feels like nothing on", and it's true! It won't cover blemishes, so you'll need some concealer if you've got some whoppers. It's oil-free and contains an SPF, which makes it a great purchase for summer. I love this one, and sometimes mix it with a heavier foundation that I want to add more translucence to. Two big thumbs up! Available in 24 shades. ($29CAD, $24USD, 30 ml)

I second Airdrie on L'Oreal True Match. It has a very matte finish, which is nice, but careful if you have any dry patches, because it will accentuate them. Nothing a little exfoliating can't take care of.

Application

Foundation can be applied with the fingers, a sponge or a foundation brush. Airdrie found a great nylon foundation brush by "SICARA" ($7.99 CAN at London Drugs). There are many more expensive foundation brushes available. Look for one made from synthetic fibers, as it won't absorb the foundation.

Mail Bag

Thanks Michelle in Port Coquitlam, BC, for this Canadian content link. Check out the Scent Menu Bar.

Do You know Hank Azaria?

"Six degrees of separation is the theory that anyone on earth can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than four intermediaries. The theory was first proposed in 1929 by the Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy in a short story called Chains. The concept is based on the idea that the number of acquaintances grows exponentially with the number of links in the chain, and so only a small number of links is required for the set of acquaintances to become the whole human population." (Wikipedia)

Tell us your celebrity crush, and if you want we will read it out on our podcast. Maybe one of our other listeners will act as an intermediary in a shockingly simple six degrees of separation connection that will bring you closer to the one you "luv".

Regular listeners of this podcast will know that Airdrie has a troublesome crush on Hank Azaria. This week Kerry Anne reveals her secret crush. Who will it be????

It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness. - Leo Tolstoy