Louise McSharry: the best foundations with just the right amount of coverage

Or maybe you’re like me and have an insatiable appetite for the next big discovery — the foundation that will change your life. Of course, rationally, I know that a foundation won’t change my life. But the hope within me will never die.

Unfortunately, being a foundation explorer often comes at a heavy cost. These products tend to be expensive. The good news is that, these days, there are now lots of brilliant options available on the ‘high street’ (it always kills me that we don’t have an Irish version of this expression), many of them for less than €20.

L’Oreal True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum (€19.99 via boots.ie) has quickly become a favourite of mine since it launched earlier this year. As you might imagine with a serum formula, it’s not a full-coverage product but instead delivers a healthy-looking, even and luminous base. It contains 1pc hyaluronic acid, and feels more like a skincare product, making it ideal for those who don’t like to feel their foundation when they’re wearing it.

If ‘your skin but better’ is your bag, you’ll love the Rimmel Kind and Free range. It’s vegan and free from fragrance and mineral oils, and appears to be marketed directly to fans of the ‘clean girl’ makeup trend online. That’s fine, but are the products any good? I’m happy to say they are. The Moisturising Skin Tint (€11.49 via chtralee.com) is particularly good, delivering medium skin-blurring coverage that wears well and never feels cakey.

One beauty brand often performing far beyond its price point is Essence. The Essence Pretty Natural Hydrating Foundation (€6.25 via goldenspharmacy.ie) is excellent. A medium-coverage foundation, this has a satin finish which covers redness and blemishes nicely without masking the skin’s characteristics, such as freckles.

No7’s HydraLuminous Moisturising Foundation (€19 via boots.ie) is another star player when it comes to delivering healthy, fresh-looking skin. This formula includes SPF 15 (you’ll still need a separate SPF) and vitamins A, C and E, as well as grapeseed oil to ensure the skin is hydrated and luminous.

Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention EX1 Cosmetics’ Invisiwear Liquid Foundation (€16 via beautybay.com). This brand may be unfamiliar to you, but its foundation is beloved by thousands around the world thanks to its buildable coverage and skin-like finish, plus its excellent range of shades. It is available in Ireland in Superdrug stores and online. If you’re buying online, check out findation.com — a shade-matching website which uses products to help you figure out what shade you should buy.

Finally, if you’re someone who prefers full-coverage, try Maybelline Superstay Active Wear 30H Foundation (€14.95 via cloud10beauty.com). This delivers on coverage but still has a dewy finish. Let’s be honest, most people don’t need their foundation to stay put for 30 hours, but this one has real staying power. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear, and delivers on a level with lots of high-end products.

There’s no doubt that there’s something lovely about treating yourself to a luxurious high-end product, but if money’s tight or it just doesn’t make sense to you, the above should do the trick.

Something old...

While us adults view bath time as indulgent and luxurious, children sometimes view it as a pain. Thus, it comes down to parents to spin and market baths as ‘cool, fun playtime!’ There’s no question that bubble bath is a big part of that, but if your children have sensitive skin, that can be trickier than you’d think. Some of the ingredients that make bubble baths bubbly and fun are drying and unfriendly to the skin. Fortunately, there are some products on the market that manage to bridge the gap between fun and sensitive. Childs Farm Bubble Bath (€4.99 via inishpharmacy.com) contains calming essential oils to soothe the skin and is suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

... Something new

When my son was suffering with eczema, we went through a lot of products trying to find something which worked well on his skin. In the end, it was Aveeno products which we found most effective (particularly the cream with natural colloidal oatmeal). I was delighted to see the brand has now launched a bubble bath, something my son was deprived of in his early years. Aveeno Kids Bubble Bath & Wash (€4.66 via boots.ie) is designed especially for sensitive skin and contains soothing oat extract, meaning it won’t irritate children while providing fluffy bubbles. Tear-free and free from sulphates, soap and dyes, this might just be the answer for parents looking to make their sensitive little one’s bath time a little more fun.

Lost in translation

Humectant is a term you may hear in relation to some skincare ingredients. But what on earth does it mean? Simply put, a humectant attracts water from the air or from deeper in the skin. When something in skincare is a humectant, it generally means that it draws moisture to the skin’s surface, making the skin look plump and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is a very common humectant, as is glycerin. In short, we like them. We like them very much.