As part of my bridal beauty countdown, so far, I’ve looked at cleansing routines and eyelashes. With less than three months to go, I’m delighted to report that I’ve been running every day and I’ve gotten myself some perfect Michelle Obama-esque arms*.
(*May not be true)
I mentioned before that I’ve got relatively decent skin. That said, it’s dry and quite sensitive/reactive, so I have to play nice. I had a fight with some Eve Lom cleanser recently and it wasn’t at all pretty. To that end, I’m keeping my cleansing super minimal (Cetaphil) and doing regular masks and scrubs. I’ve become rather addicted to Origins Active Charcoal Mask – alternated with Origins Modern Friction. So, while I could be persuaded to trial a new moisturizer (I’m about to finish a LaRoche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche), I’ve got a routine down pat, and am hoping my skin stays calm.
I’ve been trialling a few foundations for D-day. For daily use, I love Bourjois Healthy Mix (though the Serum version weirdly went all ball-y on my skin.) However, I don’t think it’s going to be any match for the summer sun in the south of France and it’s not a day for constant touch-ups. I’m essentially looking for a similarly dewy look, but that can last in 35 degrees or so. The problem with long wear foundations can be cakeiness; the very opposite of dewy, so I had to play around. I’m also relying on the fact that my skin will be less dry in the heat, and the presence of high factor sunscreen (the trusty Anti-Helios from LRP) will add a bit of slip-factor. Conundrums, conundrums.
One which I had high hopes for was Chanel Perfection Lumiere, mostly, because I would kill for the ponytail in the ad, and because I’ve a fondness for Chanel, like I’ve a fondness for Louboutins. Distant, and almost never satisfied. But Perfection Lumiere is just not for my skin. As you can see, on my (moisturized) hand, it’s still chalky, and it doesn’t agree with the dry patches on my face at all. That said, I will bring it to France to trial on more summery skin. Next.
Advertised
For my sister’s wedding, I used Laura Mercier Moisturizing foundation on the both of us. And it’s really lovely. It gives gorgeous, creamy coverage, with the desired amount of dewy. But for me, it’s a winter foundation, and does best in milder temperatures. It also has the tendency to slide off a slipperier base, i.e. the sunblock.
In a moment of age-related weakness, I went for Giorgio Armani’s Designer lift foundation. While it’s not a long lasting foundation per se, I found it lasted well through a day’s work in an air-conditioned office. It’s got a lovely dewy finish on my skin with almost full coverage. That said, I can see my freckles through it, so I still look like me, sans mask. This is one to try in the heat.
When it comes to long-lasting, 24 hours is pretty much as far as you’d want to go. I do hope I’m not still clinging on to the wedding dress the following day. Sure why stop there? I could wear it for a week to increase the cost per wear value. Lancome’s Teint Idole Ultra 24h is touted as a transfer-free, retouch-free foundation. So, on the face of it, a HG for brides. There are a lot of heavy claims there, and while it doesn’t love my still dry skin from winter etc, I have a really good feeling about this one. I also found that after putting a fairly heavy glob on my hand for pictures, it took some serious cleansing to get off. A very good sign for the wedding day face, maybe not so much for my pillows. With some light cream highlighter where it’s needed, this could work very nicely.
For my final trial, I looked at Estee Lauder Double Wear Light. The original is a no-go for me as it’s just too much coverage. Disguise, almost. The light however, is a different animal. It’s got the cushioney feel I love in more moisturizing foundations, like the Laura Mercier or the Armani. But the joy here is that it sets. And yet I can still see my skin under there, while getting to keep the coverage. Without wanting to jinx it, I think I’ve found the one.
So it’ll just be the four foundations I’m bringing for the day then, not to mention the rest of the kit.
Ahh Aer Lingus, be kind to me, won’t you?
Advertised
Juliette Gash
