For those of you who are not familiar, beauty emporium Sephora partnered with color company expert Pantone, to develop an identification system for matching foundation accurately. I had been TRYING to get myself to physical store (I shop for makeup and beauty products online more than in person) for MONTHS, but finally, I had a day to myself where I could explore my own Color IQ.
As a makeup artist, I am used to mixing foundations for clients and for myself, to achieve the perfect color. I have eczema, and as a result, my face is discolored due to old eczema rashes that healed but caused hyperpigmentation (the skin darkened due to an increase in melanin). It takes me forever to find the right foundation (actually, make that plural, as I have to use more than one), so I was quite curious to see if Color IQ would correctly identify which foundation would work best for my face.
First of all, let me just say that the Sephora employees at the Lincoln Park location here in Chicago are AWESOME! Asia helped me identify my Color IQ by taking 3 pictures of my face with the hand-held camera that exclusively photographed my skin in total darkness for an accurate view of the true color of my skin, without distractions from fluctuating things like natural light, etc. Once she took the pictures, I received an on-screen list of the best foundations for my skin color. There were 16 total, and I also was given variations if I needed to select a foundation that was lighter or darker depending on my preference. The list was then emailed to me, which I thought was extremely helpful, even for a professional. With so many foundations out there, I can sometimes forget what works best for me! Here’s my list below (but please keep reading after the list and pictures):
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| MAKE UP FOR EVER | ||
| HD Invisible Cover Foundation | ||
| 180 Brown | ||
| $ 42.00 | ||
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| NARS | ||
| Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | ||
| Polynesia | ||
| $ 42.00 | ||
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| LAURA MERCIER | ||
| Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 – Oil Free | ||
| Mocha | ||
| $ 43.00 | ||
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| BAREMINERALS | ||
| bareMinerals Matte Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 | ||
| Warm Deep | ||
| $ 27.00 | ||
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| LAURA MERCIER | ||
| Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 | ||
| Mocha | ||
| $ 43.00 | ||
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| SMASHBOX | ||
| Liquid Halo HD Foundation SPF 15 | ||
| 10 | ||
| $ 42.00 | ||
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| MARC JACOBS BEAUTY | ||
| Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation | ||
| 86 Cocoa Deep | ||
| $ 48.00 | ||
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| BECCA | ||
| Ultimate Coverage Complexion Crème | ||
| Mahogany | ||
| $ 44.00 | ||
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| CLINIQUE | ||
| Even Better Makeup SPF 15 | ||
| Pecan | ||
| $ 27.00 | ||
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| LAURA MERCIER | ||
| Oil Free Suprême Foundation | ||
| Rich Sienna | ||
| $ 45.00 | ||
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| SEPHORA COLLECTION | ||
| Matifying Compact Foundation | ||
| D65 | ||
| $ 9.00 | ||
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| KOH GEN DO | ||
| Maifanshi Moisture Foundation | ||
| 303 | ||
| $ 62.00 | ||
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| BOBBI BROWN | ||
| Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation SPF 15 | ||
| Chestnut | ||
| $ 47.00 | ||
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| MAKE UP FOR EVER | ||
| Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation | ||
| No. 85 – Brown | ||
| $ 36.00 | ||
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| LANCÔME | ||
| Teint Idole Ultra 24H | ||
| 540 Suede W | ||
| $ 45.50 | ||
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| DOLCE & GABBANA | ||
| The Foundation Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 | ||
| Golden Honey 170 | ||
| $ 67.00 | ||
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I decided to try the first foundation on the list, which is Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 180 Brown. I have red undertones in my skin and this foundation really made my skin look natural but I did notice that I had to apply more than one layer to get the best coverage. If you follow my blog, then you must know that I ADORE Â Make Up For Ever (MUFE) and use many of their products, but the HD foundation was one that I had not yet tried. I think that it really gave my skin an airbrushed quality that looked fantastic in both natural and artificial light. I’ve seen other bloggers post that the foundation did not work for them (i.e. it was too oily, didn’t give enough coverage, etc.), but I have dry skin, and it worked for me.
I used my Stila One Step Foundation Brush to blend the foundation, and I have to say, I was really pleased with the overall results! Now that I have my list of new “go to’s” for foundation, I am going to start testing out the Color IQ theory more extensively.
Until next time,
Tiffany
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the skin-tone and reduce the redness. I really love how this lightweight formula allowed me to build up to heavier coverage if necessary. After creating an even complexion, I swept MAC Eye Brow Pencil in Lingering over the brows, using light strokes to add more shape and definition.
Tiffany Payne-Griffin 