FAKE a f lawless face

New foundations promise to nourish our skin AND make it look smoother

ANEW generation of foundations promise skin that’s flawless and more natural than ever. When Blemish Balm creams (BB creams) hit the cosmetics market last year, their combination of light coverage and skin-perfecting ingredients had foundations running scared.

Could the humble foundation, stalwart of our make-up bags, ever measure up?

A slew of foundations from the biggest beauty brands are set to hit the market, with high-tech formulations that promise increased hydration, better coverage, flawless colourmatching and staying power. But does the reality justify the hype? Bobbi Brown, Extra Repair Foundation (€44, bobbibrown.com) THIS comes in a jar and looks more like a thick, tinted cold cream than a foundation. It’s rich in evening primrose oil and shea butter — so not one for oily or acne-prone skin, and most people probably won’t need a separate moisturiser either.

It seems to need working into the skin more than most foundations — initially it feels sticky — but, once it’s settled, it becomes sheer with a natural, dewy finish. Benefit’s oil-free Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Make-up (€32, benefitcosmetics.com, from next month) THIS f oundation is si milarly impressive. The formula apparently contains ingredients that, in test tubes, have been shown to ‘ help boost cellular respiration for a “plumping up” effect’. And, for those after light-to-medium coverage, it goes on easily, doesn’t look like a mask and lasts well without drying skin, which isn’t always the case with oil-free products. Givenchy Eclat Matissime (€40, debenhams.ie) PARCHED skin has always been a problem with matte - f i nish foundations, and this is something Givenchy sets out to fix with Eclat Matissime. Most mattifying bases work by stopping production of oil, or sebum. But when skin dries out, the oil-producing glands make skin shiny again, so the cycle repeats.

Givenchy has i ncluded zi nc spheres that only target excess