Fashion Brief
While you may well be thinking summer has scarcely even begun, beauty has already moved on to autumn and launched a load of foundations to mark the new season. The reasoning is that women won’t stomach a full base in the heat and humidity (chance would be a fine thing), but by September are ready for something more substantial than tinted moisturiser or CC cream.
Guerlain – which in the last 18 months has quite unexpectedly become the luxury foundation maker to beat – continues its winning streak with new Lingerie de Peau Natural Perfection (£38.50), a light coverage liquid with a soft, semi-matte finish that looks just polished enough without making itself obvious. The thin, ungreasy texture means it’s suitable for all skin types, and it’s resolutely without that gloopy, silicone-heavy feel so often foisted on oily types. It blends like a dream and, for something so light, lasts very well.
Speaking of longevity, Tom Ford’s new Waterproof Foundation/Concealer (£68; out next month) is as stubborn as a mule and so ideal if you’re prone to hot flushes, excessive perspiration or oiliness. Seriously, this stuff could withstand a monsoon and still give full, even coverage.
Bare Minerals are also on something of a roll. I’m not a huge fan of their classic powder base (though it is fantastic for makeup-intolerant, sensitive skin), but loved last year’s serum version. Now, they’ve gone back to their roots with BarePro (£27), a medium- to full-coverage powder (this time pressed) in a characteristically inclusive shade range. On initial application, it didn’t impress – it sort of sat on the skin’s surface like a tarpaulin – but I’m glad I persevered, because within 20 minutes it melded with the complexion to give a wonderful, clear glow that suggested good genes and adequate rest more than it did foundation. My only misgiving is I don’t understand the purpose-designed brush: there’s not enough control, purchase or coverage. Use your own – Real Techniques’ buffing brush is ideal and cheaper.
Finally, I must mention PS… Pro (from £2.50), an extremely gratifying new range from Primark. If you can face the anxiety-inducing bunfight in store, do check out the Pro Longwear Mineralized Foundation (£5). It goes on smoothly, without streaks, and provided me with 12 hours of medium, even, comfortable coverage. The rest of the range is none too shabby, either.
