As I’ve aged, I’ve had to take a less-is-more approach to makeup. Sure, the 1980’s full-on cake-face makeup of my teen years was toned down some time ago, but I’ve had to really lighten my hand since hitting my mid-40s. Full-coverage foundation doesn’t work for me any more – it looks heavy and it can gather in the fine lines around my eyes. That isn’t a good look and can be very ageing.
There are several brands of makeup on the market now that double up as skincare, and not just in the SPF sense. A few actually benefit your skin, and in this time-starved world, what could be better?
Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum moisturises, evens out the skin tone, and provides sun protection of a whopping SPF 30. And because it’s a thin serum, it never looks heavy and it doesn’t settle into lines and wrinkles. You don’t even have to colour match it because it adapts to your skin tone. It is truly a faff-free multitasker. I wear it almost every day and often get compliments about my skin.
This foundation uses zinc oxide which is an effective sun block. It also contains hyaluronic acid which pulls moisture to the skin and holds it there. The coverage is light to medium, and it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. It is a little pricey, but when you consider that you don’t need a separate sun screen during winter, it’s fairly good value. And you don’t need much. A little really does go a long way.
Effectiveness: 5 – skin looks heathy, glowy and fresh without feeling weighed down or masked.
User Experience: 5 – easy to apply. It slips easily over the skin and stays put for the day.
Comfort: 5 – with my usual skincare underneath, my skin feels moisturised and comfortable all day.
Repurchase: I have.
Fig and Pen 