Hope you’re well.
I have never done a foundation review before just because I struggle to find right match for my skin tone in the UK. Here, drugstore foundations shade range is very poor. So, unfortunately my foundation shade picks are seriously by hit and trial. The reason of doing a review of Ex1 foundation is entirely because it suits me perfectly and my skin looks like skin and not caked face (which is a LOT to say!)
I got to know about this brand on Youtube when my Desi (Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi/ Srilankan ) Youtubers mentioned about a brand that caters to Olive and Yellow skin tones. That’s it! I had to get my hands on this foundation as the struggle to find a yellow toned foundation in the UK is real 🙂 #struggleisreal
The foundation became famous among Medium and Dark skin toned women as soon as it was launched. Soon, fair skinned women who have yellow undertones started using it and the brand became acceptable to a wide range of complexions.
Packaging is a clear plastic with shiny Bronzed lid and bottom. This comes with a bronzed finish pump (which makes it neat and travel friendly).
Price £12.50 which is in between drugstore and High-end but its totally worth it 🙂
Shade range This foundation comes in just 5 shades (f100-f500) with f100 being lightest and f500 darkest but you can mix two shades to get your custom shade. f200 is the closest match for me.
Finish This foundation gives a satin finish which works well for my dry skin. I hate foundations which clings to the dry patches. I think this should work for many skin types (Dry/Combination/Oily).
This foundation flashes back due to Titanium Dioxide as one of the ingredients. So, I would avoid this for any events with flash photography.
Matte look :If you like matte foundations, use a mattifying primer underneath and may be a mattifying finishing spray after your makeup.
Dewy look: If you want more dewy finish, use an illuminating primer underneath or mix liquid illuminator with the foundation and finish off your makeup with dewy finishing spray 🙂
Application: I have tried traditional foundation brush, stippling brush and Real Techniques sponge but I feel this looks flawless when applied with fingers. I have not tried Beauty Blender or Buffing brush with this foundation yet.
Longevity: I do not wear foundations for a long period but I have tested this for max 6 hours and it stayed well without becoming patchy.
Availability: I bought this from Lookfantastic.com with some discount code which knocked off around 2 pounds so it costed me about 10-ish pounds. You can also find this on Amazon, Urban Retreat at Harrods, Beauty Expert or Guru makeup Emporium.
Pros
- Yellow tone
- Good shade match
- No difficulty in finding shades as there are just 5 to choose from
- Gets invisible on the skin
Cons
- Flash back
- Can oxidise on oily skin (not too sure)
The swatches are not edited in terms of brightness or anything. I just add watermark of my website name.
Overall rating: 4/5
Do you also find difficulty in finding a right shade in Drugstore or high-end foundations? What foundations do you recommend for my skin type? Let me know in the comments below 🙂
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I struggle sooo much!!! I’ve now bought the body shop lightening drops which make my life easier! Loved the review, my sister has this and says she loves it too xxxx
Thanks darling for taking time to read and comment 🙂
I want to try the lightening drops so badly. I have heard so many good things about it. I will give that a go too.
Glad your sister also likes this foundation. 🙂
Loads of love,
Ash
Awwww thank you so much for checking this post Kiran <3
I have never tried Loreal foundations. I wanted to try true match and infallible ones but my local drugstore is really a crap in terms of testers and stocking medium shades. I will try checking at bigger Boots / Superdrug. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Love, Ash