We all want perfect skin - or at least skin that looks perfect. I feel as though I'm the Goldilocks of foundations, always searching for the one that’s “just right”. It’s led me to trying quite a few, so I wanted to share my thoughts with you on the 15 different “savey” brands I trialled this month.
Now, let me preface by saying that I have normal skin and can make most foundations work. I'm 51, with freckles and pigmentation, as well as lines and texture that come with being the age that I am.
I also just wanted to note that during this trial there were no touch-ups throughout the day - which, in some instances, resulted in me looking like a hot mess.
Here are my honest reviews.
DB Cosmetics Skin Renew Ceramide Foundation, $22.99.
Finish: Lightweight buildable coverage/natural satin finish.
With ceramides, vitamin C and vitamin A, this is such an underrated product. Perfect for mature skin, it leaves your complexion looking flawless, dewy, and fine lines are minimised.
I have now put this firmly back into rotation and it will be staying there.
Wearing: DB Cosmetics Skin Renew Ceramide Foundation. (Image supplied by Teresa McNamara).
Wearing: DB Cosmetics Skin Renew Ceramide Foundation. (Image supplied by Teresa McNamara).
Australis Fresh and Flawless Foundation SPF15, $19.95.
Finish: Full coverage/natural lightweight.
Infused with vitamin C and E, this foundation claims to control excess oils. It might be good for oily complexions, but my skin hates it. It wears terribly, looks worse, and is not full coverage. I binned this after trying to make it work several times.
Not off to a good start.
Enough Collagen Moisture Foundation, $8.76.
Finish: Medium coverage/natural.
This affordable cult K-Beauty product is super creamy with a 'your-skin-but-better' finish. As the name suggests, it contains collagen. The complete lack of shade range is terrible though, and it's targeted as a 'whitening and brightening' product.
The lack of shade diversity aside, if you're looking for something very affordable then the formula itself is pretty great.
Covergirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk, $10.47.
Finish: Light coverage/dewy finish.
Infused with coconut milk and aloe extract, this one is super nourishing and lightweight. Think of it as 'holiday skin' for when you don’t really want to wear makeup. The formula is good for all skin types but particularly sensitive skin and younger skin.
ELF Camo CC Cream SPF30, $35.
Finish: Full coverage/natural finish.
Skincare-infused with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, collagen, AND it's colour correcting – it almost sounds too good to be true.
This is an affordable alternative to IT Cosmetics CC Cream. While initially quite nice on the skin, it became cakey around my chin as the day wore on and broke down around my nose.
Flower Beauty Light Illusion Luminous Foundation, $9.69.
Finish: Medium buildable coverage/luminous finish.
This foundation punches well above its weight and is suitable for all skin types. The only downfall is that it oxidises slightly and can pull a little warm. BUT! It is weightless, luminous and looks so natural on my skin that I can forgive it.
Makeup Revolution IRL Filter Longwear Foundation, $20.
Finish: Full coverage/breathable matte finish.
Wearing: Makeup Revolution IRL Filter Longwear Foundation. (Image supplied by Teresa McNamara).
Wearing: Makeup Revolution IRL Filter Longwear Foundation. (Image supplied by Teresa McNamara). 
Wearing: Makeup Revolution IRL Filter Longwear Foundation. (Image supplied by Teresa McNamara).
This really is a filter in a bottle, and if I had to pick between NARS Light Reflecting Foundation and this, then I would easily choose this. A new favourite, it's in rotation up against my high-end brands.
L’Oréal Infallible 24hr Fresh Wear Foundation SPF25, $21.99.
Finish: Full coverage/natural finish.
This is my most purchased affordable foundation for good reason: it's a fantastic all-round performer that looks flawless for most of the day. It's breathable, lightweight, waterproof, and transfer and sweat-resistant.
L’Oréal True Match Foundation, $26.99.
Finish: Medium coverage/natural dewy finish.
This is another fantastic product from L’Oréal. It's great for any skin type and performs right up there with high-end products.
It contains hyaluronic acid, providing moisturising skincare benefits. It also blends like a dream, somehow matching the colour of your skin and evening it all out beautifully.
Rimmel Kind & Free Skin Tint, $9.97.
Finish: Sheer coverage/natural glow finish.
Wearing: Rimmel Kind & Free Skin Tint. (Image supplied by Teresa McNamara).
Wearing: Rimmel Kind & Free Skin Tint. (Image supplied by Teresa McNamara).
I can’t believe this is a savey skin tint. I mean, if you get it on sale you can pay under $10. This has great coverage without having to apply full coverage.
It looks airbrushed, it's long-lasting and outperforms a lot of high-end brands. I feel like I have nothing on my face.
Well done, Rimmel.
Max Factor Skin Improving Foundation, $39.95.
Finish: Medium coverage/natural radiant finish.
Containing vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, Max Factor says of this formula to “Believe in Miracles!” Well, it’s a miracle I left the house in this. It came out of the tube very thick and oxidised to the point I looked like an Oompa Loompa.
This lasted only four hours before I had to get it off my face. It just kept darkening as time wore on.
Maybelline Superstay 30H Foundation, $25.49.
Finish: Full coverage/natural matte finish.
Maybelline Superstay 30H Foundation is another one of those products that could be mistaken for a high-end brand. It looks flawless and it's long-lasting, but it is worth noting that the finish is a bit drying.
So, if you have oily skin this is a fantastic savey option for you - but probably avoid if you are on the drier side.
The Ordinary Serum Foundation, $12.70.
Finish: Sheer to medium coverage/natural luminous finish.
Wearing: The Ordinary Serum Foundation. (Image supplied by Teresa McNamara).
The Ordinary Serum Foundation looks like a second skin and feels amazing. This is a lightweight formula and wears well. The shade selection is really interesting - the one I got (2.0YG) had a yellow undertone with gold highlights, giving it a subtle inbuilt highlight.
I could not stop touching my face and checking it out in a mirror. It just had a lovely finish I haven't seen on my skin before.
Milani 2-in-1 Foundation & Concealer, $27.
Finish: Full coverage/matte finish.
A foundation and concealer in one? It's thick, it's full coverage, runs a bit orange and takes work to blend in. It will last all day but looks heavy. In my opinion there are so many better options out there for full coverage.
Revlon Colorstay Light Foundation, $14.97.
Finish: Light to medium coverage/natural finish.
No, just no.
I looked like a hot mess by the end of the day: picture an old school film photograph being overexposed and then the image just disintegrating. That. Was. My. Face!
Pick a different Revlon Foundation – pick anything BUT this. Enough said.
The savey foundations I would buy again.
With that said, after putting all of these affordable savey foundations to the test, here are my top three favourites I would recommend trying.
Best light coverage: Rimmel Kind & Free Skin Tint, $9.97.
Image: Chemist Warehouse/Mamamia Best medium coverage: DB Cosmetics Skin Renew Ceramide Foundation, $22.99.
Image: Designer Brands/Mamamia
Best full coverage: Makeup Revolution IRL Filter Longwear Foundation, $20.
Image: Revolution Beauty/Mamamia
Of course, keep in mind that these are just my opinions and your experience may differ to mine.
So, now that’s out of the way, keep an eye out for the 'spendy' list next...
Looking for more exclusive subscriber beauty content? Here what Mia Freedman learned about skincare in her 40s and the expert-approved makeup rules to know in your 40s.
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Feature image: Supplied