You and I both know the title of this post was an excuse to reference Cruel Summer. I’ll get it over with quickly – by the looks of things, it’s going to be a cruel summer here in Toronto because it feels like spring is never going to arrive, nevermind the hot hot heat I crave. My relationship with base is a bit touch-and-go – there are months when I wear it steadily and others when I choose to go without. I can’t deny the bliss of perfect skin, though, and these three perfect-for-summer picks will give you exactly that.
With three levels of coverage (heaviest to lightest), these three foundations will cover your bases whether you’re looking for oil control, coverage and a bit of a glow or just an ultra-light wash of colour. Of the three I’m sharing with you today, two were discoveries I made without the help of a press send. Yes, this means I did a lot of field research before spending my hard-earned money. That said, let’s get down to it. Here are my top 3 foundations for summer.
Benefit The Big Easy Liquid To Powder SPF 35 Foundation
When I originally tested Benefit’s brand new cream-to-powder BB-esque foundation, The Big Easy, I wasn’t wowed. Shocking, I know, since I’m obsessed with most Benefit products. My skin tends to be pretty dry and the moisture-balancing & oil-controlling properties of this better-than-BB cream were enhancing the dryness. However, when I tested this during the few warmer days Toronto’s had in this weird “sprinter” of ours, I was wowed in a big way. Say goodbye to the summer oil slick – this mattifying, perfecting foundation spiked with SPF 35 will self-adjust to even out your skintone while keeping your face shine-free. I’d recommend this for oilier skin types all year round, but if you find you grease up in the summer give it a go.
Benefit The Big Easy is available in 6 shades (I wear 02 light) and retails for $46.
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
I recently hopped back on the NARS foundation bandwagon and I’m so glad I did. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation provides a weightless, hydrating glow without masking your natural skin. It looks & feels exactly like your skin, a quality I love in foundation, and really does boost radiance. I’ve never been one to wear foundation daily, but I love how my skin looks with this one. It’s subtle but I promise you’ll notice. It’s best for normal to very dry skin, so skip this if you’re on the oily side. This foundation should last you a long time – the amount that’s in the cap when you shake it should be enough to cover your whole face!
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is available in 17 shades (I wear Mont Blanc Light 2) and retails for $55.
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15
If you’re looking for a refreshing, light, second-skin foundation, this is it. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15 feels like a splash of cool water on your skin. I always feel like the copywriters are over-romanticizing when it comes to luxury makeup brands, but this isn’t smoke and mirrors. It really does feel refreshing when you apply it. Of all the formulas here, this is the lightest and provides the least coverage. I love it for a day at the beach where you want just a smidge of coverage or for a really hot day when you don’t want to resort to a matte look.
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15 is available in 8 shades (I wear 10 Beige) and retails for $48.
[line]Which is your perfect match for summer? I know I’ll be alternating between all three.
