Foundations - what type and how many?

[easypeeler]

Reading the make-up thread I was struck by the amount of products owned. I have one blush, one foundation, one mascara and three lipsticks

Do you generally have more than one foundation and different types in terms of liquid or cream or do you use one, use it up and buy another?

I feel I should have more stuff in my make up drawer but a bit put off because they have use-by dates.

I have about 3/4 liquid foundations, a couple/3 of tinted moisturisers, a BB cream or 2, and a couple of powder foundations. Oh and a couple of 'finishing' powders too (loose and pressed).

The different textures are useful depending on how my skin is - dewier, sheerer look when skin is looking good, slightly more medium coverage matte coverage when my skin is oilier and a bit pre menstrual. Varying levels of coverage are useful for different 'events' (eg a heavier coverage for a more 'made up' look for an evening event, a lighter, sheerer look for day time). A couple of different shades - paler one for winter, slightly darker for summer.

That said, I don't wear foundation/base every day, maybe 3x a week. Most of the time I wear mascara, blusher & lipstick/tinted balm.

Re use by dates. Powder products have lonnnnnnnnng use-bys on them and so long as you keep your tools clean (ie wash your brushes regularly), you should be fine to keep those going until you've used them up. Just keep an eye on the colour and texture, if they change colour or 'cake up', chuck them, but ime, with clean tools they last well.

Liquid foundation/products etc are fine for ages too, imo. So long as the colour still looks normal and hasn't oxidised (changed colour, gone orangey), it smells as it did and the texture is still good after a shake (they usually all benefit from a shake anyway, imo), they are fine. I find they last well to 18-24mo.

Oh and I forgot to say, I have so many because I'm always on the hunt for the 'perfect' colour and finish on my skin.

If you're happy with the collection you have, that's great! Don't spend more unnecessarily!!

I have quite a few different foundations/tinted moisturisers/bb cream. The reason for this is that I like being able choose different levels of coverage - sometimes I want a sheer foundation, other times I want one that gives more coverage.
During summer, I tan easily (and quite a lot), so I can't use the same foundation colour all year round. I mix the colours so they match my skin.

I tend to ignore the use by dates and instead I keep an eye on changes of texture, colour and smell. I don't put my fingers in jars of cream products, but instead use clean spatulas or clean brushes.
Mascara is the only product that I throw out 3-6 months after opening.

I have 6/7 foundations - as others have said, a combination of coverage required and changing of skintone throughout the year.

I have one foundation and mascara and a cover up and when they are about to run out I buy a replacement.

I do have many more lipsticks and lip salve. But I just use my favourites mostly.

One foundation for me. I always want the same coverage whatever. One mascara too. The others, multiple because I like a range of colours.

I have 4 foundations on the go-Doublewear light for every day,Doublewear extreme for my varicose veins on legs,regular doublewear for when I am going out and a cheapo Mua bb cream for when I am having a no make up day!!

I use 1 powder-soap and glory pressed powder. 1 blusher-bourjois. 1 eyebrow pencil-soap and glory.

I usually have a couple of mascaras I rotate-at the moment its doublewear mascara and an Avon one.

I have about 10 lipsticks but wear 3 regularly-Revlon lipstain in romantic for everyday or a nude pink by Soap and Glory. For going out I use Ruby woo by Mac.

I have lots of eyeshadows by various brands but again only wear these if I am going out.

I have two foundations, one for day time, one for night time.
I have one mascara.
I have 6 lipsticks which I rarely use tbh.
I also have a smash box palette with eye shadows/lip glosses/blush.