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Original poster

Nars vs EL Doublewear vs Mac foundation

32 replies

Lottie2shoes · 23/09/2021 10:06

Hi. Ive always bought cheap store bought foundations but would like to go all out and buy a more expensive ( to me) foundation.
I am in my 30s, combination skin, have a few freckles that I would like to cover.

Also I am not the type to constantly touch up.
If you have tried 2 or maybe all 3 foundations, which one did you prefer?
Also not great at applying lashes, do manage to, do you think it is easier to use tweezers or just by hand?
I like volume and length for eyelashes but not too dramatic. My eyelashes are not too bad to start off with. What are your recommendations?
( Maybe I should have started different thread for the eyelashes Blush)
Any advice given I would be grateful for.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lottie2shoes · 24/09/2021 09:36

Anyone?

OP posts:
babysnowman · 24/09/2021 09:38

I used to swear by Double Wear in my 20s. Now that I'm in my 30s I can't touch it, just looks like a mask and settles into my pores and fine lines. I've been trying some Bobbi Brown ones as their colour match is perfect but can't find a formula I like. My friend uses Nars and it looks incredible so going to try that next. Also heard good things about Armani Luminous Silk.

Mamarose78 · 24/09/2021 09:48

Hey @Lottie2shoes

The best brand of foundation I have used is LIGHT WONDER by Charlotte Tilbury. It's so lovely and light and gives you a great glow.

That said I have sampled a few of her other foundations and I must say they glide on beautifully. I found with Mac it can be a bit cakey and @babysnowman is right, Double Wear is far too thick.

Over lockdown, I booked onto a free online call with one of the Charlotte Tilbury MUAs and they were great and really helpful. If you can get into the store though definitely give the foundation a try, it's almost magic the way it makes your skin look.

Here's the link to the call you can have: www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/product/free-foundation-experts

Bookaholic73 · 24/09/2021 09:50

@babysnowman

I used to swear by Double Wear in my 20s. Now that I'm in my 30s I can't touch it, just looks like a mask and settles into my pores and fine lines. I've been trying some Bobbi Brown ones as their colour match is perfect but can't find a formula I like. My friend uses Nars and it looks incredible so going to try that next. Also heard good things about Armani Luminous Silk.
I feel the same with DW. Since I hit my 40’s I’m not loving it at all, but it was fine in my 30’s.

I have heard great things about Light Wonder too, so am going to try that once my DW has run out.

NotMyCat · 24/09/2021 09:53

I have dry skin and like
EL futurist (probably too hydrating for you)
Mac waterweight (light feel, water based)
Nars sheer glow (neither sheer or glowy but lovely and seems to last well)

Girlintheframe · 24/09/2021 10:17

I like Mac waterweight but I have dry skin so maybe not suitable for you.

I've tried DW and found it very hard to work with.

Lashes I use eyelash teeezers, I found them a bit easier but I'm quite cack handed!

Amz6219 · 24/09/2021 10:20

I'm same as you - 35, combo skin but I have tons of freckles (like to have the ones on my nose showing through a bit but cover the rest)

I'm another that swore by DW in my 20s but now in 30s it looks cakey and mask like.

I use Nars sheer glow during the day sometimes for a bit lighter coverage, it is sheer / light but buildable.

I find MAC tends to be really light coverage so sometimes I use face and body again for day time, but I have a darker shade so I generally only use when I have bothered tanning

My go to evening / full coverage is Dior Forever because it is full coverage but doesn't get too cakey

And eyelashes I love Maybelline anything but swear by lash sensational

Ellllle · 24/09/2021 12:26

You've listed brands not foundations (apart from ELDW). Which foundations do you mean?

mobear · 24/09/2021 12:32

I am mid-30s, have combination skin, a few freckles and also can’t be bothered touching up.

I haven’t tried EL Doublewear but I have tried several MAC foundations and NARS Sheer Glow is my staple. It’s excellent. I also like the NARS concealer although I don’t use it all the time.

Justilou1 · 24/09/2021 13:11

I think DW has done it’s dash. It’s very old-style. You can get much better, newer foundations at the drugstore that would suit your skin better. If you want a really adaptive, all-purpose foundation, I would say that you can’t beat the good old Mac Face and Body. It can be sheered out to virtually nothing and it can be built up to a good, medium coverage. Unless you’re doing anything under heavy camera lights, I doubt you’d ever need more than that. Other imperfections need to be sorted with concealer and for that, I don’t think you can beat Nars. The Soft Matte concealer (pot) is bloody brilliant for spots and discoloration on the face and nose. (Set with a very light dusting of powder and you’re good until you choose to remove it.) Their Radiant Creamy Concealer can’t be beaten for under eyes. I happen to love the Nars Radiant Longwear Foundation, but with a couple of caveats. You need to buy a shade lighter because it does oxidise, and you absolutely need to powder it. Their Light Reflective Powder is the Bomb, btw… (I don’t work for them, just saying!) Once you powder the Nars Foundation, it stays all day, but it’s not cakey and it is smooth, “perfected” and doesn’t crease. I would say that the MAC F&B is more natural and more versatile though.

Justilou1 · 24/09/2021 13:15

Oh, and with the Mac F&B, you need to shake it up first to disperse the pigments, then if you want to have a “sheer” face, apply straight away. If you want more coverage, rub it vigorously between your (clean) hands for a couple of seconds and it somehow changes the texture and becomes more creamy and offers a higher coverage.

Metabigot · 25/09/2021 09:28

I've done away with foundation in my 40s, find a combination of excellent skincare routine, primer, tinted moisturiser and sheer powder works better.

dudsville · 25/09/2021 11:57

I use EL camouflage, but it has the same problems as DW. I need the coverage so I apply it to a well moisturised face, and I mix it with a few drops of face oil, applying by hand/fingers. Let it sit a bit, then go back with a sponge. I get a dewy glow and a natural look with this practice.

superplumb · 25/09/2021 18:06

I've used, mac face and body...its ok, light coverage, but long lasting and transfers.
Nars sheer, good coverage, lasts well, but transfers.
Eldw. Fab. I use a good primer under it to stop creasing, dries well, doesnt transfer and lasts ages. I'm 42 no massive wrinkles but avoid under my eyes as I have lines here

Original poster
Lottie2shoes · 25/09/2021 22:46

Thank you for all your replies. Very informative and helpful.

OP posts:
3WildOnes · 26/09/2021 08:35

ELDW used to look great on me but now I am in my 30s it doesn’t suit my skin as well. Their light version is a bit better for me. I love Mac studio sculpt for the winter when my skin isn’t looking it’s best and I need a fuller coverage. Nars sheer glow is my favourite foundation but doesn’t offer quite enough coverage when my skin is at its worst.

brownriceandpoptarts · 26/09/2021 08:42

I'm 38 for context.

I love Nars but don't find it lasts well. My the end of the work day it looks patchy, but when first on it looks lovely. I used to love Studio Fix when I was in my 20s but I find it sits in my pores and still slides off despite using powder to set.

I love Double Wear for its staying power, it is the only foundation that lasts for me. I make sure I moisturise well and let it dry fully, then I use the Elf Mint gel primer (cheaper and better than MiLK imo), let that dry down completely and then I buff DW on with a brush, but I don't use much product - I agree that it can look cakey but I find this only happens if my skin hasn't been prepped or I use to much.

I can't use any other combo now. It lasts all day and evens out my skin tone.

Secretsout · 26/09/2021 08:42

I've used DW, Mac Studio Fix and Armani Luminous Silk. Armani is really lovely, full cover but feels quite light.
Couple of weeks ago had a colour match and was given a substantial sample of the new Valentino foundation from Selfridges. The make up is new for Valentino and it's absolutely gorgeous. So light and easy to apply, it looks fab and feels good. The packaging is beautiful and lots of the products have reusable packaging so you can just buy refills

Original poster
Lottie2shoes · 27/09/2021 09:46

Oh no! More choices!! I found choosing out of just the 3 was hard enough!Grin
But thank you.

Does anyone know where I could get samples of all of these at home? So I can try them and check them out fully.
In the shops, I feel like everything looks ok but a different matter when you are actually at home, under different lights etc.
I feel like it would be just throwing money away by buying lots of foundation out of my budget and then if I don't like it, it's a waste of money.
Thanks for all the help so far Smile

OP posts:
Dinnertime22 · 27/09/2021 10:41

Have you tried Clinique?

Ellllle · 27/09/2021 10:58

Nars radiant long lasting foundation is the absolute worst for transferring! That stuff gets everywhere. It's a shame because it looks amazing when first applied

Original poster
Lottie2shoes · 27/09/2021 22:01

@Dinnertime22
No I have not tried Clinique. If I be truthful, I've just stuck to the cheap end foundations. I don't really wear make up day to day. But now that I am in my 30s ( and my kids are older), I feel like I want to splash out on a good foundation.

OP posts:
Dinnertime22 · 27/09/2021 22:35

The new Even better foundation lasts. I work 12 hour shifts, so it has too. The other even better foundation is lighter coverage and still lasts though. I like the level of coverage as it looks natural. I use either Nars creamy concealer or Clinique then a light brush of Bare Minerals powder. I do use the Urban Decay setting spray and it stays put plus I wear a mask for some of my work time too.
I do use a primer. I keep trying different ones and the Nars one is my current favourite. I have the Laura Mercier one at the moment which I am not too keen on.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/09/2021 22:39

Double Wear, always.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/09/2021 22:39

Have you ever tried Revlon Colourstay OP?

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