Foundation testers - is this a weird idea?

[Trallala]

I need some new foundation and I'd like to try the Maybelline skin tint. It's 'only' £14 a bottle, but if it doesn't suit my skin that's £14 wasted. I'm not worried about the shade, as I think I've found my match, but a few drops on the back of my hand tell me nothing about how it will look or wear on my face.

Would it be weird to take a tiny 10ml jar to Superdrug and ask for a small squirt so I can test it properly? I've had tiny pots to try from brands like Clinique and Clarins, but obviously they're a bit higher end.

Otherwise, any ideas on how not to potentially waste £14?

You technically wouldn't need to ask, as the testers are there for you to use. So you could just put a few squirts in your jar?

If you already have a foundation that's the perfect shade, you can use this website to find a colour match to a different brand.

https://findation.com/

I think it's fine as long as you don't empty out half a bottle!

@MrsJHernandez That's the plan, yes, two squirts would be enough to do a test at home. My pots are tiny 10ml ones, I usually use them to decant foundation for weekends away. My menopausal skin is quite fussy and I have a graveyard of formulas that just didn't work like the internet said they would!

Findation is such a godsend - I've noticed a few online makeup retailers using it as a reference now

@Talkwhilstyouwalk No, I wouldn't abuse it - it would probably be the same amount as testing three different shades on the back of my hand, I don't use a lot and I know which shade I need.

I suppose the worst they can do is tell me off - but then they'll lose a sale if it works for me because I'll buy it elsewhere.

I used to like it when you got those tiny sachets in magazine adverts, I discovered a (sadly now discontinued) Vichy one that way, and I used it for years.

The problem with doing this is the risk of contamination.

Try putting a stripe of your foundation on your hand and then use the stripe as a guide to the colour.

I've watched far to many videos on YouTube where people are infected by swatches their faces

@CharlotteCChapel As I said, the colour isn't the issue for me, I've been testing shades on the back of my hand for years but it's how the product looks on my facial skin (and how the formula works for me) that I need to test. I don't want to waste £14 on something that I use once only to find it makes me dry or spotty or looks too oily.

I accept contamination may be a risk but for a one off I'm happy to take that - the one I like is in a dropper so that should reduce the risk further. I have to say I've never seen any infected YouTubers but I guess there are a lot of them, so some maybe unlucky. I certainly wouldn't risk using eyeshadow or lipstick testers on my eyes and lips, but they're easier to test without doing so, and I won't be using the foundation tester on any areas of broken skin.

I would advise not to waste your time with that one. I bought it and it oxidises terribly so it's impossible to get the right shade. You either have to look 4 shades lighter for the first few hours, or orange for the rest of the time. It's also extremely thick for a skin tint and ends up looking cakey. It was so bad that I just binned it. A lot of people online have said the same thing

Can't you usually return products like this? As long as you haven't used loads, just one application you should be able to return and say you don't like the formula

@Avelina Ah that's useful to know, thank you - I've seen lots of people singing its praises so fancied trying it. I liked the look of it on the back of my hand (which is a much nicer texture than my face!) and that's why I wanted to try it properly.

I hear you about binning foundations that don't work - I must have dumped hundreds of pounds' worth in my 40 odd make-up wearing years - especially in the old days when undertones weren't considered.

@Isthatarealname I hadn't thought of this, so I will investigate. Used makeup - unlike clothes - isn't really resellable though, so I don't know how it would work

Edited to add: I just checked Superdrug's policy (that's where I'd be shopping) and they'll only accept unused and sealed items as returns, as I suspected.

I have seen tester pots for sale on ebay - I think someone buys a full bottle and then decants into multiple tiny pots. Brilliant idea though you have to trust you’re getting the real thing not a dupe. It’s generally more expensive brands though.

Space NK will do this for you - give you a bit in a pot - or at least they do with face moisturisers so you can try something for a few days before investing.

I accept that the price point is higher at SpaceNK though although I would argue that the product quality is miles ahead. I agree I wouldn’t fancy it in Superdrug because of the contamination risk. If you get a sample and try it for a few days there’s less of a risk of you having to chuck something away.

@erinaceus Sadly I live on the edge of Wales that's probably as far from the nearest Space NK that it's possible to get, hence Superdrug being my only option. Although there is Tesco... My guess is the testers there will have seen less traffic 🤔

@minipie I'd forgotten about looking on eBay. No skin tint testers but there's a lot of Dream Matte Mousse on there if anyone fancies revisiting the naughties chalky lip look!

@Trallala This is likely best for your bank balance as once I started on Space NK (years ago when I went there to invest and buy all-new makeup for my wedding) I found it impossible to go back to cheaper brands

sorry I don't understand - I put a swipe of colour on my cheek in the shop and go outside with a hand held mirror to see it in the sunshine!

I tried the Maybelline one and it's fine but the Catrice Nude Drop tinted serum foundation is much better I've found. And half the price.

The samples could have been out for a while and changed. I’d just spend the £14. It’s hardly breaking the bank.

If you want a skin tint then for an extra 13 quid you could try the Lisa Eldridge ones. It might be worth reaching out to the brand and asking if they can send you some samples.

Fourteen quid down the drain on something that doesn’t work out is a waste of money. The comment that £14 is not breaking the bank makes you sound naive to the way many people live.

@ittakes2 As I've stated in my OP the colour match is not the issue. I want to know if this particular product will suit my skin and meet my needs. All foundations are different in terms of wear, coverage, oiliness etc and I want to know if it will work with my skin rather than hope for the best and end up spaffing fourteen quid on something that's ultimately a waste of money.

@CuteEasterBunny With the greatest respect, you don't know the state of my bank so you couldn't possibly know this.

As it stands, I technically could withstand a loss of fourteen quid, but I'd rather not. I don't think it's outrageous to want to try a product and test its usability before buying it - M&S Food offers tasters (most enjoyably the booze), paint manufacturers do sample pots and so on.

@Britpopbaby That's an excellent idea, thank you. I've liked the look of it but - due to living in the back of beyond - am wary of ordering online without at least having tried it.

@LittleSF I've seen the Catrice brand on Amazon and often wondered what it's like, so thanks for the recommendation

If you're not sure about using a pot, I would just go in with no make up on, take a compact mirror with me and put some on my face in the shop. I'm sure they used to have little mirrors on displays so you could do this as you're supposed to try them on your jaw rather than hand anyway. It's not quite the same as trying it at home obviously but will give you an idea of whether it suits your skin.