Not too long ago, it was hard to find a foundation that looked good, let alone acceptable, for less than £15. The finishes felt basic and flat and demi-matte were the most common choices. What about formulas that include skin care? Forget it.
The high street isn’t usually the first place I look when I need to get a new foundation. But now that Maybelline’s new Lifter Plump & Glow Foundation has arrived on my desk, all of that has changed. The words plump and glow are always at the top of my list when I’m looking for a new base. Maybelline’s foundation promises both of these things, and it costs only £10.99*. Could it really be as good as it sounds?
First impressions
Not everyone knows how to read an ingredient list (that’s my job!), but people who know a lot about skincare will recognise some of the names here right away: glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and peptides. people who know a lot about skincare will recognise some of the names here right away. Thank goodness. It sounds more like skincare than makeup, which makes me think it will be comfortable to wear and, most importantly, good for the skin.
Lifter Plump & Glow Foundation
Maybelline Lifter Plump & Glow Foundation costs £10.99 at Boots.
After looking more closely, I see that my guess was right. This is a 90% skincare base that has been tested in a lab and shown to make skin look fuller and brighter over time, as well as improve its texture and overall quality. A foundation won’t replace your skincare routine, but this is the kind of claim you want in a modern foundation: that it will actually make your skin better. This one promises a bright healthy glow and a juicy, full look that makes skin look rested instead of overdone. I hear you…
First, get ready
These skincare credentials are great for a foundation, but it’s still worth it to take care of your skin first. If your skin is dry like mine, put on thin layers of hydrating skincare first and let each one soak in before you even think about putting on your base. It keeps the moisture in and makes sure the foundation goes on smoothly from the start.
Put to the test
I have to admit that I’m a tough customer when it comes to foundation. I want my skin to look perfect, but not heavy; glowing, not shiny; and fresh, not flat. I need my foundation to cover up the redness around my nose and mouth without making it look like skin. The Lifter Plump & Glow Foundation from Maybelline gives medium buildable coverage that quickly evens out skin tone. It was made to work on all skin types, but especially on those with dull or flat skin, or those whose foundation tends to settle into fine lines and texture (no matter how well you prep).
In the morning, I used a round dense foundation brush to apply a pump’s worth of product and buff it into my skin. It looks like my skin has a soft filter on it, and everything looks smoother and brighter right away.
Thanks to Maybelline
The results are great.
The problem with radiant foundations is that they can become too shimmery, but this one gets its glow from moisture instead. The end result looks grown-up, real, and, most importantly, completely natural. I liked that it stayed comfortable all day because it had a lot of hyaluronic acid in it. By mid-afternoon, it wasn’t sticking to my dry patches.
Adding more foundation before dinner used to be a sure way to make your makeup look bad. Because the formula was buildable, I could tap on a little more where I needed it without it creasing or settling. My skin just looked plumper brighter and more even as the day went on.
