TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.9* Why: One reader says, "to be honest, I threw away this foundation before I'd even used a quarter of it. It just wasn't worth it." As for the packaging, readers say it may "look cool, [but] it's incredibly bulky. The cap takes up over half of the packaging, which is a huge waste. I don't like the applicator, because using it directly on your skin potentially contaminates the liquid foundation, and could make it go bad faster than a pump applicator would, or a squeeze tube." The color selection is also subpar, making it "hard to match skin color to the swatches in the catalogue and it seems like they ran a bit dark and orange."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.9* Why: Readers agree that the consistency of this product is way too thick. One reader says, "I don't mind full coverage, but it wouldn't even blend [into my skin]. I find myself having to cut the product with moisturizer before I can do anything with it and it STILL looks cakey on me." Readers also find the product has a tendency to settle into fine lines and rub off on clothing. Plus, the foundation shades either leave readers looking "orange" or "make your skin the color of one of those gray-green olives."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.9* Why: Readers find this foundation to be "more like a nightmare than a dream." One reader says the product "makes me look like a corpse because it is so chalky," while another says it's better-suited "to play dress up like Snooki for a costume party, because it's so orange." The foundation's coverage is blotchy, makes pores more noticeable, and it "settles into my wrinkles."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.8* Why: Readers don't know what to make of this foundation's texture, which is thick but only provides a light coverage. "When you first apply the foundation, it feels sticky. But then it dries and doesn't feel very moisturizing, and I feel like it settles into my pores and suffocates my skin," says one reader. This foundation has a very limited range of colors, making it difficult for many readers to match their skin tone. One reader finds "the lightest colors are still too dark and very orangey" for those with fair skin.
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.8* Why: Readers say the packaging is cute and so is the tagline, "The Foundation Faker," but "if I'm paying $30 for a 'foundation faker' I would expect it to at least fade some light spots and partially disguise my dark circles," says one reader. For the most part, readers find this product to be just an "overpriced foundation-to-powder formula with a sponge" and it really performs more like a "primer with a bit of tint" in it.
The biggest mistake women make with their face makeup is wearing the wrong shades for their skin tone. The second biggest mistake? Wearing one of the foundations on this list. Even if you've found a shade that perfectly matches your skin tone, it won't do much good if the formula is blotchy, cakey, or makes you break out.
Fixing the second problem is easy -- you just need to keep reading. And to help make the search for the right foundation shade a little easier, here are some tips from Napoleon Perdis National Educator, Rebecca Prior:
• Determine whether you have pink or yellow undertones by placing silver and gold jewelry against your skin. Regardless of your personal preferences, try to figure out which color looks more harmonious with your skin. If gold looks better, you have yellow or warm undertones, and if silver looks better, you have pink or cool undertones.
• Match the foundation color (light, medium, or dark) to your cheeks, because that's where you need the most coverage.
• Have another shade of foundation for summer. Even though you may not notice, your skin tone does change enough to warrant a new shade for the season.
Now, see why readers would rather go face makeup-free than wear any of these foundations.
