TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.7* Why: Readers say this foundation doesn't look natural and will turn orange on their faces without fail. Once they apply the foundation, readers say "it gets darker and very splotchy as the day goes on." This foundation "does absolutely nothing to help clear up acne," despite its claims. One woman says if you're "seeking coverage or healing from a foundation, this is not it." "I probably won't ever use it again, let alone repurchase it."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.7* Why: Readers say this foundation "doesn't control anything" and especially not oil. And those with sensitive and acne-prone skin beware. One reader says, "I was allergic to something in this foundation because my face started itching and my forehead broke out like mad [afterwards]." One reader says, "This foundation is cakey, smelly, extremely thick and way too pink. I took a look at myself in natural light and it looked like I had a pink face and a yellow body."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.3* Why: While readers like the idea of a color changing foundation, many "will never buy this again." One reader says, "When I got close to the end of the tube, it started turning brown on my skin" and was disappointed that "I only got to use about half of the foundation before it freaked out on me." Another reader says, "Sometimes the color beads group into little clusters and leave a big streak on your face." This foundation needs to be set with a powder because "on the event that you forget, you can say hello to a slick and shiny face" within a couple hours.
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.3* Why: Women with dry skin beware, readers say this foundation is "terrible on dry skin and makes [their] skin appear grainy." Many demanded a refund because of difficulty opening the product, and some say "the top never screws on properly," which dries out the foundation. The texture is cakey, and is "more like stage makeup that doesn't blend well," so the foundation "sort of just sits on top of the skin," clogging pores and making it look like they have "massive blobs" of makeup on their faces. One reader says, "If I could give this product a lower rating than a one I would."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.6* Why: This foundation left readers more greasy than glowing, and the coverage is much too sheer. "I could still see all my imperfections and the rosiness of my cheeks through the yellow tint of the foundation," says one reader. The texture is "goopy and thick" and it "flakes off on my fingers and hands as I'm rubbing it in." Gross. One reader concludes, "It makes my skin look worse than with no makeup on at all."
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.
