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."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.5* Why: Readers hate the stiff brush attached to the foundation tube, which makes it almost impossible to apply the foundation directly on the face. "This is truly the worst Physicians Formula product I've ever tried," says one reader, and "in terms of lines, it seems to accentuate them and bring forth lines I didn't even know I had." This product is not recommended for sensitive skin because it "leaves a mask-like finish" and many readers broke out after using it.
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.5* Why: Readers say this product fails to live up to its "24-hour" claims. Once applying, "it basically melts off your face." Longtime users of Maybelline foundations also find the colors for this product "a bit off" from the brand's normal shades, and say getting an even application using the "lip gloss-like applicator is nearly impossible." The texture is very thick and it "feels very rubbery, like I was wearing a thick, heavy mask," says one reader. This foundation "does not blend well, and oxidizes [throughout the day], turning skin a dark orange color" that is difficult to remove.
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.
