Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation: Review & Swatches

I've been trying out Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation for Face and Body, which I think fans of a very natural finish will really enjoy. Recently reformulated, this waterproof foundation is described as hydrating and transfer-resistant with a glowy finish.

COVERAGE

The best way I can describe Water Blend Foundation is that it looks like real skin. Made with 80% vitamin-enriched water and moisturising pro vitamin B5, its sheer texture is best suited to those who enjoy a light, natural looking coverage that's barely detectable on the skin. One pump is enough to cover my entire face with a finish akin to tinted moisturiser, while two layers even out my skin tone, conceal redness and create a more even finish. I haven't personally tried MAC Face & Body, which seems the most obvious comparison, but from what I've seen in photographs, it appears to have slightly more coverage.

APPLICATION

The sheer, liquid formula spreads quickly and evenly without streaking. I've tried applying Water Blend with everything from a traditional foundation brush to fingers and my chosen method is to use a buffing brush (Bobbi Brown Full Coverage is my favourite) then go over it with fingers or a beauty blender sponge. I'm a big fan of the Barely range and have been using the Soft Definer (dry) with this foundation.

FINISH

It sets quite quickly and veers towards matte without looking flat or dull, lasting power is great and I don't really need to powder. While the coverage is light, it's more than I expected. I do tend to prefer a lighter foundation with added concealer where more coverage is needed, rather than a solid mask of coverage. Mid Winter, I'll opt for a medium coverage, but for now, I'm happy with this finish.

SWATCHES

Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation swatches: Y225 Marble, Y245 Sand

I chose colours based on online swatches and what those of a similar skin tone to me were using. I assumed Y245 would work well for now when I still have a little colour and Y225 in Winter. In fact both were a little pale on me, though Y245 is perfectly wearable warmed up a little with Too Faced Sweetheart bronzer in Sweet Tea. I still think Y225 will be perfect in Winter, when I much prefer to veer slightly light - way more flattering and glow inducing.

There's not a huge leap between these two shades, though Y225 (Marble) is lighter and more yellow based, while Y245 (Sand) leans more neutral with peach/beige undertones. Available in 20 shades (less than the HD and Ultra HD foundations) it comes in several paler than mine and goes right through to Dark Brown. Make Up For Ever is consistent with its foundation colours across the board, so if you already know your colour, you can be confident about finding a good match. NB colours starting with Y are yellow based and those starting with R are red/pink based. 

I'm wearing Make Up For Ever Water Blend foundation in Y245 in this pic, warmed at my temples and cheek bones with Too Faced Sweet Tea baked bronzer. Blush is Tom Ford Frantic Pink and I used the Incandescent shade from my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette as highlight. Lips are Pixi Multibalm in Wild Rose (see previous post) and I used Zoeva Cool Spectrum eyeshadow palette (down to £15!).

Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation is available now at Debenhams or Sephora. 


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