Getting a Natural Look with Heavy Coverage Foundations

MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Revlon Colorstay and the Estee Lauder Doublewear (oh yes I've tried them all!) are often considered marmite - some love it for the flawless coverage and some hate it for being heavy and mask-like. Granted some of the negative opinions are most likely genuine, I think some are misled. Make note, I'm no make-up artist, but when applied correctly, these can have a lightweight finish to your skin, and be a gem in your collection for the bad days when you need that bit more to hide behind.


The answer, in my opinion, is the duo-fibre brush. Ever since the Sigma F80 and now the Real Techniques Buffing Brush took over as the go-to foundation brush, the duo-fibre brush - once an incredibly popular foundation brush, seems to have lost its appeal in the beauty YouTube/blogging world. I too, more often than not, prefer heavy-handed buffing more than I do the flimsy blending of the duo-fibre brush, but I feel the brush is still the best when it comes to heavy coverage foundations.

Again, I'm no make-up artist, but from the way I see it, the duo-fibre will maintain the coverage whilst feeling light-weight, because it applies the same full-coverage product but less of it, as fewer bristles come in contact with the skin. In addition, when you stipple, you are distributing the product evenly across the skin, allowing for the product to stretch more evenly, thinner and wider than if you were to buff out from one location. Put together, you've got a natural and lightweight look and feel, but with the same flawless coverage. As a super-anal person about foundation looking natural, this method is the only way I wear these heavy foundations and I absolutely love it!

Now a MAC 187 is pricey, but there are alternatives (they wont last you as long, granted) - I got my first duo-fibre brush for £5 on eBay. Try one of these out, and see how you like it. It could work wonders, and if you still don't like it, you've only lost out on a fiver and you can use the brush for lightweight application of powder or blush! Otherwise, the next best thing is wetting a sponge like the Cosmopolitan sponge or the Beauty Blender, or a brush like TiffanyD has in this tutorial here.

And lastly, a small note about the big 3 flawless foundations: MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Revlon Colorstay and Estee Lauder Doublewear. In my opinion, they are all pretty much the same (same smell, no pump, same coverage, same consistency etc.,), except the price. Just go with the one you can afford, and the one that has your colour match - Estee Lauder and Revlon were both too pink for me which is why I've gone with MAC personally.

If you want that matte flawless coverage, but feel full foundations are usually too heavy - give these duo-fibres a shot, because you'll get the coverage but not the mask. It may seem old school, but for me, it's foolproof. 

Are you still a duo-fibre brush lover?
What's your favourite full-coverage foundation?

<3yu

Comments

  1. I wish I could comment on this post with my fav full-coverage foundation but I only ever use medium coverage, maximum! However, I do agree the duo-fibre brushes get the best of out foundations when you use them to their advantage :)

    LittleGlitter.org

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    1. Ahh see some of us aren't blessed with lovely skin ;)

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  2. I've been thinking about trying out this foundation when I finish with my current one. I'm not a big fan of foundations without pumps though! x

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    1. You can get a pump for this for an additional £3 I think! :)

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  3. Loved this! At the moment my skin is astonishing so I need the fuller coverage but I do hate it when my skin feels almost heavy and it's obvious I'm wearing a thick foundation. I don't actually own a duo fibre brush like this... definitely the perfect excuse to invest. Thank you :)

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  4. I have all three of these but only ever wear them on a night out because they're so heavy! I even have a MAC 187 in my collection but until now it's been reserved for cream blush products. Definitely giving this a whirl!

    http://lovelaughlauren.blogspot.com
    xxx

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    1. They're definitely day-time appropriate when I use my 187, sometimes I even spritz some MAC Fix+! Hope it works for you, would be a shame if you can only use them for nighttime!

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  5. I still love this type of brush, and I don't even wear full-coverage foundations. Stippling makes lighter foundations look more natural, too. I usually just use the buffing-type brushes when I want more coverage. Have you tried the real Techniques stippling brush?

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    1. I haven't! Is it good? I never usually use the 187 for anything else so I feel like I wont get use out of it. I really want to try the RT Buffing Brush too! Is that the buffing brush you use?

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  6. I used to have the MAC Studio Fix Fluid and used it for absolutely ages and loved it. You've reminded me how much I loved that foundation! I always used to use my fingers putting a very small amount on at a time and it always looks flawless but natural. As I used to wear it to school with a very strict no makeup policy it can't have looked cakey or masklike and it certainly never felt that way :) I do actually have a duo fibre brush now and it works wonders with thicker foundations. For me buffing brushes always put on too much except with tinted moisturisers... xo

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    1. I've never thought about fingers! I might give that a go :) I agree about buffing brushes, I only use them for lighter foundations :)

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  7. I've just found your blog... i'm gonna follow :) !

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