Collection 2000 matt & minerals foundation

(available at Superdrug & Boots for £2.99)

This product was Pure Beauty Award's Best Foundation Launch of the year in 2009 and states it gives a 'fresher looking complexion', has a 'longer lasting formulation' and 'blends easily to provide a flawless, smooth complexion' as well as being 'ideal for oilier skins'.

I personally have quite oily skin which I'm always very conscious of so when I received this for Christmas I was really happy to try it out. However, I did have a few problems with this product but, after seeing the price tag, I realise that as a budget beauty foundation it is very good.

My first error in this product was the shade - I'd been given shade 2, natural blonde, whereas I should've been using shade 1, natural ivory. There aren't that many shades to choose from and the differences between each vary quite widely. The one I've purchased really doesn't look like it fits the definition of natural blonde as it implies there should be yellow-ish undertones and should be a lot paler than it came out. A lot of people have mentioned on reviews that even the lightest shade comes out very dark so it's not ideal for those with pale skin like me.

The formula itself comes out very thickly which makes it really quite hard to blend. The only way I can blend it all over is by pressing quite hard and pulling on my skin which is obviously not the impression I'd like from a foundation. It definitely isn't easy to blend like it claims. It also doesn't make my skin look fresher, it actually leaves it rather patchy in some areas. The packaging itself looks very boring and old. I do, however, like the style of the squeezy tube rather than the glass pump as it's much easier to get out.

I don't believe this foundation lives up to what it states at all but, considering the price, it is a budget foundation that can be mixed with moisturiser to make a tinted moisturiser look, making it runnier and easier to blend. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have darker skin and are on a very, very tight budget. 

Good for: Mixing to make a tinted moisturiser
Bad for: Blending, even coverage & pale skin