No7 Restore & Renew Foundation

If you're like me, you've probably spent a good few years, and a good few hundred pounds trying to find your perfect shade, only to settle with second best until a good shade for you magically turns up in your makeup bag. Think it'll never happen? No?

Well it has. 

And it comes in the form of Boots' No7 new fantastic foundation range.

All you have to do is pop into your nearest Boots store with and ask if they offer the 'Skin Match' service. If they do, then you're winning, but if not, you may have to look further afield - maybe try in a larger high street branch!
The device they have will determine which shade of their foundation is best for your skin. (And since each different foundation type in the range has the same name for each shade, it makes life oh-so-simple!)

Since starting to use this, I realised that this foundation is specifically designed for mature skin, but despite this, I will continue to use it as I feel that there is no harm in protecting the skin from a younger age - it just means we will look more fresh faced at an older age!

My first impression of the product was not a very good one. I felt that it was difficult to apply and that it smudged along my face rather than spreading. Also, as the hours went by, I noticed that my skin was looking terribly greasy. I didn't know if this was the foundation that done this to me, or if it was another factor, so I decided to try it out for another few days.

Throughout the next week or so, I figured out that it was much easier to apply if I used a good moisturiser (Garnier PureActive) and that the greasiness (to an extent... I have oily skin naturally) had stopped.

So, I found a foundation which was a great match for me... but I had one more problem yet to be resolved...
At certain times, my skin can become slightly blemished, and it was difficult to cover over.

Hallelujah, yay, woohoo, all hail the 17 range (also from Boots) in the form of a green concealer.

                                                         
This ensures that all marks on your skin, from spots to dark shadows under the eyes are covered over. Mixing in the foundation to the concealer creates a lovely flawless, airbrushed effect on the skin.

But for those of you who don't want to take the extra step of using a green or regular concealer, there is a saving grace: the bottles of this foundation which have a blue rim, are for heavier coverage if you feel you need it.


Overall this foundation scores a 7.5/10. It would have gotten an 8 as the colour, texture and the qualities of it make me want to keep on using it despite my initial complaint, but at a hefty £16.50 a bottle, it may leave you a bit out of pocket.