How much do you need to spend on a good foundation? It’s traditionally one of the most expensive products in a makeup bag, especially when you need something that airbrushes age spots but won’t sit in your lines. Luckily, there’s a very affordable way to turn even a so-so budget base into one that looks premium and instantly youthful.
That’s according to no less an authority than legendary makeup artist Val Garland, a woman whose CV includes Helen Mirren and every supermodel from Kate to Naomi.
Her bargain hero? Weleda Skin Food, another true beauty icon (celebrating its 100th birthday this year!), and one that has a permanent place in Val’s kit.
‘I just know it’s guaranteed to work. It’s so great on mature skin,’ Val tells GH, explaining how this rich moisturiser instantly slakes a dry, older complexion.
Weleda Skin Food
‘I know myself that I’ve suddenly got all this dry skin appearing on my face, and it’s great for sorting that. As an older woman, it gives you that natural glow but without being sparkly.’
How does it make mature makeup look luxe?
Val finds Skin Food invaluable for making makeup in general, but foundation in particular, look more luxe and ageless. ‘Great makeup starts with great skin prep,’ she explains. ‘I often refer to Skin Food as "the primer". By using it, I'm locking in that hydration, so whatever I put on top is going to look expensive and smooth, not cakey.’
Even a so-so foundation can become instantly age-defying by mixing in a dab of this £9 budget cream. ‘What that does is thin out the base, so it becomes more like a veil,’ she says. ‘When you're working on more mature skin, it's all about the texture. You want to use something for more even, glowy skin but not pack it on so it sinks into the lines.'
‘So by thinning out your foundation with Skin Food, it will just go on a lot more easily and sink into the skin better, and look better.’ If you’ve got a foundation that’s not sitting as pretty as you’d like, it’s a great tip to try.
She also loves using the cream as a finishing touch to add extra lustre to older skin. ‘Once I've done the makeup and if I want the finish to look editorial [that’s makeup speak for ‘wearable in real life’!] I won't reach for the highlighter,’ she says. ‘I'll get some Skin Food on the tips of my fingers and just pat it in. That gives a glow without it looking like makeup.’
Which budget bases look expensive already?
While Val has a kit packed out with premium foundations, she tells us that bargain bases don’t need to look cheap these days (yes, even without the help of Skin Food).
‘Years ago, if you weren't buying an expensive foundation, you were going to have a cakey base,’ she says. ‘But there are now some really great foundations and skin tints available. L’Oreal Paris has a very good long-wear foundation, and I really love The Ordinary’s skin tint. That’s fabulous.’
So whether you want to create an ageless ‘cocktail’ or apply your base neat from the bottle, you’re covered, all without breaking the bank.
