(The post is written for The Glosse Posse.)

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You’re probably wondering why I am comparing these two different foundations. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24HR offers full coverage – mainly for oily and combination-oily skin – for 24 hours while Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 Foundation targets correcting dark spots for combination dry/oily skin. The answer is: both of these are liquid foundations that have a matte finish for oily and combination skin types. If you have dry, normal, or sensitive skin, this post might not be helpful for you. Sorry!

Teint Idole Ultra 24HR

I was given two sample packets of Lancôme Teint Idole which I tried for a month. This had been the foundation that my friend had recommended to me before I was recommended the Teint Visionnaire Skin Correcting Makeup Duo at Lancôme. When I opened the packet and squeezed out a pea-sized amount, I could immediately smell the fragrance. I’m not sure if it’s one of Lancôme’s perfumes, but I found the floral scent rather pleasant at first. However, by the time I used my second sample for the last time, I found it overbearing (almost like Mum’s or Grandmum’s perfumes) and wished it had a lighter scent or was fragrance-free.

I was very pleased with this foundation on the whole for the following reasons:

• For a light foundation, it has a bare-skin feel but full coverage (for extra coverage, one or two more applications should do)
• Pores not visible
• It has a powdery finish for a matte look
• Therefore, it’s a simple one-step foundation (no oil-blotters or mattifying powder needed)

Teint Idole claims to be able to hold for 24 hours but that’s far too long for me to test (anyone stay up for more than 24 hours like Jack Bauer?). I’m not sure if I have very dehydrated skin right now (even after applying a hydrating serum and day cream) but I noticed that my skin drank up the foundation around my nose (driest part) and problematic right cheek (with the acne scars and minor blemishes) halfway through the day. For those areas, I had to retouch my nose and cheek with the ‘retouch-free’ foundation. On the other hand, the foundation worked perfectly well for the rest of my problem-free skin. In fact, I was very impressed by its staying power and the flawless pore-less skin I had after a full day.

Teint Idole comes in 20 shades for C$50-1/US$45 (30ml). C$51 seems pretty expensive, considering Teint Visionnaire is C$60 but comes with a 30ml foundation and a concealer. Teint Miracle is C$45.

I think this would be a good foundation for those with oily or combination-oily skin. I really like it but I have to deduct 0.5 for the fragrance (and for the cost).

Overall: 4.5/5

Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15

When I realised that my two other foundations (isn’t this ridiculous? Why does my skin have to change several shades throughout the year?) did not match my current winter skin shade, I had no choice but to find another foundation. I think Teint Visionnaire would have been great for my winter combination skin because it is quite hydrating but I was not willing to splurge another C$60. I was actually looking for CC Creams when a Shoppers Beauty Boutique (Canadian drugstore beauty department) assistant recommended I try Clinique’s foundation if I wanted moderate to full coverage and a more matte finish. Once the assistant had matched my skin shade, I found quite a few things I liked about this foundation:

• At C$33/US$27 for 30ml, this foundation is certainly the most affordable for a brand name foundation
• It’s fragrance-free
• Suitable for sensitive skin (I don’t have sensitive skin though)
• Has SPF 15
• Has moderate to full coverage (one to two applications should cover any dark spots)
• Feels light (but not as light as Teint Idole)
• Matte finish but creamy texture

One thing I noticed about this foundation is that I absolutely have to use a primer before I apply this foundation or else my skin will naturally remove the foundation by the end of the day. With or without a primer, my nose and right cheek still have the same issues. It seems only mattifying or foundation powder can help prolong the coverage. I haven’t noticed if this foundation has corrected my dark spots but at least it can cover them temporarily.

For now, I am happy with my choice despite the fact that I don’t care for the creamy texture (I liked Teint Idole’s finish) and the fact that no foundation seems to be able to keep my nose or right cheek in check. I’ll just have to wait until my skin’s in better shape, I suppose!

Overall: 4/5

P.S. Clinique Even Spot – I’ve read mixed reviews on the product. I was initially hesitant to splurge on this cult product but the SA at Shoppers raved about how it was able to fade the dark spot on her leg. She did mention that it cannot fade these dark spots completely – we would need to get surgery to fix those problems. When I saw one of these corrector creams on sale at Winners, I decided to splurge about $40/60 (vs $80) on this product. As much as I like the texture – it feels like a serum – and the fact that makeup can go on top of it (except body shop’s bb balm), I didn’t notice any changes to the dark spots on my face. I certainly will not be purchasing this again.

Overall: 1/5

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Conclusion: The ideal foundation for me  should be a combination of these two foundations: fragrance-free, affordable, matte photoshopped finish, powdery feel, and come with SPF 15+.