I Only Ever Wore Full Coverage Makeup Before I Found These Glowy Summer Foundations

To say 2020 has been a year of dramatic change would be an epic understatement, no?

Yes, the pandemic has fundamentally changed the world, but on a smaller scale, it's also changed my everyday habits.

Beloved exercise leggings, trackies and jeans became my bottoms of choice, and on every work zoom call, there was a 96 per cent chance we'd all be wearing the same fluffy sweater.

Forget office kitchen banter - my only working from home colleagues were the endless candles I burnt to make my home feel a bit cosier.

But personally, the biggest daily change was in my beauty routine as I put away my full coverage foundations, lipsticks and eyeshadows.

For someone who never goes out without makeup - ever - this was an adjustment. I just couldn't stare at my face in video meetings all day, every day without at least a little coverage, some brow gel and mascara.

But believe it or not, even though I'm a makeup buyer with a wardrobe of beauty products, I actually had to go searching for a working from home-appropriate sheer coverage foundation because I've only ever owned and worn medium to full coverage products.

Luckily for you, this is how I found the three best summer foundations, just as the country is opening up for endless sunny afternoon drinks and long lunches.

The Best Summer Foundations (Because Yes, You Need a Summer Foundation).

If you've ever found yourself at a birthday lunch sweating through a full face of long-wear foundation, you'll know why wearing a lighter base in summer is an excellent idea.

Switching to a lightweight sheer to medium coverage formula will work with the heat and your face's natural oils (i.e. sweat droplets) rather than against them.

Coincidentally, these types of foundations also help you nail looking alive on work calls. Exhibit A: Just woke up (L), to I did not wake up like this but still effortless (R).

Being a formerly full coverage only woman, I'm hard to please. Any and all summer foundations I tried had to meet the following criteria:

• Must deliver a perfect, slightly glow skin finish and blur imperfections (I'm looking at you, rosacea).

• Must not be cakey or make me break out.

• Must be hydrating and comfortable to wear.

• Must last for the whole day without having to reapply.

So, here are the three foundations I'll be wearing all summer that are also perfect for working from home days.

1. MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation.

What: M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Face and Body Foundation

Why it's so good:

This is the ultimate sheer foundation winner and my new everyday 'no makeup' product.

The formula is really thin, light and blendable, and easy to buff into the skin with a beauty blender or brush for a really natural, skin-like finish.

You can also mix a slightly darker shade into your usual shade if you're wearing fake tan to make sure your face and body match flawlessly.

2. MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation.

What: MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

Why it's so good:

Not enough people know about this foundation that also happens to be one of Brand & Content Manager Hannah Furst's favourites.

This is the foundation I'd wear when going out on a hot summer night because it gives a natural, glowy finish, and light to medium coverage I can build depending on how my skin is behaving.

Plus, the formula contains skincare benefits, so your skin will always look smooth and hydrated, never crusty. I find a foundation brush is the perfect tool for applying this product.

3. IT Cosmetics Your Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream.

What: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF50

Why it's so good:

Last but not least, the infamous IT Cosmetics CC cream is my base product of choice if I'm running around on the weekend or know I'll be in the sun for long periods of time.

This all-in-one product has a hydrating formula with SPF 50+ (you still need to wear a primary sunscreen underneath though!), delivers medium to full coverage that still looks natural, and gives a glowy skin finish that also minimises the appearance of pores.

The best bit for me is it has built-in concealer, too, which is great for reducing the appearance of rosacea I get on my cheeks, especially with sun exposure. Apply with fingers for lighter coverage, or a brush for fuller coverage.

And that is my best advice for choosing the perfect summer foundation.

P.S. I'll leave you with two more cheeky product recommendations I swear by for a flawless base during summer.

The first? Heir Atelier Face Primer 1oz. applied under foundation to blur pores, plump fine lines and give your base something to grip to.

And the second is the concealer I can't live without. I am obsessed with Estée Lauder Double Wear Instant Fix Concealer 24H Concealer + Hydra Prep after discovering it during COVID because a tiny amount of this hydrating, full coverage formula is perfect for concealing dark circles and pesky redness.

OK, I'm done now.

Want more tried and tested makeup product recommendations? Check out these helpful stories below!

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• Our Editor Put This New Sweat-Proof, Tear-Proof Concealer to the Ultimate Test