u/phantompath

Hi. Hello. I know you are used to hearing from me regarding hair care, but today I wish to speak on the subject of lust. Specifically, the lust for a new foundation. But first - a little backstory. I used to have hideously oily, acne prone skin. To the point where I'm surprised BP or Caltex didn't turn up wanting to investigate my face as a future drilling site. Which is a shame, because I could have used the money quite frankly. My skin was so oily throughout my 20's that I could only use powder foundation, as a liquid foundation would get broken down and destroyed within a couple of hours of application.

Anyway. I started using a prescription retinoid (tretinoin 0.05%) in my early 30's for my acne. It also served the purpose of drying my face out just enough to allow me to go hog wild in the world of liquid foundation. Fast forward five or so years and now I'm on tazarotene 0.1% cream that I have to have compounded by a specialist pharmacy in QLD. Combine somewhat drier skin and the encroaching winter months, and I began to lust after my dream winter skin foundation. Light coverage. Practically glossy with dew. Just enough pigment to even out my skin tone and tone down any redness. I wanted the sort of skin that speaks of a relentless skin care routine, adequate water intake and what is undoubtedly a luxury foundation.

Except I'm supposed to be fiscally responsible this month. Which is what made my trip to Myer today to pick up some Click & Collect so hard. I saw it. The object of my lust and desire. The Clarins Double Serum foundation. Gag me, I wanted it BAD. But I didn't even let myself touch it. I knew sampling a little pump on the back of my hand would lead to shade matching, and shade matching would lead to buying. I walked past the display as fast I could, and probably seemed quite rude to the sales ladies who were trying to offer me samples of some sort of perfume. I'm sorry ma'am - I just had to flee from the siren song of temptation.

I was picking up another Click & Collect Order in Priceline (stocking up on my beloved Garnier Pineapple Hair Drink after I used up my last bottle) when the inspiration struck. I had been trialling the L'Oreal dupe for the Clarins Double Serum for a week or so after picking it up in a half price sale at Priceline. I could always try mixing it with my foundations at home to see if it gave me the effect I was looking for. I won't lie - I didn't RUN home. But I certainly did power walk.

I got home, put my shopping away and grabbed a few supplies - the L'Oreal Le Duo Serum, my bottle of Maybelline Super Stay Lumi-Matte foundation in the shade 128 and my little pump tube of NYX Bare With Me Concealer in the shade Medium Vanilla. I cracked open my bag of Shop Miss A beauty blenders for a fresh sponge, and got to work. Feeling much like a make up MacGyver, I pumped out one pump of the Le Duo Serum and one pump of the Lumi-Matte foundation on the back of my hand. I mixed them together, and dotted the mixture all over my face, blending with my damp sponge. I then applied a few dabs of the NYX Bare With Me concealer around my eyes and blended with a sponge. And YA'LL. I don't mean to brag but my skin looked pretty damn fucking perfect, considering I had just come in from being outside and was a bit red and shiny. This combination looks absolutely amazing on the skin. I haven't done a full day wear test yet, but the initial application was so encouraging I had to run straight over to this sub to report my findings. So if you too are lusting after the Clarins Double Serum Foundation and are trying to be responsible this month ... I highly suggest making your way over to Priceline and grabbing a bottle of the Le Duo serum and mixing it in with your foundation of choice ... you just might find that you already have everything you need.