No7 Instant Radiance foundation

After using up the last dregs of my beloved MUFE HD foundation recently I was dreading going on the hunt for a new foundation. Now, don't get me wrong I LOVE shopping for makeup whether I am in need or not but foundation shopping is a full on nightmare for me. I have difficult skin and high expectations from any product I purchase. This often leaves me disappointed and resentful of whichever brand has relieved me of £30.

Luckily though, Lisa Eldridge creative director of No7 had recently announced their Foundation Match Made Service: an in store service which promises to perfectly match your skin tone with their range of 17 shades.

I warily but excitedly went to my local store completely bare faced (!!) expecting a makeover and the hard sell. Not so. The SA used the little gadget to match me up as Cool Vanilla and then asked what I wanted from my foundation. 'Well, I've got dry skin which gets worse in the winter, I need a medium coverage but something that will stop me looking dead and something that will last all day.' Demanding, moi? The SA was totally unfazed and offered me samples of both Essentially Natural and Instant Radiance to try at home. Wait, what? It has never been my experience to 1. be under no pressure to buy at all and 2. for an assistant to be so forthcoming with a sample.

I hotfooted it home and tried both over the next few days and made my way back to the store the following weekend to make my purchase.

No7 Instant Radiance foundation

The foundation itself is absolutely ideal: medium coverage and buildable, dewy, hydrating and pretty long wearing. I couldn't have asked for anything more. And the colour match? Perfect. I am beyond thrilled. All of this for the bargain price of £12.50. I've paid two and three times as much for foundations on the past and been bitterly disappointed.

I'm not going to share swatches of this foundation as I really do urge you to get down to your local Boots and have a go for yourself. You can tell there has been a lot of thought and development in this new line of products and it is worth every penny.

Have you tried the No7 Foundation Match Made Service yet?

vxo