The Moisturiser and Foundation Duos The MECCA Team Swear By
June 12 | 4 minute read
Words by Ruby Devlin
But in the beauty world, there is one pair that matters most: moisturiser and foundation. The search for this perfect partnership can at times feel overwhelming; which duo will make your skin even, hydrated and glowy and help your makeup look freshly applied even after 16 hours of wear?
Fortunately, we’ve turned to the people who know the answers, enlisting our MECCA in-store team to play matchmaker and share their favourite moisturiser and foundation pairs.
For a 'Glazed Donut' Glow
Zone Manager Rachel recommends: Cosmetics 27 Baume 27 and Chantecaille Future Skin
What they do: Baume 27 is a rich moisturiser that contains Centella asiatica, which helps to soothe and restore irritated or sensitised skin – making it a beautiful makeup base. “I love that you only need to use a small amount!” Rachel says. Meanwhile, Future Skin is a super lightweight gel foundation that contains seaweed, arnica and chamomile, making it both nourishing and calming. It is the quintessential ‘your skin, but better’ foundation.
Why they are a perfect pair: “These two together are just going to flood your skin with hydration,” Rachel explains, adding that this pairing is not only her pick for dry skin types, but mature skin too.
Top tip for finding your perfect pair: “Skin prep is really important for your makeup routine as it sets your foundation up for success,” Rachel explains.
For a Base That Both Covers and Calms Redness
Specialist Jess Recommends REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream and ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint
What they do: “Evercalm is specifically formulated to combat redness and is also gentle and calming on the skin,” says Jess, making it a great choice for sensitive skin. Meanwhile, ILIA’s bestselling skin tint is “really, really lightweight” and is a “serum-based formula” – meaning it has a range of soothing ingredients perfect for those looking to reduce redness.
Why they are a perfect pair: Jess praises this duo for how “lovely and gentle on the skin” they are; both “support the skin barrier”and leave sensitised or irritated skin nourished, not stripped. “And, they're both vegan and cruelty-free, and fragrance-free, which I love,” Jess adds.
Top tip for finding your perfect pair: Ask a MECCA expert! “I always love when people come in-store, that way I can ask a lot of questions to help them identify exactly what they’re looking for and make recommendations based on which ingredients, formulas and finishes will suit their needs,” says Jess.
For Makeup That Stays Put on Oily Skin
Skin Specialist Bianca Recommends Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Light and Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation
What they do: Bianca always turns to the Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Light for skin prep because it “never, ever pills” with foundation layered on top. Infused with antioxidants, panthenol and hyaluronic acid, it leaves skin smooth, calm and hydrated – but won’t feel heavy on oily skin. Meanwhile, the Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation is a “true satin” finish: a medium, buildable coverage that is long-lasting, blurring but and slightly luminous, but “not so matte that your face appears flat.”
Why they are a perfect pair: “Even oily skin can get dehydrated,” Bianca explains, adding that prepping the skin with Face Cream Light will deliver the perfect amount of hydration that lasts throughout the day and ensuring foundation stays smooth and fresh. Meanwhile, the Hourglass foundation is long-wearing and sweat and heat-resistant.
Top tip for finding your perfect pair: “As a rule of thumb, try to pair water-based moisturisers with water-based foundations and silicone-based moisturisers with silicone-based foundation.”
For a Dewy Solution to Dry Skin
Colour Specialist Bree Recommends Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream and NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
What they do: It’s all about the glow; “I've chosen both of these because they will achieve a glowy base for lots of skin types,” says Bree. The Dewy Skin Cream is formulated to provide hydration and radiance, and the same can be said for NARS’ foundation, which is also formulated with 70 percent skincare ingredients, so your skin looks fresh even after you remove it.
Why they are a perfect pair: The lightweight texture! This duo “layer beautifully as they both contain a heap of skin-loving ingredients and are deeply hydrating – but never heavy,” Bree explains.
Top tip for finding your perfect pair: Bree advises considering the type of foundation finish you want to achieve – matte, radiant, natural, etcetera – and how your skincare can help you achieve it.
