Getting foundation as a pale girl is THE BIGGEST pain. Getting affordable foundation as pale girl is next to IMPOSSIBLE. The Ordinary as a brand have been so hyped and when these foundations were released there was a 15,000 person wait list! I decided to wait a little and stalk swatches online before trying them out myself. Both foundations cost only £5.80 for 30ml which quite frankly is insanely affordable. They have 21 shade options all with different undertones. (The Ordinary have a great table on their site explaining all the different shade options and undertones) I picked up both foundations in 1.0P which is very fair with pink undertones. Don’t panic though if you’re pale but don’t have pink undertones they also have a 1.0N (neutral undertones) and 1.0NS (neutral undertones with silver highlights)
Both foundations are a great match for me. I was over the moon when the parcel arrived. I’ve swatched them both in natural light (unedited as always) and also added a swatch of my Revlon ColourStay foundation in 110 Ivory as a comparison. They’re definitely more yellow toned than the Revlon Colourstay but when blended out this thankfully isn’t noticeable!
Both foundations are fragrance free so perfect for sensitive skin and are cruelty free and approved for vegetarians and vegans.
Serum Foundation
‘A serum-textured natural coverage foundation that softens undesirable hues and visibly reduces imperfections’
The Serum foundation is extremly runny, you need to shake it well before using and be careful it doesn’t run off your hand. One pump covers my face perfectly. You can go in with a second pump if you want to up the coverage slightly as this builds well and doesn’t go cakey. It can be built to a medium coverage. I’ve applied this with both a beauty blender and a buffing brush and both worked well. I personally preferred the beauty blender finish but that’s just my preference! Honestly this is the lightest weight foundation I’ve ever tried. When blended in you literally feel like there’s nothing on your face. As it blends it has an almost velvet/silky texture. If you like glowy skin this is definitely a foundation for you. I personally don’t think this would work as well with oily skin or people that like a matte finish to foundation.
I feel it ever so slightly oxidised but it still blended with my natural skin tone perfectly so this wasn’t an issue. I wore this for around 12 hours the first time and it still looked flawless. It didn’t crumble or cake, even around my mouth and nose. Honestly I’m blown away with this foundation, I need to get my hands on a few more bottles before it goes out of stock again! I’d also like to try the neutral undertone version to see the difference in the two shades.
Coverage Foundation
‘A high-coverage creamy foundation that softens undesirable hues’
This obviously has a much thicker consistency than the serum foundation, The Ordinary still advise shaking well before use. Again one pump fully covered my face. I didn’t find this as buildable, it went slightly cakey but honestly I don’t feel like you need to build coverage as this has a very full coverage already. I applied this with a beauty blender and it blends beautifully. I tried applying it with a brush but it did not work! The foundation went streaky and patchy and I just didn’t like the finish so I’d definitely only recommend this if you use a beauty sponge for application. This lasted as long as the serum foundation though I felt it looked a little worse for wear at the end of the 12 hours. Like the serum foundation this also oxidised, it was more noticeable but I think this is just due to the more full coverage.
I did like the coverage foundation and think I’ll be glad of it when my skins breaking out and I need extra coverage but the serum is definitely my favourite. I just can’t get over how lightweight it is!
I was disappointed by The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid but I’m so glad I didn’t give up on the brand as these I am completly sold on! I’ve actually gone and bought more of the serum foundation just in case it goes out of stock for a long time!
Have you tried The Ordinary’s foundations? Are they on your wish list?
My thoughts on the coverage foundation were pretty much the same, definitely applied better with a BB! Intruiged to try the serum one now though after reading this x
I’m desperate to try these foundations! Thank you so much for comparing the serum and full coverage, that was so useful.
Nowhere around me sells it and I can only get it online but I’m not sure of my shade or undertone but I guess we might be quite similar as I also use colourstay in the shade buff 😊
I’ve heard so many amazing things about this brand
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
Really want to try this brand! I’ve heard so many good things, shame the products are always selling out. Great review xx
I love the Serum foundation! I have dry skin so it’s perfect. I have the Coverage one too but I don’t like it as much.
Hannah
Floraful
I’ve always wanted to try these out, thank you for this honest review! youve made me want it even more x
I’ve heard great things about this brand but still haven’t tried them myself! I need too! X
Kate// itskaterose.com
Im so keen to try a few things fro this brand, but I hate buying online. Im going to try to get to the Covent Garden store, so I can try them all. These foundations really appeal to me
Heard a few comments on this brand itself and I’m intrigued by everything – will have to defo try for myself!
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk / http://www.foodandbakertravels.co.uk
Very interesting review! I wanted to try the serum foundation but after reading this I think I would prefer the coverage foundation.
Thanks for a great review!!
Holly x
http://www.ldnmuse.com
I’ve always found Salicylic Acid to be wayyy too much when included in foundations and moisturizers! Much better for spot treatment than overall dry-out. Love your flat lay style -so fresh and inviting!
I’m not really the type of person that likes to try new foundation, as I’m always afraid it won’t be as good as the one I really trust, but The Ordinary sounds like a great brand with great products that I want to try their foundations for once lol x
Kirsty
http://www.corinneandkirsty.com
I didn’t know The Ordinary had foundations! You wrote such a nice and informative post! I can definitely see myself using the full coverage one and I’m glad you included the disclaimer on using the brush!
I’m definitely a fan of this brand, as I tried their Primer and it was absolutely amazing! I’m not too sure about their Hylauronic Acid however. I’ve heard many great things about this brand, so I think after hearing your review I may just have to check out their website for the colour chart! Thank you for sharing and another great post as usual!
Jenny x
http://www.theconfessionsofanonlineshopaholic.com
This brand sounds amazing, I’m pretty pale myself so it’s always been a struggle to find some good foundations that match my skin tone. I do have oily skin though so it’s a shame the Serum foundation doesn’t sound like it would work – it sounds so good! Xx
https://allaboutamy.uk
You’ve sold me on these, can’t believe how affordable they are too!!! I need to get both ASAP xx
Thank you for this! I was also disappointed by the acid so I sort of went of the brand. I would definitely need the full coverage foundation and I am really considering trying it! I’m just a bit worried in case it breaks me out!
As a pale girl myself, I struggle to find a foundation that doesn’t leave leave looking bright orange, or even more washed out than before! Interesting read, I’ll definitely give this brand a go – well if I can get my hands on any!
Hi, I think I would go for the high coverage foundation as I prefer mine to be slightly thicker in consistency. It seems like good value to so I shall add it to makeup list to try
These sound great! Can’t wait to get my hands on them now x
I really really need to try both of these foundations! They both sound right up my street especially as a fellow pale girl! I just can’t believe the price, they are so affordable and I have yet to see one bad review of them! xx
The serum sounds perfect for me, especially as a fellow pale girl.
Cora ❤ http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Great post lovely! Ive been looking out for vegan alternatives and as a pale girl its very difficult to find shades! This looks so good and I really want to give it a try <3 Your photos and swatches are fab!
Emily
http://beautyaboveandbeyond.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/motivational-monday.html
The Serum one is my favorite as well! I prefer the glowy finish to the more matte finish of the Coverage foundation 🙂
http://www.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com
I’m a die hard The Ordinary fan so I’m definitely going to have to give at least the Serum Foundation a try. Interesting that you were disappointed with the salicylic acid – I was thinking of getting that next because I’m struggling with breakouts at the moment, but would you not recommend? Xx
Such a great review! I can’t wait to try some products from this brand, I wish I wore foundation more cause these look great! 😊
Emma | emmadrury.com ✨
These foundations sound really, really, REALLY good. Like you, I’m pale and foundation can be a NIGHTMARE. I don’t even know what undertone I am? Maybe pink or yellow? Is yellow even one? Haha. I’d probably go for the coverage one as I prefer lots of coverage (I hate my face hahaha) and I always feel more confident the more coverage I have and the more flawless and matte my face looks. I rely on powder to create my face look because I’ve never found a foundation that works that well before xxx
I’ve never heard of this brand before, but I really like the sound of the serum foundation, I’m always on the hunt for new base products that don’t irritate my skin!
These both sound really good. I am always on the lookout for a good new foundation.
A Sparkle Of Grace
I’m so curious about the foundations! I will try the coverage one because as I have oily skin the serum one might not work well for me. Awesome review! xx
Carolina’s Makeup Life
Girl your photography and flatly skills are just PERFECTION! I have a reallyy weird skin tone and majorly struggle to find a foundation that looks like it blends well with my skin, however it sounds like these blend really well! You’ve got me completely intrigued by the serum foundation so I’m definitely going to check that out. I also had no idea The Ordinary were so affordable! Thank you very much for sharing!
Kate x
http://www.findingkate.co
As a fellow pale person I definitely will have to try this brand out soon! It’s so hard finding foundations that suit my skin tone!! xx
ooo I didn’t know they did foundation! So far I’ve only tried the primer, I’ve never really understood the acids or which one to buy! But these do sound interesting. I think for less than £6 I might buy a few to try and see which one works best for me.
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
I really want to try out the ordinary brand! I’ve heard so much about it lately on Instagram and twitter! They’re also super affordable, will need to invest
– Lauren xx
http://www.laurenannbeauty.com
The serum sounds like a home run!! It’s so rare to find a foundation that really wears well for an entire day. I’ve never heard of this brand but I’ll be checking to see if they have it in the States now!!
xx
Emily
http://emilyhallock.blogspot.com
Such a good price! I think I would need the same colour as you to honest. Thank you for helping us pale girls out as usual! 😀
I just purchased the Serum foundation myself and I went for the lightest one with yellow undertones but find it’s still a little dark for my skin *cries*. I love it though, it wears on me really well and it’s been my go-to foundation for the last few weeks! I completely love it and glad you loved it too… and glad I picked the Serum one and not the fuller coverage one!
I’m so interested in this product now!! I haven’t yet tried the brand, but this has made me want too!! I struggle hugely with trying to find a match for my skin tone. Love this!! xx
Jamie | http://www.jamies-corner.com
I love the Serum Foundation. It works so well with my skin and the price point is even better. I have heard mixed reviews about the Coverage Foundation, so I’m holding out on it for now. Great review!
Nicole | The Glam Surge
I adore both of these foundations however the serum one definitely takes the lead. It’s now my daily holy grail foundation! X
i bought this in the complete wrong shade! i use the revlon colourstay everyday in the same shade as you so this is great i’ll have to order this shade1
Shout out for the pale girls haha! I too am so pale, so I definitely need to check out this brand! It’s always good when a brand wins you back after you’re disappointed with one of their products like you were with the acid you tried before! The coverage looks really impressive and it’s great that they’re approved for vegetarians and vegans too! Hooray! Fab post as always!
Abbey 😘 http://www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk
I will have to give this a go, I don’t usually like runny foundations as they cause me to have a break out but for a pale foundarion with optional undertones and thar price it sounds like the holy grail! I will go for the first one thiugh as you said this was lighter 🙂
Jen
Xxx