I like this foundation because it is very long wearing. I have found the best way to use it is with plenty of lightweight but hydrating (and non oily) moisturiser underneath, let it sink in for a few mins but don't let it dry down. Then warm up the foundation in your hands, apply and semi rub it in to your skin so that it is evenly spread out. Then blend it in with a damp sponge. This way I find I get quite a glowy, medium coverage finish. Some times I skip powder with this foundation if I want an extra glowy look, as it does dry down within a few mins which I really like.

Lastly, I would not use this foundation without a moisturiser underneath or if you have any dry skin patches. If you have hot cheeks/rosacea this foundation will probably go patchy in these areas as well. I find that this foundation is not buildable in layers but if you want a higher coverage then use less moisturiser underneath and apply more product but all in one layer.

I wish this foundation came with a pump, for the price it really should! I have now ordered the pump to go with it and will save the pump for when I buy my future bottles.

I got colour matched in store and bought shade 2C0 and it is not too pinky at all.

I spent weeks figuring out how to love this foundation, which honestly is a bit much, but it really can look beautiful if you get it right. I wouldn’t recommend this as a quick, run-out-the-door foundation, because she’s pretty high maintenance.

Finding your exact shade is critical. “Close enough” isn’t good enough with this one. It will settle in your pores in a way that will be really obvious. I was a much deeper shade than I thought I would be. It definitely self-sets a bit lighter than what the liquid looks like.

There are a lot of claims out there about how to apply it. Everyone is different but here’s what worked for me:
use VERY SMALL AMOUNTS, like start with just what’s in the cap if you’re not feeling confident. Spread it thin with your fingers, spatula or a paddle brush in sections. Blend edges as needed. Once finished with a very thin first layer, THEN you can go in and build it with a second layer or spot concealing. Wait to continue complexion work until the final layer has dried completely. Then go back in and do contour, blush, etc. I wouldn’t recommend a lot of baking with this, only VERY light setting if/where needed.

All that being said, I am hopeful this will end up being my favorite humid weather, full beat foundation. Best of luck to those of you still working through the process.

I tried getting color matched with Estée Lauder reps online but that failed. The colors were wrong. I ended up ordering samples online (from EL) but ultimately Leia in Wauwatosa Nordstrom color matched me in store to Ivory Beige. Buff will probably work for me in the winter. Dawn was too yellow on me. I was wearing Mac Studio fix fluid in NW18 and in the winter I’d switch to Nc20/25….I liked the yellow in it to neutralize redness in my face. But I always felt the NW18 was a little too orangy for me but it was the closest match I could get. MAC has reformulated so I decided to try Double Wear as I had worn this in the past.

I tried Double Wear twice, first with a MAC brush applicator and again with a beauty sponge. I hated it on my skin. I had prepped with a water based makeup primer beforehand. The foundation showed all my pores, and I don’t even have large pores! I was thinking what the heck, this isn’t the Double Wear I remember from the past. Then I tried a third round and this time I prepped with a silicone based primer (Smashbox) and BINGO! I applied my foundation with a damp makeup brush and got a beautiful airbrushed finish to my skin. So my recommendation to those who aren’t liking it on your skin, prep with a silicone based primer. I’m guessing because this has sunscreen it needs a silicone based primer for that look of an airbrushed application. I prefer my sunscreen in my lotion rather than foundation, but I can work with it.

This is going to be a long and detailed review. I bought this product to replace my current HG. This is my third time trying EL DW in about 3 years. I am still on the fence about it, but I wanted to see if this would help clear my acne. Everyone raves about it so I figured it was something I was doing wrong. Trial and error is key with this product. I have super oily skin with a lot of acne. It takes some time to find an application that works best for your needs. I found that not using a primer, using a brush to apply it and then finishing with a beauty blender to smooth out the brush streaks works best for me. It dries fast, so you have to work in sections and move quick. I apply it almost like paint. Using a BB alone made it too sheer for my liking, even when it was damp. I have been wearing it about a week and it has only looked cakey once, and that was probably my fault because I think I used too much setting powder or applied it too thick using an incorrect brush application method. Honestly, you can probably get away with no powder. I will say this foundation does not budge once it dries down. It has great coverage and does feel thick and a little sticky when applying but dries down nicely. I do still get oily after 6 hours, but that is longer than any other foundation I've tried. I just keep blotting paper on hand and use it around lunch time. I am genuinely impressed with how well it stays, even after I get oily. I will say that I struggled finding a shade that works for me. I have pretty neutral undertones, but the neutrals were a bit too warm for me. The cool tone is too cool and makes me look ill. I ordered a shade warmer and a shade darker in a sample to see if I need to mix it or just got the wrong shade. I would say this is a 3 star foundation because of the application difficulty but gave it 4 because it is the best staying foundation I have tried (this is my 9th or 10th different foundation try).