The Ordinary Serum Foundation | Review & swatch
First impressions of The Ordinary Serum Foundation in 2.1Y
I didn't originally go on the waiting list for this but once it was released I gave in and ordered both the serum and full coverage foundation. The serum foundation recently came in the post after ordering it a month and a half ago..so guess they are still very behind in their orders!
I didn't originally go on the waiting list for this but once it was released I gave in and ordered both the serum and full coverage foundation. The serum foundation recently came in the post after ordering it a month and a half ago..so guess they are still very behind in their orders!
I won't go too deep into introducing the brand or colour range as I'm sure you probably have done your research and know about Deciem so let's get straight into it.
Packaging
Practical light and cute. Perfect for travelling. Thought it looked a little small but it still is one fluid ounce.
Practical light and cute. Perfect for travelling. Thought it looked a little small but it still is one fluid ounce.
Consistency/ Coverage
This foundation is quite watery and runny on the hand. I thought it would have a dewy serum like finish like Mac Face and Body, but its much more pigmented and dries to a semi matte finish, not dewy at all. I used one pump and it feels really light on the face, I think it would be buildable but defeats the point of 'serum like' and light coverage if you need to layer it on. As it is semi matte finish almost satin like on the skin I wouldn't think layering would be a good idea as it could start to look flat. I did read a review where someone said the foundation looks flat, and that you need to use other products to prep and make skin/makeup look better. I do agree with this, as the foundation on its own gives no dimension, luminosity or glow to the face. It does dry natural and just looks like you have good clear natural matte skin. Once I have used blusher and highlighter etc it completes the look, however on its own it doesn't do much apart from give a good natural semi matte canvas. It does look very natural and fresh faced which I do like for everyday and work etc.
This foundation is quite watery and runny on the hand. I thought it would have a dewy serum like finish like Mac Face and Body, but its much more pigmented and dries to a semi matte finish, not dewy at all. I used one pump and it feels really light on the face, I think it would be buildable but defeats the point of 'serum like' and light coverage if you need to layer it on. As it is semi matte finish almost satin like on the skin I wouldn't think layering would be a good idea as it could start to look flat. I did read a review where someone said the foundation looks flat, and that you need to use other products to prep and make skin/makeup look better. I do agree with this, as the foundation on its own gives no dimension, luminosity or glow to the face. It does dry natural and just looks like you have good clear natural matte skin. Once I have used blusher and highlighter etc it completes the look, however on its own it doesn't do much apart from give a good natural semi matte canvas. It does look very natural and fresh faced which I do like for everyday and work etc.
Lasting power
Well it is 28 degrees and feels like 32 where I am today, I have had it on for about 6 hours now and it still feels amazingly light on the face, skin feels soft, makeup has not melted I have a dewy glow but not greasy looking. It wears nicely during the day and feels comfortable on the skin.
Well it is 28 degrees and feels like 32 where I am today, I have had it on for about 6 hours now and it still feels amazingly light on the face, skin feels soft, makeup has not melted I have a dewy glow but not greasy looking. It wears nicely during the day and feels comfortable on the skin.
Shade
I got the shade 2.1Y as its more yellow/golden toned. It's an exact shade match for me but just a tad deep (something I think only I'm able to notice), it would suit a Mac Studio Fix in NC40, perhaps even 42. I think because it blends so well they claim it could suit someone 3 shades deeper or lighter. I think that's somewhat true, aslong as you pick the correct tone and not pick a shade that's 2 levels too light or 2 levels too dark as it is very pigmented!
I got the shade 2.1Y as its more yellow/golden toned. It's an exact shade match for me but just a tad deep (something I think only I'm able to notice), it would suit a Mac Studio Fix in NC40, perhaps even 42. I think because it blends so well they claim it could suit someone 3 shades deeper or lighter. I think that's somewhat true, aslong as you pick the correct tone and not pick a shade that's 2 levels too light or 2 levels too dark as it is very pigmented!
My Final Thought
For £5 something it delivers pretty well in terms of longevity, coverage and pigmentation. It is very pigmented like Mac, but not as sheer coverage as Mac face and body. This Serum Foundation is light to medium coverage.
For £5 something it delivers pretty well in terms of longevity, coverage and pigmentation. It is very pigmented like Mac, but not as sheer coverage as Mac face and body. This Serum Foundation is light to medium coverage.
Is it worth the wait?
I wouldn't say this is my HG and I found what I was looking for. Nor has it knocked my socks off. It is a good reliable everyday foundation I think I will get use out of for work and running errands or days I want a light finish. However it's not something that brightens up your skin, gives that glowy gorgeous look that you would probably want a foundation alone to deliver. You will need to use a good moisturiser to prep skin before hand and use a good highlighter if you want that glow! Overall, it does give a natural fresh semi matte finish which looks natural like your own skin but better.
Forgot to mention it did oxidise slightly on me which gave me a more warmer complexion by the end of the day, I didn't look orange or too dark so nothing major. Also 2.1Y I'd say is a very warm deep medium shade (as you can see from the swatch in my pic), its quite warm, in winter if you tend to go abit paler on the NC37 range, I myself could possibly be a 'light medium'.
EDIT: thought I'd come back to this post as I have used the foundations alot more. As I have come back to using both Serum and Full Coverage all week, I do prefer the look of the Serum foundation, it's slightly more skin like and semi-matte, with highlighter and everything it looks like you have great skin - the shade is alittle too warm but it actually does give a lovely sunkissed look on me with bronzer/contour etc. The full coverage is medium to full coverage but it looks flat on the skin so you will have to use other products to compliment the look your going for. One major positive about this range is that this shade is quite unique as its very hard to find foundations with strong yellow/golden tones so that's what I love about this range. I am about a MAC NC40 or slightly lighter in winter and this shade is probably the closest match. It is very strongly pigmented and very golden, if you prefer yellow golden shades then this would look beautiful against your complexion if you have those tones.
I wouldn't say this is my HG and I found what I was looking for. Nor has it knocked my socks off. It is a good reliable everyday foundation I think I will get use out of for work and running errands or days I want a light finish. However it's not something that brightens up your skin, gives that glowy gorgeous look that you would probably want a foundation alone to deliver. You will need to use a good moisturiser to prep skin before hand and use a good highlighter if you want that glow! Overall, it does give a natural fresh semi matte finish which looks natural like your own skin but better.
Forgot to mention it did oxidise slightly on me which gave me a more warmer complexion by the end of the day, I didn't look orange or too dark so nothing major. Also 2.1Y I'd say is a very warm deep medium shade (as you can see from the swatch in my pic), its quite warm, in winter if you tend to go abit paler on the NC37 range, I myself could possibly be a 'light medium'.
EDIT: thought I'd come back to this post as I have used the foundations alot more. As I have come back to using both Serum and Full Coverage all week, I do prefer the look of the Serum foundation, it's slightly more skin like and semi-matte, with highlighter and everything it looks like you have great skin - the shade is alittle too warm but it actually does give a lovely sunkissed look on me with bronzer/contour etc. The full coverage is medium to full coverage but it looks flat on the skin so you will have to use other products to compliment the look your going for. One major positive about this range is that this shade is quite unique as its very hard to find foundations with strong yellow/golden tones so that's what I love about this range. I am about a MAC NC40 or slightly lighter in winter and this shade is probably the closest match. It is very strongly pigmented and very golden, if you prefer yellow golden shades then this would look beautiful against your complexion if you have those tones.
For the Full Coverage Review click HERE
Serum Foundation from The Ordinary is a lightweight pigment suspension system with a comprehensive 21 shade range.
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