Your Favourite Foundations Just Got Reformulated (for Good)
September 2 | 4 minute read
Words by Christie Sinclair
It’s seen me through my high school graduation, too many all-nighters, first dates, first jobs, friends’ weddings, my wedding, even the births of my two children when it should, by all logic, have melted right off.
A reliable presence in my ever-changing beauty line-up, it has accompanied me through milestones as well as the quiet, unremarkable days. So when the word ‘New!’ caught my eye on the side of the box, I immediately panicked. Not because I believe change is bad, but because this foundation feels too much a part of me to be tinkered with.
Despite the rational part of my brain knowing progress is a positive, the emotional part wanted to panic buy the original. It was too late.
During my time in the beauty industry (and as a life-long beauty lover), I’ve seen this play out with countless cult favourites over the years, and it has made it abundantly clear that reformulation can be, and often is, the best thing that ever happens to your ride-or-die product. Hear me out...
The foundation you loved in 2002 might have been somewhat of a marvel back then, but beauty chemistry has evolved considerably in the years since. New shades are added for more skin tones. Active ingredients have become a prerequisite so your base doubles as skincare. SPF can even be invisibly woven in without the telltale scent and oil-slick finish. Reformulation isn’t the enemy – it’s how the icons keep up, not necessarily with trends but with beauty tech, regulation and the (many!) demands of today’s makeup wearers. We are a picky bunch, after all.
This has all been on my mind of late as I caught wind of news that some of MECCA’s own bestselling bases were in line for reformulations. Chantecaille’s Future Skin is one of them, and it’s had quite a lot of work done. With upgraded (and considerably ‘cleaner’) ingredients including a plant-based retinol alternative that’s gentle and safe for daytime wear and calming mushroom extract, this cult-favourite keeps its signature, and incredibly satisfying, gel-cream feel and dewy finish, only now it’s even better for your skin. There are also seven new shades, always a welcome addition.
Charlotte Tilbury has already mastered glow, so it was only a matter of time before she came for the matte finish. She’s reworked her only matte base, the Airbrush Flawless Foundation to make it last longer (up to 24 hours), hydrate better (+216% apparently) and work like anti-ageing skincare (improving the look of wrinkles after eight weeks of use). The new formula has that mattifying, smoothing and blurring effect on the skin, but gives you more time to really work the product in before it dries down. This is a foundation oily-to-combination skin types will appreciate, made even better with the new matte-finish setting spray.
If you’re wondering where MECCA MAX’s Life Proof Foundation went, it’s now known as Life Proof Satin Blur Foundation following a total overhaul (formula and packaging included) – and it’s without a doubt even better than the original. It’s still a medium-full coverage foundation but now has a luminous satin finish that you can easily customise – sheer it out for a fresh, natural look or build it up when you’re after a little more payoff. Now silkier and featherlight, the reformulated base works like a magic eraser on imperfections, yet somehow, your skin still looks entirely like your skin. I also heard on the grapevine that MECCA MAX worked closely with MECCA’s education and artistry teams when updating the shade range (there are now 40 available), zeroing in on undertones to make it easier for everyone to find a match.
From one beauty lover to the next... if your beloved base has undergone a makeover, don’t panic! You might find it has in fact grown up with you and is even better equipped for whatever you throw at it next.
