New Hero Foundation Alert!

It takes a lot to sway me when it comes to budget foundations. As a self-confessed ‘foundation addict’, much of my funds go on the high-end options, simply because I’d yet to find a budget-friendly alternative to truly rave about. Until now.

As the years go on, my skin is no longer able to cope with layers of a matte foundation; I crave a lighter, more radiant foundation because they add an extra element to the skin – a’dewy glow.

Bourjois are known for their foundations; just because the prices are affordable doesn’t mean they skimp on quality – it’s quite the opposite. But until I’d tried their new?City Radiance Foundation, I’d yet to see the appeal. At a bargain price of €12.95, the packaging instantly drew me in – glass foundation bottles are all the rage at the moment, and they are just impractical – I loved that you could pop this in your handbag?in case of a make-up emergency.

This one is by all means a radiant?foundation; it has a light, dewy, finish, yet it’s long-wearing – it completely blends into the skin and looks so natural, you’d be hard pressed to think you were wearing much at all. I wore this one for a good 12 hours, and it didn’t budge, and the finish is much like the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in that it doesn’t sink into fine lines, wrinkles or acne marks. It has almost a gel-like texture in that it’s cooling and moisturising once applied – not a patch of flaky skin in sight and, therefore, suitable for all skin types.

Most impressive were the built-in ingredients designed to protect the skin, thanks to a combination of SPF30 and a built in anti-pollution screen. Both factors can help prevent premature ageing and the anti-pollution screen, in particular, prevents the adherence of carbon particles and lets skin breathe.

It comes in six shades, and hurrah, they’ve ditched the yellow base that exists across ?all their previous foundations and added cool and warm undertones.

Essentially, it feels like you’re getting a premium product for half the price, and it’s for all these reasons we crowned this a Beauty Award 2016 winner.

It’s available to buy now for €12.95.

For more Beauty Award 2016 winners, see the April issue of IMAGE magazine.