The Ordinary serum foundation
One of The Ordinary’s primary appeals is its price point and this is a very good foundation for a low price: just £5.70. For that you get 30ml of product, which is comparable to the majority of luxury foundations that might cost six times as much.
The packaging is a divergence from the brand’s usual apothecary-style glass bottles; the serum foundation comes in a light, velvety plastic bottle with a pump. There’s no cap, but the pump does twist to lock, so you have some security that it won’t splurge all over the inside of your make-up bag.
It comes in 21 shades, which is reasonably comprehensive, though there’s more choice at the paler end of the range. Each shade is numbered one to three, depending on whether it’s for light, medium or dark tones, and then with a decimal point to break the category down further by depth of colour. Finally, there’s a letter: P or R (pink or red) for cool undertones; N for neutral undertones; and Y for yellow undertones. For example, we wear a 2.0N, which is light-medium with neutral undertones.
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Despite the name, there aren’t any ingredients of note in terms of skincare here and the brand doesn’t claim it has any skincare benefits. It does contain silicone, so you’ll need a silicone-free primer to prevent pilling (when your foundation forms little balls when rubbed and peels off). It also has SPF 15, with no chemical sunscreen, though we always recommend not relying on the SPF in your foundation but instead applying a separate product underneath, as most people don’t apply enough foundation for it to offer effective protection.
As with many liquid formulas, it may separate in the bottle, so always shake before dispensing; as it is a very thin liquid, it will run on the back of your hand if you tilt it. The Ordinary says the serum foundation contains its “proprietary spreadability system” and it does apply beautifully: it remains wet for long enough to blend well and a small amount works out over a large area easily. The coverage is definitely sheer on the first application but it can be built up with a second layer to medium over the areas that need it. It goes on well when using your fingers but, as it’s quite a thin formula, you may find it takes a lot of work to look streak-free; the quickest route we found to a flawless finish was with a buffer brush.
It dries to a satin finish, by which we mean it’s relatively matte but not completely flat, and is very natural-looking and almost imperceptible on the skin. Being a fairly low-coverage formula, the prep work you put in beneath shows through; you can create a more dewy finish by layering up hydrating skincare and primer first. It feels very light to wear and doesn’t dehydrate the skin throughout the day. Its staying power is similar to that of other lightweight formulas – around six to eight hours – and it fades in a flattering way rather than settling into dry patches, lines and pores. Those with dry or mature skin will particularly appreciate it.
The verdict: The Ordinary serum foundationIf you want a lightweight, sheer coverage, natural finish foundation that lets your skin’s natural light and texture shine through without exacerbating the appearance of lines and pores, we highly recommend the serum foundation (£5.70, Theordinary.deciem.com) – especially considering its price point. Even for those who prefer a high-end formula, it’s worth a bottle you’re less precious about to keep in your handbag or leave at your partner’s.