Bourjois probably has the highest reputation in making great affordable foundations among highstreet brands. Too bad it withdrew from the US a few years back and now available on asos.com (and of course ebay and amazon). Here is how I got to try two of their most talked about foundations, Healthy Mix and Healthy Mix Serum.
Back in last July, my mom asked me what random present I wanted from her. Well, the foundations were sold old on asos.com while she had the access to them. So eh hem, naturally, I told her about Bourjois healthy mix and healthy mix serum if she could :D. So, a few weeks later, I got them. My mom is beyond awesome!!!
Why these two? I first got attracted by their supposedly healthy ingredients. They're both packed with vitamins and have fruity scent. If the makeup must have fragrance, I want fruit and vegetable. Second, I've read many reviews that are sort of divided but all agree on the medium to full coverage and smooth texture. My only concern is the oxidation.
I myself found Healthy Mix and Healthy Mix Serum almost similar. The latter has slightly more dewy finish than the first. I can tell the difference by squeezing them between my fingers. Healthy Mix Serum feels more slippery albeit not as much as Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk. Both have lightweight texture that blends flawlessly into the skin. Both, Healthy Mix Serum more so, remind me of the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation in terms of texture, color, wearing and the finish.
I agree with the comment that both Healthy Mix and Healthy Mix Serum have light-weight texture, something I usually don't find in older generations of drugstore foundations. They provide medium to full coverage. When built up, they both look natural.
Some have reported the shade range discrepancy across Bourjois foundations. It's certainly not the case for Healthy Mix and Healthy Mix Serum. You can see in the swatch that they look identical. I can only see the difference after about one hour wearing when my skin oil starts to react with the foundations. After one hour, Healthy Mix Serum becomes more dewy and Healthy Mix still stays matte.
Bottom line. Not ideal foundations for my skin but very good from highstreet brands like Bourjois. For me it's a great dupe for YSL Touche Eclat Foundation so I skip YSL.
*****A side note on my skin and foundations*****
I have medium yellow undertone (MAC NC 25-30) with some redness on the cheek and dull skin on the chin. My face skin is nearly one shade deeper than the neck. I look for a foundation that match my neck skin to create a seamless transition from face to neck. I don't classify my skin as good but I don't have break out or major skin problems. Loads of foundations turn orangy or muddy on me within one to three hours of wearing. This is the frustration of finding a good foundation for my makeup.
Four must-have traits of a good foundation for me
- doesn't turn orange or muddy throughout the day
- dries in natural finish
- evens out the color and smoothes the skin (finely milled texture)
- covers veins, discoloration, redness and minor dark spots
