My Love/Hate Relationship with The L.A. Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation – A Review

My Love/Hate Relationship with The L.A Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation reminds me of the last time I bought a really nice dress. I loved the dress online, but when it got delivered, I swore to never buy anything online again.

Sadly, I ignored my resolute, jumped on a black friday deal late last year and have since been nurturing another love/hate relationship. It is not a bad one because like my lovely blue dress, I have been able to make the L.A Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation work for me.

Walk-ins have always been my preference, but sometimes these ‘good deals’ online just makes you act otherwise. I am gradually learning that buying some items online is not my forte especially when it involves size and exact skin shade.

If that was not enough clue, then here’s what happened – I made a rookie mistake and bought the LA Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation in a wrong shade. I thought I did a good job watching YouTube videos in a bid to figure out my shade but apparently, I did not.

I got the L.A. Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation in the shade GLM652 – Warm Caramel, it is a tad bit darker than my skin colour, I take the blame and that is why I decided to find a way to make it work for me.

It’s been over two month since purchase and we (My L.A Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation and I) are loving (with bouts of worrying) eachother.

PREFERENCE

Just so you know the basis, My skin has a mind of it’s own. In a cool temperature, it is normal and less dramatic (probably why harmattan is my favourite season) but few minutes in a warm environment, it gets oily and my T-zone gets sweaty. I will like to believe I have a combination skin.

For my preference, I have never been one to wear heavy make up or ‘bake/cake’ for hours. I like lightweight foundations and an almost natural finish (My make up artist at my white and traditional wedding could not understand how a bride didn’t want loud). Before I digress, those are my expectations when using a foundation. I have not used so many but the last foundation (Milani) i used was a 2 in 1 product (foundation and concealer) and it was a hassle trying not to look too ‘made up’.

Before my L.A Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation goes into my ’empties list’, here are my thoughts:

PACKAGING

The L.A Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation comes in a transparent 28ml bottle. I particularly like that it is clear as you can see the content and maybe guess what colour is almost perfect before you get the chance for a colour test.

It is easy to dispense as it comes with a pump. The pump also allows you manage the quantity of product you use. There is a black cover that fits tightly and protects the product from spilling.

PRODUCT

I have never been one to check what ingredients are in a product, but since hubby mentioned paraben free products are better of, I have had that stuck in my head.

The L.A. Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation is paraben free which is good because you are sure of not slapping your face with a product that could gradually cause harm. It’s ironic how beauty products are supposed to enhance your skin but then, the manufacturers go ahead to add preservatives that have side effects in the long run.

The L.A Girl Pro Coverage Illuminating Foundation is a liquid (kind of runny) foundation that boasts of having a medium to full coverage. For someone who wears minimal make up, this foundation works very well for me. It is lightweight, two light pumps gives me the coverage I need and I go ahead to build up as required. The outcome is almost skin like and it evens out my skin tone. Remember I bought a shade darker, all I do is make sure I blend the foundation around my neck area properly and my powder helps to clear any doubt I have.

It is not a matte foundation. However, you can make it work with a setting powder if you are skilled in that area. Personally, I like the dewy finish as I like my skin to feel moisturized. Reminds me of how I always lick my lips. Matte lipsticks do not work for me as well.

CONS

The first week of using this product, I realised I always had to touch up frequently. It would form lines and my t-zone would tear out. I later understood why, I applied the foundation without using a primer or base product. For a good result, you NEED to use a primer.

The L.A Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation is not the best option for anyone with an oily skin. Basically, I feel like it is not a stand alone product. You need to use a primer or maybe mix foundations if you are into that kind of thing. Once I started using a primer with the product, it worked well for me.

This product does not particularly make all my spots invisible (I don’t have a lot or maybe I don’t just wear enough product) so do not expect it to cover large pores or really bad skin blemishes. However, you can plan to keep building up until you get the result you want.

I feel like the L.A. Girl Pro Coverage HD Illuminating Foundation works better with an almost perfect skin.

As much as I like this foundation, sometimes it gives the feeling of a red undertone and other times, it’s just fine. I blame this on the shade of the foundation which isn’t mine.

If you have a sensitive nose, you might find the smell offensive. Although, I find the smell bearable.

VERDICT

We all have our preference and look out for different things in a product. Our preferences are usually based on pricing, skin type, finished look and durability. If you have a normal/dry or combination skin type and need a drugstore foundation that is affordable, the L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Illuminating Foundation is just fine.

I bought this foundation along with other beauty products during a black friday deal last year and it cost 3000 Naira (USD 8) . At the moment, it sells for 3500 – 4000 Naira in Lagos, Nigeria depending on the store.

For my wear test, it lasts from 0700hrs until about 1230hrs before my first touch up. I wear this to work everyday, my make up is usually done by 0630hrs and I monitored this for a week. Note that best result is achieved with a primer or any base product of your choice.

Will I buy this product again?

Definitely!!! This time I will make sure to visit a store, so I can buy my exact foundation shade. It is a very affordable drugstore product and I get an almost natural finish with it.

Share your thoughts

What foundation brand do you use?

What foundation is best for your skin type?

How do you wear your makeup? Heavy or lightweight?

Any tips on how to know your correct foundation shade when buying online?

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