Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation

Make Up For Ever's Full Cover has been my concealer of choice for the past couple of years, because it does a fantastic job at covering blemishes and the shade number 4 is a near perfect match for my NC15 ish skin tone. However, when my current tube started running low, I decided to try something different, as MUFE is not only difficult to get hold of here in the UK, but expensive, too. I'd heard lots of great things about Vichy's Dermablend Corrective Foundation, and after watching this excellent video from Lisa Eldridge (Acne/blemish Covering Make Up), I decided to give the foundation a go.

Vichy's description: A smooth blendable texture that glides on evenly leaving the skin with a natural, lightweight flawless finish. Recommended for minor to moderate skin imperfections such as redness, acne scars and pigmentation disorders. Moisturizing all day long. With the soothing properties of Vichy Thermal Water. 12 hours of long-lasting flawless wear (16 hours with Setting Powder). It's also non comedogenic, paraban free, and SPF 35.

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation

In the Lisa Eldridge Video, Vichy's Corrective Foundation is used like a concealer as opposed to being used all over like a foundation, and that's mainly what I've been using it for, too. I have actually tried it as a foundation as well, though, and find it works brilliantly used in both ways. I assumed the product would actually be quite thick and heavy and create a mask like effect used all over, but the liquid feels surprisingly light weight and blends incredibly well.

Consistency wise, the product is quite runny and I've found that used as a concealer or an all over base, only a tiny amount is needed. Used as a base, I only need to use half or slightly less than I do with my regular foundations (Clarins Everlasting & Armani Lasting Silk). The pigmented liquid applies and blends nicely and covers redness, blemishes and even dark circles ridiculously well. I've used similar products in the past that have provided a similar level of coverage, but I don't think any have felt or looked as natural as the Vichy. Whether I use to it to camouflage problem areas, or as a full foundation, set with a bit of La Mer's Loose powder, I get a near on flawless finish that doesn't look heavy or caked on.

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation: Opal

Vichy claim that their Corrective Foundation will hold up for a good 12 hours used alone, or 16 if set with powder. I have to say, the foundation doesn't last quite as long as that on my combination skin, but it does last for biggest part of the day when set with loose powder. I do need to touch up/blot oilier areas throughout the day (this is the case with all foundations for me), but I've found that the base does generally wear pretty well, doesn't settle into pores or fine lines and I've had no issues with oxidation. I've noticed no problems with breakouts or blocked pores since I started using either and find the foundation fairly easy to remove at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, the shade range is quite limited with only 5 different shades available, luckily though, I've managed to find a pretty good colour match with the lightest shade, 15 Opal. I imagine the shade may be slightly too light come summer and some mixing might be required, but for now, the colour matches my NC15 ish skin tone really well.

Clarins Everlasting: Nude, Armani lasting Silk: 4, Vichy: Opal & MUFE Full Cover: 4

I've swatched Opal next to Make Up For Ever's Full cover Number 4, Clarins Everlasting Nude and Armani's Lasting Silk 4 to give an idea of colour.

Clarins Everlasting: Nude, Armani lasting Silk: 4, Vichy: Opal & MUFE Full Cover: 4

All in all, I'm incredibly pleased with Vichy's Corrective Foundation. The coverage it gives is fantastic, and I really am quite surprised at how natural it looks and feels. As I said, I purchased mainly to replace my tube of MUFE Full Cover and I must say, I do prefer the Vichy, which provides similar coverage, but is much easier to blend and in my opinion, more natural looking. It doesn't hold up quite as well as the Full Cover on my combo skin, but still does pretty well and is much cheaper than the MUFE, which is a bonus. 

My only slight gripe with the base is the tube. Because the consistency is fairly runny, I find the squeezy tube sometimes dispenses a little bit too much product, so there has been a bit of wastage. It's not a major complaint, though and overall, I really am impressed with the foundation and would definitely recommend checking it out if you're on the hunt for a full coverage base, or concealer that covers brilliantly and holds up well.

I purchased my tube from Escentual where you can currently pick up a 30ml tube at the reduced price of £10.33 (normal price £15.50).