Plastic-free and shaped like an egg... could the Slap Stick foundation replace your favourite?
When Lush unveiled their plastic-free solid foundation, the ethical beauty world rejoiced. And for good reason; the coconut oil-based product not only comes in a cardboard box, but it also promises hydrating wonders for the skin and an impressive natural coverage, all for £16.95.
A foundation that both fights the war on plastic and lacklustre skin? We couldn’t wait to try it out.
But is Lush's Slap Stick foundation really the magic makeup we've long been waiting for? Our team investigates...
Tori - 'It might be a win for the environment, but...'
A solid foundation that’s wrapped half in wax, half in paper and encased in a recycled cardboard box. It sounds too good – and perhaps too bizarre – to be a real product. Surely a foundation so ethically focused can’t offer the clinically crafted coverage that I’m usually accustomed to?
But, Lush’s new foundation offering is far from wispy. The cream-like consistency is thick on application – like, really thick. It requires a lot of working into the skin to smooth it across your face. I found blending it with my fingers left a patchy finish, so it might be better suited to a beauty blender.
Whilst the colour matching options are extensive, I found the colour picked out for me to be too pale (there's a bit of a geisha-like effect). So a warmer shade would have been welcome. However, I like that the thick formula feels surprisingly creamy and not at all drying (though it needed setting with powder on my oily complexion). Unfortunately, by lunch time of my trial the coverage had slipped and my forehead was so greasy you could have fried an egg on it. So, whilst it felt good, my face just looked, well, wet.
I love what Lush is trying to do with this. Yes, we need to minimise single-use plastic. And yes, we need to create more ethically-focused beauty products. And if these types of products are also uber kind to skin, then heck sign me up. But... all these efforts are lost if the product isn’t wearable. Sorry Lush. It might be a win for the environment, but it’s a no from me.
SCORE: 2/5
L'Oréal - 'There’s a fine line between dewy and greasy...'
I’d recommend you put on some shades before you look at my picture, my skin is shining as bright as a light bulb. One thing Lush’s Slapstick foundation can’t be accused of is a dry, Sahara-like coverage. This 'slap stick' foundation is more of an oil slick. There’s a fine line between dewy and greasy and I’m teetering on a slippery edge. But, this is not a bad first attempt from Lush. Though unassuming, this little egg provides a generous amount of creamy coverage. I was initially very sceptical about this product, it’s foundation in the shape of an egg after all.
I usually like my foundations liquid, packed with chemicals and in glossy packaging, and Lush's foundation is the complete antithesis of the popular products that I've come to know and trust. If the likes of Nars and MAC are Spinningfields' glamour, Lush is more Chorlton bohemian. In all truth, I was hasty to judge. Lush’s foundation is not only environmentally conscious but they’ve done a great job of catering for all skin tones (I'm wearing shade 26N), one of my most important asks from any makeup brand. With a good primer underneath, this foundation glides on with ease (I don’t use a brush, I just dive right in applying egg to face) and blends well with a beauty sponge. You need to set this with a fast acting powder though, as your face will have slid off onto your shirt within an hour.
