In a world of celebrity beauty brand fatigue, Victoria Beckham Beauty is a cut above the rest. The makeup equivalent of quiet luxury, the brand is beloved for products including the satin kajal liner (£33, Victoriabeckham.com), posh balm (£31, Victoriabeckham.com) and lip definer (£31, Victoriabeckham.com).
An entry point to the Victoria Beckham empire, the brand’s curated product line boasts inclusive shades and elegant pigments (VB uses the eyeliner shade cinnamon, in case you’re wondering).
Combining high-performance formulas with chic packaging, the brand steers clear of beauty trends, focusing on makeup staples that you’ll rebuy time and time.
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While all the products deliver, it's the science-backed foundation drops created in partnership with Augustinus Bader that have gained viral acclaim. After launching last year, the formula has barely been able to stay in stock with waitlists of up to 20,000.
Harnessing Augustinus Bader’s patented TFC8 skincare technology, it’s a makeup and skincare hybrid – designed to be lightweight, buildable and hydrating. Both editors and insiders agree that it stands head and shoulders above other foundations.
The catch? It will set you back more than £100. The eye-watering cost has always put me off, but after testing it for a month, is it a small price to pay for performance? Here’s my verdict.
How I tested
I swapped my go-to foundation stick for the Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader The Foundation Drops. The brand recommends blending it with your fingers or buffing with a brush – I tried both methods, applying the formula in the morning to note its staying power throughout the day.
For context, I have combination skin that’s prone to oilyness on my forehead and dryness on my chin. I also have mild rosacea and spider veins around my nose. My foundation preference is always a tint or sheer fluid – I don’t like anything too heavy.
The Foundation Drops by Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader
★★★★★
What we love: Skincare benefits, lightweight coverage, natural finish, easy to apply, shade range and blurs redness and imperfections
Take note: Exceptionally expensive for a foundation, doesn’t offer full coverage, and isn’t as long-lasting as you’d like for the price
The Victoria Beckham foundation drops have been developed with Augustinus Bader’s skincare experts, formulated with the luxury brand’s famous TFC8 complex. This means peptides, lipids and vitamins to keep skin plump and hydrated while promoting cell repair.
Upon application, these skincare benefits are instantly obvious. The fluid, silky formula is akin to a cream in how it glides effortlessly across skin. While you can use your fingers to apply, I prefer the finish and feel of the foundation when using a brush, as you would a traditional foundation.
With 19 shades available, it’s easy to find the perfect match – I went one shade darker than my usual complexion for a softly tanned look. The coverage is light: the foundation won’t completely mask spots or blemishes, but does a stellar job evening out your skin tone while blurring small imperfections and any redness. Mild rosacea and spider veins around my nose were perfectly masked.
While I can’t attest to these claims, the foundation has also been praised for its coverage on older skin, as it doesn’t settle into fine lines.
The finish is radiant, fresh and bright. Owing to the formula’s lightweight consistency, it’s easy to build up the coverage, whether applying a heavier layer in the morning or topping it up ahead of the evening. For some occasions, I’ve mixed the VB drops with Drunk Elephant’s bronzing drops for heavier, more glowy coverage – a match made in makeup heaven.
Don’t expect the foundation to last all day – particularly in balmy weather or aggressive air con – as the coverage is too light for overly impressive staying power.
- Size: 30ml
- Shades: 19
- Skin type: All, including sensitive, dry, mature, and combination skin
Are The Foundation Drops by Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader worth it?
Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader’s marrying of skincare and makeup is a resounding success. Effortless to apply with natural, light coverage, it creates a radiant face base that can be built up as desired. Yes, the price tag is absurd – but a little goes a very long way, particularly if you’re mixing it with another product. On dry areas, it softens and smooths while oily patches require minimal powder top-ups.
A makeup bag hero for every occasion, Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader foundation drops are well worth trying if you’re willing to pay for lightweight, hydrating and glowy coverage.
Why trust me?
Daisy has been reviewing beauty for six years for publications including The Standard and The Independent. Covering everything from lip liners and bronzers to hair tools and fragrance, she thoroughly tests each product to find out if it offers the best value for money.
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