This post was sponsored by Covergirl.

Complexion perfection… It’s the holy grail! When it comes to our faces, we all want the same thing: a clear, smooth base. We don’t want to look like we’re covered in pancake batter, we just want to look like the best possible version of ourselves. This is surprisingly difficult to achieve.

Introducing Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation. It’s a brilliant product. It works as a primer, a foundation and a concealer, which is a bold claim, since most babes I know use all three, and would kick and scream if you suggested removing one step from their routine!

When they asked me to give it a shot, I couldn’t say no! The appeal of a 3-in-1 product is too strong for most to resist! Who doesn’t want to take less time getting ready?

I agreed to put it to the test. Gala Darling, your intrepid beauty editor, reporting for duty!

Now before we get into it, the most important thing you have to know about this challenge is that whenever I do sponsored product reviews, I pledge to always tell you the truth about how it goes down. Otherwise, what’s the point? I could recommend a bunch of junk, which you might try, and be disappointed… And you’d never trust what I said again. Why bother?

So, one grey, cloudy morning, I took a shower, washed and moisturised my face, and skipped my normal application of primer. I grabbed my Beauty Blender (new obsession!), dampened it with a little water, and used it to work #825 (Buff Beige) into my skin. I did a light application all over, then squirted a bit more product and dabbed it in places where I wanted a little more coverage.

I am delighted to tell you that the coverage on this product is SICK. I absolutely love it. I definitely had my doubts about its capabilities as a concealer, but man! It’s great. I dabbed a little Bobbi Brown concealer under my eyes — as I am queen of dark undereye circles — and I actually think it was a little overzealous and unnecessary. It looked great just with the Covergirl foundation. (If you were going to use extra concealer, I would recommend using it under the foundation… And only if you were really tired!)

I set the foundation with a little powder (Illamasqua), then did the rest of my makeup. On my lips, I used Covergirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in Haute Pink Twist (220). It’s such a fun colour — it’s subtle but still very pink!

I took Dolly for a stroll around 9am…

Wearing: Céline sunglasses / Pink cashmere cardigan from J.Crew / Polka-dot skirt from Topshop / Lacoste sneaker wedges / Glitter heart shoe clips from Head Full of Feathers

…And then I went about my day. I did some writing, went to a meeting with my manager, ate a salad, came home again, and then took these photos before heading out to the gym… In my holographic leggings. (Because, why not?)

Wearing: Perfect zip hoodie from Victoria’s Secret Pink / Plain tank / Baroque-patterned holographic leggings (!!!) from Victoria’s Secret Pink / Nike Free Runs

I think it held up amazingly well! It didn’t need another dusting of powder or any touch-ups at all, it just kept on truckin’. This is quite an achievement, especially for me: I have combination skin, and am prone to shininess in my t-zone.

I think a lot of people have misconceptions about what a matte foundation is. They think it’s going to look really cakey or heavy or oily, and certainly, this can be the case with some foundations. But Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 does not have this problem. In fact, it’s so light that you literally cannot feel it on your face.

You can tell that I’m psyched on this foundation because I didn’t Photoshop my face! (The ultimate test!) The only thing we did to these pictures was use an action to punch up the colours. I mean, that’s the highest compliment I can think of!

So, I think I found my new holy grail foundation. I am totally in love. And even better, it costs eight bucks and is available everywhere! Definitely worth a try; I think you’ll love it as much as I do!

Easy, breezy, beautiful!

Photos and art direction by Mike. What a babe!

Thanks so much to Covergirl for making this post possible!