It’s been a long time coming, but I FINALLY managed to get my hands on both The Ordinary Serum and Coverage foundations. If you’ve been living under the non-beauty rock, these foundations had some major hype last year! It’s mostly due to the crazy price at around $7 a bottle. I wanted to do a Versus post not only to compare them, but to also share my thoughts on both of them!
Claims
The claims for both of these foundations can probably be inferred from their names. The Serum foundation is described as “lightweight medium-coverage formulations available in a comprehensive shade range across 21 shades. These foundations offer moderate coverage that looks natural with a very lightweight serum feel.”
The Ordinary Serum Foundation in 1.2 YG
The Coverage foundation is described as “full-coverage formulations available in a comprehensive shade range across 21 shades. These foundations contain higher pigment levels than our Serum Foundations but still offer a smooth finish that avoids the heavy makeup look that can make skin appear more aged. ”
The Ordinary Coverage Foundation in 1.2 YG
Shade Range
As mentioned above there are 21 shades in both of the lines. The shades are the same between both the Serum and Coverage foundations. In general, I would say they have a pretty good range. The undertones are broken up into Neutral (N), Neutral with Silver Highlights (NS) (definitely unique…), Pink (P), Yellow (Y) and Yellow with Golden Highlights (YG). I chose 1.2 YG (Light) in both Serum and Coverage.
Shade range of The Ordinary Foundations (from The Ordinary website)
Swatches
Right out of the bottle, the serum and coverage foundations are definitely different.
Serum Foundation – Coverage Foundation
The Serum foundation comes out like water. It’s very similar to the Fenty foundation right out of the bottle. The Coverage foundation is similar to a traditional cream foundation with a bit more structure.
Serum Foundation – Coverage Foundation
Once spread out a little they look similar. You can tell that the Serum foundation to the left spreads out a bit more fine than the Coverage which makes sense.
Serum Foundation – Coverage Foundation
Fully blended, the most interesting part is that the shades end up actually looking different. The Serum foundation looks similar to the foundation out of the bottle, but the Coverage foundation sets a bit darker.
Application
Coverage Foundation on the left – Serum Foundation on the right
I’ve tried applying both of these with a makeup sponge and brush. I found they applied a bit better with a sponge than a brush. Even though these both came out so different in the bottle I found the finish was actually quite similar. The Coverage foundation did provide more coverage, but they both had a demi-matte finish.
Coverage Foundation
On the left side of my face we have the Coverage foundation. You can definitely tell it runs a bit more orange. Finish-wise looks good. My complaint is that I found it a bit finicky to get it to look even. It actually looks pretty decent on camera, but it was almost like the pigment doesn’t spread evenly. I found this especially on my nose. I used this with and without primer with the same results.
Serum Foundation
On the right side I have the Serum foundation. You can kinda tell that the redness is peeking through a bit more than the Coverage side. Similar to the Coverage side, I found that I had a tough time with application. It’s like the pigment wouldn’t wholly cover my face especially my nose. Very similar to the Coverage side as well in that a sponge worked better to apply this.
Wear
The wear time on both of these is very similar. I found that they lasted for a full days which is great. I found myself getting a bit oily in the T zone, but nothing crazy. In general though, as mentioned in application, the pigment itself didn’t look totally smooth. This didn’t necessary accentuate throughout the day but it remained even as it mixed with the natural oils in my skin (which I’ve found sometimes helps this).
Price
I’ll make this short: the foundations are dirt cheap. If you can find them, they are definitely drugstore prices (even lower than some). The Serum foundation is $6.70 CAD and the Coverage foundation is $6.90 CAD. So the Coverage foundation will cost you a bit more, but I would dare say they are the same price!
Verdict
For the price, I would say these foundations are worth a try. These are pretty good foundations, but not the best I’ve tried. The beading up of the colour pigment is a bit annoying, but not sure if that just happens to me. The wear on these and the finish are good for a drugstore priced foundation.
If you need a bit more coverage, the Coverage foundation would definitely be best. I would (if you can) buy the shade you think you are and maybe the one lighter due to the slight darkening.
The Serum foundation has a bit more of a natural look, but still wears just as long as the Coverage one.
And there is my review! Hope it was helpful if you were looking at purchasing these!
Thanks for reading! Have a great day!
*Purchased
18 Comments
I love this!! Fantastic photos and descriptions. I also find the texture hard to deal with, but on the days you get it right, it has a good lasting power. I’ve been enjoying the lightening drops from Ths Body Shop so much recently, I find they even improve the texture of some foinsations. Maybe it could help with the slightly more orange one. Xoxox
Madeline, classicallycontemporary.com
Thanks Mad!! 🙂 I totally agree I can get some really good wear out of this. Oh wow yeah I’m definitely going to look into those drops then! 🙂 Thanks for the tip!
I had some issues with the coverage foundation as well! I didn’t get a chance to pick up the serum foundation but if you say it’s quite similar to the Fenty foundation then I definitely want to give it a go <3
Stephanie | theFantasia.com
Yeah it was similar to Fenty in that it was really water to begin with, but then sets on your skin fast! Coverage wise not nearly as good as Fenty, but for a more natural look, it could work!
What a great review!! I havent tried either but I definitely want to now!
Thanks Taylor! For the price you can’t really go wrong!
Interesting the colour difference in these! I’m interested to try them out too!!!
Right? I thought the colour difference was quite odd too! Just a slight difference, but still noticeable!
I love the serum foundation personally as something with a BIT more structure on days where I can’t just throw on BB cream, maybe due to redness or so, but I don’t want to bother with full face. I actually apply the serum straight on my face/hands and go from there. I know, sacrilege, but I found it worked better.
Fair enough, and I think coverage wise the Serum foundation meets those needs. Not at all, I have done that too (apply with hands), but not much different in how it settles unfortunately! I should try and mix it up though, maybe it’s how i’m rubbing it in!
I’ve heard so much about this brand and I still haven’t tried any of their products but for $7 I dare say I’ll be picking up one of these foundations for sure! I just have a hard time being colour matched so hopefully I can get some help.
Oh wow, if you’re interested in skincare, they are definitely worth looking into. If you can go into one of their stores, they should be able to help you colour match! I’m so terrible at matching myself too, but decided to just trust my gut. I think I was pretty close actually!
I love the Serum foundation! I’ve been curious about the Coverage foundation but I’ve seen so many mixed reviews so I’m hesitant. I guess it’s worth a shot though as it’s super inexpensive. Great comparison post 🙂
Nicole | The Glam Surge
Definitely inexpensive so worth a try!! 🙂
Mel, these photos are so crisp!
Thanks Shawna! The lighting was so good and I find the textured placemat really helped! 🙂
I got both the Serum and Coverage in 1.2Y, but it looks super yellow on me so I think I might be 1.2N, but I bought them during the crazy sell out stage so I just wanted ANY colour really. I agree that for the price, these are pretty good, but neither are my favourite formulas after trying so many foundations at this point in my life.
Yeah I think I could have gone for a 1.2 N as well. I feel the exact same way. I don’t think i’d repurchase, but hopefully I can still finish them!