Boots No7 Colour Match Service

I’m a little late to the party with this one and I’m sure you’re all aware of the Boots No7 Colour Match Service, but just in case you’re not, here are my thoughts.  The idea behind the service is that you visit a No7 counter and have your skin matched to the correct shade using computing technology, which pretty much involves having your face scanned on several parts (usually each lower cheek) and the computer gizmo then calculates the exact shade match for your skin tone and what foundations your shade match is available in.

The reason I’ve delayed this post is because I first became fully aware of the service at a Boots press event just before I went away, so we thought it’d be a good idea to test the computer to its full capabilities by having one match done before I went and one when I got back.

So! Before I went away I was matched to the shade Calico which is the lightest shade (no surprise there) and the fit was perfect; I was given Stay Perfect Foundation to take away with me on the day and it blended absolutely seamlessly.  The only problem with this foundation is that, whilst it’s a great colour match, it isn’t high enough coverage for me since I’m now relying on foundation to cover everything up rather than foundation and concealer, but if you’ve got fairly good skin then this is a great choice for you as once you’re colour matched you will literally look like you haven’t got anything on your skin.  I’m optimistic that I’ll have a use for this foundation in the near future!

When I got back from holiday, I went to my local Boots and was colour matched again and I’m pleased to report that after day upon day of sunbathing (I know it’s bad but I was crying out for a touch of colour) I came back exactly……one shade darker! So Cool Vanilla was my shade for my tanned skin.  I was mucho pleased that I had actual proof that I had developed a bit of colour, and for a good 8 days I got to smugly apply my darker shade foundation.

Unfortunately, after about a week the shade was too dark for me again, so I had to hop-foot it back to Calico, yet by this point I’d fallen in love with the foundation formula I’d been sent in Cool Vanilla, so I purchased the Calico version of this foundation which is No7’s Beautifully Matte.

Beautifully Matte is an absolute dream to use as it provides phenomenal coverage that doesn’t look heavy, it’s a matte finish without a trace of chalkiness and due to it’s coverage I can completely skip concealer which is fantastic.  It’s soooo easy to use, blends in brilliantly thanks to the colour matching and for skin like mine, it’s ideal.  So if you’re oily skinned or spot prone then I strongly recommend getting your skin matched and trying out the Beautifully Matte as it really is fabulous.

I’m really pleased Boots have released a process that will definitely make picking foundation easier as they’ve completely streamlined the whole experience.  To get your perfect match, just visit Boots, let them gizmo your face, tell them what sort of formula and/or coverage you’re after and you’re done!

Beautifully Matte is priced at £12.50 and Stay Perfect is priced at £14.

Disclosure: Beautifully Matte in Cool Vanilla and Stay Perfect in Calico were PR samples, Beautifully Matte in Calico was purchased by me.