MCOBEAUTY'S $35 FOUNDATION DROPS TAKE ON A $185 LUXURY FAVOURITE

If you have ever stood at a beauty counter doing the maths on a luxury foundation, this one is for you.

Aussie beauty brand MCoBeauty has just launched its new Foundation Drops, priced at $35.

The brand says the drops are its answer to a $185 luxury alternative, which leaves beauty lovers with an extra $150 in their back pocket.

That is more than most of us spend on our entire makeup bag, so it is little wonder the launch is already creating a buzz.

The Foundation Drops landed exclusively at Chemist Warehouse on 9 November.

What are MCoBeauty's foundation drops?

Foundation drops are a lightweight, liquid base that you dispense a few drops at a time, so you can build coverage exactly where you want it.

MCoBeauty's version is designed to give a luminous finish that blends effortlessly into the skin for a natural, skin-like look.

According to the brand, the drops deliver up to 12 hours of wear.

Skin is also said to feel hydrated for up to 12 hours, which is handy as we head into the warmer, drier months of an Australian summer.

Meet the MCo8 Complex

The real point of difference is what MCoBeauty has put inside the bottle.

The brand's chemists developed their own MCo8 Complex, combining eight skincare ingredients to help support healthy-looking skin.

The blend brings together two vitamins, two peptides and four amino acids.

Together, they are designed to help support skin elasticity, soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve the look of skin texture and brightness.

In other words, it is a foundation that aims to do a little skincare while you wear it.

MCoBeauty's Senior R&D Chemist, Shaakila Nordien, says the team wanted more than coverage.

"MCo8 was developed with the consumer in mind," she says.

"This foundation couldn't simply be another product whose only benefit is coverage. There had to be something more in it for the skin and that's what inspired the MCo8 blend."

From dupe to 'superdupe'

MCoBeauty has built its reputation on offering affordable alternatives to some of the world's most coveted luxury beauty products.

Now the brand says it is taking that 'superdupe' approach one step further.

Its in-house chemists study everything from viral products to customer feedback, then use those insights to create formulas that do more than simply cost less.

The aim is to bring something extra to the table, rather than just copying a luxury favourite.

It is a smart move at a time when many Australian households are watching every dollar in the lead-up to Christmas.

If you have been following the brand, you may remember its salon-style haircare range, which took the same budget-friendly approach to hair.

How to get the best from foundation drops

Start with freshly moisturised skin and give your skincare a minute or two to sink in before you apply your base.

Begin with just one or two drops, dotted on the centre of the face, and blend outwards with fingertips, a damp sponge or a brush.

Add another drop only where you need extra coverage, such as around the nose or on any redness.

Because the finish is luminous, you may want a light dusting of powder on the T-zone if you tend to get shiny through the day.

If you are between shades, swatch along the jawline in natural light, as store lighting can be misleading.

The verdict on price

At $35, the Foundation Drops sit firmly in the affordable category while promising some of the skin-loving extras we usually pay a premium for.

The range covers a spread of shades, from Fair through to Golden Bronze, so most skin tones should be able to find a match.

For anyone who loves a glowing base but not a glowing credit card bill, these could be well worth a try.

MCoBeauty Foundation Drops with MCo8, $35, are available now exclusively at Chemist Warehouse.