foundation

YSL Le Cushion Foundation Encre De Peau Fusion Ink Review and Swatch

June 8, 2016

Finally posting a review for the much raved Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Le Cushion Foundation Encre De Peau Fusion Ink. Cushion foundation has been around in Asia for years and it finally got picked up in the west, as we are seeing waves of western beauty brands such YSL, Bobbi Brown, Clinique etc launching their versions. One thing to note is that the YSL Cushion is made in Korea, but both the packaging and formula is much better than what you can find from most local Korean brands. I have been using it everyday for weeks and I am very convinced that I will re-purchase this over and over!

The YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation is Asia Exclusive, and is also available in Australia which retails for $88 including the case, and you can also purchase the refill individually for $57. If you want to skimp you can purchase the refill only and fit it into other cushion compacts (not all compacts fit so you need to do a bit of research). But I highly recommend you not to miss this gorgeous black and gold case! Different to a normal bottled foundation, cushion foundation will start to dry out over 6 months as it is not completely vacuumed, so it’s best to use the product within several months after opening. I also find that a standard sized cushion foundation lasts about 2 month of daily use, as opposed to a bottle foundation which normally last me years. A tip for you is that you can flip the cushion to get more product out from the other side.

Ever since I posted a picture of this foundation on my Instagram, I received a lot of questions about how is this different to the other cushion foundations on the market.

– Most cushion foundations I have used have a very diluted opacity with sheer coverage. The YSL has a more creamy and opaque consistency that offers sheer to medium coverage with a weightless feel. This is a true foundation with coverage that is on par with any sheer to medium liquid foundation – it covers up pores and mild imperfections, and evens out skin tone beautifully.

– A little product goes a long way, as I only need to gently dab the applicator onto the cushion, and it is enough to do half of the face. For application, the enclosed flat sponge is still the best tool for applying cushion foundation, as it is designed for patting it into the skin for the most natural and seamless finish (don’t blend!). I’ve tried applying it with different foundation brushes and rectangle sponges but the results were not the same.

– Most cushion foundation gives a very dewy finish and is more suitable for normal to dry skin. The YSL also feels hydrating and fresh, but gives a creamy semi-matte finish with a soft glow that doesn’t look artificial. It makes the complexion look very clean, and this formula also works better for people with normal to oily skin as it does not crease as easily as with other more dewy formulas. I have normal to dry skin, without the loose powder and this foundation will hold for 4-5 hours. I normally dust a little powder just over my t-zone and the foundation lasts a whole day with a little oil coming through in an indoor environment. No oxidation as well!

– Also loving the fact it has SPF 23 and PA+++

lots of product from a gentle dab

The only flaw with the foundation is that the sponge applicator is not the softest.

I bought the foundation in shade 10 which is the brightest shade. It has mostly a neutral undertone with tiny a hint of pink. I am normally MAC NC15, YSL B20, and this shade runs true to its color as it is a tad brighter than the B20 range in YSL foundations. On me there is a slight brightening effect for my NC15 complexion, but it’s not making me look pale.

Here is a swatch comparison with YSL Touche Eclat Foundation in BR20 (the old formula – reviewed here), YSL Youth Liberator Serum Foundation in B20 (reviewed here), and Sulwhasoo Cushion Foundation in shade 21 (reviewed here).

{ 4 comments }

Labels: foundation • YSL

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation Review and Swatch

January 12, 2016

My blogging mojo is finally back after a much-needed lazy but wonderful short holiday break! Starting the new year with a new foundation review – the latest Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation (also available on Chanel.com ). This new range came to my radar as soon as I saw the preview picture last year, and I am thrilled to find that this is officially my favorite foundation by Chanel as of now!

Texture

It has a lightweight creamy consistency that is different to the usual liquid foundation. It is almost similar to a tinted cream consistency but applies more opaque with a better coverage. This creamy foundation melds into the skin with minimum blending required and leaves no streaks nor dry patches. It also feels weightless and breathable on the skin which is ideal for the spring and summer time.

Coverage

Like most Chanel foundations, the Les Beiges offers sheer to medium coverage. On me it requires less than a pump for a sheer coverage, and buildable to a fuller coverage with 1 and a half pump. Since this foundation has a thicker and more opaque texture than a liquid foundation, I find that half a pump of this gives the same coverage as with a full pump of a typical liquid foundation. It covers most of the mild imperfections and redness, and also covers the pores exceptionally well. In comparison, I would say the coverage of this one is better than Chanel Vitalumiere AQUA, MUFE Ultra HD Foundation (review), and on par with Chanel Perfection Lumiere (review) or Dior Diorskin Star Foundation (review).

Finish

Every good foundation has one element that stands out, and to me the finish of Les Beiges is absolutely unbeatable. It is exactly what I am after from a foundation to use in the warm weather season, and I am completely obsessed with this healthy glow that it gives. Once applied, it settles into a dry finish so no loose powder is required after that. The finish is very natural and porcelain-like – it’s not dewy but it makes the skin look more smooth and creamy, and gives a radiant glow that doesn’t look so artificial. I like to apply this foundation with a sponge (highly recommend the Shu Uemura Sponge) rather than the foundation brush, and if I just tap the foundation into the skin with a sponge, it gives the best result for a more flawless finish.

Lasting Power

Thumbs up for lasting power as well. It controls the oil really well over 7-8 hours of wear, and keeps the complexion looking fresh with no oxidation. To retain the coverage, you will need a bit of retouch once a day.

Color Match

I bought shade 10 (the lightest shade) which has a neutral undertone and is a great match for my skin at the moment (NC10-15).

pictures are taken under natural light

Bottom Line: If you are generally a Chanel foundation fan, you will fall in love with this new foundation. I actually think this is the best foundation Chanel has ever released for my skin type. The Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow retails for AUD$89, and is now available here and here in Australia.

{ 9 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • foundation

A Round-up of the Best base face products for combination and oily skin

November 28, 2015

My previous post on my reader’s requests about how I clean my brushes was very well received, so I though I’d include a post that addresses some of the other most frequently asked questions. Today’s round-up is my picks for the base products for normal, combination to oily skin that have a great staying power in hot and humid weather and still look natural.

This is the list of my favorite products that are great for controlling the oil throughout the day, and most importantly they tick the criteria for not looking too matte, powdery and cakey on the face.

1. MAC Prep and Prime -I bought the full size bottle of this after using a sample as I loved it so much. I am not a big fan of MAC base products but thumbs up for this one. It smoothes out the skin, covers and fills up the pores and creases, and slightly mattifies the skin without feeling silicony and heavy. The foundation sets beautifully on top of this primer, and gives an airbrushed finish of a more even and refined skin texture. It also helps to keep the shine and oil away for a longer time.

2. Make Up For Ever Smoothing Primer – Similar concept to the MAC, but more mattifying and covers the pores better. It has a heavier silicone texture than the MAC, and takes away excess oil and shine completely. Highly recommend it to anyone who has oily skin with large pores.

3. Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation – My go-to foundation for the hot weather. It has a milky fluidy texture, feels lightweight, and offers a great coverage. It sets slightly more matte and powdery than the other fluid foundations, but it still gives the signature Chanel radiant glow from their Lumiere range. It also photographs beautifully – natural with a soft glow but not shiny.

4. Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation (reviewed here) – I wasn’t very impressed with this foundation at first as I was in a ‘dewy foundation’ phase back then, and fell in love with it during the summer time, as it has an amazing stay power and keeps my face looking fresh and clean for the whole day. It gives a velvety finish that is a tad more matte than the Mat Lumiere upon application, and it becomes more natural and luminous over time. Would only recommend this to normal to oily skin types.

5. Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder – A very mattifying powder, and a little goes a long way. I only dust a very sheer amount on to my t-zone on a normal day, and it keeps the shine away for the whole day. I brought this along with the Mat Lumiere foundation to my last tropical vacation, and they worked wonders keeping my makeup on without melting for the whole day in very humid weather. It can look slightly powdery if applied too much, and it is not the most finely milled powder (can slightly enhance the pores around the cheeks) compared to the other high end powders I have in my collection.

6. Cle De Peau Translucent Loose Powder – My absolute holy grail for so many years. The most luxurious, silkiest and finely milled loose powder you can find in the stores. It looks natural, non powdery, and gives a brightening and more refined finish as it helps to cover the pores and lift the dullness. It slightly mattifies the skin and guarantees to keep your makeup stay put all day.

{ 4 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • CLE DE PEAU • foundation • MAC • Makeup Base • MAKEUP FOREVER • My Favorites • POWDER • PRIMER

MAKE UP FOR EVER ULTRA HD Invisible Cover Foundation Review and Swatch

November 16, 2015

Over the years I have used tons of foundations, and the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD was one of the few foundations that I used up completely and was in love with it at all time. So when I saw the latest release – the MUFE ULTRA HD Invisible Cover Foundation (also available at the Sephora AU), I had to have it!

Overall I am very pleased with my purchase, as this foundation impressed me considering the mass amount of foundations I own. It is a great foundation in all aspects, and it stands out in its signature ‘HD invisible finish’ that applies simply undetected on the skin with decent coverage.

Texture

It has a fluid milky texture and feels very lightweight on the skin. Compared to the original formula, this newer version is much more moisturizing and works better on dryer skin. It melds into your skin effortlessly without the need of any primer (even for very dry skin and the under-eye areas), and it doesn’t enhance any lines nor dry patches.

Coverage

Coverage is about sheer to medium that is on par with most of the liquid foundations on the market. It covers redness, mild imperfections and evens up the skin tones, but you will need a concealer for covering dark circles, breakouts, and dark acne marks/pigmentation. Does an average job for covering the visible pores, so if you want to achieve a complete poreless complexion I would recommend using a pore smoothing primer over the troubled areas.

Finish

This foundation is absolutely amazing for its invisible finish. I always prefer using natural looking foundations, but this is the first foundation I have used that applies without blending required! I have tried many tools, and the best tool for application would be a flat top kabuki synthetic brush. My favorites are the Dior Brush or the Marc Jacobs Beauty brush (review). With this type of brush, it feels like applying an eraser to the complexion as you are done with foundation application with only one stroke – it leaves with absolutely no streaks and looks traceless in a semi matte finish with a hint of satiny glow. It is also buildable to a higher coverage whilst still looking invisible on the skin.

Lasting power

Without setting this foundation with loose powder, it lasts about 6-7 hours indoor and the skin becomes more dewy as the natural oil starts to come through. And you will notice the foundation creases a little around the t-zone and mouth areas. I normally dust a sheer layer of loose powder which helps this foundation to last a whole day without creasing nor oxidation.

Shade

My shade is between NC15-20, and I bought the shade Y205 Albaster (comparable to Nc15) which is the lightest shade of the selection.

Swatch comparison

{ 8 comments }

Labels: foundation • MAKEUP FOREVER

Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation Review and Swatch

October 19, 2015

Compact foundation is one makeup item to splurge on as the high end brands are far more superior than the drugstores. Whether you wear it as a full foundation or simply for makeup retouching, the new Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation ticks all the criteria for probably the best you can get in the market now.

It comes in Tom Ford’s signature ultra luxury case. The enclosed sponge has two different textures – the smooth side for a sheer application, and the velvety side for a fuller coverage application.

Texture and Finish

I was blown away the first moment I felt the product at the counter – it has the silkiest, most finely milled powder texture. The powder foundation blends in to the skin seamlessly, and applies evenly with no creasing nor patches. The coverage is equivalent to a sheer-medium foundation. If you apply the powder foundation with the enclosed sponge, or a fluffy powder brush, it sets even more natural than a normal liquid foundation. The finish is a clean and poreless version of ‘your-skin-but-better’ and semi matte that lets your own skin’s radiance through. For a fuller coverage, I prefer to apply it with a kabuki brush (or a flat top brush) that would cover most of the mild imperfections. The finish is flawless and porcelain-like in a natural way but not cakey and heavy.

Shade Cream

Lasting Power

As the weather is getting hotter in Australia now, I particularly love wearing this foundation as it is more mattifying than my other foundations. Lasting power is about 6-8 hours on me with very little oil coming through at the end of the day for my dry skin. It also doesn’t oxidize, crease nor settle into the pores throughout the day. For makeup retouching, the powder foundation also applies well on top of your existing makeup. If you have cream based products underneath, I would wait till it dries then apply the powder foundation on top. Otherwise they will not blend well.

Shade Reference

I am between NC15-NC20, and I bought the Tom Ford Powder foundation in shade Cream which matches me perfectly. I pulled out some other powder foundations including the YSL Touche Eclat Powder Foundation B10 (reviewed here), Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Powder Foundation B10, Tom Ford finish powder in Ivory Fawn (reviewed here) for comparisons.

Comparison Swatches:

Brush recommendations include (clockwise): THREE Powder Brush (more info here), Tom Ford Bronzer Brush; Suqqu Face Brush (reviewed here); MAC Blending Brush (similar here); CHIKUHODO Powder Brush

The Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation is available online here in Australia.

{ 0 comments }

Labels: BRUSHES • CHIKUHODO • foundation • MAC • POWER FOUNDATION • THREE • Tom Ford

Dior Diorskin Star Studio Foundation Review and Swatch

August 26, 2015

I have about a dozen new foundations sitting on my dresser, so I thought I had better get my act together to resume my reviews for foundations as I haven’t done one for so long! The Dior Diorskin Star Studio Foundation is the one I have been reaching out for constantly, as it just works really well with my skin and I love the naturally radiant and luminous finish.

Texture and formulation

The Dior Star Foundation has a slightly thick milky texture (not as fluidy as other liquid foundations), and it is best to be applied with a foundation brush or sponge for an even finish. My top preferences are either the Dior Backstage foundation brush which gives an airbrushed finish with a fuller coverage, or with the beauty blender which gives a slightly more translucent and dewy finish. Except for oily skin, I think the formula works great for most skin types. I have used this foundation in extreme cold weather conditions, and the formula is ‘creamy’ enough to be used on dry skin as the light-reflective pigments makes the skin appear more plumped and it does not enhance any fine lines nor dry patches. On days that my skin behaves normally, this foundation holds nicely throughout the day, and it does not fade nor crease. However there is a little bit of oil coming through around my t-zone after half a day of wear.

Coverage and finish

For a fluid foundation, the Dior offers pretty decent coverage. I normally use less than a pump and it gives a medium coverage (dependent on the tool you use) that takes away the dullness, redness and most of the mild imperfections. It feels weightless on the skin, and it goes on seamlessly and completely blends into your own skin. It gives a semi-satiny finish with a soft luminous glow – like a soft beauty light shining on your face that helps to diffuse and reflect the light on your skin to camouflage the imperfections rather than masking them. If you look at the swatches below, you will see that the Dior has a velvety finish (not as dewy as the others) and once it blends into the skin it just looks really beautiful and natural but not dull and matte.

Color

I bought the foundation in shade 020 light beige which has a hint of pink undertone to it. It matches my skin well with a slight brightening effect which I absolutely adore. The brightening effect makes your complexion look radiant, healthy and well-rested but doesn’t make you look pale white. In a way the effect of this foundation is quite similar to the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation with an emphasis on “creating light” on your skin.

Comparison swatch (left to right): MAC Mineralize NC20 (reviewed here); Chanel Perfection Lumiere 20 ; YSL Touche Eclat BK20 (reviewed here); Giorgio Armani Designer Lift 3 (reviewed here); Dior Star 020

I bought the Dior Star Foundation and the Dior Backstage Foundation brush here and here in Australia. Always have my beauty blenders restocked on NAP.

{ 2 comments }

Labels: DIOR • foundation

Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Foundation Compact Review

July 4, 2015

There is a buzz going on around the cushion foundation which is another brilliant invention from Korea in the wave of BB and CC creams. I got myself the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Foundation Compact which has won the best reviews amongst all the other Korean beauty brands, and I am loving this foundation to bits!

To those of you who are not familiar with the brand, Sulwhasoo is a high-end Korean beauty brand that is known for their ultra nourishing Ginseng infused skincare products and they have also released some popular makeup products including this one. It is owned by Amore Pacific which is the biggest beauty company in Korea, and is probably the most well-known and popular high-end Korean brand that is available internationally (you can find them at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus).

The Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Foundation is housed in a round ivory compact case, with a full size foundation and sponge refills. The case is sturdy and looks quite elegant, and it has two compartments and the sponge is placed on a divider so it’s more hygienic. The foundation has a liquid texture, and is protected under a mesh. For application, you gently tap the sponge on to the mesh to dispense the foundation. Cushion foundation comes from the concept of applying foundation with a damp sponge, so the texture is more sheer and watery, and it goes on more dewy and natural. If this is your preferred way of application, then cushion foundation is your ideal alternative to a conventional foundation that is more convenient and fun to use.

The coverage of this foundation is on the low side, as it only helps to blur out the unevenness and the pores, but it does not cover much imperfections or redness. I normally wear a sheer layer of BB cream or tinted primer underneath the cushion foundation for a flawless yet natural looking finish. If you have good skin to begin with then wearing this product alone is suffice for a ‘your-skin-but-better’ finish. It has a translucent, semi-dewy finish and adds a ‘filter-like’ radiant glow to the skin, and because of its high water content, it makes the complexion appear more hydrated and plumped. Instead of calling this foundation, I would say this is more of a skin perfecter as it further enhances and improves the appearance of the complexion. I have worn this over all sorts of base products including foundation, powder, and also used it for retouching my makeup throughout the day, and it never fails to make my skin appear more refreshed and glowy without caking up. Lasting power is about 6-7 hours on me in an indoor environment, and is SPF50+.

I bought the Sulwhasoo foundation in shade No21 which is quite similar to NC20. I am currently NC15 so this shade is a tad warmer for my complexion, but overall I can still wear this without a noticeable mismatch.

Swatch

{ 3 comments }

Labels: foundation • SULWHASOO

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Illuminating Compact Powder Foundation Review

December 10, 2014

Finally got some time to update my blog after a busy week. Today’s review is for the YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Compact Illuminating Powder Foundation SPF35+++ (Asia exclusive) which I can’t stop gushing about! It was the talk of town when it was launched last year in Asia, but I was just not that into it back then. Recently I was on the hunt for the best compact powder foundation, so I went a little overboard and bought everything on my wishlist and The YSL happened to be the most affordable as well as my favorite so far!

Packaging:

The YSL Le Teint Compact Powder Foundation is housed in the signature YSL gold mirrored case that’s quite prone to finger prints. The sponge that comes with the products feels a little cheap. I bought mine at David Jones (so glad that it’s available in Australia!). The case and the actual product are sold separately.

Texture and Coverage:

The compact powder is extremely finely milled so it gives a silky and creamy touch to it. On my dry skin, it applies seamlessly and flawlessly so does not look powdery at all. If this is applied by a powder blush, then it sets as natural as a good loose powder but offers much better coverage. I normally apply this on top of a sheer foundation with a brush, and it covers up the rest of the small imperfections such as pores and redness that your normal foundation does not cover. Otherwise if it is applied by a sponge, it gives more of an airbrushed foundation-like finish with a build-able coverage.

The Glow

Compared to the traditional compact powder foundations, this one gives the most beautiful illuminating glow but also helps to mattify the skin so it doesn’t make your complexion look flat and cakey. I love using this one on top of a sheer layer of the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation (reviewed here), and together they make my skin look like I have a beauty dish light shining on my face! Overall I would describe the finish as a creamy satin finish with a beautiful glow (not dewy) when it’s freshly applied.

Why do I love it?

The best thing about this product is that it does not oxidize, and makes your complexion look even better over time. I find my complexion appears miraculously brighter and more luminous after a few hours of wear when the oil starts to come through, giving it a more natural and slightly dewy look that I absolutely adore for my dry skin.

Color

I bought the color B10 which matches me perfectly. It’s impossible to swatch powder and hopefully my picture will give you an idea of how B10 matches my skintone (NC15).

Bottom Line: Perfection and definitely enhanced the performance of the Touche Eclat liquid foundation! I bought mine at David Jones, and unfortunately this one is not available in the US and Europe.

{ 6 comments }

Labels: foundation • POWDER • POWER FOUNDATION • YSL

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →