Hey guys! Today's review is going to be in the form of a video - I'm testing out the L'Oreal Genius True Match, a foundation that claims to be a primer, foundation, concealer, and setting powder all in one. It's quick, I'll give it that. Check it out in my latest video!
All in all, I found this foundation to be perfect for when you're just looking for a quick, good-coverage foundation to wear on an everyday basis. For more important events and occasions, I would prefer my full face routine and a normal foundation, but this is a really good, affordable and quick option for when I'm heading out to run errands or for a quick bite to eat.
It has been a hot minute since I did one of my foundation reviews, hasn't it! I hope you guys have missed it, but not so much that you've not been happy with me ;)
Today's foundation is one that I'm sure a lot of people have been very excited about since its announcement - the Diorsnow Bloom Perfect Perfect Moist Cushion Foundation. This is Dior's first venture into cushion foundations, using Korean technology to develop a beautiful product with Dior's Diorsnow formulation.
The foundation comes in your typical cushion foundation packaging, with the branding printed on slightly raised clear resin so the print casts shadows in the light. It comes with one cushion and one applicator sponge. Here's the kicker - this foundation comes with a refill! This is rare for luxury cushions, and more likely than not, a first in the Western luxury cushion foundation market. Talk about getting more bang for your buck!
In terms of performance, I was a little sad at first to discover that I wasn't very impressed by this cushion foundation.
HOWEVER, fast forward weeks after my first few trials, I came back to this foundation one night after rediscovering it in one of my makeup boxes. I had had enough of this other cushion foundation I was trialling (this one had little to no coverage, not something my skin would appreciate at this point in time - Auntie Flo has started showing acneic signs of her impending arrival) and thought I would just slap it on since I was in a rush to head out and needed something to cover my pimples at least a little bit. A few pats later, I was staring into the mirror at lovely, even-toned, glowing, healthy-looking skin. You know how there are just some foundations that have that little extra oomph to them, that can give your skin this lovely, healthy glow, colour-correct it so it looks extra healthy and perky, and just cover all those pesky uneven spots in your skin? That was exactly what this foundation did for me that night.
Excited, I applied the same foundation the following morning in bright daylight, and it did exactly as expected - pretty, glowy skin!
Another plus? I hadn't used it in weeks, and it showed no signs of drying up or pooling in particular areas of the cushion - there was still a moist well of foundation left, and it was still really easy to pick up with my applicator and apply.
With Diorsnow Bloom Perfect Perfect Moist Cushion, applied in 2-3 layers, light translucent powder on the T-zone.
The coverage is light to medium, but it is buildable, so layer on extra foundation where you feel you need a bit more coverage. For acne, you will need an extra concealer. Because this foundation is so light, I found that I could use it underneath my eyes without issue, plus most cushion foundations are made this way anyway, so you have a complete base solution to take with you on the go.
One thing I must mention is that this product is very dewy, hence the glowing finish. If you have an oily skin like I do, make sure you have a mattifying powder to apply to your oily areas. If you have very oily skin all over, then I would suggest a mattifying foundation instead, as this foundation does not hold up well against sweat or oil.
Overall, a fantastic addition to the Diorsnow range. At the moment, I believe it's only available in Asian markets and retails for RM268 per pack (compact, cushion, applicator, and refill). Shades are limited, with only 3 available at the moment.
TGIF GUYS!!!
Today, I'm so excited to be sharing with you a vlog of a short day in my life! I've always been a little nervous about vlogs, and haven't done many (yet, hopefully), so I hope that you guys like this video!
I actually started off the vlog trying out this new foundation from THEFACESHOP - the Oil Control Water Cushion, and I wanted to share the review with you here (so as not to overwhelm you in the video).
Packaging
I love the packaging of cushion foundations. I think they're so convenient, easy to carry around, and convenient. I love the sponge applicator, and the compact case, and just so you know, the sponges on cushion foundations are the secret success of these products, because they do a wonderful job at applying foundation to the skin. I even use mine for other foundations, and they work a treat at blending concealer into your undereye area.
Product
This foundation is really dewy (you'll see it in the video, this baby has some serious glow to it!) and has a medium, buildable coverage. I had my reservations with its ability to control oil, but I was very surprised to find that it did a great job despite the fact that I was literally running around the entire day. I spent quite a bit of my day outdoors and sweating, and it still didn't need touching up. My nose area showed a bit of rubbing off, but the rest of the face was almost perfect.
Performance
I think this foundation performed better than most mattifying foundations. It did a massively fantastic job in our hot, humid weather. If you're more oily-skinned, all you need is to carry a little compact powder (use a mattifying powder if you're really oily) to blot up your T-zone, and you're set for the day. I was really pleased with this and am listing it up there as one of my top 3 cushion foundations.
THEFACESHOP Oil Control Water Cushion retails for RM88.93 per compact (one cushion) in all THEFACESHOP stores. There is a current promotion running (as of 23/10/2015) where you will get a free refill cushion worth RM 51.83 with your purchase!
Another one to add to my Foundation Review Series, guys, and this is an exciting one!
Sulwhasoo, for those of you who haven't heard of them, are a luxury Korean skincare brand who specialise in using ancient herbal medicinal ingredients in their skincare. They are the skincare of choice for anti-aging, and their products sell like crazy both within Korea and without.
I had trialled more than my fair share of cushion foundations by the time I received this, and I honestly thought I'd experienced everything these types foundations had to offer.
In this case, I'll admit, I was wrong. I'll tell you why in just a minute, but first, here's what Sulwhasoo says sets their Perfecting Cushion apart from the competition.
In this case, I'll admit, I was wrong. I'll tell you why in just a minute, but first, here's what Sulwhasoo says sets their Perfecting Cushion apart from the competition.
- Apricot kernel oil helps promote the production of collagen in the skin - an anti-aging element that improves the skin's elasticity and resilience
- Sulwhasoo's formulated JAUM Balancing Complex delivers long-lasting hydration to the skin
- A flexible film-fixing polymer protects the skin and reduces lines and wrinkles whilst providing optimal coverage
Here's what I loved about the cushion:
- It really does have amazing coverage - one of the best I've tried in cushion foundations. It covers most scars and blemishes without me needing to add extra concealer.
- Coverage is long-lasting - I don't need any touch ups but my makeup lasts well into the evening after work, and this is in humid, sweat-inducing weather!
- The finish is beautifully glowy, just take a look at my picture below:
This is an entirely unretouched, straight-from-camera picture. On my skin, I am wearing the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion without any concealer, topped off with some (matte) blush on my cheeks.
- As with most Korean cushion foundations, this comes with an extra cushion refill, so you're getting two for the price of one.
- In general, cushion foundations aren't the most long-lasting in terms of the amount of foundation you're getting per cushion, but I find that Sulwhasoo's Perfecting Cushion holds the most product out of all my other cushion foundations.
- Their puff applicator is by far the best in the business. This thing applies foundation beautifully! I even use it to apply my undereye concealer, and I've found that it really helps reduce the likelihood of my undereye concealer creasing and settling into the fine lines under my eyes. LOVE this!
What I didn't like about this foundation:
- Because of its glowy, hydrating finish, this foundation doesn't control oil very well (nor is it supposed to - the Koreans aren't big on controlling the dewiness of their foundations). In Malaysia, this is a bit of a problem. This is great to use in an air-conditioned environment, but if you plan on going out, it's best to bring a mattifying powder with you, along with the compact for touch-ups after.
- Even though this is advertised as being good for reducing the appearance wrinkles, it didn't do much for my undereye area. It still creases underneath the eyes, so I avoid applying it there and instead reach for a crease-resistant concealer, applied with Sulwhasoo's magic puff.
Overall, I have to say I love this foundation - it's become my everyday go-to, and I'm hooked! If you'd like to try this gorgeous product out for yourself, Sulwhasoo retails at their counters in Suria KLCC, Pavilion, 1U, and Gurney Plaza. The Evenfair Perfecting Cushion retails at RM180 per compact (with 1 free refill).
I'm back with another in my Foundation Review Series, and one I'm pretty excited about, too.
Laneige is a brand most people know of already, thanks to a strong international beauty market for Korean goods. The time of the BB cream is long gone; now is the time of the BB Cushion - a compact that houses a 'cushion' saturated in foundation liquid. You apply this with a sponge that comes together with the compact. I'm told the sponge is key to this sort of foundation as it disperses the product perfectly on the skin.
I first tried the BB cushion trend with Laneige's original offering - the BB Cushion SPF50. It is a beautiful foundation that gives me a gorgeous glow, and it is quite whitening, so I always got compliments when I wore it. Only issue is, Malaysia is as hot and as humid as ever, so I'm always looking for something more matte for my skin. By then, the BB Cushion [Pore Control] had already been released, so it was only a matter of time before I finally took the leap and spent the RM150 to purchase it. I chose the lightest colour, #13 True Beige, because my skin tone is only a tad bit darker than the colour of the foundation, and I wanted a brightened-skin effect. This colour achieved that perfectly for me.
'Pore Control' in this case simply means oil control, and when the Koreans say something, you had better be sure that they mean it! The oil control on this BB cushion is well beyond satisfactory - it keeps the oiliness at bay for a good 4-5 hours before letting through only a tiny bit of oil, and that's nothing a tiny powder touch-up won't fix. In fact, you can fix it by dabbing on a tiny bit more of this BB cushion, since it travels well. The compact comes with a sealing door which prevents the liquid from spilling out, and separating the puff applicator from the wet cushion until you're ready for your next application.
This has medium, buildable coverage. Here's what it looks like on my skin:
Laneige BB Cushion [Pore Control] in #13 True Beige applied with applicator puff, no concealer, no powder.
I've layered the foundation here in a few places like my cheeks and chin, and you'll see there are still a couple of stubborn, dark scars peeking through. Another problem area, around my nose, there are visible dark spots and pores that weren't fully covered and concealed. The coverage is still pretty good and on casual days I find I don't need to use concealer.
The finish is quite matte, though you do see a glow in the skin still, much more so than any other 'glowy finish' matte foundation I own.
All in all, this is a fantastic everyday foundation for oily-skinned girls and one of my favourites. The application is easy, the coverage is great, the oil control is great, and the finish is lovely. I highly recommend purchasing this. You can get yours at a Laneige counter near you, or at Sephora. One box comes with a refill cushion and will set you back a mere RM150.
In
Flawless Finish Fluide Foundation,
Foundation
Foundation Review Series: Laura Mercier Flawless Finish Fluide
Ladies, it's high time I added to my Foundation Review Series, and this time I have a new offering from the ever amazing Laura Mercier (my absolute favourite for base products) - the Flawless Finish foundation.
New-age foundations are all the rage nowadays, and Laura Mercier is the latest to hop aboard this trend. So let's get right into the review, shall we?
Product
As I mentioned before, new-age foundations are foundations that have a different texture from regular foundations - they're lighter and yet offer equal or more coverage, they are generally very fluid, and they dry down to a velvety finish on the skin. This foundation is slightly thicker than, say, the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet, but still definitely has that fluid texture. According to Laura Mercier, the light texture is a bi-phase, oil-free formula that mixes colour pigments together with 'reflective water' to give you both lightweight and true-to-colour coverage.
Packaging
I have to say, I'm not a fan of the packaging on this product. I had mine sitting in a drawer for a couple of weeks before I finally took it out to trial, and whilst it looks sleek on the outside, once I opened the screw cap, I saw that the product had leaked all over the thin spout-style dispenser and into the cap. What's more, my bottle won't dispense the foundation unless I bang it on the countertop.
Performance
What I love about this foundation is how well it sits on the skin - I am currently experiencing peeling skin from a laser treatment, which means that I'm having trouble with a lot of foundations separating and seeping into the 'cracks' and flakes in the skin, especially since my skin does get oily throughout the day. This one sits well on my skin without separating; I like to apply it with my fingers (as with all the new-age foundations that I use) as it helps the product blend into the skin and sit on the skin better. Plus, I find that these lightweight foundations are very quickly absorbed into foundation brushes and sponges, so I prefer my fingers. Remember to always shake the bottle vigorously before you start using the product.
Here's a bad photo of the foundation after it's been on my skin for about 4 hours. My chin is a problem area for me at the moment - I touch it a lot, there are bumps and acne, and it gets oily. As you can see, the foundation has stayed put on the rest of my face, but it's looking a little off on my chin area. I'll upload better photos soon!
The product also lasts very long on the skin, and provides a nice medium-to-full coverage. If you're oily, it starts off looking very velvety and matte on the skin, but as your skin produces oil throughout the day, it has decent oil control (if you're very oily, you will probably need a touch up with some powder) and ends up looking quite luminous. It can be layered to provide more coverage, but be careful not to layer too much because it will start balling up underneath your fingers if you do.
I would rate this product a 3.5/5 - I like the coverage and finish, the lasting power and oil control is okay, and I'm not a fan of the packaging. I would recommend this foundation for combination to oily skins.
Product
As I mentioned before, new-age foundations are foundations that have a different texture from regular foundations - they're lighter and yet offer equal or more coverage, they are generally very fluid, and they dry down to a velvety finish on the skin. This foundation is slightly thicker than, say, the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet, but still definitely has that fluid texture. According to Laura Mercier, the light texture is a bi-phase, oil-free formula that mixes colour pigments together with 'reflective water' to give you both lightweight and true-to-colour coverage.
Packaging
I have to say, I'm not a fan of the packaging on this product. I had mine sitting in a drawer for a couple of weeks before I finally took it out to trial, and whilst it looks sleek on the outside, once I opened the screw cap, I saw that the product had leaked all over the thin spout-style dispenser and into the cap. What's more, my bottle won't dispense the foundation unless I bang it on the countertop.
Performance
What I love about this foundation is how well it sits on the skin - I am currently experiencing peeling skin from a laser treatment, which means that I'm having trouble with a lot of foundations separating and seeping into the 'cracks' and flakes in the skin, especially since my skin does get oily throughout the day. This one sits well on my skin without separating; I like to apply it with my fingers (as with all the new-age foundations that I use) as it helps the product blend into the skin and sit on the skin better. Plus, I find that these lightweight foundations are very quickly absorbed into foundation brushes and sponges, so I prefer my fingers. Remember to always shake the bottle vigorously before you start using the product.
The product also lasts very long on the skin, and provides a nice medium-to-full coverage. If you're oily, it starts off looking very velvety and matte on the skin, but as your skin produces oil throughout the day, it has decent oil control (if you're very oily, you will probably need a touch up with some powder) and ends up looking quite luminous. It can be layered to provide more coverage, but be careful not to layer too much because it will start balling up underneath your fingers if you do.
I would rate this product a 3.5/5 - I like the coverage and finish, the lasting power and oil control is okay, and I'm not a fan of the packaging. I would recommend this foundation for combination to oily skins.
It's been a while since I've done a Foundation Review, but I am back with a vengeance, and kicking things off for this next batch of foundations is Shu Uemura's latest release - the Lightbulb UV Compact Foundation.
If you like glowing finish foundations or just Shu Uemura in general, you might have noticed the release of their Lightbulb Liquid Foundation last year - a foundation formulated to give you glowing skin the way you would if your face was lit by a soft lightbulb. The foundation comes packaged along with a sponge applicator (much like the BeautyBlender, except specially formulated for the Lightbulb foundation's texture) and was a huge success.
This year, Shu Uemura has come up with an ingenious sister product - the Lightbulb UV Compact Foundation. This is the Lightbulb foundation in powder form, and is perfect for use in our humid climate.
Packaging
I love the sleek, polished look of the egg-like compact that houses this foundation. It is made of plastic with a glossy finish, and the foundation plate lifts open to reveal Shu Uemura's special two-sided applicator. Yes, this foundation also comes with its own applicator, specially formulated for the foundation's texture and finish.
When you purchase, you get a refillable compact, a powder refill, and a sponge.
When you purchase, you get a refillable compact, a powder refill, and a sponge.
One side of the sponge is for application - swirl the sponge into the product, and then apply it in swiping motions; and the other side is to buff the product out to enhance the glow - buff in circular motions on the cheeks, and in zig-zag motions on the forehead, nose and chin.
Product
This compact comes in 16 shades - 2 more than the liquid - so they'll match most skin tones. The powder formulation on this foundation is very fine, so when applied it almost feels like a cream. It spreads onto the skin easily with the help of the applicator, but I've also tried and enjoyed using a buffing brush to apply it - I feel like you get a little more coverage with a buffing brush, though the finish isn't as 'glowy'. Apply with the packaged applicator, and you'll see a lovely, glowing finish.
The powder also contains an SPF of 30++, which is great, but as always, I encourage you to always apply your own sun protection, because you can't get enough sun protection from a foundation.
The powder also contains an SPF of 30++, which is great, but as always, I encourage you to always apply your own sun protection, because you can't get enough sun protection from a foundation.
Performance
I love that even though this is a powder texture foundation, it still gives me a luminous glow, as if I was wearing a liquid foundation. It feels really light and comfortable on the skin, and I especially appreciate that because liquid foundations (which are the type of foundation I normally use) can be quite thick and feel really sticky to the touch unless I set them with a powder. This lasts quite long on my skin, and oil only starts to show through at the end of the day (around 4pm).
One word of warning - make sure that your skincare/sunscreen has completely absorbed into your skin before applying this foundation. Otherwise, this foundation will ball up and crease wherever your skin is a bit wet and sticky from product.
Price
The Shu Uemura The Lightbulb UV Compact Foundation has been launched and is on counter now. It retails for RM180.
Price
The Shu Uemura The Lightbulb UV Compact Foundation has been launched and is on counter now. It retails for RM180.
There has been an insurgence of a brand new formulation of foundations - light, watery in texture, and generously glowy on the skin. Today, I bring you a review of one such foundation, and one that has been fast gaining a strong market presence worldwide - the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup.
Packaging
Sturdy, semi-opaque plastic, with a hygienic pump-applicator. The bottle actually looks a little bit like frosted glass, which is cute. One bottle carries 30mL of product.
Product
As mentioned earlier, this foundation is quite watery and light, and feels almost weightless on the skin. It is oil-free, so very well-suited to my fellow oily-skinned beauties. If you have dry skin, I recommend moisturising well before applying this foundation.
I am using the shade Ivory (I'm Pure 4 Sure), and this is a tiny bit light for my NW20 skin in the summer, but because it is so sheer, I can get away with it easily.
Performance
If you're looking for a foundation that gives you a lovely glow, and brightens and evens out your skin tone, then this is perfect.
Applied with fingers
Applied with a foundation brush
As you can see in the photos above, there is a definite brightness and a glow about the skin, but without making it look greasy or oily. Oil control is decent, though if you are particularly oily, I would suggest powdering your T-zone.
The coverage on this foundation is buildable - I have some acne spots around my cheeks and added an extra layer of foundation easily. It blends so beautifully and easily into the skin, especially when applied with fingers (my favourite way of applying this foundation)
I did find that when my skin was a little dry, and in areas that were a little bumpy on my skin, that this foundation tended to highlight these flaws. Therefore, I would suggest applying a primer before using this foundation if you have bumpy skin, and to moisturise if you have dry skin.
Overall, I think this is a great everyday foundation. It provides good coverage, and yet is so light that you feel almost nothing on the skin, and is so comfortable to wear. It is also a great pick-me-up in the mornings because it brings a beautiful radiance to your skin. If you're a fan of this type of foundation (think Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua or Estee Lauder Double Wear Light), then definitely drop by your nearest Benefit counter to check these out.
This product was sent for the purposes of review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.
You may remember my first ever trial and review of a CC (colour-correcting) cream - the Chanel CC Cream - which I found to be slightly underwhelming. CC cream has become a big thing in Asia, and is just making its way onto Australian shores in the form of the L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Cream.
Today I review this CC cream for you all, so settle into your seats, and let's get on with the show :)
Packaging
L'Oreal has packaged this cream in a tube almost identical to their original Nude Magique BB Cream, with some green gradient accents here and there, which I will explain later on in this post. The dispenser is exactly the same as the BB cream's - a small syringe-like tube opening.
Product
The Nude Magique CC Cream aims to correct and conceal redness in your skin, and as such comes with a green tint - to counteract the redness in the skin - hence the green accents in the packaging. The product itself is reminiscent of the Nude Magique BB cream - the light, liquid texture, the micro-beads, the whitish formula that changes colour when rubbed into the skin.
The formula comes in one standard colour which is supposed to match your skin tone once applied. I found that this was slightly dark for my NW20-ish skin, though it wasn't too obvious. This also leans quite strongly on the warm side.
Performance
I actually really like this CC cream. The very slight colour mismatch actually gives me a little bit of warmth, and the finish is a beautiful dewy texture.
Applied with a brush
Applied with fingers
I love the coverage of this CC cream. It provides medium coverage, and covers my pores and acne quite well. I recommend applying it with fingers because a little body heat really helps the product sink into the skin and create a beautiful glowing skin.
It lasts for hours on the skin without melting off, fading away, or sinking into fine lines or crevices on the face. It also does a great job at neutralising redness - the areas around the acne spots that you can see in the pictures above were quite obviously red and spread over a pretty wide area, but in the picture above, the redness has been concealed in most areas.
Overall, I think this is a fantastic effort from L'Oreal Paris. I love the texture, lasting power, coverage and anti-redness qualities in this CC cream, and how (relatively) affordable it is as well.
The L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique Anti-Redness CC Cream is available now and retails for AUD 26.95 per 30mL tube.
Happy Friday, everyone! I will be editing a tutorial today to hopefully get it out by tomorrow, so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, I thought I'd push on with the Foundation Review Series, and today I am reviewing the much-raved-about Diorsnow UV Shield BB Creme.
Packaging
I'm not sold on the packaging with this one, because I feel it is a little awkward. It comes in both a squeeze tube and a pump dispenser, and whilst the pump dispenser works perfectly fine, it gets a little awkward when product has accumulated at the end of the tube, and you need to squeeze it into the front of the tube before you can pump it out, and if you squeeze too much, the pump ends up dispensing too much product, too.
Product
SPF50 - who doesn't love that in a product? The BB cream itself has a slightly thick consistency, as with almost all BB creams, and is very easy to blend into the skin. It comes out of the tube slightly dark, but seems to match my skin well after application. Here is a swatch:
Performance
I think this BB cream provides a beautiful, flawless finish. It has a strong, medium coverage, and makes your skin glow!
Applied with a full coverage Dior foundation brush
Applied with fingers
In the pictures the BB cream comes off as a little bit oily, but in reality the oil control is pretty decent - I only started feeling a little slick after 3-4 hours of wear. It also has very good lasting power, and stayed put on my skin for hours and hours without fading in the least.
My favourite thing about this BB cream is the fact that it inexplicably is able to give your skin this healthy, refreshed, awake look. I'm not sure how they do this, but for some reason, whenever I wear this BB cream, I feel like I have no need for blush, undereye concealer, or even eyeliner. My face just looks really, really fresh. I love the effect it has on my skin!
I would recommend this BB cream for anywhere from a dry to an oily/combination skin. It has good coverage so even if you are acne prone this is quite suitable.
I received my Diorsnow UV Shield BB Cream from mizspa.com, where it retails for $55 per 30mL tube.
Hello everyone! How is your Monday going? I am having a pretty good day - I started off pretty early and got so much done, PLUS it was a really good mail day :)
I am back with a brand new product to review for my foundation review series - the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser.
Laura Mercier's Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser is no stranger in the beauty world. This product is one of the best-known tinted moisturisers in the market, and one of the best-performing as well. Because of their widespread popularity and increasing market demand, Laura Mercier have introduced three new shades to their current line to provide an even better colour match for skin tones.
I hope my review helps you decide if this product is suitable for you and your skin type!
Packaging
Nice and sturdy with a screw on cap, this no-nonsense packaging is perfect for anyone with an 'on-the-go' lifestyle, who needs a practical product to tote around with them.
Product
Tinted moisturisers are usually quite heavy, and tend to be quite sticky on the skin, but I found this tinted moisturiser to be light and easy to spread onto my skin. The liquid is of a medium thickness, as is common with all tinted moisturisers. It was quite a pleasant surprise applying this with my fingers, and having the product spread onto my skin easily and quickly.
I received the new colour 'Blush' to trial, and I am very pleased to report that it is a great match for my NW20-ish skin. Here it is swatched on my arm:
Performance
This product felt great on my skin! It didn't feel at all heavy or cakey, and it was very comfortable to wear, even on hot, humid days. The coverage is quite sheer, so you will need a concealer if you have less-than-perfect skin. If you have problematic, acne-prone skin and need more coverage, I suggest using a foundation instead.
I found that applying this with a foundation brush was best suited to my needs, as it provided a little bit more coverage and evened out my skin tone beautifully.
One thing that my fellow oily-skinned beauties should note about this tinted moisturiser is that it is not mattifying! Though it is oil-free and therefore quite suited to my oily/combination skin, you shouldn't expect it to control the oil on your face as well as, say, the MUFE Mat Velvet Plus foundation. After a long, hot day out, this foundation stayed put on my face and my skin did not feel oily and slick, however there was a slight stickiness to it. I tried setting it with a powder the next day to see how it would hold up, and it did a wonderful job at eliminating that stickiness and keeping my skin nice and fresh, and slightly dewy, throughout the day.
Overall I say this is an amazing product, especially if you already have good skin or you want something easy to apply. With the added SPF and decent coverage, it makes the perfect 'slap-on' base product for quick trips out shopping or to run errands. I would recommend this for normal to oily/combination skin types, but if you have very oily skin, then stick to your mattifying foundations.
The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser retails at Laura Mercier counters throughout Australia for AUD 59 per 50mL tube.
These products were sent for the purposes of review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.
I am back with a brand new product to review for my foundation review series - the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser.
Laura Mercier's Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser is no stranger in the beauty world. This product is one of the best-known tinted moisturisers in the market, and one of the best-performing as well. Because of their widespread popularity and increasing market demand, Laura Mercier have introduced three new shades to their current line to provide an even better colour match for skin tones.
I hope my review helps you decide if this product is suitable for you and your skin type!
Packaging
Nice and sturdy with a screw on cap, this no-nonsense packaging is perfect for anyone with an 'on-the-go' lifestyle, who needs a practical product to tote around with them.
Product
Tinted moisturisers are usually quite heavy, and tend to be quite sticky on the skin, but I found this tinted moisturiser to be light and easy to spread onto my skin. The liquid is of a medium thickness, as is common with all tinted moisturisers. It was quite a pleasant surprise applying this with my fingers, and having the product spread onto my skin easily and quickly.
I received the new colour 'Blush' to trial, and I am very pleased to report that it is a great match for my NW20-ish skin. Here it is swatched on my arm:
Performance
This product felt great on my skin! It didn't feel at all heavy or cakey, and it was very comfortable to wear, even on hot, humid days. The coverage is quite sheer, so you will need a concealer if you have less-than-perfect skin. If you have problematic, acne-prone skin and need more coverage, I suggest using a foundation instead.
I found that applying this with a foundation brush was best suited to my needs, as it provided a little bit more coverage and evened out my skin tone beautifully.
Applied with a full-coverage foundation brush
Applied with fingers
One thing that my fellow oily-skinned beauties should note about this tinted moisturiser is that it is not mattifying! Though it is oil-free and therefore quite suited to my oily/combination skin, you shouldn't expect it to control the oil on your face as well as, say, the MUFE Mat Velvet Plus foundation. After a long, hot day out, this foundation stayed put on my face and my skin did not feel oily and slick, however there was a slight stickiness to it. I tried setting it with a powder the next day to see how it would hold up, and it did a wonderful job at eliminating that stickiness and keeping my skin nice and fresh, and slightly dewy, throughout the day.
Overall I say this is an amazing product, especially if you already have good skin or you want something easy to apply. With the added SPF and decent coverage, it makes the perfect 'slap-on' base product for quick trips out shopping or to run errands. I would recommend this for normal to oily/combination skin types, but if you have very oily skin, then stick to your mattifying foundations.
The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser retails at Laura Mercier counters throughout Australia for AUD 59 per 50mL tube.
These products were sent for the purposes of review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.
Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! I hope you had a fabulous weekend, and I hope Monday is treating you well.
I am back with a brand new review for my Foundation Review Series, this is a review of the Dior Capture Totale Foundation.
The Dior Capture Totale foundation combines skincare and makeup to create a radiance-restoring serum/foundation, aimed at mature, aging skin. I was lucky enough to be able to trial my Mom's bottle, and here are my thoughts.
Packaging
This comes in a lovely frosted glass bottle with a dirty silver cap (not my favourite), and pump-action dispenser. The pump dispenser on Dior foundations are lovely and sturdy, and I absolutely love them.
Product
The Dior Capture Totale foundation has quite a thick formula, with a medium to full coverage. It imparts a glow on the skin meant to diffuse the light and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections, and utilises research on stem cells to smooth and firm the skin.
Performance
The finish of this foundation is absolutely beautiful. It has quite a full coverage, so if you prefer more natural-looking foundations then this isn't for you.
There is an obvious, gorgeous glow to this foundation, and yet it still manages to retain a sort of velvety semi-matte finish. This is one of the most beautiful finishes I have personally seen in a foundation, and I can see this quickly climbing to the top of my list of favourite foundations. I have tested this in both artificial and natural light, and my skin looks so beautiful in both. I think if this isn't applied carefully, it can look a little cakey on the skin, but if you get the application right, it is lovely.
One thing I don't like about this foundation is that it maintains a kind of moisturised, sticky finish, which I think Dior have formulated because this foundation is aimed at more mature skins, which tend to lean on the dry, dehydrated side. This would be perfect if you have drier skin in the winter. If you're not bothered by a tiny bit of stickiness to the face, however, this could definitely still be worn in the summer, though I wouldn't recommend it for the more hot and humid days.
Its lasting power is just as fantastic as its finish - an entire day walking around the city and the coverage and oil-control was almost as perfect as when I first applied it.
Overall, I think this is a fantastic foundation, especially for dry skins, or in the winter. I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like full-coverage foundations, and live in a warm, humid climate. Otherwise, it is absolutely fantastic, and could totally be my HG foundation in the wintertime. Highly recommended!
I am back with a brand new review for my Foundation Review Series, this is a review of the Dior Capture Totale Foundation.
The Dior Capture Totale foundation combines skincare and makeup to create a radiance-restoring serum/foundation, aimed at mature, aging skin. I was lucky enough to be able to trial my Mom's bottle, and here are my thoughts.
Packaging
This comes in a lovely frosted glass bottle with a dirty silver cap (not my favourite), and pump-action dispenser. The pump dispenser on Dior foundations are lovely and sturdy, and I absolutely love them.
Product
The Dior Capture Totale foundation has quite a thick formula, with a medium to full coverage. It imparts a glow on the skin meant to diffuse the light and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections, and utilises research on stem cells to smooth and firm the skin.
Performance
The finish of this foundation is absolutely beautiful. It has quite a full coverage, so if you prefer more natural-looking foundations then this isn't for you.
Applied with a full-coverage foundation brush
Applied with fingers
There is an obvious, gorgeous glow to this foundation, and yet it still manages to retain a sort of velvety semi-matte finish. This is one of the most beautiful finishes I have personally seen in a foundation, and I can see this quickly climbing to the top of my list of favourite foundations. I have tested this in both artificial and natural light, and my skin looks so beautiful in both. I think if this isn't applied carefully, it can look a little cakey on the skin, but if you get the application right, it is lovely.
One thing I don't like about this foundation is that it maintains a kind of moisturised, sticky finish, which I think Dior have formulated because this foundation is aimed at more mature skins, which tend to lean on the dry, dehydrated side. This would be perfect if you have drier skin in the winter. If you're not bothered by a tiny bit of stickiness to the face, however, this could definitely still be worn in the summer, though I wouldn't recommend it for the more hot and humid days.
Its lasting power is just as fantastic as its finish - an entire day walking around the city and the coverage and oil-control was almost as perfect as when I first applied it.
Overall, I think this is a fantastic foundation, especially for dry skins, or in the winter. I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like full-coverage foundations, and live in a warm, humid climate. Otherwise, it is absolutely fantastic, and could totally be my HG foundation in the wintertime. Highly recommended!
The Foundation Review Series continues with a very highly-anticipated review - the Chanel CC Cream.
CC cream (colour control cream) is supposedly a refined version of the famous BB cream, said to retain all the skincare benefits of the BB cream, but with added cosmetic coverage, so that the skin looks better and more evenly-toned. It is also said that CC cream is meant to be less irritating on acne-prone skin, a fault that BB cream is known to have.
Chanel's CC cream (known as the Complete Correction Cream) is exclusive to the Asian market, and as far as I know, is only being sold in China, Taiwan, and possibly Hong Kong. I was lucky enough to get my hands on this through my lovely friend Tina, who blogs over at Chasing Elixir. If you want to purchase Asian cosmetics (or Asia-exclusive releases from your favourite brands), head over to her blog to find out how to contact her.
Packaging
Not all that impressive, to be honest. From a brand like Chanel, I expect something encased in frosted glass, or at least a pump applicator. That having been said, I'll admit that the tube is nice and solid, and dispenses the product well.
Product
The finish of this CC cream is quite matte, with only a very tiny bit of glow. It also runs on the thicker side, and sets on the skin much quicker than a regular BB cream. Because of this, you will need work quickly, and blend a little bit more than you would with a lighter foundation.
The CC cream comes in one colour, and is closest to a 20 Clair on the Chanel foundation shade scale.
It also contains an SPF of 30, which I like because I can carry this in my bag to reapply when I need to.
Performance
I wasn't wowed by this, mostly because I love dewy-finish foundations, and this is more of a matte-finish one. However, it does provide excellent oil-control - you will not feel any slickness whatsoever on your skin, no matter how long you've been out, or how humid the day has been.
The coverage is a little more than medium, though it still doesn't completely cover blemishes. As I mentioned earlier, this is fantastic for evening out your skin tone, and for covering small, minor blemishes.
If you'd like to see the CC cream in action, watch my Christmas makeup tutorial here.
Overall, I think this is a pretty over-hyped product. People with very oily skin might find this a pleasure to use, but to me it was just good, not great. Because of the SPF in it, I do find it quite useful for running errands in the summertime, and I will definitely be using it, though I will not be repurchasing.
I am back with another foundation review to add to my review series! This is a foundation that I am pretty excited about sharing with you - it's made the rounds in elite beauty-lover circles, but hasn't quite found its way into the mainstream.
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I find it best to use this over a very moisturised base - look for a very emollient moisturiser or simply a dewy, moisturising primer.
The Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer is a cream foundation - the only cream foundation that I own at the moment. I am a huge fan of liquid foundations, but on special occasions I find myself reaching more and more for this, and here is why:
Packaging
To be honest, this is my least favourite kind of packaging. Then again, cream foundations tend to clog up pumps so I guess they didn't really have any other choice. It would be wise to have a little spatula in handy to scoop foundation out so you don't contaminate the rest of the foundation in the jar when you're using this.
Product
This is definitely a lot thicker than liquid foundations (duh), but still blends like a dream. With thicker liquid foundations, you feel a little bit of a tug on your skin when you're applying it with a foundation brush, because the foundation is difficult to buff into your skin and takes some 'spreading'. However, this one turns into this powdery texture once you start buffing, which makes the blending of it so easy and effortless.
This is only a tiny little 18g jar, but a little goes a long way, so it will last you quite a while.
I bought the colour SX05 - which matches my skin almost perfectly. I am a MAC NW20-25 and this is just a tiny bit yellow for me, but nothing that is too noticeable.
Performance
The finish of this is matte, with a lovely silky glow. I love this for special events because it keeps my slight oiliness in check (in fact, as my oil builds a little, the foundation gets more glowy and luminous - a plus side to wearing a semi-matte foundation) and provides great coverage. I adore the way my skin looks in photos when I use this foundation - I don't even have to use a highlighter because this gives me such naturally dewy, healthy-looking skin!
The best thing about this foundation, in my opinion, is the fact that it is extremely buildable - so this is great to double up as a concealer. I can buff it over large areas or spot conceal - it works perfectly both ways. This makes it extremely handy for travel, too.
The coverage is fantastic! Medium - full and very buildable, as I mentioned before. It doesn't cake even after a couple of layers, and stays put all day. Anything from large pores to blackheads to redness is covered beautifully, and with minimal effort.
I find it best to use this over a very moisturised base - look for a very emollient moisturiser or simply a dewy, moisturising primer.
Overall this is fast becoming one of my favourite foundations. It is a little pricey (I purchased mine via a friend overseas for AUD 55, shipping included) but I would definitely repurchase. LOVE this!
I'm back with another foundation review! Once again, I have something from the #1 selling luxe foundation brand - Clinique. You may remember my previous review of the Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup. This time around, it is the Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup.
Clinique: This lightweight gel-cream texture provides all day coverage with a mattifying finish and feels as comfortable as wearing nothing at all. Controls oil breakthrough and keeps skin shine-free, even in extreme heat and humidity all day. Contains shine absorbers to refine the look of troubled areas. Skin looks and feels flawless all day long.Here are my thoughts on this foundation.
Packaging
I adore the packaging of this foundation. It isn't the most luxe-looking foundation, but it is definitely sturdy, easy to transport, and very hygienic.
Product
This foundation is on the thicker side. It is still exceedingly easy to blend, whether it be with your fingers or with a foundation brush. I usually prefer to apply my foundation with a foundation brush because foundation brushes give me a more flawless coverage, but this foundation applies just as beautifully with fingers.
I received two different colours - 3.5 Cream Rose and 5 Fair. Fair is a little bit darker and more yellow-toned, and Cream Rose has an obvious pink undertone. What's great about this foundation is that it has a large range of shades, 20 to be exact.
In the swatches above, it looks like Cream Rose is very much lighter than Fair, but on the face, there isn't much difference aside from the undertones. I highly recommend Fair if you have slightly more yellow-toned or olive skin, and Cream Rose for anyone who has a rosy/pink undertone.
Performance
I love this foundation's medium but buildable coverage. From the get-go, this foundation is very matte and dry on the skin, so this is absolutely perfect for people with oily to very oily skin.
Shown below are pictures of the foundation on my skin (and me sporting pink lipstick for bright pink lipstick day in honour of Pink Hope!).
Applied with a foundation brush.
Applied with fingers
Although this foundation is very matte, it still manages to keep my skin moisturised. It also does this amazing thing where it turns my natural 'shine' into a glow instead!
I always apply the foundations that I review on the day that I write the review, so that I have a clear idea of what I am reviewing while I am writing the review. I have had this foundation on for an entire day, and it hasn't budged a tiny bit! I can see a little bit of a glow on my skin from my skin's natural oil, but my skin doesn't feel oily at all, and it hasn't at all settled into the creases or pores in my skin.
Overall, I really enjoyed this foundation. It doesn't have as amazing a glow as some of my luminous-finish foundations, but I think it is perfect for a daytime foundation, because it does a fantastic job at keeping the oiliness at bay. It has a large range of colours so that almost every skin type is covered, and it lasts the entire day without budging, settling or fading.
If you're thinking of purchasing this foundation, it is worth AUD 50 for a 30mL bottle and retails at Clinique counters nationwide.
This product was sent to me for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.
Hello everyone! I am so excited about this
post that I am sharing with you all today – I received a couple of YSL products
recently (including their latest, much raved about YSL Le Teint TOUCHE ÉCLAT Foundation)
and am going to show you how you can get that Kim Kardashian (in case you haven’t
figured out, I am fully obsessed with her) contoured, glamorous glow.
The Le Teint Touche Éclat foundation was a
highly anticipated foundation because it was created from the YSL’s star
product with a huge cult following – the TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch
highlighting pen. My quick thoughts on the pen:
YSL: “A cult beauty product used by celebrities and models, often copied but never equalled, TOUCHE ÉCLAT captures the light, banishing signs of fatigue and fading out imperfections. In just one click, this moisturising and ultra-fluid texture eliminates shadows and embellishes the eye area, making you look rested and bright-eyed.”
Packaging
The TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch is packaged
in ‘pen’ form, with a click-to-dispense button at the very end of the pen. The pen feels heavy in that luxurious packaging kind of way, and the click mechanism is smooth and quite addictive. The amount that gets dispensed with each click is just right, though at times you will need to click a couple of times before you see any product.
Product
This is a liquid highlighter with no detectable shimmer. The liquid is very light and blends beautifully into the skin. It is very easy to move around the face and is quite moisturising. It dries down to a matte finish.
It is quite buildable, but I find that the best way to build coverage is to apply very thin layers, and to apply the following layer before the previous layer dries out. This way, you can avoid cakiness and stop the product from sinking into fine lines and pores.
Performance
YSL Le Teint TOUCHE ÉCLAT on the outer area of my face, Diorskin Nude on the inner area, YSL TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch applied under the eyes, on blemishes and pigmentation, on the brow bones, and on the T-zone to highlight.
As a highlighter: If you're one who hates the look of high-shimmer highlighters, you need to check this pen out. It really draws the light and creates beautiful contours and brings a brightness to your face. It is subtle, yet extremely effective, without having to utilise shimmer particles that reflect too much light and create too much of a 'party' look which isn't quite suitable for daytime.
To use: Just click the pen and apply the product underneath the eye area, down the bridge of the nose, onto the brow bones, and on any high points of the face (cheekbones, forehead and chin). Then, use a fluffy blending brush to blend and work the product into the skin. Follow with your regular foundation.
To fade signs of fatigue around the eyes: This is where this product really shines. It brings such light around the eyes and creates such a beautiful, open-eyed, fresh look. One thing to be careful of is caking underneath the eyes. When applied in a thin layer, this product does all it needs to do and performs beautifully, but if you use too much product and don't buff it in well enough, it ends up settling into any fine lines and starts to look thick and cakey.
To use: Apply the product to the undereye area, in the inner corners of the eyes, and into the very outer corners of the eyes with the dispenser brush. Then, use a fluffy blending brush to buff the product into the skin. Follow with an undereye concealer if you have very dark eye circles.
To conceal imperfections: First off, it is imperative to say that this product is not a replacement for a concealer! What it does is act as a complementary product to your concealer. You apply it underneath the concealer, and it reflects the light to create the illusion of a brighter area. I use it on sun damage and pimples, and when you layer a concealer over the top, it conceals the area very well.
To use: Use the brush to lightly dot the product onto the spot. Pat it into the skin with your finger. Follow with a concealer and repeat the patting motion to blend the products together and into the skin.
With the Touche Eclat foundation
The Le Teint TOUCHE ÉCLAT is a beautiful product. It has sheer to medium coverage, so you will still need a concealer with it. It is a medium to lightweight foundation, and one thing I didn't like is that it takes a lot of blending before you get even, perfect coverage.
The foundation has a gorgeous luminous finish, though I would definitely recommend using a pore primer with it if you have less than perfect skin, as its lightweight texture does nothing for bumps and holes on the skin. The finish is very much more dewy and luminous than the TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch (see swatches above), and my skin feels lovely and moisturised after. If you have very oily skin, then I wouldn't recommend this foundation.
In the picture above, I am only wearing it on the outer parts of my face because the shade I was sent is way too dark for my skin. I recommend that you go in store to get the perfect shade for you because this foundation excels on the inner parts of your face and on any high points. The foundation comes in three undertones - Beige (B) for neutral undertones, Beige Rosé (BR) for pink undertones, and Beige Doré (BR) for golden undertones. A great way to find out your undertones is to perform the tests that I detail in this post. Make sure you have the right undertone for your skin, because that can mean the difference between glowing and sallow skin!
YSL is running a promotion that allows each customer to head in store to experience the TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch and the Le Teint TOUCHE ÉCLAT, plus a free consultation to help you make the most of the products. To use this service, simply download and print this voucher, and take it to your nearest YSL counter. You also stand a chance to win both products. Head on over to the YSL VIP page to enter your details!
This is a sponsored post, written in
accordance with this site's Disclosure
Policy.
