In the past few months I’ve been testing out new skincare, powders and foundations from Koh Gen Do, Le Metier de Beaute, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana. Even though I’ve been getting regular use out of Guerlain’s Lingerie de Peau, Chanel’s Vitalumiere Aqua and Chanel’s discontinued Teint Innocence, I’ve still been on the hunt for new foundations to try. I’ll be writing a review on each item in the upcoming weeks. First up is my experience with Koh Gen Do’s Aqua Foundation in OC-2 ($62) from Barneys New York.
I first read about Koh Gen Do’s Aqua Foundation ($62 for 1.01 fl oz.30 ml) on Into The Gloss earlier this year and noticed it was featured again on her Top Shelf series this past July. When she described it as “foundation heaven” I knew I had to try it. I’ve heard nothing but raves about Koh Gen Do and having fallen in love with their face masks, cleansing water and natural light loose powder, I had the Koh Gen Do foundation on my list of things to check out.
Back in August, I was in LA and stopped by Barneys Beverly Hills. The Koh Gen Do artists recommended that I try the Aqua Foundation for my skin type (normal, fairly clear, slightly oily in the T-zone in warm weather, but overall normal). They swatched OC-1 and OC-2 on my jawline and after seeing them side-by-side I was shocked at the difference. There’s quite a big jump in between shades. OC-1 was definitely too pale, OC-2 looked like it would be too dark but on the skin blended well with my skin. Ideally I would have liked something right in between the two colors and at $62 a bottle I wasn’t really keen on buying both to custom mix my own shade. OC-2 was a pretty good match and with the combination of the Moisture Milk, Aqua Foundation and Natural Finish Powder, my skin never looked so naturally flawless I was sold.
The Koh Gen Do Aqua foundation is a liquid formula and comes with a pump. It’s rather pricey at $62 but the finish is naturally beautiful. It evens out the skin and has a slightly dewy finish but it’s not too dewy like some tinted moisturizers. If you read the details on Koh Gen Do you will learn that they designed this with something they call “the golden ratio” which consists of 45% water, 35% emollients, and 20% powder to balance perfectly with one’s skin. The finish is sheer to medium and slightly transparent so the skin shows through. It’s not a pearly finish foundation but not completely matte either. I would say it’s somewhere in between the texture and finish of Chanel’s Teint Innocence Liquid foundation and Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer.
Here is OC-2 pumped next to Edward Bess Beige, Guerlain Lingerie de Peau 03 and Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B20 and B30. I was initially matched to Chanel B20 but is now clearly too light for me (will have to save for winter). I did not blend these out because I could not photograph them fast enough before the liquids dried and then darkened on my arm. Two things to take into consideration: 1) the inside of my arm is lighter than my face and 2) my skin is weird because so many different colors of foundation work on my skin (as long as it doesn’t have a pinkish base).
Here on the back of my hand (which is closer in color to my face) you can see it blends out to disappear but give a dewy finish. This was the sharpest photograph I could get while still showing the slight sheen. Clearer photos make the hand look like it’s nothing but bare skin.
I’ve been using this foundation for a month and a half now and have overall been pleased with the results. No irritation, no break outs, no streaking or darkening. It lasts all day but I found that it works best when layered of the Macro Vintage Royal Massage Milk (see more on Kohgendocosmetics.com). I received a small sample that lasted me about 1 week of daily morning use. It’s an amazing product and made my skin look and feel like baby’s skin. I haven’t caved to purchase this since I just bought a cream from Le Metier but it is definitely on my watch list for the future.
For use right now I apply over Le Metier’s day cream and then use Cle de Peau’s concealer in Beige on areas that need more coverage. Sometimes I will finish with Koh Gen Do’s powder, other days I will finish with Chanel or D&G’s powder foundations.
My only wish is that the foundation came in more shades. Since it is a sheer formula, the colors are slightly more forgiving if you can’t find an exact match. Since I am a bit more tanned right now OC-2 works well for me, but just barely. If I become even 1/2 a shade lighter I know this will be too dark, yet OC-1 will definitely be too pale. For more information, a list of ingredients and list of shades, I highly recommend you check out Koh Gen Do’s Website. They have detailed diagrams and descriptions of each product (all of which I find extremely informative, useful and non-gimmicky).
Have you tried Koh Gen Do’s foundations? Which formula did you try and what were your thoughts?
Dolce & Gabbana’s Powder Foundation has reached holy grail status for me ($59 for 15 g / 0.53 oz). When the line first launched in NYC mid-2009, I immediately e-mailed a few NY friends for their thoughts. It was only available at a select few counters (none near me) so I relied on several for their keen eye and exquisite taste. Two things that were constantly raved about included the Dolce & Gabbana mascara and powder foundation. Not having local access to the brand, I was hesitant to try this sight unseen. With the exception of the Dolce & Gabbana I have never purchased a foundation without testing it in person first. Many thanks to Nikki at Saks Houston who was kind enough to match me over the phone. I told her a few foundation shades I used, “Chanel Teint Innocence Liquid in Shell and I’m in between Armani’s Lasting Silk 5.5 and 6.5” and the kind soul that she is, she swiped the Chanel on her hand to find my perfect match to Tan #140. Since discovering this my skin has lightened a bit. When I Tan became too dark, I told her “I’m now 1.5 shades lighter, not quite a full two shades down, but almost.” She matched me perfectly again to Warm #100 (I’m not sure why there’s such a huge jump, but I suspect other shades in between either have more peach or pink or yellow).
The powder foundation comes in a gold double tiered mirrored compact. The bottom compartment will hold a square sponge for application but I prefer to apply with a brush. The texture is smooth and silky with full but natural coverage. It makes the skin look velvety smooth but not in an overdone way. The finish is truly flawless for me.
Dolce & Gabbana Warm Powder Foundation:
There’s no detectable scent. Applying with a sponge works well for touch-ups but I prefer to use a brush. Even though it’s a powder foundation and doesn’t require liquid foundation underneath, I like to use it as a setting powder. I tend to use sheerer lighter weight liquid foundations (which are more forgiving when the color isn’t a 100% exact match) and always layer with some kind of powder on top (loose, pressed or powder foundation). It lasts well into the afternoon without changing color as your skin gets oily. Touch ups are easy to do with a swipe of the sponge. With this powder, I rarely ever need concealer if I have redness.
Chanel’s Double Perfection Powder Foundation ($50 for 13 g / .45 oz) has been a long time favorite of mine. Both have similar soft smooth textures with very similar coverage. I feel that the Dolce & Gabbana is slightly more versatile in the sense you can control coverage better, but both are similar in finish and quality. I can’t pick my favorite out of the two because I adore them both.
Swatching these on the arm seems futile since it will end up blending into my skin. I’ve featured it here compared to the Chanel shades I alternate between for Tender Bisque and Medium Beige. I hope this helps a bit. The Tender Bisque is close to Warm, the Chanel has slightly more peach while the Dolce & Gabbana has more yellow. Two views since it might be hard to tell how they compare from the lighting.
Overall I love this. I’ve used up two compacts already and this is my third. It’s pricey and while I had luck being matched over the phone, I don’t recommend trying the same. There’s no substitute for trying foundation on in person and I believe it’s one of the things you need an exact match for your undertone. Makeupalley does have some reviews which might help you guess what shade you are if you can’t get to a counter in person.
Have you tried Dolce & Gabbana’s powder foundation? What’s your current holy grail or are you still searching?
You’ve all read the hype and raves about Clé de Peau’s Concealer virtually everywhere. If you haven’t tried it yet, believe the hype. It’s the holy grail of concealers. The quality, consistency and finish cannot be beat. It has full pigmented coverage but blends out naturally to even out dark circles under the eyes (which I did not know I had before trying this concealer), tone down red areas on the face and brighten the overall appearance of your skin.
I was gifted Beige courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Clé de Peau about a month ago and have been carefully testing it out with a highly critical eye. Upon opening it I was a bit concerned it might be too light for my skin, but after testing it out I’ve found that it’s actually perfect. I am around a MAC NC30-35, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B30, Guerlain Lingerie de Peau on 03, Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation in Warm. Upon first swipe it’s clearly lighter than my skin. Blending it out with the fingers makes the product disappear and blend naturally with my skin to even out any areas that need extra help.
A bit of concealer history for me: I’ve neglected concealer in almost a year now. I’ve postponed repurchasing my usual Chanel or Laura Mercier loves thinking any shade I purchased would soon become too light (I’ve been trying to build my summer tan). Still, even though I’ve tested a hefty number of concealers, I have never been fully convinced it was really a necessity (like foundation or powder or good makeup brushes). Most concealers fail to pass the test of having good coverage, having long lasting power, being non-creasing, being non-drying and a having a good color match. There are many that look great upon immediate application but do not work well with the skin as the day progresses. The Clé de Peau Beauté meets all requirements of what a concealer should do. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad review yet before trying this I was skeptical due to the hefty price tag of $70 a tube. After testing this out for a few weeks I can say this is the best concealer I’ve tried. Whether or not it’s worth a full $70 is another question, but when this is used up I will definitely be repurchasing it.
Application tips: I’ve tested this concealer for several weeks using several methods and found application is key. A huge thanks to Karla Sugar’s in-depth review and also tips from one of my readers Laura R., I’ve found the best method is really to apply over a moisturized face (or if you just use on the eyes, make sure your skin is well moisturized) with the fingers.
I’m going to quote Laura on some of these tips combined with my own thoughts:
Prepare face and apply moisturizer, primer, foundation first
Next prep the eyes with eye cream by pressing into face, not hard, but not tapping either
Apply concealer with your index finger and press lightly and blend
If other areas need concealer to tone down redness or even out the skin, apply with your finger in a press-then-blend method (using the fingers help to warm up the product)
Top with a soft dusting of loose or pressed powder (but with a brush)
Things to avoid based on my trials:
I don’t recommend applying this over any type of powder, the result will be cakey
Skipping moisturizer also results in a cakey looking finish
Swiping directly from tube to skin can result with too much product on the face and use up the concealer too fast, if you do this, do with a light hand to avoid too much product to the face which can also result in a cakey look (even after blending)
Clé de Peau’s application tips that come with each concealer:
Plus the ingredients (click to enlarge):
Since first trying this out, I haven’t skipped using it for a day. If I were slightly darker I think Beige would be too light but I haven’t looked at the other shades in the lineup in person but you can see Karla’s swatches here and I found the user comments in the bottom of her post useful. At first glance it would seem better if CdP had a bigger color selection for their concealers – I’m not sure how hard it is to find a color match, I’m glad I found mine, but this is something I highly recommend having an expert try on you in person. They will know which one works best for your skin and show you how to apply as well.
For inquiring minds, other Clé de Peau loves of mine include: La Creme (although I’ve survived off mini samples), Extra Silky Lipsticks and a few of the Lip Glosses.
Have you tried Clé de Peau’s concealer? What shade do you use and what other foundation shades are you?
Many thanks to Neiman Marcus and Clé de Peau for providing this concealer for review.
Chanel has officially released the new Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15 ($45) in the US to replace their Teint Innocence Naturally Luminous Fluid Makeup SPF 12 ($47). Long-time readers know that Teint Innocence is my holy grail of foundations and much to my dismay, I discovered it was soon to be discontinued earlier this year.
I completed an extensive foundation review last month in search for a holy grail replacement (linked below at the bottom of this post). After testing a few sample packets of the Vitalumière Aqua, I crowned it as one of my holy grail replacements, but did not have an update on my color selection since counters did not yet have the product in stock. After further testing, here are my thoughts:
Color Selection – I am normally a Chanel Shell 30 in Teint Innocence but am slightly lighter in skin color, although not quite fair enough to be a Cameo 1.0. My best match right now is Chanel’s Lift Lumiere in Cendre 30 (which runs a bit lighter than Teint Innocence). For the Vitalumière Aqua, I tested B20 Beige Tendre and B30 Beige Sable. I could have gone with either shade, but decided on the B20 Beige Tendre shade. The colors with BR have more pink, while the B shades have yellow undertones. I’ve swatched the shades I use below, note that while they are all different swatched heavily, the different formulas blend differently on the skin. Also note, I mix the two Armani shades to get a custom-matched color (so many times I’m in between shades).
* Also note, my forearm is paler than the rest of my sun-exposed areas
Texture – Vitalumière Aqua is thinner and more liquidy while the Teint Innocence is thicker but still very fluid. It is recommended that you always shake your Vitalumière Aqua bottle just like the Base Lumière (also by Chanel).
Product Packaging, Amount, Size – The packaging is a bit deceiving because at first glance, one would assume that Teint Innocence contains a lot more product. However, both contain the same amount of 30 ml/1 fl oz. Vitalumière Aqua comes in a plastic container that requires shaking. The difference can be seen below. I do believe ALL the Vitalumière Aqua shades have the same beige color for the packaging – at the counter, I could not see any difference in the plastic container for the lighter or darker shades (but it could have been something I just did not notice). While the Vitalumière Aqua is more compact and sleek, I prefer the Teint Innocence glass bottle.
Finish – Vitalumière Aqua has a quick setting formula with a slightly matte finish. I find that it needs to be blended with short quick strokes because it dries quickly and can darken in spots if not blended evenly. Teint Innocence is more dewy and more moisturizing.
Coverage – Both have super natural but noticeable coverage, however I find the Teint Innocence more forgiving and a bit more transparent with a more natural look. Neither are as sheer as a tinted moisturizer and both provide decent coverage. I like to apply both with a sponge (just my personal preference). I always set with a powder.
Overall Thoughts – Chanel’s Vitalumière Aqua is a beautiful foundation, but it’s still no replacement for Teint Innocence which will always have my heart. I have purchased 3 back up bottles, although I don’t know the exact shelf life of an unopened bottle of foundation. I know my sister has several back ups accumulated by now. About a dozen women have e-mailed me with cries of despair that their favorite holy grail foundation is now gone. To sum up my thoughts: Vitalumière Aqua is thinner and has a semi-matte finish that’s less see thru, Teint Innocence is not as thin and more dewy with a slightly transparent finish. If you liked TI you will most likely like VA.
Recommendations – If you’re still pining over Teint Innocence, BACK UP NOW! My local Nordstroms only carry two shades at the counters now, all others have been pulled and sent back to who-knows-where. If you’re interested in Vitalumière Aqua and are exact match to Chanel Shell 30, I think your match will be B30 Beige Sable. If you’re slightly lighter than Shell but not quite Cameo, B20 Beige Tendre will be a good match. I do recommend getting a few sample packets to test if you can (Nordstrom counters should have plenty now) and let it sit on the skin to see how it wears after a few minutes. If you’ve tried this foundation and it looks ashy on you, you’ve been matched to the wrong color!
Amy from Café Makeup and Karlasugar have swatched the colors on their skin, both are lighter than me, and I believe I am more olive/yellow than both of them.
Recap & links for your reference below …
Foundation Search Part 1: Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15, Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation, Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Luminous Matte Fluid Makeup, Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Invisible Skin Foundation
Foundation Search Part 2: Chanel Pro Lumiere, Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10, Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation, Laura Mercier Crème Smooth, Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment, Make Up Forever Face & Body Liquid Makeup & Chanel Vitalumière Aqua
Finding the perfect foundation is like trying to find the perfect pair of jeans. There are so many options it’s overwhelming to know what to look for. You have to try a wide variety of different types to find the one that’s right for you. So what are my holy grails and next-best-picks for foundations? Click read more to see my extensive list.
Quick Recap: I have normal but sensitive medium-toned skin with yellow and olive tones. I prefer natural but visible coverage (prefer evened out skin versus a very sheer tint). I tend to go with formulas that are liquid (versus solid, cream, gels) because I find them easier to work with. I’m 29 and have had decent skin for most of my life with the exception of occasional stress breakouts that happen once every couple of months or when I try new products that are too harsh for my skin.
My Perfect Prep Combination before applying makeup:
1. Cleanse with Clinique’s Foaming Cleanser
2. Tone with La Mer’s Tonic (the pink one) or Paul & Joe
3. Apply Laura Mercier’s Renewal Serum (I’m afraid this has been discontinued)
4. Apply MAC’s Prep + Prime
Holy Grails:
1. Chanel Teint Innocence Liquid in Shell
2. Chanel Double Perfection Compact in Tender Bisque
3. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (shade to be determined)
4. Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation in Warm or Tan
Close to Holy Grail Material:
1. Giorgio Armani’s Lasting Silk 5.5+6.5 mixed (not to be confused with their Luminous Silk)
2. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (used Punjab but it’s too dark now)
3. Chanel Lift Lumiere in Shell+Beige mixed
4. Guerlain Lingerie de Peau
5. Diorskin Nude (still searching for the right shade, will most likely have to mix)
Swatches of foundations from November 2009 linked here.
Here’s a quick breakdown of all the foundations I’ve sampled by brand (yes, it’s a mother-load, I can’t remember all the shades I was matched to). Do note I did not purchase most of these, foundation is one item counters are most willing to sample if you ask nicely.
Armani Face Fabric – lightweight mousse-like cream in a squeeze tube, had a soft matte-powdery finish, great concept however this did not blend well on my skin, looked ashy and emphasized any imperfections, color selection was extremely limited
Armani Lasting Silk – liquid foundation with a nice pump, one of my holy grail finds, I mix 5.5 and 6.5 (read review here)
Armani Luminous Silk – creamy liquid in a pump bottle, one of the original releases from Armani, matched to 5.5 and 6, looks amazing for a few hours but then slides off the face and made me look really oily
Armani Matte Silk (now d/c) – matte finish foundations, flawless and natural coverage, evened out skin, the only problem was that daily use resulted in clogged pores
Bobbi Brown Original Oil Free (pre SPF days) – loved the texture and natural coverage, but it left my skin super oily within hours
Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick – full coverage foundation in a thick twist up stick form, I tried her original version, I’m not sure if this is something that has gone through a revamp, loved it for full natural coverage, easy application, I never repurchased simply because it got used up so fast it didn’t seem economical to keep repurchasing
Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting – thumbs down (read review here)
Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer – sheer tinted moisturizer in a squeeze tube, I love the idea of natural tint, this one has an ingredient in their sunscreen that gives me a severe allergic reaction (deep red bumps all over the cheeks)
Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Even Finish Compact Foundation – solid cream compact foundation that gave a nice full coverage with a sponge, it did require extra blending to smooth out on my skin (with fingers or brush) however I had the same allergic reaction with her other foundations
Burberry Luminous Fluid Foundation – liquid foundation with a pump that has a great finish, I developed a bad reaction (read review here)
Chanel Double Perfection Fluide (d/c liquid glass bottle) – a very fluid but richly pigmented foundation, WHY did Chanel discontinue this???? It was the most amazing long-lasting matte foundation ever, medium to full coverage with a matte finish, the new Mat Lumiere formula does not compare at all
Chanel Double Perfection Creme Poudre (d/c black tube) – another discontinued favorite, the only true cream to powder finish foundation I’ve tried that stays matte all day and did not need any powder, absolute perfection in a black tube
Chanel Double Perfection Powder Foundation – compact powder foundation, both formulas (original and new) have been holy grails for me, the original was rougher in texture, the newer version (released about 2-3 years ago now?) has a softer more finely milled finish and the product you get is smaller
Chanel Lift Lumiere – liquid foundation with a pump that’s supposed to give lift to the skin, another holy grail, I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed it, but it’s a less dewey version of Teint Innocence with slightly more opaque coverage, I find the shades to be slightly lighter than the Teint Innocence, I custom mix Shell and Beige together for a perfect match, great long lasting finish, but you do need powder, can’t really say whether or not it gives me “lift” but I like the way it looks, feels and wears throughout the day
Chanel Mat Lumiere – thumbs down (read review here)
Chanel Pro Lumiere – I have so-so feelings on this, thicker and creamier in texture than most of the other Chanel foundations, but still very liquid, gave full coverage but found it too heavy in texture and scent (read review here)
Chanel Teint Fluide Universel (d/c) – another Holy Grail long discontinued
Chanel Teint Innocence Compact– solid compact cream foundation with full coverage, you need an exact match due to the full coverage finish
Chanel Teint Innocence Liquid – another soon-to-be-discontinued holy grail (curses!)
Chantecaille Future Skin – I tried this in Shea, this is a thicker cream in a tub with full coverage, I remember not loving this because the texture seemed a bit thick for my skin and it slid off after a few hours, I prefer thinner liquids, but so many have raved, I may have to try it again
Chantecaille Real Skin – sheer solid gel-like cream in a compact form, too sheer to even see what was on the skin, I got this in a swap and used it all up, but never repurchased
Dior Hydralife Pro Youth Skin Tint – tinted moisturizer in a pretty blue tube, limited shade selection prevented me from looking into this one in great detail, sampled two shades, both were completely off
Diorskin Nude Foundation – liquid foundation with a pump, semi-rave (read review here)
Guerlain Lingerie de Peau – fluid in a pump bottle, close to Holy Grail material (read review here)
La Mer Fluid Tint SPF 18 – tinted moisturizer in a tube, I bought and used up the Medium shade, never repurchased, for the price it just didn’t wow me enough to justify repurchasing, gave sheer coverage just like you’d expect from a tinted moisturizer, has that classic La Mer ocean scent
Laura Mercier Creme Smooth – thumbs down, although if you liked Chantecaille’s Future Skin you might want to check this out (read review here)
Laura Mercier Foundation Stick (d/c) – amazing! gave wonderful coverage, goof-proof application, easy to apply on-the-go, why do brands discontinue great items?
Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation – liquid foundation with a pump, thumbs down for me, did not blend well on my skin (tried all the Laura Mercier techniques with the primer, moisturizer, damp sponge too)
Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer – great tinted moisturizer but best when mixed with a regular foundation, unless you find an exact match the luminous quality can look a bit too glowy on your skin
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – I used to love this and repurchased numerous times, the coverage is very sheer, I prefer something with more visible coverage, sometimes this can be too natural
Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation – loose mineral powder, gives perfect glowy coverage but it’s a bit high maintenance and not good for oily skin, it’s difficult to get the right amount on, most times I either had too little or one brush stroke too much
Laura Mercier Silk Creme – cream-to-powder type of formula in a squeeze tube, I found it close in concept to the Chanel Matte Foundation in the black tube, but you need an exact match or else the full coverage just leaves you looking too ashy or mis-matched, great coverage, matte finish, doesn’t need powder to set, long lasting
MAC Face & Body, Studio Fix Compact, Hyper Real, Studio Tint … I’ve never been able to wear any MAC foundation and I tried every single one (up until 3 years ago) hoping to find one that wouldn’t give me cystic acne, I’ve given up, the damage their foundations and powders do to my skin is not worth the risk, I can use their highlighting powders and blushes though without any problems
Make Up Forever Face & Body – thumbs down (read review here)
NARS Sheer Matte – thumbs up, the shades in the Matte line aren’t an exact match to the Glow lineup, I need to get rematched again in this formula
NARS Gel Fraicheur (d/c tinted moisturizer tubes) – I remember loving the concept but the formula was not the greatest, best used when mixed with other foundations to give a soft tanned glow
Paul & Joe Light Cream Foundation – creamy liquid foundation in a white bottle with a pump, this was hard for me to find a good match, I ended up with 40 which is too dark, but 31 is too pink and 30 is too pale, it is not photo-flash-friendly, the SPF combined with flash photography results in a white ghost-like face and tan neck, it is a great foundation for normal-to-dry skin, soft and creamy and moisturizing with natural medium coverage
Paul & Joe Creamy Powder Foundation Compact – bought this in 40 which is deceivingly dark in the compact but a perfect match, have repurchased twice, love this for the nice thick creamy texture but applies smooth and matte, full coverage
Prescriptives Luxe – the good old Px brand, best known for their foundations, I was sad to see the line go, Luxe was the first luminous glowy foundation on the mid-high-end market, loved this one although it was probably too much coverage for what I needed when I was in my late high-school days
Prescriptives Photochrome – good in concept, came in a cream compact form, was supposed to auto-adjust to match your exact skintone, was a failure for me, simply too heavy and did not sit well with my skin
Prescriptives Traceless – the PERFECT tinted moisturizer, have never found one as good
Prescriptives Unmakeup – the PEFECT no-makeup makeup, I used the Px Gold, nothing has come close to this one either
Prescriptives Virtual Skin – probably one of the first foundations I ever purchased in high school, a classic but I remember it being hard to find the exact match sometimes
Stila – I used to love this brand, I cannot for the life of me remember which formulas I used to use since this brand has gone through so many changes (changes I am not loving), I did love their Illuminating Powder Foundation for a flawless glow, I remember when Jeanine Lobell was the director, I loved all the foundations because they had that wonderful olive undertone that worked so well for my skin
Trish McEvoy Even Skin Foundation – I have fallen in and out of this line, I loved her original Even Skin foundation but got a bit irritated with her constant revamps, I repurchased this one 3 times but stopped after discovering Chanel
There are a number of brands I have not tried such as Cle de Peau, Lancome, Shiseido, YSL, BE, Urban Decay, Tarte etc. I haven’t explored La Mer very much either. I avoid brands that are known to have highly fragranced products. Some brands are just overpriced in my mind. Packaging is also key. I like sleek simple classic looking packaging.
So now that I’ve shared my list, what are your favorites? Experiences you want to share? I used to rely heavily on the Product Reviews section on Makeupalley. I still find the reviews helpful to scan when something new comes out, but sometimes you will find such a diverse range of reviews and reactions it can be hard to sort through. Now that various beauty brands have picked up on Makeupalley as a valuable resource, I have noticed some seemingly overly positive comments which I believe are not from consumers like myself, bur rather from actual brand reps. While I do expect brand reps to represent their brands in a positive light, I think it’s a bit iffy for brands to participate in their own product reviews on a website that is known to be a community of consumers. Just my two cents.
If you’d like to share your thoughts, please include the following to help us all:
1. Your skin-type
2. Skin undertone (ie fair, light, medium, olive, pinkish etc.)
3. Age range (if you’re comfortable with that)
My foundation sampling experiences Part 2 with Chanel Pro Lumiere, Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10, Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation, Laura Mercier Crème Smooth, Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment, Make Up Forever Face & Body Liquid Makeup & Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. Click read more to see the details on each.
Chanel Pro Lumiere Professional Finish Makeup SPF 15 ($54) This is an oil-free liquid foundation that provides a medium-to-full coverage with a semi-matte finish. I was matched best to Beige 40.
Pros: The texture is a slightly thicker than normal liquid foundation. Comes with a pump. I have gone through a full bottle but couldn’t remember why I never repurchased. I got another sample recently to see if I could figure why. The upside is you can easily control coverage depending on how much you layer. The finish is just as described “semi-matte” but you do need to set with powder.
Cons: I found this heavily scented, can’t quite put my finger on the smell, but it’s sweet which is something I wasn’t a huge fan of. Although this is described as medium to full, I found it more on the full side. I also found it a bit too heavy on the skin. If you have medium to dry with fuller coverage then I think this is a formula you will like. I found it too full and a bit fake looking even after blending it out with a sponge.
Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10 ($46) Described on Dior.com containing, “40% Active Mineralized water, this fluid foundation offers a fresh and hydrating finish.” I’ve heard non-stop raves about this one so I decided I had to try it.
Pros: Lightweight, flawless finish, nice liquid texture, lasts all day. No allergic reaction. Blends easily to cover the skin naturally. Feels amazing. Softly scented but not overpowering. Keeps skin non-oily. What’s not to love?
Cons: Color selection is odd. I’ve tried 20, 21 and 30 – all of which are slightly off. The benefit of the natural coverage is that I’ve been able to get away with both 20 and 21 – but I think my perfect match would be if I custom blended 20+21+30 (and not in equal proportions). I love everything except the color selection. I’ve found this typical of other Dior Tinted Moisturizers and Foundations. Perhaps I just need to sit down with my artist and try all the shades.
Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation ($59) I do not have immediate in person access to Dolce & Gabbana. Those who have read my Dolce & Gabbana posts know I can’t rave enough about Nikki from Saks Houston. She matched me over the phone when I told her my Chanel shade. PERFECT match! I used 140 Tan in the summer and currently use 100 Warm.
Pros: Full but natural velvety coverage. It’s truly versatile. I apply with the sponge (dry) over foundation or with a brush to set my liquid foundation. I can apply alone over my serum/primer. I can use for touchups during the day. Long lasting and no detectable scent. Comes with a separate bottom compartment to store the sponge. This is my new holy grail powder foundation twin to Chanel’s DPF.
Cons: Hard to find any, but the price tag of $59 is pretty steep. The gold packaging gets fingerprints and can get messy looking easily but it’s sturdy and after a while it’s not something I notice.
Laura Mercier Crème Smooth ($50) I received a sample at a Nordstrom Trend Show in Sunny Beige and Vanilla Beige. They were featuring this one with a hard sell describing it as the perfect lightweight cream that has full coverage “without visibly settling into fine lines”(quoted lauramercier.com exactly!) The model looked flawless so practically EVERYONE in the crowd was intrigued (screaming with excitement is a better description).
Pros: Great color selection. I tried several and there were several shades I could have gone with. Provides natural finish and looks great … for 1 hour. It has a nice texture and blends well on the skin. I wish I could have loved this one. It’s thicker and creamy like in a pot. The amount of product you get for the price seems generous in my opinion.
Cons: I equate this to Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation which looks great right after the application. Makes me look glowing and flawless but after 1-2 hours, I end up a greasey mess. It did settle into the fine lines in my face (and I don’t have many wrinkles yet). Definitely not long lasting. Perhaps just too heavy for my skin type. I know many have raved about it. If you like Chantecaille’s Future Skin (which I did not) then try this LM out.
Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment ($125) This is perhaps one of the most raved about miracle-workers for tinted moisturizers/face treatments. I was eager to try this out as I have not read a single bad review. I tried this in both shades on numerous occasions (in early July, mid-July, early September, and November).
Pros: The only upside I could find is that it has a luminous finish which gives an all over glow. Oh, it also comes with a pump. The packaging isn’t bad either.
Cons: I may be the only one who hasn’t liked this. Everyone I’ve spoken to loves this, but it made my skin worse. The texture dried to a thick uneven finish. It didn’t blend well on my face. I found the luminous quality too luminous and sparkly. Gave me reddish areas on the face with bumps around the hairline. Felt really difficult to clean off – it’s the type of product I had to slather cleansing oil all over, wash, then use my regular cleanser +rinse twice, and then use my toner to really feel clean. Perhaps it’s just not made for 29-year old normal-sensitive skin. Anyone else try this? Please share your experiences!
Make Up Forever Face & Body Liquid Makeup ($38) Another much-raved-about foundation. I loved the MAC Face & Body Foundation finish (so lovely) but within 2 days I developed cystic acne. I decided to try the MUFE version from Sephora. I was matched by a Sephora rep and I am disappointed to say I feel like I was unprofessionally matched. She just grabbed a random shade and said, “This looks good.” I asked her if she knew what the difference was between MUFE’s foundations and she said “they’re all matte, but this one is the most matte, I just LOVE this foundation.” Say what? How could this be the most matte when there is another one called Mat Velvet? I’ll keep my negative thoughts about Sephora reps to myself. There are definitely plenty of good things about Sephora.
Pros: Natural gel like finish. The one she used on me looked liquidy and felt a little like jelly. I wasn’t sure if it was just the tester or the real product, but it felt nice on the skin. It looked natural and felt slightly dewy.
Cons: I found the coverage too sheer and this foundation is simply too heavily scented for me. I couldn’t stand the smell. My skin developed a bumpy rash (odd because there was no red, just lots of bumps) within 30 minutes. I tried this several times at home to see if perhaps I didn’t have properly prepped skin. No luck. Don’t write this off – if you can try it at Sephora, I still recommend looking into it. They have a wide color selection. Chances are you’ll have to find a good match on your own though.
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (to be released in March in the US) I was lucky to get a couple sample packets included in Japanese magazines. This is supposed to replace the Teint Innocence Liquid. I was a bit skeptical but I did have a little bit of faith in Chanel. With the discontinuation of Teint Innocence Liquid (big mistake in my mind), this will be the THIRD time Chanel has discontinued my Holy Grail Foundation (Teint Fluide Universel and the original DPF powder have both been long discontinued).
Pros: Thin texture allows a little to go a long way. This is less dewy than Teint Innocence but gives a similar flawless naturally soft finish. Coverage is sheer to medium (more on the medium side). I think I have found my new Holy Grail!!! It’s like if Lift Lumiere and Teint Innocence had a baby with a slightly thinner texture. Coverage is perfect in my opinion. I’ve set with powder but I think you could get away without using powder on top. LOVE!!!
Cons: Not sure if I can find any. I got samples of #20 which I found a tad too light, but still looked pretty good in undertone. I hope it’s not too pricey (as in please be under $50). I’m still very VERY VERY sad Teint Innocence is being pulled from their product lineup.
If you’ve tried any of these – please chime in with your experiences! I will be doing a comprehensive review of the brands and formulas I’ve tried in Part 3. I would like to kindly ask if you have a suggestion for something that I didn’t list above – please save it for Part 3. I think it will help readers (and myself) sort through your suggestions, thoughts and experiences if they are all in one spot. Thanks 🙂
Ever since rumors surfaced that Chanel was going to discontinue their Teint Innocence Liquid foundation, I’ve received about a dozen e-mails asking me if I’ve found another holy grail replacement. Back in March of last year, I wrote about my other foundation, powder and concealer loves here. To date, my next best picks are Chanel’s Lift Lumiere and Giorgio Armani’s Lasting Silk Foundations but I am in between shades for both formulas. They are the next best thing, but not quite holy grail material.
I’ve been accumulating samples of foundations to try from other brands such as Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Bobbi Brown, Burberry, Guerlain, Laura Mercier, Le Metier and Make Up Forever to see if I could find another love. For me this is something big as I haven’t ventured to try other foundation brands for a long time. I’ve tried numerous foundations over the years (ever since my early college days) and can’t even describe how many times I’ve been let down by breakout and allergic reactions. Sometimes it would take 3 weeks for my skin to recover. I’ve been testing brands outside of Armani and Chanel while holding my breath. How have they held up for me?
First a quick overview in my skin type and what I look for in a foundation:
I have normal skin that is neither oily or dry, but somewhere in between
I am super sensitive (highly sensitive to fragranced beauty products)
I prefer medium coverage that’s natural
I look for something that will photograph well
My skintone is olive with yellow tones, I’m typically the 3rd shade in the line ups, my colors I’ve been matched to are Chanel Shell/Beige which is equivalent to what’s in between MAC NC30-35
I’ve never found a MAC foundation formula that works for my skin (all too harsh)
My skin is fairly quick to react
Second, my testing methods:
Each new foundation was tested from samples from around 3-6 days
After testing a foundation, regardless of how I felt (ie positive or if I had any negative results such as allergic reaction, itching or peeling) I would go back to my normal skin/foundation routine for a full 2 weeks to go back to my neutral/normal skin state
Samples were based on a combination of product description, makeup artist recommendations, bottle/packaging design and color selection
My application is either with fingers or a sponge
I’ve been testing for months!
In Part 1, I’ll review my thoughts on Bobbi Brown’s Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation, Burberry Sheer Luminous Foundation, Chanel Mat Lumiere, Guerlain’s Lingerie de Peau.
Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 ($45) This is an oil-free semi matte finish foundation with medium coverage. It’s supposed to be the revamp replacement of her original Oil-Free Foundation. I used to use items from her original line, but once she started adding SPF, I found my skin reacted with little bumps and red irritation. I stopped using her foundations years ago. I’ve historically been matched to Beige #3 in most of her foundations and the Natural Finish Long Lasting foundation looked promising. I got several shade samples and the best match for me was Natural Tan 4.25.
Pros: Loved the natural coverage, finish and wide range of colors for a good match. Coverage was medium and evened out skintone without appearing too matte.
Cons: After a few hours, my nose was an oil slick. I did not find it truly long-lasting all over the face. Within a few days, I had red bumps on my cheeks which I attribute to an allergic reaction.
Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation ($52) I received samples of this on two different occasions in Shades 5 and 6. This comes in a light cream formula with a pump.
Pros: My best match was #5. Burberry’s foundation has one of the most beautiful finished I’ve ever tried which I’d describe as a flawless satiny glow. Finish was natural with shee to medium coverage. Long lasting with and without a powder. Evened and brightened the face. Photographed perfectly. I thought I had found my next HG foundation.
Cons: Within 3 days, I had developed deep under-skin bumps that felt like cystic acne. My skin broke out badly and it took a couple weeks for my skin to fully recover. If you can get a sample, I highly recommend trying it – my skin is oddly sensitive, if this works with your skin, then it’s amazingly beautiful.
Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Luminous Matte Fluid Makeup ($54) I’ve tested this on numerous occasions hoping I could get it to work with my skin.
Pros: Great color match in 40 Beige.
Cons: Hard to blend on the skin, regardless of moisturizer and primer. Just sat on my skin and felt uncomfortable.
Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Invisible Skin Foundation ($57) I wasn’t even remotely interested in trying anything from Guerlain’s powder/foundation line but the SA told me it was a best seller and when she offered to make me a few samples I couldn’t resist (gotta love Nordstrom for amazing customer service). I tested this in conjunction with their Meteorites Perles Primer (the pink one) and loved both so much I bought them both.
Pros: Super natural finish with medium coverage. You have to blend this one quickly with a sponge and work in small fast strokes. Waiting too long allowing it to dry before blending causes it to darken making it look uneven.
Cons: It can be hard to find an exact match – I was given two samples, 02 and 03, and picked 03 Beige Naturel since 02 Beige Clair looked slightly too powdery on my skin. I was tempted to buy both shades to custom blend myself (like I do with Chanel’s Life Lumiere and Armani’s Lasting Silk), but decided on 03 as the better pick. I wouldn’t recommend this for oily skin.
Have I found a Holy Grail replacement? I don’t mean to keep you hanging – but wait until Part 2 to find out.
*UPDATED 8:00 AM* Because many of you simply cannot wait – what’s coming next in Part 2: Laura Mercier Creme Smooth, Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge, Diorskin Nude, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Chanel Pro Lumiere, Make Up Forever Face & Body. This mini series is meant to include foundations I’ve just recently tried.
For your reference, in Part 3, I’ll include a comprehensive list of all the foundations I’ve tried and tested over the past 10 years (from my early 20’s). Many of you are suggesting brands and formulas I’ve tried before but had mixed feelings about. You might wonder, can I really remember everything I’ve tried in that time frame? Well – yes, but just for foundation. I have ridiculously sensitive skin that blows up like crazy from allergic reactions (allergic to Neosporin, most body sunscreens, some detergents etc.) so I’ve taken note of which ones took me weeks to recover. I’ve always been sensitive about how my skin looks. Most say I don’t need any foundation or powder but it’s something I feel better with.
Please take my reviews with a grain of salt. Everyone’s skin is so unique in skin type, coloring and undertones. We all have different preferences, likes and dislikes. There are many foundations I can’t use that my friends love and adore (and vice versa).
