My Hydrating/Dewy Foundations

My skin goes through different phases all the time.. Sometimes it's normal.. Other times it's dry and dehydrated.. So I always feel that I need to switch up my foundations to accomdate my skin's needs.. Which is how I ended up with too many foundations in my colleciton.. That and my curiousity about some products =P

So here are my hydrating/dewy finish foundations...

Review: Clarins Everlasting Foundation SPF15

I'm always on the look out for a foundation that will give me everything my skin needs to get that flawless finish.. So I'm always experimenting with different foundations.. And this time, I decided to try my luck with Clarins...

 

 

Review: Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation SPF25

My skin goes through phases.. Dry or very dry.. So finding the right kind of foundation can be a challenge as many foundations cling on to dry patches or accentuate certain problem areas..

So when Bobbi Brown came out with moisturizing foundation that provides good coverage, I just had to get my hands on it..

Product

- Easy to blend

- Medium Coverage

- Not the most light-weight foundation.. You can feel that you're wearing something on your face

- Good shade selection

- Must be powdered even if lightly to ensure longevity 

- Dewy finish

- Provides great hydration

- Contains sun protection, Shea Butter and Evening Primrose. It also claims to help replenish & strengthen skin over time

Application Method

I prefer using my finger tips to blend it into my skin, just like the way I would apply my moisturizer

Who Will Like This?

- People with dry skin, this is an amazing foundation!

- Anyone who is on the go and isn't too religious about moisturizing their face before foundation, this foundation is 3 in 1.. A moisturizer + a foundation + Sunscreen

- Anyone who cares enough to have ingredients that feed their skin in their foundation

Who Won't Like This?

- Anyone who has oily skin or T-zone as it will feel too greasy on their skin

- Anyone who prefers a matte or satin finish

My Final Thoughts: I really like the way this foundation feels on my skin and how easy it is to apply.. The key is to use a tiny bit at a time as to not pack the product on which can result in it feeling too heavy on the skin.. I especially love the dewy finish it gives my skin.. Makes it look healthy and glowy in a good way..

What type of foundations do you prefer to wear?

Review: UNE 100% Mineral Foundation

I love the whole concept of mineral makeup.. I love that they don't harm the skin as much as other cosmetics do.. The first mineral foundation I've tried is Bareminerals.. And as much as I love it.. I just had to give UNE a try...

Product

- Light to Medium coverage

- Blends really well that it looks like you're not wearing makeup

- Doesn't accentuate pores or dryness

- Gives a beautiful glow

- Feels super light

Application

I really enjoy applying this with my Sephpra Mineral Powder Brush in #45

Who Will Like This?

- Anyone who wanted to love Baremineral foundation but it just didn't work for them because of breakouts, dryness or pores

- Anyone who is looking for a very light-weight foundation

- Anyone who loves their foundation to add that little bit of a glow to their complexion

Who Won't Like This?

- Anyone who isn't a huge fan of powder foundations

My Final Thoughts: I LOVE this powder a lot more than my Bareminerals.. It doesn't accentuate my pores the way Bareminerals does.. In fact, it actually blurs them out! It also brightens up my face in a really natural and healthy way.. Been really enjoying this powder heaps! I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a mineral powder foundation..

Would I Re-Purchase? Definitely!

What's your favourite Mineral Foundation?

Have you tried anything from UNE?

Review: Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick

If there's anything that Bobbi Brown does, it's that she delivers! Yes, I may have dissed her corrector & creamy concealer, which I did like but hated how it creased on me, I still think that Bobbi has a lot of great products to offer.. And her foundation stick is just that... great!

Product

- Creamy

- Blends beautifully

- Medium coverage

- Luminous finish

- MUST apply powder on top as it can get a bit greasy during the day

- Not very light-weight... It does feel like you're wearing foundaiton

- Good lasting power

- Photographs well
- Not much product for the price you're paying

- Travel friendly

Applicaiton

- I like applying this from the stick straight to my face then blend it out with my Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush as it gives more coverage that way

Who Would Like This?

- People with Dry skin.. Combination skin types can get away with wearing this as well 

- Anyone who is looking for an easy way of applying foundation

- Anyone who is looking for a foundation that gives a beautiful finish to the skin as well as photograph well

- Those who love a dewy finish

Who Wouldn't Like This?

- People with VERY oily skin as it can feel a bit greasy

- Anyone who prefers a Matte finish

My Final Thoughts: I find that this is one of those foundations that look better after 15-30mins of wearing it when it really melts on the skin and gives it that beautifully glowy look.. Everytime I wear it, my sister asks me what I have on! Only issue I have with this is that it can feel a bit heavy on the skin.. But a great foundation to have for sure!

Would I Re-Purchase? Yes.

Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation or any other stick foundation before?

Review: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

I've been wanting to try this foundation for so long after reading and watching so many great reviews on it! It sounded so promising and when my sister got it for me from Europe, I was super excited to try it..

However, to my surprise.. This foundation was.. a disappointment...

Product

- Blends ok not great.. You do have to work a little hard with it

- Medium coverage

- A little goes a long way

- Not luminous as promises.. Gives an almost Matte Finish

- Sits in my pores

- Can look drying

- Smells funny.. Has a little chemically scent

Application

- Fingers: Didn't give the flawless finish people were raving about & made me look a little dry

- Sigma F80 Brush, Beauty Blender & MAC 187 Duo-Fibre Brush: Made the foundation sit in my pores

I have tried everything to make this foundation work but it just never sat right on my skin the way my other foundations did.. Guess it's not for my skin type? (Normal to Dry at the moment).. Also, it never gave me that Luminous Silky finish it promises to provide.. 

I really wanted to love this but I guess it's just not for me..

Have you tried the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation?

How do you apply it?

Do you love it?





Comparison: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua & Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation

I feel that everyone is always on the hunt for a good foundation and many enjoy reading about them.. I know I do..

So the newest foundation to my large collection is the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (Review).. I really like this product and it reminded me so much of my Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation which I had very much enjoyed last summer..

Although these reminded me of each other.. They are still very much different.. Here's how:

	Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation	Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation
1	Water-Based	Water-Resistant
2	Slightly Thick Formula	Very Runny Formula
3	Light to Medium Coverage	Medium to Full Coverage
4	Semi-Matte Finish	Matte Finish
5	SPF 15	SPF 30 PA++ or SPF 42 PA++
6	Need to VERY Shake Well	Need to Shake Well
7	Long-Lasting	Long-Lasting
8	Might Transfer a Little Bit	Transfer Resistant
9	Available in 9 Shades	Available in 7 Shades

 

 

Swatch

Verdict

- Both are very nice foundations that are great for summer..

- The Shiseido one would be much better for the summer because of it's high SPF and because it's water-resistant..

- The Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is for those who want something with less coverage..

- For those who liked the light-weight formula of the Chanel Aqua but didn't like the coverage, the Shiseido one would be perfect for you because it feels just as light-weight on the skin..

- If you really enjoyed the Chanel Aqua but it broke you out, try the Shisiedo Sun Protection Liquid Foundation..

So despite their similarities, these two foundations are very much different..

Hope this helped you a little bit & if there's anything else I might've missed, please let me know =)

Peace

xoxo



Review: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation

I have tried a few Chanel foundations.. The Mat Lumiere I have and I got samples of the Pro Lumiere and Teint Innocence.. None of these were truly special for me.. I enjoyed the Mat Lumiere but it just wasn't.. The Pro Lumiere and the Teint Innocence disappeared too soon from my face and that's a big no no for me especially because I'm living in a humid hot weather..

When Chanel released the Vitalumiere Aqua foundation, I hesitated a lot before even thinking of purchasing it as my skin NEEDS medium to full coverage and from the reviews I've been watching and reading, people claimed that this is a sheer to light coverage foundation.. And I can tell you right no.. It isn't..

Product

- Light-weight
- Light to Medium coverage.. Covers my scars & redness pretty well but I still need concealer
- You need to shake the hell out of this foundation before you use it as it is water-based
- Very long lasting
- Satin finish.. Matte with a glow/sheen
- I find that it is best applied with fingers
- Blends effortlessly
- Does not cling on dryness or sink into pores
- Does not make me oily and has not broken me out

My Final Thoughts: What I love most about this foundation is that is it a light-weight foundation yet provides pretty good coverage.. Also, the fact that it stays put all day has won me over.. Only thing that kinda bugs me about it is the fact that you REALLY have to shake it before you use it otherwise, there'll be more water than the actual product coming out.. However, it is an amazing foundation for the summer.. Hands down the best Chanel foundation out of the ones I've tried.. 

Would I Re-Purchase: Yes

Have you tried the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua?
What's your Summer Foundation?

Illamasqua Review - Foundation, Blushes, Lipsticks, Lipglosses etc.

To me Illamasqua is one of the few makeup brands whose displays and creativity really attracts me.

And on top of that, their products are really worth every penny as they produce products that deliver what they promise..

Now what I'm saying of course is based on the products I have tired only... Which are:

Rich Liquid Foundation

- So pigmented

- Thick formula that doesn't feel too heavy on the skin
- I like applying this with my Sigma F80 brush as it buffs it in so nicely.. However, using your fingers also works because it can be a bit tricky blend and if not blended well, it can sit on your pores making them obvious
- You only need a tiny bit for the whole face

- Great coverage but I do find that I have to use extra prodcuts on my stubborn acne scars

- Can be used a concealer

- Clings on to dry patches, so it must be applied to a well moisturized face or can be mixed with your moisturizer
- Not exactly a flat matte finish.. Can be more luminous depending on the moisturizer underneath

- Stays on all day

- I do find that it looks better during the day rather than when you first apply it
- Colour range is not so bad.. I found my shade in RF233 but it's a tad bit peach toned for me.. I have read that many people tend to mix up the shades to get their right shade with Illamasqua

Overall Thoughts - A nice foundation for those who have acne scars and for those who are a looking for a long lasting foundation.. But it does time a little bit of time to work because of it's thick formula..

Powder Blushers

- They're all matte which are my favourite

- So pigmented

- Stay on all day

- Stunning shades to suit all skin tones

Overall Thoughts - My favourite products from Illamasqua for sure..

Precision Ink in Abyss

- Glossy finish

- Felt-tip applicator

- Very small that it looks like you're not getting much product but you do

- Long lasting (Does not budge during the day)

- Very black

Overall Thoughts - If you're not into a glossy finish eyeliner, this is not for you. But I personally love it and I think it gives me such a nice polished look. And the applicator is really easy to work with..

Lipsticks

- Matte

- Amazing shades 

- Very long lasting

- A bit drying so you will need to put on a lip balm beforehand

- Very pigmented colours

Overall Thoughts - I looove their lipsticks.. Did I mention they are very long lasting?

Intense Lipglosses

- So pigmented

- Sticky but not overly sticky

- Stay on all day

- Controllable gloss (Meaning if you don't want it to be that glossy you can spread it out and still get a great colour payoff without it being too shiny)

Overall Thoughts - Uncomparable to MAC glosses which can be too glittery, watery, smelly and don't stay on all day. These are so nice and when the wear off, they almost melt away without patchiness..

Nail Varnishes

- Unique shades

- Easy to apply

- Not sheer

- Chipping for me occurs on the 3rd or 4th day like any other nail polish

Overall Thoughts - I like these polishes but I wouldn't go on a limp to purchase them as there are other brands that are just as good but with a lower price tag..

Blusher Brush 1

- So So So Soft

- Do not shed AT ALL

- Blends products so easily

- Great for powder and cream products

- Easy to clean

- Synthetic bristles

- Looks very sleek

Overall Thoughts - These brushes are very high quality brushes and the fact that they do not shed at all has me hooked on them..

What are you favourite Illamasqua products?

Thank God For Second Chances: Korres Wild Rose Foundation

Until I bought the Wild Rose Foundation..

Korres never really failed me...

I honestly almost got rid of this foundation until I thought for the love the brand, I'd give it one more chance.. And boooy am I glad I did..

I don't know what I was doing wrong before when applying this foundation coz I seemed to ALWAYS get it wrong.. It would be too oily on my skin.. Or to cakey.. Or just didn't blend well at all!

So I woke up one morning.. Picked this foundation up to give it one last try.. And with my hands I gently patted it all over my face until it disappeared completely.. Applying a thin layer at first and then adding another layer where needed..

And the result?

Gorgeous glowy skin!!!

The colour was perfect for me (WR3 and I'm an NW/NC30) and the finish was nice, fresh and healthy looking skin..

This did also stay on all day.. (Please note that I did apply powder on top)

And Korres promises a brighter skin with continous use.. So we'll see..

Cons

I think it kinda oxidizes a little bit throughout the day which kinda sucks but it's not so bad

It does transfer a little bit but most of my foundations do even with powder on top

I'm so glad I gave this a second chance coz I'm really loving the way it makes my skin look and feel.. I'm definitely keeping this now that I have figured out the technique that works for me..

Have any of you had this experience with any product where you almost gave up on it?

And has anyone tried the Korres Wild Rose Foundation?

Foundation Review: Annayake Anti-Ageing Cream Foundation SPF15

I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for a GREAT foundation.. I have waaay too many which I will review in the near future but none have come close to being by Holy Grail foundation as Annayake Anti-Ageing Cream Foundation SPF15 has.

Annayake is a Japanese brand and I blindly trust the Japanese when it comes to skincare.. I feel that they know their stuff.. Annayake is not a very well known company on this side of the world and I came across it by coincidence.

Product:

This is a cream foundation that glides on sooo smoothly giving you such a beautiful flawless dewy look. I'm loving this foundation so much.. I'd say that it's light to medium coverage but buildable.. I still need to use concealer with this as I have some acne scars to hide.. But I really don't mind that..

I have combination skin, so naturally I was a little worried about this making me too oily when I first got it. However, the great thing is it moisturized my face without adding any extra oils to it. I do have to use a powder with this but I use the smallest amount on my cheeks as I loove to keep that dewy look.. For those who are super oily, you might not want to add too much moisturizer before this foundation as this might just be moisturizing enough.  

Here's what Annayake says about this Foudation:

"This is the ideal foundation for all women in search of a flawless make-up result, while benefiting from a high-performance anti-ageing skincare product. It combats skin ageing and protects the skin with its exclusive formula containing powerful anti-ageing ingredients".

So you get the best of both worlds with this foundation.. Ageing prevention plus a beautiful complexion!

Application:

Unfortunately this comes in a jar which I don't like coz you gotta scoop the product out which is unhygienic.. It does come with a spatula but I would have much preferred a pump.. But anyway, it's not that big of a deal.. I dot this all over my face then I use my Sigma F80 and stipple it all over.. I blend it out at the edges only.. I prefer doing it that way as I find it gives me more of a fuller coverage..

Final Thoughts:

Now this is a fairly expensive product but because you need the smallest amount, it will last you a long time.. And the fact that it is anti-ageing as well as a great foundation I think justifies the price.. When it comes to products that I know will help my skin get better, I really don't mind putting in that extra bit of money..

Their colour range however is VERY limited. Only 4 shades. But I have found my perfect colour (I can use 45 Naturel or 55 Sable in summer) so I'm happy.

When I got this foundation, I was given a few samples of their moisturizers which I found to be soooo lovely on the skin.. My sister also used my samples and went back asking for more samples that suit her skin type better as she loved the way it felt on her skin and wanted to check out what else they offer before dishing out some money on their products.. 

If you do come across Annayake I highly highly recommend that you check out their products.. They're truly amazing..

Have any of you heard of Annayke? What foundation are you loving at the moment?