Base Makeup - Foundation Swatches & Lemmings

I have to admit, I'm obsessed with flawless skin and I'm always on the lookout for products that would help me look less ruddy and more polised.

Today is a showcase of the foundations that I own and a short introduction on them. Not a lot and I'm still a long way from building a foundation bible.

I do hope that this can help those who are trying to buy foundations with absolutely nothing to rely on, except for online swatches for comparison.

This idea came about when I realized that there were very little cross foundation swatches to be found on the WWW. Maybe my search parameters wasn't good enough, I don't know.

Anyway, I decided to pull out all the foundations that I currently own and swatch them. For the benefit of others, who like me, don't have the luxury of testing out products in person.

Click Image for larger pic

Lunsol Water Cream Foundation in YO02:
You can read my review on this foundation here.

RMK Liquid Foundation in 101:
I bought this out of impulse when it first re-launched in Singapore. Frankly speaking, I didn't quite use this foundation due to the heavy yellow undertone. Moreover, the coverage was not enough to cover old and blemished skin like mine.

Paul & Joe Liquid Foundation in 010:
The first Japanese foundation that I bought. The color is a tad too light for me but the undertone was perfect. The only drawback is that, it doesn't really provide the coverage that I need.

IPSA Pure Protect Foundation in 100:
You can read my review on this foundation in my last post here.

DiorSkin Nude Liquid Foundation in 020:
What can I say? My perfect HG foundation. Gives the best finishes. You can read about my review here.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville:
One of the latest addition to my makeup collection. Color is a tad light for me but once it oxidizes, it's a perfect finish. You can read about my review here.

As for my lemmings:

Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation in Trench 4
Armani Luminouse Silk Foundation in 4
Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation in Sunny Beige
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe
Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation in Chamomile
Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation in Clair-Cameo


A good resource is the Foundation Matrix on Temptalia. Go take a look if you're interested.

Review-Compare / Skincare: Clarins Day Screen High Protection Vs DiorSnow White Reveal UV Shield Vs Fancl SunGuard 12 Sensitive

Today, I'm doing a review and cross comparison on the sunscreens that I've used recently:

1. DiorSnow White Reveal UV Shield (SPF 50 PA+++)
2. Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection (SPF 40 PA+++)
3. Fancl Sunguard 12 [Sensitive] (SPF 12 PA++)

Item Name: Dior - White Reveal UV Shield
Size: 30 ml
Price: SGD70++
Available At: Metro Paragon and all good dept stores
Picture Source: klutzbeauty.blogspot.com


Product Description from Manufacturer: 

As light as it is active, the comfortable film provides powerful protection against spot-inducing UV rays. Combined with a new, non-sticky emollient for preserve hydration and spread ability, the sunscreen agents are evenly distributed on the face for optimum protection. Skin remains bright and beautifully luminous. Exist in 2 shades “Translucent” for a perfectly natural look, or “Pearly White” for a radiantly healthy-looking finish.

Item Name: Fancl - Sun Guard 12 [Sensitive]
Size: 12 gram
Price: SGD20.00
Available At: Fancl @ Istean Orchard
Picture Source: Fancl Singapore


Product Description from Manufacturer: 

Formulated with breakthrough technology, SUNGUARD 12 contains Essence-coated UV Block Powder, which is absolutely gentle on the skin, and Clear Mesh Formula which gives skin absolute translucency.

Active ingredient Ceramide Derivative helps enhances skin barrier function and Moisture Retaining Ingredient supplies moisture and prevent moisture loss in skin.

Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin, it is gentle even for babies from 6 months old. Delightfully lightweight, it gives absolute protection, enabling you to face the sun with confidence.

Item Name: Clarins - UV PLUS HP Day Screen High Protection
Size: 30ml
Price: SGD70++
Available At: Metro Paragon and all good dept stores
Picture Source: klutzbeauty.blogspot.com


Product Description from Manufacturer: 

A cutting-edge formula providing high protection against UV rays combined with protection against pollution and free radicals responsible for dark spots and skin ageing. The incredibly matte, featherlight texture forms an invisible film on the skin. Suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive.

Why I bought them:
I bought the Dior after trying out the sample that the BA gave me and I really like the dewy finish, so I decided to get the full product.

For Fancl, I've always liked Fancl stuff but they have a short life span after opening. The size is just perfect and I liked the fact that it is meant for sensitive skin.

As for Clarins, this was purchased in late 2009. The purchase was purely to satisfy the adventurous spirit in me.

Packaging:
All of the products came in fuss free squeeze bottles. Very convenient and hygienic!

Texture:

For Dior and Fancle, the product is more cream-based as compared to Clarins. So in terms of spreadablility, Clarins would come across as easier to spread.

Price:
Clarins and Dior have similar per unit price floating in the SGD70++ range. Definitely a lot more expensive than drugstore brands. For fancl, although the price is SGD20.00. We need to take into consideration the fact that the whole tube contains only 12g and I have to throw out the product 60 days after opening.

And for Fancl, the strength is only SPF12 compared to Dior that has SPF50 and Clarins, SPF40.

Road Test:
To test the products, I kept everything the same, except for the sun screens.

Dior - I love everything about this sun screen! The heavily scented product might not sit well with many but not for me. The cream is a little hard to spread if I dont moisturize well but once spreaded, it leaves a pearlish white sheen/glow, instead of a whitish cast that actually turns gray. Oh yah, I don't care how others say it but I apply my sunscreen on top of my foundation primer. The glow from this sunscreen actually helps to reduce the appearance of my big pores.

It doesn't give me an outbreak nor did my sensitive skin react to it.

The combination of my RMK primer, Dior Sunscreen and Diorskin Nude Foundation gives me a very good polished finish that lasts all day.

For the Fancl, the performance was comparable to Dior, just that it was a tad boring due it being fragrace free. It was less dense that Dior and easier to spread. Good for those who have very sensitive skin and don't mind paying for a product with limited life-span.

For Clarins, the texture was much more watery. It was definitely easier to spread and the scent was alright but a little offensive when compared to Dior. The scent always reminded me washing powder. Anyway, I got the whitish base and it did leave a whitish cast, which I don't quite like. It dries to a matte finish but that made my foundation hard to spread since I have very dry skin. This product would be loved by people who have oily or combi skin.


Verdict:

Overall, the Dior is my HG. Fancl is alright but given the price and life span, I think I would stick to Dior.

For Clarins, it performed well but it just paled a little when compared with the Dior.

So, in conclusion, I would definitely repurchase for the Dior. However, I would probably skip the Fancl and Clarins when I finish.

Other Pics:

Look what they got for me. . . .

June is my birthday month and it was a month filled with food feasting, gatherings and girlie sessions. Of course, not forgetting the lovelies that my friends got for me. Yeah! I love you all!!!

First up is Dior's 5-color Eyeshadow# 539. I had wanted to get this palette during the last Metro sale but decided against it. My darlings bought it for me instead. I love you all!!

The beautiful inside.. Sorry for the upside-down logo. Lighting was bad and I had to use my laptop's screen backlight to help illuminate.. Giving it a more accurate color.

Next is the Clarins Lip Balm. I've never tried this product before so this would be my first. Ling eats through this like nobody's business.

Lastly, is LHK's Birdnests+Collagen Supplements. My best pal, J.Yeo bought this for me after a discussion on which store has a better product. I told her to try the LHK one and let me know if it's good so that I can buy for myself. She ended up buying one pack for me.. Yeah...

Review / Skincare: Clarins - White Plus Renewing Gentle Exfoliator

Item Name: Clarins - White Plus Renewing Gentle Exfoliator
Size: 50ml
Price: SGD60.00
Available At: Isetan and all good departmental store
Picture Source: klutzbeauty.blogspot.com 













Product Description from Manufacturer:
Contains exfoliating microbeads to gently lift off dead cells and deep-cleanse pores. The complexion is purified and the skin texture refined. Thanks to the action of Clarins whitening plant complex, it helps reduce dark spots. The complexion is more even and visibly lighter. The skin is clean and smooth.




Ingredients List:

Texture and smell:
White Creamish texture but not very dense. Very easy to spread and the micro-beads are very fine and gentle on the skin. Similar to the products in this range, there a nice flowery smell which I like.

For those who likes fragrance-free, the smell can come as overpowering..

Packaging:
In a 60ml tube. Very hygienic and fuss-free.

Price:

Priced at SGD60.00 for 50ml, this works out to approximately SGD1.20 per ml. Not exactly cheap I would say but since I bought it during the Isetan sale with almost 35% off. It's a buy that's comparable to higher drugstore brands. Moral of the story, accumulate your purchase and buy during Isetan Anniversary sale.


Road Test:
I've been using the Origins Modern Friction and was pretty happy about it. But after it ran out, I decided to try something new instead. And this was the alternative that I got.

The texture is more fluid compared to the Origins Modern Friction. And the micro-beads were so fine that it almost didn't feel like my face is being exfoliated.


My pores felt clean and my skin was smooth at the end of the exfoliation and it was so gentle that it did not irritate my skin at all.

Verdict:
This product would probably be more suitable for people who wants to do exfoliation on a daily basis. And for those who have sensitive skin.

For oily skin, this exfoliator might prove to be too mild to be effective though.

Haul: Isetan - 9 Jan 2010

Headed down to Isetan Scott today to redeem my points for Aqua Fusion (Morning) but was disappointed that they dont have stock for it.. So I redeemed the items first and have the nice girls at Clarins call me when the item is in.

Anyway, got persuaded by the sales lady to purchase their latest product in the Multi-Active range. I received the mailer few days prior and my interest was piqued. I figured it's time to venture into the realm of anti-aging. Understand from Evelyn (the Clarins girl) that this is actually an improved product from the original range.

The best thing is that I get double points if I buy 2 products from this range, not to mention the GWP. So I was enticed into getting it.. By the time I realised, I was already paying it... Good thing was that I has over $100 worth of Isetan which I used to offset my purchase. So didn't really burn a big hole in my bank account.

On top of that, I get a 4 piece Clarins GWP as my total purchase exceed some amount... (yeah, no idea how much in total..)

In addition, went by Kino and saw the samples for Lancome Blanc range being offered as GWP for Amica magazine and so decided to pick up a copy as I was thinking of trying out some whitening product for my sun spots. The magazine is an atas magazine with content that is rather boring to me. So, it's purely for the GWP.