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 / Makeup: IPSA - Pure Protect Foundation

This is another foundation review that I recently purchased. It's the IPSA Pure Protect Foundation in 100

Item Name: IPSA - Pure Protect Foundation - 100
Size: 30 ml
Price: SGD63.00
Available At: Tang Orchard
Picture Source: klutzbeauty.blogspot.com

Product Description from Manufacturer:

A brightening liquid foundation that evenly covers spots, freckles and pores with single application for a translucent finish. Provides a silky smooth texture and perfect adherence to the skin. Resists perspiration and sebum to prolong the initial beautiful finish. Prevents spots and freckles caused by exposure to the sun while protecting skin from dryness. Contains a highly moisturizing ingredient, hyaluronic acid

Why I bought it:
I've almost been interest in IPSA's products for reasons unknown to me. Maybe it's their packaging, maybe it's their product line.. It seems to be such an underrated brand in Singapore. So, I decided to purchase the foundation during the Tangs Closed Door sale.

I googled the product and wasn't able to find a swatch on these foundations. I had no choice but to go to IPSA's website. From the color chart, I figured that I would lie somewhere in 101.

However, I let the salesgirl sweet talk me into getting 100, which was actually too light for me. Lesson learnt: Always go with your gut instincts.

Packaging:
Housed in a sleek glass bottle with a pump. Which I like.

Texture:
The foundation wasn't as runny as compared to my other foundations. In addition, maybe because of the hyaluronic acid, it has a slight gluey feel to it.

Price:
The RRP is comparably to my HG, and so, I'm not complaining.

Road Test:
The foundation is too light for me, which made me look a little like Geisha. 101 would have made a better choice.

It's wasn't as spreadable as my other foundations. Coverage wise is from sheer to light. Definitely weaker than what NARS and Dior provides. Some of my larger pores and redness still came through even after I've patted in another layer of foundation. It wasn't as buildable as I thought it would be.

The finish is glowy but not shiny like a disco ball. But the finish was kind of patchy, probably due to the wrong shade and my dry skin.

The foundation did last well though and I only had to touch up a little in the late afternoon. But I had this feeling of my pores being suffocated after a long day. I think this foundation is just not meant for the tropics.

Verdict:

Well, I'm having mixed feeling over this foundation. The shade was wrong and it didn't spread well. I had really wanted to like this foundation but I just wasn't able to find a good reason to like it at all. Other than the fact that it's a Japanese foundation. I just don't understand why Japanese skincare works on me but never their makeup.

I'll give it another go again next week. The patchy finish could have been due to my recent skin problems. I was stressed, sleeping late, not having enough liquids and eating trashy food.

I'll update again on this foundation.

Below are some pictures.

Swatches. The below is meant for my next post but I got lazy..

Haul: Tangs - IPSA Pure Protect Foundation + Pore Clear Base

Tangs was having their closed door Christmas Preview Sale on 16 Nov 2010 and I decided to get the Ipsa foundation that I've been lemming for so long now.

The crowd wasn't as bad as I thought when I got there in the evening and I went straight to the counter. I was contemplating between the liquid and cream foundation but I went for the liquid in the end as I liked the texture better.

IPSA Pure Protect Liquid Foundation in 100

SGD63.00 - Available at Tangs Orchard

The BA matched me to 100, the lightest available shade and I was kind of taken aback since I usually sit on the second lightest shade instead of the lightest. However, the BA explained to me that since I'm more inclined towards neutral, 100 suits me the best. She tested on my jawline and I have to agree with her.

I've already opened the bottle to try as I write this post.  And the foundation matched my skintone perfectly! It almost became my dupable HG until it started to melt on me by afternoon. But it does have a lot of potential.Will do a review entry on it when I find time.

IPSA Pore Clear Base

SGD48.00 - Available at Tangs Orchard

I also bought their Pore Clear Base. This is supposed to help fill my pores and cover light freckles. As usual, it's the pores that I'm more concerned about.

IPSA Foundation Sponge

SGD13.00 - Available at Tangs Orchard

Lastly, I got the foundation sponge to top up to SGD150.00 to enjoy a direct 10% off on top of the Tangs 12% rebate.

As usual, the BA stuffed me with lots of their latest Metalbolizer sample to try out.

For those interested in Ipsa products, please note that the one and only one Ipsa counter in the whole of Singapore is located at Tangs Orchard.

LuxAsia Sale 2010

Quick update on the LuxAsia Sale. I took leave yesterday to go for the sale at Tai Seng. The venue is very near to Tai Seng MRT and there is a bus stop right in front of the building, accessible by bus no. 24. The building can be seen from the main road and there are posters of the sale hung on the building’s façade.

I arrived around 12PM as I had to clear some work stuff before I left the house. Ling arrived much earlier and managed to grab some of the good stuff. The Guerlain counter was almost bare except for the foundations, selection was also very limited. Single eyeshadows were out by the time I arrived.

You big bags would need to be place into a plastic bag and sealed with cable tie before you are allowed to take the cargo lift up to the sale venue.

Below is a  breakdown for some of the brands on sale. I overheard the conversation between a lady and the Beauty Advisor. Seems like they wont be replenishing stocks for the rest of the sale. But we’ll never know.

In addition, please do not go amok with the buying. A lot of products are expiring in 2011 / 2012. Please check and ensure that your product won’t be expiring soon.

Guerlain: Limited selection. Mostly foundation. No skincare offered

Ipsa: Practically nothing being offered except for 3 boxes of compact powder in worn-out boxes.

RMK: Limited selection of eyeshadows (singles, duos and palettes), Makeup Bases and eyeliners. No skincare available.

Stila: Limited selection of lip gloss and single eyeshadows

Jurlique: Limited skincare selection

Lancaster: Limited Skincare and makeup collection

La Praire: Limited skincare selection and despite the huge price slash, they’re still insanely expensive.

Lots of skincare and bodycare under Gatineau, Phytomer (Salon packaging), Decleor and some french skincare. REN’s bodycare products were also on offer. Leather and bags under Guy Laroche were also heavily discounted and there is a selection of children and men’s clothing.

On the whole, for someone hunting for skincare and makeup bargains for Ipsa, RMK and Guerlain, this sale turned out to be rather disappointing. However, if you are looking at the fragrance arena, you would be spoilt for choices. The crowd control was pretty well done, albeit  the long cashier lines. Due to the huge warehouse environment, there was enough personal space for everyone, despite the crowd.

I left the place feeling hungry and satisfied; and a huge damage to my bank account. More on my purchases in my next entries.

LuxAsia Sale...

I just read on Rougedeluxe's blog that LuxAsia is having a sale between 26-28 August 2010 for their prestige brands at their Tai Seng Office @ 12 Tai Seng Street, Luxasia Building Level 6, with access through the cargo lifts.

Luxasia distributes Stila, Ipsa, RMK, Guerlain, Jurlique and many other perfume brands.

I'm not a fragrance person but I'm really interest in Skincare and Makeup for Ipsa, RMK, Guerlain and Jurlique.

I think I'll take leave to go to the sale. So looking forward to see what is on offer..

Sale hours: 26&27 Aug: 1100-2000hrs
28 Aug: 1100-1800hrs

Haul: Tangs - IPSA

Ok, I know that I made a promise to myself that thou shall not purchase anymore stuff until I start on my current stash. But hey, concealer is a need since I don't have one at the moment... Nearing the big 30, although I dont suffer alot from dark eye circles and heavy eye bags (since I have puny eyes that are not deepset at all), signs of aging have slowly creeped up and I do see visible age spots.

My main requirement for a concealer is to cover up these spots and so I decided to go for something that is more opaque in nature, rather than illuminating. For ladies looking at hiding eye bags, I would suggest something that is more sheer rather than creamy.



Since I'm a klutz when it comes to makeup, color selection and application, I opted for something that is more forgiving such as a concealer palette. Since I can start with the lightest shade and work to a shade that is suitable for me. Anyway, after reading through MUA and the internet, I managed to narrow down to the below based on my needs:

- IPSA: White Protect-C Creative Concealer
- RMK: Super Basic Concealer Pact
- Makeup Forever: 5 Camouflage Cream Palette
- Forever Living: Sonya Color Concealer

In the end, I chose IPSA.. The reason is that I already have a Shiseido corrector for my ruddy cheeks and thus, I only need to conceal those spots. So, I don't require MUF and Forever Living.

Between IPSA and RMK, I'm more inclined towards IPSA since they offer 3 shades while RMK has a powder in place of the third shade. And seriously, I've been lemming for an IPSA concealer palette since so many years ago. It reminds me alot much of my childhood whereby I played with watercolors. And so.. Here it is, my very own IPSA Concealer Palette....

Product Name: IPSA White Protect-C Creative Concealer
Price: SDG55.00
Available at: IPSA Counter; Tangs Beauty Hall @ Tangs Plaza

Brought to us by Luxasia, the same good people who brought us RMK, IPSA is only available at Tangs Plaza. One and only counter in Singapore.

The inside of the product. There are 3 shades on the right and a mixing area on the outer left. We can mix the individual shades together to create the most suitable color.


A: Creamy beige color with pink undertone
B: Sandy beige color with yellow undertone
C: Chocolate color to help balance if A/B is too light for the skin.

Comes with a retractable brush. Totally like an artist palette.

The first block is a little crooked cos I dropped it on the floor while removing it from the packaging. Hah! Good thing that it is not pressed powder, else I'll hate myself for it.

The lady informed me that if I get a base makeup and point makeup item, I get to enjoy a 15%. So being the KS Singaporean, I topped up with a lip gloss so that I can enjoy the discount. I chose a clear lipgloss with gold shimmers.

Name of Product: IPSA Essence Lip Gloss E911
Price: SGD40.00
Available At: IPSA Counter; Tangs Beauty Hall @ Tangs Plaza

It's kind of expensive but the color is really nice and after discount, it's not exactly that bad.

This photo was taken with flash. A little over exposed by look how pretty it shows up in the light.

Taken without flash, looks like dense gold but the effect is actually shimmery.

And of course, the nice lady gave me some samples to try out.