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.

LuxAsia Haul.....

This is way overdue, like the next few entries to come... This entry would be focusing on the items that I bought during the LuxAsia sale. True to be told, I was kind of disappointed by the sale, given the short shelf life of many items. I wasn't exactly pleased with the condition of many items. I've learnt my lesson, instead of spending money on something dirt cheap and end up not daring to use the products, I rather wait for departmental store sales to get the items I want. At least I'm guaranteed of the quality of the products.

The Helicopter view. There were other stuff but I've given them away by the time I found time to take the pictures.

First item, Phytomer Radiant Complexion Program Start-up Kit (S$3.00). Phytomer is a salon brand and this kit offers a trial of the product without commiting too much money. J.Low saw an auntie that took one whole bag of these kits.

 

Next is the Guerlain Pearly White Foundation in 031 (S$18.00). I think I bought a little too fair for my skin. However, it isn't too obvious and so, I guess it's alright.

The next one was a total disappointment. It's the Guerlain Issima Foundation (S$10.00). The foundation had already separated when I opened the bottle and the consistency was of a type that I don't really want to take the risk with. Totally wasted my money on this...

The next one is REN Multi-Mineral Pore Minimising Detox Mask. I wanted to try a new cleansing mask and came across this product. Have heard good revies of this product before and decided to get it. And the expiry date is way back to 2012.

Coming up is Decleor Ultra Soothing Cream. This is also a salon brand and I came across this brand some years back when I went to facial with another friend. The facial gave me good results but I later signed up with another facial salon using Dermalogica and I haven't revisited that facial salon since. My skin sensitivity sometimes will strike so hard that I'll feel absolutely helpless and lost. So, bought this cream and see if it'll help my worst times to come.

Next is the Lancaster Infinite Bronze Blush Variation in Natural. I totally love the various shades of blushes.

Next one is a RMK makeup base. The one that I have in my stash is the more watery version. So I decided to get the creamier version to see whether it works just as good.

The next item is the Phytomer Seaweed Soap. No particular reason why I bought this item. The price was good and so decided to try this out. I might make it into a giveaway, we shall see.

The last item is Calvin Klein Eternity set. This was also a disappointment. The shower wash and body lotion tubes had already turned yellow. And for the perfume, the liquid had already turned yellowish and the smell was muted and somewhat different from the Eternite that I'm used to. Probably there are some chemical changes due to age.

Lastly, Guy Laroche was on sale and I bought 4 card holders and 1 key pouches to give away as Christmas presents.

On the whole, this was not exactly the best warehouse sale that I've been to. I've been to better ones. Would be more careful when I go for future LuxAsia sales.

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

Review / Makeup: Dior - Dior Skin Nude Liquid Foundation

Item Name: Dior -DiorSkin Nude @ 020
Size:30 ml
Price: S$65.00
Available At: Metro Paragon and all good dept stores
Picture Source: klutzbeauty.blogspot.com




Product Description from Manufacturer:

Diorskin Nude®

Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup

Containing nearly 40% water, this fluid foundation offers an instant sensation of well-being. Skin appears fresher, silky and feels more comfortable.

Thanks to micro-droplets of water, this foundation’s coverage is lighter than a more “classic” fluid formula, even as it evens out the complexion and makes it appear more radiant and transparent.

With daily use, the skin becomes more beautiful for an ever more natural and radiant result than upon first application.

Why I bought it:
I was in need of a hydrating foundation and I had already narrow down the choices to either DiorSkin Nude or Lunasol Water Cream Foundation. Both had ravings from MUA, Beauty Bloggers and forums alike. So it was a little hard to choose between them. I chose DiorSkin Nude as the lady was so nice that it was hard to refuse her. However, I ended up buying the Lunasol Water Cream Foundation a week after I bought the DiorSkin Liquid Foundation.

Packaging:
An elegant glass pump bottle with sleek edges. Not exactly the best that I've seen but I'm alright with this one. The pump bottle is very hygienic and fuss free. Which I totally like.

Texture:
Creamy runny liquid. Usual texture as one would expect of liquid foundation.


Price:
The price is more less similar to brands around the price range. Not exactly the cheapest I've bought but still acceptable to me.

Road Test:
The product looks darker when it just came out of the bottle but once it has been spreaded, it blends effortless into the skin. The foundation is very spreadable and a little goes a long way.Coverage is sheer to medium and the finished look is more dewy than matte. Typical to that of Japanese Foundations.

The foundation did oxidize a little but it made my skin look even better. No patchiness experienced and I only had to retouch at the end of the day, when I leave work for home.

Actually, I quite like the result at the end of the day. My facial oils actually made this foundation even nicer.. Weird I know but that was how I felt and looked.

Verdict:
This is my new HG foundation. I'm so in love with it that I'm using it on a daily basis, despite knowing that I need to finish up the rest of my opened foundations first. It's definitely worthed the money.

1 pump is enough for the whole face and if you need more coverage, you can still build up without looking like a geisha.

The finished look is very typical to that of Japanese foundations, it gives a dewy and glowy look and did a nice job of even-ing out my skintone. I'm LOVING this foundation!!!

Other Product Pics:

Here I did a comparison between Diorskin Nude and RMK Liquid Foundation. Notice the glowy finish that seems to hide the "lines" by reflecting light better?