Lancome’s Photogenic Lumessence

Cost: $ 45 US Dollars

Available at any Lancome counter in department stores such as Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, etc. (you get the picture …)

Description: Master the power of light and reveal a flawless, photo-finished complexion that’s aglow with youthful radiance. This fluid foundation visibly smoothes away fine lines, pores and imperfections in a flash, thanks to Lancôme’s breakthrough Photonic Network™–a combination of coated pigments and micro-pearls that enhance luminosity, so you look lovely in any lighting. And the ultra-hydrating formula locks in moisture for up to 24 hours, for skin that feels soft and supple all day. Moderate to full coverage.

First Impression: This foundation line has a large shade range and the finish is very nice. The texture is thick and the foundation does look pigmented. For $45, it seems to be a very reasonable foundation choice for someone who is looking to enhance and not necessarily mask their skin. It does not have added fragrance (at least not to my nose) and that’s great because sometimes it can be distracting if you love the formula but hate the scent. If anything, it smells like a cold cream. It does have an SPF of 15 although I wouldn’t mind more.

SPF: 15. This is the standard for many foundations. I wouldn’t mind 20 or 25 even for more sun protection without risking too much flashback. Since it is a foundation with a radiant and illuminated finish, a high SPF (like 45) would actually be a bad idea. I think the foundation tends to look a tad bit lighter in the bottle than what it really is in reality. When the foundation sets, I think it gets a bit darker as well.

Shades: 16 Shades available. I must admit that although Lancome does not have the most shades available on the market, the shade range is too limited. I find that foundations by Lancome tend to be more on the pink or tan side. They split up their shades by the temperature such as cool, neutral, and warm and they also grade it by intensity through numbers (0-8). I am neutral-toned and I find that every time I get matched at Lancome, they manage to jump me from a 4W to a 6W to even an 8N (despite having remained the same skin tone). I either come out looking orange or looking two shades darker than I really am. So I must say that despite the 16 shades in Photogenic Lumessence’s collection, unless you are fair-skinned, it’s going to be a little hard to pull off the foundation if you have a medium skin tone. Also, Lancome does cater to people with darker skin tones, but I must say that the shade range is limited.

Finish: Radiant. Like Guerlain, Photogenic Lumessence also has light-reflecting particles in their foundation. I have gotten a lot of compliments from wearing it as although I may not notice it, I think the “Micro-pearls” are working in this case. I honestly think that it is more luminous when first applied, but loses its luster once it sets and continues to do so throughout the day as well. I would say that a little to some powder would be required for this foundation.

Texture: It seriously feels like creamy butter. I would say that it has more of a velvety texture once it sets. Photogenic Lumessence does go on like a dream and it makes the application process all the more fun.

Coverage: Medium. There is no getting around it, but this foundation is a medium when it comes to coverage. The sale associates may say it’s medium to full but don’t buy it. Maybe if you layer it on heavily or spot an area, it may give you fuller coverage, but it’s not the case for me. My broken capillaries and some redness still peeked through. Despite how heavily-pigmented this foundation may seem, it is actually not heavily-pigmented at all. It’s funny that Photogenic Lumessence would have a heavy texture but lighter coverage. I would rate this foundation’s coverage level to be a 6.

Workable: The foundation is a bit thick (not as thick as cream foundation though) so it requires a little warming up to be applied more easily. I would say that about a quarter-sized amount would be needed if you were to apply foundation to your whole face. To warm your foundation, pump the amount needed onto the back of your hand. Take your ring finger and lightly work the product so that it warms up and thins out. I recommend using the ring finger because it is the weakest of all our fingers and since less force it applied, less product will be wasted (and you won’t get foundation stuck underneath your fingernails).

Longevity: Even though I have dry skin, I think some powder should be used when it comes to Lancome’s Photogenic Lumessence. I think that since it’s such a buttery foundation, it could literally melt off your face if you lived in a hot and/or humid environment or if you have more an oily skin type. This foundation lasted me about five hours and the transfer rate was fairly high. I tend to have to blow my nose a lot and unlike the foundation I tested earlier, Guerlain’s Lingerie de Peau, the Lancome foundation came right off and needed to be reapplied. Dry patches on my face started to peek through about two hours into wearing the foundation.

Application: Once again, I used my Sephora #45 brush (mineral powder brush) and I also had to use my fingers to apply foundation on my problem areas. I think Photogenic Lumessence is one of those foundations that need to be “worked in”. This foundation does not require any shaking although I must say application is much easier when it is warmed.

Type of skin: This foundation is good for normal to dry skin types. I know how beautiful the finish is but I wouldn’t recommend it for oilier skin types unless you be sure to set your foundation with powder. It doesn’t have any apparent scent to it but I advise for sensitive skin types to always do a patch test before applying to your face in case you have an adverse reaction to the ingredients. I think very dry skin types (like me) should look for either a more hydrating face cream or a more moisturizing foundation because it does tend to cause those dry patches to come out.

Packaging: Lancome’s Photogenic Lumessence foundation comes packaged in a frosted glass bottle. It looks like the foundation is suspended in glass and is very similar to Guerlain’s foundation packaging. I think the glass is too thin and I can imagine the horrible moment when it drops and breaks. It has a pump which is a plus although (when it comes to most pumps), you never really get to utilize all of the product in the bottle. The cap is made out of plastic with the form of the rose logo on the top.

The Verdict: I think this foundation is worth the $45 that it’s priced at. However, I don’t think it can be an everyday foundation (as in for the whole entire year). For people with oily skin, this would be great for the winter (so that it doesn’t slide off your face because you’ll be drier in the winter). As for dry skin types, it would be worn better during spring and fall when your skin tends to be more hydrated and moisturized. I don’t think it locks in moisture for 24 hours as the Lancome website claims. Dry spots will be emphasized and look quite horrible since it starts to look cakey in those dry areas. I may consider buying this foundation but it hasn’t had that immediate “wow” effect on me yet. All in all, Photogenic Lumessence is great for specific seasons and looks great when worn for a special occasions due to its luminous pigments in its formulation.

Chanel’s foundation is up next tomorrow. I hope it’s more of a stunner than Photogenic. I think this foundation is good, just not great. I hope you enjoyed reading this post and be sure to read my nest review on Chanel’s Vitalumiere foundation. I’ve heard many good things (and some not so good) about it but I hear that it’s a dream foundation for the dry skin girls. I can’t wait!