Tag: beauty

On the Search for the Perfect Foundation: Korres Antiageing Foundation

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Korres’ Antiageing Foundation

Note: Sorry it took longer to publish this post. I had written it and prepared everything earlier but I had to get to work and I couldn’t access my blog from those ancient computers, lol. I wasn’t really allowed to use my phone either. :(

Cost: $39.00 US Dollars

Available exclusively at your local Sephora.

In shade 25 "Tan"
In shade 25 “Tan”

Description: “Uncover a youthful radiance with this comfortable, crease-proof foundation that promises a soft-focus finish. Quercetin and oak is the first natural, clinically proven alternative to retinol. An ultra-powerful antioxidant derived from the oak tree, it works fast to help minimize the visible signs of aging. The medium-coverage, crease-proof formula helps blur fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful complexion, while a blend of moisturizing ingredients keep skin smooth and hydrated. ”

First Impression: The fact this foundation is supposedly all-natural is a great thing. Peter is always getting on me to stop wearing cosmetics and everything because of all the chemicals in them but I think if something is natural, then maybe he’ll feel a little bit better about it. I honestly don’t buy it though or at least not until I do some research on this product. The foundation has no scent (a plus!) and doesn’t feel tacky after it sets. Although it doesn’t really make my dry patches start to flake, it does dry the area a bit, and it’ll feel rougher to the touch. The finished look from this foundation is one of the prettiest I’ve encountered so far.

SPF: Not listed. I was surprised that it didn’t have any but after looking at the ingredients list, it does have titanium dioxide hidden in there so I am going to assume that it does have sunscreen in it.

Shade: Korres offers 8 shades in this line and they all appear to either be mostly golden or pink in tone. I am currently wearing 25 Tan and it’s a pretty good match. I want to try 20 Golden Beige but I am afraid it may be too warm in tone. It doesn’t hurt to try though.

Finish: The finish is natural (almost “slightly powdered’) and stays that way since it is a long wear foundation. It looks radiant when first applied and sets within a matter of minutes. When you take photos wearing Korres’ Antiageing Foundation, it looks very airbrushed and give you this soft-focus glow.

Texture: The texture of this foundation is slightly denser although I wouldn’t call it a cream. It does need to be worked in though and blended in thoroughly. Otherwise, it will look very noticeable. I’d say that it almost feels like a gel-cream.

Coverage: The Antiageing Foundation from Korres has a medium finish. I would say that it is buildable but nothing beyond medium coverage. It did cover my redness but my broken capillaries still peeked through. So either I didn’t put enough foundation on or it really doesn’t go further when it comes top coverage. I think using a concealer is probably needed if you have a lot of problem areas. I rate this foundation an 8 when it comes to coverage.

Workable: Since it is dense, it does need a little elbow grease in order to be properly blended into your skin. Having dry skin prevents me from being able to micro-exfoliate my skin but I still managed to work the foundation in by warming it up on the back of my hand prior to application.

Longevity: I think this foundation lasts a standard work day. Anything over eight hours, the wearer will find the foundation looking quite pasty. The foundation does get stickier when you’re in a humid environment but I will have to say that it goes back to being extremely smooth once you’re in a cooler environment. I think the foundation settles into those dry spots at the two-hour mark and like I said earlier, it doesn’t show but you can still feel it.

Application: I used my mineral powder brush to blend the foundation in. I also used my flat foundation brush to layer on more foundation underneath my eyes.

Type of skin: I am going to sound like a broken record but I think it’s suitable for all skin types but if you have dry skin, be sure to moisturize and exfoliate before application. I would also recommend a setting spray (resetting as well) such as the one from MAC (MAC Fix +) to help soothe the dry patchy areas. This foundation does keep your skin hydrated but I don’t feel like it’s genuinely enough.

Packaging: Korres Antiageing Foundation comes in a small, frosted glass bottle with a simple white pump.

The Verdict: I think I am able to overlook the fact that it dries out my skin because it does photograph amazingly. I do have to stock up on MAC Fix + (that setting and refreshing spray) if I am to use Korres’ Antiageing Foundation. I would use it for spring and summer and for camwhoring (most definitely). All in all, I think I will buy it even though it’s only good for one thing in my opinion. This foundation also makes any color I apply to my face pop for the most part and so I end up having to use less blush and etc.

It is priced at $39.00. I hope everyone gets to at least try this foundation on once and snap a photo of themselves as well to see how well it makes your skin look.

The last foundation review of my foundation testing marathon will be about Stila’s Illuminating Foundation. It’s been a great run and I’ll see you all tomorrow.

On the Search for the Perfect Foundation: Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme

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Estee Lauder’s Resilience Lift Extreme

Cost: $37.50 US Dollars

Available at any Estee Lauder counter at your local department store (Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, etc.).

rsle

Description: “Now, the radiance, the moisture, the resilience of youthful skin. Flawless makeup with proven lifting technology. Gives you every advantage against visible aging. Plus time-released hydration for all-day comfort. All-out radiance to bring back vibrancy. And the perfect finish to keep you looking ageless. Clinically proven: 100% of the women tested had more hydrated, more radiant, younger-looking skin.”

First Impression: This foundation has a light chemical scent to it (smells like the hand soap you find in a public restroom) and I think the finish is great once applied to the skin. This is one of three foundations I went to a counter and got professionally-matched when it came to the shade (Lancome and Chanel). The five other foundations were matched by myself (Guerlain, Dior, Smashbox, Korres, and Stila). I wish I had done it myself this time as the sales associate was able to match me a few shades darker than what I really am. I understand that I have a medium skin tone, but to make me red-brown when I’m yellow is unforgivable. I really like how it looks on my skin and how well it covers problem areas though so I’m going to have to get rematched later on in the future.

SPF: 15.

Shade: There are 15 whopping shades available. I was matched to be 4C1 Outdoor Beige (03) and I have to say that my face looks significantly redder and darker than the rest of my body. People always say that your face, body and hands do not match but in my case (I always wear sunscreen and take measures to protect my skin) there is only one shade of a difference between my face and chest and none between my face and hands. I told the sales associate that I am prone to redness which can throw off the matching process if you’re not careful where you match the foundation to on my face. After checking out their website, (based on my skin temperature), I am either a 2W1 Dawn (18) or a 3N1 Biscuit (17). I would not take their labeling seriously as 4C1 turned out to be warm instead of cool.

Finish: Radiant (luminous). I think Resilience Lift has one of the most pleasant finishes so far. If I saw a person wearing this foundation, I would definitely compliment them and ask what it was that they were wearing. One thing I noticed about Resilience Lift is that it’s satin in the right areas (hairline and outer areas of forehead as well as the cheek area) and highlights the right areas (nose bridge, under eye area, and chin) as well

Texture: This foundation’s texture is the typical kind you would get from a liquid foundation. It’s not watery in my opinion and I would classify it in the medium category as opposed to being “light” or “heavy/dense”.

Coverage: The coverage is medium to full. Resilience Lift is easy to layer on and is buildable. It covered all of my redness and broken capillaries. It evens out my skin tone without making my face look 2D. The light-reflecting pigments are top-grade in this foundation because I don’t find that I have to use highlighter to bring light to the typically darker areas of my face such as the corners of my nose. This foundation has slightly more pigments than regular foundations (still not more than NARS) and that’s a huge plus. I have darker spots around my mouth (which makes me look like I have a moustache) but those are the veins underneath my skin since my skin is so thin. I think using a concealer would almost guarantee any wearer a flawless finish. (I’m not wearing concealer for my foundation reviews).

Looks nice, just the wrong shade though.

Workable: This foundation feels slightly lighter than NARS Sheer Glow and it is another foundation that is easy to work with. Layering is easy although I would not suggest layering on more than two light layers.

Longevity: Resilience Lift does set without compromising the sheen that you see right after application. This foundation lasts a long amount of time because it actually does set and because it has a low transfer rate. The foundation lasts all day (I would honestly say about 8 hours) and using a powder would prolong its lifespan even more. For an oilier skin type, I would recommend powder touch ups.

Application: This foundation was actually really fun to blend into my skin. The foundation did not emphasize any of my dry patches even after some micro-exfoliation from all the blending I did. This foundation can be applied through a variety of methods without having to be cooled or warmed up. Make sure you shake before application.

Type of skin: Estee Lauder’s Resilience Lift is great for anyone who needs a “lift”, radiance, and a finish that doesn’t look like plaster on your face. I’m sure this will be one of my everyday foundations! Estee Lauder’s website claims it’s even suitable for wearers who are prone to getting acne so I’ll assume that oilier and combination skin types can wear this as well.

Packaging: The packaging of Resilience Lift Extreme is mostly synonymous with most of Estee Lauder’s other foundations as it comes in a frosted glass bottle with a gold cap. Don’t forget that this foundation also comes with a pump. I have a vintage bottle of Youth Dew from Estee Lauder and I’m glad that the gold cap is still an accent to most of their products.

The Verdict: Resilience Lift Extreme really does what it sets out to do. It has great coverage, looks very natural, and does not dry out my skin even further. As a matter of fact, this foundation delivers continuous hydration to eliminate midday dryness. It’s buildable and is priced quite reasonably at $37.50. There is one thing about this foundation that does bother me and it’s the scent. I didn’t find it to be a nuisance when I first applied the foundation but the fragrance hasn’t exactly dissipated. I have a slight headache at the moment and I will have to try this foundation again on another day to see if it is just me or if it’s the foundation that is bothering me. I have a very sensitive nose but I’m not usually bothered by fragrances at all. I would definitely buy this foundation; I just have to make sure that the fragrance is not what’s really bothering me. I definitely have to get the right shade match because I am definitely not walking around looking super brown in the face!

We’re halfway through the marathon of foundation reviews and I’ve found two that I want to buy already (this and Guerlain’s). I’ll update this foundation review in a few days. I’ll be reviewing Dior Skin Nude tomorrow. I hope you enjoyed the reviews and have a good night. Also, try not to laugh too hard at the photo of me wearing the foundation that’s too many shades darker than what I really am. :)