Smashbox’s Studio Skin
Cost: $42.00 US Dollars
Available exclusively at your local Sephora.
Description: “Stay flawless for 15 hours with this photo shoot secret for picture-perfect skin. This long-wearing, hydrating formula blurs imperfections using light-diffusing, encapsulated pigment spheres, and delivers natural-looking, buildable medium-to-full coverage. Its sweat-free, transfer-proof, humidity-resistant formula keeps skin hydrated and shine-free all day.”
First Impression: I like that the foundation shades are yellow-based and not pink. Foundations used to be pink-based and they always looked unnatural and pasty on any wearer (think of foundation from the 60s). Studio Skin smells like sunscreen and also has another chemical-based scent that I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s a liquid foundation that falls between watery and creamy when it comes to texture. It is highly pigmented, buildable, and does produce a very natural finish. I found that when taking photos while wearing Studio Skin, this foundation photographs very well and does give you that airbrushed effect.
SPF: None. (One of the reasons why it photographs so well. Be sure to wear sunscreen though.)
Shade: Smashbox has 12 shades available and since they are yellow-based, there is a bigger chance that you’ll find something that matches you perfectly. I matched myself to be a 2.4 Natural Beige although if given more time, I can find a better match. This one is nearly perfect but I may have to go one shade higher. I’m crazy about having the perfect match and I literally won’t wear a foundation if it doesn’t blend in with my skin tone and look good with the rest of my body.
Finish: Natural. Smashbox’s Studio Skin emulates skin at it’s natural state. There is no excessive shine or glow. It just looks like healthy skin. This foundation is great because sometimes you don’t want all the bells and whistles. You just want a foundation that covers everything without looking like you’re wearing anything.
Texture: The texture is normal when it comes to what a liquid foundation feels like. It’s not thin and watery like Chanel’s Vitalumiere nor is it dense like Lancome’s Photogenic Lumessence. I dotted the foundation on my cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin and that was enough for me when it came to full face application. It is blendable until it sets. Remember, this is a 15-hour wear foundation so you know whatever it is that is in there is going to make it stay all day. So work fast and work diligently.
Coverage: Smashbox, like MUFE, are known for creating products that look good even in HD. Their products are camera-ready so I am not surprised to find how pigmented Studio Skin is despite the fact that it still has the ability to look like skin. It has medium to full coverage although I’ll say you easily end up with full coverage at any rate. It covered all of my blemishes and even my broken capillaries (facial veins).
Workable: Very workable in my opinion. Like I said earlier, just make sure you do it before it sets (it’ll set in about five minutes so you have a lot of time).
Longevity: It’s marketed as a foundation that will last 15 hours so there is definitely no need for any setting powder (I think that would actually dry your skin out). It is sweat-free (I don’t sweat), humidity-resistant (a must for anyone who lives in Atlanta), hydrating (I hope so!) and keeps you shine-free all day. It does not transfer at all once it sets so I’m actually quite happy about that. I’ll update on how this foundation did by the end of the day in the postscript.
Application: I applied this foundation with my fluffy mineral powder brush and with my fingers as well.
Type of skin: This foundation is oil-free and hydrating so I think it’s suitable for all skin types. It does tend to lift at the edges of those flaky patches so I think a hydrating mist will be needed throughout the day. I actually have the worst skin today because of the foundation I tested yesterday (Dior Skin Nude … I’ll update on it’s review article and explain everything). I have a terrible dry patch in the area between my nose and my lips (usually my problem area) and Studio Skin is doing pretty well with not drying out or irritating that area. It doesn’t feel tight around that area, but it’s just that if you look really close (like an inch from my face), you’ll see faint outlines of those patches of skin. I think Smashbox is doing a great job keeping my skin hydrated because NARS Sheer Glow always dries out my dry patches of skin. Anyway, I think this foundation would be great for any skin type as long as you thoroughly take it off at night. Also, once it sets, it doesn’t feel tacky like Dior Skin Nude does. It makes your skin feel really smooth and cool.
Packaging: Smashbox Studio Skin comes in a cylindrical glass bottle with a black pump.
The Verdict: Smashbox Skin Studio is a definite yes for me. I will be purchasing this foundation after the marathon and I’ll use it for those hot, humid days, on days when I need all day wear, and probably on days when my skin is feeling better (I recommend never wearing foundation when your skin is feeling bad. However, I have to work and see hundreds of people every day so I don’t really have an option). Since there is no excess shine, I find that my blush, lipstick, etc. really pop and stand out. Studio Skin reminds me of MAC Cosmetics and MUFE so I am glad that this foundation does actually deliver what it intends to do. I’ll test the shade that it one shade lighter than this one to see if I like it more. If I don’t, 2.4 will be the shade that I stick with. I highly recommend Smashbox Studio Skin.
It sells for $42 and this is worth. I honestly can’t stop looking at my face!
For more information on Studio Skin, check out this link below:
http://www.sephora.com/studio-skin-15-hour-wear-foundation-P292403?skuId=1349380
Tomorrow’s review will be about Korres’ Antiageing Foundation. The cast member at Sephora highly recommended it so I had to try it. Take care and see you all tomorrow. :D
Napalm Kitty 