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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.).

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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. :)

On the Search for the Perfect Foundation: Chanel Vitalumiere

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Chanel’s Vitalumiere

Cost: $55.00 US Dollars

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

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My shade for Vitalumiere is 40 Beige.

Description: “The ultimate solution to tired skin, the best-selling CHANEL foundation instantly revitalizes the complexion upon application — and throughout the day.The formula has ingredients that specifically target dry, dull and uneven skin, and moisturizing agents to provide hydration and comfort. Amarine extract boosts cell energy to enhance radiance, and light-reflecting pigments smooth away imperfection, creating a soft-focus effect. Creamy and luxuriously lightweight, this essential daily foundation blends effortlessly for perfectly smooth, even-toned, radiant skin.”

First Impression: Chanel’s Vitalumiere foundation is wonderfully fragrant (just about all of their products are). The scent is very (very) floral and (although other people have complained about it), I don’t seem to mind it at all as it does dissipate after a few minutes. My sample came in a sturdy glass bottle with a spatula attached to the cap. Vitalumiere makes the skin look so full of life and luminous.

SPF: 15. I don’t think this foundation oxidizes at all. Since its finish is quite radiant, having an SPF of 15 would be ideal. Like I said before, I would prefer more but flashback will definitely be an issue if the SPF factor was higher.

Shade: Eight shades are available. I was matched to be 40 Beige although I can definitely pull off 30 during the winter.

Finish: Radiant. You know when you just finish exercising and you notice that you have this healthy glow to your skin. Well, that’s what Chanel does to your skin. It doesn’t make it healthier but it really gives you that glow if you’re looking to liven up some dull, lackluster skin. Vitalumiere’s finish is one of the most radiant and illuminating founations out there on the market that doesn’t just matte out after application. Chanel’s Vitalumiere also uses light-reflecting pigments to help you obtain that radiant look. I would say that this is amongst the few foundations that are more radiant than NARS Sheer Glow.

Texture: The texture is extremely light and watery. I’m used to wearing foundations that are denser and thicker so it surprised me that this moisturizing foundation was so fluid-like. The light texture of this foundation does make it easier to work with.

Coverage: Medium. The sales associate working at the Chanel counter said that this foundation was medium to full coverage and once again, this is another foundation that does not fall into that category. Vitalumiere is not pigmented enough to achieve a full coverage effect, even if you tried to layer it on. Vitalumiere almost feels translucent when it comes to covering my blemishes and my broken capillaries. It evened out my complexion with no issue and made my skin look alive although it didn’t cover the areas that I needed it to. If you have problematic skin, I would advise that you use a concealer when using Vitalumiere because the coverage will not be enough to cover under eye circles, reddened acne spots, etc. When it comes to coverage, I will give Vitalumiere a 7.

Workable: Due to its light texture, it is extremely easy to work with. I think I end up using more product because of how watery it is. This is an ideal foundation to be stippling, patting on, and blending into your skin. A nickel-sized amount will probably suffice when it comes to full face application. I find it hard to layer this foundation because it seems like it just blends into the previous layer without doubling up on coverage on those problem areas.

Longevity: Vitalumiere is not a long-wearing foundation. It has a tendency to transfer everywhere and quite easily, too. I think a setting powder is definitely needed although I feel like this does take away from the foundation’s finish. The texture of this foundation doesn’t allow it to properly set and hold onto your skin. I think reapplication throughout the day is definitely required and I would say that the foundation (although always remain radiant) thins out and wears away within the first four hours of wear. My skin is quite dry and has no problem holding onto to foundations. However, this is not the case when it comes to Chanel’s Vitalumiere and Lancome’s Photogenic Lumessence as well. I would definitely not recommend this foundation for anyone prone to oily skin because your makeup would end up sliding off of your face within hours or you would end up looking like a shiny disco ball.

Application: I used my dome mineral brush (I honestly don’t think I use anything else anymore) to stipple and dab the foundation on. Chanel recommends using your fingers to apply the foundation but I think using a brush actually wastes less product in this case. With Vitalumiere being so light in texture, it’s easy to get it all over your fingers during application. If you want to use your fingers, I would recommend it for spotting it on problem areas. This foundation does need to be shaken as well and it does not need to be warmed up (if I get this foundation, I would consider putting it in the fridge so that it’s not too liquidy).

Type of skin: This foundation is perfect for normal to dry skin types during the warmer months as oilier skin types could possibly risk becoming a walking puddle of oil if they wore this foundation during the warmer seasons. Vitalumiere is perfect for the colder months and colder climates for all skin types when our skin is dehydrated and dull-looking. If you have sensitive skin or if you are sensitive to fragrances, I would definitely recommend a swatch test. From many of the reviews that I have read about Vitalumiere, a large portion of people were bothered by the strong, floral scent that accompanied this foundation.

Packaging: Chanel’s Vitalumiere comes in a clear, glass bottle with a black, plastic cap. I quite like the packing. I find it to be simple, refined, yet dark. The foundation comes equipped with a pump so no more pouring your foundation out from the bottle (NARS Sheer Glow).

The Verdict: I like this foundation and I will consider purchasing it. It doesn’t irritate my skin at all and my dry, flaky patches are still hidden from view. Vitalumiere does provide the hydration and comfort that it claims to deliver. I believe that if you layer it on, you may risk emphasizing the patches, but it is so minimal when it comes to Vitalumiere. I think it’s slightly a step down from Guerlain’s Lingerie de Peau and produces a lovelier finish than NARS Sheer Glow and Lancome’s Photogenic Lumessence. Although it lacks the staying power and is better for people who only have very little problems when it comes to their complexion, I think Chanel Vitalumiere is another foundation that we should have for the days when we need a little “skin-pick-me-up” (especially for the days when we are sick). This can be an everyday foundation although I would not recommend wearing it during the hot summer. If it had more coverage and better staying power, this could have been “the” foundation for me. At $55, it’s not so bad but for a few dollars more, I think Lingerie de Peau trumps Vitalumiere.

I had a lot of fun experimenting with this foundation and this is the third foundation of the eight for the foundation review marathon. Like I said earlier, I’ll keep this one on my list and I’ll probably end up buying it to keep my skin looking nice when winter rolls around.