#XOReview - My shade and My foundation collection

I have say that getting into makeup has been a journey for me. The first time I actually wore makeup was in high school, but not like you would think. I was in drama and I needed foundation on stage (according to my drama teacher). My mom had an old powder foundation that was my match that I used. I don’t remember the shade or the brand but I had a weird thing that I liked the smell of some foundations. Weird, I know.

After graduating, I didn’t really do makeup besides eyeliner/ eye shadow when I got into J-fashion (deep down my dream is still to do Lolita fashion).

From J-fashion, AB skincare was introduced into my life and I was never the same. I’ve tried Korean and Japanese makeup but you can only use so much sparkle in the office XD

All in all, even with my skincare helping with my skin concerns, dark circles don’t disappear. Especially if you’ve inherited them. So to help with that, I turned to Youtube and foundations.

The first foundation I bought for myself was MAC Studio Plus Powder . I learned I was a warm/neutral undertone and I learned that I did have two different shades through the year since I went from NW45 in the winter to NW48 in the summer. I used both until I hit pan and loved both but I wasn’t fully into my skincare routine before I stopped using powder and moved to liquid.

I won’t fully into my foundation history (I barely remember it!) but let’s go into my collection as is now.

I have a total of 5 foundations currently in my collection (I will be talking about 6 since I wanted to include Nars). I’ve used all of these over a year and tested them in the Louisiana weather. If it can out last the humidity, it’s a good foundation. Let’s start in the beginning.

BareMinerals Fresh Faced Liquid Foundation Made-2-Fit

I received this foundation from Influenster (like a majority of these) and it’s a “custom shade” meaning it’s supposed to be the close to perfect match to my skin it can be. The process was interesting as it was all through an app. The foundation costs $50 USD and comes personalized (mine has S because that’s the initial on my gmail account that I used).

The foundation is a medium coverage liquid foundation, 1 oz frosted glass bottle with a pump. I received this foundation in February 2018. This is my darkest foundation in the collection. I can’t tell you why this is. Since it is a sheer-to-medium coverage, it does blend into my skin and not too drastic a shade because of the coverage.

It is a comfortable foundation, giving a natural dewy look. I would wear it again but I for now, I have other foundations that I love more.

Becca Ultimate Coverage 24-hour Foundation in Sienna

Another foundation from Influenster. I received this foundation in June 2018. The bottle pictured is not the bottle I recieved. I lost that bottle on a trip and was so devastated because this is one of my favorite foundations.

This is full coverage foundation that lays beautifully on the skin and give the skin a bright look. I don’t have much to say besides that is one of four foundations that I LOVE!

It is matte but doesn’t feel drying and doesn’t leave my skin looking dehydrated. It lasted until the end of the day. This is the second darkest shade in my collection but like BareMinerals, when applied, in a thin layer, it matches perfectly and doesn’t look off. I will say that this foundation does oxidize (deepens in shade as it dries down). So when I first got it, I thought it was too light but it wasn’t.

Since I did repurchase this foundation already, $47 USD, I will not hesitate to do it again, but I might go for a shade up (Walnut) to combat the oxidation.

Clinique Even Better Broad Spectrum SPF Foundation in Amber

I got this foundation for free as a reward for spending too much month at Ulta Beauty (being a Platinum member). I was surprised to get the coupon and as worried I wouldn’t found my shade. When I went in, the workers didn’t know about the promotion and were worried that they wouldn't have enough to give to those who had the coupon.

I’ve had a sample of a Clinique foundation before and I had the shade “Clove” which was okay but not my shade, so when I went in and the consultant pulled out Amber, I was worried even more, but it was perfect shade. This is another foundation that I love and it’s my current product when I do my makeup.

It’s a perfect shade and goes on light. It’s a medium coverage foundation with SPF 15 that’s supposed to help even the skin tone and diminish age spots. It’s a beautiful foundation that I’m willing to pay $29 USD (the cheapest of my foundations) for again.

DIBA by Dibawssette Queendom Cushion Foundation in Aminatu

Being into Asian beauty, cushion foundations is very common, but can be rarely seen in my shade. I’ve tried high end versions (Lancome) and the low end (L’oreal) and they were good but didn’t last me long.

I found out about this cushion from Youtuber KennieJD (if you haven’t seen any of her videos, you should!) just a few days before it was launched. I paid ~$35 for this cushion, shipped from Canada.

This is supposed to be a full coverage matte foundation. It is matte but for me, it was never full coverage. I don’t know why and also it never really stayed without a primer (majority of these foundations I don’t wear a primer and they last all day). It would fade and just look very bad if I tried to use a concealer to help with my dark circles.

The one thing that really surprised me was that applying the foundation, it was clear that I applied it but it didn’t feel like it! It felt like I barely put it one and because the shade was a match (a surprise since I had to go with online swatches) I didn’t really know until I added a few layers.

I’ve used it a couple of times, more as a retouch through the day with my other foundations, but on it’s own, it wasn’t for me. I think it was more for those with combo/oily skin instead of dry skin

Marc Jacobs Shameless Youthful-Look 24 Hr Foundation in Deep Y500

Yes, this is a sample but I did have a full size that I got from, that’s right, Influenster. I received that bottle in April 2018 in the shade Deep R550. Out of both the shades, Y500 is a closer match to me. This foundation is a light to medium coverage and it very lightweight.

The thing about this foundation is that it sets itself and looks gorgeous on a simple makeup day. Another foundation that I love and would consider repurchasing ($46 USD). This foundation also has SPF in it but it doesn’t throw off the shade and it works well with any other products that I use before and after.

It’s lightweight and goes on easily. Applying this is easy with a brush (it will absorb too much into a sponge) and looks beautiful on the skin. Not much I can say except that I love this foundation.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in New Guinea

Last, but certainly not least is the only empty right now, but I wanted to include it because it’s my top pick. I’ve tried drugstore liquid foundations but after hearing rave reviews on Nars, I gave in and bought this on my birthday in 2017. A sheer lightweight foundation that blends so well with my skin. It looks too light but it’s one of the few that blend so well and give my skin a glow and looks perfect.

The only bad thing is that this doesn’t come with a pump an dI wasn’t able to find one (had to use a MAC pump that didn’t fit) but other than that, it was my best foundation. It’s a matte finish but it doesn't make my skin look dry and was a great purchase ($47 USD). I would recommend for anyone who wants light coverage foundation that gives the skin a glow and makes the skin look natural but better.

That’s it! All of the foundations that I’ve use and have in my collection! All are stated to be warm undertone and have matched in some form or fashion. I’m still working through a few of the bottles and if I had to choose for a repurchase I would pick Marc Jacobs, Clinique, Becca, and Nars.

Until next post,

XOXO

#makeup #foundation #becca #bareminerals #clinique