It took me a couple tries to get the hang of this, but now it's one of my favorite full-coverage foundations. At the time of my purchase there weren't any stores nearby that carried Aucoin so I had to buy online and wound up with 2 shades that I mix for the right tone. This method actually works well for me as I can add a bit more of the darker in summer, and the lighter in winter. Anyway, I've found my best results with this are over Aucoin's primer. Normally I loathe primers and all of their silicone-y, this-is-going-to-break-me-out slip, but his adheres SSX perfectly to my skin. The two together vanish all imperfections, and don't cause my skin to break out or become greasy. As many have mentioned, though the jar is microscopic it will last longer than most other foundations four times its size, and it's perfect to tuck into your bag for any touch-ups. It takes a bit more work and time than some other foundations out there, but for a night out it's one of the best out there.

I love this concealer! I went to Bergdorf Goodman looking for a new concealer and stumbled upon this one. The lady at the counter showed me the proper way to apply this, so I haven't had any of the problems that other reviewers have had. This is highly pigmented, so you need to use only a very small amount. I apply this with a foundation brush and basically fan this on. It gives amazing coverage and doesn't cake if you use a very light hand. I can use this as a foundation as well if I just lightly apply it to my whole face. It looks very natural if you apply it lightly. Since it is so highly pigmented, you can easily build coverage as needed. There is a wide selection of colors and i found a perfect one for my olive-toned skin. I tend to be acne-prone and this has not caused me to break out even though it has a thicker consistency. The price is steep, but worth it.

One word: Mineral oil....acne prone, stay away!

What the heck!!! This stuff is great if you want to be a geisha girl for Halloween!! I have used this with primer, moisturizer and without anything and it settles into every pore and cranny and looks like a mask!! Have never been so disappointed base on the previous reviews!Wish I had my money back.

Me: 41, n/d, pale olive skin. Review for SX 03. Bought sight unseen, due to the nearest counter being about 90 minutes away. Thanks, MUA! Pros: very good coverage, many color choices/undertones, does not seem to cause breakouts, easy to apply even over Neutrogena sunscreen, which in my experience tends to pill a lot. Covers without being cakey-dry or disappearing midway through the day. Natural looking and does not in my opinion change color, as some concealers/foundations do. I really appreciate a shade with some olive to it-- NC15 is pretty good on me but not quite right in MAC. Price: very expensive. If you've never tried it, I'd get a sample or good advice regarding shades before purchasing. Probably cost effective given how little you need for spot application (but again, you need exactly the right shade). Packaging: Minimalist carmine red/gold. Jar screws closed easily. Useful for travel, probably as the jar is quite small. Cons: possibly not for someone unwilling to experiment with application techniques. I've personally found that application with a concealer brush (minimizing the amount I use) and then blending by patting seems to work the best for me. If you scroll through the reviews, you'll see a variety of application techniques. I don't use primer, but my morning retinol/c product is in a silicone base and I wear sunscreen daily. Purchase again? Yes, but I'd guess I'd have to experiment with shades as my skin tone continues to change as I get older. Very worthwhile to try unless you have extremely oily or breakout prone skin. I've always admired Mr. Aucoin's work and am glad to try one of his products.

EDIT - Updating this to 5 Lippies - in combination with MAC P&P SPF50, this is my HG foundation!

OK, it took me a while to work out how to use this stuff. First I used too much and it looked pasty. Then I got the amount right, but couldn't seem to blend it properly, and I was getting very oily towards the end of the day. Then I happened upon MAC Prep & Prime SPF50 - and a match was made in heaven!

Here's what I do now: after my antioxidant serum I apply MAC Prep & Prime SPF50. While the primer is still fresh and not yet dry, I get a small amount of Kevyn Aucion Sensual Skin Enhancer (I mix SX05 and SX07 to get a good match for my NC20-ish skintone) and mix it on my fingertips, and gently dot the SSE all over my face, blending gently (trying not to 'pull' too much on my skin). This gives me the most natural coverage I have ever achieved with any foundation, and I've tried a lot of them! Yes, it's expensive, but as others have said in their reviews, KA SSE is VERY pigmented, so you don't need to use very much at all.

The MAC P&P SPF50 is the only product (apart from Sofina Lucent 50++, which is too drying and irritates my sensitive skin) that controls my oilies. I hesitated at first to call the Sensual Skin Enhancer HG, as it is tricky to get right. Overdo it and you become instantly pasty. And the shades are hard to match, I notice a lot of other reviewers also had to mix two shades to get it right, and buying two of these tiny little pots is very expensive.

I will definitely repurchase when I run out, or when the product turns, whichever comes first! continued >>

I was skeptical about trying this foundation, the ingredient list included MINERAL OIL which worried me....nonetheless, I went to Neiman Marcus and bought 2 of them, SX06 (for highlighting) and SX08 (as a base)..... I was smitten with it, it left a soft glow on my skin, truly the look of healthy, poreless skin. My face was shiny within the hour but a few blots took care of that. The consistency is very thick, sort of like toothpaste and can be difficult to blend....I found that it lasts longer when applied with a foundation brush although it blends better when you use your fingertips...Overall, I really liked it and I'll save it for special occasions when perfect skin is a must :)

*Edit* I upgraded my rating to a 5!!! I've worn it every day for over a month, fallen asleep with it still on, sweated in 95 degree weather in it and HAVE NOT broken out!!! I'm extremely acne prone so I have to be careful what I use so I was amazed that this foundation didn't break me out a single time (considering it has oil).... The ingredients in this must be very well balanced to create such a skin friendly product :) LOVE IT, will never be without it....

I have the SX08 and the SX09. This is a tough product to get use to but in truth, it's a great one to have in one's arsenal of make up. I like to get a tiny bit out and mix with another foundation. Apply with a foundation brush (Brenda Christian has one that's fluffy and spreads everything so wonderfully) for an even application. This look is definately for "going out" or that "special event". Unless you always like a FULL coverage look. I don't use it daily or even weekly but am so happy to have them as tools when needed. I have tried to use the SSE alone and it just was too much for me. It does have a terrific staying power and comes off so easily I can't just say enough good things about this product. If you have it and don't like it, give it another chance. My favorite foundation to mix with is the Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation.

WOW!
I have serious PIH spots still in the process of recovering. After searching and searching for concealor/foundation that can cover those spots without makeing it obvious, I decided to give this a chance. Bought #7, #8, #11 because I didn't know which one would make it up perfectly but they all ended up being very useful. I'm NC40/42. #7 (neutral beige with slight peach undertone) works beautiful with dark circles underneath my eyes. #8/#11, I blend the two to cover the blemishes and it does a great job depending on the depth of the color. It's REALLY pigmented so you only need size of a sesame seed!!! Oh, and did I tell you that it stays matte (but not dry) all day long too? I love this stuff!!!

EDIT: I found out it can be heavy just alone so I mix it up w/ tiny bit of lotion to thin it out, then set it with mineral make-up. You won't believe how natural it looks!!! All my friends thought my PIH healed up all of sudden!! Suckers.... hahaha!!! :D

I have this in SSE 7 and I am a MAC NC 20-25, right now my foundation of choice is Cle De Peau but I thought I would give this a try due to the reviews. I do not find this expensive at all for the small amount you use, the jar will last quite some time, not to mention it can be used as a concealer or foundation.

Like others my main problem is getting just the right amount and learning how best to apply the product. I have found that a damp sponge works best for me and I am not fortunate enough to use just a pin size amount of foundation, I need more due to redness and scars.

The foundation does not feel heavy at all, I have oily skin and was quite surprised how little I have had to powder/blot throughout the day even with using moisturizer prior to applying the foundation, which I never do with any other foundation. This foundation covers well and there are alot of colors to chose from. I still love CDP but I can see switching to SSE in summer as this appears to control oil better then CDP and will probably hold up better in summer time.

I will repurchase but probably wont have to for quite some time, a good product from KA!