I have been on a hunt for a multi-purpose foundation that has sunscreen (at least 15, prefer higher), provides medium coverage, and suitable for oily skin. 'Cause as summer comes, my makeup will naturally melt off my face within 2-3 hours. Plus because I'm pregnant, my skin is sensitive to the sun, so I need extra sun protection as my OB nurse told me. After trying GA Lasting Silk, I was not satisfy with it at all. It gives me a greasy feeling yet gets me flaky skin at the same time, really weird! Then I remember this foundation which I tried a while back, may be during winter time. I forgot why I returned it. But I don't remember hating it. So I went to the Macy's counter and have it matched for me.
In my opinion, SP4 and SP5 is almost the same color. So my somewhat NC25 probably more like NC30 skin, I can use both with no problem. I ended up getting SP5 only because my neck is slightly darker than my face, so I went for the supposingly darker shade so my face won't be totally off color than my neck.
I like the coverage, it's definitely medium. I don't need to use concealer for my minor dark circle nor my acne scars. It has a matte finish but not mask like, so that's good. It has a slight scent of the signature Shiseido sunscreen smell, which is not too bothering to me. It fades away about 1/2 hour of wear. It doesn't seem to irritate my skin, and the SPF 42 is exactly what I look for.
I pair this with Shiseido's new sheer compact with SPF 22 in O40. I only use the powder on my nose and to touch up. This sun protection foundation doesn't require any finishing powder nor primer. The compact is perfect to keep my nose from shinning, and add more coverage if needed. Overall, I think this is a keeper definitely for summer time. In winter, I'm not sure if I want to wear such high SPF all day long. Would buy again without a doubt.
Update: After been wearing it for a few days, with and without primer and/or moisturizer. I found the best result came from on clean face, first put moisturizer only at area where needed, for me, that would be my under eyes, cheek and corners of my lips. Then I usually leave the house, drive to work, wait till all moisturizer are dried out, then put on primer. I tried using both Shiseido's premakeup cream and L'Oreal's studio secret, they both help to prolong (12+ hrs, with 1 touch up at oily area) and make my face look much smoother. I still highly recommend this foundation, especially during hot summer days.
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Well, I really wanted to like this product. I read the reviews on it and it sounded great. I was looking for something with good sun protection ( I am very pale and burn easily) and with staying power. I was a little discouraged by the color selection because there weren't many shades. The palest was slightly dark for me but it wasn't anything too bad. The first few days were great. Then I realized it wasn't staying on as well and was getting shiney, and then I started breaking out, badly. I wasn't sure what it was at first but after reading the negative reviews I noticed a lot of people did get break outs from it. I immediately stopped using it and switched back to Almay's TLC. My breakouts stopped immediately and withing 3 days I was clear. I wish I could have liked it (especially after what I paid for it) but oh well. I will definitely NOt be using it anymore.
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Really happy with this foundation. I have combination skin, blemish-prone and also have melasma - so I need something good! This is a nice consistency - very thin but still has good medium coverage. Pretty good at keeping skin matt throughout the day. I bought this mainly for the high SPF, and find this a much better option that wearing sunscreen underneath my foundation as it feels less heavy. It also feels lighter that Revlon Colourstay, though coverage is comparable.
BTW I have this in the second lightest shade (20 I think), which is great for my light to medium toned skin. There are no very pale colours, so I sometimes find I have to wear bronzer/fake tan on my body so that I match!
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WOW, I'm pleased. I have tried so many different foundations over the years - drugstore and high-end. Nothing comes close to this one.
My skin is oily combo and acne prone. I have always struggled to get rid of my shiny forehead and chin. This product does it. It mattifies without looking caky.
Even though the texture is runny, foundation brush is not gonna work. I found it better to use my fingers and then finishing touches with a wet sponge. Also, i found it better to use small amount and apply to the desired area and repeat, otherwise it tends to solidify just a little. Not a big deal though.
Color choice is not that great though. Luckily the one I chose (SP 60) matched my skin perfectly. If the options they have matches your skin color, it's a must try. Cost $32 (something like that).
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HG foundation. Love it love it love it. I've tried other foundations (chanel, MUFE, MAC, Revlon, etc...) but this little blue bottle beats them all. All the others had some fault: too cakey, not good color selection, too cakey, hard to apply and/or blend, too cakey, not enough coverage...
this one is perfect.
The consistency is very thin, almost like water, and because of that it feels very light. But don't be fooled! this easily gives you medium coverage and it's buildable if you need more in certain spots (although i have to admit, Revlon colorstay takes the prize for maximum coverage).
the dispenser is very convenient (better than a pump for such a liquidy foundation), the spf is a huge plus, especially for summer; it doesn't transfer and it also doesn't melt if you sweat. it's supposed to be waterproof, and although it's not completly, i have to say it holds up pretty well against water (once i had to take a shower 2 hours after applying this and i was surprised at how little it faded - i wouldn't have need to reapply it!)
honestly... could you ask for anything more?
I am just going ahead and saying that I love this product. The SP60 tone matches my skin perfectly. It provides good coverage and long lasting. Holds the makeup above it well. It is not that drying (and I have dry skin). I slept with it twice to assess the quality of the product and for me this gets the thumbs-up.
The only thing is the packaging. I wish it came in a makeup bottle with pumps.
My color is SP40. Shake well, kind of runny, I pour mine on a decorative mirror, and apply with my SK sponge. Buildable coverage, doesn't feel heavy, dries fairly quickly but not too fast (better than RCS). Application is very simple, quick and no fusing required.
I have a TON of red & hyperpigmentation, some of the red dots need some extra attention, but hid all HP. Pores, 50% hidden, and I am expirementing with mineral powder for extra coverage on 3 red dots.
Yesterday in 90 degree heat, went to an outlet mall, which is outside and it held up VERY well and I felt good about having the SPF.
I am very pleased.
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If I can't find anything better that won't make my face occasionally itch, then I will return to it.
Love this! It's the only foundation that works for me for a long time. Since I have oily skin and live in a tropical country, wearing foundation that provides protection from the sun is very important. When I tried it at first, I wasn't quite sure of what to expect because other brands of foundation that I have used before made my skin feel like it was burning after only a few hours and they melted off quickly, leaving an unpleasant feeling that made me want to wipe off my skin and plunge into ice cold water minute after minute. This product is a bit expensive, but for the quality that it gives, I'm giving it four stars. It's ideal for normal to very oily skin.
Pros:
- great coverage
- lasts all day long, doesn't smudge
- high SPF
- great for Asian skin
- great for oily skin
- non-irritating scent
- easy to use
- matte
- light on the skin
Cons:
- can make dry skin look flaky
- not recommended if you're going to take pictures with flash. It can make you look ghostly.
- dries up too fast if the bottle is almost empty.
- cakes too much if you put powder foundation over it
- difficult to take off
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I can't believe I haven't written a review on this yet! It's probably because I don't use this very often, but when I do I'm in love (why, then, do I not use it more often? I don't know).
Let's start with the coverage - it gives me good coverage, especially considering I have pretty bad hyperpigmentation. I don't usually have to wear any concealer with this! Bonus for that.
It's a pretty liquidy product, so it goes on lightly even though it has good coverage. Four or five hours into wearing it, I still feel like I have nothing on.
It stays on well and lasts through pretty extreme conditions. I just came inside from being outdoors in 95+ degree weather for four hours and it still looks great. You can't even tell on my forehead that I was wearing a hat! I then jumped into the shower to cool off - and the makeup still is awesome.
I have a pretty oily nose and unfortunately I do have to blot a couple times during the day with this foundation. Another plus side to this foundation, though, is that it doesn't give you too-matte, flat looking skin. At first it's pretty matte, but my face eventually develops a nice, natural and dimensional look.
It is a little pricey, but in my humble opinion well worth the expense.
One last thing - I've read some reviews about this causing people to break out. Of course, most products will affect at least a few people this way, so I'm not saying that you will never break out if you wear this foundation. I would like to bring up, however, that for long-wearing and high-SPF products like this, using an oil-based cleanser will really help to break down the product. I use the Shi oil cleanser and never have a problem with breakouts from this foundation (even though I do struggle with bad skin when I'm hormonal). So if you purchase this foundation, please include some type of oil cleanser in your routine.
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