New HG! For reference, I am NC 30 and shade 754 is the exact colour match for me.

First of all - this review will be for the new illuminating version of the face architect.

The Shu girl put the original face architect on one side of my face, and the illuminating version on the other side. I was initially very hesitant about the illuminating one because it contains Macadamia oil - and for those with combo-oily skin, you know that we try to avoid oily foundations! I shared my concern with her and how I didn't want to look like an oil-slick. She said she has oily skin (and visibly large pores) and says she wears it all day and doesn't get super oily. From her opinion, the Macadamia oil mixes well with your natural oils to leave a dewy finish - unlike water-based foundations where the oil will separate..

So anyway, she was very convinced on the illuminating foundation - she told me that the original face architect has less coverage and also can get "patchy" later during the day. The original version also has a thicker formula, which makes it a bit harder to blend.

After I tried both foundations, I found that I actually liked the illuminating one a lot more. She was right - it didn't make me look like an oil-slick at all. In fact, it leaves a dewy and healthy finish. I have worn this foundation for up to 10 hours and it lasts. You do have to blot a few times though. The finish was very natural and medium-coverage. I was looking for a foundation that looked natural enough to wear during the day, but one that I could build up to wear at night.

It doesn't have an SPF - which is good if you want it for photos. The pump is really helpful (I only use 1 pump) but it can get a bit messy..

The price is decent - so much cheaper than NARS or Chanel which I've tried before, and actually better than both. NARS Sheer Glow kinda stuck to my dry patches (when I have them) and made my face look a bit flat and Chanel Vitalmiere was great at first but was waaaay too oily after a few hours. This foundation does not accentuate dry patches or get too oily - so I'm happy to have found that it works for me

Hasn't caused me to break out - and in fact, when I wash my face at night, I feel my face being quite soft after. Maybe its the Macadamia oil that keeps my face nourished??

Overall - fantastic and underrated, would definitely recommend and purchase again. I have stopped using all other foundations and stuck to this one only :)

I purchased this in shade 774, which at the time I thought would be too light for my skin, but the SA insisted that it was my perfect shade.
Firstly let's just say that when the foundation was in the bottle it looked at least 2-3 shades lighter then what I actually was. I asked the SA what shade she honestly used and she insisted it was 774, I was getting annoyed, but I thought fine, I'll buy but I know it's not my shade. so I'll be back anyways to get it exchange or refund. I was completely wrong, the minute I applied it at home it was a perfect match, I think it oxidises a little and it turn a little darker. I'm not too sure.
The finish was an bright, clear, fresh and smooth complexion. It stayed on all day no problems. No breakouts as yet, didnt turn oily or shiny. Much better quality then MAC or NARS. It does not rub off and anything, which always happens with the MAC foundation.
It can look cakey if you applied it wrong, best way for me to apply this is with a sponge.
It is medium to heavy coverage and a little does go a long way. It also smells organic as well.
I love this foundation, it feels very light on my face, it give me a bright glowing complexion.
It is a little expensive, but still a lot cheaper then NARS or HOURGLASS here in Australia.

This is my HG foundation through and through...well this one and it's stick version. It's so expensive sometimes I feel my eyes water a little bit when I am handing my card over to the lady behind the counter but overall the fact my skin look like magic is (mostly) worth it.

It is as promised, super super super blendable and is so far the only foundation I found that matches my skin tone almost exactly!

On the minus side it doesn't last long. Even if I just spend a normal day doing not much by the end of the day when I look in the mirror I can see that most of the stuff has worn off. Not sure about other primers but basically it only stays on if I have also used Shu's mousse primer. However this takes both a lot of time and takes expenses from eyewatering to almost heart attack inducing levels. Especially if you are like me and apply foundation with a brush which as I'm sure you all know just eats the bottle faster.

Thinking about it clearly I realise that ultimately I am not saving money because obviously I use twice as many products...but "to save money" I save the mousse and fluid only for special occasions and for when I have lots of time to primp. Otherwise I use the Nobara stick in the same shade which has better coverage and faster to apply for everyday (but not quite as smooth end product as the fluid).

It sounds like this foundation isn't all the great but it actually is FANTASTIC since it's natural, smooth and doesn't cause breakouts. It is totally worth the money when I see how flawless my face looks in the mirror!

Awesome product! only 300 HKD :)

Do you like cyclopentasiloxane? Because if you don't (and I don't) the first two ingredients in this foundation are sea water and cyclopentasiloxane, which appears to be in everything face-base related these days. As you know, ingredient lists on cosmetic packaging go in the order of "starring ingredients" first, meaning the first few on the list are what the make-up is mainly made of. My skin is dreadfully sensitive to silicones, some minerals, and very specifically intolerant to cyclopentasiloxane. If you have combination skin with olive undertones matching MAC's NC20 concealor, and you buy Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation (for $64AUD) in 774, and you apply it in the morning over sunblock, you may enjoy extremely natural looking coverage (even over flaky skin bits) that feels weightless and photographs well... AND lasts alll day (unless you end up in the rain)... and unless... UNLESS you are sensitive to cyclopentasiloxane, in which case you will only enjoy one day of Face Architect's "smoothing" promises and the next day your face will feel itchy under the foundation until you remove it with an oil-based remover and also post-remover soap cleanser to discover that any areas where this foundation touched your face are red and covered in break-outs, hives, painful what-you-call-thems. Hey, your milage will vary, won't it? Some people don't like mineral oil (I do, my skin is weird like that) some people don't like silicones. I can't wear cyclopentaxiloxane. Hear that, Shu Uemura (or anyone else)? Please, someone, make a foundation without cyclopentaxiloxane because my 30+ uneven complexion (sadly) looks better with some makeup. ~~~~ 26/9/2010... I'm still breaking out from having used this and the scarring from the lesions that have healed are... really ugly. ~~~~

I never ever thought I would get to say this...but yes I have found my HG foundation.
I'd actually reached the point where I'd given up on ever finding a foundation that wouldn't break out my super sensitive skin. After seeing the glowing reviews for Face Architect on MUA I thought ok just one last shot and if this breaks me out I'll just go out bare faced forever.
Pros:
-doesn't break me out!!!
-matches my skintone, isn't too yellow or orange or pink (yes I'm looking at you MAC)
-melts into my skin (doesn't look like I'm wearing foundation ie isn't chalky, powdery, etc)
-buildable: can apply one layer for light coverage, two layers for heavy coverage

Cons:
-pricey: $60CAD but it's worth every penny

I tried applying it with a foundation brush and with a wet cosmetic sponge and I prefer the sponge a thousand times. With a foundation brush I would often get streak marks and spend time trying to buff them out but with a sponge my foundation just looks air brushed.

I just got mine in the mail last week and I love it! It goes on so smooth and feels like your not even wearing any make-up. I break out super easily, but I don't with this stuff! Sounds dumb, but I kept switching my face wash and acne treatments, because I thought they were the reasons my face wasn't clearing up and I was still getting break outs. It never occured to me that my make-up was actually making me break out the most. I really really suggest this product to anyone and everyone. It's a bit expensive but I think it should last a long time and is for sure worth it. Happy make-up reviewing!

I recently changed my mind about this make-up. Being a college student, I'm a little low on funds. I switched to Almay Clear Completion and I have to say I like it just as much and its cheaper. I don't think I would buy this foundation again, unless it was a lot cheaper. I would say, if you have the money then go for it, other wise Almay works just as well.

I think this foundation is ideal for asians. It makes my skin look flawless, smooth and natural. The gliding formula fits lightly on the skin. Moreover, it is long-lasting and moisturing. And there are many colors you can choose. It's my favorite liquid foundation now.

The texture of this foundation is silky and gorgeous but it has a chalky appearance and looked too flat for me.
I so wanted to love this but I looked like a powdery Granny. I also used it with the Shu Uemera translucent powder which I still love but I think the combo was too much.

I have a love and hate relationship with this foundation. I love the color, I use two colors in the 9xx level for olive tones. The higher you go in the middle number the lighter it gets. The formula gives you flawless matte finish but becomes cakey and splotchy and shiny within an hour. I tried it with primer and powder to set and still did not get the result I wanted. I think it has clay in it that reacts with my skin- from my experience this is the culprit. This is very similar to Atelier's formula.