Shiseido • Perfect Smoothing Compact Foundation SPF 15 • Powder

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honu66 on 4/18/2013 2:13:00 PM more reviews by honu66

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have lived in the sun all my life and have loved it. As a result, in my 40s, I have sun damage and spots to prove it. I have tried everything under the sun to rid of it and at the same time, have been trying to find a foundation that looks like skin, offers full coverate w/o looking like a mask and long wearing. Thought it was a dream, but a month ago, I went to the Shiseido counter and asked the lady to show me what she's got. She started w/the sun protection in sp50 and sp70...which I had been doing. Then she topped with the perfect smoothing compact in O80...which has a stronger yellow tone. It cancelled out the pink that the Sun Protection in sp50 was giving me.
It went on matte, and more yellow than I was expecting, but it matched my skintone a lot better. In about 15 min. it settled on my face and gave a natural sheen to my skin. That powdery look was gone. The sheen is not an oily feel either. My skin feels soft and dry, but not powdery. It lasts long, but not all day. I reapply once in the late afternoon and it restores the look w/o looking patchy or masklike.
I do like it and think I will go back and purchase again when this runs out. I apply it w/a dense kabuki flat top or the sponge when I am out and about. The contour and blush that I am wearing comes through in a few minutes so I am not left w/having to apply everything again.
O80 is rather dark, but I think it helps cancel out my dark spots underneath. When I lighten up in fall, I may go a shade lighter, but so far it's the perfect finishing powder of the Shiseito Sun Protection liquid foundation for me. I am happy with it and am glad I tried it.

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ccarlino on 3/8/2013 12:44:00 AM more reviews by ccarlino

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Silver, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

This is my HG foundation (at the moment) after trying a myriad of samples (Lancome, Chanel, Clarins, Dior, Origins and the better drugstore brands.) I have mature dry skin so I first apply Estee's Nutricious moisture lotion followed by Clarins sunscreen (if I'm going to be outdoors). Then I apply the powder foundation with the excellent quality sponge that comes with it. It takes 30 seconds or so to set and then voila - a lovely soft matte finish without the powdery look. I follow with Shiseido's cheek blush in Petal and it really looks nice. Non-comedognetic is a plus.


Cons: Shiseido has a limited color palette for cool, fair skin. I had to settle with the I20 (neutral). Can appear too yellow or sallow when first applied then it seems blend in with my skin tone. Great foundation but need more colors!

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purpldy on 2/1/2013 12:37:00 PM more reviews by purpldy

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Red, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I love the smoothness of this powder foundation! The added benefit for my sensitive skin is that the SPF is only titanium dioxide. Only one big problem, the colors are way off to their liquid and cream foundations. I purchased this in my usual shade B20 (I'm a very pink NW20) and it is practically orange on me. Unfortunately, the B20 is the lightest shade in the Beige(cool) family in this formula, the Sheer Matifying comes in B00, but not this one unfortunately. I intend to return it, or might try for an Ivory (neutral) in i00 or i20. I use this as a touch up powder and setting powder, and not my overall foundation color. A bit of neutral or even yellow tones isn't a bad thing for touch up during the day. Too bad Shisiedo does not have the B10 like their Cle de Peau line!

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sumyi on 12/17/2012 11:00:00 AM more reviews by sumyi

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This powder is sooooo smooth and provides medium coverage.

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kilimanjaro4872 on 11/17/2012 12:33:00 AM more reviews by kilimanjaro4872

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Super smooth, probably the smoothest press powders i've had - it just blends right into your skin. It does go everywhere when i use the brush - but that's okay - just do it over the sink! Has nice build-able coverage. Doesn't break me out and doesn't make me feel oily either. Great selection in colors too. I keep rebuying this product ! Don't like the case tho - Shisedo can do much better than that! Would love a sleek and modern looking case!

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*TOP REVIEWER* mudpud on 8/11/2012 6:55:00 PM more reviews by mudpud

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I also was a long-time fan of Shiseido's Powdery Foundation, so when this was marketed as its replacement, I bought it right away. Unfortunately, it pales in comparison to the Powdery Foundation, IME. First off, it's so soft and loosely packed that 1) it flies everywhere when you use a brush and 2) your brush will actually leave drag and/or pock marks in the powder. Using the included sponge gave me a heavy, cake-y look. The best way I found to apply this was to use a rounded sponge (the Beautyblender or one of its knock-offs, etc.) and pounce it into the powder, then do the same to apply it to my face. But the thing that makes it truly thumbs-down for me is that throughout the day, it would react with the oils in my skin and sort of separate and crease in my t-zone, with or without the use of a primer. My skin is slightly combination, so I can't even imagine what this would do on oilier skin. The foundation also has the signature flowery powder scent which may or may not be a factor for some. Color match seemed to be okay: O40 for this golden undertoned, medium-ish complexion (~C3, BB Warm Beige 3.5, BE Golden Medium, Shiseido Sun Protection line SP50). I think this is more of a 1 1/2.

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californiadaisy on 7/13/2012 3:26:00 AM more reviews by californiadaisy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This has to be the BEST pressed powder foundation I have ever used! I've been on the hunt for the "best" foundation for years and I'm so glad I came across this product! I don't have the most perfect skin but this powder sure does make it seem like it! Like the name of it, it definitely makes me skin look & feel "smooth." It's very natural looking and can be layered/packed on to a full coverage (& it feels like you have no makeup on!). I have oily and acne-prone skin but this product definitely stays on all day and has not broken me out!

The only thing I don't like about it is that it creates a white cast when photos are taken (because it has SPF in it), otherwise I'd say this is the best foundation/powder I've found so far! Also, the color selection is amazing!

Quick tip: Use a brush for a "natural" look (so you don't cake on too much) or a soft sponge(?) pad for a legit "airbrushed" look.

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PickkeyMakeup on 6/6/2012 7:33:00 PM more reviews by PickkeyMakeup

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

ok sooo i was on the hunt for the perfect powder foundation for my oily/acne prone/sensitive skin.. when i tried this on at the store it gave amazing coverage and i was super excited to start wearing it! i didnt mind that i had to buy the foundation and the compact seperatly but when i tried this the next day I was extremely disappointed it didnt give me that amzing coverage i saw at the store it was really powdery but it did nothing fof my oily skin!! if anything i felt more oily than before. i didnt break me out or iritate my skin but it just wasnt what i needed from a foundation soo unless you dont have many blemishes and your skin is non oily this could work for you

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stefunky on 5/31/2012 1:14:00 PM more reviews by stefunky

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

As a girl with freckles I slowly learned liquid foundation is definitley *not* an everyday choice. Why? Because with freckles you have 2 options 1) super thick makeup to cover every single freckle or 2) applied light but leaves those freckles with a tint of grey so you have these odd grey spots on your face.

I've tried mineral makeup and its sooooo thin I end up caking it on only to see every little peach fuzz hair, every bump, and line is exposed. UGH.

I started on Shiseido because after many mistrials of drug store makeup I realized my skin is not pink. I have yellow and pink undertones. IF YOU HAVE YELLOW UNDERTONES USE SHISEIDO. Plain and simple.

This powder is amazing! It looks great on top of liquid foundation or by itself. It blends sooo well and the color choice never leaves me with that mask around my neck.

My application process is as follows: exfoliate, and apply a basic SPF moisturizer ( I use Olay), then I apply the powder. The moist. works as a primer for me and helps keep the powder in place. It also gives my skin a healthy glow all day. ( if you have dry skin and you use just powder as your makeup, your going to see those flakeys around your nose and eyebrows, so use primer or moist.)

The powder goes on smoothly and evenly and lasts all day. I love it. I am NOT one of the girls that can easily wear pounds of makeup and eyemakeup, so this powder alone gives me beautiful, glowing skin that helps me embrace the freckles I have without making them grey or hiding them to much.

Now even though Im on this whole freckle trip, the powder still gives excellent coverage. Its light and airy and it just...works.

Its around $30.00. Yeah I know, $30.00. BUT I've found applying with a brush it lasts a good 2-3 months.

I've repurchased a total of 3 times....I never do that. I'm always looking for something better. I guess I found it. :)

Pros:
- Light and soft
- You can control the coverage based on how much you put on
- Great colors
- Lasts all day
- Compact last time total 2-3 months

Cons
- You have to buy the actual compact the powder refill is stored in, its like 9$ but its a one time purchase and you just buy the refills after

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*TOP REVIEWER* curlycuesue on 4/21/2012 7:05:00 PM more reviews by curlycuesue

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I used Shiseido's Powdery Foundation for years, but recently learned it was being discontinued and the Perfect Smoothing Compact Foundation was its replacement. I usually apply with a powder brush, so it evens out my skin tone providing an almost airbrushed look, but doesn't look cakey. It even seems to diminish the appearance of my large cheek pores. I can see nano-sized shimmer particles in the compact, but I don't notice them on my face. Initially, you buy the square plastic case ($9) and powder foundation ($31) separately, but afterward, you just buy refills. The square case is sleek and slightly less bulky than the powdery foundation oval, bulbous case. I like this product better than the powdery foundation - it makes my skin so smooth, and provides such a beautiful, even-toned radiant canvas. Even with a light dusting using powder brush, I just feel more put together and sophisticated. I'll be buying this again when I run out!

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Ruby1994 on 4/3/2012 9:09:00 PM more reviews by Ruby1994

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Tan   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is the best foundation I have ever used. It covers imperfections well and it's non comedogenic so it willnt make you break out.

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toriiimiiin on 3/24/2012 10:22:00 PM more reviews by toriiimiiin

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

Ever since I started using BB creams, I've been a bit hesitant to use regular foundations, so I did a lot of research on this product before I purchased it. And I must say, I'm beyond impressed with this product. I wanted a powder foundation to use now that the weather's getting warmer and my skin tends to be more oily, and this is amazing. It doesn't give that cakey, dry, over-powdery look that I normally associate with powder foundations. It goes on smoothly and gives me a matte, flawless look without looking fake. The SA tried matching me with a few of the medium shades and they were all too dark, so she ended up trying the lightest shade, I00, and it was a perfect match. I was pleased since I prefer having fair skin, but I'm NC25, so I was also pretty shocked. That would mean that the lightest shade would be too dark for, say, an NC15, right? I either use this by itself over sunscreen, or as a setting powder over my BB cream, and it looks great both ways. I like to apply it with the sponge it comes with when I'm wearing it alone, and with a powder brush when I use it as a setting powder, for a lighter application. However, when I want to touch-up during the day, I use the sponge for convenience since it's right there in the compact haha. I pat it into the powder and then pat it onto my face, as opposed to rubbing it, so it doesn't look too heavy.

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doristam on 3/13/2012 4:00:00 AM more reviews by doristam

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this compact foundation in addition to my Shiseido liquid foundation, which I apply in the mornings. I have combination skin so by mid-morning, my t-zone gets pretty shiny. I keep the compact at work for touch-ups on my t-zone and it blends perfectly and absorbs the oil. I used to use I4 for years until I realized it a little too pink for my skin tone. I went to a Shiseido counter salesperson and she tried I2 on me and it looked perfect, balancing my yellow undertones. Amazing! Will definitely keep using the powder to complement liquid foundation use.

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iloveyourstory on 2/16/2012 11:41:00 AM more reviews by iloveyourstory

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I love this makeup!! I've tried Make Up For Ever Duo Mat, Lancome Dual Finish, and MAC Studio Fix (shudder). Neither of these ever worked for my combination skin, but this foundation is so soft and lovely. It glides on and feel smooth, looks natural and is easy to take off. The salesgirl said this foundation is prefect for women with combination skin, plus it has SPF in it. You can't beat that. Would definitely recommend!

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charday on 1/14/2012 11:06:00 AM more reviews by charday

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Prior to using this product, I've tried Mac's Studio Fix and Kanebo. This looks really natural and gets absorbed by the skin easily especially if you have normal to oily skin. I didn't suffer from breakouts even when I sometimes go to bed without taking it off (dead tired from work, school, and raising a toddler). It's not cakey, non-drying, and provides fair coverage. But I guess if you're suffering from bad acne, it may not give you that much coverage. Compared to Mac's, it looks more natural while its relatively comparable to Kanebo's.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mulletoftruth on 11/11/2011 4:58:00 PM more reviews by mulletoftruth

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Other    

I've been wanting a powder foundation for a long time and settled on this one after reading tons of reviews. I was vacillating between this and the Hydro-Liquid and probably should have gone with that one instead.

This powder just sat on my skin no matter what I used to try to buff it out. It's really finely milled and silky but it looked rather unnatural and at the same time didn't offer very good coverage, so I returned it.

I'm yet another reviewer who found the I20 too dark. I have fair, netural-toned skin (neither warm nor cool) and it wasn't that the color was too yellow, as some have complained, but that it was just too dark. It might have worked in the summer when I have a tan but my real issue was with the formulation.

All of that said, the packaging is great. It's a nice little compact and I love that the sponge fits with it and that it has a mirror. Unfortunately, I'm still on the search for a powder foundation. It might work well as a setting powder but that's not what I was looking for. I think at my age (40) I just need something a little creamier and more blendable.

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unlitbutonfire on 11/7/2011 3:42:00 PM more reviews by unlitbutonfire

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

UNABLE TO GET A PERFECT COLOR MATCH. I TRIED THIS IN BOTH THE O80 & O60. THE O80 LOOKED A LITTLE TOO ORANGE. THE O60 LOOKED A LITTLE LIGHT BUT I THINK IT SPF IS ALSO A FACTOR. THEREFORE, WHEN APPLYING I USE A VERY LIGHT HAND AND NEED TO WARM UP MY FACE WITH BRONZER.

I APPLY WITH A FLAT TOP BRUSH. THREE DABS ONTO THE COMPACT; ONE DAB FOR THE CENTER, AND ONE DAB FOR EACH SIDE OF MY FACE. THIS FOUNDATION GOES ON SMOOTH AND FEELS CREAMY; THEN MELTS INTO THE SKIN. THE APPLICATION IS REALLY QUICK AND FOUNDATION WEARS REALLY WELL. LASTS FROM 6 IN THE MORNING TILL 10 AT NIGHT. SOMETIMES I DONT EVEN TOUCH UP. BUT WHEN I DO, I USE SHISEIDO'S SHEER MATIFYING POWDER FOUNDATION COMPACT.

GREAT STUFF!!! BUT NOT FOR TAKING PHOTOS.

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Hoyman on 9/9/2011 3:33:00 AM more reviews by Hoyman

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I used Shiseido powder for 7 years now. I used O40 and I40 both match me great. Very good coverage. Last on my normal skin type for 9 hours. Refillable which is good for envirment. Will still used this powder as long as Shiseido have available for sell. Love Shiseido cosmetics.

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sensan on 6/28/2011 8:49:00 PM more reviews by sensan

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I love this foundation! It's super easy to apply, and it feels like you have nothing on at all! It looks totally natural. If you don't have much time to do your makeup, but you want a nice, natural, flawless look, definitely try out this product. I seriously have nothing bad to say about it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Vannbaby on 6/7/2011 8:00:00 PM more reviews by Vannbaby

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I got this powder after I hit pan on my MAC studio fix powder. I read so many good reviews on this powder, so I had to give it a try. The first time I went to Macy's to get it, i got it in the color 020, well thats what the rep. matched me with. Inside the building, my face looked amazing. However when i went outside, sitting in my car looking in the mirror, I looked so pale! Mind you I am an NC35ish. So i went back and exchanged it for 040.

Here are the PROS:
*Excellent coverage! It is so smooth on my face
*Does not break me out!! (Like MAC Studio fix does)

CONS:
*Rubs off SUPER easily.
(for example wearing your sunglasses, it will rub some of the powder off your nose)
*040 makes my face look more orange, so i have to blend it with a lighter powder to equal out the color.

I am Asian, Mexican and Caucasian. My skin tone is yellow with hint of pink on my face. I would LOVE this if, it didn't turn my face orange. So i am still on the look out for that perfect skin matching color :/

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No