Illuminare • Fantastic Finish Foundation • Liquid

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*TOP REVIEWER* Tindra78 on 12/29/2012 2:58:00 PM more reviews by Tindra78

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

My skin: acne-prone, enlarged pores almost all over my face, hyperpigmentation/melasma and "irritations"/redness.

As you see, I have a real problem skin... I usually wear Everyday minerals loose matte Foundation combined with the Vichy normaderm teint foundation (the one for imperfections/acne). These two works with my skin, but I always like to try new stuff, so....

Now I've tried this foundation. My skin is NW15/NC15, and I found that the porcelain shade was the closest match.

Consistency: a little "thick", like a cream (not a fluid). A little harder to spread in that way. Also feels a little "sticky"...

Coverage: does NOT hide enlarged pores. Gives a "glowy"/moistured look, which is both good and bad for my strange skin: the skin is happy in the start but starts to look more oily and greasy faster than with a "mattifying" foundation. So even if I need the moisture, I also need something mattifying during a working day.... This does not keep the oil at bay...
The coverage is light to medium. Really not that covering. Still it looks better than the Youngblood liquid mineral foundation (which also is a "mineral brand"), cause the illuminaire doesn't enhance dry flakes as much.....

Price: Far too high for the small amount you get!!

Shades: The shade porcelain is the right shade for me when it comes to the lightness, BUT it is grey!! It contains too much of gray, and my boyfriend even commented that "this looks grey"... Yes, compared to other foundations this color is not too flattering. Unfortunately this is the problem with all their products, cause they don't have too many shades for them either.

Availability: hard to get here in Europe, very long shipping time if ordered directly from the company.


So: I won't order this again, it's just easier to use many other foundations. And cheaper.

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PandaLalaa on 9/16/2012 11:01:00 AM more reviews by PandaLalaa

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Blue    

This foundation is AMAZING.
I'm very pale, but also very very warm and yellow so I generally have one heck of a time trying to find a foundation that matches me well. If it's light enough, it's usually too pink and I look like Miss Piggy. If it's yellow enough it's usually too dark and I end up looking like a deranged jack-o-lantern. This foundation is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. Amalfi Alabaster is a perfect match for my skin and the first one I have EVER found. (Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia or Gobi come in a close second).
Fantastic Finish is supposed to have the least coverage out of all the foundations they carry, but I still find it to be medium coverage. I don't even need a concealer with it. It does go on feeling a bit thick, but once you have it spread out over your face that feeling disappears. I know people sometimes automatically connect the thick feeling to breakouts, but this has 0 pore cloggers and is pretty inert.
The only downside is that this comes in a TINY tube and it's $27 (I always order it from skinstore though, I constantly have 20% off codes for them). By the time you get the first drop out, the tube is already half deflated. I REALLY wish they would package it in larger quantities, but whatever. The tube is very sanitary and I like it enough to purchase several small tubes at a time.

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msbean126 on 3/30/2012 12:01:00 PM more reviews by msbean126

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I really hate wearing foundation... I don't like the heavy makeup feel. THIS IS PERFECT! I used to use Bare Minerals but it made my face itch. I ran into this at Whole Foods. I was not sure what shade get so I checked the website. illuminarecosmetics.com They offer for around $10 to get some samples to try out at home. I also recommend the the application pad. Every shade comes in 3 different levels of coverage. Fantastic Finish is the least coverage. The coverage is enough for me, but I could see occasionally using the next level up if I needed a bit extra coverage. It doesn't settle into lines and evens out skin tone. LOVE!!!

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CarleneRae on 10/9/2011 1:06:00 PM more reviews by CarleneRae

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Other, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I've tried SO many makeups and still haven't found one that covers and lasts! The clerk at the Beauty Supply store in town swore by Illuminare because you only use a tiny bit (lie) and it lasts all day without getting shinny. I tried it last night for the first time and had to keep adding produce to cover my face! At almost $30.00 for .05 ounces, it's VERY expensive. I was only out for three hours but came home to find my face starting to get shinny! Then, I tried to wash it off - it was like cement. I had to actually wash my face twice to remove it all. AND this morning when I got up, I saw a few pimples on my cheeks! I'm glad it works for some women but I'm returning mine for a refund.

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misschameleon on 8/18/2011 10:20:00 PM more reviews by misschameleon

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Initially gave it 5 star rating, now dropped it to 3. Loved it when I used the trial size and a little went a long way. Then I purchased the full size and noticeably I had to use about five times as much if not more...it just seemed the product was very diluted as compared to the trial size, and does not provide as much coverage. I know this as I still have the trial size and I have compared the two. Will not be repurchasing as I'm going through the full size tube very quickly and the coverage is not as nice.

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kbholden on 7/8/2011 3:38:00 PM more reviews by kbholden

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Great foundation, got it in Almafi Alabaster, which is perfect for my too-pale-for-most-other-brands skin. One bit of advice, however...I'd originally ordered the foundation sampler pack (which only includes the middle 3 out of 5 shades available) and was initially surprised that Portofino Porcelain (the second to lightest shade) seemed to match my skin. Upon ordering and receiving the PP, I discovered that the color in the sample tube did NOT correspond to the color in the full size. But, I loved the finish so much that I ordered another in Almafi Alabaster, and it's perfect! For reference, I have normal to very slightly oily, acne-prone skin and this doesn't break me out. I also tried the Extra Coverage (accentuated some flakiness that I didn't even realize I had, but not terrible) and the All Day Foundation (postively horrid, unless you want to use turpentine to remove it).

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mizztanyamarie on 4/16/2011 5:26:00 AM more reviews by mizztanyamarie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Medium   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

A bit on the pricey side but worth the money.

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*TOP REVIEWER* LizWords on 4/12/2011 3:29:00 PM more reviews by LizWords

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

I would have thought Ultimate All Day would be better for my skin type, it's combo and leans toward oily, but I've been using Retin-A lately, and while I don't consider it dry, it's drier than it usually is, and the ultimate all day dried it out more and made it flaky.

The fantastic finish is perfect for all over color. I use the extra coverage as my concealer for under my eyes and for spots. The combo of these two works great, I'm very pleased. One of the best foundations I've ever used.

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chloeincolour on 10/5/2010 1:50:00 AM more reviews by chloeincolour

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

Overall really great product, one of the best products you can get if you're looking for heavy coverage foundation. This is a convertible product, which is good and a little product goes a long way, so please don't be intimidated! This product is convertible in the sense that it's buildible and can be seen as a foundation and concealer. However, this product isn't very good for oily skin. It is far too thick. Overall, really great product! So worth the money!!

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winwoodgirl on 8/20/2010 10:38:00 PM more reviews by winwoodgirl

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Oh. My. God. This foundation is perfect for my dry skin. It has great coverage and I love the extra SPF. Totally worth every penny.

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cali on 6/5/2010 3:21:00 PM more reviews by cali

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I bought the trial pack. I really wanted this to work for me since I wanted to try mineral makeup in a liquid form instead of always using powders. The finish and coverage were good, but after testing it for a few days, I broke out with a couple pimples on my chin which I hadn't had in a long time. Plus, I wish they had more of a color selection. I dont have time to mix colors every morning so I don't see that option as a plus.

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peachiful on 5/16/2010 9:25:00 PM more reviews by peachiful

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I looooooooooove this foundation. I discovered years ago on a forum for acne prone skin back when my face was a mess. Despite trying all kinds of other foundations since, I always go back to this one. It's so smooth, makes me look fresh/dewy and never has made me break out (I have very sensitive skin) My skin is now clear and I always get compliments when I wear it. I use the porcelain (lightest color) and it matches my fair skin nicely.

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*TOP REVIEWER* js1624 on 3/19/2010 12:48:00 PM more reviews by js1624

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Love this stuff- tried it because of the great reviews. Makes my skin look great - great coverage, not heavy or cakey, does not collect in the little lines. My skin, only lots better. At the end of the day, it still looks great, and it gives a nice glow, not all matte and dry looking. I use it first then the extra covreage where needed. Great stuff!

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*TOP REVIEWER* fivestar on 3/11/2010 8:41:00 AM more reviews by fivestar

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

This comes in a tiny tube and it's not cheap.
A little goes a long way and that means I don't even use the pea-size amount they recommend in the instructions.
I ordered Florentine Fair hoping it would be a good match and it is. It is very nice and creamy, doesn't settle into lines and pores and it's not shiny so I don't even need a finishing powder.

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*TOP REVIEWER* live4rn on 2/28/2010 10:35:00 AM more reviews by live4rn

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Fabulous. I don't have any complaints about this foundation. I ordered a full size of the right color the first time (got lucky) - Portofino Porcelain. I am fair but not bordering-on-stark white-fair (Alabaster would be best for that coloring). This blends well and covers well, but I don't really have a lot to cover so maybe I'm not the best judge of that. This doesn't cause any itching irritation (like BE minerals did!). You don't need much with this stuff so I see it lasting several months for me. It is the only foundation I've been using since I bought it and I have a whole arsenal of them in my case.

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mdennington on 2/24/2010 4:43:00 PM more reviews by mdennington

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

This product has totally changed the way I feel about foundation. I stumbled accross it here on MakeupAlley, was curious and ordered the sample pack from Illuminare's website. I was suprised that the Fantastic Finish version was the one that I preferred (I have very oily skin). The FF is labeled as a "moisturizing" formula for a dewy look. I normally would avoid this type of foundation, figuring that it would slide right off my face in an hour or two, but I am BLOWN AWAY by the staying power and natural looking medium coverage of this makeup. It stays put as well as Revlon CS without looking chalky or heavily made up. I do add powder after application to my oilier areas, and it's later in the afternoon before I have to blot or do a light touch up with more powder. The thing that I am so impressed with is how natural and nice it looks on the skin...just like my skin but better. I have congested skin with rather large pores. This foundation just glides across and DOES NOT settle into pores, even after all day wear which I am so happy about. Just like another reviewer said, this is an undiscovered little gem that deliveres more than it promises in my opinion. Purchased for $27.00 which isn't bad when compared to other HE foundations that cost more and didn't look as good as this did. I'll update how well this wears in the 100 degree humidity of summer here in GA...but so far I'm devoted. **Edit 9/26/2010**This did turn out to be too moisturizing for the summer heat, but no doubt will be my go to foundation for winter since my skin is less oily during cold months. Still happy with this, however still trying to figure out the best application method. I may need to check out the pad the company offers?

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jacknjewel on 12/23/2009 7:54:00 PM more reviews by jacknjewel

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

I am a BE user but got bored so I started searching around. I thought a cream based foundation for the winter sounded good so I purchased the Illuminare foundation sample package. I could not find any color to match my skin tone - either too pale or too yellow. I did not like that periodically I would have to pat the foundation into my skin again - having acne prone skin all this touching of my face was not a good thing. My face started breaking out so I gave it up and went back to BE.

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*TOP REVIEWER* horkusone on 11/12/2009 7:47:00 PM more reviews by horkusone

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I am really enjoying this foundation and I want to say right off that this base goes further than any other one I have ever tried. I was not sure what color or what version I wanted from this brand so I ordered their sample pack. It includes all three types of foundation in all but two of the shades. I found that the Portofino Porcelain matches my complexion. I would have bet money it would be a lighter shade so it is a good thing I got samples!

In the directions it says that you only put a tiny bit on your hand (or sponge, if you prefer) because a little goes a long way. If you buy this, PAY ATTENTION TO THAT STATEMENT. LOL. I put what I thought was a tiny bit on my hand I ended up with enough foundation to cover someone else's face. However, when applied properly, the coverage of this version is wonderful. It is a mineral make up so it feels light on the skin and it never makes my dry skin feel tight. It covers imperfections and evens out my skintone but never looks heavy or cakey. I do need to use a primer to rein in my pores but I wear primer all the time so no big deal. If you have medium to large pores and you do not normally wear primer, you might want to try to find one. It is a small price to pay IMHO for this great foundation.

Bottom line: I love this and I believe it makes my skin look pretty. I would recommend this to anyone with normal to dry skin and I am even giving the darker shades to my sister. I want everyone to know about this hidden gem.

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whoshore on 8/29/2009 10:20:00 PM more reviews by whoshore

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I tend to careen around in my foundation use for no particularly good reason except that I get bored, and this foundation had languished in my makeup basket since last winter. I pulled it out again recently and then realized that this is really good stuff. I've used several other high-end and well-liked makeups, and in comparison of everything I've tried this is an excelelnt product. It imparts a very natural look and you get the benefit of mineral makeup with the ease of liquid foundation. Plus it has sunscreen! It makes my skin look smooth and natural but not overly made up. If you have oily skin, this probably isn't for you. It really hasn't bothered my combination skin, but a good finishing powder is a must with this foundation if you skin has even a hint of oiliness. It looks like an expensive product considering the price and the small tube that it comes in, but a small bit goes a long way and it's very long-lasting.

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KRaya on 8/3/2009 3:47:00 PM more reviews by KRaya

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

After applying this today, I realized I never wrote a love letter to my sweetheart, Illuminare Foundation.....I have been using this exclusively since I tried it about two years ago. I have tried so many different foundations and powders over the years. I can only ask, "Where were you when I needed you, Illuminare?" I can't believe I didn't find you before then.

This provides a young, dewy finish that takes a few years off of my face. I am particular about skincare, but I still look better when I put this on. Even my husband thinks it makes me look younger. Okay, it might be considered a bit pricey at 27.00 a tube, but to me, it's worth every penny.

Now, it might be considered a little too dewy by some, but I usually apply a quick brush of my fave powder, Fresh, in Seventh Veil. The secret to smooth application is to apply it over top of your moisturizer/sunscreen. I have been using DHC and it goes perfectly on top of that. If my spf lotion tends to peel a little under my Illuminare, I use the coordinating flock brush to get rid of the "pesky peels". Also, make sure to blend it in well. I use my fingers and it goes on "Wow".

I will never be without my skin mate, Illuminare. It's true love. It's also safe. Not toxic to your body (Smile, sigh...)

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