Helena Rubinstein • Prodigy foundation • Foundations

Where To Buy?

impeccable02 on 6/10/2009 3:59:00 PM more reviews by impeccable02

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

I also bought this based on Monchichi 's review and it has been a reminder of the forever subjectiveness of preferences (and hence reviews). I'm sorry to be the wet blanket here, amidst all these glowing would-repurchase-again reviews, but I did not like this foundation at all.

It is very thick and sticky (giving you that constant uncomfortable 'I am wearing foundation' feeling on your face, though as a daily foundation wearer it's not like I can't stand the feel of make-up on my face). In fact, the word "slick" comes to mind when describing its texture.

It also has a kind of pearly sheen that results in that trying-to-fake-radiance-look that is really unconvincing, and frankly, quite tacky . Would definitely advise people with oily skin to stay away from this one. This shimmery, pseudo-radiance quality that is meant to give a "sculpted" look to your face also operates on a micro-level. Meaning that the texture of your skin (i.e. pores) as well as all bumps and irregularities will the heightened. And it just feels like skin can't breath and that it's clogging up your pores (though this may, in fact, not be the case - it just feels that way).

So I don't like the texture nor the finish. Don't like the smell either-- too perfumy for foundation. Packaging is cute and glam but not practical. All in all, I find this to be a very "old lady" kind of foundation.
I didn't get a really good coulour match either -- it was soso. LSF is infinitely better, on all levels.

Basically I don't like thick foundations. I don't think they blend as well and I think they are much more likely to cake and oxidize. All in all, we are ill-matched, this foundation and I, as I like very fluid, blendable foundations that melt into skin. But perhaps this works on dryer, maturer skin. Apparently it is working for some people.

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HannaH70 on 5/9/2009 8:10:00 AM more reviews by HannaH70

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is great. Blends soo easily, leaves a great, natural looking glowing finish while performing great coverage at the same time. My HQ evening foundation, or whenever I want to look my best. The only downside qualitywise is that it contains silicone which clogs my pores = I can't use this every day. But it's ok since the price is unbelievably high (90something euros here in Finland) so I wouldn't even want to use this on a daily basis.

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janetpiper on 2/12/2009 2:36:00 PM more reviews by janetpiper

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I've never met a product that impressed me enough to write a review until I tried this foundation. I have very dehydrated, sensitive skin and it has been especially bad this dry, cold winter. None of the lotions and potions I've tried have made my skin feel comfortable. This foundation rocks. For the first time my skin feels and looks amazing. Great coverage, feels wonderful on your skin and lovely colour match. It's made up for all the products that haven't worked on my dry skin. Would highly recommend for anyone who wants good coverage but without looking or feeling like you are wearing makeup.

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katebrown on 9/26/2008 5:51:00 AM more reviews by katebrown

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

Love this foundation. It doesn't conceal too much, but as a natural day foundation it's perfect, it makes my skin so smooth and fresh! Would really appreciate if it was with atomizer though. Oh, and on a funny note: it smells like Chanel Allure perfume :)) really!

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

honus on 7/15/2008 11:56:00 PM more reviews by honus

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

This foundation is a gem! I also bought based on the reviews here, and was very pleased that I did. My biggest annoyance with foundations is there tendency to make you look like you have covered your skin with sand...yuck. This foundation is like a second skin, it covers imperfections and redness without looking chalky or thick, it just looks like you have nice, glowing, healthy skin. Beautiful. At first I thought that it would be too much coverage for me as the consistency is quite thick, but it spreads easily and just seems to disappear into my skin tone so that I get that (for me very sought after) not wearing foundation, but just have really nice skin look. I have combo skin as well with tendency to break out with some products and this foundation did not break me out or make me oilier in the t-zone!

My only wish is that it would come in a different packaging as I prefer not to have to scoop it out of the jar (although they do provide a little dipper for this). The jar is quite lovely, it is just a matter of convenience really.

Other stuff worth mentioning...no funny smells, good SPF and a little goes a long way.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* Hawko on 5/15/2008 9:39:00 PM more reviews by Hawko

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this based on Monchichi's review & forever thankful. Otherwise I would have never bought it on my own, especially in Canada, however, I tracked down FragranceX & purchased it on-line. I am a foundation junkie, Prodigy is most superior of all, I will give it 8 lippies... good texture, natural looking under any light, even with a thin layer, it appears to have changed (improve) on the facial feature. It is neither matte, nor shimmery but skin glows upon application. This product is truly amazing. I am NC30-35 and I got the colour in biscuit. It is neither yellow nor pink/peach, but the skin glows with a warm tone to it.
I love the teardrop shape jar as well, the heavy duty glass jar has a pearlescent look to it, It doubles as a paper weight.
For safety measure, I am going to order another jar as all nice products tends to be discontinued.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Tess35 on 1/25/2008 9:47:00 AM more reviews by Tess35

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

The SA gave me a sample of this when I bought the magic concealer. I have fair-medium skin and quite surprised that Porcelain fits my coloring flawlessly. Don't know what's in this foundation that gives good coverage that is very natural looking. All I know is that its performance is at par with Sisley oil-free foundation without the heavy tag price.

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*TOP REVIEWER* doree_001 on 8/22/2007 12:57:00 PM more reviews by doree_001

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

Yes, this is an exceptionally good foundation. I tried it on monchichi's recommendation and I'm glad I did. HR used to have nice foundations - I remember Contact Finish, a very good foundation which I used 20 years ago. Anyway, I rarely buy something by HR and their newer foundations were not so good for me, until this one.
It is creamy, smooth, and has SPF 20, very improtant to me. Excellent texture, it is moisturizing, anti-aging and improves radiance. All I am looking for in foundation. Very nice.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* monchichi on 5/19/2007 11:08:00 AM more reviews by monchichi

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Other   Eyes: Blue    

Oh la la, this is a EXTRAORDINARY foundation. I have tried in the past Guerlain anti aging foundation, La Prairie caviar and radiance foundation, Sisley foundation,... Not much, I agree... but what people found the best. This is certainly not cheap at 80 euro's a jar, but it blows away my expectations: it's creamy, moisturizing, anti aging, radiance bringing, gives spf 20 protection with high UVA,medium coverage bidding, non irritating, classy, long lasting and TRULY realistic. It gives a flawless, perfect complexion without looking made up. It's very realistic, very! It's way better then their even more expensive concurrents. If you only want the best, you got to try this. If you try it, you will buy.
I would recommand it for normal to dry skin, i use nr. 23 (biscuit) and put a thin layer of poudre sur mesure from YSL over it. It gives a perfect, canvas skin. Worth every cent! A +++

12 out of 12 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No