Cinema Secrets • Cinema Secrets • Crème

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mustanggurl on 9/24/2012 1:16:00 PM more reviews by mustanggurl

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

This is super light and covers great. It's the only other concealer I can use other than my Neutrogena smooth stick, that doesn't piss me off and look gross on my skin. It's water based so it smooths out evenly and it lets your skin breath. Doesn't feel like you have makeup on, unless you cake it on with a brush or sponge... Which because its consistency, you can make that mistake your first couple times using this. But when used right, It doesn't look cakey under powder and it honestly looks and feels like your own real skin... Just your skin if it had no imperfections or redness of course. Totally worth it. Their site sucks for trying to order the right color though, so maybe try calling them for shade help or going down there. I live near the area so it helps... But I still hate going there so once you get your shade once, ordering online from them is a breeze. I have medium w/ neutral undertones skin. Close to Jessica Simpson or Carrie underwood skin, and i use the shade 506(15) for concealing. It's awesome stuff!

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VerySplendid on 7/15/2012 3:01:00 AM more reviews by VerySplendid

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

** Not Tested On Animals **


Skin type: normal to dry but acne prone.


Desperately seeking a new HG foundation since I found out MAC test on animals after being bought out by Estee Lauder. For reference, I am MAC NC25 / NC30 - see my notepad for my colour matches to other brands.


PREPARATION: as my skin is dry, I usually apply a facial oil or moisturiser first, but as this is stage makeup & quite heavy, I applied primer only.


CONSISTENCY: This is a cream foundation which easily provides full coverage. Creamy & smooth but quite dense & heavy too, applied using the beauty blender & finished with Ben Nye banana powder.


QUALITY: Excellent! Full coverage + didn't budge all day.


RE-PURCHASE? Unfortuntely, no : ( I finished taking Accutane 7 years ago & this foundation gave me my first recurrence of 2 HUGE cystic acne pimples on my cheek, after wearing it 2 days in a row. I purchased samples from Camera Ready Cosmetics for $4, each little pot contains enough for a bit more than 3 applications so I've been using it as under eye concealer with no problems so far.

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*TOP REVIEWER* msmarielliejellie on 5/23/2012 4:27:00 AM more reviews by msmarielliejellie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I love this baby! I bought this mainly because I could never find a foundation that suited my skintone and this offered a wide range of cool and warm toned colors. It is very blendable and smooth and a little goes a long, long way considering it's full coverage. It doesn't have SPF so I assume it would photograph well. It also comes in a small pot so it fits easily in my makeup bag whenever I travel but you get enough to last you a while. Highly recommend you try it out, especially if you can't find a shade for your skintone.

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EyeshadowArtist on 5/8/2012 12:32:00 AM more reviews by EyeshadowArtist

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

I don't order this from the site, when I go get a facial done the woman sells these to me for the same price that the website does. I guess she has immediate supply.

Since she matched me, I have a perfect matching shade, so that isn't a problem. However, I have oily skin, and apply a sunscreen under, but no primer. The sunscreen isn't oily, but doesn't help it stick. I also have rosacea (red cheeks, or discoloration, as some call it) What I figured is that I first put it on with a stipple brush from elf, and then I use a triangle sponge applicator on the super red spots that you can buy by the bagful for like two bucks. You have to be really careful when applying with the sponge, because it might end up looking super dark or cakey. But I like it, you have to play around a lot to figure out the best application look.

So this is my HG. I'm going off to college now, so I have to find a ne one (UGH) but basically, as an NC20, this is 602-65? It's a dream, especially since it cancels out my rosacea. What you have to do it apply it with a sponge or singers - not a brush, or it'll go on thin and you'll waste product. I learned that lesson. My only thing is that it is not cheap. One day when I have money I will buy this again maybe though hopefully I won't need foundation any more, by then. Anyway, that's the only reason I don't give it five stars, the cost. Because it costs 20 bucks to get a small pot, 30 bucks to get a large one, and I just don't have the moolah. oh well, time to go to covergirl.

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*TOP REVIEWER* thevnilly on 9/23/2011 7:40:00 PM more reviews by thevnilly

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

For reference, I'm a C2 (light w/yellow undertones) and use 602-65 for a spot concealer.
I can't really comment on packaging, since I've only ordered a sample size of this from Camera Ready Cosmetics. The sample should last me quite awhile though, as I only use it for blemishes and only wear makeup once or twice a week. It does cover nicely, but you've got to learn how to make it work for you personally. I do wish it were a little drier and waterproof, as the creaminess of it makes it sometimes smudge off as I'm trying to blend. And you absolutely have to set it with some sort of powder, which can also be tricky to get on.
But, I like it and will most likely purchase the full size (which is very cheap in comparison to other concealers) when I run out.

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sputnik on 6/21/2011 8:16:00 AM more reviews by sputnik

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

I tried this as a foundation but it was just too much for me. So, I used this (in shade 602-65) as a concealer to match my liquid foundation (Nars sheer matte in Deauville). For me, this was a good replacement for Mac studio finish in NC20, which broke me out. This one doesn't break me out, nor does it oxidize on me.
This is so much easier to use because it's softer and you need very little because the pigmentation is fantastic. It's really easy to apply and blend (I use The Body Shop's synthetic eyeshadow brush), the finish is like skin, and it stays put when done right.
This is a good concealer, it will last for ages. Definitely worth checking out.

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Scazza on 5/1/2011 1:58:00 PM more reviews by Scazza

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this after great reviews here. The colors are very nice but they completely burned my under-eye skin. Cannot use it as a concealer, but still useful for the red neutralizers.

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hopefullytx on 2/4/2011 5:19:00 PM more reviews by hopefullytx

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I just have to say that I LOVE this foundation. I ordered several pallettes and placed them right into my kit!! I love the fact how little you actually need to create a flawless finish. I used the good old wet sponge technique to smooth and blend out this foundation. I was very impressed on how smooth it makes the skin look on camera...my client was speechless when she saw the photos!! If you are an artist and want a great addition to your kit...grab them!!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* nattyngeorge on 11/23/2010 2:58:00 PM more reviews by nattyngeorge

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

(I talk about the shades for a bit.. to read my thoughts about the coverage, etc.. read past the *** asterisks) Since I wear self tanner on a daily basis, I can range anywhere from NC30-40. I usually stay somewhere in the middle. Around NC35-NC37. A true NC40 works perfectly on days where I'm rocking a good tan, but any darker I cannot do. I'm on the lighter to true spectrum of the NC40. Foundations that work the best for me are foundations that are yellow toned. Beige/Neutral foundations make me look ill and gray, Cool foundations make me look pink, Warm (red) foundations make me look like I have a severe sunburn and too olive of foundations make me look green. So.. golden yellow work wonderful and match my neck the best. Cinema Secrets has different "series" for different skintones. The "300 Series" is "for many Asian and Caucasian skin tones with yellow base and undertones." The 300 series contains 6 shades. 301-306. I purchased two samples from camerareadycosmetics.com for I believe $3.99 each. I ordered 301-63A (a soft extra light warm yellow beige) and 302-65A (light warm yellow beige). 301 ended up being a little light for my whole face at the moment, but it worked great on days where I'm not as tan. It also worked great under my eyes. I would say 301 is a good match for a NC30.. and possibly NC25. 302 worked great all over my face. It's a good NC35 match. You may be able to wear it if you are a NC30 as well. 303 is two shades darker than 302 (I had to double check.. it seems a little odd.. why two and not one?). Some NC40's use 303.. but I haven't so I can't say for sure. But I'm assuming it would work well. 304 is "a mixture of yellow, pink-warm tone and soft light golden beige". It appears to be lighter than 303 and I've read that it matches NC35 pretty well. 305 and 306 are shades above NC40 (possibly in the NC50 range). I'll be ordering 302 and 301. 302 for all over my face and 301 to highlight under my eyes. I might order a sample of 303 just to see how it works.. and possibly mix it with 302 if I have a dark tan. Foundation palette #3 contains 301, 302, 303, 201 & 202. (201 & 202 are deep olives.. if you're around my skin tone you can use these to contour). So, #3 is a good choice for NC30-NC40.*******Because the foundation is a cream, I like using a moisturizing wash on my face and then applying witch hazel to my face with a cotton ball so I don't have excess oil on my face prior to application.Then with my ELF angled foundation brush I apply the foundation in light strokes until blended. It blends really effortlessly and you don't need to sit there and buff for a long time. You only need to touch the foundation with the brush. You don't need to scoop or dig. It's very pigmented and its best to start out with as little as possible and then go back and add more. The finish is almost like a 2nd skin. To me, it looks very natural and it doesn't look cakey. Definitely use a setting powder because creme foundations tend to smudge easily. I've also used a MAC 131 brush and a foundation sponge and they all worked very well. When I want less coverage, I spray my brush with a little MAC Fix+ and apply the foundation. It sheers it out a bit. I don't find it to be so heavy that it needs sheering out though. I haven't seemed to have any reactions or breakouts.

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Bootyliciousx on 10/10/2010 7:12:00 PM more reviews by Bootyliciousx

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This gives medium sheer coverage. I don't think it looks natural. It is wer creame formula. It applies really wet and unevenly. I won't call it medium coverage because it does not give coverage like Clarins True Comfort liquid foundation or Loreal True match liquid foundation which I consider to be medium coverage. This does not hold up in heat at all. It is runny. The colors are not good.


If you are looking for full coverage I would go for Estee Lauder Double Wear, Dior DiorSkin Forever Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup, prescriptivews flawless finish. Or even Revlon color stay liquid foundation, sticky, which gives full coverage is better. Make up for ever face and body foundation is better. Clarins true comfort, Esteer Laude's lucidy is better. Loreaol True comfort is better. I only wore it for one day in hot weather. Does not cover. It melts immeadetly in the heat. I think Price is two high. As a concealer Mac studi finish concealr and Dermablend cover creme give more coveage, they are fully coverage.

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Christy1745 on 10/9/2010 3:41:00 PM more reviews by Christy1745

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I came back to edit this review after a few months of use. It works for half a day but then starts to get shiny oily and worn off - I have combo skin. I applied with the little white makeup sponges with a little bit of the CS moisture spray. This seemed to work for a while but I'm going back to the original foundation I used for years, but took a break from because it's pricey. I thought I could find a decent cheaper substitute and thought this CS foundation was the ticket! Alas, no.

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Starlyte on 8/7/2010 10:39:00 PM more reviews by Starlyte

Age: Unknown   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Other    

This is my HG foundation. Hello! Why did I just find out about this? This foundation is VERY versatile and provides sheer to medium to full coverage. I also use it as concealer for under eyes and blemishes. Experiment with different ways of applying it (foundation brush vs. a dry sponge vs. a damp sponge) until you get the coverage you want.
I have sensitive, combo acne proned skin and have experienced no breakouts or irritation. Score! I'm around NC35 and #304-32 matches me pretty well.
When I first saw this creme foundation in the little pot I was sure it would be too heavy for my oily skin. But the texture is amazing...a light creme that blends almost like a gel. A little goes a very long way so if you use too much product then yes it could look heavy and cakey. So use a small amount and blend with a slightly damp sponge and you'll get fresh, dewy skin that looks very healthy & natural. I use it over primer and it lasts all day.
$22 for a pot that lasts forever....love this stuff!

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*TOP REVIEWER* missvox2 on 7/25/2010 8:53:00 PM more reviews by missvox2

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

This foundation is similar to Studio Fix. It didn't last long on me and caked and fade throughout the day, I didn't like how its in a small jar making it hard to dig for product--I used a stippling brush to get the product out.

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petmyskurvette on 4/30/2010 2:20:00 AM more reviews by petmyskurvette

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

I just bought this yesterday and wore it for the first time, but I love it already. I was color matched at the store in Burbank itself and the worker there (Jeff) was wonderful and really took his time to find me the perfect color. I just needed this as concealer for my undereye area and he perfectly matched a concealer just for that purpose. You can't tell I'm wearing concealer - I just look very well rested and bright.

Pros: Doesn't cake up in the corner of my eye, stays on (through a sweaty gym session), pigmented enough to easily cover any blue veins under my eyes without needing a lot of heavy product, the perfect color so that I don't have reverse raccoon eyes, very well priced ($12.50 for .25 oz)

Cons: It shows dry skin a bit, but I just need to put on eye cream before I apply this concealer and it's no longer an issue.

I will update later if I find that it clogs pores or just doesn't seem as good as I think it is, but as of now, it seems like a very perfect concealer!

UPDATE: Still using this and still love it, though it settles a tiny bit into fine lines I didn't know I had (and I'm 24 and honestly do not have noticeable fine lines without concealer on). It's only a little, though, and I still like to use this concealer as I look horribly tired without it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Hawko on 3/19/2010 4:47:00 PM more reviews by Hawko

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

Initially I purchased the palette to try out various colours, I narrowed it down to #302 and #303 & bought the full size. I am around NC 35.I am applied it with my Mac #130 brush, it covers up my post laser redness & my sun spots in a totally believable way (I topped it off with a dusting of CdP loose powder).
Today is bright & sunny, I do not think anyone on the street can tell that this guy is wearing make-up, let alone a stage make-up. Part of the credit goes to the perfect colour-matching & also to the Mac #130 as well.

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iris621 on 11/13/2009 3:49:00 AM more reviews by iris621

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great foundation. At first, I thought that it would be too dry or that it would look cakey. But the MUA taught me to apply it woth a wet sponge and it looked really natural and it can last a whole day. One little pot can last forever.

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*TOP REVIEWER* SuzyCutie on 11/12/2009 7:52:00 PM more reviews by SuzyCutie

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This is hands down the best foundation I've ever used.Now,if you knew how long it took me to say that...:P My HG before was MUFE F&B,which is still fantastic,don't get me wrong,but when my skin is dry CS is my go to foundation.This can be applied just about any way you want,sheered out for light coverage or full on for heavier coverage.This also looks incredible in photographs-my skin is far from perfect and it is very forgiving.
I have super sensitive skin and no ill effects from it,no breakouts,nothing.
The only thing I don't care for is the jar form; I use a foundation brush or clean sponge to apply so I don't turn it into a petri dish.
This was about $20 USD and outperforms foundation I have spent twice as much for.

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*TOP REVIEWER* 9154mf on 7/14/2009 11:33:00 PM more reviews by 9154mf

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

I bought this foundation based on reviews here and I love it. I can see why some girls would find this way too heavy though, if you like or are used to sheer/light foundations then you probably will hate this. it is full coverage stuff, which I personally think there is a lack of in the foundation world, There are so many light to medium options but I love pulling off a fully covered and madeup face, and I say this even when my skin is clear and gorgeous I still favour fuller coverage because I love that look and I wear it well. I always get comments that I look like a doll soo...it works for me. however I get that alot of people don't like that look. Now I don't love the unhygenic pot this makeup comes in however as long as your hands are clean each time you dip in or you use a brush, it's ok. You could use a small amount of this and sheer it out. but why bother when you can just get something that is sheerer to begin with and not have the hassle. THIS IS cinema makeup girls so remember that before you buy! Although I love the feel of makeup, I can imagine some would find this heavy or waxy. However I have found that this doesn't break me out like other similar waxy foundations have, so Im pleased about that! Also some foundations of this type exaggerate dry areas, but I have found that it is not the case for me with this foundation. I don't wear this everyday for work but for going out mainly. The waxy blend melds really well with my skin and looks great. One thing though you MUST set this with powder or ANY little touch on your face and it wipes off.

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erijica on 7/1/2009 5:27:00 PM more reviews by erijica

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I like this product, yet I don't. I am very very fair with slight yellow-ish undertones, so I bought 401 - 71. This is an almost perfect shade for me... Except it's just a pinch too dark. I apply it with a damp brush so it will go on sheer and that seems to work just fine... You have to be really careful with this stuff, because it can go on really cakey if you apply too much. It does a great job evening out my skin tone though.

What I don't like about it is the fact that is emphasizes every single dry spot I have. No matter how much I exfoliate/moisturize/whatever, this foundation finds every dry patch and makes them stand out like no other. And on the parts where I don't have dry patches, I'm oily. The foundation seems to "float" on my oily parts... And if I touch my face, it just comes right off. No good.

I'd recommend this foundation for people with normal skin... If I ever get my skin under control, I'll go back to this foundation. But as of right now, I'll stick with Revlon Colorstay.

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islandgyrl927 on 3/2/2009 6:34:00 AM more reviews by islandgyrl927

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

I purchased this product due to all the rave reviews and let me tell you... this stuff is FREAKIN' AMAZING!!! I went to the Cinema Secrets store in Burbank and got colormatched to 302-65A, which is in the yellow-based series. I have never come across a foundation that matched me so perfectly!!! What I love most about this product is the coverage! This product has great buildable med to full coverage without being cakey or feeling heavy. This kinda reminds of EL Maximum Cover because that too has great coverage without the cakiness or heavy feeling, but the color selection was horrible and it always made me look like a ghost in pictures! This one photographs very well (I would think so since this is theatrical makeup). I use this as a concealer rather foundation on its own (I'll get more into that later). I first apply it on blotchy red areas of my face such as portions of my cheeks, nose, chin, and t-zone. Then I apply a layer of Merle Norman Luxiva Lasting liquid foundation in ecru over the CS foundation and the rest of my face. Lastly, I buff Nars loose powder in beach to set. I know this sounds like a lot of layering, but this foundation cannot work wonders on its own. As a concealer, this stuff is HG status, which is why I would give it 5 lippies as a concealer. But since I'm rating this as a foundation, I give it 4. The staying power wasnt all that great and it did absolutely nothing to control oil. Maybe for dry skin you could get away with this as a foundation along with a setting powder. But this used as a concealer in combination with a good lasting foundation like MN Luxiva Lasting and Nars loose powder over a good primer works wonders for combo and possibly oily skin and has become my absolute HG combo!!! It gives me a flawless complexion without the cakey mess that lasts all day and at the same time is photo friendly! Now where can you find a combination like that nowadays? A little goes a long way so this half oz jar will last you a very long time!!! I strongly recommend getting this because if you don't end up liking it as a foundation with buildable coverage, there is great reason to keep it as a concealer!
UPDATE: I am now using this with the Cinema Secrets foundation primer with my foundation routine and this is by far the best primer I have ever used, and I've tried many! (Refer to my review on that). My complexion has never looked so flawless! I strongly recommend getting the primer with the foundation.

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