Audrey Dao

Urban Decay Surreal Skin Liquid Foundation ($26)

Oil-free liquid foundation that won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. It is vitamin infused with a light, silky texture. This product feels sheer and light, yet gives a medium coverage to the skin. Even better, you can layer it all over for a more polished look, or just in those places where you need it–total flexibility and it won’t cake! It’s everything you always wanted in a foundation: oil-free, vitamin-infused, buildable coverage, lasts all day, slips right on, doesn’t break down, won’t clog pores, a totally natural look.

Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup ($29) Yes, it’s the latest rage in skincare, but why? Mineral Makeup contains no talc, oils, artificial dyes, or fragrance – just naturally derived minerals – making it the perfect for even the most sensitive skin, oily or dry.

So why is Urban Decay’s Mineral Makeup different from other mineral foundations out there? The package just might be our favorite thing – totally mess-free. Other brands’ makeup needs to be poured and brushed and swirled and whatnot. Ours comes with an attached puff. Just puff it on for a flawless finish anywhere – at your vanity or on the subway. Use a little for sheer coverage or keep puffing for heavier coverage. Titanium dioxide, a major ingredient, provides formulation color and great coverage. The handy on/off switch means you can toss it in your purse – no spills.

Another unique thing about Surreal Skin: you’ll get a semi-matte finish instead of the shiny finish other mineral foundations provide. The result is natural, not made-up, and totally weightless.

My Thoughts:

This reminds me of Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 Foundation. The mineral foundation comes in a jar that has a powder puff attached. I don’t use this as foundation because it’s bit too powdery for my liking. However, the finish is very natural and light. The coverage depends on how much you apply. It can range from sheer to medium. It’s a semi-matte finish that keeps the oily shine at bay for most of the work day. I actually use this as a setting powder. I screw off the lid, pour a little bit of the mineral foundation into the lid, and use my powder brush to apply. These foundations have a yellow undertone to them so finding a shade to match me wasn’t too difficult. The yellowness will help tone down redness too! If I do use this as a foundation, I make sure to even out the application by using a powder brush or a makeup sponge or you’ll be left with circular powder marks on your face from the powder puff. Because this mineral makeup is packaged exactly like Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 Foundation, to replace the powder puff (a breading ground for bacteria) just buy the replacement powder puffs from Philosophy 3 for $3. If you’re looking for a mineral foundation, give Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup a try.

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($40)

HD Invisible Cover Foundation
What it is:
An oil-free medium-to-full-coverage liquid foundation that covers skin imperfections flawlessly while remaining invisible on-screen and in real life.

What it does:
Creates a soft-focus effect, designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight. It creates a complexion that looks flawless, even in bright or harsh lighting.

What else you need to know:
This Sephora-exclusive foundation comes in 25 different shades to suit all skintones.

My Thoughts:

I so wanted to love this foundation. I heard such wonderful things about it on Sephora.com also. The main reason why I ended up not liking the foundation was because it caused me to have a major, major breakout. I’ve got pretty sensitive skin, so it could’ve been just me who experienced this.  Also, it settled into my pores and fine lines. From a distance, it looked great. Up close in person, it looks horrible. As my sister told me, “it just looks really heavy and not natural at all.”  However, in photos it looked really good. I mean really good. It’s just not a good everyday foundation unless you get photographed everyday. This HD foundation is also known for oxidizing. Knowing this, I got this in 120 Soft Sand which is a tad lighter than my natural skin color. Even though it would be great to just have this on hand for when I know I will be photographed, the breakouts is just not worth it. Sadly, it went back to Sephora.

Benefit Play Sticks ($34) why we love it: A cream to powder foundation stick that helps promote a healthy complexion while giving natural-looking coverage. Scribble in any fun shape and blend for a satin-matte finish.

what else you need to know: With a variety of silky-smooth shades to choose from, there’s a play stick to flatter every skin tone!

My Thoughts:

I got this foundation because I needed/wanted a foundation I could just toss into my bag and quickly apply when I was in a rush. A lot of people really like this foundation, but I don’t. When the Benefit SA applied this on me, it looked awesome! It provided great coverage and was long lasting. It wasn’t greasy or oily, and you could hardly tell you had it on. The following couple of days I gave this foundation a try. For some reason when I applied it, I didn’t get the same great finish and results the day I bought it. It really accentuated my dry spots, and I had difficulty blending it. It just did not go on smoothly. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, because I used the same exact brush and technique as the Benefit SA. I haven’t chucked it yet. I’m hoping the bad results had to do with my funky skin. Because I really want to like this foundation, I’m willing to give it a second try.

Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit ($60) If you hate the look and feel of traditional makeup but want flawless coverage, join the millions of women who have fallen in love with bareMinerals. Everything you need to achieve complexion perfection from foundation to finishing touch is right here. Kit includes:

• TWO shades of bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation: Light & Golden Medium (Size: Medium)
• Mineral Veil (Size: Medium)
• Warmth All-Over Face Color (Size: Medium)
• Full Flawless Face Brush
• Flawless Application Face Brush
• Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush
• How-to DVD to show you how to Swirl, Tap, Buff your way back to the skin you were born with.
• Bonus Gift-Well-Cared For Brush Conditioning Shampoo (Full-Size)

My Thoughts:

I usually don’t use loose mineral/powder makeup because I am really clumsy. Can you imagine the mess if I were to drop or accidentally knock over the container? Anyways, I gave in and got this kit. I wanted to see what all they hype was about. I know. I’m such a follower. Back to the review. I’m still on the fence when it comes to bareMinerals. I just can’t get over the loose mineral/powder concept. I don’t like the brushes that came in the kit. They shed and are kind of scratchy. I have dry patches and I found that the loose mineral/powder would accentuate them. I also found it to be too matte for my liking. I like to have a glow to my skin. It gives a natural coverage. Overall, I wouldn’t purchase this again. It’s actually going back to the store. It’s just not for me. I’m sure it’s actually really great. I mean people rave about bareMinerals for a reason. If you’re a beginner or want to pounce on a good deal, get this kit. It may work for you.

Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder($59) A powder that reduces fine lines & wrinkles in 10 minutes? It’s not magic, it’s new HALO HYDRATING PERFECTING POWDER. HALO is the first anti-aging powder with the science of skin care built in. It’s advanced formulation of pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids and a powerful peptide deliver powerful anti-aging benefits while the patented hydration system continuously revitalizes skin for a brighter, more radiant complexion all day. HALO’s innovative built in shaver gives you the perfect amount of luminous loose powder every time with no mess. Finally, a powder that multi-tasks as much as you do.

Clinical studies show:
-After 10 minutes there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.
-After 6 weeks of use, there is a 67% decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overall.

Includes a custom KABUKI BRUSH for flawless application plus a sample of our award-winning PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER.

Oil-free, Talc-free, and Paraben-free. Winner of the HBA Award for Best Prestige Packaging.

My Thoughts:

As a foundation, it provides minimal coverage. It looks better used as a powder to set your foundation. I’m usually not a fan of loose powder because of the potential messiness, but I have to admit no messiness came from this loose powder. The built in shaver gives the perfect amount to use everytime. It makes my skin look so good and gives a natural glow. The color stays true with no fading throughout the day. It feels very light and doesn’t settle into fine lines. The $59 can be a  huge turn-off, but since you’re not wasting product from having to pour or shake the powder out like you normally would with other loose powders, it’ll last you for quite some time.

Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF15 ($24.50) Wear oil-free, dermatologist-developed Even Better Makeup SPF 15 and something amazing happens: Without any makeup, see improved clarity, a more even skin tone, visibly diminished age spots. For all ethnicities. In just 4 to 6 weeks. For continued benefits-even after you take it off-partner with Even Better Skin Tone Corrector.

My Thoughts:

This foundation provides sheer to medium coverage. It does a good job of evening out your skintone and covering up blemishes. The foundation feels very light and doesn’t appear heavy or cakey. It lasts all day and doesn’t dry out your skin. It is moisturizing without being greasy and gives a dewy finish. Give this foundation a try if you’re looking for a natural look.

Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation ($38) Now you can have flawless skin from the inside out. Our revolutionary HIGH DEFINITION HEALTHY FX FOUNDATION is an oil-free, weightless formula packed with anti-aging, revitalizing, and firming ingredients that work overtime to provide cellular nutrition for skin. UVA/UVB SPF 15 offers sun protection, vitamin C fights free radicals, and new cell-energizing Ribose renews the appearance of skin. Our unique, patented bio-delivery system gives you time-released moisturization and firming benefits that last all day. Skin is refreshed and revitalized for a flawless future. Best of Sephora Award Nominee for Best Foundation.

My Thoughts:

It’s a great foundation and goes on really well and stays on well. It doesn’t get cakey and is blendable. However, it doesn’t provide much coverage. I would say it’s sheer to medium coverage. I love the packaging, it’s a pump that provides good control on the amount you’re getting. I usually use about 2 pumps to cover my face. It photographs very well. In photographs, it doesn’t look like makeup at all, but gorgeous flawless, natural skin. Overall, I would repurchase.

Shiseido Dual Balancing Foundation SPF 17 PA++ ($37.50) A long-lasting, oil-free liquid foundation that responds to skin’s specific needs. Increases moisture in dry areas and minimizes shine for a semi-matte finish and medium coverage. Formulated with Optimal Balance Network, which includes the exclusive ingredient complex of Hyaluronic Acid and Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE Complex to promote ideal moisture levels in skin’s dry areas. Contains Prismatic Nano-Powder to increase luminosity and conceal pores. Glides on smoothly and stays crease-free. Recommended for normal and combination skin.

My Thoughts:

This was actually my first Shiseido foundation. It was recommened to me when I was dealing with breakouts by a Shiseido SA. It blends very easily and has a natural finish. It’s my favorite liquid foundation. I wish it came with a pump so I wouldn’t have to pour out the foundation. It has never caused me to breakout and you don’t need a lot to cover your face. I have yet to find a liquid foundation that better suites me than this. Until that day arrives, I will keep using this.

I initially loved The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 foundation ($35), but as time passed I began noticing the powdery finish it left and that was a mjaor turn-off. It didn’t seem to blend into my skin, but rather sit on the surface of my skin. I did like the light feeling, and the quick, easy application. I just did not care for the unnatural, powdery finish. The coverage is also sheer and not buildable. If you tried to layer it on for coverage, then you will definitly be left looking like you covered your face with powder. I loved the cute little jar-like case it came in, but I didn’t like the sponge puff. I didn’t like having to constantly buy the replacements from Philosophy ($3 for 3), because I couldn’t find sponges like those elsewhere.

Beige                       Bronze              Extra Rich           Natural              Porcelain

Rich                           Sand