Review| Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation

After almost six months of perpetual lust, the Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation ($35) was finally mine!!!

Like many other foundations, there's a lot of hype and personal testimony claiming that this foundation gives a lovely finish to the skin without looking mask-like. I've read through many a blog post wondering if this one could change my life. Although the name suggests a light coverage, bloggers have reported that S&P gives a medium coverage to the face that's not too much or too little. 

I was also enticed by the O ("Ochre") range of the inclusive shade range. Since Shiseido is an Asian cosmetics brand, it would make sense that their foundations cater to more olive/yellow skin tones. I'm frankly sick of trying wonderful foundation formulas that don't match my lighter face to my darker neck. MAC Face and Body in C2 and Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk in #6 are the most olive foundations I've seen to date, but one is too light in coverage and the other is too heavy in monies. Either way, S&P is the compromise. 

The formulation promises to "cancel" or "blur" pigment noises on the skin (what this means scientifically, absolutely zilch) but I'm guessing it's meant to target and reduce hyper-pigmentation that's green, red, or purple.

SPF 18 is worthless so please apply a sunscreen underneath.

Some thoughts:

• S&P gives medium coverage to the skin but doesn't feel heavy on the skin. Yes, hyper pigmentation and dark spots were blurred and masked but not completely eradicated. Since the formula is light (not watery or runny) it's very easy to layer a concealer underneath or on top of your trouble areas. 
• The consistency reminds me of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua and you have to shake the bottle well before use.
• It gives a satin and almost demi-matte finish to the skin. It reminds me a lot of the Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation but a tad less "powdery" or "velvety" looking on the skin. I only noticed *some* dewiness on my forehead after a full day of wear, but nothing that would constitute as oiliness for me to use a blotting sheet.
• It does accentuate dry patches, so I wouldn't recommend  this for dry/normal to very dry skin. By the same token I don't think it's meant to be an oil controlling foundation. I don't see caking or creasing around my nose or on my chin throughout the day. 
• Does it look natural? For the most part. If I use a small amount and apply with a BeautyBlender or my fingers, I'm left with an ultra natural and skin-like finish that doesn't require setting powder. If I start layering or accidentally use too much the end result looks like foundation. This is not necessarily a bad trait, but don't expect it to be undetectable on the skin if you use a brush. 
• It doesn't do any favors for pores, peach fuzz, or fine lines!
• In any case, the color is a spot on match for NC20-23. Take a look at the swatch I've done below next to MAC F&B in C2 (left) and L'oreal Pro-Matte in Golden Beige (right). It's decidedly yellow but isn't too green or warm!

My overall gripe with this foundation is how inappropriate it is for dry skin. It's not particularly excellent at oil control, but I can see it only being a flawless and smooth finish on a combination skin type. While my face is technically normal I don't like the fact that it doesn't require any powder to set matte. 

Another gripe: as sheer as it is, this foundation still looks like foundation! I'm not sure if it's my skin being dehydrated or troublesome but most foundations don't sit well on it as of late. I've tried it on top of a physical sunscreen and a chemical one, and I believe the physical sunscreen (Biore UV) caused my dehydrated skin to look more textured. On top of a chemical sunscreen and moisturizer (Cerave AM) the foundation seems to meld into the skin a little bit better, but not by much.

Here's a photo of the foundation on top of the Cerave AM with SPF30 and MAC Snowglobe setting powder on top. I've hidden my horrible cystic acne scars (top of lip and chin area) with my MUFE Full Cover concealer. Curse you horrid BCP!!!

Excuse this derp face, but I wanted you to see this foundation close up on the skin. The darkest hyper-pigmentation on my cheeks is blurred but not completely covered.

Here's a normal view. The foundation is a tad lighter than my neck but matches my face. This is after an hour of wear. It looks a tad glowy because of my setting powder.

Overall, this wasn't a life changing foundation but still a good lightweight option for every day: running errands, grabbing groceries, or vegging out on the couch. I definitely wouldn't rely on it for special events where there would be flash photography, and it's a little too informal for events where you need to look your absolutely best. Sheer and Perfect works best as a daily foundation for normal to slightly combination skin with no major texture or pigmentation issues.

xo Be