Review| Hourglass Illusion Skin Tint

Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint ($55) is currently my HG foundation. 

I match to Nude for NC25-30 and Warm Ivory for NC20-25. Nude is more peach toned and Warm Ivory is a cool yellow. 

It's not really a "tint" but a medium to full coverage foundation that's nice to dry, dehydrated, and mature skin. The bonus SPF 15 makes it a good "slap n' go" foundation for winter mornings. Most dry skin friendly foundations tend to fade and patch within hours but this one holds up in central heating and frigid 20 degree weather. Yes, it's on the pricey side. You'll only need half of a pea size to cover your entire face and I've used a sample jar for a full month (perhaps 1/5 of the full size).

It's not a liquid foundation and more similar to the BareMinerals Gel Rescue Cream or Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in texture: thick and mousse-like but easy to blend. I really like applying it with fingers or a dense foundation brush. 

Although it's high in coverage it looks like dewy and healthy skin and you can always layer some setting powder on top like I do if you have an oilier t-zone. I don't find it settling into the sides of my nose or balling up with a moisturizer/sunscreen underneath. I wouldn't suggest layering it on top of itself since it may look *thick* on the skin. Overall, it's a lovely every day foundation that looks like natural skin. I ALWAYS get compliments on my skin (and beauty, duh *hair flip*) from both men and women when I wear it. 

Here are swatches in different sources of lighting: Hourglass Illusion Skin Tint, Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in Light-Medium Sand, BareMinerals Gel Rescue Cream in Buttercream, D&G Lift Foundation in Caramel, IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Light. 

 I picked these base products to swatch since they are similar in effect on the skin or have a similar texture to the Skin Tint. The BM is a good dupe, but it doesn't last as well on the skin and can ball up if you apply too much. 

Lol, ignore the graphic puckered butthole inspiration that is the middle swatch. 

The HG Tint is also the lightest and most olive shade in this line up. I thought that the IT CC cream was olive since it matches me to a T but it looks the most neutral once swatched. Dafuq...

And here it is on the skin. It's literally the only thing I've been wearing since trying the sample. I always set my t-zone at the very least because it can get DEWY by mid-day. If I'm particularly active that day I'll blot the sides of my nose. 

This may be the first time I finish an entire tube of foundation without exasperation/desperation...

xo Be

Review| Buxom Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation

The Buxom Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation ($34) didn't capture my attention right away. First of all, I was going through an all matte/heavy coverage phase of life. Second, I didn't want to pay more than 30 bucks for something with sheer coverage. Third, I heard mixed reviews. 

Ever since the move to Northern CA, however, my skin has not been cooperating with matte foundations. Furthermore with less sun exposure and a better skincare routine, my dark spots have mostly faded and I only have minor redness on my face. The most aggravating detail is that though my skin is more even toned it's still tanner than I have ever been living up here and much drier! 

Enter a floundering search for a lightweight, light coverage, and hydrating (*hint, very important) foundation that actually matches me during the summer. Some foundations like Bourjois Healthy Mix, MAC Face and Body, and L'oreal True Match Lumi came to mind, but they are all not specifically hydrating nor the most yellow foundations on the market. Yeah, I'm Marge Simpson yellow. 

So, I set foot to Sephora to pick the Buxom foundation up knowing full well it has very yellow shades and promises to deliver on hydration. Who knows, maybe those bad reviews came from oily skinned people who thought adding extra glow and moisture to oily glands was a good idea!

Here are the claims. It's supposed to plump up your face, feel like nothing, and lasts for eight hours?! Damn. You also get 1.5 fl oz of product as opposed to the traditional 1.0 fl oz bottles that foundations come in. 

It's excellent for those with: 

1. very minor spots and scarring to cover up or those who don't mind taking the extra step of applying a separate concealer.

2. very dry to normal skin, unless you want to set your T-zone. 

3. very little time to apply separate things like a moisturizer, SPF, and then foundation. 

It's actually very similar to Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow, though I can't find a match for NC35 in that range. 

And here begins the journey to my face up close. Abort mission now if you're afraid of monsters. For the entire process I skipped on moisturizer and setting powder to showcase how the foundation performs on its own. There are some slight red spots still hangin' out on my cheeks and my nose is permanently red from small broken capillaries. My face is also tanner than my neck and matches my chest.  

Here's a "pearl sized" glob of it on my face. I love how yellow it is, and "You're a Natural" is clearly labeled as a warm shade for medium skin tones in stores. I could have gotten away with "Dim the Light" but at the time of purchase I had three months of summer ahead of me. 

I didn't notice any offensive smell to this foundation, but the offensive part was not being able to use my buffing brush with this product. It isn't *that* runny, but I found that using a brush left streak marks. Perhaps a BeautyBlender would be harmonious with the consistency.

Here is two layers on the left side (your right) of my face. They are right, the coverage is sheer to light when you have one coat on but since the texture is so runny you can get away with building another layer. Notice how my skin is no longer red yet still looks like skin.

And when I say it looks like skin, I mean it. If your pores are slightly bigger this foundation won't do much to hide it. This is why I strongly emphasize that this isn't for combo or oily skin.

Here is two layers built up on the face. Very natural, wouldn't you say? It's not as "luminous" on camera, but looks almost shiny in person. Two layers even slightly covered my forehead wound (hit my darn head on a sliding shower door going to the bathroom in the middle of the night...fail..)

Those with oily skin will consider it greasy as opposed to dewy but I enjoy the finish. After the foundation, I went in with an orange corrector under my eyes and Laura Mercier translucent setting powder just in that area to set. 

Here is the finished look. 

Pro Tip 1: Do NOT, in a rush of excitement, remove your current makeup to slap this on. You will see oxidation. For the past three weeks of consistent use I've yet to see this oxidize the way it does after makeup remover wipes had touched my skin.

Since the finish is so ....wet even sans moisturizer, I think this foundation was marketed to be an all in one product for the lazy types. After all, it does contain SPF 30 and tells you to "show off" your skin as if it's already flawless. I found that this lasted the entire day without a setting powder, even if it did get shiny. 

Pro Tip 2: You may see glitter/shimmer on your face in broad daylight if you look very closely. I'm guessing this is what gives the foundation a fresh and glowing look on the skin.

Does it live up to its claims? It's very luminous, hydrating, and lightweight as they say. I also enjoy the warm toned options and how easy it is to build up several layers like MAC Face and Body without looking cakey. Since I have even skin that's on the drier side I think this product is a miracle. It's more coverage than a tinted moisturizer in my opinion but feels much more moisturizing. 

I think there's a small niche out there who enjoys this foundation, and I am in that niche. 

xo Be