Makeup
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- Points: 20695
- Reviews: 335
Here are all my reviews:
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Ole Henriksen has a complete line of products that I've actually been testing out the past few weeks and to my amusement, this is actually one of few that I actually believe benefits my combination skin. It is oil free but it can be irritating during application because of the products penetrating into skin, there is also a greasy feeling left on the fingers and face until it sets about half an hour later. While this isn't exactly my idea type of moisturizer, I find it great for the evening since it's similar to a cream but not so light that it can only just be used as a moisturizer. The benefit of this product is that it contains Kojic Acid which is a safer product than hydroquinone. They both have been effective skin lighteners, however, hydroquinone has been linked to cancer repeatedly in the past so this is a better alternative. This is perhaps the reason for the price tag since kojic acid isn't normally found in drugstore products, it's usually found in higher price tagged items. This is recommended to be applied over any serum you wish but I felt as if it's good enough alone unless you have serious skin tissue and layer problematic areas and such because of the need for deeper conditioning.
May 1, 2008
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Let's contrast this and see what the results are. First of all, the texture is so smooth and creamy so that when it is applied to the skin, it almost feels just like a second skin and has a satin finish. The formulation isn't heavily scented so there's a benefit of lessening the skin irritation probability. However, the color selection is quite minimal. To begin with, they don't have deeper shade ranges so for beautiful woman of color, this leaves them out for testing and utilization. Then, the colors that are currently in the line aren't so wonderful either. The shade they matched me with fit perfectly to a tee on my skin only to find that when it had set, about two hours later my complexion in the mirror reflected an orange tinge. So then I tested it out if it was just the oils in my skin that made the color difference or if it deoxidizes easily. I grabbed a sheet of paper and dabbed on a pea size and swiped it on the paper surface. I returned an hour later and right next to that tinted area, I dabbed a fresh new amount of foundation. The result? About two shades different and a bit of a reddening tone. This foundation may oxidize. For the price tag, I've experienced better foundations and while the coverage is comfortable and beautiful - having an unnatural complexion isn't luxurious at all. I'd give it an extra star for the packaging though because Dior has a tendency to beautify their cases and embellish them.
May 1, 2008
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This foundation is highly compared to MAC Studio Fix Powder. While it is air soft to the touch, it can be messy when used with a powder brush because the particles are so finely milled; therefore, it may get on your clothing. This is long lasting but it may also be a bit much when over applied which isn't hard to do since even a powder brush can pick up so much product. The case isn't very impressive, the high gloss finish makes it hard to keep it looking new because of the fingerprints that adhere to the surface and any trace of dirt dulls the finish. It comes with a latex sponge applicator but I find that this will apply it unevenly or too richly that the face will form a mask when used to apply. To avoid this, simply pat the latex gently onto the surface of the pan and pat the face around, applying a sheer laying of powder and without refilling the sponge, buff it onto the face to smooth out the texture. I believe the price for this is a bit steep because I found that this powder will not last as long as the foundation formulas because many particles stray away from it when used and also because it's a foundation that begins as a sheer finish to a buildable matte full coverage but mind you, too much of this product will thicken with oils after a few hours so a blot powder will be highly recommended or a blot film. The colors are a bit odd, I find that they do oxidize quite a bit because I bought a color that was quite light on my skin and after setting past an hour, it blended perfectly into my skin. Typically, many foundations do oxidize but I found this has shifted colors drastically compared to others I've tried. This isn't skin irritating like the Studio Fix powder as some people claim. Overall, it's a decent keeper.
May 1, 2008
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I've read quite a few reviews about this being a heavy foundation which isn't necessarily true if it used over a moisturizer. It may accentuate dry flakes if the skin isn't well hydrated but if the skin has been nourished pre-application, this gives a very flawless finish. I dislike the fact that after twisting off the cap, you get this squeeze tip that may leak because of the pressure build up from shaking this foundation. The bottle is quite thin but I like that it's plastic so that if it gets knocked off a counter somehow, it'll hold it's form. The benefit about this foundation is that I can highly recommend for the spotlight or camera ready people. This appears flawless and has an airbrush effect on photos and it doesn't wash out it's own color when reflected to bright lights. I know many women complain about their photos looking a bit pale because of the contents of their foundation. The best way to apply this is to start with a very thin layer of foundation, let it set and if you believe you need more coverage, repeat the process. Applying a clump of foundation all at once will cause the "cakey" effects and may even leave streaks of color in your face. Which is another tip I have to add, please buff this with setting powder because it may look a bit uneven when not blended thoroughly but buffing it out smoothens the look of pores and uneven color or texture. I've actually used this for three months and it's comparison is the MAC Studio Fix Fluid. The con of this product is the color selection, I know of many women who need more pink undertones or more yellow to olive undertones and this foundation is more neutral, somewhere in between so there has been quite a number that hasn't found the perfect shade yet. For the heavy price tags comes a reward; this will last quite a while. You need just a small pea size amount to give the facial area a good coverage and another for full coverage. The quality of this makeup is superb especially because it has been engineered by Dany Sanz, a french makeup artist herself and actually uses this on her clients. I also like that this makeup isn't hyped up in the moment to endorse itself like other major cosmetic companies but yet this is still popular which proves that this can live up to it's own potential without heavy marketing and media influence; it sells itself.
May 1, 2008
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While this foundation gives a great look that is absolutely buildable, the color selection definitely contrasts the cons and pros of this foundation. I am an NC35-NC40 in MAC and because I have golden undertones, I found at times this can appear a bit pink or orange under certain lighting fixtures. Sheerly, this can be blended with the skintone but for better coverage, more can be blended on but the first layer has to dry before reapplying to get the better flawless type of finish. It is quite matte with a hint of dewiness which I do like because it mimicks my skin type perfectly. This is quite the amount because it is meant for the body just as much as it is meant for the face so for the ladies who want to cover up veins and imperfections, this can create a subtle natural sheen over the skin to create some luminosity and correcting. This has just about the same coverage as a tinted moisturizer when first applied but what makes it more unique is that it is in a gel based form unlike other foundations that have a thick creamy consistency. This didn't clog my pores nor did it cause me to break out but it's not quite my favorite foundation either.
May 1, 2008
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This is the lessened price tag version of MAC Studio Fix Powder and it works just as well. What is remarkable about this powder foundation is that it can be applied on dry skin without accentuating flakiness and patches so it evens out the skin in tone and texture. It also does help with oily skin keeping it matte longer than a liquid or cream foundation and it's convenient for touch ups as the bottom does swivel out a mirror. It's soft and micromilled so one application can cover the face evenly and flawlessly and you can just stipple on a bit more on problematic areas with a small brush or your fingertips for extra coverage. This is one of the few foundations I haven't experienced a single breakout with my hypersensitive skin.
March 27, 2008
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The texture of this product is very soft, almost like dipping your hand into a butter jar and a little bit goes a long way all over the face. It is air soft on the face, making it feel supple and smooth in texture after an application and it evens skintone visibly. However, for oily skin, a blot powder is recommended as you may see shine within a couple of hours of wear from this product. This is very much similar and the lessened price tag version of Lancome's mousse foundation. What I disliked, however, about this foundation is if you take pictures, you're face will end up appearing having a washed out effect because of the pigments blended into the their formula so be cautious when taking a photo with this one! It does have a natural look though in regular lighting and it's versatile.
March 27, 2008
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This brush is absolutely fantastic. Despite it's big round shape, this is soft and flexible enough for all the areas around the face distributing foundation evenly whether it be liquid, mineral, powder, or just a tint. I wouldn't recommend this for blush because it is too big for countouring but I do recommend it for applying your makeup base and all over jobs. It's synthetic hairs allows the user to apply and have foundation on the bristles without worrying about the decomposure of the brush and lessening the quality of application. I have had this brush for well over eight months and hasn't faulted on me yet. A definite must have and appreciated staple for my collection. When used in swirls around the face to buff powder, it lefts a great finish without the overdone cakey or mask effect especially when foundation is blended along the hairline and jawline.
March 27, 2008
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This compact definition delivers an airbrushed yet natural, non-streaky finish. The only flaw is that this line is limited in colors depending on the product but the finishes are natural and they are more commonly yellow based unless you purchase from the beige lined. This is the definite plus for my skintone and I love that you can dip a brush in water to just dampen, not wet, but dampen the brush or latex sponge and use this on the face to balance out and even the texture. It goes on beautifully! I will advise though, that some people with oily skin will see some shine and this can easily be remedied with a blot film on the skin and it keeps the makeup looking fresh. The texture when used dry though can be a bit hard but when applied, it's sheer. It's got more coverage when activated with water.
March 6, 2008
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A few gentle swipes of liquid or cream eyeliner and this does the job. I use this more for lining with eyeshadows because it's precision is well done. However, after quite a few chores of makeup application, the bristles may begin to separate depending on the usage and will eventually need to be replaced. I highly recommend this for eyeshadow lining though.
March 6, 2008
