Yves Saint Laurent YSL Fusion Ink Foundation Review

I'm loving these lightweight serum like foundations and was excited to try this. Yves Saint Laurent use to have a formula called Teint Radiance which provided great coverage and was long lasting. It was perfect for the summer months. The formulas that came out after YSL Teint Radiance was discontinued has not impressed me thus far. They did expanded their color range with 21 shades to choose from for different undertones. Shades starting with B is Neutral, BR is Cool, and BD is Warm. The color I'm using is B20 Ivory which matches my winter skin tone pretty well.

 
The YSL Fusion Ink Foundation packaging looks cheap to me. It still has the brands gold touches but the glass jar is painted in black with a window to show the color. The gold cap pulls off which reveals the twist top with applicator. It reminds me of Butter London's Nail Polish Packaging. I dislike the wand applicator since it's very unhygienic. You have to directly apply the applicator onto a brush, face, or fingers. The tip does not have enough product for your entire face so I end up using product from the wand as well.  

This has a heavy fragrance, I'm assuming to mask the alcohol but it actually makes the scent even stronger and overwhelming. I actually gasps when it goes near my nose. It also stings slightly on first touch because of the alcohol and my skin is already dry to begin with. Given the fragrance and alcohol, this is probably not good for the skin. Good thing is it hasn't given me any breakouts though.

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation claims to provide a matter finish that is lightweight yet high-coverage. I agree it's lightweight, sinks right in and provides a matte finish. But it doesn't give me that flawless finish I'm looking for. Coverage is light and my least favorite out of the ones in this type of formula. It looks more natural and skin-like but not giving you a healthy and radiant appeal like Perricone No Foundation Serum or even Lancome Nude Miracle. This also feels more dry on the skin than the other two serum like foundations I reviewed. It is more similar to Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet in terms of the finish. Shine does break through on my nose just after 3 hours, so for something as drying on the skin it does not last that well. It feels very light on the skin but it's thicker in consistency than the other serum foundations I've tried. It's still much thinner than the regular foundation formula's we are used to.

Overall: Would not recommend this. It's good for someone who wants a lightweight and light coverage foundation that gives a semi matte finish but the overwhelming fragrance and alcohol in this makes this unappealing to use.

Alterna Bamboo Cleanse Extend Translucent Dry Shampoo Sugar Lemon Review

I've started using Dry Shampoo to save me from having flat greasy hair on the days I do not wash my hair for a few years now. I'm was never a fan of aerosol dry shampoos. I've tried some drugstore ones when the idea first came out like Batista and Tresemme. They didn't do anything to soak up oil and actually make my hair more sticky and added extra build up. I always wash my hair every other day so I need something to help with the excess oil on the roots and give me some volume. I usually reach for the powder dry shampoos for that but I've been using Bamboo Cleanse Extend Translucent Dry Shampoo recently instead. 

Alterna make some great shampoos and conditioners so I thought why not give this a try. They have the original Cleanse Extend Translucent Dry Shampoo in Leaf scent but they came out with 3 new scents. I'm not sure if the formula is different but on Sephora.com they sell them separately for $22. The one I'm reviewing is in Sugar Lemon which smells more like vanilla and lemon. I'm not a huge fan of vanilla scents but I don't mind this. It's not overpowering and doesn't really linger.

The aerosol spray can is made very well and gives you great control of how much product to dispense. Comes out in a sharp fine mist and I haven't had any issues with it clogging. Directions say to shake well and spray 6-8 inches away. I do this in sections, about 2-3 sections on each side then some in the back of my head. It feels cooling and slightly damp at first but you're suppose to let it dry before combing through. I use my fingers to rub it in after about 15 seconds of drying. My hair does get knotted after I spray this so I have to comb that out but the finish is manageable and not sticky. I don't think it absorbs oil as well as powder dry shampoos but it does gives me more volume and added texture which powder doesn't. It doesn't leave white residue on my hair as long as your spray 6-8 inches away as suggested. If sprayed too close it does look slightly grey and leaves a sticker residue than a cleaner feel.

Before/After

With Bamboo Cleanse Extend Dry Shampoo

Final thoughts: It's easier to use than powder dry shampoos since you just take sections, spray and rake through with fingers. You have to be extra careful not to spray too close or it will not give you the best results. This gives me volume and texture for the day but it probably will not last nearly as long as the powder shampoos. I also prefer this over Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray for a dry shampoo since it gives you a cleaner feeling and it cost just about half the amount. Oribe is more of a styling spray which gives more thicker texture if that's what you are looking for.

Lancome Nude Miracle Foundation Review

Lancome Nude Miracle Foundation is another super lightweight, serum liquid to powder foundation. It's much like Perricone No Foundation Foundation Serum in terms of texture and finish. It has the same type of glass bottle with a dropper applicator. The opening just fits the dropper applicator so it could get messy. It's very watery so you need to shake it well before using which is also mentioned in the directions. At $42, the price is fair and less expensive than the other foundations in this category. Perricone No Foundation Foundation Serum, Giorgio Armani Maestro, and YSL Fusion Ink Foundation is in the $55-65 range.

They have a pretty good shade selection for all skin tones, a total of 14 colors available with shades for Neutral, Cool, and Warm undertones. They also use the same shade system in their other formulas. I have this in 140 Ivoire (N) which is fair with neutral undertones. It warms up my complexion without looking too pink or orange. I also didn't notice much oxidation so color stays true throughout the day.  

The coverage is amazing considering how watery the formula is. I use 3 drops directly on the foundation brush, blend it in and 2 additional drops just to go over my t-zone. It covers all the redness and provides a soft focus that has a very natural finish, almost second-skin as it claims. It's a medium coverage foundation with a semi-matte finish. I found that it doesn't absorb oil as well as it claims since my t-zone does get shiny by mid-to-end of day. But not at all bad where I must blot or powder. I also feel slightly congested around my nose after a few hours. It doesn't stay feeling weightless as when first applied.   

What I dislike about Lancome Nude Miracle is that it's very potent of alcohol and fragrance which is probably not good for the skin but it hasn't caused any irritation or breakouts. The scent is overpowering but I think the alcohol is what makes this feels weightless and dry so fast into the skin. It has SPF 15 which isn't reliable enough on it's own for sun protection so I rather they not include it at all. 

Final Thoughts: The idea and finish is great in terms the lightweight formula and coverage, however, it doesn't feel as nourishing to the skin as Perricone No Foundation Foundation Serum. This is one I want to take off at the end of the day since it seems to build up around my nose, making me feel congested. Strange since it's so lightweight. The strong alcohol content is a huge negative for me. Will I continue to use it? Yes, it looks great on the skin but I wouldn't repurchase or feel like it's a must have.

Pictures below are taken 8 hours after application without powder and blotting. There is some oil shining through.

Close up under direct light

 

Le Metier de Beaute Blushing Bronzed Duet in Traviatta vs Nars Blush Bronze Duo Review

When I picked up the Le Metier de Beaute Blushing Bronzed Duet (what a long name!) it instantly reminded me of the Nars Blush Bronzer Duo. Both blush sides are coral-pink and they have similar packaging but it's different in shape. They have the same rubber matte exterior which clings on to powder and dirt easily. However, the rubber makes it easy to grip and won't easily slip out of your hand. They both have a good size mirror. I actually tend to use the Nars compact when I have no other mirror for makeup application.

Le Metier de Beaute Blushing Bronzed Duet in Traviatta is $65 for 0.49oz and the Nars Blush Bronzer Duo is $42 for 0.35oz. They look pretty similar in shade side by side in the pan but it's noticeably different when swatched and applied. The Le Metier de Beaute blush is in the shade Echo which can be purchased on it's own for $30. Nars Blush in Orgasm is also $30. So why is LMDB more expensive in the Duo? Well there's a difference in price on the Le Metier de Beaute Bronzer versus Nars Bronzer which is $55 and $38 respectively but I'm not sure of their sizes so I can't tell you which comes out to be a better deal.

Although I'm a huge fan of Nars blushes, I was never a fan of the famous Orgasm blush that everyone seems to love. I think it's too frosty and leans more pink than a peachy coral. It doesn't really flatter me and I find it actually hard to pair with the rest of my makeup even though I wear neutral colors. The Le Metier de Beaute blush shade Echo leans more coral which is much more flattering and brightens up my face. The texture is silkier and more refined than Nars Orgasm. However, this is really pigmented, one dab picks up a lot of product so use sparingly. They both have shimmer but Nars Orgasm has flecks of glittery particles. You can really see the different texture of glitter in the Nars picture below.

As for the bronzer, Le Metier de Beaute in Sun Kissed is lighter and more natural in color than Nars Laguna. It's never too much and is easy to use even for beginners since it blends in seamlessly. It's good for fair and light skin tones but I don't think it would work for anyone darker than medium skin tone. It's more of an overall healthy veil of color. Nars Laguna is deeper and a bit redder in tone. It gives more of a bronzed and contoured look. You have to be a bit more careful and use a light hand if you are fair skinned. I tend to reach for Laguna when I have a bit of a tan.

Traviatta- Echo/Sun Kissed

Orgasm/Laguna

From left to right: (LMDB) Echo, (Nars) Orgasm, (LMDB) Sun Kissed, (Nars) Laguna

Final thoughts: I love these types of blush/bronzer compacts since they are travel friendly and generally cheaper than buying individually. I prefer the packaging of the Nars duo since the blush and bronzer is in it's own separate pot vs Le Metier de Beaute which is connected. I would not repurchase the Nars duo since I hardly use Orgasm blush but Laguna is a staple product for me. Le Metier de Beaute Blush is Echo is a beautiful color and gives just the right amount of sheen. The bronzer in Sun Kissed is finely milled and color is so natural that it's effortless to use. I would not use this as a contour since it's too light but Nars Laguna can be used as an all over bronzer and contour product. Le Metier de Beaute is available at Bloomingdales.com and comes in another color called Romeo & Juliet which is more of a cool toned pink. Nars can be found in most department stores and Sephora.

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum

This is a deluxe sample size

The recent foundations out in the market all share a similar lightweight formula, a no makeup flawless finish appeal. Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum comes in a glass bottle with dropper applicator similar to Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation which I believe was the first Brand to come out with this type of formula. I'm a fan of the packaging, it's easy to dispense the amount you need and you can get to the bottom of the bottle without wasting any product. 

 

They only have one universal shade which is light to medium skin tone. It does not work for me without a slight tan so I'm not able to use this in the winter and it won't work on darker complexions either so the product is limited to only the people in that shade. They should come out with more colors since I think this is an amazing foundation. 

Application: You need to shake the foundation before use. I use three drops directly on my brush and blend all over my face. I use another 2-3 drops on my t-zone where I need more coverage. This foundation has a serum like texture and sinks right into my skin. It looks extremely natural and does not sit on top of my skin like some foundations tend to do. Even though the formula is fluid and lightweight, it gives better than expected coverage. I would say light to medium but more on the medium side. It fills in my pores and leaves a healthy finish that is not too dewy nor flat. 

I do not need to powder with this since it's a liquid to powder finish. It has amazing staying power and I don't get shiny on my T-zone by end of day. This also has sun protection with SPF 30 so it's perfect for the summer and daytime but probably not good for flash photography. 

Final thoughts: If you want good coverage without looking like you have makeup on this is for you. It doesn't cling to any dry spots and melts right into the skin. It is such a lightweight formula that you can layer this under another foundation if you want more coverage. I've tried this with Nars Sheer Glow foundation and it gave me a flawless finish. There's no added fragrance so it's also good for sensitive skin. There are anti-aging benefits in the ingredients as well which is an added bonus, although I can't comment if it actually improved my skin. This should be suitable for all ages as well as all skin types. The only downside is the shade range is limited with one shade.

The pictures below were taken after 11 hrs of wear without powder. As you can see my T-zone is not shiny at all! The coverage is the same as when I first applied this yet giving me a very natural skin finish. A must try if the shade suits you! 

By Terry Cover Expert Foundation Review

The By Terry Cover Expert Foundation comes in a tube much like most BB Creams and tinted moisturizers. For the higher end price at $66, I would expect more luxurious packaging but I think this gives you better control of the amount of product you want to dispense so I don't mind it.

By Terry is not easily accessible in store but I've heard positive reviews about their foundations and concealers so I've been wanting to give them a try. It's available at a few department stores like Bloomingdale's and Barney's NY. I purchased mine online without seeing this in person at Spacenk.com so I was not sure about the color. I ended up getting number 7- Vanilla Beige which is described on their website as "Warm up medium complexions and bring a golden touch". I'm usually on the lower number of the spectrum with foundation colors so I thought this would be ideal for when I'm self-tanned but it was much too light and actually matched my natural skin tone better. They have 12 colors in total and seeing that I'm number 7, I imagine darker skin tone having trouble finding a good match.

The foundation claims to do the following:
Blurring multifaceted prisms to camouflage wrinkles, fine lines and signs of aging by a combination of absorption, refraction and diffusion of light.
The high concentration of pigments and soft focus ensure a real coverage, with a velvety matte finish.
Hyaluronic acid and regenerating active ingredients fill wrinkles and fine lines and plump the skin.

As far as blurring out wrinkles and fine lines, this did not conceal them or make them appear less noticeable but that's a pretty bold claim to begin with. The coverage is very good yet can look heavy if too much is applied, but it does not look cakey at all, if that makes sense. I've tried reapplying just in the T-zone after a full day when I'm going out for the evening and it works well but can be too mask like if the rest of your face is not fully made up as well. It smooths out my pores and conceals any redness.  

As for the finish, I don't think this should be considered matte as it claims since it gives a more radiant and natural finish. I agree this is velvety which is actually the perfect word for it. The formula is moisturizing and makes my skin look more youthful and plump. Now for lasting power, this continues to look good even after a full day without powder. I do get a bit shiny on my nose after 7 hours which is normal.

As you can see from the pictures below, the formula is thicker in consistency. It's creamy and smooth but not sticky or uncomfortable on the skin.

 

Final Thoughts: This is a great product that gives you what you want in a foundation. It gives you a natural finish that's medium to full coverage and last pretty well on the skin. The only complaint is the scent. I'm not a fan of scented products on my face since I have sensitive skin but this does not cause irritation. It is rose scented and reminds me of older generation makeup products.

My Top Skin Saving Exfoliator Treatments from Kate Somerville & Amore Pacific

My Top Exfoliators from Kate Somerville & Amore Pacific

I exfoliate once or twice a week to keep my skin smooth and clear. You need to exfoliate so your skincare products can absorb into the skin otherwise it's not as effective and your moisturizer will just sit on top of the skin. Having smooth skin also provides a better base for makeup. No matter what type of foundation you apply it will not look as good if your face is not smooth and clear. A part of my routine also includes using the Clarisonic cleansing brush every night to thoroughly remove all my makeup from the day. On the days I use these exfoliating treatments I don't use the Clarisonic and cleanse my face with my hands since it can be too harsh using both. Some people think Clarisonic is an exfoliator so there's no need to use another treatment but it doesn't remove the dead layer of skin like these treatments. It does a good job in thoroughly cleaning the skin of any makeup. Now let's get into the current exfoliating treatments I use.

Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel
(This is not in the original packaging because I emptied it when I was traveling)

I use this about once a week after I've cleansed my face and it's still wet. This is very different from your typical scrubbing exfoliator. It comes in a pale yellow powder form that activates with water. I pour about a quarter size amount in my palm and use my fingers to apply on my forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. My fingers are already wet since I use this in the shower so there's no need to add water, a little bit turns this into a thick and foamy constancy. I gently massage the product all over for about 15 seconds and leave it on for another 30 seconds. After that I massage it again for another 15 seconds and wash it off. I have pretty sensitive skin but this is very gentle and does not sting at all. It has a natural soapy smell which is not strong. You can instantly feel the change in the texture of your skin. I follow up with my night time skin care moisturizers and the next morning my face is plump and really smooth.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

This is a pretty popular product and it's a scrubbing microbead exfoliator compared to Amore Pacific which is completely different in texture. The scent of this is pretty strong. I would described it as a mix of citrus and mint. The directions says to massage in circular motions and then leave it on for 2 minutes but my face is pretty sensitive so I scrub very gently for about 30 seconds and leave on for 1 minute then massage for another 10 seconds and wash it off. This does slightly sting when you first put it on but it fades. You have to be gentle when applying since it can be harsh if you massage with too much pressure. I find the results are not great immediately after rinsing off the product. I'm left with a gritty uneven surface to my skin which feels like it has raised my impurities to the surface. I tried leaving it on longer but it still does the same thing. I'm not sure if that's the result for others as well but after I've put on my nighttime skincare, the next morning my skin does feel smoother and brighter. I don't think this product is suitable for really sensitive skin though. They do have another option, a more gentle version that might be more suitable for me but I'll still be using up this one.

Kate Somerville Micro Glycolic Polisher

This saves my skin! Every few months I end up with irritated dry patches from seasonal weather changes and during winter when my skin is really dehydrated.  This also happens after any vacations that involves long flights since the air is so drying on airplanes. The micro glycolic polisher is a harsher chemical than the above two exfoliators. I use this after I've cleansed my face and I'm out of the shower. I let my face dry and use 4 pumps onto a cotton pad and wipe all over my face avoiding the eye area. It has a potent smell and can make the eyes water if it gets too close. It stings immediately on contact and varies with each use depending on the condition of your skin but fades after the first minute. I leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse off. The directions say to leave on to 2-5 minutes so use your own judgement based on your own skin condition. The results after is glowing radiant skin and this greatly alleviates my dry patches or any irritated red spots.

Bridal Tip: Don't try any new exfolitors or treatments right before your wedding. Use something you know that works on you and do exfoliate the night before for smooth makeup application or two nights before if your skin gets red easily.

Marc Jacob Marvelous Mousse Transformative Oil- Free Foundation Review

This is the first product I've tried from the fairly new makeup Marc Jacobs Beauty line that launched late last year. I have this in number 14 Ivory Medium which matches my skin tone without a tan perfectly. I have fair skin with a yellow to neutral undertone and this foundation does not lean too yellow or pink. It also doesn't oxidize after initial wear. The texture is definitely not of a mousse but a cream to powder formula which is misleading due to the name of the product. 

The packaging is pretty and luxurious with a heavy glass jar but I think the product easily dries out even though it does have the white inner cap. Mine actually already has a cracked line which usually happens when a product is drying out.

This foundation does warm up and melt with the heat of your fingers when you swirled it around a few times. I apply this by taking what's melted on my fingers and dabbed it on my face sections at a time, then blend it with the real techniques face brush. I always use toner, serum, and moisturizer before any foundation routine since I have really dry skin but this initially looks too flat. It does sink in easily and feels light on the face but it accentuated my wrinkles and fine lines. I did not follow up with powder since the finish was powdery already. I don't think it's suitable for people with dry skin or more mature skin but it should work for normal to oilier skin types. 

The coverage is medium but buildable to full depending on how much product you use. I use a very little amount to cover my entire face so this should last awhile even though the amount of product is much less than a regular liquid foundation. This claims to be full coverage but on my T-zone, especially my nose where I have the most redness, it didn't cover smoothly and was patchy over my pores. Overall, this does wear better on me throughout the day since my natural oils make it less powdery looking. But the coverage on my nose is sub par. By the end of the day my t-zone was not oily so it lasted pretty well without the need to blot. 

Bottom line: This is a good foundation for normal to oily skin but not one I would use for special occasions or repurchase. The price is on the higher end at $55 and there are better options out there in that price range. I like the fact that it doesn't contain SPF so it's good for flash photography but this looks flat and dry when first applied. I find that it works much better when applied in sections at a time and blending immediately since it sets quickly. There is no strong scent to this so it's good for my sensitive skin. It would probably work better for me in the summer. As I mentioned it takes a few hours for it to look natural on my dry skin but it does hold up well for a full day at work. I've tried this with Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiaging Primer which is the most hydrating primer I have and it does help with the fine lines and gives a more natural finish but it's not worth the extra step in making this foundation work for me since I don't use primer daily.

Photo is after 3 hours of application: