Application
I liked the packaging of this foundation, it was fairly slender, and comes with an on/off dial that makes it possible to carry this around risk free of leaking. You simply twist the dial to on when you wanted to squeeze some product out, and off when you are finished, which then locks shut the foundation.
One of the key selling features of this foundation is that it comes with a brush (and that is also the reason why they apparently can’t give out samples of it, as you won’t get the “full” effect of it without its’ brush). After trying this foundation initially after purchase, I soon got rid of the brush. Literally. I just cut off the bristles with the scissors as close as I could to the nozzle! It really was a pointless design feature. They advise you to squeeze the product out onto the back of your hand, which is dispensed through the brush, and then from there you use the brush to apply the product that is on the back of your hand to your face. Ridiculous. The brush absorbed half the product and wasn’t even a good foundation brush, so the minute I cut it off, was the minute the foundation started working better for me. They do say that once you’re more accustomed to the foundation you can apply it straight from the brush directly to your face but for me, the brush was just no good. My other foundation brushes were a thousand times better.
I have a habit of applying heaps of moisturiser onto my skin, as I like my skin to look dewy and fresh and find usually my foundation blends better this way too. However, with this foundation, it is not advisable to do that, as it takes so long to set. It literally sits on the surface, on top of your moisturiser. The first few times I made this mistake I would have to fan my face, in order to speed up the setting process. So only apply a light moisturizer before, that has mostly sunk into the skin before application. If you have drier skin (like me), put your usual amount of moisturiser on, but leave it a while to sink in before applying this.
The texture of this foundation is very light, a similarity to the Touche Eclat. I found I would need several layers (with a good foundation brush, fingers won’t cut it with this!) to get the desired coverage I wanted, and I have relatively good skin! It was easy to build, but unfortunately you’re also eating through a lot of product in doing so. Between each layer I would have to wait for it to set slightly, and then apply the next, which can take a little longer than ideal, but not substantially longer.
Verdict
Well, when I first apply this foundation, I always worry that it is too dark. But something happens and a few hours later my face lightens up, which is strange as sometimes it goes too light and other times it adapts well to my colour. If you skip or use little moisturiser, you could get a matte finish with this foundation. However, if you don’t want that, then just wear a little more moisteriser before applying, it will take longer to set, but you will get a better, more radiant, dewy finish (in my opinion!).
I have to admit, I have mixed views on this product. When it’s good, your skin looks great, but there are some times when it looks too matte, too white or even too dark. More recently, it has been working for me, so maybe it was just down to me not understanding fully about it needing to set and adding a too heavy powder on top. Either way, I’m back to wearing this one now after a brief affair with Mac Studio Sculpt. I can get the perfect coverage (admittedly, with A LOT of product), and it doesn’t go cakey as the texture is so thin. I do add a little bit of powder, but only the Bourjois Mineral Radiance as that is soooo light and anything heavier would ruin my look, in my opinion.
Was it worth £30? No. But I do like the look it gives and it lasts ok through a night out (just no all nighters, your face goes drrrrrry). My advice to Yves Saint Laurent is to just get rid of the brush, sell a good brush for it seperately, and lower the price. I’m sure people would prefer that over getting (and technically paying for!) a rubbish brush with it everytime they purchase it. These days most foundation wearers already have a foundaton brush anyway! My other complaint is the darker colours are a little too red, more yellow tones please! The shade I bought was 10 Cinnamon out of the ten shade range (there are two shades darker than mine).
Here are some pics of me in it:
This is a good example of it with well moisterised skin underneath, and no powder – way too greasy!
With a light powder on top
And here it is more matter (with heavy powder):
