Reviews
DESCRIPTION/GENERAL: Described as a full coverage, moisturising anti-aging foundation with dewy finish. Supposed to last 12 hours. 45 dollars for 30 ml (1 oz).
SHADE and MY SKIN: I am very pale with slight yellow undertones (BEHOLD, other brands, one must NOT be pink because they are pale!) I am about NC10, but that doesn't exist in MAC foundations, but NW10 does and it seems to work.
I have very good skin now (knock on wood), just a few discoloration spots but nothing to cry about. I had bad acne before and I have used this for a long time so I can say how it performs on my skin with acne, my skin when it was dry and my skin when it was oily.
I am most certainly impressed with Shiseido's shade range. I had never really found a great match in foundations before I met this foundation! (I have now also discovered that MUFE Mat Velvet in 15 Alabaster works, and NARS Sheer Glow in Siberia is good as well, just a bit more yellow. I mostly use MAC Pro Longwear Concealer mixed with Illamasqua Skin Base in White, 50/50).
"O" = Ochre = Yellow/Warm "I" = Ivory = Neutral "B" = Beige = Pink/Cool
I got this in O00 Very Light Ochre, the palest yellow shade. I found that I00 also works on me, which is the palest neutral shade. I haven't tried B00 but since it's more pink I probably wouldn't match it. I have also tried Shiseido's other foundations, and the shades don't seem to vary alot but don't quote me on that.
APPLICATION: This is a bit too thick to apply easily with a stippling brush, which usually is my favourite way to put on foundation. With this I take a very small amount at a time and pat it into my skin with my fingers. I would never recommend using a flat foundation brush for this, that would be asking for trouble - it's way too thick and you need to be careful not to cake it on. The coverage is so good you can use a very little amount and it will be enough.
TEXTURE: Thick, gel/mousse-like liquid. Very creamy and easy to blend. Dries slowly and is very moisturising. This is also high in silicones (great for mature skin and wrinkles), so if you're sensitive, beware.
FINISH: Dewy/satin finish, moisturising. If you are dry you don't necessarily need to powder, but if you are oily you most definitely need to powder (though I wouldn't recommend this for oily skin because it's so dewy and moisturising). I always powder my face, I feel it slides around too much and creases if I don't - but that's for all foundations, not just this one. Doesn't accentuate flakes.
COVERAGE: This was not my favourite foundation when I had acne, but when I used it it covered everything. This is absolutely a full coverage foundation but can be used as medium coverage if you sheer it out with a primer, moisturiser or just use a different application technique like sponges.
LONGEVITY: So to the only problem, which is the reason I skip this sometimes. I don't find this lasts as long as other foundations I have tried (especially MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, which I use as a foundation, lasts very long). This claims to last 12 hours, and it looks okay after 12 hours but not perfect like when you first put it on. I guess it's because this is so creamy and moisturising.
MY PRIMER AND POWDER: I use Smashbox primer and NARS Loose Powder in Siberia or Make Up Store's loose powder in Milk.
CONCLUSION: A heavy, full coverage foundation for dry/mature skin. I would give this a 5 if it wasn't for the lasting power. Will repurchase because I love the shade, feel and finish.