The best thing to happen in Singapore last year was the arrival of Charlotte Tilbury, and my first purchase was of course the new Airbrush Flawless Foundation!  I excitedly bought and shipped Charlotte Tilbury makeup from the UK when the brand first launched years ago, but was never able to try out her foundations in person to get a proper shade match.  And with a whopping 44 shade range, I really had to experience it in person.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation is a full coverage foundation that is unlike anything I’ve ever tried.  The texture itself is lightweight and easy to blend, such that a tiny dot can be easily worked over an entire cheek or half face, making the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation really adaptable.  The finish is velvety, and I love that it does not sink into my pores nor fine lines.

Even though the brand is better known for its makeup, Charlotte Tilbury insists on adding skincare properties into her base products for that element of luxury, and as a practicing makeup artist she understands the importance of good skin.  So the Airbrush Flawless Foundation comes with a proprietary peptide complex to reduce wrinkles and firm up skin, an anti-pollution defence, and moss extract to maintain skin’s hydration level.  Full list of ingredients may be found here.

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At first look, it appears the shade that I picked 3-Neutral is a little lighter than I’ve gotten over the past months (thanks to several sunny vacations!) but is still a nice one for me.  The finish is markedly more matte than the Sisley foundation (reviewed here), but it get softer as the day progresses.  There is also a perceptible luminoscity to the finish, that looks more natural and velvety than other matte foundations.  Most importantly, Charlotte tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation truly lasts all day without any noticeable excess shine on my face after 12 hours’ wear.  At the same time, it does not dry up my skin, but remains comfortable all day.

The post Face off #2: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation appeared first on Silverkis' World.

Chanel has an amazing selection of foundations, and I have used and loved most of them over the years, but somehow I never stuck with any one of them because for the longest time I have been in between shades.  However, that changed with the release of the Ultra Le Teint Foundation, because for the first time Chanel released 2 new color families – BR (beige rose) with a slightly cool pink undertone, and BD (beige dore) with a more golden yellow undertone.  The gradations between shades have also changed so that I am no longer in between 20 and 30, but can actually fit in nicely at shade BD21!

This is a new full-coverage, matte finish foundation from Chanel that boasts an extensive 24-hour weartime.  It replaces 2 of Chanel’s well-loved formulas – the Le Teint Ultra and Perfection Lumiere, combining them into a long-lasting foundation that manages to control shine yet be gentle on the skin.  Here is the full list of ingredients for those of who are are interested.

The texture itself is relatively lightweight, although in comparison to the other foundations being tested in this 5-part miniseries, I personally felt this is not the smoothest and finest of all (nor the worst of the lot!).  I apply all my foundations with a dampened sponge (with the exception of cushion foundations), and found it somewhat patchy in areas.  The foundation sheers out easily and I was able to build up coverage as needed by tapping on more product in specific areas, though I still needed a separate concealer for scars.

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The finish of this Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation on my somewhat dry skin is more matte than I personally like, but it softens as the day progresses.  In the hot humid climate of Singapore, it bears up very well and does not break down nor oxidizes.  At the end of a 12-hour day, my makeup still looks fresh without noticeable shine on my t-zone.  So if you have oily or combination skin, I strong recommend you check this out.

_{This post featured a product that was generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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MAC has an extensive range of foundations to suit every makeup lover and makeup artist, though I have not played with their offerings for years… until now!  The brand has recently expanded its Studio Fix collection with the addition of 2 new portable foundations – the Soft Matte Foundation Stick and Complete Coverage Cushion Compact.

MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick comes in a portable stick format that is convenient for traveling, touchups and applications on the go.  With 33 shades to choose from, this is also suitable for use in contouring.  It provides medium coverage with a matte finish, and amazing longevity that does not fade nor oxidize as the day wears on.  Full list of ingredients may be found here.

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Unlike other stick foundations that I have tried, this MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick has very little slip, which makes it difficult to blend.  On the other hand, the lack of emollience also makes it less likely to transfer and more long lasting.  Coverage, though medium, does not build up easily either so it is not really suitable for use as a concealer replacement.  However, it does an adequate job of covering up dark circles and gives a very natural albeit slightly more matte finish.

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MAC Studio Fix Complete Coverage Cushion Compact is specially formulated for and currently exclusive to Asia.  As with all good cushions, this MAC one comes with SPF50/PA++++ sun protection, and does not leave the complexion looking ashen which is great.  In comparison to the Soft Matte Foundation Stick above, I found this Complete Coverage Cushion to be much easier to apply and blend.  However, as you can see from the comparison photo above, coverage is more medium than full, and I still need a separate concealer to cover scars.  When first applied, the finish is glowy and smooth, but on my dry skin it turns rather dry and starts emphasizing fine lines within 1-2 hours.  Click here to view the list of ingredients.

Both foundations are extremely long-wearing, lasting me all day without fading or oxidizing.  I should note here that the shade range differs between the 2, I wear NC15 for the Soft Matte Foundation Stick (which is a closer match), and NC14 for Complete Coverage Cushion Compact (unfortunately NC15 is not available and the next shade NC16 is a tad too dark).  Personally I find the cushion more pleasant to use, unfortunately it is exclusive to Asia at the moment.  The Foundation Stick is not one of my favorites, but you may enjoy it if you have oilier skin and need a truly matte foundation.

And with this, I round up this 5-part mini-series.  As I type this, more new ones have showed up, but I think it is time to move onto other aspects of beauty.  I have a fragrance review lined up, and am planning some skincare discourses.  Baby #2 is due in early-March, so I have a few more weeks to go before the uncertainty of a newborn changes my schedule.  I’m sure we will circle back to foundations sooner rather than later as it is one of my favorite things in makeup.  So leave me a note below if there is something that you’ve been curious about and would like to see me review!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post Face off #5: MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick & Complete Coverage Cushion appeared first on Silverkis' World.

The world may be in lock down at the moment, but that does not stop us from enjoying some French chic in our lives.  For Spring 2020, By Terry has released a capsule collection of color makeup entitled Terribly Paris bearing evocative motifs of Parisian landmarks.  I have 1 of 2 of the VIP Eyeshadow Palettes to show you today.  In addition, there is a new foundation that was released and will be reviewing that below as well.

By Terry expands its popular Hyaluronic Hydra range of base makeup with the launch of the new Hyaluronic Hydra-Foundation.  This is a very lightweight, watery foundation that has a matte finish and is incredibly long-lasting.  The texture and dropper applicator reminds me of the Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation [see here], but is easier to blend and more flattering on the skin.  This foundation sets very quickly so it is important to work fast and in small segments of the skin.  You may want to use a damp sponge with it, but given it is already rather light in coverage, I prefer to use my fingers.

Despite the matte finish, I was surprised by how forgiving this is.  My skin is currently dry and bumpy, and this By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Foundation does not crease nor emphasise my flakey bits at all!  At the same time, even though the coverage is actually quite light, it is sufficient to even out my skin tone, especially my dark under eye and redness around the sides of my nose.  Acne spots and scars will require a separate concealer unfortunately.

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It is incredibly long-lasting, does not crease nor fade as the day progresses.  I have even taken naps (#mumlife) wearing this foundation and it did not rub off on my sheets!

Switching gears slightly, I would like to show you the prettiest palette from By Terry today… the V.I.P. Expert Paris by Light Palette from their Terrybly Paris collection.  It is not every day that By Terry releases an eyeshadow palette, in fact it has been several years since the last one.  I have tested all of them, and whilst they are all excellent, this season’s are even better than the others combined!

There are 2 palettes, one for the night and the one I have here is meant for the day. All the shades are easy to wear neutrals, but with a nice range of finishes and intensities to suit a wide range of looks.  Each of the pan has a motif printed on it, which makes dipping in really painful, but I finally plucked up the courage to show you these swatches:

From left to right, the top row shades are:

• Dark matte brown with a slightly cool, almost ashen tint
• Medium matte cherokee red
• Light matte ivory with a pink tint
• Medium-dark copper with a metallic finish
• Pale metallic gold

The bottom shades are:

• Medium metallic yellow gold with a cool brightened tone
• Medium-dark dove grey
• Medium metallic antique gold with a slightly duller finish
• Dark metallic bronze
• Medium metallic pink with a warm, slightly duller finish

The metallic shades in this Paris by Light palette have a rich creamy texture that is a dream to work with.  By Terry makes some of my favourite matte eyeshadows, and these were no exception.  They apply better with a brush on lids than they swatch.

Here is a full makeup look featuring By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Foundation as base, and By Terry V.I.P. Expert Paris by Light Palette on eyes.  Both are out at Escentials and Sephora Ion stores in Singapore and online.

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for our consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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Chanel’s Les Beiges line has established the gold standard for effortless makeup, and the new Healthy Glow Foundation has set the bar even higher than before.  This is a reformulation of the previous foundation bearing the same name, and is completely different in my opinion.  Both hydrating and long wearing, the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is effortless sophistication epitomised.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation aims to give us the ideal fresh and radiant post-vacation skin everyday (something we all need a bit of help achieving since an actual vacation is unlikely).  It is enriched with plant-based glycerin to keep skin hydrated all day long.  Chanel also uses Kalanchoe extract from a Madagascar plant known for its climatic adaptation capacities, to create a barrier against pollution and protect skin.  A selection of plant-based oils deliver radiance and comfort to the skin.

The heart of the formula unites cleverly dosed pigments to discreetly even out the complexion, a duo of polymers to blur imperfections, erase pores and fill fine lines, as well as a reflecting powder to guarantee skin’s radiance. Finally, a silica powder forms an invisible film on the skin and maintains the impeccable makeup result for 12 hours.

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As you can see from the comparative image above, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is incredibly skin-like, you can hardly tell that I am wearing makeup!  Regardless, it evens out the skin tone beautifully, erasing red patches and brightening dark undereye shadows.  You can make out that I have several pimples on my chin, and whilst the foundation does not completely erase them, it balances out the redness sufficiently that I can live without an additional concealer.  I love that it leaves my skin with a healthy, luminous glow; and does not emphasise my dry lines.  Compared to the previous generation of this foundation [reviewed here], the new Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is much lighter in texture, easier to blend and more comfortable to wear over long periods.

The biggest attraction for the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is that it comes in 35 shades across the recently extended Beige Dore (“BD”) and Beige Rose (“BR”) families.  The BD range warms up the skin with luminous golden shimmers, and BR range delivers a fresh rosy effect.  In the picture above I was wearing the classic B20 shade, but BD21 works equally well (if not even better).

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is out in stores now.  Do check it out in stores for a personalised match if you can!

_{This post features products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post Looking flawless naturally with Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation appeared first on Silverkis' World.