My favourite face oils

Face oils are a new discovery for me and I have Renee (Gothamista) to thank for my new found love with them. She loves applying oils in her routine and I can definitely resonate with her.

It’s been pretty cold here in Sydney since it’s winter so my skin has been drinking up basically anything I have been putting on my face.

I’ve decided that applying oils is my favourite step in my routine and it’s due to some fantastic discoveries which I will be sharing today. I normally apply it after my serum step and before a moisturiser, in the PM. If you’re interested in finding out what they are, please keep on reading.

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

This oil is one of Renee’s (Gothamista) favourites and I bought it pretty much because of her.  I’m slowly trying out Drunk Elephant’s range and buying minis makes it more affordable since the line isn’t cheap. The Nightbright Duo (also includes T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum), which is still available, from mecca seemed like a good starting point.

Claims:

from drunkelephant.com

Like rehab for your skin, this wonder-working, luxury facial oil, high in critical antioxidants tocopherol (vitamin E), tochotrienol, phenolic compounds and flavinoids, and rich in omegas 6 and 9, helps to moisturize, rejuvenate and nourish skin while restoring a youthful glow. Straight from the “pip” of the marula fruit, our Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is untouched by any chemical or fragrance, natural or synthetic and remains in its purest form.

Ingredients:

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil

Why I love it:

Cold pressed is a technique where the oils are obtained by pressing fruit and seeds, which retains its nutrition and efficacy. I love the fact that it is cold pressed and how lovely and pure this oil is. It feels nourishing, moisturising and comforting, like a warm blanket to my face. It doesn’t literally make it feel warm or anything, it just feels pleasant. It does give me an overall glow and best of all it is the most fast absorbing of all the oils I will be talking about. For some reason I thought it might feel heavy and not absorb on my combo skin since it has “luxury” in its name, but it’s quite the opposite. It still takes a minute to absorb but leaves no residue. Light enough to use during the day for people with drier skin. There is no scent.

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil – very runny texture

The packaging is in a pump since I have the mini size and I generally use two pumps into my palm, rub my both my palms together and press it into my face. I use this technique with all the oils, only the amount of oil used varies.

I’ve been using retinol and AHA serums (interchangeably) at night so applying this over the top and sometimes with no moisturiser, really agrees with my skin.

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil – rubbed in, quickly absorbed.

Price:

I purchased this in a Nightbright duo which also has the T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum for $40 AUD from mecca.com.au. Both are 8ml. I recently re-purchased this duo because I love both products so much and adore the practical pump packaging. The full size packaging has the standard pipet applicator.

The oil by itself is available in two sizes:
$58 AUD 15ml and $105 for 30ml from mecca.com.au and from the brand’s website drunkelephant.com.

Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum

Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum

I’m going to sound like a broken record but this is yet another oil which Renee recommended. Man this woman’s influence on me is sending me and I’m sure all of her subscribers, broke! As usual, as soon as she had mentioned it the second time, I was trying to find it online. Only ohlolly.com stocked it. Being in Australia, we’re disadvantaged in terms of accessibility of products which are only sold in the US.

Their official and only stockists, ohlolly.com has an absurd shipping fee which I refused to pay and this oil from Urang is already quite expensive. I scoured ebay and found a seller which also sold the mini sized versions so I pounced and here we are.

Claims:

from ohlolly.com

A masterfully blended, all natural face oil serum that brightens, heals and protects skin. Wonderfully lightweight and hydrating, Brightening Blue Oil Serum quickly absorbs into skin to energize and transform dull skin into a radiant complexion.

Ingredients:

Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, (-)-alpha-bisabolol, *Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil (*Organic ingredient)

Why I love it:

There are only four ingredients in this product, all of which claim to hydrate, even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyper pigmentation. The latter always catches my eye because I have PIH from pimples as well as sun spots, both of which I am forever trying to find magical serums for. I also love anything with green tea and it’s the first ingredient. Tocopherol is a form of vitamin E and alpha-bisabolol is from the bark of the candeia tree in Brazil. I’ve read that bisabolol is also an active derived from the German Chamomile.

Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum
Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum – slight tinge of blue and is runny.

I have used quite a bit of this product already and I do feel like it brightens my skin. My whole PM routine is about brightening anyway so it fitted right in. It’s also hard to tell if this has really helped because I use other brightening products too. My skin does feel plump and healthy after use and I simply enjoy using it which are enough reasons for me. It’s a very pretty oil, I love its beautiful blue colour which is naturally from the chamomilla recutita flower. There is a slight scent but it’s very soothing and light. There are no artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances in this oil which I appreciate. Also important to note is that when Korean products are advertised as “whitening” they mean brightening. There is no “tone-up” effect to this product, thankfully since I despise those kind of products. They’ve actually now renamed it to be “brightening” now probably to avoid any confusion.

Urang stands for (Ultimate Radiant + Natural Glow) and the creator Jina Lee is an holistic aromatherapist and wanted to create a brand which would have natural, organic products and for them to safe for the whole family, since she is a mother herself. I haven’t come across any Korean brands with this type of notion and it’s really great that Urang has. The brand is also vegan and cruelty free. Urang sounds like the Korean version of RMS Beauty! I am definitely keen to buy the full size version (the packaging is so beautiful!) and try other products in her line. If only they were more accessible internationally!!

Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum
Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum – Rubbed in, is fast absorbing

Price:

I bough the travel size 15ml from ebay *, $28.12 USD.

Available from ohlolly.com:
$35 USD for 15ml and $59 USD for 30ml.

Blossom Jeju 100% Pure Camellia Dry Oil

Blossom Jeju 100% Pure Camellia Dry Oil
Blossom Jeju 100% Pure Camellia Dry Oil

Claims:

from blossomjeju.com

This legendary, 100 percent pure Camellia Oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids to deeply hydrate and nourish skin.

Grown organically in Jeju island in Korea, the multitasking formula contains astonishing healing, conditioning, and antiaging properties to create a youthful-looking complexion.

Ingredients:

Camellia Seed Oil

Why I love it:

I first tried the Camellia Soombi Essence Oil from this brand which I really loved. It was another one recommended by Renee. Since that oil is expensive I decided to try this version which is marketed as being a dry oil. I think it’s actually better than the Soombi because there is no fragrance and is also half the price. It is fast absorbing and can be used during the AM. I only use two drops if I layer makeup over the top. Otherwise at night, I can use three drops.

oil-blossom-swatch

Camellia seed oil is known to be light but hydrating and full of antioxidants. All products in the Blossum Jeju line are sourced from Jeju island, which is also known as Korea’s “Hawaii”. It’s common for many k-beauty brands to source ingredients from this island. Definitely an island I would want to visit if I ever visited South Korea.

Blossom Jeju 100% Pure Camellia Dry Oil
Blossom Jeju 100% Pure Camellia Dry Oil – also fast absorbing, I put a bit too much here but it leaves a slight dewy look.

Price:

$36 AUD, 20ml from ebay

Whamisa Organic Flowers Face Oil

Whamisa Organic Flowers Facial Oil
Whamisa Organic Flowers Facial Oil

When I was first discovering k-beauty, I read and watched lots of Glow Recipe articles and videos. Sarah and Christine really know their stuff and one of the major brands that they curate is Whamisa. They are well known for fermenting ingredients in their formulations so of course I had to try for myself. This product has fermented flower filtrates as well as a nice blend of oils. I bought a few products from ebay since Glow Recipe’s shipping is pricey to Australia. This oil is probably my favourite product that I have tried so far from the brand. Whamisa also now has an Aussie website so products are much easier to attain, yay! 🙂

I’ve seen this oil in different packaging too, a frosted clear bottle instead of the brown bottle which I have. Not sure which is newer but I’m fairly certain the products are the same.

Claims

from whamisa.co.uk

Organic argan and camellia seed oil star in this miracle blend of natural and organic oils which also includes olive fruit, jojoba seed, carrot seed, evening primrose and flower ferment filtrates.  Improves skin’s immunity, elasticity and protects from environmental damage. Creates a natural barrier locking in nutrients and hydration.

Ingredients

from whamisa.co.uk

*Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, *Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, *Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, *Lactobacillus/Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Rhizome/Root Ferment Filtrate, ***Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, ***Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, ***Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Anibae Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, d-Limonene, Linalol

Why I love it:

This oil has significantly more ingredients than the other three oils. And because of this, the fragrance is also more apparent. It isn’t offensive or synthetic, it smells natural. It does disappear once you apply it to your skin so it doesn’t bother me. Companies adding artificial fragrances bother me. There’s a great mix of organic oils in the ingredients list, Argan and Camellia Seed both at the top, it’s a good way to get a cocktail of them in the one go.

Whamisa Organic Flowers Facial Oil
Whamisa Organic Flowers Facial Oil – Runny consistency

This is probably the least absorbing of the four, on my skin anyway. I generally use this in the PM and only use one or two drops because it is a heavier formula. For my combo skin, I am at the risk of looking greasy if I use anymore than this. With the right amount, my skin feels moisturised and I don’t even need a moisturiser when I use this.

Whamisa Organic Flowers Facial Oil
Whamisa Organic Flowers Facial Oil – rubbed in. Skin does look a bit shiny and takes a few minutes to absorb.

Price:

$25.99 USD, 30ml from ebay *

Have you tried any of these oils? If so let me know your thoughts 🙂 If you have any recommendations for me, I would love to hear about them 🙂

Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂

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[Brand spotlight] RMS Beauty

RMS beauty was founded by Rose Marie Swift. She is a renowned makeup artist who after having health problems due to toxic ingredients in makeup wanted to find to find a healthier approach to beauty.

Her line is organic and the primary ingredient she likes to use is coconut oil. In an interview with Wendy Rowe (also a makeup artist) in the Beauty Truth, Rose Marie Swift describes the benefits of coconut oil:

This natural antioxidant is 100% organic, raw and unrefined, aiding in its protective powers against free radical damage—otherwise known as premature ageing. Coconut oil contains high levels of lauric acid, which has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, making it suitable for even the most blemish-prone skin.

Please note that not just any store-bought oil is equal to ours. RMS Beauty is superior over most coconut oils.

Since being first intrigued by the famous Living Luminizer, I have since added some more RMS products to my little collection. The aesthetics of the brand is clean, modern and minimalistic which resonates with the brand’s purpose of simple beauty.

If you’ve been interested in trying out products from this brand, please keep on reading.

Living Luminizer

rms-02

What is it?

From rmsbeauty.com:

This formula is the ultimate illuminator for creating a sensuous, sheer, luminous glow. An ultra sheer, glowing, luminizer with a translucent, satin-pearl finish. This highlighter works great on all skin tones, making this a must have beauty product.

Ingredients (from mecca.com.au)

*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, and may contain [+/- Titanium Dioxide CI77891, Mica CI 77019] * CERTIFIED ORGANIC

Application

Best to apply with clean fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot to get the product out, then I lightly pat it onto my cheekbones or wherever I normally apply highlighter. If you have oily skin, you may want to set it lightly with translucent powder. This is also a multi-use product, you can also use it on your eyelids as well as lips.

RMS Beauty - Living Luminizer
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer

Packaging and size

The balm is housed in a frosted glass pot with a white lid. It feels weighty and sturdy. There is 4.82g/.17oz of product which doesn’t seem like much but it will last you a very long time since you only need a small amount.

RMS Beauty - Living Luminizer
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer – It’s hard to see the swatch but I can assure you that it looks much better on the face!

Price:

$55.00 AUD (from Mecca)

My thoughts

Rating: 5/5 (love it, HG status!)

This is one of my favourite highlighters in my collection. It was the very first product I had bought from the brand and I love the effect it gives me. It can be built up, from subtle lit-from-within look to a strong glossy glow which still looks natural. Since it’s a cream product, it’s usually criminal to apply cream over powder but you can with this product. It doesn’t mess with the foundation or powder underneath if you use the soft patting technique with your finger. I don’t normally set it with powder because I have combo skin with dry U zone. I usually just set my face with a setting spray like Fix+. This helps to melt the highlighter into all the other layers on the face. It generally lasts around 6 hours and because it looks like one with the skin, the fading isn’t noticeable.

Would highly recommend if you are looking for a natural looking highlight. If you’re like me and you hate chunky glitters or frost in your highlight, you’ll like this! On the RMS beauty website it says this can be used by all skin tones. I don’t think it’s a universal shade (but I also could be wrong) but I think that this highlighter is best suited to fair-to-light-medium skin tones because it has a slightly pale pearly sheen to it. If you are medium-deep, you may want to try out the Magic Luminizer which has a more of a champagne tone to it. On rmsbeauty.com there are also two more variations, Peach and Champagne Rose Luminizers.

Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive

RMS Beauty - Lip2Cheek - Shade #Illusive
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive

What is it?

From mecca.com:

Fusing a blend of nourishing oils and pure mineral pigments, this creamy emollient can be used on the lips and cheeks for a subtle tint of colour.

Ingredients (from rmsbeauty.com)

*Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax) (Cire d’abeille), *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, **Buriti (Mauritia Flexuosa) Oil, *Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Tocopherol(non-GMO), Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Propolis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract , *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, May Contain [+/-]: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica

* CERTIFIED ORGANIC 
** WILDCRAFTED

Application

I apply this the same way as with the Luminizer, with my fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot and use this and my middle finger to pat it onto my cheeks, slowly building it up to the desired level of opacity. When applying it onto my lips or eyelids, I use my index finger. It’s also buildable and dries down nicely. You could use a small duo fibre brush as well.

RMS Beauty - Lip2Cheek - Shade #Illusive
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive

Packaging and size

Same size and packaging as the Luminizer, 4.82g/0.17oz of product. I really like the frosted look of the weighted pot.

Price:

$52.00 AUD (from Mecca)

RMS Beauty - Lip2Cheek - Shade #Illusive
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive – this was swatched quite strongly, once blended in, the colour looks much less intense.

My thoughts

Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)

I love anything that I can use for more than one purpose, largely because I’m lazy. I really like the texture of it and how I have some play time before it dries down. Since I have light-medium skin, the shade Illusive works nicely on the cheeks, eyes and lips. Because of its nourishing ingredients, it leaves my cheeks looking fresh and hydrated. It isn’t long lasting on the lips (nothing ever is on my lips!), bit longer on the eyes (3-4 hours) and the longest (6 hours) on the cheeks. Even though it’s not that long lasting, it tends to fade evenly which is a plus.

With any cream product, it always takes a bit more time in application, but the payoff is always more natural and worth it. Since I don’t always have too much time in the mornings, I generally opt for powders and use this on the weekends.

Definitely recommend this, it’s great for touchups and to just throw in the handbag. I’ll be looking to add more shades of Lip2Cheek to my collection since I’m hooked 🙂 Promise and Paradise look divine!

Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3

Tinted Un Powder - Shade #2-3
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3

What is it?

From mecca.com:

This tinted powder contains light reflective particles that work to minimise the look of pores, soften the skin and absorb excess oil. Providing subtle coverage to the skin, the powder can be used to set liquid foundation or be worn with ‘Un Cover-Up’.
Talc, silicone, perfume and paraben free.

Ingredients (from mecca.com)

T2-3: Silica, Iron Oxides: CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77500

Application

Like with all loose powders, I tip some into the cap then swirl a powder brush into it. I then tap off the excess on the side of the cap and lightly press it onto my face. I stupidly threw the puff it came with away so using a brush works best for me.

Tinted Un Powder - Shade #2-3
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3 – the powder is very finely milled, there’s some on the cap.

Packaging and size

Clear plastic tub with white lid and has 9g/0.32oz of product. Smaller more compact than other loose powders I own such as the famed Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.

Price

$49.00 AUD from Mecca

My thoughts

Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)

This powder does what it says it does. It sets my foundation nicely and the 2-3 shade matches my skin tone perfectly. The powder is so finely milled which makes application a breeze. It never looks cakey and just melts into the skin, leaving my face with a healthy glow. It does minimise the pores around my nose and controls oil in my t-zone for around 8 hours.

It’s not something I reach for everyday since it’s a loose powder and takes a bit more time to apply then a pressed powder. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m quite time poor in the mornings but I do like to use this whenever I remember to.

Would definitely recommend this powder because it doesn’t have talc like most powders and performs just as well or even better than most powders I have tried.

Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser

rms-06

What is it?

From rmsbeauty.com:

This luxurious natural satin-finish lipstick is enriched with the signature rms beauty oil. Rich and powerful in anti-oxidants, this lipstick offers ultimate hydration and maximum color pay-off.

Ingredients (from rmsbeauty.com)

*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cera Alba (Beeswax)(Cire d’abeille), Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Kaolin, *Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax) (Cire de candelilla), Hydrogenated Castor Oil, *Cera Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax) (Cire de carnauba), *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Tocopherol, Isostearyl Palmitate, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Hypericum Perforatum Extract, *Equisetum Arvense Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Extract, *Hemidesmus Indicus Root Extract, *Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Leaf Extract, *Withania Somnifera Root Powder, *Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Leaf Extract, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Propanediol, Pentylene glycol, *Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Propylene Carbonate, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, **Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil. May Contain [-/+]: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 28 (CI 45410), Mica, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985). 

* CERTIFIED ORGANIC
** WILDCRAFTED

Application

I apply it directly from the bullet onto my lips. Because it’s formula is a bit stiff, I tend to dab it onto my lips rather than using a swiping motion.

Wild With Desire Lipstick - Shade #Brain teaser
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser

Packaging and size

The lipstick is housed in a sleek, silver tube. There is a slight weight to it and like her other products, has a clean and modern aesthetic to it. It contains 4.5g/0.15oz of product. The cap is very secure and gives a satisfying click when you close it.

Price:

$41.00 AUD (from Mecca)

Wild With Desire Lipstick - Shade #Brain teaser
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser – swatch is using only one (wonky) swipe!

My thoughts

I love the formula of this lipstick. It’s a satin formula which is comfortable to wear and I love the shade Brainteaser. It is a soft peachy pink brown (more peach than pink on me), which is generally the type of colour that I’m usually drawn to. I can’t speak for its lasting power because not many lipsticks last on me after my morning coffee. I like how it contains nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and oils as well as antioxidants like turmeric and liquorice root. Quite rare to even get antioxidants in a lip product, let alone in an actual opaque lipstick.

I would highly recommend this for people who are looking for a lipstick which has nourishing ingredients as well as great colour payoff. Definitely will be purchasing more shades, the shade “Rapture” is calling my name!

Where can I buy it?

If you’re in Australia, you can purchase RMS Beauty from Mecca Cosmetica (mecca.com.au), Beautylish (beautylish.com) as well as from the brand’s website (rmsbeauty.com).

I purchased these products myself from Mecca Cosmetica and Beautylish.

Final thoughts

Nothing from this range has disappointed me so far and I’m excited to try more from the brand. Taking care of your skin shouldn’t just stop at skincare. If there are cleaner options which perform just well or better, I will definitely take it! The products might seem expensive for their quantity but because a little does go a long way, especially with the potted products, you won’t be hitting pan for a long while.

Since coconut oil is a key ingredient in a lot of the cream products, I was a bit wary since I’ve heard that it is or can be comedogenic to certain skin types. I actually had nothing to worry about because I never broke out from it. For reference I have combo skin/oily t-zone/prone to hormonal acne. There is also no scent in any of the products which is a plus because I hate most scents in makeup. The products are also a joy to use, both in application and aesthetics. The un-cover up concealer, eye polish and raw coconut cream cleanser are definitely on my wishlist!

Let me know if you’ve tried any products from RMS beauty and which has been your favourite 🙂

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[Review] Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Essence Foundation SPF 45 PA+++

Today I will be reviewing a foundation from Shu Uemura. It is the Lightbulb Essence foundation. Its also referred to as the “essential-oil-foundation”.
It’s a new release from the Japanese cosmetics line. This foundation launched in Australia in August 2017.

I’m a sucker for anything with the word “essence” in it and always on the look out for makeup which contains skin care benefits. The infusion of essential oils, lavender oil, geranium oil, ginger oil, camellia seed oil (my fave!) and rice nuka oil, drew me in. These oils both contribute to hydration as well as in creating a healthy (not greasy) glow.
Its supposed to be feel like skin care so its good for sensitive skin. It also contains SPF 45+++ which is also handy but I still layer sunscreen underneath it.

Cost

I bought this for $85 AUD at Shu Umera in QVB Sydney.

Colour

I bought shade #564 medium light sand. I was tossing between this and #764 medium light beige (their most popular shade I was told). Both shades look fairly similar on my skin, but opted for the #564 because the undertone leaned more neutral (only ever so slightly). For reference I am a NC30 in MAC and #23 or #25 (depending on the brand) in Korean foundation. My undertone is neutral.

Consistency

It’s very liquidity, has a watery consistency. If you let it sit on your hand long enough, it will run right down! It reminds me of Koh Gen Do’s Maifanshi Acqua foundation which I have in the shade #123 (half a shade too light for me).

shuumera-foundation-2

Scent

It smells pleasant, like lavender aromatherapy and moisturiser. The smell isn’t offensive (to me) and dissipates on application.

Application

A con on this product is the dropper applicator. I guess since its supposed to mimic skincare that’s why they did it like this. It can get messy very quickly.

Shake the bottle a few times to mix the oil back into the foundation as it tends to float to the top. To disperse the product, you press on the button on the top. It has a pretty nifty seal, the button only pops up when you open the bottle, which is cool so you know when its completely shut properly.

shuumera-foundation-3

I normally drop a couple of drops on the back of my hand and use a classic beauty blender, as well as reputable dupes, to apply it to my face. A little goes a long way because its watery. It spreads easily and since I don’t enjoy caking on makeup, one layer is enough. I have tried it with a buffing brush but felt like it just moved the product around. The sales assistant applied the littlest amount and pat it in with a dry disposable sponge. It looked good then too, hence why I bought it. But using a damp beauty blender is quicker and I prefer it. Oh and I also tried it with the Lightbulb sponge (mine did not come with it) and I hated the sponge because its so stiff even when dampened.

Coverage

Light coverage, buildable to medium.

Finish

It is in between satin and dewy, natural would be the best descriptor. I have combo/dehydrated skin with a slightly oily t-zone and it doesn’t look greasy on me. I agree with the claims that it does create a nice healthy glow. I wouldn’t recommend this to super oily skinned people because of its glowiness. For anyone who generally layers a facial oil during your morning skincare routine, you probably won’t need to do that when you wear this foundation. Unless you have super dry skin and really need to.

Wear time

I have worn this foundation on and off since I purchased it and I can safely say that it lasts all day (around 8 hours) if I powder. It doesn’t seem to set entirely and due to this I would recommend applying a light dusting of powder over it if you want it to last. I will test it out without powder and update this post. I also tested this in winter so will also report back on wear time in summer.

Final thoughts

Rating: 4/5 (really liked it)

Would definitely repurchase. Deducting one star because of the crappy dropper applicator.

It felt light and comfortable on my skin. It brightened up my complexion and gave it a healthy glow. It looked natural and would be ideal for those light makeup days which is generally the norm for me. The fact that it contains essential oils sped up my skincare routine in the morning which is always a plus!

The fact that you need to use so little of it also compensates (in my mind) for the luxury price tag.

Highly recommend that you try it in store as the colours are very similar and since its pretty pricey its probably a good idea to.

Have you tried this foundation? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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