I have wanted to try this foundation for a long time after reading many fabulous reviews!
First of all I was torn between buying the Normal/Dry and the Oily/Combo, I suppose I have combination skin, it seems to change a lot. My t-zone can get oily and my chin is very breakout prone but then my chin also gets really dry and this drives me crazy with foundation! In the end I decided to go with the Normal/Dry because my biggest foundation complaint is caking in dry areas (like my terrible chin!).
So I matched myself as the Sand Beige but decided I would also get the sales assistant to do a match, she thought Nude or Sand Beige. To be honest I would have liked one in between, the Nude is a touch too pink and the sand beige a touch too yellow. I went with the Sand Beige and am 99% happy.
I had watched many review videos complaining about the lack of a pump so I was really happy to find one on the bottle when I opened it. The glass bottle packaging with pump and lid is nothing exciting but it certainly does the trick, I have no complaints.
Ok! The product! For my first few applications I went with a stippling brush, the formula is a pretty typical liquid consistency, maybe a touch thinner. It goes on easily, however you can't mess about.. it does dry quickly and then adding a new layer is a no go! The coverage is med-full, I think it's perfect! I don't know that I would call it 'build-able' but it doesn't really need it. It feels light but it covers redness and acne scars really well! It blends easily and lasts well, I couldn't say if it lasts 24 hours or not, the longest I have left it on was 10 hours but it had only started wearing off on my chin :) I will say I do still get a bit of caking on dry breakout areas, I am starting to think this is impossible to avoid however.
Another bonus, I can take or leave the finishing powder with this, it sets on to the skin really well without it! For work however I do powder my t-zone.
I have now moved to applying it with a damp blender sponge, it goes on quickly and this allows a lighter coverage for work. I would like to try a kabuki brush!
Overall I love it! Light weight feel, great coverage, easy to use and a good price!
I love this foundation! And i'm yet to find one i like better. I have heard allot about this foundation being better in the oily/combination formula, but in my experience i don't really see a difference. I have quite dry skin so i don't want anything to matte or drying and this makes my skin dewy looking and not dry at all. I like the way it holds up on my skin as well. I do find it oxidizes a little and becomes slightly darker. So i do recommend blending it thoroughly when applying. Its easy to apply, i use a flat top kabuki brush and it blends out amazingly. Its coverage is great and it doesn't flashback in photos.
Tips: Like i said, blend blend blend! And also i like to apply a light layer first and build it up to my desired coverage for the day. :)