I purchased this foundation because I had heard lots of people (including BR members on here) raving about how good it was and that it was a dupe for Estée lauders double wear foundation. And I am happy to say that I am now a fan. I have never tried double wear so I can't compare , but this foundation is high coverage which is buildable. If I set it with powder it lasts me a good 6-8 hours during the day.
The consistency of this foundation is quite thin, whereas most high coverage foundations I've used are quite thick. The thin consistency makes it easy to apply and blend into your skin. It also allows you to build up layers, and if you want a medium coverage you can just put a light layer on. I use a brush to apply this foundation, usually my stipple brush, and I find I get a perfect application that is not blotchy or streaky.
My bottle is the old packaging. It's a glass bottle with a screw lid. The new bottles now have pumps. At first I found the screw on lid annoying, but now I quite like it as I've gotten used to tipping the foundation out on my hand as I can get the right amount of product out. A pump can sometimes be hard to control.
This foundation range has lots of shades too which is good. It's really affordable and about half the price of double wear.
Overall I really like this foundation and the coverage I get from it. I would definitely purchase this again.
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!
Tips: For a lighter coverage use a dampened beauty blender and try to test the colour in natural light!