Reviews and Other Stuff

Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Perfect Skin Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 in 020 Light/Neutral

Favorite Cushion Foundations

best makeup cushion foundation

 

Hello guys. I am back from the cave, LOL. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had a massive jet lag and just when I thought I was feeling a bit more alert, I realized that I had to go on Jury Duty (Hurray! Hurray! LOL). I can tell you all about that experience in my upcoming posts. Anyway, I stood through my role as a Juror and just when I thought I could get back to blogging, my shoulder started bothering me and I had to rest it for a few days. Such is life! but hey, I’m back and as I promised, I’m about to do a roundup review of my favorite cushion foundations.

 

Clรฉ de Peau Radiant Cushion Foundation in 020 Light Ochre

 

If you’re a fan of cushion foundations like me because they’re so much easier to apply than a liquid or a powder type of foundation, not to mention that they look absolutely fab on the skin, well, you might find this review very useful. I love using my cushion foundations when I’m in a hurry or when I’m traveling. A powder foundation is usually a no-no for me because I tend to be clumsy and I could spill it all over my clothes, and even if I won’t, I’m afraid there might still be powdery residues that could get stuck on my clothes. A liquid foundation is fine but I may be too lazy to reach out for a brush or a beautyblender to apply it when I’m in a hurry. So, I tend to use my fingers, and that entails some handwashing, some wet wipes, being very careful not to stain my clothes, and so on. A lot of hassle definitely.

 

I haven’t experimented on a lot of cushion foundations so far, and there are a lot of them nowadays. The ones I have are the ones I’ve tried and have become my holy grails, though a few of them are unfortunately discontinued but you may still find some of them in some stores online.

 

High-End

 

La Mer The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation SPF 20 in 23 Warm Vanilla

 

Clรฉ de Peau Radiant Cushion Foundation in 020 Light Ochre (90 USD) – I like this cushion’s clean fresh scent and it gives a soft dewy finish on the skin. The effect looks like a natural youthful glow and it lasts pretty much the whole day. It’s pricey though and it has no SPF, but it looks really perfect on my skin and I get lots of compliment whenever I use it. Read more HERE.

 

Dior Capture Dreamskin Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 in 020 Light Beige (82 USD) – This has a noticeable somewhat floral scent and I like this because of the SPF. The finish is naturally dewy and radiant and it feels light on the skin. Overall, this is a solid cushion foundation for everyday use.

 

Iope Air Cushion Natural Glow in N23 Natural Sand (28.83 USD) – This is my first cushion foundation and I’m almost running out of it. This does tend to get dry pretty easily and I noticed that there’s not really much product in it, though it does come with a refill. This gives a nice natural coverage on the face and it also contains SPF 50.

 

La Mer The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation SPF 20 in 23 Warm Vanilla (120 USD) – Reviewed further HERE. This is one of the most expensive cushion foundations I own and it really lives up to its name. I find that this lasts a really long time for me and it gives a nice dewy glow that doesn’t look oily. It has a very good coverage and it’s got a lot of product in it. It also comes with a refill and really soft cushy applicator. Additionally, the scent of this is fab.

 

Dior Capture Dreamskin Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 in 020 Light Beige swatch

 

Not pictured here is the La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-In Foundation. I’ve tried it before from samples, seen HERE. I’ve been planning to purchase it but it’s just so expensive. It is so good and it might just be the best cushion foundation I’ve ever tried but I’m not sure if I could justify the price. Also, I remember it having a really divine scent.

 

Drugstore

 

I actually think that a lot of drugstore cushion foundations are really good, though sadly, some of the drugstore brands are almost discontinuing them and I don’t know why.

 

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Compact Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 55 in 30 Buff & 20 Natural Ivory

 

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Compact Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 55 in 30 Buff swatch

 

Up next are not really cushion foundations, but they can work as such. I discovered them when I forgot to bring a cushion foundation during one of my travels and I had to rush into the nearest drugstore to see if I could find an affordable alternative that I might like. I found the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Compact Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 55 in 30 Buff & 20 Natural Ivory (14.59 USD) and though they’re actually cream foundations, they can work as cushions especially if you moisten their sponge applicators. They do kind of feel a bit scratchy and a bit powdery, but if you tap them on the skin lightly, then they’ll do the job. I like that these have no scent and they do have a high SPF.

 

drugstore cushion foundation

 

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation in N3.5 Classic Buff (12.95 USD) – Discontinued but still available HERE and HERE. This foundation and the Maybelline Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation in 20 Classic Ivory (10.49 USD) – which is also discontinued but can still be found HERE, have a very similar design in terms of packaging and even the finish. Both have no discernible scent and both have a cheaply-made sponge, but they still deliver a fresh-effect dewy finish. Between the two, I kind of like L’Oreal’s finish better because the Maybelline one tends to be a bit more matte.

 

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation in N3.5 Classic Buff

 

Wet N Wild MegaCushion Foundation SPF 15 in 108A Nude Beige (8.99 USD) –ย  This a very affordable cushion foundation and it looks and feels great on the skin. The effect is dewy, glowy, youthful, natural, and really almost like a second skin due to its lightness and very good coverage. This does tend to oxidize, so you may wanna choose a lighter shade than your skintone when buying this.

 

Other cushion foundations I’m planning investigate are the YSL Touche ร‰clat Cushion Foundation, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation, Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Foundation Compact, and the Amorepacific Color Control Cushion Compact.

 

best high end cushion foundation

 

That comprises my favorite cushion foundations. Have you tried any of these before? Are you also a fan of cushion foundations?

 

 

Clรฉ De Peau Beautรฉ Radiant Cushion Foundation Review + Swatch

cle de peau radiant cushion foundation review

 

Hi there! Happy Spring and Happy Almost Summer! In the next few posts to come, I will be doing a roundup review of my favorite cushion foundations of all time, but before that, I would like to specifically talk about the widely-popular Clรฉ De Peau Beautรฉ Radiant Cushion Foundation ($90). This particular foundation will also be featured on that said upcoming roundup review, so stay tuned for that. I will definitely keep you guys posted or you can also follow my Instagram for more sneak peeks and previews.

 

Clรฉ De Peau Beautรฉ Radiant Cushion Foundation in O20 Light Ochre swatch

 

I’m definitely thrilled to have finally tried this cult-favorite cushion fashion that everyone’s been loving all this time. The Clรฉ De Peau Radiant Cushion is a lightweight glowy finish foundation with a sheer to medium coverage. It is packaged in a sleek gold and black compact with a navy-blue sponge/puff hybrid. There is a nice light floral scent to it with the intent of providing all-day coverage or for on-the-go touchups.

 

Clรฉ De Peau Beautรฉ Radiant Cushion Foundation review

 

I like the way this foundation blends effortlessly on my skin, blurring my pores and making my skintone appear more even. Also, this does give a natural dewy finish, just like a lit-from-within healthy glow which makes the skin look fresh, radiant, and hydrated sans any creasing. When layered, this foundation still has a luminous yet natural finish.

 

With those positives mentioned, there are still some drawbacks to this high-end cushion foundation. I mean, there’s no question how good this foundation feels and applies on the skin. It’s really wonderful, but there’s a bunch of things I wish this could have.

 

cle de peau radiant cushion foundation review and photo

 

First, I wish this foundation had an SPF. I understand that it’s probably due to oxidation reasons (though this has a nano Titanium Dioxide), but most cushion foundations out there do have a certain level of SPF. Second, this doesn’t come with an extra refill. Unlike La Mer’s The Luminous Lifting Cushion reviewed HERE, or Dior’s Capture Dreamskin Cushion, seen HERE, which both have an extra refill that came with the packaging, this Clรฉ De Peau Radiant Cushion, given its price and prestige doesn’t come with any. And that means you won’t be able to reuse its beautiful sleek compact. Next, this may be just me, but the sponge/cushion of this compact feels a lot firmer than most compact foundations I’ve ever tried, so it feels like you’re not getting any product once you dip the sponge applicator on it, but you actually are. You’ll just have to do it light-handedly. It’s not really a problem, it’s just going to take some getting used to. Lastly, I don’t think this stays all day at all, at least not on me. I do have oily skin, so this pretty much lasts 4 hours on me and I’d get too shiny then. But that’s not really a big deal because I just dab a few blotting papers on my skin and that solves the extreme shine. I still recommend this foundation for those with oily skin (perfect for normal to dry skin) because of its second skin-like finish, you just have to remove the excess oil off the face a few hours later or better yet, set this with a setting powder for longer coverage.

 

cle de peau radiant cushion foundation in O20 light ochre swatch

 

For the shade match, I find the O20 Light Ochre to be the perfect match for my skintone. This shade has more of a slight yellow undertone which seems to make my skin look even more radiant. I thought my perfect match would be the B20 Light Beige but that actually looked too pink on me.

 

Clรฉ De Peau Radiant Cushion Foundation O20 Light Ochre swatch

 

Overall, I really like the feeling of this foundation on my skin and it’s definitely one of the best cushions I’ve ever tried. Once you find the right shade of this, you’ll probably fall in love with its next-to-nothing second skin feel. It may not hide all your blemishes and cover all your dark spots very well, but it really enhances your skin tone, making you look healthy, glowy, hydrated, and radiant. Now I know why a lot of folks love this.

 

Have you tried this already? What do you think?

 

The Clรฉ De Peau Beautรฉ Radiant Cushion Foundation is currently available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-A-Porter, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Barneys New York, and Bergdorf Goodman

 

 

* Circle bag featured in this post is from The Daily Edited (TDE), primrose color still available at Revolve. Will be reviewing this bag soon.

* Macarons were made by me, see the recipe HERE

* Facial Oil is from Samaya Ayurveda Skincare, read the review HERE

* Blue Eye Cream is from Vii Code, see it HERE

* Body Oil is the Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil, read the review of my favorite dry body oils of all time HERE

 

 

Loving Right Now

Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer

 

Hey There! Happy Summer Everybody. Let me just update you on the latest products I’m loving right now. It’s been a while since I posted some of my recent favorite beauty and skincare finds, and I have a bunch of really interesting stuff that a lot of you may find great as well. Some of the products that I’ll be talking about are very holy grail-worthy and might put you in that vacation-ready vibe, after all, Summer is already here, right? So without further ado, check out these roundup of my latest product faves.

 

Herbivore Rose Quartz Illuminating Body Oil review

Herbivore Rose Quartz Illuminating Body Oil

 

Up first is the Herbivore Rose Quartz Illuminating Body Oil (4 oz: ($48). This millennial pink-looking body oil will not only induce you for that long overdue summer vacay, it will really put you in the mood for it. The beauty of this and the overall packaging of this oil is very Instagram-worthy, complete with its silvery smooth shimmer that is so at this moment. Its heavy glass packaging and robust sprayer are perfect for any weekend or week-long getaways. On my skin, the pinkish tinge of the oil disappears and it leaves a nice subtle shimmer that leaves my skin glistening when it gets exposed to the sun. Its glow can be blinding if you put too much but it’s a beautiful blinding and commanding glow. It may kinda feel sticky though since it’s practically a shimmery oil, but that doesn’t bother me much. There’s just one thing though, it’s the smell. It’s has a weird rosy smell, but not like a rose flower type of scent, but more like a rose branch cutting which is way too strong and might be too much for some.

 

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

 

For this summer, I am fan-loving the Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask (3.4 oz: $39) which truly smells invigorating and soothing. I love the look of this mask a lot, it looks yummy and it feels really calming and hydrating on the face. It has this rich consistency along with some cranberry seeds which leaves the skin feeling supple and smooth after rinsing. The cranberry seeds might be quite a challenge to wash off but it never really bothered me since this mask is full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory effects due to the turmeric extract present in it.

 

Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask review

 

I scored this Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (3.8 oz: $29.50) from the last Sephora VIB Event as a restock because this makeup remover has always been my go-to for removing any kinds of makeup, and it doesn’t have any discerning scent. It’s an original favorite of mine and it always works. I just need to put a little bit of the balm on my face and my makeup melts off easily including some stubborn eye makeup. This is great for sensitive skin and it saves you a ton of cotton pads. Also, it comes in a big tub packaging which lasts a long time.

 

Nest Citrine Eau de Parfum Rollerball

 

Two of my favorite scents this Summer are made by Nest and Chloe. I’ve been eyeing the Nest Citrine Eau de Parfum Rollerball (0.27 oz: $27) for some time, but I was also drawn to the Nest Wisteria Blue, which is still on my wishlist. Eventually, I decided to get the Citrine scent because it has this Summer-fresh sweet citrus fragrance, and I’m a sucker for anything citrusy or orangey. This scent is very irresistible, very beach-ready, and very long lasting. I just love Nest fragrances! On the other hand, the Chloe Nomade Eau de Parfum Travel Spray (0.33 oz: $28) is my signature travel scent of the moment. It is definitely one of the most unique Chloe scents I’ve tried so far and it’s just mind-blowing. It’s a blend of something woodsy, fresh, and warm floral. There is a mix of oakmoss and freesia which makes this scent nostalgia-inducing and quite complicated as well. Sometimes, it reminds me a bit of a fresh version of the YSL Black Opium – a scent invoking a dreamy escape.

 

Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer in 031 Sand

 

There are two Dior products I’m loving lately, and the first one is the Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Perfect Skin Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 in 020 Light/Neutral (0.5 oz: $82). It’s a pricey sheer-coverage cushion foundation that’s perfect for oily skin. It’s similar to the Iope Air Cushion which is a K-beauty favorite, but this Dior one seems to last longer on me, especially when compared to some other cushions I’ve tried. This has a really lovely light floral scent and it sets immediately on my skin, leaving a poreless, matte, luminous, and glassy Kpop Idol skin effect. I tend to use this cushion for almost all of my travels as it leaves my skin looking young and fresh all the time. It also seems like there’s a lot of product in its packaging as opposed to most cushion foundations looking like they’d dry up so easily. Another Dior fave lately is the Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer in 031 Sand: Light to Medium with Warm Yellow Undertone ($34). This concealer works very well to conceal blemishes and other imperfections, but it’s also quite similar to the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in terms of its texture and pigment. So if you already have the Nars concealer, you might as well skip this, unless of course, you’re loyal to Dior, LOL. I like this concealer a lot for everyday use and it doesn’t cake on me. It may not adhere very well on my face compared to the Nars Concealer, but the difference between the two is very subtle. Also, if you compare this Dior Concealer to the Tarte Shape Tape, I think the Tarte one is more pigmented. And, as with most concealers, this Dior Forever Undercover still needs to be set with a setting powder.

 

Gucci Audacious Color-Intense Lipstick in Ardent

 

For this Summer’s glow, I love the Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator in Spotlight (0.49 oz: $42). It has the most flattering universal glow that can be buildable, and it’s super easy to use. It looks like a deodorant, LOL, and it feels a bit oily texture-wise yet it’s so easy to blend out for a more natural soft-focus luminosity. Be aware though that its silvery shimmer can also be blinding depending on how much you apply on your skin. Overall, no matter how you want your glow to be, this highlighter will always make you look stunning and radiant-looking.

 

My favorite red lipstick of the moment is the Gucci Audacious Color-Intense Lipstick in Ardent ($39). It has the right kind of red that’s perfect for my skintone this Summer – not too intense and not too bright. It’s usually hard for me to pull off a really bright red lipstick especially during this season, but this kind of red works. It’s the ideal everyday red with medium amounts of shimmer so that it doesn’t look too metallic, and it’s great for that Ombre lip effect as well.

 

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All-In-One Glow in B30 Cool Almond

 

When it comes to foundations, there are two that I’ve been testing lately, first is the Sunday Riley The Influencer Clean Long Wear Foundation in 170 light-medium with warm beige undertone (1.08 oz: 42). This foundation is meant to have a matte finish and has some skincare benefits. I was torn between the 180 and the 170 shade, but in the end, the 170 seemed to fit me really well because it’s not as golden and not as warm as the 180. I love the texture of this foundation even though it has more of a natural finish on me, instead of being matte. The only thing that I’m kind of disappointed about this is the fact that it seems to emphasize and settle on my pores after a few hours. However, the issue is not that severe though. Another foundation that seems to be better than the Sunday Riley Influencer is the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All-In-One Glow in B30 Cool Almond (1.01 oz: $48). Though it shares the same type and shape of packaging as the Sunday Riley Influencer, this particular YSL tinted moisturizer is quite the opposite with its subtle dewy finish. It makes for a perfect everyday foundation, and it gives a nice sheer to medium flawless coverage that makes the skin look youthful and soft-looking. I like that it has the added Spf, and though it could melt off during the Summer, it’s the perfect foundation when you’re the type that likes to stay indoors with the AC blasting.

 

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1

 

Last but not the least are the two lip balms that I’ve been loving. The Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 (0.5 oz: $9.50) is probably one of the most popular lip balms ever and it has a lot of fan-based because it simply works. By that, I mean it really repairs dry chapped lips overnight and it keeps lips hydrated for several hours. It is so moisturizing that it feels heavy and really oily on the lips to the point that it may be uncomfortable for some. I suggest using only a little bit of this so that it won’t attract your own hair or any kind of lints. My other favorite lip balm and is one that I just recently discovered and I think it’s slightly better than Kiehl’s – the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm (0.13 oz: $18). This is probably one of the most lightweight lip balms I’ve ever tried as it feels like nothing on the lips. The packaging is cute with its large tube reminiscent of those Elmer’s Giant Glue Sticks, however, there seems to be not enough product in its packaging considering its price. But the formula of this is superb and it has no annoying scent. You can pretty much wear this all day without looking like you dipped your lips in olive oil. It is very reparative and soothing without the extra weight that most lip balms have.

 

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All-In-One Glow in B30 Cool Almond swatch

 

Bottom line, there’s a lot of holy grail-potential in these roundup of products. I for one is crazy about the Kiehl’s Turmeric and Cranberry Mask, the Nest Citrine and Chloe Nomade Scents, the YSL Touche Eclat All-One-Glow, as well as the Gucci Audacious Lipstick in Ardent. Of course, the Dior Capture Totale Perfect Cushion is wonderful too, and you gotta try the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm.