[REVIEW] Bourjois Healthy Mix & Happy Light Foundations

Hello readers! I am back again with a review on two products from my UK hauls - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (red-capped), and Bourjois Happy Light Foundation (pink-capped). 

Bourjois is a sister brand of Chanel and was initially created by a French actor, Joseph-Albert Ponsin in 1863, when he prepared makeup and perfumes for actors and actresses in the comfort of his own home. Five years later, he handed over this activity to Alexandra-Napoleon Bourjois where the brand blossomed to become internationally known. In 1917, Pierre and Paul Wertheimer took over the directorship of the company, of which remains until this day.  Now, Bourjois actually appeared first before Chanel (that was created by Coco Chanel later in 1909). 

History lesson aside, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation boasts of its long lasting power - 16 hours! In addition, the foundation is enriched with a fruit therapy formula to enhance your complexion and give it a radiant boost (apricot for radiance, melon for hydration and apple for youthfulness). The foundation also contains crystalline pigments to suffuse a healthy looking glow. It comes in 8 different shades.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 52 Vanilla

 The Happy Light Foundation promises a luminous and flawless complexion under any light. Translucent pigments in the foundation helps to correct without creating a mask-life or cakey effect to form a flawless complexion. It also boasts of lasting for up to 16 hours. It is available in 5 different shades. 

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation in 52 Light Beige

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts:

Healthy Mix Foundation: The fruity fragrance made applying this foundation a pleasant experience. The foundation provided medium coverage - I believe this can be increased upon careful layering. I don't believe I have worn makeup for any longer than 12 hours, so I can't say if it would really last for 16 whole hours. However, I would say that the foundation did not start to fade until perhaps the 5th or 6th hour - even in humid weather. So if you work in air-conditioned areas, this foundation may very well last you the entire day! :) The shade I had selected seemed to match and blend well into my skin - in fact, it made my face appear brighter without having that face-neck-no-match dilemma. :) Definitely a recommended product!

Happy Light Foundation: I got this foundation in the same shade number (different name though) as the Healthy Mix Foundation. But...it ended up being a little too dark. However, it also matched my skin if I applied a light layer and blended it carefully. Coverage was light - I'm not sure if it's buildable as I had not wanted to risk having a too dark foundation in the end, but I believe it can still be layered on for those who got the right shade for themselves. :) The foundation did not have a fruity pleasant fragrance like the Healthy Mix, but it did feel lighter compared to it. Blotting may occur at about the 4th to 5th hour, and it doesn't appear to fade until perhaps 4 hours later too. I felt that the foundation wasn't as lasting as the Healthy Mix, but overall still a good product for light makeup days!

Bare arm

[Right] Happy Light in 52 Light Beige
[Left] Healthy Mix in 52 Vanilla

[Right] Happy Light in 52 Light Beige
[Left] Healthy Mix in 52 Vanilla

Would I buy it again:

I really liked the Healthy Mix foundation. It appeared to brighten my face without having two colours on between my face and neck. The smell of this was really pleasant too! I will definitely get another bottle - now about the hefty price tag...

The Happy Light foundation provided lighter coverage, perfect for days when I feel like applying lesser make-up. However, the wrong choice of shade was a bit of a turn-off. Although it isn't glaringly obvious and it also blended into my skin tone when spreading it after a time, I still can't help but feel a tad weirded out whenever I first apply the foundation. Otherwise, I do like this foundation and would get another of it (in a lighter shade this time - perhaps 51 vanilla?) if I ever come across a great a deal as the one I got in Boots. 

Price: 

2 for GBP14 in Boots - approximately SGD14 per bottle

SGD34.90 in John Little

Verdict: 8/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Perfectly Nude Foundation

Hello readers! I apologize for the long hiatus. I had just arrived back in Singapore after being away on a 3-week-long post-graduation trip to United Kingdom.

And when in UK, I couldn't resist picking up some of their cosmetics to try. They costs soooo much cheaper than in Singapore. (see my review of Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Eyeshadow palettes here)

Although Elizabeth Arden isn't exactly a UK brand, one of their products that I was very intrigued by earlier back in Singapore - Flawless Finish Perfectly Nude Foundation - was retailing at a much lower cost. So I couldn't resist and approached the counter. The counter had a foundation matching service where the friendly male beauty advisor used a machine and took photos of my face (after removing my makeup from some areas) in three different areas - namely the jaw line, my neck, and slightly above my eyebrow. The machine would then analyse these photos and recommend two shades which would best match my skin tone from the Foundation line.

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Perfectly Nude Foundation in No. 12 Amber

The beauty advisor then tested these two shades along my jaw line and I eventually selected the lighter shade (Amber) as it appeared to match my skin tone (both the neck and my face) a lot better.

On the right is the machine they used to analyze my skin. :) 

Product Benefits: 

The foundation is touted to be packed with hydro-pigment colour technology, vitamins and antioxidants to protect and perfect the skin. It has also been proven to minimize the appearance of pores immediately and overtime with continuous use.  In addition, it also boasts of having 26 different shades for all skin tones and ethnicities. 

Recommended Instructions for use:

1. Pump sufficient amount onto the back of your dominant hand (I usually take about 1 to 1.5 pumps)
2. Using a foundation stippling brush, dab your brush into the foundation and dab the foundation on three points of your face - imagine an inverted triangle on your face with the base of the triangle at your forehead.
3. From these three points, stipple (dabble) outwards from the centre of your face. This would ensure a more flawless look. :) and also prevents streaky lines of foundation from appearing like so if you spread the foundation instead.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts:

I loveeeeee how natural it looks! It's like I don't have any foundation on but my face is suddenly looking so much smoother - my pores had disappeared. HAHAHAS.

BEFORE

AFTER

There is not much need to touching up, the foundation is able to last for a good 6-7 hours (good conditions permitting), but with humid sweaty Singapore, if you suffer from facial sweating like I do, in-between blotting your face with tissue to get rid of the sweat beading everywhere, perhaps a good 4 hours? But that's not really the foundation's fault, I mean, I'm sure any make-up you put on will come off when mixed with a bit of your natural facial oils and sweat (a mixture of urea, water, and salts). If it doesn't come off, I'm pretty sure we would have a hard time trying to remove all traces of it with our make-up remover liquids/creams/wipes/etc. 

The liquid foundation feels so light and breathable too! I can hardly feel it on my skin. :) In addition it contains SPF 15! :)) This foundation provided light to medium coverage with a light dewy finish that doesn't look oily even in hot, humid Singapore. 

The smell of it is not amazing, but hey, they didn't exactly boast of having any fragrances to this product. In addition, it's just how a liquid foundation usually smells like?

And look at the packaging, it looks so...classy. hahahs...I like. 

Would I buy it again:

I had started using it while I was still in the UK and on the last shopping day, I went to get another bottle of it because I know that if I run out of my first bottle, I'd probably be so put off by the price in Singapore that I would wait and wait till the day I get to go back to the UK again before restocking on it.

In addition, I realised that Singapore appears to only have 8 of the available 26 shades, and they don't even have my shade - Amber. (My skin tone isn't an Asian colour...?)

So yes, for those really hoping to try, hopefully they have the occasional sale so that you can get one at a more reasonable price. For those going to Europe or the USA, please buy there, try it there, and if you like it, stock up there too. :)

Price: 

GBP28 in Boots UK - approximately SGD56
SGD70 in Robinsons Singapore

Verdict: 8/10 (the fragrance of the foundation can get a little annoying sometimes, and also...the reduced number of shades available in Singapore - how am I going to restock next time?? :( )

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Innisfree Mineral Melting Foundation Glow

Hello readers!

Today, I'll be doing a review on my favourite make-up brand - Innisfree!

I discovered this brand during my trips to Korea this summer, and it was ultimately love at first sight. :) So ever since then, I've stuck mainly to Laneige for my facial care regime, and Innisfree for my make-up products.

Why Innisfree?

Well, Innisfree uses organic ingredients, mainly from the islands of Jeju. So their products are produced from natural, plant-based, organic ingredients. Their make-up range also offers a wide array of mineral-based products too. In addition, they packaged their items as eco-friendly products - minimising on the packaging, using soy-based ink, and recyclable paper. If you are in Korea, you can even return used and empty Innisfree products to any of the Innisfree stores to accumulate points!

So today's review would be on one of their latest product - Innisfree Mineral Melting Foundation Glow

They had recently repackaged and reformulated this product into two types - Glow & Fitting

(left: Fitting. right: Glow)

The difference between Fitting and Glow is that Fitting is more matte-based, and possibly also more suitable for oily skin. The Glow version leaves a dewy shine to your skin, which may appear "sweaty" if we apply it in humid countries (like Singapore!). However, if your skin is more on the dry side, the glow version would probably adhere to your skin a lot better. :)

The mineral melting foundation prides itself on the 3-free system: no parabens, no talc, and no artificial fragrances. This "free system" is often seen in many of Innisfree's products, ranging from 3-free system, 4-free system, etc. :) So it sounds very natural and organic (yay to healthier skin!)

The Glow pact appears with a pink swirl - which provides the dewiness of the product. 

As the foundation was repackaged this year, they had reduced the colour selection to 4 choices now.

I had always been a "natural beige" in most of the Korea make up products I've purchased, and for this foundation, I am still a "natural beige" at W2. :)

Product Benefits:

• contains Jeju minerals & organic green tea (the product claims to use organic green tea instead of water!)
• gives natural coverage and transparent complexion
• 3-free system: no parabens, no talc, and no artificial fragrances

Instructions for use:

• Use the sponge applicator included in the compact (*very important!! the sponge is by far the best applicator for this cream-based product

• Swirl the sponge (or lightly dab) into the cream compact
• Dab all over face
  (don't spread! it'll look like it is just sitting on top of your skin instead if you spread)

 

(Before-Left & After-Right)

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

My thoughts: After trying out this dewy-like foundation I realised I like my foundation a little more towards the matte side. Perhaps this is due to past experiences when I used to suffer from an oily face and terrible acne, so anything that looks shiny on me now makes me convulse in horror.

Coverage is actually pretty good! I was oil-free for about 4 hours. :)

For those who have oily skin, or just don't like the dewy look and have already bought this product, I would recommend a finishing/setting powder - like Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder (click on the link for my review on the powder!) - to reduce or limit the translucent look in selected parts of the face. :)

And for those who are looking for a product which combines coverage and leaves a dewy finish, look no further than this melting foundation in glow!

Would I buy it again: Probably not, I would like to try the Fitting version though!

Price: SGD$20 at local Innisfree stores, In Korea-20,000won (Sgd$23.36), In Qoo10-SGD$20.90

Verdict: 7.5/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion

Hello Readers!

Today's review is on makeup! I will be sharing my thoughts on the foundation I have been using for over a year now. And it is still one of my favourites! (I figured you would know this is my #1 brand by now, :P)

 
    
Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion!

My skin tone is fair with yellow undertones - as such the colour code for the BB cushion was No. 21 Natural Beige.

For those who are not sure whether you are a yellow undertone or a pink undertone, take a look at your veins under fluorescent lighting. If your veins are more green - you have a yellow undertone. If your veins are more blue - you have a pink undertone.

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

- A new-concept cushion-type BB with five active ingredients for Whitening + Sunscreen + Sweat-proof + Soothing + Makeup contained in the cushion to maximise the refreshing and soothing sensation. Every time you touch it, the air pump in the cushion contains air bubbles for thin and skin-friendly makeup.
- Also, it is provided in two separate containers to preserve the active ingredients and their functionality.
- The formulas can be used fresh and safely from start to finish.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. Apply onto puff and smooth along the texture of skin. Then, pat to increase adherence. Apply another layer to improve coverage.
2. If there is no more content after you press the cushion with your finger, it means that the product is finished. Replace with a refill.

[How to Take Care of Puff]
Keep the puff clean all the time and gently massage it in lukewarm water with neutral detergent or puff cleanser  to wash it (I highly recommend Daiso Sponge & Puff cleanser!).
Rinse thoroughly until the detergent is washed away, release all moisture, and dry completely in a shadowy place. This way, you can use it for an extended period of time.

[Safety Suggestions]
Always recap after use. If it is not stored covered, helpful moisturizers and other ingredients can evaporate to shrink the contents.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts: One of the perks of this product is that it comes with an extra refill! :D So although the price may seem a little steep, but do bear in mind you're paying for two times the product! Make sure you close the compact tightly and store it in a cool place to prevent unnecessary evaporation of the product.

The foundation adheres nicely to my skin and gives off a cooling effect for about half an hour after application. Coverage is pretty good - it's more towards sheer-mild coverage - kind of like spraying BB mist over your face. One thing I wasn't so keen on was how it gave me a dewy look, reason being, in hot humid Singapore, it'd look more like my face is sweating rather than giving off that dewy look. >< But, this problem is easily solved by applying some dusting powder (I'd recommend Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder) very lightly over the nose area. :) No need to dust the entire face.

This product, if used everyday, should last about 2 - 3 months.

Would I buy it again: Yes! I am currently on my 2nd box of BB cushion (3rd cushion) and have 2 more stored away!

Price (15g, 2 each): S$59 @ local Singapore counters, approximately S$35 in South Korea stores
(you can also check out qoo10.sg for offers!)

Verdict: 10/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product below!

♥ Apple