foundation friday: urban decay naked skin foundation

Hey guys!

Welcome to this weeks Foundation Friday! A bit late, as per the norm at the moment, but here nevertheless. I was pretty certain that this foundation would be reviewed - ever since I've included it in Foundation Friday Instagram posts, it's usually only just missed out. I love Urban Decay products, amd ever since I saw this being used on Youtube, I knew I had to get my hands on it.

The idea behind this foundation is that it is a weightless, easy going formula - almost like skin! It goes along perfectly with their ever expanding Naked line (which some people are starting to get over, but really I'll always love it), because it's meant to be your skin, but better (duh, #getnaked). The Naked line is all about neutrals and easy to wear colours - which, if I'm honest, is basically me represented by a makeup line.

For all the details on this baby, keep reading!

The foundation is housed in a tall, sleek plastic bottle with a pump (yay). I love that the pump also doesn't dispense too much at once - it actually pumps very small amounts each time, so I could always tell that this was going to last me forever. I do need a good 3-4 pumps to cover my face and achieve the coverage I desire, but considering they are quite small, I don't feel like I'm caking my face up at any point.

In terms of formula, this is a really light formula with decent coverage. I would say that, on me, it is a definitely medium coverage, and really easy to build up should I want more. The colour range is also fantastic, which is another reason I love Urban Decay - the shades ending in .0 have strong yellow undertones, and the those ending in .5, have strong pink undertones. The only qualm I have with this particular foundation is that it seems to just sit on my skin, rather than really buffing in and blending in with my skin. Don't get me wrong, it still looks like skin but it is a bit mask like.

Here are some swatches for you - I have shade 3.0, which is actually my shade for when my fake tan is wearing off, so it does look too light in the photos (I had just fake tanned the night before):

As you can see, it does even out my skin tone and cover any imperfections I have - you can also tell what I mean when I say it doesn't quite become one with my skin. Overall, I do really love this foundation, it is really easy to wear on days where I need just that easy coverage when my fake tan is wearing off. As I said, I do really like it, but I don't reach for it as much as my other foundations.

You can buy this foundation, and other Urban Decay products, from Beauty Bay for $54.40AU

Hope you enjoyed this review - keep an eye out for next Monday when I reveal next weeks contenders!

Have you tried this foundation? What are your thoughts - love or hate? In the meantime, if you have a foundation you'd like me to review let me know down below!

Until next time...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

foundation friday: bourjois healthy mix serum gel foundation

Hey guys!

Welcome to this weeks edition of Foundation Friday - and also my brand spankin' new vanitys little teeny sneak peek! The winner this week was the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. For those of you who may have been following my blog since its beginning you may remember seeing this baby pop up a fair amount of times. I was obsessed and I raved about it constantly here on my blog in favourites and random mentions (I also have a post here on my Bourjois foundations - click here to read!).

Just an FYI - Chanel and Bourjois are owned by the same company. While this foundation has been compared to the Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua Foundation, I'm not too sure. I haven't been brave enough to part with the cash that Chanel demands. Maybe when I'm rich.. But, this is like the little sister to Bourjois original Healthy Mix. If you found that foundation not to your liking, because it was too thick or too hard to work with, this might be the foundation for you.

So, you can probably tell how this review is going to go. I adore this foundation, and always have since I first put it on my face. It is probably in my number two in my favourite drugstore foundations. Its just perfect and it fulfils basically every want and need that I have in a foundation. Read on to see exactly what I love about this foundation and why!

First up is packaging - and this is quite sturdy packaging considering its available on the drugstore. It's a tall thin plastic bottle, with a pump. Mine is, of course, absolutely filthy because I use it so often. I've had this since about February-March this year, and I used it religiously for a while and every now and again at the moment, and I still have so much left over!

In terms of coverage, this a definite light to light-medium coverage. If you are after full coverage, this is not the foundation for you. While you can build it up, I have noticed that it doesn't really do anything for the coverage. But why I love this foundation is because it really is perfect for those my-skin-is-looking-amazing days. You'll notice that this is called the Healthy Mix SERUM Foundation, leading me to think that this foundation could have some skincare benefits. While I don't think this improved my skin, I guess it didn't make it worse either. Good sign!

The finish of this foundation is absolutely gorgeous. Its glowing and dewy, just incredibly healthy looking which is why I always wear it when I'm having a good skin day. It also smells sooo good! Very fruity. However, if you are someone who is sensitive to scents, I wouldn't recommend this. Its extremely prominent and it does linger. This does claim to have 16 hour wear, which is something I have to disagree with. While I did think that it did at first, I've noticed that it only lasts a good seven-eight hours before fading on me, I don't think it would withstand much more unless you had a powder to touch up with.

Here are some swatches of the foundation:

You can see that it doesn't completely cover my veins on my hand. But you can also see how gorgeously dewy this is! It evens out my skin tone and really makes my skin just look better - just more healthy and glowing. Exactly the way I like it!

If you are someone who has normal to dry skin, or if you are in the market for a foundation that you can wear on a daily basis, I would 100% recommend this! However, as someone with dry-normal skin myself, I unfortunately can't speak for if this would work if you have oily skin. Given the finish and the longevity, I assume it wouldn't be the best option, but don't let that stop you it! You could always set it with a powder to control your oil and prolong its wear.

You can find this foundation here in Australia for $32AU. My understanding is that it is not available in the US, but if you look up swatches online you could always try eBay. Just remember to be wary and only buy off sellers who have positive feedback on all aspects.

Thanks for reading lovelies! Remember to check my Instagram page next Monday when next weeks contestants are revealed. If you have any particular foundation you'd like to see included, comment it down below!

Until next time...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

foundation friday: chi chi cosmetics fabulous & flawless foundation

Hey guys!

Getting back into the swing of things this week - I had a rough week last week and needed to take time to relax and spend time with my family. I hate not blogging but it is time consuming and sometimes you just really need a break from taking photos and writing. I have been MIA from here and not as active on my Instagram, and I apologise if I've missed any interaction or questions from you guys - I will be going through everything today and hopefully I will get back to everyone!

Back to todays post - oh yes, its Foundation Friday/Monday here at COAMA, and the Chi Chi Fabulous & Flawless Foundation was voted as this weeks contender! For those who are not Australian or from New Zealand, Chi Chi is an Australian cosmetics brand that is sold in some of our department stores and online. They're well known here for making great quality affordable cosmetics, and their eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks are amazeballs!

This foundation was relatively unknown until Shaaanxo started talking about it in her videos. I had it on my list and waited until Myer had a 25% off Chi Chi products and brought it then. I've been thoroughly impressed by my whole experience with the product - to the box, packaging and the performance of the foundation itself! Read on to see my thoughts, and whether you should be purchasing this yourself!

First of all, I need to talk about this box. This foundation is available in 9 shades (although, like most drugstore foundations, unfortunately darker skin tones aren't catered too), and on each box is a description of the colour which makes it so much easier to pick out your shade - I only had to quickly swatch this shade, thanks to the colour description! 

In terms of packaging, this feels ANYTHING but cheap! It's a heavy frosted glass bottle with a pump - hurray! Its really sleek and simple, and would look good on atop of anyones vanity!

As for the formula itself, I feel like it is the foundation version of the Chi Chi BB Cream which I absolutely love - it has a decent medium buildable coverage, and looks so flawless on the skin like the name suggests. It does have a strong fragrance - but strangely enough I didn't notice it until I swatched it on my hand for this post! It is a strong floral perfume type smell, but as I said, I didn't notice it when I applied it to my face so maybe it doesn't last that long. But if you are someone who doesn't like products that are perfumed, this may not be for you.

I feel like this is great for my skin too - I have normal to dry skin, and this feels so lovely! Almost as if it is moisturising my face as it sits there. It has a satin finish on me - neither matte nor dewy - and it also has a glow to it. The foundation is yellow based, however I have noticed that it does oxidise a little pink throughout the day. This isn't a huge issue for me, as I don't think its that noticeable to anyone who isn't me (hopefully).

In terms of longevity, this does last on me EXCEPT on my nose and chin - although, I have this issue with almost every single foundation I have tried, so its not unusual. Of course, you can always carry powder and touch up if you are someone who has oily skin or if you have trouble with your makeup wearing off throughout the day.

Here are some swatches for you! (I had taken photos of swatches before - the new Rimmel Lip Crayons are the fricken bomb - so thats the marks that are on my hand)

As you can see, it evens out my skintone and cover my veins and any skin imperfections pretty well. You can also see that the shade runs pretty dang close to the description on the box. Hats off to you Chi Chi - you did damn good, and this is a foundation that I would recommend you try out. Especially given that Myer and Target have sales pretty frequently on the brand, you can always wait to find a good sale and purchase it then.

You can find this foundation here on the Chi Chi website for $29.95AU - and good news, they do ship internationally! Keep in mind though that the price will vary depending on what the conversion is for your country :)

Have you tried this foundation? What was your experience like?

Also, don't forget to vote for this weeks Foundation Friday contenders which will be up on my Instagram shortly! Also its vanity week countdown so my photo quality will hopefully be increasing once I finally have that baby in my life!

Until next time...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

foundation friday: laura mercier silk creme foundation

Hey guys!

It's that time of the week again - and this weeks Foundation Friday will be all about the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. One of my favourite foundations ever, and probably as close to holy grail status as I've been able to get so far in terms of foundation.

Never was there a foundation that I wanted to try more than a Laura Mercier one. Seriously, when I went to the States last year, this was the first foundation on my list. I didn't even care about the price! I had heard so much, and seen so many reviews and swatches, and see how gorgeous it looks on the skin that I knew I would love it from the moment I locked eyes on it in Sephora.

You guys voted this in this week - so read on to see a full review on one of the best foundations available (in my opinion - or everyones, whatever)!

First of all, packaging - its a burgundy, slightly shimmery tube, with white lettering. It's a squeeze tube, so it doesn't have a pump, which means it is a little hard to determine how much will come out. Especially since this is a foundation where a little goes a long way, it would be handy to have a pump. But beggars can't be choosers.

This is a mousse formula, really thick, but easy to blend out. As for the coverage - this is super duper high coverage. It is not what I would personally call an everyday foundation, purely because of how much coverage it gives. You really only need the smallest amount to cover your entire face and achieve that full coverage, bur you do need to be careful as if you overstep that line between just enough product and too much product, you are possibly going to be a cakeface.

In saying that, despite the fact that it is high coverage, it has this gorgeous luminous finish to it. Its not matte or completely dewy, but my skin always looks healthy and fresh when I wear this. I love how easy it is to make my skin look absolutely amazing, and in photos too! I always wear this when I go out clubbing with friends or to an event that I know I will be photographed because it looks that great on.

Here are some swatches to give you an idea how much this covers (including my sore, which is apparently still here three weeks later:)

As you can see, it covers my sore, my veins and any other imperfections that I may have - but it still looks like skin. I just adore this foundation. It's very high up there in my foundation ranks, and I would highly suggest that if you are after a full coverage foundation (whether it be for everyday, or for special occasions) that gives you a glowly, radiant finish, that you give this one a go. I could go on for days about how beautiful it looks on, but really you just have to try it for yourself. Plus, the fact that you barely need any to cover your face means that it will last forever and ever.

You can find Laura Mercier products at David Jones, with the Silk Crème foundation priced at $59AU

Thanks for reading! Hope you found this interesting, and quite possibly your new foundation purchase ;)

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

Also, because this was a late post (my bad), there will be FOUR blog posts this week.

Until next time...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

foundation friday: nars sheer glow

Hey guys!

First of all, I want to apologise - this post is so late. Unfortunately, last week overwhelmed me and I was only prepared for the first half of the week - now that I do Foundation Friday posts, I wait until Thursday to write it. That way it gives you guys all the time to vote on which you foundation you want to see. Work just completely got in the way this week past, but its a lesson for the next weeks to come.

In any case, if you couldn't tell from the title. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation finally won out of all the foundations! I'm so happy about that - this is a fantastic foundation in my opinion, and its definitely a must try if you have normal to dry skin, and love a healthy radiant finish.

I have mine in the colour Punjab which has strong yellow undertones. I have it to match me when I'm tanned and its definitely a fantastic match. The best thing about this foundation in my opinion is it's shade range - since there is 15 shades, there really is a colour for the palest of pales and darker skintones. We can whinge about the price of high end foundations all we want - but you have to admit, they fulfil one of the biggest foundation dilemmas of all time by having a variety of cool, warm and neutral undertones.. Something drugstores don't always manage to solve.

Let's look at the packaging shall we - true to NARS, its simple and sleek, with the trademark matte packing on the lid. The only issue I have with this is that it doesn't have a pump - but NARS have solved that by making a pump to fit it, but selling it seperately. For me, this cost enough as it is without having to make a seperate purchase for the pump, so I will live without it. However, if you are someone who really cannot do without a pump, it is available to you.

In terms of consistency, this is pretty lightweight and easy to blend. Its a medium coverage on me - although, I have heard from others that the foundation doesn't have much in terms of coverage for them. Each to their own, but for me, this is a definite buildable medium coverage. It has the most gorgeous finish - healthy, radiant and dewy. Everything I want in a foundation really. It lasts forever, looks amazing in photos and my skin always looks gorgeous.

Another great thing about this foundation is that its perfect for everyday use and for night use - because you can sheer it out and add a light layer during the day and then build it up for a night out. So, although you are spending alot more than you may be used to spending, its definitely worth it when you can use the one foundation for a number of occasions.

Here is a swatch of the foundation so that you can see how it covers:

As you can see, my sore is completely covered from the first picture, but my skin still looks like my skin - in fact it looks like my skin but better. I defintely recommend this if you are after a foundation that is perfect for everyday (and the bonus nights out), and that gives you a healthy, radiant glow. However, I would only recommend this for normal to dry skin types - for oilier skin, I would try Sheer Glows sister Sheer Matte. I just don't know how the finish would go with oiler skin.

You can purchase NARS Sheer Glow in Australia from Mecca Cosmetica for $68AU

Thanks for your patience guys! I appreciate it so much. If you have a particular foundation in mind that you would like to see on Foundation Friday, let me know in the comments below! In the meantime, keep an eye out on my Instagram so that you can vote on next weeks contenders :)

Until next time...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

foundation friday: maybelline superstay better skin

Hey guys!

Welcome to the second instalment of my Foundation Friday series! I have to say, both weeks that I have done this, you guys have surprised me. I always thought that NARS Sheer Glow foundation would be one of the first reviewed - but each time its been overshadowed: first by MAC Cosmetics Face and Body Foundation and now by the Maybelline Better Skin Foundation.

This was voted by 38 of you, out of 69 votes. I understand though - it's a new edition (previously released in the UK earlier in the year) and I'm not even sure if it's been released in the US yet! I was too excited to see this in Priceline, because it's been spotted in various Coles and Pricelines, but has been eluding even my local Priceline. Clearly, it's so new that it hasn't even rolled out to all stores yet, and only just recently hit their websites. I was drawn in by the name - after all, who doesn't better skin?

I don't know if you guys have tried the original Maybelline Superstay Foundation. I have, back in the day. While I wasn't a huge fan of the foundation itself, or its shade selection, I was also super pleased with the staying power. It was a MISSION to get it off my face. Which is amazing. Would this be worse than the original Superstay formula, or possibly be my new favourite foundation?

Keep reading to find out! (And don't look at my Instagram, otherwise the surprise may be spoiled..)

So new that it hasn't even made it to the Maybelline Australian website yet! Here is what the Maybelline UK website has to say about the foundation:

"Dull, blotchy, uneven skin? Visibly improves your skin every minute you're in it. Our first hydrating foundation with Actyl C and SPF 20. Flawless all-day coverage. The formula helps skin look more radiant, fresher and even, with all-day wear."

It comes in a little glass bottle with a pump, with the packaging is okay - definitely eye catching, but I'm not sure if that's in a good way. It has been released with a concealer, but that wasn't available at the Priceline I went to at the time. Considering I had only vaguely heard of this foundation, I am a little surprised that there wasn't much hype around it before it got released here. In saying that though, it's pretty inconsistent with the stores its been released at across the board, so maybe they are waiting until it's available everywhere.

So what do I think? Well.. I love this foundation. So so so much. It is definitely a thick creamy formula, if you can see in the above photo, and its a definite medium-full coverage foundation. It blends like a fricken dream, and I honestly need about a pump and a half to cover my face and achieve that medium coverage. I would describe the finish as a satin finish - it's definitely not dewy, but not quite matte either. I haven't tried to build it up, but I wouldn't recommend it. Given how thick the formula itself is, and how much coverage you can achieve using a small amount, I can only imagine that it may not build as well as you would hope.

In terms of the skin benefit it claims to have, I am very happy to announce that while I am not sure this hydrates my skin any more than my normal moisturiser, my skin does look fantastic once I take this stuff off. The effect was not immediately obvious, but after wearing it and removing it after three days, I definitely did notice a difference. The other thing that Maybelline delivers on is the staying power - on me, this foundation lasts all day. And I mean lasts - I have not noticed any fading or patchiness, even on my nose and chin where my foundation usually wears off throughout an 8-9 hour day. It's terribly difficult to get off - I have been removing it with my normal make up remover (Garnier Micellar Water), then going in with my Clarisonic and a separate cleanser to get it all off. I'm not even exaggerating when I say that my Clarisonic brush head is now stained from this foundation.

The only qualm I have about this foundation (yes, there is seriously only one thing) is the shade selection. Unfortunately, because this was so new at the Priceline I went to, there wasn't any testers available. So, of course being the impatient little cosmetic obsessed brat that I am, I guessed my shade. It's not too bad - only thing is it is that is does have a slight orange tint that seems to become more prominent as it oxidises. I will be buying another bottle when it goes on introductory sale, and hopefully that will match my skin tone a little better.

As with last week, here are pictures of the foundation on my hand, unblended and blended, using that nice, ugly red sore as a point of reference for how much this covers:

Also, I wasn't self tanned when this photo was taken, so the shade looks worse than normal. It's not usually that obviously dark, so just excuse that.

Basically, this is a new staple for me. I can see this being a foundation that I will repurchase time and time again, and I've only used it for a week. I don't even care that it is a little orange, although hopefully that will be corrected when I grab another shade.. That's how good it is. I love that this has been released for Winter, because it covers all my redness and any extra 'surprises' (see: big fat pimples) that Winter tends to bring with it. It may not be a perfect summer foundation because of how thick it is, but you never know - have to wait and see!

This has been put up on the Priceline website (finally!), so hopefully it will be available across all stores in time for the next catalogue. It's available in eight shades, and retails for $21.95AU.

Thanks so much to everyone who voted - if there is a particular foundation you want me to include in next week's Foundation Friday choices, let me know in the comments below! Otherwise, keep an eye out for Monday to be able to vote on next week's contenders!

For reference, I do have normal to dry skin - so unfortunately, I cannot comment on whether this will work for you if you have oily skin. I don't see why it shouldn't, given the finish and staying power, but I cannot be 100% sure. I'd recommend looking up reviews of people who have oily skin and have tried it in order to see whether it would work for you :)

Until next time...

xxxx

click here to read last weeks foundation friday: mac face & body

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

foundation friday: mac face & body

Hey guys!

If you don't follow me on Instagram, you may not know that I am officially started a new series on my blog! At the start of each week, I give you guys three foundation choices, and the one with the most votes will be reviewed each Friday! As you may (or may not) know, I am a foundation junkie and have a pretty extensive collection that will probably keep growing. I ain't ashamed - some people collect eyeshadow palettes, or blush, or lip products; I just happen to have a thing for foundation.

So even though its now Saturday (oops), this weeks first ever Foundation Friday will be on the MAC Face and Body foundation, which actually happens to be one of my favourite foundations (as you can see, I actually own two bottles, one for when I'm pale and one for when I'm tanned). When researching this foundation before actually taking the plunge and purchasing it, I saw that this was created especially for those who work with models on catwalks and under hot lights, and as per the name, is suitable to be used on both your face and body to even skin tone.

This foundation is super liquidy and lightweight, and its also waterproof - the perfect summer foundation, if you ask me. It will last through any sweating or water splashing! Plus, because it has been created with those working in a specific industry, you know that it will survive under any heat whether it be artificial or the full on Australian sun.

In terms of coverage, this foundation doesn't exactly cover too much - I definitely wouldn't say that it is a medium or full coverage foundation on myself at least. It can maybe be built up to a light medium coverage, but not much past there. I have blended this out in the photo below, using my ugly sore as a guide to how much this covers:

As you can see, you can still see my veins and the redness of my sore peeking through (although keep in mind, primer and concealer would be used in a normal beauty routine, which can help to cover those a little better). I basically love to use this foundation when I'm tanned as almost a skin tint when I have easy days, or days where I know I need it to last through heat and sweating. But this foundation is an easy favourite, as even though it doesn't have much coverage, it never cakes on my face, is super easy to blend and it ALWAYS matches my tan exactly.

Like I said - the most perfect summer foundation ever, and I would definitely recommend trying it out if you are someone who prefers a lighter coverage or needs something that will last on your skin through basically anything. It is on the pricier side, but you barely need any of it to cover your face (the above photos was only a light squeeze) so it will last forever. It is also available in two sizes, 50mL and 120mL, and you can purchase whichever will suit your needs best!

You can buy the MAC Face and Body foundation at any MAC Counter, or here online for $49AU (50mL)

Hope you enjoyed this review! Remember to keep an eye out next Monday where you can vote for next weeks contenders!

Until next time...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner