FOTD and Some Recent Let-Downs

We all know that I'm forever preoccupied with finding perfect super-pale foundations, namely foundations that work great on dry skin (but can handle my oily nose) and have a neutral or cool yellow undertone. And while I haven't always found formulas that work for me, I like to think I've provided a decent database of products that a wide variety of fair-skinned folks can use.


Now it's time to add Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation in 001 to the "Just Doesn't Work For Renee" list. Don't get me wrong: it's layerable, it feels nice on my skin, and it doesn't exacerbate dry, flaky patches. And while it isn't the absolute BEST on oily skin (which is to be expected, given that it's a moisturizing foundation), it doesn't completely break down in to a greasy mess. No, this is a pretty nice foundation. It's just too pink for me, and for some reason, it's one of the few foundations out there that oxidizes on my face.

Even in this series documenting the initial application, something seems off about it. It actually starts out pale enough for me, but you can tell that two layers of it is far too pink for me. By the time we hit the 15 minute mark...

...it was definitely too dark and too pink for me. Such a shame; I think I could've liked this one. Obviously, I'll keep the rest of my (very generous) sample for swatching purposes, but I won't continue trying to wear the actual foundation.

Also visible in this FOTD photo are two other products that have led me to admit defeat: the Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Tremble and the Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Abstraction. The first Illamasqua powder blush I tried out was the uber-pastel pink, Katie, and it was such a powdery, awful mess that I swore off of the formulation. Then I thought a darker color might work better, so I swapped for Tremble. Nope! It's a powdery, dry mess. If I'm going to use a powder blush, I prefer one that's tightly packed and doesn't make my cheeks look even more parched. As for the IdO: we already knew I'd decided not to repurchase it, but I've come to realization that I'm only forcing myself to use this particular pot, especially now that it's drying up. I'm going to scoop out the product and sanitize the jar for future use.

But there's some light at the end of the tunnel! I've been remembering how much I love two other IdOs--Epatant and Illuisoire--and because I've been re-hired for my adjunct faculty position, I've decided to reward myself with some of my old favorites. More on that when they get here; for now, here are some swatches from my Illusion d'Ombre revew!

Not really unemployed? Let's celebrate with swatches!

So now that I'm actually semi-employed versus unemployed, I think it's time to celebrate with MOAR SWATCHES! I actually went a bit crazy and bought a drugstore foundation: the new Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free foundation, the little ditty in the stick, in the lightest shade (110). Preliminary swatches suggest that it's waaaay too pink for me, but I'll still test it out for reviewing purposes. I'm also way behind on my reviews for these three other foundations--Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Finish Creamy foundation in 60, Kat Von D Lock-It foundation in 42, and Illamasqua Skin Base in 2--so I'm hoping I can do one big comparative blogpost after I've tested them out some more.

Please bear in mind that I walk outside for at least a mile 2-4 times a week, so even with sunscreen, I've managed to tan up from about N5 to N10 on my face and neck and a good N15 on my hands, arms, and shoulders.

More Pale Swatches and a Becca Luminous Skin Colour Mini-Review

More pale swatches! Seriously, I received a lot of super-kind samples; it could take a while to go through these puppies.

From left to right: Becca Luminous Skin Colour in Porcelain, Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx01 and Sx02, Illamasqua Skin Base in 02, Burberry Luminous Sheer Foundation in Trench 1, Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer in Fair, and Kevyn Aucoin Liquid Airbrush in Lq02.

Although the Becca is quite sheer, it's also decidedly darker and more peachy-pink than the rest of these. The two lightest are KA SSE Sx01, which has yellow undertones, and Illamasqua Skin Base, with has pink undertones, followed closely by KA SSE Sx02 and the Tarte BB cream. The Burberry foundation and Kevyn Aucoin Liquid Airbrush would probably suit people closer to MAC NW15, though an NW10 could probably get away with them.

It's a shame the Becca is too dark and pink for me, because I think the finish is just lovely. It provides the barest hint of coverage, ever-so-slightly evening out my skintone while still letting my freckles shine through, and makes my skin look luminous and healthy. It also doesn't breakdown horribly on my super-oily nose, though it does get quite shiny and I find it necessary to add powder. The actual texture of the foundation is a surprise as well; I expected it to be quite thin and runny, as it has such a light coverage, but it actually has the feel of a moisturizing lotion, and it feels quite luxurious to massage it in to my skin.

I can get away with the Porcelain shade in the summer when my skin gets slightly darker, but overall, Porcelain is best suited to NW15-20 skin. I hope Becca makes a paler, more neutral shade of this soon, because I truly adore it! RATING: 5 out of 5.

More Pale Foundation Swatches!

Thanks to some very kind friends with lots of sample jars at hand and well-priced blogsales, I was able to get a whole slew of new pale/pale-ish foundations to swatch! I did thick swatches with about as much product as I'd use to make up my full face to try and show off the undertones and depth of each product. Bear in mind that I haven't tried most of these products on my face yet, and some foundations blend out lighter or darker on one's face than they do in a swatch.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Armani Lasting Silk foundation in #2 Ivory, Dolce & Gabbana Luminous Liquid foundation in 60 Classic, Flower About Face foundation in LF1, Becca Luminous Skin Color in Sand, Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish foundation in Shell, Ellis Faas Skin Veil in S101, Illamasqua Skin Base in 2

Based on these swatches and what I've seen in person and in the photos (and just that--the D&G is the only one I've worn!), the D&G liquid and Illamasqua skin base are the lightest and closest to MAC N5-10, followed by the Flower foundation and Becca RSSF, which appear to be about MAC N10-15. The Armani appears to be the darkest, probably around N15-20, followed by Becca LSC, although LSC is notorious for being very sheer and malleable. The Ellis Faas is quite peachy. After washing my hands with soap twice, Skin Base and Lasting Silk were still visible on my skin.

Vanity: Becca

Vanity: Lipsticking Vicariously Through Others

Becca, Student/Teacher

I had a babysitter when I was probably 2 or 3 who wore a ton of makeup, very early nineties stuff, and because she looked so different from my mostly au-naturel mom, it was very interesting. She let me play with her brushes, and would (with mom’s permission, of course) slap some lipstick on me; then we would play “ladies.” Mom also got me the little Tinkerbell play makeup. My dresser at my mom’s house still has the pink peel-off nail polish soaked into the wood, and my favorite stuffed bunny has lipstick stains on its mouth 20 years later. And my older sisters got into makeup when I was about 5 or 6, and they thought it was hilarious to put makeup on me and take pictures with me. I got all of their mostly used-up lipsticks and eyeshadows.

I spend a lot of my money for "extras" on beauty products, but price-wise, I’m pretty firmly in the mid-end category. If I could buy all high-end, I’m not sure I would. Sure, I would splurge on some things, but my favorite brow pencil is Clinique, and a lot of my favorite skincare in the past has been drugstore. I am a pasty, pasty lady, so MAC Face & Body foundation is one of my favorite products because it comes in White. It’s also sits well on my dry skin. Bobbi Brown Skin foundation qualifies as well, shade-wise, but I’m not sure why I haven’t bought this yet. My inner Bobbi Brown aversion must be strong. The hunt for the perfect foundation consumes me. Some very evil people have shown me the lovely that is Rouge Bunny Rouge, and that’s gonna be an expensive endeavor. The Shiseido lash curler completely changed my opinion of lash curling. Now I can’t live without it, because it actually fits my eye shape and gives me a good curl. I also appreciate a good metal lash comb (I use Sephora’s) because I hate clumps, and MAC Strada blush, which will be replaced with Illamasqua Primal if I can find it. I contour every day. I’ve used up a couple of things, a foundation and mascaras. The simple reason I don’t hit pan on anything is ADD. I can’t wear the same thing all the time, it would be so boring!

My ideal nighttime skincare routine involves oil cleanser, rinse, toner, two or three serums, eye serum, night cream, and eye cream. (Luckily, I get a lot of stuff gratis; otherwise, I wouldn’t nearly use so much!) My usual nighttime routine is:

1. Put pack of makeup wipes on bedside table.
2. Climb into bed and remember I didn’t take my makeup off.
3. Try to find wipes in the dark.
4. Scrub.
5. Throw makeup wipe towards garbage can.
6. Fall asleep.

I’m ashamed.

 My big problem is collecting. As far as make-up goes, if I get part of a collection/brand/etc, I NEED the rest of it. See: Sleek palettes/blushes, Wet n Wild palettes, Revlon Lip Butters, Clinique Chubby Sticks... I love chasing things down and finally getting what I wanted. Apparently, I played Pokemon at an impressionable age. I also collect books, wine glasses, and jewelry. I begin student teaching in January, so I guess grading papers will become a hobby.

I love history and languages, even though I don’t speak any well. I’m a certified rescue scuba diver and I’m considering becoming an instructor or at least a divemaster. I’ll move to Aruba. I love taking pictures, but I wouldn’t say I’m a photographer. I’m obsessed with my dog!

 This project is greatly indebted to the Top Shelf section of IntoTheGloss.com, which was my inspiration, and to every beautiful person who participates. This article has been slightly modified for clarity and length.