This review is a little overdue. It's taken me a little while to settle on my opinion of Illamasqua Skin Base though.
Skin Base was inspired by the cult Asian Beauty Balms and is marketed as the ultimate 'Skin Realism' foundation. I have only tried one BB cream so it is hard to make a fair comparison but I'd say that this is definitely foundation rather than a treatment.
It is a 'water in silicone' based formula and has quite a thick consistency. It offers a much heavier coverage than I am used to and I find I have to work quite hard to blend it. Looking at it up close, I noticed that it sits in my pores and also clings to areas of dry skin that I wasn't aware that I had! In person I think it's quite obvious that I'm wearing foundation. However, in photographs it looks natural and polished. I think you can see that it is sitting in the pores on my nose if you look closely. In the pictures above I'm wearing shade #04.
Skin Base was inspired by the cult Asian Beauty Balms and is marketed as the ultimate 'Skin Realism' foundation. I have only tried one BB cream so it is hard to make a fair comparison but I'd say that this is definitely foundation rather than a treatment.
It is a 'water in silicone' based formula and has quite a thick consistency. It offers a much heavier coverage than I am used to and I find I have to work quite hard to blend it. Looking at it up close, I noticed that it sits in my pores and also clings to areas of dry skin that I wasn't aware that I had! In person I think it's quite obvious that I'm wearing foundation. However, in photographs it looks natural and polished. I think you can see that it is sitting in the pores on my nose if you look closely. In the pictures above I'm wearing shade #04.
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| L-R: 06, 05 and 04 |
Another plus point is that Skin Base comes in an array of shades and the selection of fair skin shades is particularly impressive. Normally I'm matched with the #2 shade from most cosmetics lines (for reference I'm usually NC20 with MAC foundations). I was sent samples of Skin Base in the shades #04, #05 and #06. They're all a similar depth of colour but with different undertones. I found the neutral undertones of #06 provide the best match for me. I should mention that my face is not as pale as the skin on the underside of my arm where I swatched these colours!
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| L-R: Erborian Creme in Natural, Skin Base in 04, 05 and 06, MAC concealer in NC20. |
I wanted to put the shades in context but unfortunately the lighting in this last picture isn't the best. On the far left I swatched Erborian BB Creme in Natural (00), which is very light in colour. On the far right is a swatch of MAC Moisturecover concealer in NC20.
Bottom line: I think Skin Base would be an good foundation for a makeup artist's kit or for someone that is used to heavy coverage formulas. The shade range is impressive and it looks great in photographs but for me it's not natural looking enough for everyday wear.
Disclosure: PR Samples
Welcome back!!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a good tie after all. I loved the pictures you posted btw, and the 'rural' fotd lol. Still, good to have you back :)
Thanks for this review. I also saw Replica's review and all I can say is that I am glad I held off purchasing during the build-up and the launch hype. I am now ready to fork out for the Suqqu new liquid foundation...
Have a great weekend!
Nina x
I was so excited for this foundation but so far the reviews have been less than stellar. I don't think I'll be springing for international shipping on this one.
ReplyDeleteI do highly highly recommend Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer *broken record* if/when you're looking for something new. I've already repurchased it, which you should understand is a serious commitment for a beauty blogger! haha
It looks a lot better on you than it did me, Please can I ask whats that lovely liner you are wearing?
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about getting that Erborian Creme so will be interested to know if you think its any good x
Thanks for this, I think I will definitely pass. I am still interested in the Eborian though, looks about the right shade for me. I haven't tried any BB creams apart from the new Garnier one I got the other day and that felt quite heavy on and was really too dewy for my liking. How are you finding Eborian? Welcome back from holiday! x
ReplyDeleteit looks really great in the photos! i have never tried a BB cream, but i think i will have to jump on the bandwagon soon!
ReplyDeleteGrace xx
I actually think your skin looks lovely here!
ReplyDeleteNic x
@Nina: I’m glad the review was useful. I know some people do get on with it very well but I don’t think it’s a good for me. I wouldn’t say it’s a must have for you.
ReplyDelete@MLBB: That really is high praise indeed for the Clinique. I need to pay a visit to the Clinique counter I think. The reviews of this have been mixed. Foundation is a toughie as it’s so personal but I didn’t enjoy the full coverage feel.
@Replica: It definitely looks ok in photographs but I didn’t like how it looked on me in person as it were. The liner is the Annabelle I blogged about a little while back. It’s a lovely formula, very much like the YSL waterproof pencils. Apologies for the slow reply to the email too, I need to clone myself!
ReplyDelete@Lipstick Luuvie: I can’t really give a fair appraisal of the Erborian yet as it is so light on me. I’m going to have to wait for winter to try it out. I do still worry it may be too light for me. It’s almost got a greyish tone to it so it looks a little ghoulish! Lol
@Grace: Next on my list is the Garnier. I’m intrigued to see what it’s like.
@Strawberry Blonde: It does my skin look good in photos. That’s why I thought it might be a good MUA base. I gives a flawless look but doesn’t look quite the same in the flesh for some reason. Most odd!
Jane x
I know this is an old post but what brand/shades are the eyeshadows youre wearing please? I must own iiiiit! lol
ReplyDeleteYou're in luck as I wrote this down as a FOTD - www.modestybrown.com/2011/07/fotd-with-annabelle-and-ka-lipstick.html. The eyeshadows are MAC Vex and Club and they are two of my favourite MAC eyeshadows.
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