The Body Shop All In One Face Base

Hey Everyone, this is my first review, so let’s get it started.  I am going to review The Body Shop All In One Face Base in shade No. 4.  It is available in 5 shades.  It can be used both in dry form as well as wet.

This face base gives a nice velvety, matte finish. It is light, soft and it is not too powdery, hence very little fallout.  It blends very smoothly, gives a medium coverage and is buildable, but too much of it can make you look cakey. It stays for a maximum of 5 hours.

Price:

I got it for Rs. 895 for 9 gm last month, now the price is Rs. 935.

Packaging:

I like the packaging too, its cute and travel friendly.

Pros of The Body Shop All In One Face Base:

• Texture is smooth and easily blendable.
• Does not become patchy, evens out complexion.
• Not too powdery.
• I like the packaging with mirror and sponge applicator.
• Travel friendly.

Cons of The Body Shop All In One Face Base:

• There is no SPF value.

Here are a few swatches of the product.

Overall, I didn’t find anything bad about it, I love the product.  I use it everyday and it makes me look prettier :D :D

Will I Buy The Body Shop All In One Face Base Again:

Yes, definitely.

Rating: 5/5.

The Strawberry Body Butter, Raspberry Body Scrub, Clinique Anti Blemish
The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream
The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion
The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion
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MAC Stylishly yours Cream Colour Base Photos, Swatches
MAC Cream Colour Base HUSH
L’oreal Paris Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer
Mac Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage
Inglot Eye Makeup Base
NYX Eyeshadow Base in White
Oriflame Giordani Gold Makeup Base
The Body Shop Loose Face Powder

Revlon ColorStay Active Light Makeup with SPF 25 (02 Buff)

Price: 675 /- INR for 30 ml.

In India, its available in 4 shades only and for the record, it’s been discontinued in other parts of the world. Anyways, I am reviewing the 02 Buff for all of you.

What Revlon has to say about Revlon ColorStay Active Light Makeup with SPF 25:

Light Makeup With SoftFlex.
- Lightweight, oil-free formula that is sweat proof, so you look and feel fresh throughout your active day.
- Long wearing-looks and feels freshly applied for upto 16 hours without fading or wearing off.
- Contains SoftFlex comfort technology-feels lightweight & comfortable on skin.
- SPF 25.
- Skin type-All.
- Coverage-Light to medium.

Active Ingredients:

Octinoxate 7.5%, Titanium Dioxide 3.8%, Zinc Oxide 2.1%

Inactive Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Cyclomethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Isotridecyl Isonanoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone, Polyglyceryl – 4 Isostearate, Dimethicone, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl – 3 Diisostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Nylon 12, Alumina, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract (Grape), Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panaz Ginseng Root Extract, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Malva Sylvestris Extract (Mallow), Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract (Lily), Lactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract, Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Serica (Silk), Trisiloxane, Lauric Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Tribehenin, Polydimethylsiloxane/Polymethysilesquioxane Copolymer, Methicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsequioxane Copolymer, Silica, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Ethylene Brassylate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499).
Such a long list for INACTIVE ingredients.

Directions For Use:

My Experience with Revlon ColorStay Active Light Makeup with SPF 25:

This foundation is lying in my cupboard since the last 3 years (almost going to expire soon actually!!!! ) and I must have used it thrice only. Once for trial at home just after buying, second to a party and third for the Lakme peacock Quad look done here; the main reason being a no-makeup person that I am. The fact that I don’t like anything on my face that feels or looks heavy also has a lot to contribute. The moment I add a base to my face, it looks so fake and unnatural. I like my skin to be seen through whatever I put on my face. Actually, that was the main reason I got this in the first place, I read the light makeup stuff, and tried it on my hand and picked it off happily.

Here is a picture of my bare hand.

Here comes the swatch

After blending

See how it gives a no-makeup kind of look, but but but, only to my hands. Though it matched my skin tone perfectly on the hand, it looks quite ashy and fake on my face. I have to really work hard to make it look natural. I remember while getting ready for a party once, I was actually looking like a ghost with this on my face. I did not have much time, so what I did was applied some Lakme invisible finish Foundation (02) on top of this and surprisingly it worked perfectly.

I quite like the dewy look it gives, although, it is oil based, it is not at all oily and completely sweat proof and rub-proof. So, for those who want a long-lasting oil-free dewy look, this is a great buy, but please try it on your face before buying. It is not exactly liquid or cream, rather, it has a viscous intensity that blends nicely, but you have to be quick because it sets really fast. The coverage is sheer to medium, but definitely buildable if you want a full coverage (not conceal your dark spots or marks though!!!). It is not heavy, but it is not light either. It feels like you have put something on your face the whole time. This may vary with people who use makeup regularly.

Let me summarize my experience in what I liked and what I did not like about this.

Good Points About Revlon ColorStay Active Light Makeup

1. Has SPF 25, pretty good for a makeup base.
2. Easily blendable.
3. For all skin types. I have combination skin, but it doesn’t make my face oily ever.
4. Never broke me out.
5. Non-transferable/rub proof.
6. Don’t know about the 16-hrs claim, but lasts for 6-7 hours easily, may be more. Actually, I have never tested it for that matter.

Not-So-Good Points About Revlon ColorStay Active Light Makeup

1. Finding the right shade is very difficult with just 4 shades available.
2. Some may feel it a bit sticky just after application.

My Rating:

3 out of 5.

Final Word:

Depends on your personal liking actually. You can give it a try and see if it fulfills your requirement. I am not going to get it again for sure because I remember the next shade was a tad darker to my skin tone. So, no point buying this again. Will try MAC next when I feel the need for a makeup base.

Also Read:
Revlon Photo Ready Powder, Concealer, Foundation, Compact Makeup
Revlon ColorStay Mineral Foundation
Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator Loose Powder
Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Ginger Rose
Revlon New Complexion Foundation
Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick
Revlon Colorburst Lipstick Blossom, Honey Photos, Swatches
Revlon Colorburst Lipstick Crimson
Revlon Nail Enamel – New Shades
Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen
Revlon Lash Fantasy Higher Definition Mascara
Revlon Colorburst Lipstick – Peach
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Rose Velvet Review, Swatches
Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner (Twinkle) Photos, Swatches
Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Papaya
Revlon Colorstay Overtime LipColor Photos, Swatches
Garnier Pure Active Range
Chanel Precision Hydramax + Active Nutrition Nourishing Cream
Jovees Active Protein Youth Face Pack and 30+ Youth Face Cream
Garnier Skin Naturals Light Daily Moisturiser
Clinique Almost Bronzer SPF 15 – 01 Light Medium
Avon Face & Eye Makeup Remover
Makeup and Cosmetics Fun Facts
Jovees Sunscreen and Fairness Lotion
Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizing Balm
Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Kids Sun block Cream
Vichy Capital Soleil Sunscreen

Have You Used Revlon ColorStay Active Light Makeup Before? Please Rate in the Box Below:

Lancome Teint Idole Silky Mat

• Teint Idole Silky Mat is made for women seeking a perfect looking matte complexion, that lasts all day: up to 18h matte finish.
• THE 1ST DIVINELY FRESH FOUNDATION IS ENRICHED WITH MINERAL SILICEUM. A BREATHABLE MATTE FINISH
• A breathable fresh texture, enduring & perfect: it conceals pores and imperfections.
• Teint Idole Silky Mat controls shine and refines the skin’s surface. Complexion looks and remains matte: healthy looking.
• PORES AND IMPERFECTIONS APPEAR REDUCED
• Complexion is matte yet non-powdery: fresh, looking natural and poreless.
• Skin apperance is visibly refined: silky smooth and more radiant; imperfections look less visible. Make-up reaches new levels of perfection.

How to apply:

• Apply Teint Idole Silky Mat to the cheeks, nose and forehead from the centre outwards.

Luminosity & high contour:

• Apply touches of a lighter shade of Teint Idole Silky Mat to the forehead, nose and chin. Then apply your usual shade to the forehead and cheek contours.

Price : Rs 2700

What I love about Lancome Teint Idole Silky Mat?

• It stays on and on for hours at a go. I don’t need to do any touch ups throughout the day.
• It is amazingly waterproof. I was out the other day and my face was sweating because of the heat. I dabbed my face with tissue and to my surprise, not even a single speck of foundation came on the tissue.
• It gives a silky matte finish. It’s not completely matte.
• The coverage is medium and is buildable. In fact you can even go for a sheer coverage with this foundation depending on your preference.
• A very little foundation is required for face and neck.
• It is a very lightweight foundation, almost like using a tint on the face.
• It’s a mineral foundation.
• It does not give a powdery finish and even if you are not too good at applying foundation you can be rest assured that this foundation would never give you a cakey finish.
• It does not accentuate the pores or settles in fine lines. Even when I blend it at the back of my hand, it does not settle into the fines lines of my hand.
• It has a light floral fragrance, which I like.
• The packaging is compact but there is 30 ml of product in the tube. This makes it easier to carry around.
• It has SPF 16
• It has a runny consistency. I am not used to using foundations with such consistency but now I find it easier to use than rest of my foundations.

What I don’t like about Lancome Teint Idole Silky Mat:

• This foundation oxidizes a bit. The shade that is got is 02 -Lys Rose, which is one shade lighter than my skin tone. It proved to be a boon for me because after half and hour or so the foundation matches my skintone perfectly. But personally I think a foundation should not oxidize because people buy foundations that match their skin tone perfectly.

Other than that I totally recommend this foundation. It’s a great foundation for daily wear and especially for summers a foundation like this is a blessing.

My little tip would be that it is best of you apply this foundation with finger tips. Since the consitency is runny, I feel applying it with a brush or sponge would be a mere wastage of product. And here is me wearing the foundation. I have not applied powder to match the shade. Just a little blush, eye makeup and lipstick.

Indian Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating : :-*:-*+ 0.5

Have you used Lancome foundations?

The product shown in this entry was sent by PR for consideration.

Biotique Bio Redwood Tinted Moisturizer- Review

Hi Everybody,

I have the driest skin anybody could have. I mean I apply moisturizer at least 4-5 a day. So I have to face dry patches, tightness, pulling of my skin and what not when I apply makeup. So I used to avoid wearing makeup everyday.
But, then I came across Biotique’s Natural Tinted Moisturizer. This beauty made my life so much simpler.

The Biotique’s Natural Tinted Moisturizer has all natural ingredients. It is available in three varieties, namely- Peach, Rose and Olive. The SA at the store was very unsure about the shades. But, I guessed by the names that Rose was for light skin tones, Peach for medium and Olive for darker tones. But I still went ahead and bought the Rose one. (I hate olives and their smell; they didn’t have Peach at that time.)

I was a bit skeptical because of the shades, but it had all natural ingredients and SPF 30 with UVA and UVB protection!!! So I bought it. It was priced at Rs. 299/- for 55g. So it was pretty good pricing.

All the three varieties have the following ingredients in common. I checked out their Ayurvedic uses for you.-

• Raktachandan- Cooling and soothing
• Arjuna Bark- Astringent, effective against Acne
• Ashwagandha- Revitalizer, evens out skin tone
• Nag keshar- Antiseptic activity, also brightens skin tone
• Madhu (Honey)- Softens and hydrates skin
• Cream base

The additional ingredients in each variety are-

Rose- Gulab pushp: Toner, skin brightener

Peach- Adu: Natural skin softener

Olive- Jaitun: Skin softener, prevents ageing

The product has a consistency which I would place in between a cold cream and soufflé.

How to use Biotique Bioredwood Tinted Moisturizer-  (Pack information)

• Apply to cleansed skin every morning, before sun exposure. Dot forehead, nose, chin and cheeks, then blend well. Perfect to use in place of foundation.
• It is not a cosmetic product. It has therapeutic properties.

I use fingertips or sponge to apply this. But the sponge absorbs this hungrily. So fingertips it is!!

Here’s why I love Biotique’s Tinted Moisturizer-

• It has a mild rose fragrance which I absolutely adore.
• It gets absorbed into the skin readily. Hence, does not look whitish or cakey. Adding some loose or compact powder on top sets it perfectly.
• As it is absorbed into the skin like a moisturizer, I don’t think it will matter what shade you choose. I mean I am pretty dark skinned, but the Rose variant looks absolutely natural on me.
• It is a very good moisturizer. I don’t feel any dryness or pulling.
• It is very cooling and soothing on the skin.
• It does not give a very heavy coverage. But evens out the skin tone and hides patchy complexion.
• My skin has this lovely dewy glow on application. I prefer this whenever I want the dewy look.
• NO BREAKOUTS… YAY!!!
• Holds blush, eye shadows, powders and bronzers well.
• It is really value for money. The jar should last me at least a year; after which I’ll try the Peach one. The shelf life is 3 years.
• I tried to layer my Dream matte mousse and Maxfactor Natural Mineral Foundation on this. They all go very well together. I mix and match these three to achieve different finishes and coverage.
• I don’t apply any sunscreen on my face if I am wearing this. And I have never tanned or sunburnt wearing this.

And here’s why I will deduct points for Biotique Bioredwood Tinted Moisturizer-

• No testers!!! How does a person choose if you have no testers? I chose Rose simply because I like its fragrance!!! :o
• It comes in that routine green jar of Biotique. It is fine when it’s new. But as the product starts depleting I’ll have to scoop it out with a spoon.
• I would have loved it to be packaged in a wide mouthed but short tub. Or a tube or a pump…. Anything but that dratted jar…
• If the three variants are really for different skin tones, they should put it on the jar.
• Also, below the screw-cap there is this white lid which is always smeared with the product. So I slipped a plastic cover from my old compact in between. ;)
• Apart from the messy packaging, I really don’t have any problem with it.
• If you use a large amount, it doesn’t get absorbed and your skin will look oily and shiny.
• I have no idea how this product will behave on an oily skin, as it is a pretty heavy moisturizer. Should work well on combination skin. Though the jar says- “For all skin types”.

All in all, I totally love this product. It keeps my skin moisturized, gives me a nice glow, evens out my skin tone and has SPF 30(!!!). I would have given it 5 stars happily if only it had better packaging.

My rating for Biotique Bioredwood Tinted Moisturizer-

I cannot wait to buy the Peach variant, but I am controlling myself. As soon as this gets over, I am going for the Peach.

Has anybody with oily skin tried this??

So, until next time…

Sayonara!!

Image Source 1, 2, 3

If you ask me what is the most important thing for in a makeup, I would say it’s my foundation or my base makeup. If my base makeup is good, I would be able to carry most kinds of makeup.

Thanks to the technological advancements in makeup, the cosmetic houses have started to manufacture more than three shades of foundation. I think our Indian cosmetic companies are still trying hard to get there but I guess they all, finally. Lakme already has 4 shades, Colorbar-5 , Revlon- many, Inglot and MAC- too many

According to Bobbi Brown: From fair to deep, I find that all complexions have yellow undertones. “

This concept works the best on Indian skin tones. The percentage of women with pink undertone is less as compared to percentage of women with yellow undertones.

How to determine your undertone?
Flip over your arm and look at the veins.If your veins appear greenish, this means you are warm toned. If the veins appear bluish, you are cool toned.

That’s just one of the ways. There are other ways as well but this one is quick and easy and would give you a basic idea.

Foundation types and textures

Foundations come in variety of shades and textures. They should be chosen depending on your skin type and tone.

Liquid Foundations: Liquid foundations hold a special place in women’s makeup kit. Especially most Indian women prefer to wear foundations only on special occasions. These kind of foundations are versatile. They are easy to use, don’t need too much blending ,may offer sheer-light-medium-heavy coverage. Liquid foundations are available on both oil based as well as water based formulas. Oil based formulas work great for people who have dry skin or mature skin while the water based formulas become best friends of people who have oily skin.

Some options for liquid Foundations

• Colorbar Long Stay Makeup -Oil free (broke me out :(, but it might work for you)
• Revlon Colorstay Makeup with souflex – available for both oily and dry skin  types
• The Body Shop Moisture Foundation For dry skin
• The Body Shop Oil Free Balancing Foundation For Oily Skin
• MAC Select SPF-15 Foundation - Water based foundation , great for oily skin
• MAC Face and Body Foundation - Water Based
• MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15- Oil Based

Cream Foundations: These type of foundations could give you the heaviest  coverage. If you are looking for no blemish, perfect velvety look-go for these. Application of these foundations could be tricky. Since these foundations have heavy texture , they need a lot of blending. If not blended properly, there is a high chance that you might end up looking cakey and too made up. Cream foundations work best for normal to dry skins, but they are way too heavy for oily skins.

Some options for cream foundations:

• MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation
• MAC Studio Tech
• Inglot Cream Foundations

Compact Foundations: These are 3 in one kind of foundations. You have a powder, foundation and concealer all packed in one. They are easy to carry, give you a medium to buildable coverage and great if you know how to apply them.  Some people swear by using a sponge for these kind of foundations , I recommend fingers or a stippling brush. If you are just starting with makeup, these are not the best kind of foundations to choose from.

Some options for compact foundations

• MAC Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation
• The Body Shop All in One Face Base
• Colorbar Triple Act Compact

Mineral Foundations: Mineral foundations are a rage these days.These are fine powder foundations that feel weightless on skin. Mineral foundations are recommended only if you have a good skin texture. The coverage of mineral foundations is not very heavy. They are your best friends during summers and especially look very natural during the day time.These foundations are oil free so they might leave the dry skin flaky and patchy. Tip: Moisturize your skin well before applying foundation.

• Loreal Paris Bare Natural Mineral Foundation
• The Body Shop Natural Mineral Foundation SPF-25
• MAC Mineralize SPF-15 Foundation Loose
• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Foundation

Stick Foundations: These are similar to the cream foundations but a little thicker. They have a capability to give you medium to full coverage depending on how you use them. Stick foundations are also used as concealers. These are the most common foundations used for photo shoots or fashion shows. I personally think they work best as concealers.

• Colorbar Stick Concealer
• Mac Studio Stick SPF 15 Foundation
• Shisiedo Stick Foundation

Tinted Moisturizers: If you are looking for a makeup base that would give you a ‘barely-there’ finish and keeps your skin hydrated, then tinted moisturizers are for you. These foundations are not meant to conceal your imperfections or blemishes, they are great to give just a hint of colour to your skin and even out your skin tone. Use these only if you have good skin.

• Ponds Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
• Lotus Herbals Tinted Moisturizer
• The legendary Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
• Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

Airbrush Foundation: These are one of the latest technological inventions. The airbrush equipment needs a professional hand to give you that flawless perfect finish. The closest example of airbrush foundation that recall is the make up done in Avatar. The airbrush equipment is expensive and the companies that provide it have specialists, who train you how to use it. Not recommended until you are a makeup artist and you know what you have to do with the equipment.

• Airbrush Makeup System by Temptu

Types of Coverage you get from foundations

Following are the terminologies that you might come across on your bottle of foundation. Read on to know what they mean.

• Matte Finish: No shine, best for oily skin types.
• Dewy Finish: Glowy finish, light coverage and best for people who are blessed with good skin.
• Sheer Coverage: Light finish. Would just even our your skin texture but would not conceal your blemishes or flaws.
• Full coverage: Would give you an opaque coverage and cover up all those nasty imperfections on your skin.
• Pore minimizing: Would reduce the appearance of pores.

Image Source 1, 2

If I have left anything, do let me know. I will add it in my post. Hope this helps.

I have a very basic question for you all.

How do you select your foundation? What all do you look for before buying foundation? Any Holy Grails?

I take help from Makeup artists and mostly go out with my friends to take their opinion. I also look for dewy finish in a foundation but now I am also liking the matte finish. I tried MAC Studio Fix  a few days back and liked it a lot. I bought the Colorbar’s foundation instead and it has almost the same finish as MAC Studio fix but that Colorbar’s foundation broke me out badly. Also, colorbar does not have my same shade of foundation but Rs 225 didn’t pinch me too mcuh to give it a try. Now I am just gonna throw it away. My HG foundation is MAC Mineralize Satinfish SPF 15 in liquid foundation and The Body Shop’s Loose powder when I am not using liquid foundation.

Someone recommended me Chanel VitaLumiere. Looking forward to try it. Have you tried it?

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