Honestly, wearing makeup is fun. I usually hold a private party for one (one = me) while applying it, too, usually blasting my fave songs of the moment and singing along to them - I even snack whilst doing my makeup at times! (Is it just me?)
Finding the right match in foundations, however? A complete, total chore.
Well, for my NC43-44 skin tone, anyway - but honestly, is there anyone out there who doesn't find the quest to find The One (of foundations, that is) more than a little stressful?
Also, what is up with the need that some girls have to test out as many foundations as they could, even when they've found a foundation / foundations that have proven to be their best friend? It's truly a mind-boggling mystery to me, and it's made even more mysterious because I happen to be one those girls myself...
. . . . . . .
I had loved NARS Sheer Glow; out of the number of foundations I've tried, shade Syracuse is probably the one foundation that matches my skin shade the closest - and it evens suits my oily-combination skin. You'd think after I ran out of it, I'd just buy another bottle, right?
Nope. Wrong.
(Refer to the paragraph above.)
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua was my "HG" as well (the finish is so natural and divine!) but I have a good excuse for not repurchasing it: shade 44 Beige Ambre that I bought in Charles de Gaulle airport (Terminal 2) is not sold in Malaysia.
So as much as I loved those two foundations, of course, I decided to try out new things after all: NARS Velvet Skin Tint and Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet foundations. To be fair, it isn't that crazy of an idea, because both have had such great reviews. I'm here to share another great one myself, but with one complaint: their shades are not right for me. But if you can find your perfect match in either one of these foundations or both - you lucky soul, you.
Summing them up:
NARS Velvet Skin Tint
Finish:
Cons:
| Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Texture:
Cons:
|
Final verdict: I think I prefer the finish of these two foundations compared to their previously tried counterparts (NARS Sheer Glow and Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, that is), but unfortunately I can't say the same for the shades offered. what a pity! In the end, I'll be sticking with my two "HG"s in the future, thank you very much.
But I'd like to find blessings in disguise, so since one foundation is darker than my skintone while the other is lighter, it means I am able to mix them to create a shade that suits my skin better at the end of the day - but this also means creating hassles, since I can't get the mix right or even the exact same shade every single time! But when life gives you lemons, you make lemon cupcakes.
(Not a fan of lemonade, but cupcakes, well, I'm on board every single time.)
. . . . . . .
The story long story is, I purchased Perfection Lumiere Velvet first, with the salesperson in Chanel One Utama applying shade 40 on me and insisted it would be completely pointless for me to try shade 50 as it'd be too dark for me, so, basically, mistake number 1: I listened to her. She was wrong.
Reminder: Salespersons ≠ makeup artists.
Mistake number 2: Not testing my purchased foundation properly within the first seven days and realising its shade was too light for me until it was too late. (Yes, as it turns out, Chanel Malaysia gives customers SEVEN FREAKIN' DAYS ONLY to return purchased products, as written in not-so-visible font at the very bottom of the receipt. Plus, they never returned my polite email to them, either; I have to say I expected better from Chanel.)
Since I found the Chanel too light on me and badly needing (OK OK, wanting) a decent foundation, I set out to NARS Mid Valley to see what Velvet Skin Tint was all about - and then the salesperson there tried to get me to do the same thing: buy one shade lighter, which looks much, much too ashy on me. When it comes to foundations, I find that looking darker but getting the tone right is always a better option that looking lighter and greyish - especially for someone in a hijab with her neck covered at all times, of course - so I'm embarassed that I even fell for mistake number 1, because I thought I had learned from past mistakes! I'm also beginning to think I can't trust anybody who works at makeup stores in Malaysia, honestly.
But here's mistake number 3: Not buying the damn Sheer Glow, Liyana.
. . . . . . .
One thing's for sure: if natural finish is your thayng and if you can find your exact match, don't hesitate to BUY THESE FOUNDATIONS - you (probably) won't regret it.
Have you guys tried these foundations? And ever had annoying experiences with buying foundations? Share with me!
I wish you well with your makeup journey. Clearly you enjoy the *seeking* as much as the actual applying. I share some of these traits as well so perhaps it's a life-long quest with no perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteWarning: As you get older it's as much about texture as color. I feel that I've become a higher maintenance make-up consumer as I've grown older.
Also, if you live in an area with dramatic seasonal weather changes you need different texture/consistency as well.
Ah! The complexity of life in the female lane!!
Complex, indeed! - but I always feel the complexity is entirely due to the decision we've made ourselves, is it not?
DeleteThankfully Malaysia is only hot and humid all year round (well, sometimes it rains a lot, too), but I do notice that certain foundations that I like don't work as well (or better even) when I venture into colder seasons in other countries.
I'll keep your advices in mind, Judy! I also totally agree with you on it being a life-long quest with no solution. Might as well make it fun, I guess!