I popped down to the Illamasqua counter near me a few weeks ago for reasons I will explain next week for a make over with one of my favourite make up artists – Leena who is a Key Artist for the brand.
One of the items I purchased and can’t wait to review because I have so many mixed thoughts about it, is Illamasqua’s Skin Base Foundation (£25):
They say:
Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market. Easily blendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, is undetectable in a professional HD environment. Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage.
I have been wearing this base every day for the last few weeks!
First off this foundation is reasonably priced I think, compared to other high end end bases.
The bottle is a squeezy one, plastic, nothing fancy but hygienic and compact:
There’s a really impressive range of shades that come in different base tones so you can get a good match. I think with so much choice I would go to a counter to get matched with this base because it’s quite hard to tell on the site – there are a good handful of hues that I think could’ve suited me!
In the end I went for shade 11 which is a mixture of yellow and pink and I think it’s a brilliant match. People tend to stick me in yellow foundations right away when in fact I am also quite brown and beige! Shade 11 also has a peachiness too it that matches my skin but brightens it too (I am usually a MAC NC30-35).
The foundation has a nice sweety scent to it – I usually hate perfume in bases but I don’t mind this one because it fades away quickly.
So, foundation pros:
1. Longevity. This foundation stays put beautifully on my skin and even after a very long day, there’s a fair amount of base that comes off when I wash it 14 hours after it was first applied. My skin is quite dry I’m not sure how it would last on oily skin.
2. Covering redness and blemishes. Considering that the base has a gel like texture to it, it covers remarkably well – redness especially which I usually need some extra concealer for.
3. The foundation doesn’t bunch up on my skin which many many bases do, and it’s super easy to blend in. No streaky finish!
Foundation cons:
1. For me, this base makes my skin looks really even and I’m happy with that for every day BUT, it lacks glow. I do love glowy, radiant finish foundations and on me this base is more of a semi-matte so can look dull.
2. This foundation makes my pores look bigger – perhaps it sits on the surface a little and also clings to any very dry patches I have, although to be fair, most foundations will if used without a good primer.
In terms of breakouts, I have noticed I had some weird white bumps on my face HOWEVER I started using this base and new cream at the same time so I am going to try some swapping to check which product is doing it!
Before & Afters – I am super tired at the moment so small pictures so not to scare you:
Ingredients List:
Kudos to Illamasqua for saying this base is inspired by BB creams but unlike lots of other brands, avoided naming it a ‘BB Cream’ for the sake of it. I would agree that this is a multi tasker as it works well as a concealer too, and since it dries to a semi matte finish it’s almost like powdering too (I didn’t like the look of this base WITH powder on top as well, it just looked crusty).
I do like this base a lot, and if you want something that is long lasting with good coverage, that feels nice on this skin Illamasqua’s Skin Base is well worth trying. I paid £25 for this – full range is on their website.
Have you tried this foundation?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I got this and then sold it to a friend because I had another foundation kinda similar (Lancome Teint Miracle) that I was obsessed with but after realising they’re not cruelty free I’m buying this back off her!:)
I usually only wear BB Creams so this is nice to have to mix with them on days I want a little more coverage!
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Shame it has mineral oil in it, my acne fortified skin would die! But it looks lovely otherwise
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I tend to use a tinted moisturiser for everyday and this looks like it would be a good halfway between tinted moisturiser and foundation. I do like the semi-matte look too.
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I have tried this and like it quite a bit- I’m considering picking up a bottle as my summer foundation.
BTW Lucy, if you’re really dying to try this, keep in mind: mineral oil is non-comedogenic, so it does not clog pores. Your skin probably does best with oil-free makeup, but if you’re curious, you may not have to immediately discount this formula
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So many foundations and so little time – I have admired this for a while and do applaud their miriad range of shades, but I have a bit of a fear of the SA, stupid I know. Perhaps I just need to bite the bullet and get matched. Thankyou for this, really helpful review.
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They do have loads of great shades. It seems to have a great coverage for you – but I know what you mean about glow – it seems to make your skin finish look almost too good
I’m a bit yellow/olive so might give it a go,
Samantha xx
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