Review: Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in SB 12

Here's a review on Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in SB 12

PRICE: $42.00 (Approximately P1,700.00+)

PLACE BOUGHT: Sephora, San Diego, California

OTHER LOCATIONS: Please refer to Illamasqua's Official Website

 THE VERDICT:

One of the best foundations my face has ever encountered is Illamasqua's Skin Base Foundation. It's one of the best full coverage foundations I've ever tried, and perhaps one of the best foundations in this planet. My face is in dire need of full coverage foundations lately as I'm trying to cover up some darn post acne marks and this miracle product just seals the deal.

 Description (taken from Illamasqua's website):

"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."

 It comes in a squeeze type sturdy plastic tube with a cool mold. It's very lightweight and handy, although I wish the bottle were bigger so I have more product. I use this everyday, and I'm halfway done with it already! Makes me wonder, do they have this in gallons? Because if they do, I'm going to buy it! That's how much I love this thing!

 My fascination with the Illuminati is probably one of the reasons why I love Illamasqua: It has this dark, cultish appeal. Apart from that, I also love the brand for its bold, outspoken colors and of course, the fabulous quality of their cosmetics.

Click READ MORE for the swatches and my detailed review!

SB 12 is a golden beige shade with strong yellow undertones. Finish is semi-matte. Illamasqua's foundations are friendlier to tan and dark skin tones. The Skin Base foundation line comes in over 26 shades and varying undertones ranging from Yellow, Pink, Olive, and Beige.

Consistency is semi- thick yet spreadable: It has the softness and fluidity of BB creams. It's less likely to achieve an uneven coverage with this product because its texture is so workable--even if you use a brush, sponge, or your fingers to apply it, you can work this product easily. It's quite thick and obvious on my initial application but after a few seconds, it melts onto and becomes one with my skin. It has a lightweight feel, a soft caramel scent, it dries up pretty quickly, and clings so well onto my skin yet it's the type that can be blended even if it has set already. Pigmentation is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G: It covers so well and keeps any darn marks out of sight. One layer would suffice to give my skin a whole new texture.

HOW I APPLY IT: Using a traditional foundation brush or any kind of brush, I deposit the foundation onto my skin. Using a wedge sponge, I dab it all over the foundation to absorb any excess and to help the foundation set easily onto my skin. For an even lighter coverage, I use a stippling brush.

 Can you tell I have post- acne marks in this photo? :) That's the power of Illamasqua's Skin Base Foundation!

However, I find that SB 12 is a little dark on me, but there's nothing a tinted loose powder can't do to solve this problem. The shade is actually okay for me because I find that it unifies the tone of my face with the rest of my body.

Illamasqua's foundations are specially made to suit the most advanced HD cameras. Suffice to say, it is undetectable. In this photo, I can't even tell that I'm wearing full coverage foundation. Can you? :D 

This foundation gives me my ideal skin in a flash, yet naturally. It's not the full coverage foundation type that makes you look as if you're wearing a pound of foundation on your face!

Staying power is marvelous: It wears like a champ on oily skin and in this humid tropical weather. My face still oils up for a wee bit when I have this on, but it's not the greasy kind. The foundation does not fade too.

In comparison with other good full coverage foundations:

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Coverage Foundation and Illamasqua Skin Base- both have the same staying power and spreadability, but Illamasqua covers better.

VMV Hypoallergenics Skin Savvy Foundation and Illamasqua Skin Base- both have the same staying power and concealing abilities, but Illamasqua has better shade options.

Bobbi Brown's and VMV Hypoallergenics' foundations are close contenders of Illamasqua's. If you want something close to the quality of Illamasqua, check out the two foundations I've mentioned above.

This product is heaven sent to womankind, and I recommend it to just about anyone who wants to forget that they have skin imperfections. It's also good for busy ladies who are in need of an industrious foundation that needs minimal retouching, for gals who are living in a tropical country, and for girls with oily skin! I love love love this foundation and I am currently finding a way to get some back ups.