Liquid Foundations Review

It seems like a never ending search for the perfect foundation and the right shade of color. I often find myself being matched to a shade in store and absolutely adoring it; until a few weeks later when I realise it's a complete different colour. Nevertheless, I will continue to search for the perfect shade that matches to my yellow undertone! These products are good for those with a warm undertone and have great coverage. So the five foundations I will be reviewing is the - Make Up Forever HD Foundation, Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation, Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation, Revlon Colorstay and Shu Umera Face Architect.

Just so everyone has a general idea, I have yellow undertone and I'm matched to NC25 in MAC. The shades I received for these foundations were:

- Make Up Forever HD #120

- Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation Shade SB 06

- Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation Natural 4

- Revlon Colorstay 180 Sand Beige

- Shu Umera Face Architect 754 Medium Beige

Make Up Forever HD 

This is usually the holy grail foundation for a lot of bloggers. When I came across the reviews, most bloggers seemed to praise this non stop. I was searching for ways to get it for months, kicking myself that I didn't purchase it the last time I went overseas. 

I finally ordered this in December from Tarazz. I wore this while in Singapore which was probably a mistake considering how humid the weather was there. Being a high definition foundation, I would not recommend this for everyday use. 

There's a pump at the top which makes it easy to dispense the product. As you can see above, one pump does provide quite a bit of product. 

Texture is actually quite thick and does not blend as easily. It's definitely not the foundation to use when you want natural even skin tone glow. However, it does provide full coverage and is perfect for photographs. I would recommend a moisturised face before using this as it seems to accentuate dry skin and any fine lines. 

Overall, I would rate this product a 7/10. Not exactly the right shade for me as it has a pink undertone but it serves its' purpose as a HD foundation. Would only recommend this for special events with lots of photographs. Definitely not an everyday foundation though!

Revlon Colorstay 

A drugstore foundation that has been hyped about a lot recently. I couldn't help myself but pick one up at Chemist Warehouse for half price, around $18AUD. I purchased the colour 180 Sand Beige as it seems to be the closest it had to my skin color.

It has a pump lid, greater control on the amount of product that is dispensed compared to the rest. I actually loved this foundation for quite sometime despite until I realised that it wasn't the right shade and it started to break me out.

I purchased the combination/oily skin foundation and after using it for a week or so, I realised that I started breaking out in areas that I haven't before. The only change in my routine was the foundation so I was pretty devastated when I found it wouldn't work for my skin. 

It's a full coverage foundation,nice dewy finish and glides onto skin to blend. Would rate this a 6/10 as there isn't a shade for those with yellow undertone and for some reason it broke me out despite being made for those with combination/oily skin

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation

For a few years, the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation was my holy grail. Until they discontinued it and replaced it with the "improved formula." Bobbi Brown is also one of the few that are catered to those that have a yellow undertones so I was really really excited to try this foundation again. The reviews of it weren't that great but I thought, hey why not? I ordered this in shade 'natural - 4' as that was the previous shade I had.

A full coverage foundation with a pump lid. Lasts pretty much all day except the shade was definitely not for me. Perhaps I should've chosen a lighter color but I will definitely not repurchase this foundation again. I'm usually not so picky about the scent of my foundation but this has a pungent lavender scent. I'm not a big fan of lavender scent, especially in hand creams but this is even stronger. Just by opening the bottle, you are able to sniff the lavender scent.

Of course some reviews had warned me beforehand but I thought 'it can't be that bad right?" I was wrong. Would rate this product a 4/10, definitely not repurchasing this and now stuck with a mostly full bottle contemplating what to do - oh foundation woes!

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

This foundation is a squeeze bottle and has a slight vanilla sweet scent to it. I love the scent of sweet things so I actually liked it. Foundation blends quite easily and has a medium to full coverage.

My only complaint would be the shade seems more like an ivory and does not match my skin at all. 

Shu Umera Face Architect

I actually quite like this foundation as it is extremely easily to blend. It's a medium to full coverage foundation and despite being a shade too dark, I think if I had purchased the correct shade I would absolutely love this. Surprisingly, when it's not in natural light it seems to match my skin quite well. Definitely will repurchase and try it in another shade! Will definitely revisit this foundation, overall a 7/10. 

All of the above foundations have great coverage and last quite long during the day. The only downside is finding the right shade! Let me know your thoughts if you try any of them!

Review: Cyber Colors

Hi everyone! Today I want to review a range of products that I have been using for quite some time. I purchased this when we were in Singapore and have been using them since then! I am so amazed at the quality of the products that I decided to do a review of them. The brand I'm reviewing is Cyber Colors, I have seen their products on Sasa before and never thought twice about giving it a go. 

While shopping in Sasa we got a free make over and the products used were Cyber Colors. I decided to give it a go anyway. 

Gemstone Aqua-Base Pudding Foundation (SPF20 PA ++)

The product is stored in a solid glass container, it carries 30g of product with an open pot design. Inside the packaging it comes with a small spatula to scoop out the amount of product needed and can be washed for hygiene purposes. 

The texture of the foundation is a fluffy, pudding-like cream and blends easily onto the skin. The product is quite dense, even when tipping the container over, the product does not drip out. 

The foundation has quite an interesting scent. It reminds of me of those herbal/natural smells you can usually find with moisturisers.

I purchased the colour 02 Natural, when swatched the colour has more of a pink undertone. Although, when applying with a sponge to my face, the colour seems to match quite well. The coverage for this product is medium to full, although it is not recommended to start with less of the product and slowly building up areas that require more coverage. Skip the dark spots, acne or eye bags for the concealer. This foundation does a good job for cover dark spots and acne, on lazy days just powder on top and you're good to go.

Throughout the day, it is quite natural looking. It does not get dry or patchy throughout the day. So I would probably give this foundation a 7/10.

Gemstone Compact SPF 40 PA +++

The packaging for this is extremely adorable, it has little crystals at the top! This is definitely comparable to the MAC powders. Previously I used the Studio Fix Powder Foundation which has full coverage however, it tends to disintegrate during the day and you can see the patchy dry areas towards the end of the night. This product does not do the same thing, I use it as a powder on top of the foundation and a quick fix when I am heading out after work. This is the only thing I have been carrying in my bag! The only downside is it comes in 3 colours, the sales assistant at Sasa matched me to 01 Porcelain although I think it's a slightly too white for me. Overall a 7/10, the best powder foundation I have tried so far.

Waterproof Style Eyeliner 

This is my hg eyeliner, it is the only eyeliner that I have tried that lasts all day and night for me. From 6am - 8pm at night, this eyeliner does not budge. By far the best purchase I have made on the whole trip to Singapore. Only USD10 on Sasa.com, give it a try! It may be a bit difficult to use as first since the tip of brush is soft but definitely worth the trouble! Definitely a 9/10!

Gemstone Silk Glowing Rouge - Peach Yellow Brown

Received this as a complimentary gift from Sasa. It's more like a nude colour that just makes the lips look slightly more pink. Not really as long lasting as it claims nor moisturising. A slight let down, probably a 5/10. 

Follow us on Twitter (@MisaAvenue) or Instagram (@misaavenue) and let us know your thoughts on these products or if you have any questions!

HG Acne Gel - Dr Spot Invisible Spot Fighting Gel Review!

I bought this while we were in Singapore. I had a pretty bad acne reaction to the Sportsgirl Sunscreen on my face. Initially I was going to pick up the Origin's Pimple Gel. The Origin's Super Spot Remover was the one I was using before, it was the best one I have used until I found my HG one. I was going to pick it up in Singapore but it was even more expensive there, so I decided to try something new.

In Sephora, I saw the Dr Spot Invisible Spot-Fighting Gel by Soap & Glory. I bought it but I didn't really think it would work. Then as I used it in Singapore, I realised how amazing it was so I picked up one for back up! I had a swelling red hot pimple on my nose the other day and overnight it has diminished. I am super excited to share this product and I hope it works for you guys too. :) I wish i would have known about this product earlier so I could have gotten rid of these stubborn zits faster!

Pros: 

• does not dry out skin
• gets rid of acne really fast
• good price point

Unfortunately, I haven't seen this product on sale in Australia. I know we stock Soap&Glory under Kit Cosmetics but they don't seem to have it. Perhaps try one of the sellers on eBay!

Portman Polishes Review

Picked up these beautiful polishes from Portmans, they were $7.95 of 2 for $10. They had them near the counter and I was instantly drawn to the blue. Purchased two colours in Lilac and Alluring Midnight. I haven't seen anything quite like the shade of the blue that reflected in the bottle.

I have to say the Alluring Midnight looked prettier in the bottle than on my fingers, but is still a wonderful colour and only took 2 coats. The downside is it started chipping the next day and came off easily.

Surprisingly, the colour Lilac does not chip as easily and only required 2 coats. Overall, they are okay, I probably would not purchase their metallic range again considering how fast they chip.