Stila One Step Foundation

image from zappos.com

Price: $44 for 1oz

What they say:
"What it is:
A skin-loving makeup that combines the benefits of a primer, foundation, concealer, and powder in one long-wearing formula.

What it does:
This innovative, medium-coverage formula is energized with Stila's exclusive Ionic Mineral Complex™ that reads and reacts to skin zone-by-zone, visibly priming, balancing, correcting, and optimizing for a supremely flawless finish. Achieve a beautifully smooth look with this buildable, blendable, hydrating essential that minimizes pores, regulates oil, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Synthetic Fragrances"

What I say:
So far I'm liking this foundation/primer/powder/concealer product.  It's not the greatest, but I have seen much much worse (looking at you Revlon PhotoReady).

This product claims to be a primer, foundation, concealer and powder all in one.  While I wouldn't say outright that it is not any one of these things, what it is is a combination of an average one of each.  Average concealer, average primer, you get the idea.  So while you are saving time, and actually money (if you do use all of these steps each day), the overall effect that you are achieving is just okay, and could be done better with superior products.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not dissing this product.  In fact, for what it is trying to do, I would actually be praising it.  To be able to achieve so much in so little of an amount of time is really useful, and definitely has its place amongst the time constricted of us.

The texture of this product is whipped, like Maybelline's whipped blushes.  Personally, I think the texture of this product is the worst part about it.  Since it is whipped, it doesn't want to stay on a brush, making it hard to apply to your face without using your fingers.  So why don't you use your fingers, you might ask?  Because when I only have a minute to get foundation on, I don't want half of that time bring spent washing and drying my hands!  Once actually on the face it spreads out relatively easily, though because it likes to stick together, it can tend to all try and place itself on the same spot.  Something to watch out for.

The coverage of this is sheer to medium, I would say.  I could definitely see redness through it, and my undereye circles were ever present (though I always expect that one).  Basically, while I would say it conceals at all, it does a pretty bad job of it.  I had to apply a second layer around my nose just to cover the redness that I happened to have there.

This product is chock full of silicones, but so far I have not reacted to them.  I am waiting to see if I do or not, because depending on the product, and the actually size of the particles, sometimes I don't react.  The silicone is how this product achieves the "powder-like" part of the formula.  Once the foundation dries, what is left is a powder finish, which is quite nice.  I heard some talk about transfer being a problem with this product, but personally have not had a problem with that.

Lasting power was okay.  I only wear foundation for short periods of time, usually, and in this case it was only 5 hours before I took it off.  It definitely was still there, I didn't get oily through it (which means that the oil control must be decent), and it didn't slide.

Last couples things: colors, and price.

Colorwise, this product is meh.  I got both the lightest and second lightest shades of this, and both seemed to be okay for me (I guess I fall in between), but both were yellowish.  Whilst I do have a pink undertone, I can sometimes pull off a more yellow foundation, depending on the amount present, and what I was pairing with it.  With this, I had to wear bronzer with the lightest shade, which according to Stila doesn't even have a yellow undertone!  I definitely fear for women with more pink in their skin than I have, and really wish more companies would realize that yellow is not always flattering (looking at you Bobbi Brown).

Price for this is... not good.  While I did say that it was okay earlier, this was based on a "this is my only foundation/concealer/powder/primer" standpoint.  If you have decent skin that doesn't need a lot of concealer (which is the one thing I think this thing doesn't do even average), and you are thinking of just buying this, and nothing else, then the price is okay, since it breaks down to just $11 for each thing in it, and you aren't buying anything else.  If you are like most people, and you are thinking of using this as a sometimes, not always foundation, than the price is absurd.  For $44 you can get MUFE HD, and have change left over (and MUFE at least has a color selection than includes those of us who are not yellow undertone).  Also, this product claims to have a shelf of just 6 months after first use, according to the sticker.  This actually surprised me, since the product is in a tube, and it looks to be an airtight design.  Are the minerals just that unstable, and if so, than how does it last long enough on the shelf until someone purchases it in the first place?

I happened to get both of mine on a massive sale (one of them without a box, but new, and the other on an overstock site).  Total for both I paid less than the cost of one, but that was just luck and timing.  If I had to repurchase at the regular price, I would not even consider it an option.  If I found the same deal again, I would think about it, since the time I save would be worth it.

Overall:
Product: 3.5-4/5 (depending on the need for concealer)
Price: 2-4/5 (depending on if you are using this as a supplementary or a primary product)

Korres Ginger and Vitamins Foundation

Price: $28 for 1.35 fl oz

What they say:
"Lightweight, water-based tinted moisturizer leaves skin perfectly hydrated while minimizing imperfections, boosting antioxidant protection and leaving skin with a healthy glow.
• Formulated for all skin types, Ginger and vitamins formula gives sheer to medium build-able coverage with a creamy finish and built-in sun protection
• Ginger extract improves skin tone and clarity while calming and soothing redness and irritation
• Vitamin C significantly diminishes fine lines, hyperpigmentation and resurfaces skin, revealing a soft and radiant complexion • Vitamin E, a potent anti-oxidant, defends skin against free radical damaging while also providing moisture "

What I say:
I really like this stuff!  I had been interested in buying this product for a while, but could not justify the price of $28 for only 1.35 fl oz.  While 1.35 fl oz is more than MUFE HD foundation, for instance, and the price is also less, at least MUFE I can test out in person, while I was flying solo with this foundation.  After reading many reviews online, and finding a nice coupon for a percentage off retail, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase this in color LF1, which sounded the closest to my skin tone (MUFE 115, MAC NW20).

First off, this foundation is more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation, which is hilarious, because their Watermelon Tinted Moisturizer (which I also purchased, but am waiting for summer to use) is more like a foundation than a tinted moisturizer.  Basically, if you want something light, go with the foundation, if you want something more medium, go with the tinted moisturizer.

The color selection could be worse for this product, but I goes look like it runs more on the light side, and more neutral to yellow than a lot of brands.  This does make sense, though, if you look at the history of the company, and the fact that it runs more Mediterranean in its colors than other brands.  The foundation is so blendable, though, that a little color mistake should not be that much of a problem.

Ginger and Vitamin's texture is kinda runny, wet, blend-able, and smooth.  Applying this with your fingers is incredibly easy, and unlike Revlon's PhotoReady foundation, this did not accentuate my dry spots like a neon sign.  It does cover redness decently well, but areas that have a lot of red, like around the nose, and acne scars, will need a concealer to cover.  This takes a moment to sink in, but when it does, it stays put, and is hard to notice.


The finish is like skin, and I did not notice needing a powder to prevent fading, though it has been rather cold here, so I haven't been sweating.  This foundation stayed on all day with no problem, and also removed very easily.  The smell is not that pleasant, but it isn't horrible, and fades away really quickly.

The container for this is wonderful.  It doesn't look like you get that much, but remember, unlike many foundations, this doesn't have a large lid, pump, or a thick outer container.  This is a wonderful container for travel, since it takes so little room, so you can easily bring it with you for touch-ups.


I think the best thing about this foundation is how nice my skin felt after I took it off.  My skin was soft, the redness I have on my cheeks actually looked diminished, and my skin felt more... nourished?  Hard to describe.  I had heard other people say something along these lines, but I had not believed them.  I really should have, because I would have bought this a long time ago.  The fact that this also has SPF in it, though not a lot, is a nice touch.  I already use SPF in my moisturizer, so this is not a replacement, but every little bit helps.

Overall, I really like this, and wish I had listened to others and bought it before now.  The price is kinda high, but compared to other brands, I guess it's a mid-high end, and on par.  The container is nice, the foundation is great, but the color selection could have more pink and dark selections.  Still, with how sheer this is, the color selection could be worse.  I highly suggest getting a sample if you can.

4/5

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation

Price: $13.99 for 1 fl oz (30 ml)

What they say:
"Revlon PhotoReady™ Makeup - for poreless, airbrushed skin in any light. Photochromatic pigments bend and reflect light to erase every flaw. Complete, yet undetectable coverage. Soft, luminous finish.

- Oil free
- Fragrance free
- SPF 20"

What I say:
Initial impressions:
I got this foundation during a Buy One Get One Free offer from CVS, and since I didn't have anything else to get, I got two shades: 002 Vanilla, and 003 Shell.  Both of them work, surprisingly, but what is strange to me is that Vanilla seems to be more sheer than Shell.  With Shell, my redness is just gone, with Vanilla it is lessened, but not completely gone.  Strange that Shell acts like a foundation, and Vanilla acts more like a tinted moisturizer.  So far have not noticed the "Cullen" affect, as some people call it, but it is so overcast today that it just could be because there is no sun out.  The foundation applied evenly with fingers, and dried to a nice finish.  Not dewy, not matte, either, just kinda skin-like.  It does show any dry patches easily, so moisturizing beforehand is a must.  Came off easily with my cleansing oil, but what doesn't?

Second attempt:
Man, do not apply this in a rush with your fingers unless you are really used to this formula.  This definitely looked like makeup when I did that, and I had to remove it and start over (which did not help the rush, hehe).  Definitely my fault, I think.  Shaking the bottle really heavily before application on 002 Vanilla seemed to help with the liquidy-ness of the product, something that I did not have to do to 003 Shell (I mean as much, of course).  Noticed the shimmers that people are talking about only at a certain angle while making an extremely stupid face, hehe.  I have heard some speculation that Revlon actually released two formulations of this foundation as a test, and that some areas got the more shimmery one, while others got a much less shimmery formulation.  This would explain the mixed reviews, and also explain why the colors that sold out faster and were replaced (most likely with the less shimmery formula that people liked) have been getting better reviews later in the release.

Later attempts:
The more I use this, the more it becomes apparent that this foundation is the mortal enemy of dead skin flakes.  Seriously, if you think you have no flakes, put this foundation on, and then give yourself a look in the mirror.  Finish is still nice, if it isn't putting a neon sign to dry patches, but I think it is a little cakey at times.  Tried to use a kabuki, fingers, and damp sponge.  So far, the brush seems to be the winner.

Final conclusions:
I wish I could find my receipt to return this product, but I think my husband recycled it when I wasn't looking.  I'm not saying this product is horrible, it just doesn't work for me.  The color selection is decent enough, and since it is so sheer, you can get away with a color not being perfect, as long as it is kinda close to begin with.  The shimmer effect that people talk about online seems to be a batch to batch issue, and personally I have not had a problem with either bottles that I bought.  Yes, I did go outside in full sunlight.  Yes, I did try flash.  Maybe I got lucky?  Who knows.

The finish is like a more matte foundation with an illuminator underneath it, or perhaps something like Vanilla pigment mixed in a little.  Like I stated before, I might have gotten lucky with the batch that I bought, but that's what it seemed like to me.  The foundation stayed on all day for me, but there was a little fading around the T-zone.  Layering blush, powder, highlighter, and bronzer, did not cause cakeyness most of the time, but I do highly suggest letting this foundation sit before doing so.  Layering concealer, on the other hand, sometimes lead to a nightmare situation where I would get a cakey problem going on, and smoothing it out just made it look worse.

I think the worst thing about this foundation is how it reacted to any patchiness or dry skin on my face.  It would gather onto that patch and look absolutely horrible, much worse than any other foundation that I have ever tried.  Using a damp sponge to apply didn't seem to help, and neither did using a sponge afterwards to blend it out.  Absolutely horrible.  Seriously, I almost feel like I should use this to find spots on my face that I didn't exfoliate, but I would have to rub my skin raw to get it to the point this foundation would work.

Like I stated before, I really with I could find my receipt, since $14 for this foundation (and remember what I said before, I bought two) is way, way too much.  In the meantime, though, I am probably going to give my mother the darker on, and use the lighter one under my eyes as an illuminator, since it seems like it would work well like that.  Maybe in the summer, when my skin seems to be in a little better condition, I will try using this again, but in the meantime, I think it is an overhyped foundation that the makers did not test correctly (shimmer), and that does not favor people who don't have perfect skin to begin with (dry patch gathering and sheerness).

2/5

Max Factor Pan-Stick

image from drugstore.com

Price: $6.50-8.00 for .5oz, depending on seller

What they say:
"Get full coverage with a soft, dewy finish. Pan-Stik Ultra Creamy Makeup uses a high-tech formula to cleverly conceal pigmentations and skin imperfections while giving you maximum coverage for a flawless complexion with no caking."

What I say:
Day 1.5 (I actually tested this before for color, and didn't break out from it, so kept going):
So far, so good.  I used a MAC 187 to swipe some out of the container, and then blend it on my face.  The coverage was great, did not look fake, and blended quite well.  I topped with MUFE (Make Up For Ever) HD Microfinish Powder, also with the same 187, which had almost no product on it after using such a light coating.  While it does cover wonderfully, I still needed Bobbi Brown's Corrector in Light Bisque (dark circles of doom), but the two layered beautifully.

By the "end" of the day (I put this on at 7am, and took it off at 4pm, so 9 hours... really? o_O) I did not notice any creasing, fading, flaking (except my eye, but that's a whole 'nother story, and nothing against this at all), or transfer to clothing.  I took this off with a combination of Jane Iradale's "Magic Mitt" (which I am also testing, seems to work so far) and my usual nightly cleanser.  Seemed to come off easily.  Now to play the waiting game...

Day 3(of wearing, not total) Still no breakouts.  I waited a number of days between applications in case breakouts would be caused by inadequate cleansing, or other factors (ex, that time of the month).  Still covers well, and still need a transparent powder on top.  I don't really mind this, since it helps control oil, and makes it last longer.

Day 5  Loving this still.  Had to travel with it, which is where this foundation shines.  Being just a larger than lipstick tube, it handles travel like a champ.  Since it is also opaque, it really cuts down on how much you have to bring, since it can double as concealer.

Overall, I'm still liking.  Usually I break out from things that have too much silicone, or too many petroleum products (blame my genes on those).  This has no silicone, but the first ingredient is mineral oil.  I have combination skin, and had absolutely no problem with it (very rare).  Even though it is a cream, it can accentuate dry skin, so exfoliate if that is a problem for you.  The color selection is a but meh.  I was able to find a very good match with Natural, but Nude Ivory might be a better bet in the Winter (I'm actually not sure of that, since the number is higher, but I have heard that Nude Ivory is lighter from some people).  A lot of the colors learn towards cool/pink, but some of them are warm.

I really wish Max Factor wasn't leaving the US in early 2010.  This is a great product, but I don't think importing it would be worth it, because of shipping.  Maybe it would be, though, if you got a CP, and bought some other stuff along with it.

4.5/5  Took off .5 for mediocre color selection.

Rimmel Stay Matte Clarifying Matte Foundation

 

image from rimmellondon.com

Price: $6.99 1 fl oz.

What they say:
"Rimmel introduces new Stay Matte Clarifying Matte Foundation, a fluid, shine-free formula that leaves your skin looking flawless and fresh for 12 hours. Stay Matte Foundation is formulated with SKINPURE™ Complex: a gentle dose of salicylic acid, a known skin clarifying ingredient, and botanical extracts which help purify skin and minimize the appearance of pores, leaving you with a visibly purified complexion. 12 hours of comfort and confidence.

Go ahead and give your skin an immediate and much-needed confidence boost with this fantastic foundation. It’s the ultimate pick-me-up."

What I say:
This particular product, along with the primer, came to me at a sale at CVS (used to be Longs), when I was bored and waiting for a nearby office to open. I had heard mixed reviews on this foundation, but decided to try it out anyway.

As of this writing, I have just applied for the first time, so I cannot tell you how long it lasts, if it creases, oil-slicks, nothing. I can, however, tell you my first impressions. So far, while not being the best foundation I have ever used, it is not the worst. This foundation has a sheer to maybe medium if I applied it on thick coverage, so I would say it's along the lines of a tinted moisturizer with more coverage, and less moisturizer. The color (in this case, 100, Ivory) was pretty good, but a little yellow. I would have liked the lightest, pinkest foundation to have less yellow to it, but since it applies so sheer, I guess it's not all bad (especially for its price).  This foundation isn't the easiest to blend/spread, but it's not the hardest....  I guess what I'm trying to say so far is that this is an overall C, maybe C+ student foundation.  It's not going to surprise you, but it's not going to disappoint you, either.  Given that it is a drugstore brand, and how cheap you can get it, though, I would have to bump it up to a B because of effort.  If I got something like this from, say, Shiseido, I would be quite angry, but I paid a little over $4 for the thing, so what can I really say.  The finish is matte, and I didn't have to apply powder to get rid of the shinies you sometimes get, but weither this is a good or bad thing has yet to be seen, since the extra layer of powder can help make the foundation stay on.

Past first impressions: This stuff melts off.  Now, I will give it the benefit of the doubt here, since it is summer, I was at a BBQ, and it did fade gracefully, but it melts.  Also, it melted on me in the "here's your pores!" fashion, but everything does ;P (I don't mean settle in).  I wore this from 3pm to 9pm, and there was very little, if any, left in the end.  It didn't crease, so that's something.

So, overall, this is a decent foundation, especially for its price.  I don't think I will purchase again, but I can say that if you need something cheap, you could do worse.

3/5