CoverGirl: Simply Ageless
CoverGirl Simply Ageless
This is the latest (and most affordable version) of the new group of foundations being released that also contain anti-aging serums. Having this kind of product combination seems like a good idea for women who find it time consuming or difficult to apply a foundation and facial serum separately. But I do wonder if a using a foundation with serum will provide the same level of protection against aging that applying a serum and then a foundation does.
Covergirl’s serum partner is Olay, a company whose anti-aging products have been shown in studies to be more or just as effective as serums several times its cost. If you don’t have sensitivities to Talc or Titanium Dioxide this should work well. For whatever reason, Olay’s anti-aging products with Niacinamide have always broken me out. As for shades, this comes in the same ones as all the other Covergirl foundations. There’s a wide range for women across the skin color spectrum. But, as usual, the foundation makes a huge jump from Tawny and Toasted Almond to the much darker Sable. Plus, the darker shades have an orange undertone typical of drugstore cosmetics.
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide
Other Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Ozokerite, Acetyl Glucosamine, Silica, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sorbitan Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Panthenol, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Stearic Acid, Methicone, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide
Cost: $15.99
GIORGIO ARMANI: Face Fabric UPDATE
Giorgio Armani Face Fabric
I couldn’t resist the temptation. After salivating over Face Fabric for awhile, I decided to purchase it and see how it works. The verdict: I LOVE it!!! I found shade #7 too dark and orange when I tested it on my hand, so I purchased #6, which has a yellow undertone. I’ve been using it for about four weeks and it hasn’t broken me out.
As many people have pointed out, this foundation doesn’t cover very dark marks. A concealer is definitely needed if you have skin discolorations. But Face Fabric truly makes the skin look like it’s poreless. Only a pea size drop is needed to get the effect, so this foundation should last a long time. I’ve found it works best when I use a foundation brush to apply it.
I love how light Face Fabric feels on my face, particularly in the middle of summer when it has been so hot and humid. I get oily during the day, particularly in the T-zone area, and this product controls that in 60- to 70-degree weather. I’ve had mixed experiences with wear when it’s really hot and humid. Sometimes Face Fabric seems to cling to my skin no matter what the weather. At other times it seems to fade. Nevertheless, this has replaced Lancome’s Maquicomplet and Vincent Longo’s Tinted Moisturizer in my makeup arsenal.
Active Ingredient, Octinoxate 2%.
Inactive ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium Stearoul Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide. May contain: Mica, Red 36, Yellow 5 Lake, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide.
Italics=potentially comedogenic or irritating ingredients.
Cost: $45
MAYBELLINE NEW YORK: Dream Matte Mousse
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse
Since Maybelline had just released a drugstore version of Lancome’s mousse-like Magique Matte foundation, I decided to test the cheaper one out first. The ingredients of the two foundations are fairly similar, but by no means exact. This product, for instance, contains Squalane, while Lancome’s version does not. Unfortunately, I – much later – discovered that my skin doesn’t seem to like Squalane. I’m not sure if that was the ingredient that made me break out, but something in this foundation did.
Maybelline actually created a nice range of shades for this product. Light Beige, Sandy Beige, Natural Beige, Pure Beige, Medium Beige, Honey Beige, Tan, Toffee, Caramel, and Cocoa should work for women of color from the light- to dark-skinned spectrum. However, the foundation may not work for all brown-skinned girls. The Toffee is for light-skinned, yellow undertoned women, the caramel works for medium brown skin with a yellow/orange undertone and the Cocoa is a reddish orange for chocolate brown women. If your skin doesn’t fall into those parameters, you’re out of luck.
Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Squalane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Methylparaben, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, BHT, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben. May contain: Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxides CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491, Bismuth Oxychloride CI 77163, Mica.
Cost: $9.49
LANCOME: Magique Matte
Lancome Magique Matte
I think it’s fascinating (and educational) to look at the differences in ingredients between high- and low-end products. It gives consumers a good sense of what constitutes a high-end formulation and (if you do a bit more digging) why certain ingredients achieve that high-end status. Fairly soon after Lancome released it’s Magique Matte foundation, a silicone-heavy foundation that had a mousse-like consistency, Maybelline came out with its Dream Matte Mousse line.
Magique Matte covered skin discolorations and uneveness well. Like many makeup primers, this is a silicone-rich product. But I don’t think it had much of an effect on hiding my pores, decreasing facial oiliness or making the foundation last longer, as some makeup primers do. It was also difficult to find a shade match with the Lancome foundation. Bisque 5, Bisque 6, Suede 2 and Suede 4 should work for women of color. Yet, as is the case with Lancome generally, the Suede shades tend to have a liberally dose of orange in them. Even if the product hadn’t broken me out, I think I would have had to move on because the shade didn’t complement my skin color.
Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Diisostearate Malate, Polydecene, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silyate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Isobutylparaben, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, BHT. May Contain: Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Mica.
Cost: $37
LANCOME: Effacernes
Lancome Effacernes
I’m a big fan of Lancome’s Maquicomplet, but I’ve never really mentioned its popular waterproof undereye concealer, Effacernes. One reason why is because Effacernes contains Talc and Titanium Dioxide, both ingredients that I personally can’t use because they seem to irritate my skin. I’m also beginning to wonder if Hexylene Glycol, a mildly comedogenic ingredient also found in the Maquicomplet, is causing problems for me.
Another reason I never got into this concealer was the limited shade range. When I was thinking of purchasing Effacernes a few years ago, there wasn’t a shade that would work with my skin. Lancome seems to have addressed that by adding Bronze IV and Suede to the lineup. But as is always the case with Lancome, the new darker shades have heavy orange undertones. Those who can find a shade that works should give Effacernes a try. This concealer wins raves from those who use it.
Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Talc, Ozokerite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hexylene Glycol, Honey, Tocopherol, Urea, Stearic Acid, Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Polydihydroxyindole, Acrylates Copolymer, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidxidesinyl Urea. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
Cost: $27.50
PRESCRIPTIVES: Anywear Multi-Purpose Makeup Stick SPF 15
Prescriptives Anywear Makeup Stick
I imagine this is an updated version of Prescriptives discontinued Exact Matchstick, a product I once considered purchasing. I can’t remember why I resisted the Matchstick, but it definitely didn’t have to do with finding a compatible color. Prescriptives sells a really nice range of shades for a wide group of women.
I would definitely try the Anywear Stick if it didn’t contain the Titanium Dioxide. But unfortunately it does and, as such, it’s sure to break me out. Silica can irritate skin as well.
Active ingredients: Octinoxate 5%, Titanium Dioxide 2.90%
Other ingredients: Di-PPG-3-Myristy Ether Adipate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Tribehenin, C20-40 Alcohols, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ozokerite, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Oryzanol, Aluminum Stearate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sorbitan Laurate, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Stearic Acid, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI77492, CI 77499).
Italics=potentially comedogenic or irritating ingredients.
Cost: $35
BENEFIT: Play Sticks
Benefit Play Sticks
I’ve always been curious about Benefit products but have never tried them because, judging by the vast array of products available, the company targets an audience that’s paler than I am. Yet I recently discovered that a few of their foundations do have shades for women in the medium to dark skin color range. One I am considering trying is the Play Stick. Shades such as Paperdolls, Hide & Seek, Jump Rope, Hopscotch and Teeter Totter offer a lot of options for women of color.
The formula is very silicone heavy, yet aside from the Hydrated Silica, doesn’t contain ingredients that are particularly comedogenic. Some women do have reactions to silicone-based products like this one however, so tread carefully. Unfortunately, it also contains fragrance, which I didn’t notice when I sampled the product at Sephora. Fragrance can sometimes irritate skin.
Ingredients: Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Octanoate, Polyethylene, Polymethyl methacrylate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Hydrated Silica. Contains Less Than 1% Concentrate: Silica, HDI/Trimethylol hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Green Tea (Carnellia Oleifera) Extract, Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis) Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHT, Bisabolol, Ginko Biloba Extract, Lecithin, Fragrance. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride.
Italics=potentially comedogenic or irritating ingredients.
Cost: $32
KLS BEAUTY: Foundation Stick
KLS Beauty Foundation Stick
I personally wouldn’t use this makeup because of the presence of Talc and Zinc Oxide. But the foundation stick also contains Isopropyl Palmitate, a very comedogenic ingredient. If you have normal skin that tends not to breakout, then try it. Otherwise it may be best to give this one a pass.
Ingredients: Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Talc, Copernicia Cerifera Wax (Carnauba), Tricaprylin, Isostearyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isopropyl Lanolate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax (Candelilla), Isopropyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Magnesium Carbonate, Ozokerite, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter (Mango), Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter (Cocoa), Persea Gratissima Butter (Avocado), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 88491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
Italics=potentially comedogenic or irritating ingredients.
Cost: $24
VINCENT LONGO: Light Canvas Tinted Moisturizer
Vincent Longo Light Canvas Tinted Moisturizer
I had to go on a brief search for a new foundation after someone told me that the Kaolin in my former Holy Grail foundation, Nars Oil Free, contains titanium dioxide. This tinted moisturizer, which was introduced last year, quickly became a dependable replacement. It looks very natural looking, while providing buildable coverage. It also doesn’t leave the skin slick and oily by the end of the day as the Nars unfortunately did.
I’ve been using the Vincent Longo TM for three weeks, and it hasn’t broken me out. But I spoke to someone at Vincent Longo recently and she told me they’re reformulating this product by adding one new ingredient. It’s out of stock in many places now. I just hope that the new ingredient doesn’t irritate my skin. The only negative comment I have about this TM concerns its strong orange undertone. But the shades are very forgiving and adaptable, so I think every woman of color could find a shade that works.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 8.00%, Octisalate 4.00%, Oxybenzone 3.00%
Ingredients: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, C20-100 Alkyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ethylene Brossylate, Propylene Glycol, DEA-Cetyl Phosphate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Tocopheryl Acetate, C20-C22 Alcohols, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Diazolidinyl Urea, Propylparaben, Methylparaben. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Bismuth Oxychloride, Mica (CI 77019), Carmine (CI 75470)
Italics=potentially comedogenic or irritating ingredients.
Cost: $38
LAURA MERCIER: Stick Foundation SPF 15
Laura Mercier Stick Foundation
I recently went on a search for a new foundation and this stick was one I decided to explore further. It contains a lot of ingredients – Vitamins A, C and E, plus Coenzyme Q10 – that are really healthy for the skin. One of my concerns was the stick’s inclusion of the ingredient squalane, which I suspect breaks me out. But I was willing to try it since other products containing squalane that I’ve had problems with listed the ingredient higher.
I also worried about this product’s color. Amber was the darkest shade; on the Mercier website, it looked like it would work best on women with golden or caramel skin. However, the Sephora website claimed that Amber is for “medium to dark skin with golden undertones.” I had to visit a department store to investigate the product further. When I looked at the stick in the store, my fears were confirmed: it was too light for me. Then the saleswoman held up a foundation in a hideous orange shade that she claimed would match my skin. I recoiled in horror and politely passed on the offer.
Active Ingredient: Octinoxate 3.5%,
Ingredients: Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyethylene Isohexadecane, Synthetic Wax, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Squalane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Lauroyl Lysine, Pearl Powder, Ozokerite, Tribehenin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bisabolol, Coenzyme Q10, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Boron Nitride, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).
Italics=potentially comedogenic ingredients.
Cost: $40
MultiFACEted Cosmetics 