28/04/2014

Liquid Perfection?

Hello friendlies! Recently I was sent a few Arbonne products to review, one of which was a foundation. I've already reviewed a couple of their products here, and have one more in the pipeline. The foundation I'm reviewing today is the Arbonne Perfecting Liquid foundation*. I was quite excited to receive this as I've heard pretty good things about it, and it's been a while since I'd tried a new foundation!





































































































































The foundation is packaged in a nice sturdy, plastic bottle with a very nice pump that doesn't get too grubby due to its nozzle (handy!). I actually like that the bottle is plastic because it's not too heavy nor will it crack/break if you drop it. The way the foundation is dispensed is through one of those plastic pusher-uppers (clearly not in with the lingo) which is good because it means you get all the foundation out and there isn't any left hanging out on the sides!

Onto the formula! On the scale of liquid foundations, the Perfecting Liquid foundation* has a thicker, more creamy liquid consistency - one that doesn't easily go running all willy nilly. It still blends very easily with a brush and especially with fingers, or my latest love - a sponge. The coverage is a good medium and slightly buildable, though I find it can tend to look slightly heavy when built up, especially if it's not blended well into the skin. I find I like one layer with a tad more over particular problem areas and that's just about the most coverage I really want. It's finish is definitely satin-matte, where it's definitely not matte or dry looking, but it also isn't really dewy at all. I actually really like the finish because it looks quite 'normal' and skinlike. I was actually most impressed with the wear time and longevity of this foundation. I found it lasted a good eight hours without getting oily (set with a powder, of course - but no primer). After a while, I do get a wee bit shiny on the nose (as I typically do) but in my other 'shiny' areas like the forehead, I was actually looking pretty good, with only the slightest 'healthy glow' coming through. I also found the foundation didn't break up or wear off weirdly at all.

The shade I have called Honey Beige is actually one or two shades too pale for me. I did get away with wearing it alone once but I had to heavily bronze up my face, even then I still looked a tad ghostly. I have since been mixing it in with my Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation in True Nude which is my darkest foundation. Their textures are quite similar, but their finishes differ. Wake Me Up is quite a bit more glowy, so a mix of the two is really nice and gives a healthy skin finish. Although it's too pale, because it's quite yellow toned I can work with it. Perhaps if/when I lighten up during this coming winter (WINTER IS COMING) I'll be able to use it alone, however mixing it has been quite good as I actually get some use out of that Rimmel foundation!

All in all, I think this really is an amazing all rounder foundation that I think would suit many skin types - and a foundation that I really cannot fault. I actually think it's worth the rather steep price tag of AUD$56, and is definitely a foundation I recommend if it's within your price range.

*Product was sent for consideration.