Showing posts with label Artdeco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Artdeco. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Artdeco Camouflage Cream – Review & swatches

The Camouflage Cream promises superior coverage. Does it work? Let's find out!

Camouflage Cream
Waterproof cover cream for every skin type to cover red veins, pigmented moles, port-wine stains, tattoos, etc.

Camouflage Cream covers flaws in the skin perfectly and reliably and is ideal for special occasions, like photographic- or bridal make-up. All colors can be mixed with each other which means the skin color can be matched exactly. The Camouflage Cream is also an ideal long-term make-up and lasts well even if the surrounding temperature is high. The cover can be light or heavy - depending on the amount applied and gets waterproof after fixing powder has been applied. It is very practical because Camouflage Creams are available separately, can be combined individually in the refillable magnetic box and those that have been used up can be replaced.

Application
After moisturizing, remove a little Camouflage with a spatula, mix or soften on the back of the hand. Then apply thinly and evenly, using a slightly moistened latex sponge, and blend in at edges. Perfectly concealed: To neutralize redness such as couperose or scars, use Camouflage no. 1. Numbers 2 and 8 are ideal for covering up pigmentation marks and blue-tinted areas. If necessary, mix two color shades together. To make sure that the shade of make-up matches the skin tone exactly, always test the shade in a small area of the face, e. g. the cheek or where chin joins neck. Then apply fixing powder.

Artdeco Camouflage Cream
Artdeco Camouflage Cream (L-R): 03 Iced Coffee & 02 Neutralizing Yellow
Artdeco Camouflage Cream (L-R): 03 Iced Coffee & 02 Neutralizing Yellow
Artdeco Camouflage Cream Swatch (L-R): 03 Iced Coffee & 02 Neutralizing Yellow
My thoughts
I am actually quite pleasantly surprised with it. My first reaction when I saw these was the total opposite of how I feel about them now. At first, I said to myself, these wouldn’t work for me. It would look so cakey and awful; I would hardly ever be using that on my face. Not that my early assumption was incorrect, I still do believe cream concealers have a tendency to cake up if not applied properly. The key to perfect non-cakey coverage is in fact applying it in thin layers.

Ok, enough with the application; let’s talk about the shades. I have got two shades: 02 Neutralizing Yellow & 03 Iced Coffee. Both are pigmented, long wearing and provide medium to full coverage. 02 Neutralizing Yellow is perfect for brightening under eye or concealing dark spots around the mouth. I have slight pigmentation on both sides of my lips so I tried this one to see if it works for me. It does cover the dark spots and I am really glad. I tried hiding that nasty pimple on my face the other day with 03 Iced Coffee and boy was I surprised! It hid the spot perfectly. I tried concealing my dark circles with it too but sadly, it didn’t do much there. You can also mix two shades together to make your own unique match.

The only thing that worries me is the texture which is thick, slightly drying however creamy enough to spread. It has an inclination to highlight dryness, accentuate fine lines and crease under the eyes so be sure to moisturize in advance and set with a powder after application. What I like to do is that I take out a tiny amount of the product with my finger and then rub on the back of my hand to warm it up. After that, I pat gently on the desired area. This way it blends fast and doesn’t get cakey.

Overall, I think the product does its job well.

You might like it if…
  • It offers medium to full coverage
  • You expect it to hide blemishes (for 03 Iced Coffee)
  • You expect it to conceal pigmentation around your mouth (for 02 Neutralizing Yellow)
  • You wish to brighten your under eye (for 02 Neutralizing Yellow)
You might not like it if…
  • You apply all at once rather doing in layers thus making it appear cakey
  • It highlights dryness and other fine lines
My rating
3.5/5

Artdeco Camouflage Cream is priced at PKR 690 and can be purchased online at Just4girls.pk. If you live in Karachi, you can spot Artdeco at Agha’s, Farid, Naheed supermarket and Scentsation outlet in Dolmen Mall Clifton. For more details, catch Artdeco Pakistan on Facebook.

What do you think about it? Have you tried it?


PR sample(s) sent for review. This however has not affected my opinion at all. My loyalty is to my readers and being honest is my utmost responsibility. I have given my sincere opinion about the product(s) mentioned in the post. For more details, please go through my Disclosure Policy.

If you have any questions, you can have a look at FAQ or email me on info@sarahassansblog.com.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Artdeco Skin Perfecting Make-up Base Silicone-free – Review

I've seen people who complain that a silicone-based primer doesn't suit them. Some say it breaks them out while some seem to have sensitivity to it. Given that there aren't any silicone-free primers available locally, I was pretty excited to try this one out.

Skin Perfecting Makeup Base
Foundation primer with a skin-smoothing effect. The Skin Perfecting Makeup Base has a ultra-light, gel texture that goes onto the skin like a delicate silk veil. It creates an ideal foundation for long-lasting makeup. The mattifying, serum-like texture with special polymers smooths the complexion, enhancing it's appearance, refines pores, fills out fine lines and wrinkles and does not dry out the skin. Vitamin E and a special mineral complex nourishes the skin. Suitable for any skin type, even sensitive.

Free of fragrances, silicon and parabens.

How to apply?
Apply from the centre of the face outwards in light upward motions with your fingers.
Artdeco Skin Perfecting Make-up Base
Artdeco Skin Perfecting Make-up Base
Artdeco Skin Perfecting Make-up Base
Artdeco Skin Perfecting Make-up Base
 Artdeco Skin Perfecting Make-up Base Silicone-free
My thoughts
I quite liked this product the first time I tried it. I loved how feather-light it felt on my skin and didn’t add any extra oil to my T-zone by the end of the day. My sister, who has an oily skin, experienced the same but she noticed something really off-putting that I had inadvertently missed – the pilling. The next time I put it, I observed closely and I did notice tiny balls rolled up near my forehead and mouth. I didn’t use too much (just a pea-size for the entire face) neither did I wear any moisturizer beneath it. I thought perhaps it won’t happen if I avoid using fingers for applying foundation but to no avail. However, applying with a kabuki brush didn’t cause makeup to ball up as badly as with fingers. I also let it sink in for ten minutes before wearing foundation but that didn't help much though it wasn't as bad this time. I figured the best way you could prevent that is to not let it ‘set’ because it forms an invisible film which flakes off upon applying makeup if it’s dried completely, if that makes any sense.

The product claims to enhance skin’s appearance, fill out fine lines/wrinkles and refine pores. Quite frankly, I don’t think it does any of that. It doesn’t perfect pores like a silicone primer would but what’s good is that it doesn’t leave your skin with a suffocating feel which makes it comfortable to use on everyday basis. Plus, it doesn’t clog pores (which stimulates sebum production) so I’ve had absolutely no breakouts with it. It’s not truly fragrance-free as I can detect a mild alcohol-like scent but it fades away fairly quickly.

As you can see, it’s almost a transparent gel so it doesn’t pass on any tint to the skin. Initially, it feels a bit tacky with a slight glow on my skin but soon as it sets, it doesn’t feel that way. But as I mentioned earlier, I don’t let it set and start applying my foundation immediately while it’s still a little wet and finish off with light dusting of setting powder. Since it's not a silicone primer, obviously I don’t get that silky slip but I do see my foundation clings onto it a bit better than bare skin. If used correctly, this primer does seem to work as a binding medium between your skin and the foundation hence stretch the wear time by a few extra hours but nothing dramatic.

Even though it says it’s suitable for all skin types, I don’t think it’s a good choice for those with dry to normal skin type since it doesn't really moisturize. Also, because it turns semi-matte after a while, it may give a taut feeling to dry skin. I have no complaints about the packaging; the pump works well and dispenses the exact quantity you’d require.

Taking everything into account, I’d say this is an okay primer because it doesn’t do much for pores and fine lines which is sad because it doesn’t feel like an extra layer underneath my foundation which I love about it. Plus, you'd need to work with it in a specific manner to avoid foundation from balling up. On the other hand, it could actually work as a decent base for anyone with combination/oily skin sensitive to silicone or someone who breaks out with silicone-based primers. Whether you’d like it or not totally depends on how you use it and what you expect from it. Nonetheless, it doesn't entirely live up to its name.

You might like it if...
  • You have combination to oily skin type
  • It feels light & comfortable on the skin
  • It doesn't clog pores/cause breakouts
  • It helps improve the wear of your foundation 
  • Your skin is sensitive to silicone-based primers
  • You find the pump bottle hygienic & comfortable to use 
You might not like it if...
  • You have dry to normal skin type
  • You expect it to minimize the look of pores
  • You expect it to blur fine lines/wrinkles
  • You apply foundation over it & it flakes off
  • You apply too much product
  • You expect it to control oil/mattify 
My rating

2.5/5


Artdeco Skin Perfecting Make-up Base costs PKR 1790 and can be purchased from leading superstores. Join Artdeco Pakistan on Facebook to get the latest updates. Folks abroad can buy it online from Beautybay.com.

What do you think about it? Have you tried it?


PR sample(s) sent for review. This however has not affected my opinion at all. My loyalty is to my readers and being honest is my utmost responsibility. I have given my sincere opinion about the product(s) mentioned in the post. For more details, please go through my Disclosure Policy.

If you have any questions, you can have a look at FAQ or email me on info@sarahassansblog.com.