Senna Lasting Illusion Foundation – Review & swatches

I hardly remember being disappointed with any Senna product and this product is no exception either.

Lasting Illusion Foundation
This luxurious, long lasting fluid foundation gives skin perfecting and 16 hour flawless coverage with a whisper smooth feel. The modern satin matte finish captures and reflects light from fine lines and wrinkles for an exceptionally youthful appearance. It erases imperfections, won’t settle into lines, and looks seamless on the skin. Works beautifully for all ages and skin types.

Senna Lasting Illusion Foundation

Senna Lasting Illusion Foundation - Swatches

Senna Lasting Illusion Foundation - Sand (swatch)

Senna Lasting Illusion Foundation - Before & After Application

My thoughts
To begin with, I absolutely adore the glass bottle packaging; it appears very de luxe. I have a combination skin so I am always on the lookout for foundations that are neither too matte nor too moisturizing and this product claims to provide a satin matte finish (which is somewhere between matte and luminous) which got me very excited.

Lasting Illusion has a slightly thicker consistency than most liquid foundations I have tried. And it smells like vanilla – yummy! The finish that I get with this is definitely not all matte as I can see light reflecting off my skin. It actually reminds me of MAC Pro Long wear foundation (one of my favorites). I picked Sand and it’s a close match (For reference, I am NC25 in MAC). Compared to MAC Pro Long wear foundation, it’s not very yellow in fact I noticed that it’s quite a neutral-yellow if that makes sense. It provides a less than medium coverage which is not exactly a light coverage either however, it’s buildable. It doesn’t hide all the imperfections on my face though it seems to even out my skin beautifully. It doesn’t have SPF so it photographs well. Moreover, it feels light and looks very natural on my face. It’s a bit hydrating so you might notice some shine peeking through after 4-5 hours. It doesn’t have a good shine control especially if you have combination/oily skin and wearing this on a hot day.

It claims a 16 hour flawless coverage. I am not so sure about that for I have only worn it for nine to ten hours and it looked fine on me during that time.

I love how my face looks flawless yet natural with this. A close drugstore dupe for this would be Catrice Infinite Matt Makeup.

You might like it if…

• It gives a natural but buildable coverage
• It feels light 
• You dig a satin matte finish
• It photographs beautifully, no white cast
• It evens out skin tone
• It has a delicious vanilla scent

You might not like it if…

• It doesn’t have a good shine control
• It doesn’t fully conceal imperfections

My rating
 
4/5

Senna Lasting Illusion Foundation is priced at $48 and you can purchase it from Senna's website. For more details, catch Senna Cosmetics 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.

Milani Cream-To-Powder Foundation – Review & swatches

I am not an advocate of cream foundations; they don’t suit my combination skin. Cream foundations tend to transfer a lot and feel a bit greasy. This product has the same cons as well but the benefits kind of make me think otherwise.

Cream-To-Powder Foundation
Enjoy the luxury of this silky, creamy-smooth, oil-free formula that glides on like a cream and blends to a natural matte powder finish. Covers flawlessly, hiding imperfections and evening out skin tones. Mirror and sponge applicator included. It comes in 11 shades.

Milani Cream-To-Powder Foundation

Milani Cream-To-Powder Foundation

Milani Cream-To-Powder Foundation

Milani Cream-To-Powder Foundation

Milani Cream-To-Powder Foundation in Shade 08 Neutral - Swatch

Milani Cream-To-Powder Foundation in Shade 08 Neutral - Before & After Application

My thoughts
Let me begin describing the scent; yes it’s not scent-free. It smells powdery and I wouldn’t say it is mild so some of you might not like this. I am, on the contrary, OK with this because it lingers for a while and fades away so yeah, it’s not an issue for me. The product has a good medium coverage. I’ve noticed that since it covers very well, I hardly need to use a concealer. Then again, if you have some serious scarring on your face, you might want to use a concealer on top.

I’ve got it in shade 08 neutral which isn’t my match. As you can probably tell by looking at the photo above, it appears lighter on me. The finish I get with it is undeniably smooth and glowy. It seems to minimize my pores and my skin looks flawless instantly without much effort. The product comes with a mirror and sponge applicator inside. I don’t like the sponge that comes with it. I feel that it doesn’t transfer the product on to my skin as it should. So, I suggest using a makeup sponge with rounded edges. Apply in dabbing motion for an impeccable result.

Now let me reveal the usual cons. Since it has a cream formulation, it transfers a lot if you do not set it with a powder. Also, it feels slight greasy upon application so a setting powder is a must! Even upon setting, the product doesn’t remain for long and I can feel my skin turn slightly shiny after three-four hours of wear. It seems to highlight dryness as well which is a yet another fly in the ointment.

Taking all points into consideration, I would say that I have mixed feelings about it. I personally would use it in colder months rather on hot and sweaty days. Dry and oily skin types wouldn’t like it much. Normal and combination skin types might like this.

You might like it if…

• You have normal or combination skin
• You expect good coverage
• It minimizes pores and gives a glowy finish
• You are using it in winter

You might not like it if…

• You have dry or oily skin
• You think it emphasizes dryness
• It transfers a lot if you don’t set it
• Feels slightly greasy upon application
• You are using it on a hot and humid day

My rating

3/5

Milani Cream-To-Powder Foundation comes with a price tag of PKR 925 and can be purchased online from Milani Pakistan's official website. For details, visit Milani Pakistan on Facebook.

What do you think about it? Take it or leave 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.

Merle Norman Lasting Foundation SPF 12 – Review & swatches

This has got to be the best foundation I have come across so far.

Lasting Foundation SPF 12
For Oily skin types. This lightweight foundation glides on and stays put, for over 7 hours of lasting beauty. Formulated with Pro-Retinol, it helps minimize the appearance of fine lines, plus SPF 12 and Vitamins C and E derivatives to help protect skin. Ophthalmologist tested.

Safe for contact lens wearers. Fragrance-free. Oil-free. Non-comedogenic. Comes in 17 shades.

Merle Norman Lasting Foundation SPF 12

Merle Norman Lasting Foundation SPF 12

Merle Norman Lasting Foundation SPF 12 in Alabaster Beige

Merle Norman Lasting Foundation SPF 12 in Alabaster Beige - Swatch

Merle Norman Lasting Foundation SPF 12 in Alabaster Beige -Before & After Application

My thoughts
For more than a year, I have been dedicated to Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation which I believe is one of the best drugstore foundations for combination/oily skin. I am so glad I have come upon something even better. Yes, this is it! Merle Norman Lasting Foundation is a dream come true especially for oily skin.

It comes in a 30ml tube which is not my favorite packaging. I prefer a pump bottle instead – that’s much easier to handle and use. Before I begin with the review, I would like to share about my visit to the Merle Norman store located at The Forum, Karachi. Usually when I go pick a product, I do extensive research of my own as I absolutely do not enjoy my money going to waste especially when it’s a high-end brand. So I did my research and decided on a shade for my fair-medium skin tone (NC30 in MAC). When I went there with my sister, we tested the shade ‘Natural’ that we had picked however we were disappointed because it turned out to have a peach undertone that looked off on my skin. The sales assistant at the store helped us pick our perfect match which was ‘Alabaster Beige’. I must say the staff at the store seems very well-trained.

Alabaster Beige has a yellow undertone that matches my skin perfectly. The consistency of the product is thin but not runny. It won’t spill or create a mess when you squeeze product out of the tube. It gives a medium coverage which can be built. The formulation is concentrated so it is easier to achieve a full coverage. It has a mild scent which isn’t pleasant in my books but doesn’t bother me either for it fades upon application. The scent is reminiscent of a milder version of Revlon Color Stay foundation to be precise. About the application, I'd say it's a bit tricky. It blends flawlessly but sets quickly so I suggest doing your face in sections. I’ve noticed that it gives a slight tight feeling to my skin similar to what I get with Revlon Color Stay foundation. To solve the issue, I suggest wearing a good primer underneath.

I love that it gives a true matte finish. No siree! There’s not a single hint of shine on my face when I apply this. Also, it doesn’t appear cakey no matter how much your layer it on. I was staggered the first time when I applied it; my skin looked so even and natural. I cannot emphasize enough how natural it appears on me – almost undetectable, so genius! Also, this foundation lasts a long time. Normally, foundations begin to wear off on my nose first and then my T-zone. This, however, lasted so well on my combination skin. My sister with oily skin feels the same way about it. The oil control is very good. It keeps my face shine-free for four hours after which I can see minimal shine peeking through. If you set it with a setting powder, it will keep your shine-free for the rest of the day. It comes with SPF 12 protection which is a plus. However, there is one problem. It accentuates any dryness on the face so I suggest exfoliating and moisturizing your face prior to application.

This foundation, as mentioned previously, sticks to my face like anything and stands heat and humidity very well therefore it should be removed with a good makeup remover or cleansing milk. Because if you don’t, it might sit in your pores and cause break outs. So taking it off properly is imperative. I say double cleanse, that’s even better!

I am totally digging this! If you have oily skin or combination with oily T-zone, you should try this once. I bet you’ll like it. I certainly do not think it would suit dry/normal skin types. A close drugstore dupe for it would be Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation.

You might like it if…

• You have combination/oily skin type
• You live in a hot and humid climate
• You expect medium to full coverage
• It gives a true matte, non-cakey and natural-looking finish
• It covers imperfections very well and evens out your skin
• It doesn’t wear off and stays put all day
• It keeps you shine-free up to four hours
• It comes with SPF 12 protection

You might not like it if…

• You have dry/normal skin type
• You live in a cool and dry climate
• It highlights dryness on your face
• The scent bothers you

My rating

4.5/5

Merle Norman Lasting Foundation SPF 12 is priced at PKR 2995. You can purchase it from Forum Mall Clifton Karachi. Merle Norman Pakistan also offer home delivery nationwide. Visit them on Facebook for more information and updates. For folks abroad, go to Merle Norman.com to locate a store near you.

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

Drugstore Foundations For Combination/Oily Skin

I get tons of foundation related queries every single day. Choosing a right foundation for your skin type is just as important as picking up a right shade for yourself. It’s hopeless to purchase a formula that doesn’t work for your skin type. Then again, everyone has a different expectation and experience with a product. Finding your HG (Holy Grail) isn't so simple after all! To make it easy for you, I have narrowed down a list of some good drugstore foundations most suitable for combination/oily skin type. Most of them are easily available in Pakistan. I hope you find it helpful.

Liquid Foundation

Bourjois 123 Perfect Liquid Foundation

Shades: 5
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium
(Click for a review)

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation

Shades: 14
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium

Catrice Infinite Matt Make-Up

Shades: 4
Finish: Semi matte
Coverage: Light to medium
(Click for a review)

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily/combination skin

Shades: 20

Finish: Soft Matte

Coverage: Medium to full
(Click for a review)

Bourjois Flower Perfection Youth Extension Foundation

Shades: 6
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium

Color Studio Pro Luminous Foundation

Shades: 4

Finish: Semi matte

Coverage: Light to medium
(Click for a review)

No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation

Shades:14
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Medium

Karaja  Stop Shine Foundation

Shades: 13

Finish: Semi matte

Coverage: Medium

Mousse Foundation

 

Bourjois Mineral Matte Mousse Foundation

Shades: 7

Finish: Matte

Coverage: Light to medium

Essence Soft Touch Mousse Makeup

Shades: 5

Finish: Matte

Coverage: Light to medium
(Click for a review)

Catrice Matt Mousse Makeup

Shades: 4
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium

Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup

Shades: 12

Finish: Satin

Coverage: Light to medium

Avon Ideal Flawless Matte Mousse Foundation

Shades: 7
Finish: Soft matte
Coverage: Light

Which is your favorite foundation?

Image courtesy: Google images & respective websites

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation – Review & swatches

I mostly like to wear a medium-coverage liquid foundation or bb cream to work/school but sometimes when I feel super lazy and wish to go au naturel, I turn to powder foundations for their ease of use.

Even-Touch Powder Foundation
A velvety-light, oil-free formula that applies with the ease of a lightweight powder, with the full-color coverage and wear of a liquid foundation. Skin looks and feels comfortable, never dry. Mirror and sponge applicator included.

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation in Fresco - Swatch

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation in Fresco - Before & After Application

My thoughts
Milani Even-Touch powder foundation comes in golden compact with a flip lid. When you open it, you see a mirror on top and a sponge applicator underneath the pan. I have this in ‘Fresco’ which is slightly dark for my NC30 skin tone. Also, it has somewhat strong yellow/peachy undertones which would go well with Asian skin tones I suppose. Anyone with pink undertones might find it a bit too orangey on their skin so I suggest trying it before making a purchase.

I am very impressed with the texture. For one thing, it’s finely milled and has a silky formula that applies like a dream. It does not feel chalky while it provides a smooth, natural-looking coverage. Though it gives a light coverage, you can build it up to medium if you desire. The finish you get with it is a soft matte effect instead of a stark matte that some powders provide. It covers minor imperfections pretty well and evens out my skin beautifully. However, you would still need to use a concealer if you want to hide those nasty dark circles or deep blemishes. I like to wear it alone and also use it as a finishing powder; it works great both ways. Moreover, I absolutely enjoy the light feeling I get wearing this. It’s as if I have nothing on my skin.

Since I’ve got a combination skin with dry areas and an oily T-zone, I noticed that it doesn’t highlight dryness (for now it doesn’t since it’s very hot and sweaty these days). I have worn it on many occasions (work, shopping) and different timings of the day and it’s safe to say that it controls oil on my face very well. For the first two hours, my face is completely shine-free. After that, I can see some shine peeking through but it certainly does not turn my face into a greasy mess so thumbs up for that. The wear time is consequently admirable.

All in all, this powder is a great choice for anyone with combination/oily skin wanting coverage that doesn’t appear cakey and has good oil control.

You might like it if…

• You have combination/oily skin
• You expect a smooth, soft matte finish
• It conceals minor imperfections and evens out skin
• You expect light to medium coverage
• You like the soft and silky texture
• It helps keep excess oil at bay
• It doesn’t enhance dryness
• You expect a good wear time

You might not like it if…

• You don’t find your match in the range
• You find the undertones yellow/peachy for your liking
• It doesn’t hide blemishes completely

My rating
 
4/5

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation is priced at PKR 925 and can be purchased online from Milani Pakistan's official website or BeautyArena.pk. If you live in Lahore then here's a good news for you, get a 25% off on your purchase from Beauty Brands located at Pace Shopping Mall. For details, visit Milani Pakistan on Facebook.

What do you think about it? Which is your favorite powder foundation?

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.

Maybelline SuperStay 24H Foundation – Review & swatches

I was looking for a new foundation with medium coverage that won’t sweat off my face in the humid weather and it’s when I came across Maybelline SuperStay 24H Foundation. The description sounded very appealing so I thought I should give a whirl.

SuperStay 24H Foundation

• Look naturally flawless all day.
• Micro-Flex formula provides up to 24-hour wear and is transfer resistant.
• Withstands heat, sweat, transfer and touch.
• Oil-free, fragrance-free, tested under dermatological control.
• Suitable for all skin types

For Best Results
Apply smoothly and evenly to your face and blend with your fingertips.  

 Maybelline SuperStay 24H Foundation

 Maybelline SuperStay 24H Foundation

 Maybelline SuperStay 24H Foundation in Nude - Swatch

 Maybelline SuperStay 24H Foundation in Nude compared to Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation in Shade 54

 Maybelline SuperStay 24H Foundation - Before & After Application

My thoughts
Based on the reviews online, I settled for Nude as a match for my NC30 skin tone. I got one with a pump which I assume is the UK version whereas the US one doesn't come with a pump. I’m not going to compare it to Revlon ColorStay because it doesn’t even come close to that in my experience.

To begin with, the shade Nude didn’t turn out as I expected. Even though it’s the right match, it looks kinda off on me due to the strong peach undertones. I’ve to bring it to match my skin tone with a pressed powder. The consistency is a bit thick and appears very concentrated when you put it over your skin which gives you an impression that it would cover well however, the result is totally opposite. I actually required more layering with this product for it to cover any spots/blemishes and cancel out the redness than I normally have to with my all-time favorite Bourjois 123 Perfect Liquid Foundation.

The formula feels light, smooth, moisturizing, doesn’t grab onto any dry patches and sets to a semi-matte finish in a minute. It spreads easily so blending isn’t a struggle but I’ve noticed that it tends to sink into the pores instead of minimizing them which is definitely not ideal for someone with large pores. About the coverage, I’d say it's light to medium. You could easily build it without fearing it would end up looking cakey/mask-like which is indeed the only good thing about it.

Now to the drawbacks. For a foundation that claims 24-hour wear, it doesn’t deliver at all (at least not in my case). As the name implies, I was expecting it to stay put but it’s certainly not transfer-resistant and keeps coming off when I use tissue to wipe off my sweat. It doesn’t combat oil and turns my T-zone shiny within an hour if I don’t set; the rest of my face remains fine though. On my sister (who has an oily skin), it actually turns greasy by the end of the day even after setting. It slides off my T-zone, makes me look orange -- 'wrong undertones' -- and doesn’t withstand heat as well as it claims to. This probably would fare better on dry/normal skin or where humidity isn't that bad. The worst part, it stains my foundation brushes horribly! The pigment takes at least three washes to get off completely which is a pain. My advice, save your brushes and use your fingers instead for application.

Bottom line: it’s not meant for all skin types as they say. I really wanted to like this foundation but I just couldn't. It transfers terribly plus it wasn't cheap either so I wouldn't repurchase. People with dry/normal skin may well like it for it appears quite natural and turns dewy as it wears through the day. That being said, it's certainly not the formulation that withstands heat and humidity so it's a miss for me.

You might like it if…

• You have dry/normal skin type
• You expect light to medium coverage
• You expect a semi-matte finish that turns dewy eventually
• It blends very easily
• You expect it to look natural and feel weightless on the skin
• You expect it to be fragrance-free

You might not like it if…

• You have combination/oily skin type
• You can’t find yourself a match according to your undertone
• You expect it to be transfer-resistant
• You expect good oil-control
• You expect it to cover blemishes/spots without much layering
• It stains your foundation brush
• You have large pores

My rating

2.5/5

Maybelline SuperStay 24H Foundation is priced at PKR 1500 and can purchased online from Just4girls.pk. You can also purchase it from leading superstores nationwide. Folks abroad can find it for $9.99 at Ulta.com and £9.19 at Boots.com.

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