Koh Gen Do, Skincare infused makeup product reviews & swatches

Huge thanks to the wonderful team at Koh Gen Do, I was able to test these skincare infused makeup products. They sent over their famous Aqua Foundations, along with their Pressed Powder, Moisture Fit Concealer, and Makeup Color Base.

main pic

The Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation has a total of 10 shades (see below shade swatches from their website). According to their website, The coveted Aqua Foundation, known for giving skin the same youthful glow you experience right after a facial, is redesigned for increased coverage, radiance, hydration and longevity. Formulated with signature Gloss Film Powder, the light-diffusing minerals brighten and minimize pores, while resisting sweat and oiliness. This breathable serum foundation contains weightless skin-conditioning emollients that improve the hydration and health of skin for a flawless and comfortable complexion all day.

koh gen do

They sent me two shades, 013 and 113. The shade 013 appears a little too pink for my yellow/warm skin tone. The shade 113, which is their lightest warm shade, seems to be a good match for my MAC’s NC15 skin tone. Below, you can see my arm swatches comparing to the MAC’s NC25 and NC15. I have mostly normal skin, sometimes dehydrated if I don’t consume enough water.

foundation swatch

For your reference, I have listed all of my other foundation shades here:

https://luvsummeikup.com/2017/05/12/list-of-my-foundation-shades/

The first day, I applied with a Kabuki foundation brush, it gave me a medium coverage with 2 layers of applications. I used the Makeup Color Base primer they sent me; it’s in the shade Lavender Pink. As you can see from below photo that I pulled up from their website, they have 3 other shades, which are Green, Yellow, and Pearl White. It might have been a better shade if they have sent me the yellow instead, because the Lavender Pink appeared to be too pink for me, and it made my skin tone half a shade to a shade paler. However, it did give my skin a smooth canvas; the foundation went on smoothly and gave a nice natural finish. I also set with the Pressed Powder; it’s the only shade available.

primer swatch

The powder is too white for me (below, you can see the swatches of the powder), it made my skin a shade lighter than it is; with the Lavender Pink base, I was almost 2 shades lighter. However, the powder sets the foundation pretty well; it gave me a matte finish, and the bronzer and highlighter went on smoothly. If I have the right Color Base shade, I think I would like this combination, because it lasted a good 7-8 hours. At the 8 hour mark, the makeup still looked fresh; I didn’t see any creasing or separation, not greasy either.

powder 1powder 2

On the second day, I applied with a round top Kabuki foundation brush again, this time I used the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, and then used the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffuse Light to set. This combination made my skin look quite dewy, and it slightly enhanced my pores around my nose. The foundation itself provided light to (buildable) medium coverage; it covered the redness on my cheeks but not my pimples. The bronzer and highlighter went on smoothly. I actually quite liked the natural look it gave me; it didn’t exaggerate pores, but didn’t diminish either. At the 5 hour mark though, the center of my face became a little greasy, as well as some separations around my nose, and the foundation came off my chin a little bit too. Hence, this wasn’t my favorite combination.

 

On the third day, I used a BeautyBlender to apply. This time I used the SmashBox Photo Finish Primerizer; it only gave a light medium coverage with 2 layers of applications. I set my face with BECCA Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder; the bronzer and highlighter also went on smoothly. It gave my skin an extra smooth complexion, and a natural finish. My pores looked the smoothest with this combination; even my nose looked pore less. My skin still looked very fresh even after 8 hours of wear; no dry patches, no creasing, no greasiness. This is by far the best combination.

 

I also tried to wear this foundation with no primer and no powder. It gave me a light medium coverage with BeautyBlender, and medium coverage with a Kabuki foundation brush (2 layers). They both provided with natural finish; a little bit dewier using the BeautyBlender. I waited about 5 minutes before putting on bronzer and highlight; surprisingly, although it felt tacky, they blended on top of the foundation nicely. After 4 hours of wear, my skin became a little bit oily, especially around my nose area; however, there was no separation and still looked pretty good from a conversational distance.

 

According to their website, the Moisture Fit Concealer has 3 shades, which are 02, 03, and 04 (see photo below). They sent me the shade 03, which is darker than my NC15 skin tone. You can see swatches from below photo for shade comparison with the MAC foundations; so I can’t use it for my under eyes for brightening. I tried using it to cover my pimple scar, but the coverage is too light for that. However, when I used it on top of my cheeks after 1 layer of foundation, it enhanced the coverage by covering my redness on my cheeks.

concealers

Overall, I recommended the Aqua Foundation if you’re a fan of a natural finish, buildable to medium coverage foundation. I have been using this foundation since I received it 2 months ago, with the SmashBox Primerizer and BECCA Hydra-Mist; it lasts the longest with beautiful natural finish. I would use it with their Makeup Color Base too if I have the Yellow shade instead of Lavender Pink, since it does provide a nice smooth canvas.

 

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from Koh Gen Do; however, all of my opinions are 100% honest and my own.

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Kerstin Florian Makeup Product Swatches & Review

Kerstin Florian Luminizing CC Cream

To see the list of other foundation shades I usually wear, please visit this link:

https://luvsummeikup.com/2017/05/12/list-of-my-foundation-shades/

Let me start off with the Luminizing CC Cream; it comes with 3 shades: Porcelain, Natural Beige, and Sand. Each tube comes with 1.7 fl oz of product, and it’s $46.00USD each. On Kerstin Florian’s website, it described as Lightweight, hydrating color corrector imparts a smooth, radiant, even-toned complexion. Plus these benefits to finish what your skincare starts • Enhances Tone & Clarity • Reduces Redness & Pigmentation • Refines Texture. Here are the shade comparison:

CC Cream

The top swatch is the MAC Studio Fix in shade NC15, which is my perfect shade. The Porcelain is a shade and a half too light for me; and the Natural Beige is about half a shade darker than my skin tone. However, since it’s a CC Cream and has sheer to light coverage, it looks fine after I blend it out. I apply two layers with my BeautyBlender for a sheer light coverage, just to cancel out my redness when I run errands during the weekend. I find this CC Cream does not really set; if I do not set it with a powder, it will transfer even after 2 hours of wear. It can add slightly more coverage if I apply it with a brush; however, it tends to slide around and leave brush marks when I apply with a brush. It does not last long, I would say up to 3 hours max if I set it with powder; however, it fades nicely on my skin, so I do not mind wearing it for errands. For everyday work, I would want at least medium coverage; so I use this as a primer to give my skin a healthy luminous base before applying foundation.

Kerstin Florian Skin Renewing Foundation

The Skin Renewing Foundation comes with 3 shades: Warm Beige, Vanilla, and Tawny. Each tube comes with 1.0 fl oz of product, and cost $48.00USD each. On Kerstin Florian’s website, it described as Long-wearing, soft-focus foundation provides smooth, buildable, skin-healthy coverage. PLUS these benefits to finish what your skincare starts • Minimizes Lines & Wrinkles • Attracts & Maintains Moisture • Boosts Firmness & Elasticity. Here are the shade comparison:

foundation.jpg

Again, the top swatch is the MAC Studio Fix in shade NC15; the lightest shade Vanilla is a shade too dark for me. However, after using a lighter shade powder, it can make it work. Same as the CC Cream, I like to apply this with my BeautyBlender; it gives a more skin-like natural look. This foundation gives a light to light-medium coverage when applying with my BeautyBlender. It can be a full-medium coverage if I apply with a brush and two layers. However, it tends to separate around my nose and forehead when I apply with a brush, right around the 3-4 hour marks. So what I have been doing is to apply the CC Cream as a primer using the BeautyBlender, then apply the Foundation using the same Blender, and set it with a powder for everyday look. It will cover my redness and even out my skin tone; this method lasts 5-6 hours without separation. But it does start to separate after 6 hours of wear; not too noticeable though, unless I look super close to the mirror. And, for days when I need even more coverage, I would apply their concealer; which I will talk about next.

Kerstin Florian Brightening Concealer

Their Brightening Concealer comes with 3 shades: Ivory, Beige, and Honey. It comes with 0.3 fl oz of product, and it’s $28.00USD each. On Kerstin Florian’s website, it described as Luminous age-defying concealer offers buildable coverage and lasting wear without settling or dehydrating. PLUS these benefits to finish what your skincare starts • Minimizes Fine Lines • Reduces Dark Circles • Combats Puffiness. Here are the shade comparison:

Concealer

Comparing to the MAC Studio Fix in shade NC15 on top, the lightest shade Ivory is about the same (if it’s not darker), so I cannot use it for brightening my under eye areas.  However, I can use it as all over face Concealer to cover redness and mild blemishes. I find it’s the best to apply with BeautyBlender as well; I tried blending it out using my concealer brush, but it gave intense brush marks on my skin. I do like the formula of this concealer though; it’s very creamy and hydrating. Just wish they would come out with lighter shade options, so that I can use it for my under eye areas.

I have been using these 3 products for the last few weeks; so far I’m enjoying it. They did not break me out, and they keep my normal but dehydrated skin hydrated all day.

LuvSumMeiKup: List of my Foundation Shades

Skin tone: My face has neutral undertone while my neck and the rest of the body has light yellow. My face is also naturally one (1) shade lighter than my neck. I tend to pick the shade that has yellow/golden undertone that’s closest to my skin tone, so it matches the rest of my body. But if the yellow/golden shade is too light/dark or unavailable, I would pick the closet neutral shade, which usually works as well.

I wear MAC Cosmetics’ MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in shade NC15. It’s my perfect shade when it’s freshly swatched, but it turns slightly darker when it’s dried.

List of my Foundation Shades:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation: Ivory
Bareminerals barePro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20: Golden Ivory 08
BECCA Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation: Sand
Benefit Big Easy Liquid to Powder BB Cream SPF35: 03 Light Medium
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick: Sand (N-032)
Bourjois Air Mat Undetectable Matte Foundation: 02 Vanilla
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation: N52 Vanilla
Beauty Bakerie Insta Bake: 355 W
By Terry Cover Expert Full Coverage Liquid Foundation SPF15: 2 Neutral Beige
By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Foundation: 100W Fair
Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation: Light Beige 010
Covergirl COVERGIRL Healthy Elixir Liquid Foundation: Ivory 705
Chanel Le Teint Ultra Tenue Ultrawear Flawless Foundation: 21 Beige
Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet Foundation SPF15: B10
Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation: L30 Golden Ivory
Cle De Peau Radiant Cream Foundation SPF24: O10 Very Light Ochre
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation: 3 Warm
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation: 3.5
Cover Fx Custom Cover Drops: G Light 2
Cover Fx Power Play Foundation: G20
Colourpop No Filter Stix Foundation: Light 50W
Colourpop No Filter Foundation: Light 50
Colourpop Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer: Light 6W
Dior Diorskin Forever Foundation SPF35: 015 Tender Beige
Dior Diorskin Forever Undercover Foundation: 015 Tender Beige
Dior Airflash Spray Foundation: 2 Warm (201)
Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup For Face and Body SPF15: 2N1 Desert Beige
Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF30: 1N2 ECRU
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup: 1W1 Bond
Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup SPF25: 1W2 Sand
Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue SPF45: 1W2 Sand
Exuviance Skin Caring Foundation SPF 20: Warm Beige
EX1 Invisiwear Liquid Foundation: 2.0
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation: 150
Flower Beauty Light Illusion Liquid Foundation: L1 Porcelain
GIORGIO ARMANI BEAUTY Luminous Silk Foundation: 4
GIORGIO ARMANI BEAUTY Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation SPF25: 3
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation: 150G Crème Brulée
Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil Free: Porcelain
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Liquid Foundation: Bisque
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Stick Foundation: Linen
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer SPF 50+: Fair & Light (mixed ratio 1:1)
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF50: Fair & Light (mixed ratio 1:1)
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream Oil Free Matte SPF40: Fair & Light (mixed ratio 1:1)
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Butter CC Cream Illuminating SPF50: Fair & alight (mixed ratio 1:1)
Jouer Essential High Coverage Crème Foundation: Linen
Joah Truly Yours Liquid Foundation Drop: Natural Ivory
Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation: 113
Kiko Liquid Second Skin Foundation: Warm Beige 15
Kiko Skin Perfect HD Foundation: 20W
La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF20: 03 Crème
LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation: Ivory & Natural (mixed ratio 1:1)
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Liquid 24H Longwear Foundation SPF15: 140 Ivorie (N)
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Cushion Foundation SPF 50: 140 Ivoire N
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick SPF 21: 140 Ivoire N
Laura Mericer Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation: 1W1 Ivory
Laura Mercier Silk Creme Moisturizing/Oil-Free Photo Edition Foundation: Ivory
Loreal Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Foundation: 402 Nude Beige
Loreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation: 201 Classic Ivory & 205 Natural Beige  (mixed ratio 1.5:1)
Loreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation: 101 Classic Ivory & 105 Natural Beige  (mixed ratio 1.5:1)
Loreal Infallible Total Cover Foundation: 301 Classic Ivory & 305 Natural Beige  (mixed ratio 1.5:1)
Loreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation: 425
MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation: NC20 & NC25  (mixed ratio 1:1)
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF15: NC15
MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick: NC15
MAC Waterweight Foundation SPF30: NC25
MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation SPF15: NC25
Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation: 117 = Y225 – Marble
Makeup Forever Ultra HD Stick Foundation: 117 = Y225 – Marble
Makeup Forever Matte Velvet Skin Foundation: Y225 Marble
Makeup Revolution Fast Base Stick Foundation: F6
Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Foundation SPF50: 110 Porcelain & 120 Classic Ivory (mixed ratio 1:1)
Maybelline Dream Radiant Liquid Foundation: 02 Fair Porcelain & 20 Classic Ivory (mixed ratio 2:1)
Milani CONCEAL + PERFECT 2-IN-1 FOUNDATION: 00B Light
Milano Screen Queen Foundation: 160 Soft Linen
Morphe Fluidity Full Coverage Foundation: F1.80
Marc Jacobs Shamless Youthful-Look 24H Foundation SPF25: Light Y210
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation: Fiji (Light 5)
NYX Total Control Drop Foundation: Light
NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation: Warm Vanilla
Ofra Absolute Cover Foundation: 0.25
Paul & Joe Moisturizing Fluid Foundation: 102
Pacifica Alight Clean Foundation: Neutral Light 34NL
Pony Effect Seamless Foundation SPF30: Nude Beige
Pur 4-in-1 Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation & Concealer: LG6
Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Anti-Pollution Foundation: 150 Creme Brulee
Stella Limitless Foundation: S01
Sephora Collection 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation: Light 16
Sephora Collection Teint Infusion Foundation: 16 Linen
Stila Hide & Chic Fluid Foundation: Light 2
Sunday Riley The Influencer Clean Long Wear Foundation: 150
Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Fluid Foundation: 574 Light Sand
Soap & Glory One Heck Of A Blot Foundation: Cool Sand
Soap & Glory Kick Ass All Day Wear Foundation: 02
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15: Fair-Light Neutral
Tarte Clay Stick Foundation: Fair-Light Neutral
Tarte Water Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15: Fair-Light Sand
Tarte Face Tape Foundation: 20S Light Sand
The Ordinary Serum Foundation: 1.2Y
The Ordinary Coverage Foundation: 1.2Y
Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick: 1.4 Bone
Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15: 1.4 Bone
Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation & Concealer: 1.5 Cream
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation: Ivory
Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation: Almond
Too Faced Dew You Fresh Flow Foundation: Almond
Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation: 2.0
VDL Perfect Lasting Foundation: V01 Warm Ivory & V04 Warm Tan (mixed ratio 1:1)
Wander Beauty Flash Focus Hydrating Foundation: Light
YSL All Hours Longwear Natural Matte Foundation: BD20 Warm Ivory
YSL All Hours Stick Foundation: BD20 Warm Ivor

This is the List of my current shades for the foundations that I have tried so far. I will keep adding new shades as I try out new products; please check back later for more.

BECCA First Light Filter Face Primer, Soft Light Blurring Setting Powder, Soft Kabuki Brush

Reviews on BECCA First Light Filter Face Primer, Soft Light Blurring Setting Powder, Soft Kabuki Brush

Thanks to BECCA and Influenster for sending these amazing products for me to test out. Especially the Filter Primer, it was already on my Shopping List before they sent it to me. They also sent me the Soft Light Blurring Powder and its matching Soft Kabuki Brush. 

 

becca

 

Let me start with the First Light Filter Face Primer since it was the most exciting item to me. I used this immediately after I received it and I have been using it everyday since then. I currently have normal to dry skin at the moment; this primer gives my skin a very nice sheen and a smooth surface before foundations. It blurs out my pores and hydrates my skin. I tend to use matte finish foundations a lot; after applying the foundations, I have a healthy glow and natural skin look because of this primer. I absolutely love this primer and I can now stay glowy the entire day!

primer

Now onto the Soft Light Blurring Setting Powder and its matching Soft Kabuki Brush. The Soft Light Blurring Setting Powder is not completely translucent, as you can see from the photo below. It does definitely set my makeup nicely and acts as a veil to blur my pores. It also gives my skin a natural and pore-less finish. This setting powder is infused with ceramic microspheres and it creates an even complexion. It has a light tint to it but doesn’t interact with my foundation colors and it’s an universally shade. I realized whenever I used this to set my makeup, my makeup last all day without being greasy. I usually get somewhat oily on my T-zoom towards the end of the day, but it doesn’t give me that when I wear this. It’s amazing!

The Soft Kabuki Brush on the other hand, is an ultra-soft, synthetic fiber kabuki brush that’s designed to provide full, flawless coverage. It’s also suppose to use for setting the face and for contouring, it will ensure seamless makeup application. However, I don’t find it working for contouring because of how soft the bristles are, plus the round top just doesn’t seem to work as a contour brush (to me). I tried using it on pressed powder and it doesn’t pick up the powder easily. I would recommend only using this for loose setting powders.

powder

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Hope you’re enjoying your week and will see you next time. Don’t forget to check out my Instagram Page for daily hauls and reviews.