Foundation swatches - Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Dior, Bobbi Brown, Nars, Stila, Misha BB cream

Finally I managed to swatch all the foundations that I (once) own(ed). Some of them went straight back to the store while the others will stay on my vanity counter for years to come.

The names

1. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk 6.5 (great for 30 minutes then extremely muddy)
2. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk 5.75 (my perfect match)
3. Chanel Mat Lumierre SPF 15 Beige 4.0 (my perfect match)
4. Dior Skin Nude SPF 10 Sand 031 (my almost perfect match)
5. Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich SPF 15 Warm Beige 3.5 (my kind-of match)
6. Nars Sheer Glow Stromboli medium 3 (my kind-of match)
7. Stila Illuminating 40 Watt (my so-so foundation)
8. Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk 6.0 (totally off-color, chalky)
9. Misha BB cream SPF 42 Beige 023 (just a no-no)

Foundation matching can be very tricky. Some look really good on my skin when first applied then turn ugly after half an hour. In contrast, some don't exactly match my skin at first then become a great match after few minutes. So I decided to do 2 sets of swatches, one fresh and the other after 15 minutes.

Fresh swatches

In mild shading

Under direct sunlight

After 15 minute, the foundations got oxidized

In mild shading

Under direct sunlight

Here is what I conclude.

• The most light weight (hence most comfy): Giorgio Armani and Chanel
• The smoothest: Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Dior, Misha BB cream
• My best match (shade, texture, formula): Luminous Silk 5.75, Mat Lumierre 4.0 
• The heaviest: Misha BB cream, Nars Sheer Glow
• The driest: Dior Skin Nude
• The most full coverage:  Dior Skin Nude, Nars Sheer Glow, Misha BB cream
• All foundations with SPF looked great with frash even the Lasting Silk SPF 20
• The only fragraned foundation I ever owned: Misha BB cream (definitely a deal breaker)

I hope this helps a bit on foundation hunting. Have a great weekend beauties!

Classic & Classical - Pride & Prejudice – The Makeup

I found the natural makeup over of Keira Knightley rather hard to replicate. I want to capture her youth, smartness and charming beauty. Here is my take. Flawless matte skin. Rosy cheeks. Matte rosy lips. Wash of eye shadow. Thick fine lashes. 

 1. Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder; 2. Misha BB Cream as foundation; 3. Chanel Rouge Coco Madmoiselle; 4. Lancome Pink Preview as cream blush; 5. Benefit Box Powder Blush Coralista to set Pink Preview; 6. Inglot Pearl Eyeshadow 407; 7. MAC Soft Brown Eyeshadow; 8. DiorShow Iconic; 9. DiorShow Extase

How I apply these products:

- Apply a small amount of Misha BB cream for a flawless natural finish

- Set the BB cream with Laura Mercier Translucent setting powder. Use a light hand and small amount.

- Apply a light wash of Inglot Pearl Eyeshadow 407 - a pretty peach color on the lid. 

- Use MAC Soft Brown for the outer V and on the creases lightly. If you're fair-skinned, you can use Soft Brown wet for eyeliner. I skip eyeliner in this look. 

- Apply 1 coat of DiorShow Iconic to curl and define the lashes followed by DiorShow Extase for volumizing effect. 

- Dab Lancome Pink Preview on the cheeks, blend to the intensity you want then set it with Benefit Conralista;

- Apply Chanel Rouse Coco Mademoiselle on the lips to stain it first. Remove the excess by a tissue. Re-apply it lightly for pretty medium pink. 

I don't want to use all pink, though I try to stick with pink and peach family. All the swatches were overdone for the sake of the photos. 

What would be your makeup look inspired by Pride & Prejudice 2005 Movie?

Pride & Prejudice Obsession Part 1
Pride & Prejudice Obsession Part 2
Pride & Prejudice Obsession Part 3