Bobbi Brown Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation

So a while back I blogged about this product from Bobbi Brown but didn’t get it because at the time I wanted to get a heated eyelash curler instead. Now that my Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder is almost out, I decided that I’d give the compact foundation a try instead of repurchasing the powder.

I use Soft Sand (#5) in the pressed powder, but sadly there is no “direct translation” from this color to Bobbi Brown’s foundation colors. Initially 2 Bobbi Brown “virtual makeup consultants” – they provide a real-time chat service – told me that the closest match to Soft Sand would be Beige (3.0), so my initial plan was to quickly grab the foundation in that color. But when I went into the store, I got second thoughts about the colors.

Honestly, I couldn’t really tell the difference between Sand, Warm Sand, and Beige. In fact I thought Beige might be a little too dark for me. I didn’t have my Soft Sand compact with me and Sephora doesn’t carry the powder, so I headed to Macy’s to get a foundation match from the Bobbi Brown counter. Surprisingly, I was matched with Warm Beige (3.5) instead! The makeup artist was super nice, but I couldn’t help having doubts. So I headed to Nordstrom…and once more got matched with Warm Beige. So…Warm Beige it is…

I ♥ the compact…it’s slim and sleek just like all other Bobbi Brown products. This is what it looks like inside:

The best thing about this compact design is that the sponge is separated from the foundation…less icky that way. Even though I was reassured by getting matched with the same color by two makeup artists, I still had reservations about the color match. But it passed my color test after I checked the color on my face under the sunlight.

It’s touted by the brand to be “a foundation that cuts shine while creating a radiant, diffused look” and can “optically diffuse skin imperfections and minimizing the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles for a flawless, even glow”. My thoughts?

While I don’t find it to completely cut shine – I have an extremely oily t-zone – but it also seems to stop becoming oilier after a certain “oily level” (not sure how else to describe this). It also has good staying power and remained intact till the end of the day even after blotting several times throughout the day. I didn’t see it “float” when my face becomes oily like I have with Shiseido’s Sheer Matifying Compact.

But you know what that got me hooked? It survived my 2 days in over 100 Fahrenheit weather at Yosemite National Park!

Now I just hope that it won’t make me break out…keeping my fingers crossed!

 

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~ by huinee on July 4, 2011.