FoundationFiles; Is Makeup Revolution The One Foundation, the cheapest foudation ever!?!

Foundation Files; This is where I test out different base products, from concealer to powder, tinted moisturiser and foundation etc, over a period of 7-14 days and post my findings. (Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Bloglovin so you don't miss a post) So let’s get started!!!


First off some information about me; Skintype: Combination (leaning dry in winter and Oily in Summer). Shade Reference: in between MAC NC45-50/NW43. Undertones: Yellow/Neutral.

TheFoundationDirectory; Makeup Revolution The One Foundation

Brand: Makeup Revolution

Name: The ONE Foundation

Coverage: Light-Medium

Shade: 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16

Swatch: 

TheFoundationDirectory; Makeup Revolution The One Foundation Swatches

What The brand says: This will be your ONE Foundation. ONE shade for everyone. Using revolutionary fusion technology The ONE Foundation adapts to your skin tone and texture to give a flawless finish. Benefits: Due to it's liquid formula, it is easily build-able and applied. The ONE Foundation gives full coverage resulting in a matte finish. Available in 16 shades to suit every skin tone. 

Wear time (with/without primer): The wear time on this foundation is not that great, it's not a matte foundation as stated, and I feel due to it's lightweight consistency my oils pushed through quite easily. I would also struggle to class this as full coverage, you get a medium coverage at best, and that requires a lot of layering, it also oxidised quite badly on me.

Price (ml): £1-4 for 29ml dependending on the shade.

Pros: Affordable

Shade range
Shade adjusters

Cons: Accessibility
Undertones
Doesn't live up to claims
Not long wearingon a combination skin

Suitable Skin Types: Dry, Normal and Combination (if you a willing to touch-up). All skin types if using as a mixing agent.

Ingredients: Aqua, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Isododecane (and) Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Ethylhexyl Palmitate (and) Quaternium-90 Bentonite (and) Propylene Carbonate, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHA

May Contain: Titanium Dioxide(CI 77891), Iron Oxides(CI 77491), Iron Oxides(CI 77492), Iron Oxides(CI 77499)

Oxidation: Yes, a lot.

Any Other Information: Don't get me wrong for the price this is an ok foundation, but I really wanted to love it, I'll try it again once the weather it's much cooler and see if that makes a difference on my combination skin. However for now it's best as a mixing agent, for instance if you want to add more yellow to your foundation reach for shade number 12, to deepen your foundation tone add a darker shade etc. If you like a very light coverage, have dry to normal skin that holds foundation well, very few blemishes to cover, are new to make or looking for something to slap on to run errands, this could be a great option worn as a foundation. As you can see from the swatches it has a very liquid consistency, similar to Mac Face and Body, and needs a good shake prior to every use. I didn't get on with Mac Face and Body foundation either, so maybe these water fluid foundation textures are not for me.

Conclusion: I really wanted to love this foundation worn alone, firstly I struggled to find a shade, 12 has a great golden yellow undertone, slightly too light for my tanned summer skin. 13 is straight up ashy on me, as it's too cool toned, 14 has this weird green-grey-brown undertone that just didn't work for me, 15 is slightly too red and although shade 16 is gorgeous it's too dark for me. Even mixing shades together I struggled to get a good match, in addition it just didn't last well on my skin, I had to constantly touch up and after a few hour I didn't like the way it looked on the skin. This for me will strictly be a mixing agent from now on, but if you are looking for shade adjusters these are a great affordable option, or if you fall into any of the above mentioned categories this can make a great lightweight base if you can get your shade.

Availability: Continuing on with the Superdrug Shades of Beauty Campaign Foundation Exploration, this is another option available from Superdrug, I've not seen it in any stores, but you can get it online at Superdrug.com and Tambeauty.com 

*Rating: Dislike as a foundation, Love as a mixing agent.









*Ratings; Hate, dislike, Like, Lust, Love

Foundation files; L'oreal Paris True Match Foundation

Foundation Files; This is where I test out different base products, from concealer to powder, tinted moisturiser and foundation etc, over a period of 7-14 days and post my findings. (Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Bloglovin so you don't miss a post) So let’s get started!!!

First off some information about me; Skintype: Combination (leaning dry in winter and Oily in Summer). Shade Reference: in between MAC NC45-50/NW43. Undertones: Yellow/Neutral.

Brand: L'Oreal



Name: True Match 

Coverage: Medium

Shade: 8W Golden Cappucino/8N Cappucino

Swatch:

TheFoundationDirectory; L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation Swatch

What The brand says: The new vision of skin matching technology. With the finest pigments, invisible to the naked eye and a creamy ultra-gliding texture for a unique silky touch. Giving you a natural finish. The new technology captures the undertones from warm, neutral to cool.

Features: New true match, super blendable foundation

The new formula contains 3 new shade enhancers for shade matching precision
Skin perfecting pigments and the ultra gliding creamy texture give a homogeneous finish
Even better colour matching, and more luminous and radiant skin than before
Even longer wear and better comfort
All you see is your skin at it's best

Wear time (with/without primer): The wear time on this foundation is very typical on my combination skin, requiring a couple touch-ups throughout the day even with primer, and the usual shiny nose appearing if I do not touch up.

Price (ml): £9.99 for 30ml

Pros: Good shade range
Affordable
Accessible
Pump bottle
Varying undertones



Cons: Not all of the deeper shades are stocked in stores
Jump between the number 8 shades

Suitable Skin Types: All, but extremely oily will need to prep skin accordingly.

Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (Nano) / Zinc Oxide, Talc, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Copernicia Cerifera Cera / Carnauba Wax, Cetyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triisicetyl Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, (+ / - May contain: C177163 / Bismuth Oxychloride, C177891 / Titanium Dioxide, C177491, C177492, C177499 / Iron Oxides, FIL B167167/1.

Oxidation: None

Any Other Information: Superdrug are addressing the lack of diversity on the high street with June Sarpong as the ambassador, so I will be featuring a lot of the foundations that are available to buy from them in foundation files posts in the up coming months, read about the Shades of Beauty Campaign here. The foundation comes in varying undertones, the shades ending in N indicate a neutral undertone, those ending in a W are warm and the shades ending in a C have a cool undertone. You can get this foundation in stores, but some of the shades seem to be online only so you can get those here and here.

Conclusion: As you can see the jump in these two shades is vast, considering the only  difference is supposed to be the undertone, something it appears a lot of brands struggle to get right for darker skintones. L'Oreal are claiming that 98% of the UK will now have a 'true match' with this current foundation shade, I must be that 2% that can't find my 'true to skintone match' the 8N is passable/workable with adjustments made with my current Post Greece tan, but its still a little too red for my liking, and as you can see 8w is way too light. Saying that it's a great campaign and a great start to changing the face of the UK high street, at least someone is trying to do something about it and not just talk about it, but there is still a way to go. If you can find your true match I would definitely give this foundation a go, hopefully they will work on increasing the concealer shades next.

*Rating: Like

*Ratings; Hate, dislike, Like, Lust, Love

FoundationFiles; Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

Foundation Files; This is where I test out different base products, from concealer to powder, tinted moisturiser and foundation etc, over a period of 7-14 days and post my findings. (Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Bloglovin so you don't miss a post) So let’s get started!!!

First off some information about me; Skintype: Combination (leaning dry in winter and Oily in Summer). Shade Reference: in between MAC NC45-50/NW43. Undertones: Yellow/Neutral.

TheFoundationDirectory; Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

Brand: Hourglass



Name: Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

Coverage: Medium

Shade: Golden Almond (described as medium deep with neutral undertones)

Swatch: 

TheFoundationDirectory; Hourglass Seamless Finish Vanish Foundation Stick Swatch

What The brand says: A revolutionary foundation stick with the coverage of a concealer, the fluidity of a liquid, and the weightlessness of a powder in a longwearing waterproof formula for undetectable full coverage. The unprecedented concentration of pigment in this foundation provides maximum coverage with minimum product, concealing all discoloration and imperfections for flawless skin with a seamless finish.

• A foundation and concealer in one, this concentrated formula contains double the amount of pigment versus traditional foundations for instant coverage in one application.
• Long wearing, waterproof formula provides 12 hour coverage.
• Innovative formula adjusts to your body temperature to effortlessly blend into the skin.
• Designed specifically to be used with the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush for the most seamless finish. 
• Available in 26 shades to perfectly match every skin tone. 
• Vegan
• .25 OZ / 7.2 G

• Based on a 1-week consumer study of 31 women, Vanish demonstrated dramatic visible improvements:
-100% reported product was fast and easy to use and apply
-97% saw an instant improvement in skin appearance
-97% reported product effectively covered redness and skin imperfections
-94% reported product blended seamlessly into their own skin
-94% reported product effectively covered skin discoloration, pores, blemishes and dark under eye circles
-90% reported product effectively covered hyperpigmentation and dark spots 

Wear time (with/without primer): The wear time on this is typical with my other foundations, even with primer I require at least a couple of touch-ups throughout the day, and my nose inevitably gets oily/shiny. I think the wear time will improve on my combo skin during the cooler months, when my t-zone produces a lot less oil.

Price (ml): £42 for 7.1ml

Pros: Good shade range
Pigmented



Cons: Very expensive for less than the usual amount for a stick foundation

Suitable Skin Types: All except oily/extremely oily.

Ingredients: Not listed but free from;  
• Parabens
• Fragrance
• Gluten
• Sulfates
• Nanoparticles
• Phthalates
• Synthetic Dyes
• GMOs
• Not tested on animals

Oxidation: None

Any Other Information: So one of the main cons for this foundation is the price, it's £42 for 7ml, it's true there's often less product in stick foundations, but this is still less for more money when comparing with Bobbi Brown that retails for £29.50 for 9ml and the new Anastasia Beverly Hills option (review pending) that is $25 (not sure how much it will be in the UK yet), which also contains 9ml.

Conclusion: This is a really nice stick foundation, that I think will be best suited to my combination skin in the cooler months. Do I think it's worth £42..........No. Saying that you can see where the money has gone, the packaging is fab and different, it screams luxury. The formula is beautiful no doubt, it provides a good medium coverage without looking cakey or feeling heavy on the skin, and it blends in like a dream. Hourglass is a luxury brand with lots of innovation behind it, but I feel this could have retailed for slightly less or at least contain the same amount as other stick foundations on the market. I've rated it a lust to take into account all aspects of the product; coverage, wear time, packaging, brand, shade range etc. The product itself however would probably only get a 'like' rating, I really wanted to fall head over heels for it, but it is a nice foundation and if you are a beauty junky you are going to want to try it, but see if you can find it on offer.


Availability: you can buy it here, here, here and here.

*Rating: Lust



*Ratings; Hate, dislike, Like, Lust, Love

Foundation Files; Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF10

Foundation Files; This is where I test out different base products, from concealer to powder, tinted moisturiser and foundation etc, over a period of 7-14 days and post my findings. (Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Bloglovin so you don't miss a post) So let’s get started!!!


First off some information about me; Skintype: Combination (leaning dry in winter and Oily in Summer). Shade Reference: in between MAC NC45-50/NW43. Undertones: Warm/Yellow/Neutral.

TheFoundationDirectory; Foundation Files (image from google)

Brand: Estee Lauder

Name: Double Wear Stay-in Place Makeup

Coverage: Medium-Full

Shade: 5N2 Amber Honey

Swatch: 

TheFoundationDirectory; Estee Lauder Double Wear Swatch

What The brand says: The UK's NO. 1 Foundation.* 15-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity. Won't change colour, smudge or come off on clothes. Feels lightweight and comfortable. Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day. 

Wear time (with/without primer): The wear time on this foundation is great, even without primer, I can go all day without touch-ups (but tend to out of habit anyway). If I'm going out after work I will touch-up, my nose, as always will eventually get oily, but it takes longer than with other foundations.

Price (ml): £31 for 30ml

Pros: Extensive shade range
Long wearing
Added SPF
Accessible
Buildable coverage

Cons: No pump
A little pricey

Suitable Skin Types: All except extremely dry/dry

Ingredients: None listed on the website

Oxidation: None

Any Other Information: I purchased this foundation at my local boots counter, also available at boots.com and esteelauder.co.uk. 

Conclusion: Double wear is obviously not new, but I have finally got around to trying this hugely loved foundation and have to say it lives upto the hype. yes, the foundation runs orange, but I love a fabulously oranged toned foundation, it just works for my skin tone. This foundation has literally up'd my expectations of the wear time of other foundations, the wear time is great, and the colour matched is pretty spot on (when I'm not tanned from my holiday and with the extra dash of orange I like in my foundation lol).

*Rating: Love

*Ratings; Hate, dislike, Like, Lust, Love

Kiko Cosmetics Summer Collection

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Kiko Milano's Limited Edition Summer Collection, inspired by the passion to travel, I have to say I was awe struck by the gorgeous packaging straight off the bat. The packaging was designed by designer Ross Lovegrove who's known for his futuristic and conceptual work, he was given the brief to design beautiful products you can take with you anywhere. This fits well with Kiko's overall ethos to provide functional and affordable products, that look and perform far better than there actual cost. The result? The collections gorgeous golden lust worthy packaging, that I'd be happy to pull out of my bag for on the go touch-ups absolutely anywhere.

TheFoundationDirectory.blogspot.com; Kiko Summer Collection

This huge collection includes a DD Cream, Cream & Powder Foundation, Bronzer, Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Mascara, Lipstick, Lip Oils, Highlighters, Makeup brushes, Baked Blushers, Fragrance and another gorgeous make-up bag I'd rather use as a clutch bag (Click here to see what I'm talking about). I haven't managed to try everything I received from this massive collection, partly due the size of the collection, but also because the foundation I got in the goody bag actually doesn't match my skin tone. I'll pick some of my favourites so far from what I have.

TheFoundationDirectory.BlogSpot.com; Kiko Summer Collection

First up is the Endless Sky Volume Effect Mascara £12.90; As the name would imply, this is a volumising mascara, and it's great at doing that, but not so much lengthening. It's a very nice very black mascara that stays put all day, it has a medium sized brush that tapers to a point. I really like this mascara, but I do pair it with a lengthening mascara (which I do a lot with my mascara's) to get the benefits of both volume and length. The Dessert Dunes Bronzer £22.90 is another item I like, not because it actually bronzes my skin tone, even though I have the darker of the 2 shades available. I used this as a finishing powder to add a subtle glow to my face. This bronzer is absolutely huge, a massive 20grams to be precise, very reminiscent of something from Tom Ford. It could also be used as a subtle highlighter depending on your skin tone. Next up is the Mirage Lip Stylo £13.90 (aka Lipstick), I have 2 of the 16 shades and 11 Soul Blackcurrant is my fave, the deep fuchsia shade is right up my street, when I want to opt for bold colour on my lips, see it in action on my instagram (Aallexxy) here. The next item I'm going to touch on is the Lip Oil £10.90, which I feel is a brewing trend in beauty. This is a great glossy textured moisturising lip oil that has no colour, but is available in three scents, hence the different tints I have the vanilla scented option. The scent is not overpowering or sickly, which is nice, it just gives some hydration and sheen to the lips more than anything. It's a nice alternative to applying a balm, while out and about. And finally is the Makeup Pochette £16.90, which as mentioned previously, I'd more likely use as a clutch bag on a night out.

TheFoundationDirectory.blogspot.com; Kiko Summer Collection

What do you think of this new collection? Have you picked up any items yet? See the collection here, prices start from £8.90.

Ojon Damage Reverse Treatment, Rare Blend Deep Conditioner & Oil (Plus Giveaway)

If like me you've been living under a rock and didn't realise that the retail giant Estee Lauder had acquired Ojon in 2007, now you know lol!!! However the founder of Ojon, Denis Simioni remains as president, now Ojon sits alongside Origins. Origins was founded in the 90's by Estee Lauder's son William P. Lauder, and is one of the original Lauder companies. I was invited down by Origins to the Ojon Restorative Hair Clinic to get a hair consultation by the fabulous Jennie Roberts, and was given a hair prescription of Ojon products to cater to my hairs needs.

The basis of the Ojon range is 'Ojon Oil', which is included in all their products, and Ojon refer to as nature's golden elixir. It's Palm Nut oil that grows on trees in Hondura, the oil within these nuts is extracted by hand by a local community in Central America called Tawira, Tawira in their native language literally translates to 'people of beautiful hair', Ojon states their products are clinically proven to transform hair back to great health.

Ojon Damage Reverse Treatment, Rare Blend Oil & Deep Conditioning Treatment

First up in my prescription was the Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment, a pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatment for damaged hair. This claims a 64% improvement in dry, damaged hair after just one treatment, when left on overnight, which I'm yet to try this method. It's a highly concentrated balm textured intensive hair treatment, that hydrates and improves the condition of damaged hair. Fortified with pure 'Ojon Oil' that is rich in essential lipids similar to those found naturally in hair, you apply this to dry hair, rubbing the product to transform it into an oil first. I left this on for 20 minutes in conjunction with my Heattreat Cap, my hair felt soft and hydrated following this, I then rinsed my hair and followed with shampoo.

Next is the Rare Blend Deep Conditioner, formulated with potent hair repairing oils, it protects, softens and boosts shine.  it contains two Potent phases;

1. Amber Phase; A restorative blend of 7 rare oils, including hair repairing ‘Ojon Oil’, African Shea, Brazilian Muru Muru and Indian Kokum butters.
2. Ivory Phase; A moisture rich cream infused with deeply nourishng plant derived conditioners.

I apply a generous amount to wet hair, comb through with a wide tooth comb as it has a nice amount of slip it's great for detangling, I leave it for 5-10 minutes and rinse. If I’m not using the Damage Reverse Hair treatment, I would use this as my deep conditioner and leave on my hair with the Heattreat Cap for about 20 minutes. This can also be used as a leave in if you like rocking your natural curls out.

Last but by no means least, is the Rare Blend Oil - Total Hair Therapy, for thick or coarse damaged hair. Ojon gathered potent natural oils known for their healing powers and infused them into 3 hair reparative phases; Amber, Crystal and Red. Ojon state that only one drop is needed for this oil to protect, nourish, repair and transform dull, dry or damaged hair. On my hair type I required more than a drop, this oil is lovely and lightweight, that still left my hair feeling nourished and hydrated.

Ojon Damage Reverse Treatment & Rare Blend Oil Giveaway

You can find all these products and more at Origins.co.uk, but so you can also experience some of the Ojon magic, I am doing a twitter giveaway, where you could win the Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment and the Rare Blend Oil - Total Hair Therapy. All you have to do is go to my profile (twitter.com/aallexxy) and retweet and like the pinned tweet, you must obviously be a follower of mine, the giveaway closes on the 20th May and a winner will be chosen w/c 23rd.  

Good luck