Search

Type below and hit enter...

A continuation of Purge Pile #1 and #2 and my ongoing attempts to declutter my stash before a maybe/kinda move? I’m not moving houses… I’m being cryptic aren’t I? Carrying on, the products that are now going to better homes!

Purge Pile #3 – Dior, Kiehls, Koh Gen Do

Pixi by Petra – Quick Fix Translucid Powder*

You know I love a silica based powder (Rouge Bunny Rouge is a favourite, It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder has totally blown me away) but I guess this goes to show that not all silica powders are created equal; the Pixi powder leaves my skin looking a bit dusty and ashy. Additionally, the delivery mechanism doesn’t fit my preferences – the powder is dispensed through a puff (I’d prefer a brush) and when I attempt to unscrew the jar, silica lands on every surface.

If you wanna try something from Pixi, can I recommend the Silky Endless Eye Pens? SO GOOD.

Milani – Baked Bronzer in 05 Soleil

I purchased this one while in Los Angeles – I figured since I adore the Milani Baked Blushers, the bronzer might share a similar formula. Not the case, the gold shimmer is rather chunky so it imparts less luminosity and more… glitter? The shade is a pretty standard warm bronze, suitable for medium skin tones.

Sisley – Phyto Teint Eclat Foundation in 0 Porcelaine

I purchased this foundation for the shade alone; it’s a pale cool yellow which is like finding a specific needle within a pile of needles. Despite no mention of alcohol in the ingredient list, it sets almost immediately and on my skin, performs in a similar fashion to the new-age volatile oil formulas (Diorskin Nude Air, YSL Fusion Ink etc).

So, if you’re on the combo/oily spectrum with a depth of ~NC15 and seeking a cool yellow/olive foundation, HERE IT IS! As an NC20 dry gal, it only ticks one box: undertone. Maybe a foolish purchase but cool yellow is always worth a try. 

Yves Saint Laurent –  Fusion Ink Foundation in BD20

I’ve heard some reviews liken this to the Dior Nude Air and yes, they’re similar in consistency, coverage and application. The Dior counterpart remains in my collection; if the weather is warm and my skin is feeling balanced, it sits quite nicely. Despite various experiments, Fusion Ink ages me 5 years, draws attention to texture and creates a rather dehydrated appearance. Shade BD20 is a touch pale and peachy for my colouring but I don’t love the formula enough to purchase another bottle.

Koh Gen Do – Maifanshi Moisture Foundation in 113

GAH, I really expected to love this – after all, Koh Gen Do Aqua is one of my all-time favourites. A quick and objective comparison between the two formulas: Moisture is thicker in consistency (more a cream than a fluid), remains tacky to the touch (while Aqua settles to a natural satin) and the coverage is rather similar (a lighter medium, buildable to a fuller medium).

I have to be armed with a magnifying mirror to see the Aqua on my skin while the Moisture Foundation I can see a metre away. It just sits awkwardly on top of my skin, highlighting any peach fuzz and pooling in my pores. I’m not suggesting it will look this way on everyone, foundation is very personal but if we share similar preferences, here is a heads up – it didn’t work for me.

Quick note on shade, KGD Moisture in 113 is very similar in depth to the KGD Aqua in 213 but SUPER PEACHY. Like straight from the tree peachy. Like undereye corrector peachy.

Dior – Pore Minimizer Matte Primer*

I featured this product in a first impressions video and I think it’s a fab oil-absorbing primer… but I have dry skin 😀 You’d think I’d steer away from ‘matte’ labels but hey, I try everything, that’s what I do.

If I applied this to the nose (where I do get a bit shiny, fyi), I’d have to be very careful to blend edges with a brush or foundation would adhere unevenly, revealing lines of demarkation between primed and unprimed skin. I predict this would be a non-issue for oilier skin types, which inherently exhibit more ‘slip’. All in all, if you’re combo to oily, seeking both pore blurring and oil-absorbing properties, I reckon you’d like this!

Kiehls – Ultra Facial Cream*

After my skin freaked out I decided to go back to a basic, bland skincare routine. I asked around and many recommended the Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, which fit the bill. I used it daily for about a month and although it sat beautifully under makeup and my skin looked hydrated, I couldn’t ignore the very minor burning sensation upon application. Unless it’s a chemical exfoliant, I don’t think skincare should sting or burn.

FYI

I don’t believe in ‘bad’ makeup, just products that don’t fit preference or skintype. I don’t throw cosmetics away, unless it’s mascara. I collect my purge pile until it’s sizeable and my friends and family make a feast of it 😉

Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts?

xxkarima

* denotes products send for consideration. I’m always honest about how a products performs (clearly).

Complete list of products mentioned

Ultra Facial Cream
Ultra Facial Cream
Maifanshi Moisture Foundation
Maifanshi Moisture Foundation
Fusion Ink Foundation
Fusion Ink Foundation
Phyto Teint Eclat
Phyto Teint Eclat
Pore Minimizer Matte Primer
Pore Minimizer Matte Primer
Baked Powder Blush
Baked Powder Blush
* Denotes products sent for consideration. Iโ€™m always honest with my reviews :)

Leave your comment (23 comments)


Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


  1. I didn’t enjoy the KGD Moisture, love the Aqua (my HG) but I had the exact same issues and thought the same with the Moisture. I wish they would make a more fair yellow base ๐Ÿ™ the 213 is a tad too dark and makes my skin slightly more olive. I can get away with it and the other colours seem uber peachy. Next time Im in Sydney, will drop in to PM Studio and see if theres a better colour match.

  2. I thought exactly the same about KGD Moisture, and have identical problem with Sisley Phyto. It is a wonderful foundation, but way too dry for my normal skin. Thanks for the heads up on Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, it’s been on my radar for a while, but I think I’ll skip it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. I loved the YSL foundation, but my skin is somewhere between oily and combination.
    I finished mine a few months ago and I am waiting for my next trip abroad to repurchase (cosmetics where I live are ridiculously overpriced).

  4. I totally agree about the Milani bronzerโ€™s. It was definitely disappointing considering how much I adore their blushes! I need to go through and purge my collection tooโ€ฆI always feel so guilty! As if having it in my drawer and never using it is somehow better, even though itโ€™s obviously not ha.

  5. Hi Karima,
    I SOOO wish you’d be willing to sell the Koh Gen Do. We are really similar in skin tone. The FS bottle is out of financial reach and I do not live near any store which carries it. Such is life. Someday.
    Always love your posts and videos. Hugs.

    1. Unfortunately I just don’t have the time anymore ๐Ÿ™ Sorry about that. If you decide to purchase it, Beautylish ships internationally (although if we’re similar in skintone, I don’t think you’ll have a match!)
      xx

  6. I have the same problem with the Ultra Facial Cream! I don’t know why, it always felt like I was putting on some kind of hardcore exfoliant on my skin. I couldn’t use it up in the end. I’ve heard a lot of other people complain about the same thing. I’m not sure what it is though!

  7. why is it that whenever i use eye makeup remover my eye makeup doesnt go off completely? i dont rub, i press gently then wipe it off just like how beauty gurus taught, but it annoys me so much that i have to rub my skin so that the eye makeuo comes off. also, do you know any good drugstore eye makeup remover?

  8. Thanks so much for your honest reviews on your purge pile! itโ€™ great to see youโ€™re not just raving about the great products sent for consideration, but also the not so good. I always strive to do the same on my blog

  9. I’m totally with ya on the YSL foundation. Aged me tremendously…not what you’re looking for when you’re pushing 50 but your skin normally looks <40 (thanks, Mom!). I just gotta say, GF, thanks for the tip on the Armani Lasting Silk and the Koh Gen Doh Aqua…love love love…especially falling in love with these again now that my weather in the northern hemisphere is getting cooler. Have you tried the fresh mix foundation by Chosungah 22? I think you might like it. I found it to be reasonably kind to texture, has a fresh feel that dries down to satin. The only thing I don't understand is the teeny sponge balanced on top…for retouching on the go, perhaps? I dunno, thinking about seeing if I can remove it. Just annoying. Give it a go! I'd love to know what you think.