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!

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).