I am a huge fan of serum foundations – I love the skin feel of the soft and pliable texture that allows my complexion to breathe and feel hydrated. One of the reasons I never took to matte foundations is that I just couldn’t stand the feel of it. Clarins are calling their new Skin Illusion Foundation a nude veil or bare skin finish, but to be honest, it’s not quite as ‘naked’ as that.
In many ways, it’s an ideal summer foundation (but doesn’t launch til end of August) because it does feel so light on the skin. The finish is beautiful – very perfecting and smoothing – and I was very impressed with it. It’s a good one for older skin because it’s not heavy in look or feel but does give hydration and decent cover. I use bareMinerals Complexion Rescue (also gel hybrid) and Skin Illusion definitely has more coverage than that product and I find it more foundation-y than tint-y.
In terms of composition, it’s got thistle oil (silky, serum feel), red Jania extract (mildly exfoliating) and leaf of life extracts (hydrating) as well as SPF15. When it launches, there will be 22 shades and it will cost £30. I’m not sure whether this new version of Skin Illusion will sit alongside the older version (Skin Illusion Natural Radiance) or whether it’s a replacement – I suspect the latter.
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Swatch bottom to top: Ivory, Linen, Sienna (darkest shade), Wheat (my shade).
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4 comments
It was really good to show it
That looks lovely. I need something a bit coverage-y but not drying or heavy, or it sits in all the lines. Will add it to the list.
Heya! I’m trying to find a replacement for my HG – Lancome Teint Idole ultra NUDE. I saw you reviewed that, would you say this Clarins one is similar?
One thing I love about the lancome foundation is its lightweight and thin texture that dries down really nicely. I personally find a lot of lightweight foundations or skin tints have a ‘moiturising’ film that never properly sets or dries. I thought this Clarins one might be like the lancome texture because it has a dropper?!
If you can recommend anything that’s similar to the lancome nude I would really appreciate it!
No, Clarins is quite ‘moisturising’ – have you had a look at Decypher? You can tone match and choose your finish from several weights? Sounds like that might fit the bill 🙂