003: NARS Radiant Cream Compact

It's always fun trying to a new foundation, especially when it's a new product for a brand.

This is where a random foundation shopping comes into play, and expectations fly out the window because you weren't after a foundation, truly. In this case it is doubly true since the NARS foundation lines have never appealed to me. It's quite costly (imported from New York, I'm assuming, since that's where the flagship store is) and when I did look at the stuff the specialty Asian colourings weren't available yet. So one night after work on a pay day I took a stroll around Mecca Cosmetica and as it was relatively empty I got a "how can I help you" after one glance. This just so happened to be the week this foundation was released in Sydney - coincidence much?

I ended up going home with Vallauris (medium 1.5) - a new colour too (I looked it up online after) - but not an Asian colour? I suppose it just matches me for summer then. There are probably some nice ingredients in it that make the skin something or other (you can read it on the NARS website) but I really bought it for the packaging. Plastic? Compact? Sold. It's the compact nature that makes it appealing. It's different than any other cream compact that I've seen.

It lasts a summer work day, that's 8am-6pm, especially with face primer. The foundation itself looks like a small amount in the container, but then you don't need much to put one layer on. No pancake face with this formula, but no total matte-ness either (cream foundation of course). I use a sponge or synthetic brush because either way, I'm not caking it on. When it "sinks in" I don't need powder over it either because it lasts, so why make it look powdery? When its a hot day I use oil absorbing sheets to soak up the added dew. It feels natural to touch too, not oddly moist. That may be the primer though (read why). The NARS website description says that from their tests "95% of their skin feel smoother" - and true that, it actually does feel that way when its on.

Yes, I also bought the compact case it optionally comes with, and yes, of course I don't use it day to day - I have a real mirror and sponge. I'm justifying it as a need when travelling. I don't have time to touch up at work and because this lasts, I just don't need to. So I don't bring it. But when I travel, I'll totally be set.

Costs A$56, case is $15 (its very expensive in Australia US$38)

From Mecca Cosmetica 

002: BENEFIT POREfessional

Buying face primers are hard, man, because you just can't test them out in one go.

Truth be told, when I bought this primer I wasn't really going out of my way to buy it. I frequent the Sydney Myer Benefit Brow Bar every so often, and on one occasion when the sales person asked "can I get you anything else?" I automatically replied with "can I try that?" Why? I was waiting for 20 minutes for the next available brow lady and had nothing to do but look at the Benefit counter. It was the newest thing at the time. 

It covers the skin with a nice layer of something smooth, and it feels so, so smooth. The Benefit website describes it as silky, and I guess that's another way of saying smooth. Sort of. You don't need much to cover your face, just a pea sized squeeze, so it takes forever to finish the tube - I mean, it lasts a good long time. When you put foundation over the top (any type, I prefer liquid) it prevents any sinking in larger pores or lines. It does what it says it does. 

But was it what I wanted? Probably not because I wanted something to "mattify" and stop the oiliness from showing at the end of the day. The sales person said it was used for combination skin, after all, oil-free as it is. My first use was at a wedding with a very expensive foundation so it stayed well - but how is that a test if I used a good foundation? When I started using it every day for work with a relatively less but still pricey matte formula it helped the foundation to stay, yes, but is that the foundation too? I just don't own that many foundation variations to test it out for "matte power", or have that much personal time.

So it fills the pores, makes your face look good, if you want a smooth canvas I believe that's the point (right?). The packaging is great because it's a matte plastic squeeze tube, and easy to travel with (no worries about dropping it then). Using your fingers to put it on makes your fingers smooth too - bonus. So I would totally buy it again, if I had more need for it.

Cost A$53 for 22ml

From Myer Benefit kiosk

001: AESOP Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream

This is the second bottle that I've ever owned in less than a year - and that says something.

I've learnt (from my elders, surprisingly) it's easier just to find your that one face cream, and stick to it, because you know you could try a whole bunch every season and just end up with a bunch of different face creams. It's a waste of space, and a waste of money. I'm very grateful for how convenient it is now to just hop online and go through a bunch of different products in one go. This cream, however, was actually originally recommended to me at a store (Myer Sydney City, 2013) after describing what my kind of skin is on my face and trying it out on my hands and seeing if I liked how it felt, and so on (also known as, what's supposed to happen at a proper consultation).

So I'm not going to describe what it's in it - everything is clearly labelled on the pot, and there's a proper description of it online on the Aesop website. However I'm going to make it clear that it is exactly as described in the 'what to expect' and definitely smells like mandarin zest. It doesn't bother me any more, but initially it did because I wasn't used to something that smelled so strongly. Now I associate it with something that's good for my skin. Like me, you can learn to like it.

It feels good, and that's the main thing. When I first tried it (and this is just a dab to cover my cheeks) it had this tightening feeling and made my skin feel very soft. After continued use (over days) some redness faded, and weeks later I was getting people to "feel my face, it's so soft." This kept going until I finished the jar, and it lasted me from Autumn to Spring.

If you have combination skin (which is what it's for, as says the website and by the kiosk consultant) it's definitely for the windier, colder months. Keeps your face hydrated and works well (although for the Aussie summer and tropical climates I use another different Aesop product). Yes, I let it absorb before putting anything else on my face, and I don't need to top up when there are dry patches during winter.

I would add though that getting to the bottom of that glass jar was a pain (finger pain) so I ended up transferring the bottom splotches into a smaller plastic container. Didn't deter me though - I just bought it again last week. 

Cost A$67 for 120ml
From Myer, David Jones, Aesop stores or online - I got this one from Adore Beauty (because of the free shipping)