Revue Essence in Moisture Liquid Foundation

I forgot to post a review for this Revue Essence in Moisture Liquid Foundation for, like, 2 years -.- Woops. That's what happens when you start a draft post and then...forget about it...

Anyway, there was a lot of hype when this liquid foundation first came out (late 2007?). It did well in rankings and reviews in most major forums in Japan, and seeing that there was the word "moisture" in its name, I had to try it since my skin is dry, even though I don't ever really wear foundation. Curiosity kills the cat, they say, well, it didn't kill me in this instance, but the foundation was expensive ($30-35?). I bought in January of 2008 and only used it a few times before tossing it into the back of the cabinet. I felt very guilty for a long time, I tell you! So yes, the below review I wrote a loooong time ago while I was trying out the foundation but forgot to post. No worries though, the liquid foundation is still sold in stores, so it's not like the review is irrelevant now, even if it's old.

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Review dated Friday, January 11, 2008

Here it is, the much-hyped liquid foundation! I don't wear foundation of any type, but I bought it anyway. I have the shade OC-B. When I was still in Japan, my girlie neighbor matched my skin tone with OC-A for a Kate foundation during a "makeover" session, but then I didn't see an OC-A for this liquid foundation so I bought OC-B instead, hoping it would work. Well, as you can in the swatch below, it sort of...didn't work :( OC-B looks just a tad darker and a bit too warm. Perhaps I should have bought Beige-B? Grr...it's so hard to buy a foundation, especially when you can't be there to try an get a match for your skin.



Anyway, blah, this foundation doesn't work too well for me. Even with my waterproof Sofina Perfect UV SPF50 PA+++, it melts like butter and after just an hour or so, my face is a shiny mirror. Yuck! The only good thing I see so far is right after application, it makes my face looks flawless, that is, until it turns all nasty and greasy. And it's January too! So cold and dry! Can't even imagine wearing in the heat and humidity of the summer. Urgh. May be I should try it a few more times skipping the sunscreen?

Revue Feel Veil Powder

Okay, so I started this blog because I am a Japanese makeup enthusiast (by no means I'm a collector though - there are quite a few others who have me well beaten in this area...). But then it's also been a while since I last post about a Japanese makeup item. Let's just say I've been very distracted.

So back to the topic, shall we?

Revue Feel Veil Powder is my latest love. I think I love it more than my beloved Estee Lauder Aeromatte - gasp! My sister got me this powder for Christmas :D Did I tell you she's leaving to Japan in a couple of months? Yah, she's gonna be there for a few years, and I'm dancing on my chair :D Teehee!



Revue is Kanebo's base makeup line. Think foundations (liquid, powder, cream, you name it), powders (loose, pressed), etc. you get the point. Anyway, let me count the ways I love this Revue powder:
- It's soft like a dream, and here I was thinking the Maquillage Precious Design Powder was soft. Nope, no where near as soft as this powder. I was impressed upon the first touch. It felt softer and silkier and finer than starch!
- It's completely unscented. Enough said.
- It sets like second skin, not powder. As matte as the Estee Lauder Aeromatte leaves my t-zones, it also leaves me looking a little powdered. I didn't look obviously overdone or anything, but a little is still a little. This Feel Veil powder does not do that. Just smooth matte-ness with this one. Amazing.

There is one very small drawback to this powder that might have resulted because I piled a bunch on just to test whether it would give me the overly powdered look (which it didn't, by the way) - it was a tad moisturizing. I looked in the mirror very very late that night and my t-zones were not as nice and matte as they were when I first applied the powder. It didn't look oily or shiny, just not as perfect as I'd like. I guess I'm over scrutinizing this poor Feel Veil Powder, huh?



The Feel Veil Powder has 4 "colors." Mind you, these aren't really colors. They look it, but they will go on transparent no matter how much you put on.
- Top left: soft pink, matte
- Top right: very pale peachy pink, matte
- Bottom right: cream, with very fine pearly shimmers that are not at all noticeable. Once applied, it just has a brightening effect.
- Bottom left: very pale cloud pink, same as the cream, it has very fine pearly shimmers that aren't noticeable.



Hmm...now that I think about it, my t-zones might have lost its perfect matte-ness by the end of the night because I swirled all 4 colors together. May be I should have used only the matte ones on my t-zones and the fine pearly shimmery ones underneath my eyes. I guess that means I'll just have to keep on tweaking until I can figure out how this powder works. Other than that, it's freakin' awesome!

Kanebo Brands

Some well known Kanebo brands are: T'estimo, Kate, Revue, Lavshuca, and Lunasol. There are many others, of course, but I haven't tried them so I will not list.

See a complete listing of all Kanebo brands (in Japanese).

CURRENTLY USING (in conjunction with others)

T'estimo
The beginning of it all for me! I was browsing through the cosmetic store at a local mall when the individual eye shadow refills caught my eyes. They are just so darn cute in clear square cases, and they come in the most adorable colors ever! The relentless TV commercials don't help either. After seeing them for a gazillion times I was brainwashed and, well, the rest is history.

Blushes and eye shadows from this mid-end brand are absolutely marvelous! Many people like its lip products as well. I heard it had a rough start, but it definitely has gotten better with time. Now its most popular items are the eye palettes and the unveiling of each seasonal collection would generate much enthusiasm (mine, at least)! Will post individual reviews later.

Unfortunately, however, the brand is also being discontinued. Much like PN, it is slowly being phased out to be replaced by a new brand called Coffret D'Or, which, in my opinion, is a HUGE disappointment. Urgh. I can't believe they're going to do away with my beloved T'estimo for that crap. What the hell are they thinking? Grr...

A glimpse of the soon-to-be-launched Coffret D'Or. *Yawn* Wake me up when they get their shits together...



***Pictures from this Taiwanese blog.

Kate
The trump factor to Majolica Majorca and the most popular drug store brand in Japan, hands down. Liquid foundations from this brand is amazing, the best I've ever come across! And I don't even like foundations! Will post review later. Its eye shadows and eye palettes are extremely popular as well. I haven't tried any, though, as their color families haven't really captured my interest.

WILL TRY SOON

Revue
A mid-end brand featuring only base color products as Kanebo is famous for its superior foundations. A recent Revue release, the Essence in Moisture Liquid Foundation, has gathered some stellar reviews. See Rouge Deluxe's article on Voce A/W Liquid & Cream Foundations Survey. Will post review after a good trial.

Lavshuca
Another mid-end brand with uniquely feminine packaging and excellent quality. That very aspect, however, puts me off, as it comes across a little too princess-y. Think toy-make up for Disney fantasy devotees. No thanks. I would like to get my hands on one of their discontinued blushes, however. That is, if I could. We'll see about that.