It’s easy to get caught up in the lure of all that’s new and wonderful when you’re immersed in the world of beauty. As bloggers, it happens all the time because that’s what we’re often fed – the new. So, when a long time reader, pondsandleaves, steered me not-so-gently in the direction of something not so new, I thought it was a good idea to see how good it was.
The product in question was a foundation – the Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Makeup foundation. For some reason, this one had slipped right under my foundation radar (yes, I have a foundation radar – it’s one makeup item I tend to gravitate towards) and I was very intrigued!
What the Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Makeup foundation claims is a luminous and hydrated visage, with medium to full coverage. I will attest to the coverage. I don’t usually wear high coverage foundation, so it took me a while to get used to this one. As it turns out though, I think it’s a brilliant foundation and deserves a little more hype! Come on, give it up for the future! 😛
Often, high coverage foundation tends to feel a little heavier on the skin. It’s normal, because rarely do you get a perfect product that gives you both coverage AND hydration AND luminosity. Something has to give. But Estee Lauder made a brave stab at delivering on almost all 3 counts.
I do find that the texture of the Futurist Aqua Brilliance foundation is a little heavier than what I usually go for. So, I counter that by using less than what I’d normally use. Half a pump as opposed to a full pump of product. This gives me a lighter result. If I wanted to do a full coverage base, then I use a full pump. Sometimes, I blend it with a bit of serum or moisturiser to thin out the texture.
What I like is that despite the creamier texture, this doesn’t slip and slide nor does it melt off my skin. I do think however, that this one is more suited for someone with skin that is drier, because those with oilier skin might find this a bit heavy. It spreads easily, and for me, feels light and comfortable on skin.
I often use this when I’m in a hurry, because the coverage is such that I can use it in place of my concealer, thus saving me one extra step! The foundation offers some light reflecting qualities, so it gently illuminates the skin and makes it look smooth and even-toned. However, it isn’t what is commonly termed as “dewy” (read: shiny) nor is it matte (read: flat).
Here’s how it looks in my usual unretouched before-after photos.
The shade I use is 1C1 Cool Bone, which is a bit of a quibble for me because I have a notorious difficulty in finding a true shade match in Estee Lauder foundations. Very rarely do I get it right, which bugs the hell out of me! LOL! You can see the full makeup look using this foundation on this post.
Cool Bone seems OK for me this time, although I did dither between 1C1 Cool Bone or 1C0 Cool Porcelain, and there’s no Cool Ivory but I think that could be my perfect shade. There are warmer shades for those who have a warmer skin tone as compared to mine. But I think that despite the slight shift in tone, you may notice that the coverage is quite high in the after photo. It softens and blurs the imperfections on skin and feels comfortable when worn. I think that’s very important.
I do set with some powder, as I do with all liquid foundation, and it lasts me for practically the whole day. As a product with little hype, I do think it deserves more attention, because it’s a good product. You just have to find your shade.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Makeup foundation is a medium to full coverage foundation that does not feel heavy on skin. It also does not dry out my skin and feels comfortable on drier skin. Due to the texture, I’d peg this one for one more suitable for those who have drier skin or who wants a foundation that offers high coverage, and feels hydrating on skin, without looking too matte. You can thin it out by using a drop of serum or moisturiser blended in, and using less than a pump of product. The biggest problem I feel, will be to find a shade match. It is otherwise, deserving of more attention than it gets.
Note: I noticed this was only available in Asia and not worldwide. I’m not sure why. I don’t list low SPF as a con because if you’re relying on makeup for your sun protection, you deserve to burn 😛
PROS: Lightweight creamy texture, Does not dry out skin, Not too matte in texture, High coverage foundation, Nice for those with drier skin types
CONS: Shade selection can be tricky without seeing it in person, Pricey, Asia only
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants high coverage foundation that does not dry out the skin, Anyone who does not want a foundation that’s too matte
PRICE: RM185 for 30ml
AVAILABILITY: Estee Lauder counters (Asia) and online
If you’re interested in what’s in there, here’s the ingredient list.
I know the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation gets a lot of love from many people due to its high coverage and longevity. I’ve always had a bit of trouble with Double Wear because my shade isn’t available in Malaysia and when I tried it before, I found it a wee bit drying. For me therefore, this Futurist Aqua Brilliance is a happy compromise – light shades, high coverage yet comfortably moisturising on skin with a gentle luminosity.
Have you tried this Futurist Aqua Brilliance foundation? Had you heard of it before?
If not for you readers who nudge me over and over to try things you love, I’d probably not have come across half of what’s out there! So, thank you pondsandleaves, you were right. This is a lovely foundation! 🙂 Now, who else has tried it and agree/disagree?
Paris B
Hmmm…the bottle looks suspiciously like the Perfectionist foundation…which i have been looking for everywhere in the region…
You know what Ishi, I thought the same thing! I did think it might be the Asian version, but I checked online and Singapore seems to carry Perfectionist foundation, if you’re looking. I hear it’s pretty amazing stuff!
Thanks so much for this great review! I never even knew that this foundation even existed (available in Asia only) and it sounds like something I *need* to try. I am very much a foundation junkie (I am glad I’m not the only one who has a foundation radar as well) and the thought of this providing a little bit more coverage without looking cakey sounds like the sort of coverage I want on my wedding day! Thank you so much for introducing me to this – I’m heading to Singapore for a few days tomorrow so will look to see if they have it there!
Fiona recently blogged…Ingredient Spotlight: Parabens
Glad you found it useful Fiona! 😀 I’m so happy to meet another foundation junkie! Hurrah! Foundation junkies unite! 😀 I’m forever eyeing up any new foundations out there because they’ve come so far in recent years, haven’t they? This one isn’t cakey at all and seems to settle on skin better as the day wears on. I do hope you can find a good colour match (sample it for a day before buying, just in case it oxidises or turns shiny etc) and I bet you’re looking forward to your wedding day! 🙂
It is very very difficult for me to find the right shade of foundation and Estee Lauder’s foundations are usually too pink for me. Most high coverage foundations will go on fine initially, but when I get hot, my face turns red. Also, foundations do oxidize most of the time, and that’s when I’ll look either pink or 2 shades darker. It’s a disaster! Then when I get yellower foundations to compensate, the high coverage ones will make me look like I have jaundice. HAHAHA!
That’s the main reason I always opt for sheerer, lighter foundations because they’re more forgiving 🙂 At the moment, I’m just going with tinted moisturizers. Skin is behaving so I only need a little bit to even out the skin, thank goodness! That said, you definitely made me curious about this one. Should I get a sample just to try it out? LOL!
Lily recently blogged…Burberry Full Kisses English Rose, Rosewood and Oxblood
EL now has more in-between shades, but for me they either go too pink or too yellow. Always a gamble, and I never understood why – they do great with Bobbi Brown don’t they? Why don’t they just have technology transfer 😛 I go for lighter textured foundations mostly for comfort, but it’s always useful having a fuller coverage foundation on hand. For me anyway. Sampling is free – can lah – see if you get a match 😀
Not really happy when the recent counter brands jacked up their price, I remember this foundation was selling at 160+ ish. As shu uemura smooth fit fluid foundation broke me out badly, I went for shiseido synchro skin foundation since they didn’t jack up their price yet, although my original intended purchase is estee lauder double wear, I fear that it will look too heavy on me, but this futurist does seem appealing, except for that price tag.
Goodness, was it 160+ before?! I guess the price hikes are inevitable in the current climate, but here’s a tip – since EL is available at Sephora stores, wait till the members 20% discount sale and get it then! Or if you have the 10% discount, there’s some saving there too. Not the best solution I know, but better than nothing eh? 😉 I haven’t yet tried the Shiseido Synchro yet, but I’ve heard some amazing things! Do you like it? EL Double Wear is a crowd favourite for full coverage that lasts. I know of friends who love it, but I can’t find my shade 🙁
I take Neutral 2 for Shiseido’s synchro. The coverage was light but the wear feels almost weightless! But towards the end of the day i has some weird white patches on my cheeks ONLY where I have my concealer. It does dry down to a semi-matte finish that controls shine better. The best quality will be its weightless feel. But for me, any foundation that didn’t break me out is a good foundation, whether it controls shine or not is a side consideration :(. I have never shopped at Sephora yet since it isn’t near to my house. But I might give in to EL’s double wear since it’s talc free (talc infused foundation tends to break me out, even shiseido. The wayyy much cheaper Kanebo’s Media liquid foudation did not–maybe my skin tolerates to cheaper foundation better?)
Well Angie, now that Sephora is online, you can shop from there (and enjoy the sales or offers) even if you don’t have a store near you! 😉 It’s interesting that you mention how cheaper foundations can work better. I find that with Japanese brands (I haven’t tried Kanebo Media but I’d tried ZA) their foundations are ace, whether in the high end or low end of the price scale. And there are many brands that now do affordable foundation well – Bourjois comes to mind immediately! 😀 Foundation is a personal thing – use what your skin likes. Sometimes, just because it’s more expensive doesn’t mean it’s better 😉
Tested this Futurist and compared with the Doublewear. The only difference that I can notice is that the feeling when you touch on the skin. DW is matt and dry, Futurist feels like a moisturized real skin. Perhaps FAB suited for those working under AC, DW is good for days without AC.
Thank you for sharing Jess! I gave away my bottle of DW to a friend coz the shade didn’t suit me so I couldn’t compare, but it’s good to know that my suspicions were right – that FAB is fab for me! hehe… 😉
Haven’t heard of this before but tried out the recent compact collab they did with Kendall Jenner? Great consistency and texture but for some reason Estee Lauder products sway more on the pinky side and doesn’t look too sexy on my slight yellowish undertone :/
Happy Thursday dear x
Real Life Nerd
Yes, EL bases do err on the side of pink base, which is a little strange. It can look ashy on warm skins, and when they go warm, it’s like, yellow! 😛 The very light shades are a little more forgiving but even then, it can be tricky haha! Pity eh?
i have this foundation about a year ago. I can’t remember how much was it but i don’t think i bought it at RM185. Too expensive !!! I like it more than classic Double Wear and Double Wear Light. Blown away with the decent coverage but not too heavy. i have very dry skin and this really do a great job on hydrating my skin. i’ll need to add some liquid highlighter if i want to wear classic Double Wear as it’s too dry on my skin.
Oh hello! Long time no see! 😀 Has the price jumped that much?! Goodness. I can’t keep up with all the hikes you know. Happy to know you like this one too though! 😀 I can’t wear Double Wear as EL doesn’t carry the super light shades here, and I find that the DW bases tend to be a little darker than normal. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the coverage?
Hi Paris ! Thanks for still remembering me ? Not sure about the price but I think I bought at RM165 if I didn’t remember wrongly. I found that most foundation brands carrying darker shades except Dior and Kat Avon D has paler shades. Was tempting to get ET DW Nude Foundation Stick but I don’t see much positive reviews about the longevity.
I remember most of those who have left comments over the years – didn’t realise you were still reading hehe… 🙂 Incidentally I’m also quite interested in that foundation stick thing! The one with the strange cushion on the end right? I’m terribly fascinated by it, but just not sure if it’s going to be worth the hassle of me trying to get a shade match, and/or discovering that it’s just gimmicky LOL! 😀
This is so hard to get outside of Asia 🙁 I love it because it feels nice and hydrating on my combination skin and doesn’t break me out or oxidise. Practically one of the few non-japanese foundations which sit perfectly on my face.