I’d never used a makeup base before this. That is, until I had a makeover done at Kanebo one day. They used a liquid over my face before applying the foundation. I asked what it was and they told me it was a makeup base.
According to the makeup artist, using a makeup base before applying your foundation and the rest of your makeup helps it last longer. It acts as a base, something for your foundation and powders to grab onto. It operates on the same principle as when you paint. Before applying the paint colour on the walls, painters will apply a coat of primer or base first. This helps the paint adhere better and keep the colours brighter. Well, makeup is like painting, so this principle has been translated across to the makeup world. In fact, some brands call their makeup bases “primer”. Same principle.
I could not afford the makeup base used on me though – Kanebo Revue at RM125 for a little bottle. So, I shopped around, and came upon Kanebo Media UV Makeup Base. This is by one of Kanebo’s drugstore brands – Media. The items in this line are cheap but from experience, pretty good. I will review some other items I have tried from this line soon.
Under the Kanebo Media brand, there is a UV makeup base which comes in a white tube with a blue or pink cover. No, its not for boys or girls, but blue is for the white transparent cream and pink is to add a pinkish tint to your skin.
I bought the blue one as I prefered something that did not mess with my skin tone. It comes in a 30ml tube and the cream is white. It applies smoothly without any colour on your skin. It also contains SPF15 and UV protection.
I found that after using it, my makeup did indeed last practically the whole day. I apply it in the morning and by evening when I get back, my powder foundation looks intact and my blush looks as fresh as when I first applied it in the morning. It seemed to work better with powder foundation as opposed to liquid foundation for me. My face did not feel greasy or oily at all throughout the day. In fact, if anything, it seemed to control the oilies for me. I didn’t even have to blot throughout the day when using this base! Bearing in mind I live in a tropical country which is hot and humid all the time, this is quite a feat.
This little tube retails for about RM27.90 for 30ml and is available at Guardian or Watsons (watch out for 15% discounts that happen from time to time). I don’t use much as it spreads very easily so you can rest assured this goes a very long way. Cheap with great results. What more can you ask for in a makeup base?
Pros: Cheap, works well, makeup lasts the whole day
Cons: None I have found
[rating:5/5]
Tine says
May 8, 2007 at 9:57 amWow, you found cheapo Kanebo?! I HAVE to go check it out!! Kanebo here isn’t like in Japan, so expensive.
I’ve been using MAC’s Strobe Illuminator as a makeup base. It’s quite good, but expensive. Anyways, it’s about to finish soon, so I’m definitely going to check out the Kanebo makeup base you reviewed 😉
Thanks!
prettybeautiful says
May 8, 2007 at 11:27 amhey! this is ncieeeeeee! I m gonna get it as well. 😀
truebluepenangite says
May 8, 2007 at 12:25 pmI like the primer I got for Christmas from Smashbox (thanks to my godsis) and it’s really a dream to use. Even foundation lays on smoother and it fills in creases on your face so that it looks so much smoother and polished. It’s pretty pricey at USD 35 per bottle but it lasts forever. I’ll bring it when I get back so you guys can try it. Oh yes, it’s called the Photofinish.
Paris Beaverbanks says
May 8, 2007 at 5:30 pmTine: Yeah! I love Kanebo stuff really. Check out Watsons or Guardian. Its usually in the bigger ones. I haven’t tried the MAC one. Not much of a MAC fan hehe.. but I’ll await your review on your site!
prettybeautiful: Yes it is! Let us know how you like it.
truebluepenangite: Wah I’ve heard lots of good things about Smashbox primer. Too bad we don’t get Smashbox here. 🙁
nina says
May 9, 2007 at 5:56 pmhey.. im using this too. but i use the green base. but its not Kanebo Make Up Base. its called Kanebo Control Base. do u know what are the differences? the control base doest help me much… leaving my skin oily by end of the day. perhaps i should try the makeup base next! ive used estee makeup base (in blue). its great, but pricey tho.
Paris Beaverbanks says
May 9, 2007 at 6:02 pmNina: I think the control base that’s green is for correcting redness. This is just a makeup base that has no colour in it. Its cheap enough to give it a shot anyway 🙂
dee says
June 12, 2007 at 11:25 pmhey im thinking to buy this makeup base today, but kinda reluctant coz i saw theres 4 types on the shelf, i asked the makeup advisor for this product line in watson about the difference between the ‘blue’ and ‘pink’, she looked me like im a schmuck and said “its make up base lah” what an idiot! …. since i cant read japanese and not wanting to buy something that im not suitable to, i decided not to buy it.
anyway, thank u very much for the info, you made my day. I think im goin to buy it toms. HAHA..
Paris Beaverbanks says
June 13, 2007 at 12:07 amDee: I’m glad this review helped you! 🙂 and yes sales people are really quite clueless sometimes. Pity.
Shalala says
February 18, 2008 at 3:07 pmThank you very much for the info. Now, i’m rather know about the Makeup Base. I ‘m gonna get it at once 🙂
Paris Beaverbanks says
February 18, 2008 at 3:15 pmShalala: Glad you found it useful and I hope it works for you too!
Maria says
May 20, 2008 at 12:33 pmreally really interested with this, but i guess it’s only available in big watson or guardian in big cities in malaysia..
if i have chance to go down KL, i’ll for sure buy this one! 🙂 thanks for the review…
grace says
July 30, 2008 at 9:57 pmhey there, thank god i found ur blog abt the kanebo makeup base review. actually, i went to the store to find some good but cheap makeup base. then I saw kanebo makeup base on sale. The original price was RM30. but they had sales 40% meaning after discount, its RM18. I wanted to get it but i dont know if it’s worth it. tmr i am so going back to the store again!!! Thanks for the review.
ParisB says
July 31, 2008 at 2:40 pmgrace>> That’s really cheap! And its worth giving it a shot. Thanks for your comment.
Janice says
September 9, 2008 at 9:55 amThanks so much for your review! This is on sasa.com for around $11 USD and I was wondering whether to get it or not since Kanebo isn’t available in NZ.
I’ll be sure to check out watsons next time I’m back in M’sia. Sounds so much cheaper there!
Keep up the good work!
ParisB says
September 9, 2008 at 10:15 am@Janice: Kanebo Media has been pulled from Malaysia as I don’t see them in Watson’s anymore. I think there may be some rebranding going on so they might come back or not but I’m uncertain.
lemon says
March 27, 2009 at 3:21 pmHi,
Personally I am using powder foundation only on my face for my daily routine. My beautician advises, not to use makeup base or liquid foundation frequently as these will be stuck on the face in the long run leaving a rather fake yellowish stain on the face.
Is this true?