I picked up the Sana Maiko-han liquid foundation on my last trip to Singapore. The foundation comes in a heavy solid glass bottle with very pretty patterns embossed on the frosted glass. The whole package looks so compact and delicate and so unlike the normal bottles of liquid foundation you get in the market. Truly, the Japanese have some things or two to teach the world about the wonders of packaging!
When I tested the foundation in the store, it was a toss up between 01 and 02 the 2 lightest shades. 01 when I dabbed on my hand looked very white, but 02 looked too yellow. So, I settled for 01. There are only 3 shades available by the way, so girls of darker skin tone will be hardpressed to find a match.
The unique thing about this liquid foundation is the spatula that comes with it. When you lift up the cover, you’ll find a spatula stuck on it. This is what you use to take the foundation out of the bottle. I have seen a similar concept used in one of the Make Up For Ever liquid foundations and I remember a lot of people complaining about it, but I personally like it. It means you don’t have to pour the foundation out of the bottle, and it therefore also means less wastage.
This liquid foundation is supposed to be used together with the Sana Maiko-han foundation brush. I however, as always, prefer to use my fingers. I open the cover, dab some of the foundation from the spatula on the back of my hand or on the mixing palette that comes with the brush, and it is sufficient to cover my whole face.
On the Sana Maiko-han site, this is what is said about the liquid foundation:-
Ultra tiny particles adhere closely without any gap to form a thin film over the skin. Covers pores and unevenness by applying just one layer. In addition, it is a highly functional formula that does not easily come off by sweat, sebum, high temperature, or high humidity.
I tend to agree that one layer is quite sufficient. The colour is quite opaque going on the skin which means a medium coverage. This is surprising as the texture of this foundation is very liquid. As this foundation is geisha inspired, I was expecting it to be heavier and thicker so I was happy to know it was not. It spreads easily and doesn’t look cakey.
I found that there was a cool feeling when the foundation is applied on the skin. I attribute this to alcohol in the product. I cannot find the ingredient list anywhere, so I cannot say for sure if there is alcohol or not but it feels like it. The colour doesn’t oxidise much though which is good. I hate it when liquid foundations oxidise on my skin, turning into a totally different shade and tone. So, 01 although looking white initially, mellows very slightly into a shade which is almost exactly my skintone.
As for the claims that it lasts through sweat and high humidity, I must say that there is some truth to it. The liquid foundation does not slip and slide much, even without a primer. In our hot tropical weather this is a good thing. It is also supposed to contain SPF30 which is useful, but which isn’t much of a selling point for me since I use a separate sunscreen everyday anyway.
I did not experience any breakouts while using this foundation and I suspect that because it doesn’t budge much, removing it may be a little bit of a problem. However, I use cleansing oils every evening to remove my makeup, so I had no problems.
I cannot remember the price for a bottle – S$32.90 maybe? But you don’t use very much, so it can last a long while. Unfortunately Sana isn’t available in Malaysia at this time (boo!) but if you pop down to Singapore, look in the Sasa or in the John Little store on Orchard Road.
Pros: Only little is required, Cute packaging, Lasts on the skin
Cons: Only 3 shades available, some people may not like the spatula
[rating3.5/5]
hey, this sounds good! I love Japanese cosmetics minus the alcohol though. Their packaging is usually wonderful and quality is pretty good as well but too bad they put too many alcohol in their skin acre and everything.
The bottle looks so pretty! Back in the day when I used Clarins foundation, they also had the spatula.
It is pretty useful! Thanks for the review!
Why is it that most brands don’t cater to darker skin tones? That’s a big BOO to them because they are losing out by creating all the lovely berry/chocolatey shades suitable for that type of skin tone! We want to look good too…………..
I for one will steer away from this packaging instantly! i hated Face & Body’s spatula so that’s why i have never been into it in the first place. so this is definitely not for me whether or not it has 3 shades or 30. LOL. but you did a great review once again! thanks
Pretty, pretty packaging! I am so taken in by just the packaging…
Why is it that a lot of brands bypass Malaysia? *sigh* We don’t get to try a lot…
Ooh.. I actually like the spatula! I’ve always resented foundations in pump bottles and pouring out foundation is such a hassle.
Glad this foundation is working for you! Certainly hard to find a good foundation. Too bad it has such limited shades though! I’m slightly tanned thus I doubt there’ll be a shade right for me 🙁
i think this spatula thing is a brilliant idea, as you said, PB, less wastage! 🙂
last week when i dropped by sasa in malacca, i saw they started to sell sana products. i think i saw this foundation and the brush as well. but the price, yes, it was a bit more expensive than in singapore.
Cyndi: Yes I have to agree with the alcohol content in Japanese liquid stuff. Its too bad really but the Japanese don’t seem any worse for wear.
Monstro: Did Clarins? I guess people don’t quite like it!
Jacqueline: I agree with you. Brands should cater for all skin tones. Perhaps because it is a Japanese brand and there are more light skinned Japanese than dark? Still its no real excuse eh?
Jojoba: LOL… Yeah I remember you disliked the packaging of that one.
Rinnah: Hey we just might get it here! I’ll update if I spot it.
Connie: I like the spatula too and yes color matching is very hard with this one.
Zeren Veren: In Sasa here? I’ll have to look it up!
Haha. I wonder which brand of oil cleanser do you use.
I saw it at sasa too. But I didn’t have enough funds to buy. Lol.
Anyway, when I put on my sun screen, it sort of evens out my skin tone. So… That is all I need right now.
@Ms. Blacklace: I use any cleansing oil I can get hold of that isn’t too expensive. At the moment, its Kanebo Freshel which works well for me. If sunscreen is all you need, all the better! That’s what foundation is for anyway – evening out skin tone.
I used to use ZA cleansing oil. It did remove the make up well, and it also smooth out my skin. however, after using it for a while, I got quite a number of cystic acne. Ironic eh? Lol.
Has anyone tried the loose powder and compact powder instead of the liquid foundation? I saw it on the Sana website, hope it’s available in Sasa store. I’m not a fan of liquid foundation because of my greasy face 🙁
I also found a website that sells Sana online for those in Malaysia and Singapore as well. Here it is…
http://www.niyigallery.com/
PB Notes: I have not used the store in this link and have no comments.
I’ve tried the loose powder, and it’s actually good! The powder is extremely finely milled and you can choose between a beige skin-toned colour or a “sakura pink” one, though the latter’s mostly translucent. The only gripe I have about it is that it does have shiny particles in it, albeit tiny. However, if you’re into the glowy skin look, I do highly recommend it!
Hi Paris, this is a really old entry but I’m curious any way … does this foundation ‘pill up’ over physical sunscreen? I know you use chemical sunscreens but I’ve been quite troubled about this ‘eraserdust’ phenomenon that’s plaguing me and my foundations. Also, should one use the brush or finger for this – which is better? What’s the colour undertone? I am NW15 or NC20. Does it give a soft-focus effect or sheer or natural … ok, totally bombarding you with questions.
I’m also curious because you’ve rated it a 3.5 … I know it’s because we have different concerns, if I found a foundation that stays up all day, has SPF 30 and comes in a light shade, it’s pretty much HG for me! It sounds like Colourstay that’s actually my colour 😀
Thank you in advance!
Sorry Jasmine, I’ve since discarded this foundation and I can’t remember how it fares anymore 😛
Oh sure – it’s been a long time since you posted this too. Thanks for replying and piqueing my interest, I’m going to check it out. 😀 I’m looking for a winter foundation that doesn’t melt off my face … contrary to most people thinking winter foundations need to be more moisturising, my eyes water and my nose runs and my face has steam (from my breath) condensing on it, so my foundations don’t hold up …