I once tweeted that if I were to only be able to use one liquid foundation for the rest of time (unthinkable!) it would be the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation. That caused quite a stir I can tell you. Bourjois isn’t a terribly popular brand, nor is it available in Malaysia yet (sorry folks!) but I stand by what I said. This is a liquid foundation I’d be loathe to give up.
The Healthy Mix Serum foundation is the lighter version of the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation I reviewed before. I like that one too. I could use them interchangeably and be absolutely happy about it. What differentiates the Healthy Mix foundation from the Healthy Mix Serum foundation is the fact that the serum foundation is supposed to have a more gel-like texture. To be honest, it just feels like a normal light foundation to me, just a bit lighter than the normal version, but not that much lighter.
Being a gel textured foundation, it feels very light on the skin and once blended in, feels almost barely there as far as I’m concerned. Coverage wise, it has a light-medium coverage which is buildable but what is notable is that the foundation has this incredible stretch to it, so a little bit covers quite a large area. It is surprising to see this in what is essentially a drugstore/pharmacy brand foundation.
Because of the “elasticity” in this foundation, I find that I don’t need very much. I apply it with my fingers, and it covers up redness and masks some marks but it does not hide them totally. You still need to use a concealer. At least I do. However, if I’m not too fussed, I sometimes just layer on extra foundation as concealer where I need it and this one does the job very well, especially for the under eye area.
The pump is very responsive and controllable so you can control how much you get. I do find that one pump does the job to cover my whole face and if I’m economical with it, more besides if I’m using fingers. I usually use about half a pump. Once applied on my skin, I find that it blends right into my skin and stays there for pretty much all day.
I noticed on the bottle that it claims 16 hours radiance boosting even, revived complexion. I don’t think I’ve actually worn it for 16 hours, but it does stay on without getting oily or melting right off my skin. I must say that it definitely makes my skin look like my skin but a lot better! Unlike the Clarins Everlasting foundation which also promises 16 hours of wear, this one isn’t matte or flat in any circumstances. It just makes my skin look better and I’m not sure how else to describe it.
Colour wise, I take it in #51 Light Vanilla which is the lightest shade available. In Singapore where this can be found, there are 3 shades available – #51, #52 and #53. In the UK, there are about 8 shades available.
(1) Dior Forever Foundation 010 Ivory (2) #51 Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation (3) Lancome Maqui Miracle Blanc BO-01 (4) Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating foundation 010 Ivory (5) #51 Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation
As you can probably tell from the swatches (I hope) the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundations are noticeably neutral in tone. I’ve swatched them alongside foundations that are noticeably warmer (Lancome) and cooler (Dior) so you get an idea of its tone. As I can quite comfortably wear all these foundations shown here in varying degrees of intensity of course, you may therefore have an idea of what colour you could wear.
In a nutshell
My favourite liquid foundation to date alongside the regular Healthy Mix foundation and one I’d happily repurchase over and tell you to 😛 The texture is light on the skin and does not settle in lines, accentuate dry skin nor make the skin feel and look oily. It lasts all day on my skin and is non drying. It makes my skin look like my normal skin but better. Its awesome!
Pros: Nice elegant compact glass bottle, Light texture, Not drying, Does not make skin look oily, Lasts all day
Cons: Limited colour selection in Asia, Unavailable in Malaysia yet
If you have read my earlier review on the Healthy Mix foundation, you will notice that I commented on the strong fruity scent. The same scent is in this version, but it is lighter and less invasive to the nose. The fact I’m able to forgive this foundation its scent tells you a lot about how much I like its texture.
I also like that the Healthy Mix Serum foundation comes in a slim glass bottle unlike the bulkier plastic bottle of its predecessor. It just feels more elegant – I have a penchant for things that come in glass bottles 🙂
I wish I could tell you to run out and get it now, but since I can’t seeing as its not available here in Malaysia, I’d tell you to place this on your shopping list for the next time you hit up a Bourjois counter. I don’t think you’d regret it one bit 🙂
If you have access to Bourjois, have you tried the Healthy Mix Foundation or this serum gel foundation version? Do you like it? I love this and I’d happily declare this my Desert Island Foundation! If I could only bring one foundation with me to a desert island, this would be it – I won’t even have to think about it 😀
Paris B
Ingredients: Aqua (water), Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alcohol Denat, Parfum (fragrance), Panthenol, Aluminium Hydroxide, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Silica, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Pantolactone, Punica Granatum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid [+/- May contain: CI 77007 (ultramarines), CI 77019 (mica), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI77891 (titanium dioxide)] 10BMT001-1
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation comes in 8 shades and retails at £9.99 each or S$33/30ml. Pick them up when they go on sale. Its not available in Malaysia at time of writing but you can try StrawberryNET.com which carries a limited selection of Bourjois products
Ive tried this foundation too , but too bad I can’t seem to find my shade, eithers its pinkish or too dark.Im hearing good reviews about Maybelline Fit Me, going to get one soon!:)
Oh boo to not having a shade 🙁 But on the bright side, I have also heard some good things about the Maybelline Fit Me foundations 😀 I don’t think we’ll get it but it’ll be nice to hear if you like it! 😀
I love this in the powder version! Waiting for it to go in sale at Oriveline to buy a backup 🙂
As much as I love it however, my desert island foundation will have to Chanel’s Vitalumiere Aqua
There is a powder version? Oh boy 😛 I saw some loose powder but I didn’t get it. Maybe the next trip to Singapore 😉 I have heard that this is comparable to Chanel’s Vitalumiere Aqua but not having tried the latter I can’t judge 🙂
Sure is! Its a loose powder and retails approx A$31 and there us also a Kabuki brush (I think abt $19??) that goes with it.
I’ve been using the Healthy Mix serum again since you posted this and think I’m beginning to like it as much as the Vitalumiere ( cheaper too!)
Have u tried the Healthy Mix concealer?
Ahh I think I remember seeing the loose powder now you mention it! Oh and yes! I have the Healthy Mix concealer too and I love it as much as the foundations! Is the Bourjois seriously comparable to Chanel? If so, I’m going to skip even trying Chanel because I can’t get my shade locally 😛
I must be the only person in the world that really HATED this product and doesn’t understand the hype! I tried to apply it with fingers, sponge or brush and doesn’t matter…it always looks so streaky and horrible on me :(. There’s no way I would ever leave the house with that. And I think this gave me pimples too…
Haha So sorry it didn’t work for you Cris! Someone I know bought this too and tried it but didn’t like it because it made her oily despite everyone saying it doesn’t turn oily! So rest assured you aren’t alone 🙂
Thanks for this fab review! I’ve been wanting to try this out. 😉
great review! i am a bit concerned about the alcohol denat. in there though. do you have another fav foundation that does not have that ingredient? thank you!
Erm i don’t pay a lot of attention to alcohol Denat but I also like Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation, Dior Forever, Diorskin Nude, Clarins Everlasting 🙂
Hello Paris! Have you tried the new Dior Forever foundation? If you have, which do you prefer, this or Dior? Thanks!
Hiya yes I have the Dior Forever foundation 🙂 I find the Dior one offers more coverage while the Healthy Mix Serum is lighter. I like both. If budget allows, I’d say try the Dior but if you want something portable, travel friendly and light on the pocket, the Bourjois does the trick. Don’t make me choose! 😉
Oooh…well I have tried the Dior Forever, although it’s just a sample. Wish my skin was more flawless like yours! The price of this is tempting though…I even have leftover to try their eyeshadows if I get this instead of Dior Forever. Ahhh decisions, decisions…sucks that we don’t get Bourjois here 🙁
I don’t have flawless skin either but a good concealer helps tons! 😀 If you’d like more bang for your buck, try to get hold of the Bourjois. I do find that the coverage in Dior Forever is better in the sense that a little takes you further than the Bourjois one, but at the end of the day, it comes down to preferences – Bourjois works well enough if I don’t have other foundations on hand 🙂
gosh..i really hope this would be available in malaysia.
the serum is the best foundation ever, i love it, makes the skin looks so beautiful, i never want another brand again
Hello there! Just to share with you on this foundie!
I remember when I was evaluating this foundation for the first time, i googled for it and your review was first on the search. Based on your review , i picked one up for trial and from then on, i have bought 3 bottles to use! LOVE this foundie to pieces as i was really keen on a sheer dewy foundie which required really little concealer for my problem areas… worked well and MORE! i am on #53, on a MAC NC30.. i have also tried the 1,2,3 Perfect Foundation (non dewy, covers as well as this). I have to go props to this for being available in Watsons and quite reasonably priced too!
Thank you for the review that made me land my hands on this baby!!
Hi there, I’m very happy this foundation worked for you! I love it but we can’t get it easily here in Malaysia which is a pity. I haven’t tried the 123 Perfect one but I hear its really good too! Thanks for dropping by and commenting 🙂
I love, love, love this foundation and I was a high end foundation girl for as long as I remember! I just finished my Healthy mix serum and bought a Healthy mix to try it out.
Bourjois is now available at Sunway Pyramid though don’t think the full range is brought in and they are having promo for certain products ending 15 June, today. Better run over today to get your stash!
Thanks for the info Adrianna. I’m told they’ll be at Watsons soon too so I’ll wait till they are before checking them out 😉