Sometimes I wonder why I even bother going around the block (or blog hur hur!) looking for “the foundation” when I have one staring at me in the face. Its that insatiable curiosity that is never satisfied with what I have and always wanting something better. Bad bad me!
I have a handful (or perhaps, less than a handful) of foundation that I count as my faves and which I am happy to purchase over and over but of that list, I’m going to put this Lunasol Skin Modeling Liquid Foundation right at the top. Sorry Diorskin Nude and RMK you are in 2nd place in this one.
I first spotted this one when I was having my facial at my regular Kanebo salon, and at the first opportunity thereafter, I picked it up because it was new (back then) and I liked the Lunasol Water Gel Foundation (which I still haven’t told you about!) but I wanted to try something with a little more coverage. I was actually more interested in the Cream foundation but was dissuaded because apparently, it is a bit heavy for our weather, even if it gives flawless coverage. I’m still tempted by it though, so I might give it a go one day. I mean, flawless coverage! Who doesn’t want that! 😀
Does anyone have any input on the cream one (to perhaps tempt me? 😉 )
For today, its the liquid foundation which comes in a slim, square, glass bottle and the signature rose-gold cap of Lunasol. The bottle is so slim, it fits snugly in the palm of your hand and slots nicely into that space on your dresser reserved for “HOLY GRAIL” products – oh yes, if there is the holy grail of liquid foundations, I might just have stumbled on it 🙂
The Skin Modeling Liquid Foundation is predominantly a water based product so it has a very light, comfortable texture. It actually has quite a liquid texture pumped out of the bottle, and here’s the thing. Although one pump out of the bottle doesn’t look like very much, its actually enough, whether you use fingers or a brush.
It does apply a little sheer but yet, it hides what needs to be hidden without looking like its hiding anything. Serious pigmentation doesn’t get covered of course but we have concealer for that. Layering on a little more product actually does the trick too. What it does is blur it out nicely so I only have to dab on a tiny bit of concealer if I want something more flawless. If I just want to look like its my face but better, this is all I need. You won’t believe just how convenient that is!
I have slightly dry skin and this one doesn’t accentuate lines or pores. In fact, it just makes my skin look good and it stays on for hours. I could be out and about in the sun and still look perfect. It does not oxidise on me and here’s the clincher – it makes me look good under fluorescent lighting. If you have ever had to look at yourself in the harsh light of a fluorescent lit bathroom, you will know what I mean. This makes my skin look so good! Honestly, I have no complaints. None whatsoever! 😛
I take the Skin Modeling Liquid Foundation in OC-01 and here are some comparison swatches with other foundations for you to get an idea of shade and texture.
L-R: (1) Lunasol Skin Modeling Liquid Foundation OC-01 (2) Bourjois Health Mix Serum foundation #51 Light Vanilla (3) Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Liquid Foundation 2W1 Sand 36 (too dark for me) (4) Diorskin Nude 010 Ivory (new formula) (5) Burberry Velvet Foundation Trench 021
In terms of shade, OC-01 is a neutral toned slightly yellow based ochre shade. I find my skin likes the shades provided by Japanese brand foundations. They are a touch yellow yet have a neutral base that fits my skin well. The closest the shade comes to is the Bourjois #51.
Despite it being an OC shade, I find that my skin does look brighter with this foundation on. It is sheer, but it hides redness on skin well, and does a beautiful job at photoshopping my skin in real life.
See what I mean? With just one thin layer of the Lunasol foundation, the skintone immediately looks more even, brighter and it doesn’t settle into crevices nor does it accentuate lines. Minor blemishes are blurred and I could live without concealer if I wanted.
A little goes a long way so although the size of the foundation is a bit smaller than normal ones, it will last you long enough. Zero complaints therefore, except that its a tad pricey but then, most good foundations are 🙂 Star product, holy grail status, you don’t get higher accolades than this on this blog 😛
In a nutshell
The Lunasol Skin Modeling Liquid Foundation is a water based lightweight liquid foundation that is light and sheer texture yet on skin, it fits very well to even out skin while keeping it looking very natural. It can be layered for more coverage but a little product goes a long way to blur blemishes and cover redness in skin. I have slightly dry skin but it does not sink into lines or pores and does not rub off easily either. I don’t have a problem with it staying on all day, and it just makes my skin look way better than it normally does. I have no complaints about this one in terms of texture and performance. It definitely deserves a look in and I always reach for this when I want something quick and fuss free in the mornings. I know this will deliver every single time.
Pros: Lightweight texture, Good shade match for my skin, Very little is needed because only a thin layer is required to even out the skin tone, Packaging is sleek and compact, Makes my skin look good even under fluorescent lighting, Brightens the skintone and adds a photoshop quality to the skin
Cons: Pricey
Who will like this: Anyone who is still looking for THE foundation, Anyone who prefers lightweight textured sheer-medium foundations
I’ve had this a while so I’ve lost my box so no ingredient list, sorry. But go, go. Check it out at your nearest Lunasol (Kanebo) counter and tell me if you too find yourself liking the texture and coverage and just every damn thing about it. Because I do, dammit! 😛 Forget all the BB, CC, DD creams in the market. This may not have great sun protection (SPF17 PA++) but come on, seriously, do you depend on your makeup base for sun protection? 😛
Have you been using this foundation too? Have you tried the Water Cream Foundation and do you think it’d work in my weather?
I keep wandering around trying new foundations but when I want something that works quickly without fuss in the mornings, my hands automatically reach for this one. It has not disappointed me yet and seriously, SERIOUSLY I don’t know why I bother looking. That’s the curse of the wandering eye – but I’m secure in the knowledge that I have a no-fail one I can turn to when all else let me down 😉
Paris B
Lunasol Skin Modeling Liquid Foundation Price: RM168/25ml Availability: Kanebo counters at major department stores and salons
Looks good! A pity I just returned from Tokyo, or I would have headed to a counter to check it out
Ah but I bet you got a nice sizeable haul in Tokyo nonetheless! 😉
This is definitely my HG foundation, just look perfect everytime I used it 🙂 It just make me feel nice …. without feeling too heavy 🙂
Yay! Another fan! 🙂 something so perfect, yet gets so little love out there 🙂
Yay a foundation review! This looks interesting though, I may go and buy it soon. I wonder how it fares on oily skin…
That’ll be an interesting question Evan. I read that it works just as well on oily skin as on dryish skin because of the high water content. Try and see if you can snag a sample before you invest 😉
Hi! Wow! Looks so tempting. Haha. I would love to give it a try. You mentioned there isn’t any fuss to apply this foundation in the morning so yay, it makes a plus point! I have combination oily skin. Do you think it will be suitable?
Yes Rin, its quite fuss free. I can apply it with fingers or a brush and its quick because it blends so easily and well into skin. As for combination-oily skin, I’m not too sure. I have read that people find it just as good because of the high water content, but I can’t tell you if it’ll turn oily. It doesn’t on me at all. Some do, like the Burberry Velvet foundation but this one just looks great all day long. Maybe you can try your luck and see if you can get a sample before buying? That’ll allow you to test it and see if it works for your skin 🙂
Thanks for your feedback Paris! I should get the sample then. See how it works for my combination-oily skin.
This is one of my faves too but I’m not sure if it has received HG status because my skin is so finicky. I like that it’s lightweight yet provides pretty decent coverage. It does accentuate a few flaky bits as my skin can sometimes be rather dehydrated.
I love the Lunasol powder foundation too. I’ve been using this a lot recently.
Powder foundation you say? Sold! 😛 I didn’t notice it accentuating dry bits but it didn’t settle into lines or make my skin look fake and masky so I had to give it a lot of points for that 😀
Congrats on finding your HG foundation, Paris! This almost never happens to anyone! I have to check out Lunasol when I’m back in Taipei this year. I don’t tend to experiment much with foundations, but if you’re backing this up I’m super curious! I like the packaging as well. Pumps for the win!
I know right, Sunny? I mean, HG anything deserves some sort of celebration 😀 do check it out when you’re back although I think if you’re taking it back to Belgium you may want to try the Water Cream foundation instead. That comes in a tub unfortunately but is supposed to be quite amazing on skin.
woooo I must look out for this next time I am in Asia! You are right about the coverage! And it makes your skin glowy! LIKE!
I think you’ll love this, Tammy! Although if you’re wearing it in the cold London air, look at the Water Cream version which I hear is wonderful on skin (but which may be too heavy for my hot weather boo!)
Paris you have successfully enabled a trip to the shops this weekend! Really keen to check this one out, will let you know how it fares …
Please do let me know how it goes! They may have some samples on hand so it doesn’t hurt to ask 🙂
You know how I feel about the cream foundation, it’s my HG foundation.
Yes, I do and I’m still itching to try it. But I really should just settle and accept it may be too heavy, shouldn’t I? 😛
wow, really good coverage. Well, we can’t help but wandering eyes. I always think there is something better outside too =P .
Such is human nature, never satisfied with our lot lol!
Now, I am dying to know how this compares to Urban Decay Naked and NARS Sheer Glow!!
I haven’t used Sheer Glow so I can’t compare. As for UD Naked, I find Naked a bit more sheer. Lunasol gets me better coverage with one pass, and stays on till late evening when I go home. With UD naked, I find it fading by the end of the work day, and I do need more concealer. Texturewise, its close.
Wow, I’m so tempted to try it now! Do you remember if the product contains silicones PB?
Gah! I don’t remember, Monstro 🙁 That said, now I think back, the ingredient list is probably in Japanese 🙁 I looked around online and found this one that may help. Apparently it does contain silicone but it doesn’t feel heavy or slippery like foundations with regular high silicone content.
Wow awesome shade! Looks good and natural on you. Like the “make up, what make up” finishing you sometimes quote 😛 I have to try Japanese make up foundation one of these days. I still think foundation requires more time and skills to get it right in the morning rush hour but for a beautiful finishing like this, I think it is worth a try eh? 🙂
Thanks Jennifer 😀 This one really does give a beautiful finish and its super easy to blend into skin. see if you can snag yourself a sample from the counters 😉
May i ask u do we get foundation samples at beauty counters in Malaysia?
Sometimes, if they have the sachets, they will be able to give you the samples. It may not be your shade, but it’ll give you an idea of texture. Some SA may pump it into a little container for you if they have them on hand. I know the SA at Laura Mercier BV2 does as a matter of course. She’s absolutely lovely and helpful. Some aren’t as helpful so its hit or miss.
Wow, if you have accorded HG status to this foundation, I really need to check it out. LOL. You look great in the foundation and it is always nice when a foundation just brightens up your skin. Do you know how does this compare to Urban Decay Naked?
Thanks Victoria, and yes, its an amazing foundation. Just a rough comparison between this and UD Naked would be that Naked also has a light formula but I find it doesn’t have the stretch and coverage of the Lunasol. Also, I don’t experience a lot of fading with Lunasol, but I do with Naked by the end of the work day. Not too bad, but I just prefer the Lunasol one because the coverage is better.
Lunasol Liq. foundation looks good on you!
So far I’ve got a few Lunasol cake powder foundation (from Beauty Boxes) & it doesn’t really suits me. Rather dry & too white on my skin but suits my mum who is fairer.
I’m using products from Benefits, so far it’s “the current” most compatible foundation on me. I find that, at different age, our skin have different level of oil & of course colour as well. I will definitely ask Kanebol about this product when I attend their workshop 🙂 (hehe.. just found out Kanebol + Lunasol are from the same family)
Yep, Lunasol is under the Kanebo umbrella 🙂 Their powder foundation is very nice too but you do have to get the right shade so it doesn’t look too obvious on the skin. I have tried the Benefit liquid foundation and it isn’t too bad either 🙂
will this work on oily skin? I’m still on the hunt of a powder foundation that doesn’t oxidize on me.
I think it should. I don’t have oily skin so I can’t verify, sorry!
Superb review! I am appealed by the water-based nature of this product; should be moisturising! I am interested in Kanebo or Lunasol foundations but I want one that is medium-full coverage. As this Lunasol Skin Modelling Liquid Foundation seems too sheer. Do you have any suggestions?
Lunasol has a cream foundation which has fuller coverage but I’m told its a bit heavy for my tropical weather, but very lovely in Australia where my friend is based, so you can try that one 🙂
Hi Paris,
I am on 3rd bottle of this liquid foundation and I really like it! If you had a chance, would you please do a review on Kanebo Impress Liquid Foundation? I got some samples from the Kanebo a while ago and just tried it out recently. Personally, I do feel that Impress liquid foundation has very light texture with better coverage & “glowy” touch compared to Lunasol. Do check this out 🙂
http://www.kanebo-my.net/impress/en/ip/product/basemakeup/liquid_foundation.html
Thanks for the suggestion Michelle! I haven’t tried any Impress foundations yet (because Impress skincare breaks me out) but if I have the chance, I will 🙂
Hi, would this shade be good for NC-20 skintone? I have an oily t zone and am between nc-20 and nc-25 but leaning towards nc-20 more.
What shade do you think would be best for brightening?