In late 2014 when I heard about a slew of new foundations being released by the various beauty brands, I predicted quite accurately, that 2015 would be the “Year of Foundation” and in a way, I’ve been right. 2015 has seen quite a few brands launch or relaunch their foundations and interestingly, something called a “serum foundation”. What this is, is touted as a light-textured foundation with skincare benefits.
One of the first of these serum foundations that I experienced was the Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation, which I previewed back in January 2015 (Newsletter peeps had a first look at it back then too!) It’s been available since April and erm… yes, it’s taken me a while to get round to it. What can I say? I’m tardy!
But since then I’m sure you’ve already read all about this product or may even have used it yourself, so I’d love for you to chip in with your thoughts on it. That’s ‘cos I kind of like this product. I’ve been using it quite often since I received it, and I like how it feels on my skin, and importantly, how it offers fairly good coverage, with a nice glow to the skin.
I am however, not crazy about how it smells, so I’m curious if you feel the same way.
It doesn’t smell bad, in case you’re wondering.
This Intensive Skin Serum Foundation with a generous SPF40 PA+++ formula is supposed to be infused with some ingredients that many Chinese will be familiar with – Cordyceps, Bamboo Grass and Lychee Extract. Cordyceps is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine and is used for a myriad of uses, including stimulation and strengthening of the immune system. It’s also incredibly expensive.
In this foundation, aside from offering coverage, it’s supposed to help lift and smooth the skin, restore radiance, boost moisture and re-energise the skin. While it’d be wonderful if it does do all that, I personally feel that any skincare benefits are secondary. It’s great if it does do all those wonderful things to our skin, but I rely on my skincare for that, not a foundation :P
But if you’re wondering if this foundation then smells like a pot of bak kut teh or a pot of simmering Chinese herbs, the answer is no (thankfully!) It smells quite strongly of lavender.
I generally like the scent, but I do find that it hits quite harsh when I first open the bottle, and when I use the product. It dissipates, but I just find the scent a bit too strong. It would be nice if it had been toned down, or done away with altogether.
But because scent is a very personal thing, it’s not a big concern. As a foundation, I think this is a very nice product, if you like a lightweight liquid foundation with medium-high coverage. Unlike the other serum foundations in the market, the Bobbi Brown one is much thicker in texture. The product comes in a dropper bottle as you can see in the picture above, but the glass dropper has a large opening, because the product is fairly creamy. I think they could quite easily have put it in a regular pump bottle with no problems.
I would recommend shaking it up before hand so the product mixes up properly. Then, with the cap screwed on, depress the rubber pump once, before opening up the bottle and dropping the foundation on the back of your hand. Unlike its competitors (Dior Nude Air and Giorgio Armani Maestro foundations) this will not flow everywhere because it is quite creamy so you can apply this as normal, with your applicator of choice.
I find that the dropper has a bit of problem picking up product, in the sense that it doesn’t pick up a lot. You don’t need a lot – I find 2 drops sufficient for medium coverage – but sometimes, all I get is air which is frustrating.
The texture is fairly creamy, so for someone with normal-dry skin like mine, it feels comfortable. If you have combination or oily skin then I don’t think this would be the best choice for you. It doesn’t quite dry down to a powdery feel, and I do feel that you have to set it with a powder after that, to help it stay on better. On oily skin, it might move around but I won’t know, because I don’t have oily skin. I’d love to hear your views, if you do have oily skin and have tried this foundation.
My shade is 0.5 Warm Porcelain which is a fairly good match for my skin as it has a slight pink tone. I used to run far away from Bobbi Brown because her foundations leaned very yellow, but in recent years, they seem to cater for a wider spectrum of skintones.
Next to the Dior Nude Air, I think you can see that the texture of the BB Skin Serum Fouundation is more creamy on skin. It is a little lighter in texture than the regular BB Skin Foundation and shade wise, is a good match to 0.5 Warm Porcelain in the BB Stick Foundation.
0.5 Warm Porcelain is a good match for my skin and as you maybe able to tell from the before-after photos, this foundation offers a medium coverage. It evens out my skintone, gives it a nice glow but doesn’t cover up pigmentation 100% (nothing does except a mask :P ) If I apply a light setting powder, it naturally offers a little more coverage.
In my case, my applicator of choice is a brush. I’m a creature of habit so I use my 5 line method and a flat top foundation brush to blend in the product. I have no problems with that if you’re wondering. Some people find it easier to use a damp sponge like a Beauty blender or its ilk and others find it applies better with their fingers. Use whatever you find easiest or most convenient for you.
Longevity is fairly good for me without breaking down too much through the day, and it feels comfortable to wear. But again, I’d like to remind you that I have normal-dry skin and I suspect that’s why it works better for me. I prefer wearing this foundation when I know I’m spending time indoors. I’ve worn this while being out and about and in our heat, it can break down quite easily when I sweat and the oil comes through. When I’m indoors for most of the day, it stays on looking quite perfect, and actually looks better as the day wears on.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF40 PA+++ is a lightweight creamy foundation that is infused with skincare ingredients. It comes in a dropper style bottle which I feel doesn’t pick up product very well, which might be due to the slightly creamier texture of the product. There is a strong scent of lavender, but as a foundation, I like the creamy texture that offers a medium coverage, evens out skintone and offers a nice, gentle glow to the skin. It’s comfortable to wear on normal-dry skin although if you’re going to be outside in the heat then it will break down more easily and can look oily. Layering on the product offers more coverage, as does a light layer of powder. I do like it however. It’s a nice, comfortable foundation and I like how it looks on me, and that’s what really matters.
PROS: Comfortable to wear, Offers medium-high coverage, Not drying or oily, Gives skin a nice glow that looks better through the day, Easy to blend
CONS: Pricey, Dropper doesn’t pick up product very well, May not sit well on oily skin or in heat, Strong scent of lavender
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who has normal-dry skin and wants a lightweight foundation that offers medium-high coverage
Here’s the ingredient list for this Intensive Skin Serum Foundation for those interested.
Despite the rather strong presence of silicone, I don’t feel this foundation to be more silicone based in texture as compared to some other products I’ve used. It is fairly creamy in texture, and it applies easily on skin.
I do also like the packaging which I think is sleek albeit a little unfriendly to see how much product is left, and for those who are afraid of glass, then it’s a concern. But it looks really good and sometimes, aesthetics matter :P
Have you tried this serum foundation and do you like it?
I liked how it has a creamy texture. Perhaps it’s due to the nature of my skin type that has me preferring this foundation to its competitors, but I like how it gives a nice glow to the skin without turning me oily nor drying out my skin. I just have to stay out of the heat LOL :D
Paris B
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF40 PA+++ comes in the following shades in Malaysia: Porcelain, Warm Porcelain, Warm Ivory, Sand, Cool Sand, Warm Sand, Beige, Warm Beige, Natural, Warm Natural & Honey Price: RM195 | US$62 for 30ml Availability: Bobbi Brown counters and stores
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I actually quite like the scent :-) On my normal skin, this lasts about 3 to 4 hours before moving around the T zone. If I didn’t set it with powder. It looks lovely on you Paris. I just wish the bottle is not as messy though.
Thanks! Yeah, I made a mistake the other day of accidentally pressing the bulb just as I was inserting the dropper back in the bottle and whoosh! Foundation everywhere! Sigh… Seriously, this should come with a pump :P
I’ve been wanting to jump on the serum foundation bandwagon but there aren’t many available for combination-oily skin types! That aside, it looks very nice on you!!
I think then you might like to try the Dior Nude Air. I personally find it a wee bit drying for my skin so I think it might suit the combination skin types better :)
I read reviews about this products and common issue is the reviewers didn’t like the dropper. Perhaps in future, Bobbi Brown will change the dropper to pump :) I would like to try this foundation but the dropper made me hesitate to try.
I like the coverage for your skin. It looks natural (probably similar like Skin Foundation and Skin Foundation Stick?), doesn’t look “masking” or heavy.
I’m curious about the skin benefits, do they actually work? I foresee that this product will be part of multi-function like other Bobbi Brown products (they usually send newsletter suggesting some products can be multi-function). I think it will be nice to bring this foundation during travel, especially if users usually wear many skin care products that to bring everything will be a hassle, haha.
I think that skincare and make-up shouldn’t mix haha, but that’s just my opinion. I see make-up with “antioxidant benefits” as just a bonus instead of functioning as a skin-care product. I’m one of those people who is looking forward to them changing it or selling a seperate pump for this foundation haha, so much less mess and random air bubbles.
Yes, it would be awesome if they changed the dropper to a pump! That said though, I don’t think the dropper is a deal breaker. It takes a bit of technique to get the pump right, but once you get used to it, it isn’t a hassle anymore. At least not to me. And yes, the coverage is like Skin Foundation (or maybe a bit lighter) Stick Foundation gives me more coverage I feel. As for skin benefits, I think it’s a bit of a feel-good thing if you know what I mean.
I mean, it’ll be nice if my foundation, which is on my face for half the day, helps my skin in one way or another. But I wouldn’t depend on it to actually really DO anything for my skin that I don’t already address with proper skincare LOL Did I make sense or was that just way too convoluted? :D
This has been one of mt staples since the warm weather hit. It lasts all day in my normal skin. I agree that the scent is curious at first but like you said it does dissipate. I don’t use the dropper the way it was intended but drip a few drops onto a brush. If that makes sense. I also agree that her color range has improved as well. I try to go for neutral shades is possible but I’ve only found a few brands who don’t swing too pink or too yellow.
The scent is curious! Yes, perfect description :D I wasn’t expecting it at all – might have been nice to smell of herbs actually although I know it won’t appeal to everyone LOL! Thanks for sharing how you use it. I’ll try dripping it on a brush, but does it get soaked up?
I also reviewed this a month ago on my blog but I can say that those with combi-oily skin types would’ve to powder very very often. I generally quite like the foundation (albeit the need to powder) as it’s one of the “dropper”-type foundations that is not drying or go to a fully powdery finish on me but the dropper/rubberpump on this foundation makes me want to throw it out of the window sometimes, especially when I’m in a morning rush. If they would sell a seperate pump (the pressy ones) like nars do, I would definitely buy that seperately lol.
Ah I’m glad someone agreed with me about the combi-oily skin types thing. I honestly feel that this one’s better for those with slightly drier skin too. I’ve been trialing the Dior one and it’s a bit too drying for me if I use it consecutively for a few days. Let’s hope they hear us about the pump!
Judging by your review and the comments by other users, this will no doubt be too slick for my Texan oil-field of a T-zone.
Shame, but that dropper dispenser reminds me a little too much of the full jar of 3CE Waterful Glossing Foundation still in my stash…and we all know how that one panned out right, Ms. P!
LOL Texan oil field! Ok then yes, steer clear of this one. I’m quite certain this one’s meant for those with drier skin so it’s not one for everyone. Oh and don’t remind me of the 3CE! OMG I tossed that one out so fast :P Have you tried the Dior one though?
Hi Paris! I’ve read a lot of reviews on this foundation. Can I ask for your personal opinion between this and the Dior Nude Air foundation, which would you prefer? I’m actually still contemplating on which one to get.
Thanks a bunch! ????
Hi Si Yen, I’m actually just trying the Dior Nude Air myself and will be posting a review in the coming weeks. But I’d say which you get depends on your skin type. This BB one is very nice but I feel it’s more suitable for someone with slightly drier skin. So if you have drier skin then you will prefer this. My skin didn’t quite take to the Dior one which I find drying if I use it too often.
Doesn\’t cordyceps sometimes infect rabbits and make them look they have bendy horns? I think it kills them in the end :(
Not that I know of! I think it’s a different virus you refer to.
You know what? I think I’d love it if my foundation smelled like bak kut teh. OH YUM! :D
hahahhahaa You know, many years ago, I bought a shower gel from Korea that was filled with herbs.. and it smelled of bak kut teh! It was so weird bathing in it LOL