If there’s one pharmacy or drugstore brand I’d always turn to for foundation that I know will work for me, it is Bourjois. Ever since I came across their Healthy Mix foundation (reformulated into something that no longer suits my skintone), I’d been smitten with the brand. Every base I try from there seems to work like magic on me!
Recently, the new Bourjois City Radiance foundation was released, and it’s been a while since I received it.
Unlike the Healthy Mix and Healthy Mix Serum foundations that come in slim glass bottles, the City Radiance foundation comes in a tube. It is very portable and not bulky or heavy at all. I can see that this one will be a popular one for those who travel a lot, because it’s the perfect travel companion, in terms of packaging and product performance.
The question of course, is whether this lives up to my high expectations for Bourjois bases!
The answer would be yes and no! 😀
The thing however, is that you must like foundations with a heavy coverage, to fully appreciate the Bourjois City Radiance foundation. I find that the creamy formula is a little thicker, and it offers quite high coverage so that can look too heavy, if you have perfect skin. (If you do, try the CC Cream or Healthy Mix Serum instead for something a little lighter)
You don’t have to use very much product, due to the coverage, and I find it easy to spread on skin and blend. I use both fingers and a brush, although I prefer using a brush for a more even coverage.
On my normal-dry skin, I find this to sit comfortably, without moving around or feeling heavy. It’s very lightweight on skin and evens out skin beautifully with very little effort. It doesn’t get oily nor does it slip and fade. I do find that it dries down to a slightly velvety finish, and while I don’t find it drying, I don’t use it as often as I like, because I fear that the velvety finish might dry my skin.
Another problem I have with this, is the shade selection. I have Vanilla 02, which suits my skin, but I do find it to be a little more yellow toned than I like. In fact, most of their shades run warm which doesn’t work for me. I usually go for a base with a more neutral tone, where the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum #51 Light Vanilla suits my skin better, but I’ll work with Vanilla in a pinch. I believe that’s the lightest shade we have here in Malaysia. We have 4 shades – o2 Vanilla, 03 Light Beige, 04 Beige and 05 Golden Beige while internationally, there are 6 – none suitable for very deep skintones, unfortunately!
You maybe able to tell from the swatch comparison that there is a tonal difference in the two foundations. Light Vanilla suits me better. Vanilla is OK, but it doesn’t give the skin brightening effect I expected to receive, based on what was promised on the tube.
You may also notice that the City Radiance foundation looks a little thicker, while the Healthy Mix Serum has a bit more “glow” to it. The formula is a little more liquid. I like them both, with Healthy Mix Serum being a more everyday type foundation for me, that actually feels nicer to use often; and City Radiance being a more heavy duty one, when I feel I need coverage or I want it to last longer through the day.
To show you how it looks when I wear it, here’s my ubiquitous before-after unretouched picture.
I think you’d agree with me at the high coverage. I rarely have to use a concealer when I use this foundation, because it does a pretty good job all by itself! Redness is covered, skintone is evened out and even some blemishes are concealed.
The finish, while noticeable, isn’t too fake nor cakey on skin, although I am often disconcerted to look in the mirror and see that much perfection in skintone looking back at me. It’s just not me LOL! 😀 To be honest, I don’t notice any particular boost in the appearance of skin radiance (it doesn’t look flat, but it isn’t particularly radiant either).
Bourjois claims that there is an anti-pollution screen, which allows this foundation to protect your skin from external aggressions, which is not measurable, but nice to know if it works.
All in all, I like this foundation, if I was in the market for a fuller coverage foundation. I’d personally pick the Healthy Mix Serum for a first Bourjois foundation, but that’s because I prefer something that feels a little lighter and more natural on my skin. This one feels a little too much like makeup.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Bourjois City Radiance Foundation is a more creamy foundation with a fairly high coverage. The shade selection is quite limited, and tends to run a little warm. The packaging however, is very portable and the foundation is very comfortable on skin. The coverage is quite high and I find it dries down a little velvety. I unfortunately did not notice it to infuse my skin with radiance, although I do like using it on days with long hours, because it lasts well on my skin without turning oily, fading or slipping. I’m not crazy about that signature Bourjois scent, but it’s tolerable. It’s a good foundation, if you like something high coverage, and can find a shade match.
PROS: Affordable, Lightweight creamy texture, Portable packaging, High coverage without being cakey on skin, Comfortable to wear for long hours, Does not dry my skin
CONS: Limited shade selection, Scented, Dries down to a more matte finish than I like, No noticeable infusion of radiance in the skin
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants an affordable high coverage foundation
PRICE: RM54.90 | £9.99 (goes on sale regularly) | US$11 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: Watson’s pharmacies in Malaysia, Boots and Superdrug pharmacies in the UK, Lookfantastic.com (US & Canada) or wherever Bourjois is sold
If you’re interested to know what the ingredients are for the Bourjois City Radiance Foundation, here it is.
Aqua (Water),Titanium Dioxide [Nano], Isohexadecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamatem Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, PPG – 15 Stearyl Ether, Propanediol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, PEG – 30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Alumina, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, PTFE, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-8, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Carbomer, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Sodium Citrate, BHT, Geraniol, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Biotin. {+/-(may contain): Mica, CI 77007 (ULTRAMA-RINES) CI 77491, C177492, CI77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)]. 15BMT003-1A
Have you tried this City Radiance Foundation and do you like it? Does Bourjois foundation work for you?
I think Bourjois foundations work for many people – at least from what I’ve experienced. You really can’t beat them for quality and price. The only problem is their limited shade selection and fragrance. Incidentally, I feel like this City Radiance Foundation makes a good affordable priced alternative to the Chanel Les Beiges foundation – let me study that a little more and report back! 😉
Paris B
Fiona says
I also have it for quite some time and haven’t review yet hehe 😛
I always go with the lightest shade but this one the lightest 02 Vanilla is a tad bit too light for me. It’s still wearable as I always bronze and contour my face but on days I like to feel comfortable, I settled with 03 Light Beige instead 🙂
Bourjois said this is a glowy foundation compared to the matte Air Mat but I find this to be on the matte side too. The glowy part kicks in when I start to look oily after a while LOL.
Paris B says
Wish they’d brought in 01 Rose Ivory. Would definitely have suited me better! That said, this still works.I just don’t get the brightening effect LOL! 😀 I don’t find it glowy to be honest, quite matte, in fact! Glad I”m not the only one who thinks so
plue says
i was right about not taking city radiance, I find it runs a little too warm for me. I work with #52 Vanilla for Healthy Mix Serum, I had always thought #51 was just a touch too light for me, though I think I can work with it.
I think Healthy Mix Serum #52 isn’t quite as warm/ dark as City Radiance Vanilla though, it’s more neutral in comparison, based on memories la. CC Cream Ivory looks more of a #52 Healthy Mix Serum, i think.
Paris B says
The shades are a little strange. I do think Healthy Mix Serum is a better bet in terms of shade selection. The CC Cream is very good too! Did you get that one?
Evan Chang says
Actually all foundations protect your skin from external factors HAHA
Because of that layers that sits on top of your skin, so pollutant from the air go on the foundation go onto the foundation instead of your skin
SO it kinda makes sense
No?
Paris B says
You said it Evan!! LOL!! We need it even more so now that the haze is back! Argh!!! Hope you’ve been doing well 🙂