Some time last year, I came across a bit of a buzz about a new foundation from Shiseido – Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation. I’m usually wary when there’s a big buzz – it usually means that it’s more than a little hyped. So, when I got my hands on it, I took my time putting it through its paces.
I later found out that the Shiseido Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation replaces the Perfect Refining Foundation, which devastated me. That was one of my favourite foundations! Synchro Skin suddenly had a lot more to live up to!
You might be happy to know however, that the Shiseido Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation is a pretty good foundation, and really reminds me why I hold Japanese-brand base makeup in high regard.
The texture of the Synchro Skin foundation is light, liquid and easy to blend. Coverage however, is medium to full, despite the lightweight texture. It also dries down a little matte, which I expected from its name. Anything that says “lasting” or “long-lasting” usually offers a matte or semi-matte texture. As I prefer a slightly sheerer textured foundation, I apply less and blend it out more. I recommend everyone does this, or risk it looking too thick.
Yet, despite the matte texture, I do not find it drying. That’s important for me, because I have slightly dry skin and I really don’t want to have to contend with putting something on that will just dry me out further, or accentuate lines and flaky skin. Synchro Skin does none of those, instead offering you a lovely, smooth canvas. I will note however, that I didn’t have flaky skin while wearing this – I can imagine however, that it will potentially cling to flaky skin or dry patches.
The shade selection is where you might run into issues. While the shade selection is fairly large, catering for slightly deeper skintones, I do find that the jump between shades is significant. I wear Neutral 1, which is just a tad light. Yet, the next up, Neutral 2 would be too dark. For reference I wear I00 in Shiseido bases.
This is a swatch of the Synchro Skin in Neutral 1 alongside other foundations I wear. You may notice how Synchro Skin has dried down to a matte texture. While the shades all differ slightly, they all wear well on my skin and I adjust the tonal differences accordingly with powder.
In this before-after picture, you may observe the coverage and what I mean by the shade issue I face. Coverage is high, effectively covering imperfections and redness without the need for concealer.
However, the shade is just a tad light in photos. I usually use less product, so it isn’t so obvious. But what I also do is adjust the shade with the help of a little powder, or by using my Guerlain Meteorites in the shade Medium, just to add a little warmth to my skin. A touch of bronzer along the sides also helps warm up the complexion, and by the time I have my blush and colour on, it is just nice.
I have also noticed that different makeup brushes will deliver different results. If I use the Shiseido Perfect Foundation brush, I get a very high coverage, even when using less product. This is useful when I’m too lazy to put on concealer. If I use a less dense brush, like the Bobbi Brown Expert Face Brush, then I get a little less coverage. More often than not, I use the Bobbi Brown brush because I like the effect better.
The other thing I’d note is the longevity. The Synchro Skin foundation does live up to its name, as it lasts pretty much all day long on me, and if possible actually looks a wee bit better, when a touch of oil comes through. For this reason, I’d say this foundation will sit better on those with oilier skin, or who live in a humid climate. This is the foundation I reach for, when I know I’ll have a long day out, or if I just want something that’s fool-proof. While I’m upset that my favourite Shiseido foundation has been discontinued, I’m glad its successor is a worthy one. I can’t recommend it enough! 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
The Shiseido Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation is a lightweight, long lasting foundation with medium to full coverage. I suggest starting with a light layer before building up where you need it as the coverage is quite high. Getting the right shade is also a little tricky, so it’ll be best to test it out where you can. Coverage is very impressive despite its light texture, and it lasts all day long for me, looking better as the day wears on. While the shade in Neutral 1 is just a touch light for me, I can make it work by adjusting with powders and colour makeup as I go along. This is an impressive foundation and quite worthy of the raves I’ve encountered.
PROS: Lightweight texture, Dries to a matte finish on skin, Not necessary to set with powder if you don’t want to, Looks better as the day wears on, Medium to full coverage, Not drying, Long lasting
CONS: Shade selection while large can be a bit tricky, Due to its matte texture it will potentially cling to dry patches or flaky skin, Bottle cover is hard to align in a hurry due to the curved shape
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes medium to full coverage foundation, Anyone who wants a lightweight non-drying, long lasting foundation
WILL I REPURCHASE: Yes
PRICE: RM155 | US$45 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: Shiseido counters, Sephora, Strawberrynet
If you’re interested in its ingredients, here’s the list.
A note about the bottle. It’s glass and made to be slightly curved. As a result, the cover has to be properly aligned for it to stay put properly. If it isn’t, it’ll be very loose. It’s aesthetics, but I think it matters. Also, clean off the nozzle after each use, or it’ll transfer onto the inner portion of the cap and that doesn’t look too pretty.
Have you tried the Shiseido Synchro Skin foundation? Do you like wearing matte or long lasting foundation?
Despite its rather obvious draw backs, I do like wearing this foundation. It looks good on skin, although I do have to work a little at it, but I know it’ll last all day when I need it to! 🙂
Paris B
I’ve read some really good reviews on this foundation last year and was curious. I haven’t been to Shiseido for a long time since I purchased a few bottles of their sunscreen last year. Might just go check out the shades available 🙂
I remember all the hype too! I do like this quite a lot. It sits well on my skin and lasts without drying it out. Really, the Japanese know how to make base makeup! 🙂
This is my HG foundation now and I’m already on my second bottle! I’m glad that you like it as much as I do!! 🙂
Hurray for HG! 😀 It’s a good one, I can see why you can finish it – I might even do that!
I have been wearing this since last year. But I tried the new Synchro Skin Glow foundation last week and it is better for drier skin because it’s not as matte. It’s available now in the US. In Japan it is available in March. Do try the Glow version of Synchro Skin. It might work better for you. I would wear the Glow in the winter and the Skin Lasting in the summer.
Oh they have a Synchro Skin Glow?! You are right, I think I’d prefer that one – I’ll definitely go find out if we get it here. Thanks for the head up!!
I have oily combination skin. This didnt sit well with ne. I got super oily super fast and it sat in.my pores. Hehe i get what u mean about the top. Frustrating..hehe. it didnt help that the sales girl matched me with the wrong color.
Aiks! Sorry to hear that Arfah! >.< I don't have oily skin myself so I usually try to hazard a guess as to how it might work and usually longlasting foundation work better for oilier skin. Can you get it to work if you use a primer?
I bought this recently too. But i guess I prefer slight glow on my skin than semi-matte or matte. Overall it’s a good foundation because it feels so light as if you’re not wearing at makeup.
Side-note: I hate it when Lunasol discontinued and replaced by Kanebo now. 🙁
Lunasol has not been discontinued . . . at least in Japan. I saw the Spring 2017 collection in Takashimaya the other day.
Shiseido released a new Synchro Skin foundation called Glow Luminizing which addresses your problem. I tried it the other day and it is more glowy than the Skin Lasting. Give it a try.
Do they still have the Lunasol skin modelling foundation? Because i was being told it was revamp to Kanebo and I don’t like the new Kanebo foundation.
Yes. Lunasol sells it in Japan.
I take care of the matte effect with my Meteorites or the Ambient Lighting Powder haha! But I don’t find it to be too matte unlike some others that can settle in lines. Oh I didn’t know about Lunasol and Kanebo – I just found out the Lunasol rainbow eyeshadow will be available here soon. No news about change of name otherwise.
Kanebo is the brand name and lunasol one of their name of Kanebo product. BTW lunasol still on n the new product is Impress. The discontinue one the product name is International. Maybe you try shiseido lifting foundation almost similar of lunasol liquied foundation but this lunasol more thick texture than lifting
I prefer lighter foundations so this is pretty high coverage for me but I still like this foundation a lot. I apply a thin layer with my fingers section by section as recommended by the sales associate because it dries down quickly. The only thing I hate about it is the weird extra tall shaped bottle which I have to lay down in my makeup drawer and the annoying cover which I finally threw away.
Yep, the coverage is insane! So, start with a thin layer only then build up 🙂 I didn’t notice the height of the bottle as I do store my bottles of foundation lying down, but the loose fitting cover annoys me somewhat. Especially when it doesn’t align LOL!
I bought Synchro Skin last year when it was released and I really enjoy it. For me, the coverage was impressive considering the light texture. On me, it accentuates a little bit my dry patches, so I need to prep my skin accordingly. For now, I’m using RMK’s liquid foundation and found it a little bit more forgiving regarding dryness. Synchro skin is still in my top foundations and it’s the only foundation from Shiseido that I like.
Ooh RMK is AMAZING! I love all their foundations, which is truly beautifully formulated! I’d pick RMK in a heartbeat next to this one haha! 😀
Omg wtf Perfect Refining Foundation is discontinued??? No wonder can’t find any more omg.
I just found out lor, damn sad 🙁
Okay I have some serious beef with this one. This is my 2nd high end foundation (1st was shu uemura that clogged my pores like hell) and I decided to give Japanese brand 1 more go. I got this in the shade Neutral 2. Smooth application, beautiful finish, lightweight texture. Nothing to complain but only for 2 hours! The 3 hour mark saw this settling and partying in my pores. And ONLY my cheeks pores. No matter how I set it and wear it under different temperatures, my cheeks look like someone sprinkled a generous hand of white sesame seeds. Numerous tiny white dots will cover my cheeks while the tzone stays beautifully :o. Still can’t get a right foundation :(.
Yikes! So sorry to hear this settled and clogged your pores Angie 🙁 I actually found it to sit quite well on my skin despite my obvious open pores and dry skin. But perhaps it’s just different skin chemistry 🙁 🙁 But I loved your imagery (as much as I commiserate) it was almost poetic reading about how your skin looked like it was sprinkled with sesame seeds haha 😀 Have you tried RMK? It’s good (and Japanese) or from the Western brands, I like Bobbi Brown foundations. Maybe you could find something there that works?
How do you compare this with RMK Gel Creamy Foundation?
They’re different. This Shiseido one is more matte and more longlasting on skin.
is this better than the nars sheer glow? i’m using this right now but am looking for something new possibly because i find that the synchro is a bit drying and can flake off on my skin. i have combination skin. let me know! great blog!
Hi it’s different from Nars Sheer Glow (my review here). If you find this drying, then you may prefer the Nars one. In the alternative, Shiseido now has a glow option of this foundation, which I haven’t tried, so you could look at that too!