Launched late last year, the Shiseido Radiant Lifting Foundation firms and counteracts wrinkles by making age glow away. Using optical science to manipulate light, the technology behind this foundation illuminates shadows away, bathing your skin in a radiant, youthful glow.

With continuous use, you get the effect of a skincare essence and you can experience even more radiant and moisturized skin, with profound firming and anti-wrinkle effects.

I have been giving this foundation a try since I received it and today, I shall share some of my thoughts. For more product information, please refer to this post.

PACKAGING

The Shiseido Radiant Lifting Foundation comes in a plastic bottle fitted with pump dispenser. The packaging is light but sturdy. Personally, I prefer foundations in glass bottles because it looks more luxurious and less flimsy but plastic bottles are handy and definitely more travel-friendly.

The pump dispenser is user-friendly and 1 pump dispenses just the right amount of product for 1 use (for me). Some times I may require less and the pump allows me to dispense exactly the amount I need easily.

SHADE, TEXTURE & APPLICATION

Available in 12 shades, I was matched to O40 Natural Fair Ochre but I found it a tad too dark so I bought O20 Natural Light Ochre to mix. Half a pump of each creates the ideal shade for my skin tone. If there’s O30, it would have been perfect but sadly, there isn’t.

I don’t usually need two shades to mix but I am glad I purchased the other so I can fully test this foundation.

The texture of this foundation is dense but creamy and spreadable – it’s relatively easy to blend. Application for this foundation is a little different with my other, more fluid ones.

I dispense half a pump of each shade, either at the back of my hand or on a palette – mix them together and with the help of Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush, I use the Simply Beautiful Makeup Technique taught by Miyako Okamoto, the brand’s top makeup artist.

This technique focuses on the three key areas of our face and the level of coverage needed;-

• The cheek area – “flaws” such as dark spots and uneven colour tones: cover thoroughly with “pat-pat application”
  Discolouration tends to concentrate on the cheeks. Cover them thoroughly using patting motion, embedding the foundation into your skin to avoid uneven tones.
• The T-zone area and around the eyes and mouth: cover adequately with “pressing application”
  Spread with pressing motions to increase the degree of adherence of the foundation on your skin.
• The faceline – apply lightly with “gliding application”
  Spread a barely-there amount, using the foundation left on your sponge/brush.

Miyako Okamoto also shared some light on creating a beautiful flawless complexion which I find very helpful.

• Don’t let foundation alone do all the work.
• Use makeup base, concealer and powder wisely.
• Use proper tool for each job.

When it comes to foundation, I think everyone should invest in a good one that suits your skin type and concerns. I don’t know about you but I have many concerns and depending on the look I want to create, I use a different foundation – each has its own purpose. And spending time to do up a good base is important because not all of us are blessed with great looking skin.

Application using the above method is more time consuming. I must admit, I don’t use this technique all the time, only for special occasions or when I have extra time.

Besides the Simply Beautiful Makeup Technique, when I am in a rush, I use my fingers and sponge to do the job. The finish is not as perfect but still acceptable. With the Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush, the finish is definitely more even and flawless.

This foundation dries down relatively quickly – to a powdery, satin-like finish. I have combination skin, sides of my face can get dry some times and I find the best way to spread the foundation evenly is – on a well moisturized surface thus I always apply a layer of moisturizer or a hydrating primer prior to applying this foundation.

COVERAGE & LONGEVITY

A little goes a long way. The Shiseido Radiant Lifting Foundation offers a full coverage if needed – you can always sheer it down by adding your favourite moisturizer or primer. Or you can also build it up on problem areas by layering.

With a coverage this full, it’s able to conceal redness, spots, pimple scars, broken capillaries and my uneven skin tone.

On me, this foundation lasts fairly well throughout the day – even with heat and sweat. Unfortunately, blotting is unavoidable but the foundation stayed intact all day. With a little blotting and touch-up around my T-zone, I look fresh again.

The set of photos above shows;-

1. Bare face: with nothing on – you can see that my skin is dull with uneven skin tone, blemishes, broken capillaries and open pores.
2. Applying product: after mixing O20 and O40 to achieve what I call O30 (note that this shade does not exist) – we have a match.
3. After blending: this picture shows how it looks like after application – with no concealer and no loose powder.

OVERVIEW

If you read my post on Best Of 2012 – The Beauty Edition featuring my top 100 picks, you would know that I adore this foundation very much.

I like that it provides enough coverage on days I needed it yet it’s easy to apply. Despite its relatively full coverage, the overall look doesn’t seem flat – the finish is natural and lightweight. I also like how this foundation captures light to give that radiant glow.

I have done a few looks previously on this blog featuring this foundation. I like how it looks in photographs – even with flash photography. This foundation contains SPF 15 – not too high so I didn’t experience any flash back. But for outdoors usage, I suggest wearing a sunscreen under for more protection.

I highly recommend this Shiseido Radiant Lifting Foundation for those who needs a long-wearing, medium to full coverage everyday foundation.

Although on Shiseido’s website, it says it’s suitable for normal to very dry skin types, I believe it works well on those with normal to combination skin types too. I have sensitive, combination oily skin and this foundation didn’t break me out and wears really well.

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Retails at S$74 for 30ml of product, made in USA.

Thank you for looking.