Deeply concentrated and with a rich creamy texture, it can be used for concealer or sheered out with a moisturiser as a foundation. The finish is neither dewy nor completely matte, the aim being for it to replicate a natural skin finish. I know I bought this from Harvey Nichols when KA was first briefly in the UK, but I think that was back around 2003 and to be honest I can't remember what my thoughts were on the product, however I'm sure I didn't get the right shade, so on the assumption that I would have gone for the lightest colour, this time I went for shade SX2 (£36).
Its yellow toned, so slightly at odds with my cool tones, however the lightness is a match for my skin. Unfortunately its a tad too light for under my eyes.
Swatches L-R: Vapour Illusionist 010, KA SX2, Le Metier De Beaute 01
This gives extremely good coverage and is long lasting. Though due to the creamy texture, its very prone to creasing.
Unfortunately this is not for me. It looks extremely dry on the skin (my skin type is dry/sensitive and prone to an oily breakthrough on t-zone). If your a regular reader of my blog you may recall a post when I had to have an emergency Benefit makeover to re-do my base, and that was due to me using this concealer as a base on a day when my skin was very dry. Unfortunately even when my skin is in its normal state, this just looks patchy, dry and sinks into pores.
I can however use this is as an undereye concealer, whilst the dryness still remains a problem, there is no denying that the coverage is very good.
Pictured below with no concealer and then with, I've not applied powder and you can see it has creased.
I can see why this product is loved by many, but I think you need a certain type of skin/texture for this to work and clearly I don't have it. So for me, due to the performance of the product its only use is as an undereye concealer, however the colour is not right and I can't say that I feel the need to put down another £36 to get the correct match, its good but not that good.
Ingredients:
I bought this from spacenk.com
Hmmm...sounds like you have a very similar skin type to mine, though I'll add I'm very clog prone. I've been very interested in trying this for awhile, but after your review I think I might put it on the back burner, or make sure I get a sample first. Thanks for the fantastic review!!
ReplyDeleteG. McG
Hi Gummy,
DeleteThanks ;) I forgot to say that I am really acne/clog prone as well, so we do sound similar. I think a sample first would be a good move :)
I've been lemming this for SO long! I have normal-oily skin, so here's hoping it'll work on me, especially since it costs like, $50 here! I know a little goes a long way, but it looks like such a tiny pot. How much do you use usually?
ReplyDeleteI only use just a tiny bit, its really pigmented, I think that even though the pot is small it would last longer than a year.
Delete2 is meant to be the pinkest light shade in SSE, but the Vapour is clearly a better match for you.
ReplyDeleteI only ever used this as a concealer and undereye concealer. I loved it at the time (had to use a rich eye cream with it, but the coverage is good) but now I have other concealers I much prefer.
Hi Grace,
DeleteYes, I thought it was meant to be pink toned but comes out yellow on me,maybe I have some strange chemistry going on ;)
I bought this a few months back as I wanted something that offered really good coverage for acne marks and I do like it for this although I haven't given it a thorough use yet.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried mixing it with a cream or primer and seeing if that helps make it more workable?
Hi Meeta,
DeleteI've tried mixing it with creams, applying wet, over a primer but it still does not look that good, I think I'll stick to using a touch of it under the eyes mixed in with my normal concealer to give extra coverage, its going to take me ages to get through ;)
ReplyDeleteThe Vapour,which I am not familiar with, looks like a perfect match for you. Perhaps further experiments aren't really necc....but, have you tried mixing the KA with moisturizer?
I loved it with moisturizer and really disliked it pure when applied with a dampened blender sponge as is often recommended.
Hi Buggsiebee,
DeleteThe vapour is a good colour for me but the coverage is very sheer and I need quite a bit of coverage. I have tried mixing the KA with a few moisturisers but I still do not get good results, I'll keep trying to find a way to get it to work better though :)
Hi Replica, thank you so much for this review. I've been debating whether to buy this or not, the price is quite high and they don't give out any samples... It sounds like too much effort to keep it natural, I'm not a huge fan of very high coverage.
ReplyDeleteHi Ana,
DeleteGlad it was of help, I do think there are better concealers out there, I just have not found the perfect one yet :)
I wanted a high coverage foundation and bought this in SX06 recently. When the SA put it on me, I thought it looked dry. I bought it anyway, I am hoping mixing a rich moisturizer with it will help. We shall see. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteHi Rola,
DeleteYou might have better luck with it, my skin is very fussy and doesn't get on with a lot of foundations/concealers, I'd probably be hard pushed to name 10 foundations I actually like.
It is such a shame when a product doesn't live up to expectations. I have got a couple of By Terry products which I cannot get to work for me for love nor money. I do feel your pain :(
ReplyDeleteHi Jan,
DeleteYes, By Terry is not a brand you want to have regret buys from either ;) mind you speaking of them I have been wondering about their new Hyaluronic Hydra Powder....
You know the first thing that leaped out at me here? The first ingredient on the INCI. Mineral oil is a cheap ingredient so it's disappointing to see that at the top of the ingredients list of a high end product. Anyway, that little rant over, I'm sorry it didn't work out for you and thanks for sharing your experience xx
ReplyDeleteHi Jane,
DeleteYes, the ingredients do seem rather old school :) It seems quite a lot of these thicker cream concealers (like the more pro ones) contain mineral oil xx
As always, such a thorough and fantastic review. Like Jane, mineral oil jumped out at me right away-- it is often a culprit for me in causing milia around my eyes. I'm sorry that it was a miss for you, but thanks to this review it's a pass for me!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lola,
DeleteThank you :) Its funny you should say that as I was thinking I was getting more milia under my eye and I didn't make the link with this product, hummm, I'll have to do a bit of testing on that! x
I find that mineral oil and petrolatum give me milia, and heavier eye creams that contain those ingredients generally give me lots of trouble. Like you and Jane discussed-- it does seem to be a bit of an old school ingredient, and it's a bit odd that it is the first ingredient. Definitely a no-no for my eyes!! xx
DeleteThanks Lola, I'll be more mindful of those ingredients in future xx
DeleteThey not be what's causing you any trouble, many people have no reaction to either ingredient whatsoever. I, on the other hand, have learned that those two-- particularly when combined in a single product start to clog my pores-- which is all the worse when it manifests as milia under my eyes. I have found one product that has helped me get rid of milia, but I would rather not get it in the first place. Ole Henricksen's Truth is in the Eyes helped me. I reviewed it some time last year, and still have and use it when needed. I hope that you have a lovely weekend! xx
DeleteHi Lola,
DeleteI do have problems with heavy eye creams sometimes so it could well be to do with those. The Ole Henricksen's Truth is in the Eyes sounds good to have on stand by, I might have a look into it as I have been interested in trying that brand. Have a lovely weekend too xx
Hi Replica, Then you might be sensitive to the same ingredients as well. I would urge you to try and get a sample of Truth is in the Eyes-- it's a pretty powerful exfoliant/peel- though they tout it as gentle-- which I find to be true for me, but I think that results will vary. Here are the ingredients:
DeleteWater (Aqua/ Eau), Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium, Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate , Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Oxido Reductases, Algae Extract, Pullulan, Allantoin, Calcium Ascorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sorbitol, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Oleth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid.
I was given a generous sample at Sephora to try it out before I bought it-- because I was pretty concerned that I might have a reaction to it, but thankfully did not! xx
Thank you very much Lola! It might be a bit hard core for me I wonder but I'll keep it in mind :)
Deletexx
It might well be, but perhaps a sample that you can try on a small patch of skin to see if you get on with it.
DeleteUnfortunately this is not for me too. Also it has so strong odor=(( I know correctors better then it, Full cover by MUFE for example. Now I guess that I'll never buy another product by Kevyn Aucoin.=(
ReplyDeleteHi Beauty-Unearthly,
DeleteI had MUFE concealer on my "to buy" list for ages, I really should get round to buying it :)
I didn't like it either.
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for a "full cover" foundation that can be mixed with anything I suggest Chanel Lift Lumiere. Coverage is *very* high, but it's more than coverage. This foundation has something else, it's special. It does something I can't explain, it changes the way my skin looks. Maybe you can get a sample to see if it's good for you too. :)
Hi Renata,
DeleteThat sounds really good, I have a feeling that might had salt in it though and that is a no no on my skin but I'll double check, thanks for the suggestion :)