What’s lightweight, covers imperfections like a master painter’s brush and flatters faces with a flawless, natural-looking matte finish?
Is it A) your beloved Jason Voorhees mask from Friday the 13th, B) Tabs the cat or C) the $42 Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation?
If you answered C, yay! 🙂 Count yourself among the lucky crew of Skin Base fanatics.
I just recently discovered this full-coverage, hydrating foundation, and dang if it’s not all kinds of awesome, blossom.
I’ve been wearing it off and on for the past few weeks, both in pics here on the blog and out and about (Trader Joe’s pumpkin madness, y’all!), and I’m finding myself reaching for it more and more often when it comes time to put on my warpaint.
Illamasqua refers to Skin Base as “the ultimate foundation” and claims the moisturizing, matte formula smooths skin, controls shine and creates a skin-matched finish that still looks natural. Heck, they say it’s even undetectable in HD footage (ooh, I wanna give that a try…)!
Sounds like a lot of hype, right? Well, you know what? I’m a believer.
Skin Base covers everything — EVERYTHING! — yet still feels as light as a soft breeze…
Okay, maybe it’s not that lightweight, but it sure feels light for a full-coverage foundation. It never feels like a caked-on, thick paste, or like a mask I can’t wait to peel off at the end of the day. I think it’s just really, really comfortable.
And it’s just so easy to use! I plop one little dollop on the back of my hand, pick it up with my intrepid Hourglass Foundation Brush, and buff it into the skin on my face.
Then, I’ll usually set it with Chanel’s Natural Finish Loose Powder, and when I’m done, I end up with the skin I wish I’d been born with — about as flawless as it can get.
There are 17 shades to choose from, so you stand a good chance of finding a match. I wear shade 12, which is a deep olive with yellow undertones, and even though a 1-ounce bottle costs $42, it should last a while. With semi-regular use, I’m thinking 6-8 months.
Skin Base is my new favorite liquid foundation, and I plan to spend a lot of time with it this fall and winter. It’s a perfect companion for matte lips, smokey eyes and many of the dressier makeup looks I love to wear this time of year.
Load up the truck ’cause we’re headin’ to Nashville!
My dumb-@ss insomnia was in full effect last night, so I stopped fighting it and watched that new Nashville show with Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere.
Ever since my 73-episode Friday Night Lights marathon, I’ve been obsessed — OBSESSED — with Connie Britton. Sure, she had a great character, but I also think she’s gorgeous (love her hair) and seems like she’d be a cool person to hang out with.
In Nashville, Connie and Hayden play dueling country music singers and, I’m not entirely sure, but I think they might actually be doing their own singing in the show. Connie’s character sang this song, No One Will Ever Love You, at the end of the episode I watched last night that I can’t get out of my head.
Doesn’t it sound like her voice?
Such a hauntingly beautiful song, and it just might be enough to get me hooked on the show.
WARNING: Do not listen to it if you’re PMS-ing or nursing a broken heart, because it’ll turn on the waterworks like WOW!
The Unsung Heroes series, a long-running series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog, features some of my favorite permanent collection products from a variety of brands.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ankita@corallista says
October 18th, 2012 at 11:17 amI’ve been eyeing this for quite a while now and your review just put this on the top of my list! The only problem is ordering the right shade online!
Ankita@corallista recently posted … New from Neutrogena : Wave Power Cleanser
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 12:10 pmHi Ankita,
Hmmm…I think I might have some time this afternoon to grab some swatches. Let me see what I can do. 🙂
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
October 18th, 2012 at 4:40 pmAnkita–
If I remember correctly, Illamasqua has a really handy chart that you can download on their site to cross-reference with many popular foundations to find your perfect shade.
Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … The Sample: NEW Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser Dark Circle Concealer #2 and #3 Review & Swatches
Erica Falco says
October 18th, 2012 at 11:38 amNice! I guess you get what you pay for if it’s that wonderful 🙂 Gonna have to try it out!
http://abundanceoferica.blogspot.ca
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 12:07 pmHi Erica,
It’s a great foundation. What are you wearing right now? Is it something I need to try?
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 12:10 pmOh dear Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation. You are perfect. Never change.
Seriously, there are no words to express how much I love this foundation. Not only did I finally find a texture I like in a foundation (I’m so incredibly picky) but I also found a perfect match to my ridiculously pale skin – they go up to white in the light spectrum. And it’s great for performing: I used it for our production and after three hours of sweating like mad I needed hardly any touchups. Score!
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 7:04 pmHi Karen,
What color do you wear? Glad to know it’s good for the stage too! Not that I’m gonna be on one anytime soon, but hey, you never know!
Fieran says
October 18th, 2012 at 12:17 pmHave it and love it! You’re right. I picked this up on a whim because I was in Sephora and when I switched Shade SB15, it matched perfectly! I was so impressed I ran to the cash register (also to avoid buying anything else) 🙂
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 7:03 pmHi Fieran,
NICE. What do you use to set it with?
Fieran says
October 19th, 2012 at 2:44 amI rotate between MAC’s Prep+Prime powder or Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Finish loose powder.
Kiss & Make-up says
October 18th, 2012 at 12:23 pmKaren, you look so amazing! 🙂
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review: Lush Colour Supplement
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 7:03 pmThanks, babe. It’s the foundation doing its thang!
Kim says
October 18th, 2012 at 12:30 pmVery nice finish! I think I have too many fine hairs on my face to get such a smooth look, though. Great – now I feel like a Monchichi. Except they had bare faces. But seriously, I even have to rub in my Tarte a lot, so full coverage scares me (in terms of looking streaky or fake). That said, when I see how awesome it looks on you, I’m very tempted.
PS I don’t know how anyone listens to country music. After 10 seconds I’m usually crying or in a deep state of depression. Those folks know how to express a broken heart and elicit some empathy! 🙂
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 7:03 pmI remember those Monchichis! They scared me when I was a kid!
Soo…I’ve been listening to this song on repeat all afternoon. I feel like I need a beer. Or a hug. Or both, LOL!
Chelsea says
October 18th, 2012 at 1:05 pmDidn’t break you out or anything? I’d been looking at this, but: A) choosing colors online is hard, although for me I just pick whatever’s pale and not too pink or yellow and B) I’m breakout/reaction-prone.
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 7:02 pmHi Chelsea,
So far no breakouts (knock on wood!). BTW, they also have a white shade in this line, which should probably help to lighten any existing colors!
Lilly says
October 18th, 2012 at 1:18 pmKaren, your earrings! Where did you buy them, they’re soooo pretty! You look like a princess in these pictures. Karen,…the duchess of make-up 😀
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 7:01 pmAww, thanks Lilly! My earrings are by Kate Spade. I got them a few seasons ago, so I don’t know if they’re still available in stores. I’ve heard from some gals that they’ve seen them at the Kate Spade outlet, though.
Lilly says
October 18th, 2012 at 7:09 pmI will check it out, thank you – my duchess!!! 🙂
Kellie says
October 18th, 2012 at 1:19 pmKaren, it looks so pretty on you! How do you think it would hold up on uber-oily skin?
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 7:00 pmHi Kellie,
You’ll probably need to layer an oil-controlling primer beneath it and pop a blotting powder on top. 🙂 Let me know if you have any other questions…always happy to help!
Rads says
October 18th, 2012 at 2:33 pmYour skin looks awesome in the photos, Karen!
Rads recently posted … Vegas Good Eats: Max Brenner Chocolate Bar
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 7:00 pmThanks, Rads. 🙂 What foundation are you using these days?
gio says
October 18th, 2012 at 2:47 pmThis foundation sounds awesome! Must really give it a try, I just hope I’ll be able to pick the right shade when I’ll be ordering it online.
gio recently posted … QOTW: Do You Follow Seasonal Trends?
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 6:59 pmHi Gio,
It’s a really, really great product. I hope you love it!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
October 18th, 2012 at 4:37 pmI really wanted this one for a while but I decided against it because I have very oily skin. But now I really want it again after reading this post. It controls oil? Do you think it will be good for my oily skin, Karen? Thank you in advance!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … The Sample: NEW Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser Dark Circle Concealer #2 and #3 Review & Swatches
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 6:59 pmHi Becca,
Yes, it cuts down the shine. If you’re super oily, you’ll probably need to layer an oil-controlling primer beneath and then pop a blotting powder on top though.
BeckBeck says
October 18th, 2012 at 6:30 pmI have 4.5, and while I love how it feels and wears, I think it’s a HAIR dark for me – I wish 4 was available at Sephora so I could compare! (I actually bought 3.5, thought it was too pink, and exchanged for 4.5, which has yellow undertones.) I think part of my problem is that my neck is WHITE (visibly lighter than my face even with no foundation) and nothing looks quite right against it.
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 6:57 pmHi BeckBeck,
Hmm, how about mixing in the white shade that Illamasqua offers in this same line? That might help lighten up the color for you. Here’s a link:
Yesenia says
October 18th, 2012 at 6:32 pmThank you for this post! Ive been wanting to know what color i wouldve been (im the same skin color as you)… Now i must try this out for sure!
Karen says
October 18th, 2012 at 6:56 pmYou’re welcome, Yesenia. I hope you like this foundation! It’s wonderful. 🙂
What’s your skin type, btw? Are you combo dry/oily, too?
Yesenia says
October 19th, 2012 at 1:59 pmyes I am :)! With winter coming, my skin is getting crazy, but I think I found my HG moisturizer (burtbees intense hydration day lotion.
Anne says
October 18th, 2012 at 9:58 pmHi Karen,
This comes just in time as my MAC foundation just ran out. Per your recommendation, I also have the MAC face and body foundation on the list. If you have to compare the 2 and can only pick one, which one would it be and why? Many thanks!!
Nadege says
October 18th, 2012 at 11:23 pmThat foundation looks great on you! So natural. I tried it and I love the finish, but the undertone is completely wrong for me 🙁
Belle says
October 18th, 2012 at 11:42 pmHi Karen,
you look really gorgeous in these pics, I was wondering what lippie you were wearing?? Thanks
Jess says
October 19th, 2012 at 1:46 amWish I could see this in real life in my area, heard someone say the chart on the website isnt what it’s cracked up to be.
I love Nashville too, I used to live there (makes me homesick) and I dont even like country. I love that everyone does their own singing too and not a lipsynch.
Sandra says
October 19th, 2012 at 3:53 amKaren, it looks fab on you. Do you recommend it for us gals in our 40’s? My normal foundations are light formulas. I have never been a full coverage foundation kind of girl.But I am sure using a beauty blender can help sheer it out if needed to be!
Jennifer says
October 19th, 2012 at 6:29 amI have combo skin but this foundation looks amazing!
Jennifer recently posted … Cattiva Divino Lash Mascara
Marla says
October 19th, 2012 at 12:25 pmI’ve seen this line before but never really stopped to take a close look. Next time I will. Thanks!
Rachel says
February 20th, 2013 at 9:50 pmi saved this on my shopping list in Sephora! i’ll grab a sample next time i’m there…
Emma says
August 5th, 2013 at 1:55 pmI love this foundation! I a, the fairest of fair and their no.2 foundation is my perfect match (no.1 being white!). I will say it’s important to moisturise before hand and I recommend a primer because it can dry quickly upon application 5/5!