One of my favourite things to do when shopping at the weekend, is to raid Boots and hunt down any makeup products I haven't spotted or tried before. Most recently, I picked up a foundation from a brand that always seems to sneakily add products to their stands without me noticing - Bourjois. Maybe I just hadn't been paying attention when the Nude Sensation Foundation was released, but I added it straight to my basket when I saw 'blur effect' written on the label...
Bourjois claim that this foundation will smooth fine lines and refine pores to create a flawless complexion that looks airbrushed. According to the brand, the revolutionary, lightweight formula creates a natural, bare-skin sensation. When a products promises to give me skin that looks perfected, without feeling heavy or suffocating, I'm eager to give it a go. Who doesn't want that?!
For starters, I'm confused as to why this foundation is described as revolutionary and find it unnecessary, if I'm honest. The silicone-based cream isn't remarkably new or different; it simply feels like a light, whipped mousse-creme. I've tried a couple of similar formulas before and this one sits somewhere between them, being smoother and more gel-like than the dreaded Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse, but silkier and richer than the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Blur.
Buffing in one layer of the foundation provides a very light, sheer coverage. Being buildable, you can add another coat without it starting to cake or go patchy, but it certainly won't give you the look of totally perfect skin, no matter how much you smooth on. Annoyingly, I do find I need a lot more of this foundation to get the amount of coverage I like, compared to liquid foundations and I have made a hefty dent in my pot after just a couple of weeks of use, already.
The finish it gives is pretty nice, though. Acting almost like a primer and light foundation in one, it blurs the complexion and smoothes out the look of pores, giving the skin an ethereal quality. To hide all traces of blemishes/pigmentation/redness, concealer is still necessary, but I tend to use concealer no matter what foundation I use anyway. Basically, this is more of a foundation to wear when skin is almost perfect already and just needs a finishing touch of coverage, similar to what a powder would give. It's a great one for when you want to fool people into thinking you aren't wearing makeup, as it doesn't sit on the skin and creates a barely-there finish.
I always expect gel and mousse formulas to be quite drying, but Nude Sensation feels hydrating. Not actively moisturising, but refreshing and slightly plumping. Setting to a demi-matte finish, it has a flattering sheen, without being too dewy or illuminating. The creme doesn't cling to any areas of dryness, but it does start to fade across my nose and chin, after the five hour mark. I'm used to foundations lasting all day on my drier skin, with minimal touch-ups necessary, but this base doesn't quite cut the mustard longevity-wise. As a result, I wouldn't reach for it for a special occasion, or when I had a long, busy day, but I would use it when running errands or popping out for a couple of hours.
The finish it gives is pretty nice, though. Acting almost like a primer and light foundation in one, it blurs the complexion and smoothes out the look of pores, giving the skin an ethereal quality. To hide all traces of blemishes/pigmentation/redness, concealer is still necessary, but I tend to use concealer no matter what foundation I use anyway. Basically, this is more of a foundation to wear when skin is almost perfect already and just needs a finishing touch of coverage, similar to what a powder would give. It's a great one for when you want to fool people into thinking you aren't wearing makeup, as it doesn't sit on the skin and creates a barely-there finish.
I always expect gel and mousse formulas to be quite drying, but Nude Sensation feels hydrating. Not actively moisturising, but refreshing and slightly plumping. Setting to a demi-matte finish, it has a flattering sheen, without being too dewy or illuminating. The creme doesn't cling to any areas of dryness, but it does start to fade across my nose and chin, after the five hour mark. I'm used to foundations lasting all day on my drier skin, with minimal touch-ups necessary, but this base doesn't quite cut the mustard longevity-wise. As a result, I wouldn't reach for it for a special occasion, or when I had a long, busy day, but I would use it when running errands or popping out for a couple of hours.
Usually, with the majority of Bourjois foundations and tinted moisturisers, I love the finish, but it's the highly-fragranced formulas that put me off. Nude sensation is no exception to the norm and has a strong scent to it that smells quite grandma-esque. Think floral, mixed with a dash of talcum powder. Although fragrance doesn't necessarily cause me to break-out and this base hasn't caused my skin to experience any irritation, it's something to consider if you have very reactive skin.
Unfortunately, the shade range is pants. There's only four colours available, which is poor even for a high-street brand. My shade Nude Clair is the lightest in the line-up and, whilst it matches my skin well during winter, I can't imagine anyone fairer than me would be able to find a decent pairing, especially in S/S. Saying that, although the colour looks quite dark and orange in the pot, the sheer level of coverage makes it quite forgiving and the colour blends out to become a lot lighter than expected.
I'm not the biggest fan of little pots of foundation, as they aren't as hygienic as tubes, create a lot more mess and aren't always travel-friendly. But, as this one is tiny and made from lightweight plastic, it's a lot more convenient than others. A downside of the small size does mean you only get 18ml of product for your money, though. Considering most foundations tend to come in a 30ml size, that's not great. Many of Bourjois' bases sit around the same price-point of £9.99, so it's not surprising that Nude Sensation has followed suit, but that does mean that this base isn't the best value for money. It's a nice, daytime base to wear during laid-back weekends, but I doubt I'd repurchase it, favoring Bourjois' 123 Perfect CC Cream instead.
Have you tried the Bourjois Nude Sensation Foundation?
AGB X
32 comments
What a shame this doesn't live up to its claims and your expectations! I have to say it looks way too much like the Dream Matte Mousse for me to dare to try it haha!
ReplyDeleteJess xo | The Indigo Hours
It's half way there, but just misses the mark slightly! It definitely creates a blurred effect, but I wish the coverage was a little higher. It's nowhere near as bad as Dream Matte Mousse, though, fortunately! x
DeleteI've been interested in reading a review on this foundation for a while, like you said it sounds like a nice foundation if you've got really good skin already. It sounds to me like it would be good for no makeup makeup days too, just a shame the colour range is so small.
ReplyDeleteKristy | www.thevioletblonde.com
Yeah, exactly! I'll still use it, but it's not one of my favourites let's put it that way haha x
DeleteI really enjoyed your post. I'm not a fan of foundation in pots either. What a shame there is not a wide range of colours xx
ReplyDeletewww.lauralivinglife.com
Thanks so much :) I know, it's always annoying that high-street brands don't offer a wide selection, but only four is really rubbish! x
DeleteI've rad quite not so good reviews about this foundation and wasn't tempted to try it. The latest Bourjois foundation City Radiance is very nice though :) x
ReplyDeleteMummy’s Beauty Corner
I hadn't seen or heard anything about it to know that it wasn't going to be great, unfortunately! I'll have to try City Radiance next! x
Deletehı dear great post!!
ReplyDeletewold like to follow each other on GFc G+ and ? please let me know on my blog so l can follow back .. thank you kiss
http://beautybeybi.blogspot.com.tr/
Glad you liked it! x
DeleteI hadn't heard of this foundation before today either, so this post was very interesting! It does sound like a decent foundation but not an improvement on their current lines. Thanks for the detailed review :)
ReplyDeleteVelvet Blush
Yeah, average at best for my taste, I think! Ah well, I still have a lot of love for Bourjois! x
DeleteFab post lovely, this foundation definitely reminded me too much of the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in the pot - and just a shame that it didn’t live up to expectations. I will definitely be avoiding this next time I’m in Boots
ReplyDeleteCharlee XO | CharmedCharlee
Thanks, honey! It's much better than Maybelline's, but I'm just not 100% in love with it, unfortunately! x
DeleteI've been loving Bourjois at the minute I really want to try their new radiance foundation!
ReplyDeleteLauren Ashleigh xx
Me too, I think it'll be a much better fit for my skin-type! x
DeleteThis started so well and then seemed to be a bit of a disappointment! At least you can wear for errand running so you don't waste the good stuff :)
ReplyDeletehttp://lux-rose.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1
I know, it's just a 'meh' kind of foundation - not a disaster, but not amazing either. I'm excited to try a few of their other, more-recent releases, though! x
DeleteI haven't heard of this launch either, I think they were too focused on the city radiance range and forgot to promote this! What a shame about the shade ranges, it's so frustrating not to find a suitable shade!
ReplyDeleteDannie x
famousinjapan.co.uk
I know it came out quite a while ago, I think, but I hadn't even noticed it in Boots before! x
DeleteI personally have never tried cream foundation, have always used liquid. Shame that this didn't live up to your expectations and gosh, I can't stand any product that has the floral + talcum powder scent, it gives me a headache while reminding me of my grandma.
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
I do actually quite like cream foundations, but I use mostly liquids too. I know, I don't know why brands pump their base products full of the stuff! x
DeleteHi Dear,
ReplyDeleteNice review Alice.. Because I am a man, I will pass along to my girl
Regards
The Fashion For Men
Aw, thanks so much :) x
DeleteInteresting product! I wonder if there's any way to get this in the States without a fortune on shipping hmm... Foundations are always so hard to find a good one; far too many combinations out there ugh!
ReplyDeletexo, alice / T Y P E N U
I know, it's difficult to find the perfect match with so many on offer, especially when brands seem to release new formulas so often! x
DeleteSurprisingly, I haven't seen this but I do like the look of it ♥
ReplyDeletetipscapsule.blogspot.com
It seems to have slipped under the radar for a lot of people! haha x
DeleteThat bourjouis foundation look incredible.
ReplyDeletewww.themakeupaficionado.com
Let me know how you get on with it, if you pick it up! :) x
DeleteThe little jar looked exciting but you've convinced me not to try it, lol! I've noticed that I use up non-liquid foundations (compact creams or powder, cushion...) a lot faster than classic liquid ones. Not sure why, but it makes the liquid foundations feel a lot more economical in the long run!
ReplyDeleteBeaumiroir
Well I always say that even though I didn't get along with a product, there's still a chance that you may love it! It's certainly not a terrible product and I'll finish it off, but I just won't repurchase. Me too, I always find I need more product from creams/mousses etc to cover my entire face, as they don't always blend out as easily as liquids x
DeleteThanks for taking the time to read this post and leave a comment! I try to reply to each and every one of them within 24 hours! x