What They Say: "Delivers an "airbrushed" effect with precision and ease. Evens out skin tone and visibly diminishes the appearance of fine lines and skin irregularities."

Jen's Experience: A review of this product was requested by one of our lovely DeLush readers, who wanted to get our opinion on the new airbrush foundations, and she was particularly interested in this one from Dior. I had never tried any of this new genre of foundations, but I was eager to give it a try as well, and I have been extremely pleased with the outcome, with a few caveats here and there.

To apply this foundation, you have two options, both of which require a foundation brush. If you're not already using one, that's a must if you choose to use a foundation like this. The primary means of applying is to spray it directly on the face using a Z-like motion, and then evening it out with a brush. This does get by far the best results, but I found it to be very messy and difficult to keep out of my hair, so I use this only when I have my wet hair wrapped in a towel away from my face. The other means is to spray it directly on the brush and apply. I sometimes use a combination of the two: I apply to my entire face, and then if I want to cover up something more, I use the brush alone.

The coverage is medium to heavy. A couple of good sprays and you might look like a Barbie doll. I thought the color was a bit on the orange-y side until I got some sun last week, and now it's just right. But keep that in mind when choosing a shade. I went with the same shade I had bought it other Dior foundations, and it really was a little too dark for me at the time. On the other hand, I learned that it was very easy to blend in the process, so even if they're limited range of shades isn't quite right for you, you can probably make it work.

The coverage is so good, that I really don't even need to wear concealer anymore. I do sometimes get a little of the leftover foundation from the nozzle (so it's a bit thicker) and apply it to the corners of my eyes with a concealer brush to fully even out the area.

This foundation is definitely right up there with my favorites. Although it's much more expensive than other foundations I've tried, I will be keeping this on hand, maybe not for every day use (due to price more than anything), but for times when I really want my skin to look great.

Retail Price: $60.00 (Sephora.com or your local department store)

Rating:

What They Say: "...enhances and protects your skin with mineral-based pigments that provide oil-free natural-looking coverage. Antioxidants and lavender help calm skin and defend against damage.

• Mineral pigments provide SPF 8 protection while diffusing light to minimize fine lines
• Glycerin and panthenol aid hydration
• Green tea, cucumber, aloe and ginko biloba fight cell damage"

Melissa Says: While I found that this gives decent light-to-medium coverage and is sufficient at controlling oil to an extent, the scent was just a bit strong for me, and seemed to last most of the day. It's herbal in nature, and I just didn't find that part of the experience beneficial. The product overall isn't bad, though it's not in the very upper ranks for me personally.

Retail Price: $16.95 (at zianatural.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say:

• Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin appear softer, suppler, and smoother
• Biopeptide-CL and hyaluronic acid help support and maintain the skin's natural production of collagen for skin that looks softer, smoother, and firmer
• Contains age-defying ingredients ubiquinone, DMAE, selenium, lipoic acid, soy extract, and Argireline
• Lightweight makeup covers flaws and imperfections
• Contains aloe, which helps moisturize the skin
• SPF 15 (UVA/UVB protection)

Unlike any other foundation, Ageless Skin Foundation contains Dr. Copeland's Age-Defying ERASE Complex, which has an exclusive blend of age-defying ingredients and SPF 15 protection. It not only covers up but also helps solve skin issues with powerful anti-aging ingredients like Argireline, DMAE, and Coenzyme Q10. Contains aloe, a natural moisturizer. Blends in easily and evenly to provide a smooth, natural finish.

Clinical Research
In an independent study, 26 women used Ageless Skin Foundation with Age-Defying ERASE Complex, provided in a white, unmarked container. After 6 weeks of use:

• 81% noticed the overall quality of their skin had improved
  
• 73% noticed improved skin firmness/better tone
  
• 80% noticed their skin was less dry
  
• 77% noticed smoother, softer skin
  
• 50% saw a noticeable lessening of fine lines and wrinkles

What Lisa Says: I'll get straight to the point - this is a LOVELY foundation! I received this foundation in "Natural" which was a smidge too dark for my complexion but still very workable. The only negative thing I can say is that I did not see any lessening of fine lines or wrinkles. I did notice that my skin looked and felt more hydrated, the overall look had improved (in terms of tone and hydration) and even my husband noticed an improvement in the softness. That's saying something!

As far as coverage goes, if you don't like to feel anything on your skin, this may not be for you; however, I felt like I was wearing a "protective glove" on my skin rather than foundation. The product is very build-able and while I tested application with fingertips, foundation brush and sponge, I found a brush gave the prettiest finish and the max coverage with the least amount of product. Very pretty! I have darkened areas due to sun damage and this product not only covered, but my skin glowed and it felt and looked like I had nothing on. I opted to wear this without setting powder and experienced no cracks or 'wrinkle lines'. Powder blush went on top just fine as did cream.

Retail Price: .5 fl oz./$55.00 (online at www.mcskin.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "CHANEL modernizes matte with a lightweight formula that delivers a soft, natural look with maximum staying power. Medium coverage looks impeccable and shine-free for up to 12 hours."

Melissa Says: If I ever wanted to give a product a 5-lip rating, this is it. Why? Well, because it has truly turned out to be perhaps the most fabulous liquid foundation I've personally used to date. It neutralizes redness, provides ample coverage without hiding the skin, blends invisibly, and gives a flawless radiant look that is still natural.

If I'm being very specific, it doesn't give me quite the 12 hours of no shine, but it comes as close as any liquid foundation has while still allowing my skin to look luminous and completely natural. True, my skin still gets a tad oily on the nose and forehead about midway through the afternoon, but this product does minimize it significantly. If you have very oily skin, this will not completely ease your troubles on its own.

Still, I have never used a liquid foundation that gives a matte sort of finish for several hours while still looking this radiant. I think for many women with normal to only moderately oily skin, you too will be pleased with this product's results. It is pricey, but the size of the bottle is ample and a little goes a long way. I would highly suggest asking the CHANEL consultant at the counter to prepare a small sample for you before you commit to the purchase if you're unsure. As far as liquid foundation is concerned, I personally believe this is among the best to date for those like myself.

p.s. I tested this in Clair, which melted invisibly into my skin. See other shades here.

Retail Price: $52.00 (on Chanel's website or go here to find a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Loose powder foundation that combines pure, lightweight minerals that are good for your skin and ColorStay® longwear technology that lasts for up to 16 hours. This medium coverage foundation provides a color that won't fade all day making your skin look both healthy and flawless, no matter how long your day is.

Makeup is oil-free, fragrance free and non-irritating.

Provides medium coverage in 8 beautiful shades, with SPF 10 protection."

Melissa Says: I wasn't all too excited about this when I first opened it up - the brush inside seemed a bit too short, and the whole dispensing concept seemed questionable. However, I found that with a little practice, this isn't all that hard to a) get on the brush and b) apply to your face.

The key is to shake the bottle upside down for a few quick taps, then twist the cap to elongate the brush handle inside the top. You should tap and/or blow off any excess, and then buff it onto your skin. Now, I do think this could be a little more mess-proof, though I have to give them credit for trying to create something that would control the amount of powder that comes out at once.

On the skin, I was actually quite impressed with both the coverage and the finish this provided. It looked very natural and not cake-y (I should note that I think these shades run light, and it might be better in this case to lean toward the darker of two shades you're considering so as to avoid a too-light powdery look). Unlike some less expensive mineral powder foundations I've tried, this actually provided some real coverage! It also stayed true and didn't wear off all day, and kept my sometimes oily t-zone pretty well in check. I didn't think it dried my skin out through use, either.

This foundation has good coverage, staying power and a nice finish. However, it can be a tad messy before you get the hang of it, and you need to be careful not to choose too light a shade. (I tried Light/Medium and I really think I could have even gone up to Light Medium/Medium - see shades here.)

Retail Price: $13.99 (at drugstores and superstores everywhere)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Skin instantly looks softer and younger with this handy multi-tasker. It delivers a hint of sheer coverage, subtle shimmer, SPF 15 and added moisture in one effortless application. Perfect for everyday use, the silky formula blends beautifully for a pretty, luminous look."

Jen's Experience: I had some initial doubts about this product. I mean, I know that tinted moisturizers aren't designed to provide a lot of coverage, so they don't necessarily need to make a thousand shades to match your skin tone. But I was very surprised the first time when I squeezed out a bit and it looked like ordinary facial moisturizer. I was pleased though when I applied it, and found that while it doesn't have nearly the coverage of my normal foundation -- or even my other tinted moisturizers -- I was able to give it a pass for the dewy, glowy look that it gave my skin. I do feel the need to apply some concealer under my eyes and here and there for a more even look, but sometimes it's nice to let my face breathe, and this product does that and lets my skin shine through.

Retail Price: $32.00 (StilaCosmetics.com)

Rating:

What They Say: " Provides moisture and absorbs oil when and where needed with adjustable coverage that is silky upon application. Oil-free formula provides natural skin finish."

Jen's Experience: A lot of people light lightweight foundations that maybe add a little dewiness or help to even out their complexions. I'm not really one of those people. Me, I prefer foundations that are medium-weight at least and buildable. That said, I want to look flawless, not plastic. It's a balance.

I think this foundation is called "suberbalanced" because it's good for combination skin, but I have to say, it walks the line nicely between great coverage and a natural look. It blends really well, matching my skin tones to a 'T'. It also seems to be good for my skin, too; my nose isn't oily and my chin isn't flaky. If I had one wish, it would be a little more long-lasting. Overall, though, I can't complain; it's a great medium-coverage foundation at an excellent price.

Retail Price: $19.50 (Clinique.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "As the first purified mineral makeup in a compact, new Neutrogena® Mineral Sheers ™ Powder Foundation enhances your skin through dermatologist-selected pure and gentle minerals. This convenient pressed powder foundation creates a naturally radiant and glowing complexion.

Featuring exclusive time-released antioxidants and SPF 20, new Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation formula delivers extra soft and blendable pressed minerals, so you can build your desired coverage from sheer to medium without a heavy make-up look or feel. And, it's great for mess-free, easy touch-ups.

• Dermatologist tested, non-comodogenic
• Oil-free and fragrance-free
• Good for sensitive skin
• .34 oz. compact includes applicator and mirror
• Available in 8 Shades"

Melissa Says: Having tried some of Neutrogena's mineral sheer powder products that were in brush dispenser form (the blush, for example), I was curious to see how this compact foundation would fare. The mineral foundations that I've really liked in the past are all in loose powder formula, so I wanted to see how this stood up.

I use the lightest shade, Classic Ivory, though I think I might have been good to go up one shade (and maybe two in summer months). You can check out the shades available here. I use a light hand when applying with the included sponge applicator (this is important so you can build gradually where needed and not look too powdery), and it softly blends over my skin. Any trace of a powder-like look quickly melts into the skin and ends up looking pretty natural (again, minding that you don't over-apply).

I wouldn't recommend this for someone with very dry skin, but if you have combo-to-oily skin this is an option, and it gives light-to-medium coverage. It's not as "untraceable" as some higher-end mineral powder foundations can be, and ideally I'd like it to be more pore-minimizing, but at an affordable price this may work for you.

Retail Price: $11.66 (at drugstores everywhere)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Keeps your eyecolor in place with 15-hour staying power. Extends the wear of powder eyeshadow and keeps it smooth and crease-free. Ophthalmologist-tested. Fragrance-free."

 

Jen's Experience: If you have trouble getting your eyeshadow and eyeliner to stay in place, or you're always rubbing your eyes and ruining your make-up artistry, you're going to LOVE this new product from Estee Lauder. Much like their fantastic Doublewear foundation and concealer, this base makes any eyeshadow wear better and longer. I was amazed when I came home from a long day at work (and a serious workout to boot) and saw my powder eyeshadows still in place, and even more amazed that even my gel and liquid eyeliners seem to stay in place throughout the day whenever I wear this eyeshadow base. The colors of my eyeshadows also look a little truer since they're applied over a neutral color. This is one of the best products I've tested in a long time and an absolute essential in my morning make-up routine.

Retail Price: $15.00 (EsteeLauder.com or your local department store counter)

Rating:

What They Say: The perfect "barely there" glow in five gorgeous, natural shades. A mineral based, oil free tinted foundation that moisturizes and protects while skin appears flawless and radiant!

Jamie's Thoughts: I appreciate mineral based makeup just as much as the next person - I love that this product is hypoallergenic, moisturizing, and includes SPF. What I don't love is how it makes a yellow/orange line at the border of my face, regardless of what brush, sponge, or side of my hand I use. Barely there? Not so much, and I was testing the lightest shade! The consistency is a bit too viscous for my liking - once I touched my face, it stayed there. This leaves a very small margin of error for those of you still figuring out liquid foundation.

I also don't love its staying power. It's almost too strong. This stuff doesn't budge, which substantiates their claim of "protecting" the skin. However, it took an entire palm-full of face cleanser to get it all off. When I thought it was gone for good, 2 scrubs later, it showed up on my washcloth and hand towels...and didn't come off. Not cool.

Harsh as it might sound, I just didn't love this product. In fact, I didn't even like it.

Retail Price: $35/ 1.25 oz. (beautyaddicts.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation is a layerable, highly pigmented formula to be used only where needed & allows the user to determine the amount of coverage. Complete range of yellow-based foundations created to accommodate most women & help them achieve the most natural, "no makeup" look. Apply very sheerly or layer for more coverage. Never looks cakey or heavy because of the lightweight formula. Extremely long-wearing, stays colour true, & wears evenly. Vitamins A, C & E act as antioxidants to protect the skin from harmful effects in the environment. Oil-free, yet non-drying. Ideal for all skin types."

Jen's Experience: I generally keep two foundations on hand - one that has more coverage that I wear to work, and one that's a tinted moisturizer for weekends. This one is actually perfect for work. It's lightweight and doesn't look too overdone, but at the same time, the coverage is buildable so I can apply more in the places where my skin needs the most help. The shade "blush ivory" could not have been more perfect for me; it blends into my skin so incredibly well I can't tell where my skin ends and the foundation begins. Perfect -- except for one kinda big problem. It totally dries out my skin. With the temperatures over 100 degrees, it seems like it should be that hard to keep moisturized, but instead my skin feels like it's the middle of winter. I've tried my most luxurious moisturizers, and still my skin remains dry. If you've got oily skin, this is probably just the ticket. But for me, I need something that pampers my skin a little more.

Retail Price: $42.00 (LauraMercier.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "Enhance the complexion with a pure veil of subtle, golden color. A unique formula comprised of natural colored minerals and translucent micronised pigments allows for the most natural, glowing finish. Light, fresh texture for optimum application and provides all-day hydration and comfort."

Jen's Experience: I love the light texture of this foundation, and the way the tiniest little bit completely removes all the imperfections in my skin. What I don't love is the color -- this foundation puts my skin tone firmly out of pale pink to deep in Oompa-Loompa land. The first time I used it, I found that I had to cover my neck and decolletage in order to blend it in. And then I covered THAT with a layer of my normal foundation. The good news is that I've found a good use of it -- blended in with a more reasonable foundation color, it actually makes a good bronzer and really helps to sculpt my cheekbones. The key is very, very small amounts for my lily white skin. If you've already got a little bit of summer glow, this may work for you as planned, but if you're thinking you're going to get a totally faux glow with this foundation, I recommend looking elsewhere.

Retail Price: $55.00 (ArmaniCosmetics.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "Continuous conditioning with a flawless matte finish. Our super light liquid formula conditions & covers like a dream!

Soft-matte finish in our special non-drying formula. Designed for normal to oily skin.
• Panthenol Enriched * Lecithin * Pro-Vitamin E"

Jamie’s Thoughts: I love the intention of this foundation, but in the end, it seemed to fall short of my high expectations for the JFR brand. Claims of its “super light” formula are certainly justified, which is a good thing considering it’s designed for normal to oily skin. I couldn’t even tell I was wearing anything after awhile. I was slightly disappointed with the coverage – the color was perfect for my skin (something I think this brand does particularly well), but it did almost nothing to visually alleviate my occasional blotchiness. As for their claims of matte finish, I can’t testify either way – in my opinion, the best foundation in the world won’t stand up to a sweltering Chicago summer day. I would suggest this to redheads looking for a good color match, but cannot really recommend it beyond that.

Retail Price: $38.00, but on sale right now for $22.00 or 2/$41.50 (at justforredheads.com)

Delush Rating:

What They Say: " As seen in Allure magazine (April 2007 issue, p74). Pure lightness, this new liquid makeup from CHANEL provides dream coverage. A unique formula allows skin's natural glow to show through while it evens out skin tone and helps to conceal imperfections. In 13 perfectly natural shades. "

Jen's Experience: While normally I'm a full coverage kind of girl, during the summer months I generally feel the need to go with something a little more lightweight. I often go with Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, but since Chanel foundations have always worked out so well for me, I thought I would try out this one. Like the Laura Mercier moisturizer, this one feels super-lightweight, so I never feel like there's a coating on my face. I like the way it evens out my skintone, but I do feel like the effect is sort of fleeting. When I get back home at night, the effects of the foundation are gone. Indeed, when I wash my face at night, there's not a speck of color on my washcloth. I like the way it looks when I leave in the morning, I just wish it would stay put. For someone looking for something lightweight, much like a tinted moisturizer, this is a decent enough choice, but for those of you looking for all day coverage with something lightweight, sadly this is not the holy grail of foundations.

Retail Price: $42.50 (Neiman Marcus and other department stores)

Rating:

What They Say: "This long-wearing foundation delivers 16 hours of flawless coverage. Super silky feel. Blends in one step. Won't rub off. Oil free. SPF 12 sunscreen.

For Best Results
Press center of pump down to dispense equal parts of the foundation and silky coverage extender. Apply to face and blend."

Melissa Says: This stuff really does feel amazingly silky immediately when applied. It's almost a superfine powder feel. The color you recieve on the skin is a little bit lighter than what the color looks like in the dual-chambered pump, so try to rely on any past shade choices you've made with Maybelline foundation and the name descriptions. Remember, you should be able to return a shade to the drugstore if you find that it doesn't work for you once you get it home, so don't be afraid to try your best bet.

The formula does stay on and stays true a long time, so from the perspective of lasting coverage, it's pretty impressive. However, I noticed that once it was on my skin it could take on a more dry appearance than what I desired. If you have any dry patches or crepe-y areas, I'm afraid this will only highlight that for you. It doesn't seem to be too forgiving on tired days when you need a bit of luminosity to look fresh. However, if you have very oily skin this might actually work very well as a stay-true, no-slip formula. If you're combo or normal, then you just have to be very careful about applying moisturizer prior to this foundation, and have a very light touch on areas like the undereyes.

That all said, it does have an incredibly light feel and blends nicely. If you're willing to give it a try given the description, you could end up with a workable option in the drugstore price range, but finding the right shade might take a couple of tries. (I was testing with Light 3 Natural Ivory, but I may have preferred Light 4 Nude - the shades don't exactly look the way they do on the website, so check them out in person at the store.)

Retail Price: $10.50 (at drugstores and superstores everywhere)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Creamy fuller coverage. Achieve perfect-looking skin at last! This long-lasting SPF 18 foundation offers fuller coverage to smooth over pores, blemishes, and imperfections. Enriched with age-defying coenzyme Q10, hydrating olive oil, and UV damage–fighting olive leaf extract, these ingredients can help you win the fight against fine lines. Feels silky, not heavy, on skin. Elegant matte finish."

Jamie's Thoughts: If you’ve read my bio page, you already know that I am not a fan of liquid foundation. I don’t think anything that starts out as a thick layer of flesh-toned goo EVER looks natural – I would rather wear no makeup at all, than have to feel the foundation on my face all day.

You also might be surprised to find out that I actually like this offering from DHC. It’s easier to apply than most – I used my fingers, so a sponge is not absolutely necessary. It blends smoothly and evenly. It beats my everyday powder foundation in both staying power and coverage. It worked well with my concealer routine, and created a matte finish – I didn’t need my pressed powder until late afternoon!

That being said, I didn’t like how it completely covered my freckles. I love my freckles - I don’t want to hide them! I do not recommend this product for redheads, unless they plan on mixing the lightest shade with a daily moisturizer – a DIY tinted moisturizer, if you will. Nail the color perfectly, otherwise you risk looking heavy and fake.

Outside of having to get used to “feeling” my makeup on my face all day, I quite enjoyed this product. While it may not be appropriate for everyone, it does exactly what it claims. I don’t think I’ll be switching over to liquid foundation for good, but I will definitely keep my Q10 around for special events when a flawless, long-lasting face is needed.

Jamie's Rating:

Melissa Says: Similarly to Jamie, I think this foundation blends very well and is incredibly smooth. I particularly like the fact that as a liquid foundation, the end result is among the best that I've tried. I actually didn't have a problem with the fact that it is more full-coverage (I've seen heavier, but it's definitely not sheer) because some days I just feel like camouflaging any redness or unevenness completely in one easy swipe. On the days that I don't feel like I need it, I can always reach for something more sheer or mix this with a bit of moisturizer to thin out the formula.

As a liquid, this didn't matte out my four o'clock oily spots on its own, but I didn't notice any increase as a result, either. I apply it over my daily moisturizer to help it glide even easier, and this has always provided a nice, even finish. If you have deeper wrinkles, this may settle into those lines a bit after a few hours (though I was pleased with it in this respect and didn't notice the problem on my own skin), so be cautious when trying it out if this is the case.

I've been using Yellow Ocher 02, which has worked well with my still winter-pale skin (though I think I may have been able to use Natural Ocher with good results as well).

As a side note, unlike Toya, I've been using this for almost three weeks with no irritation or breakouts at all, and I didn't find any strange consistency issues with the foundation in the tube either. In fact, it was creamy and perfectly smooth. I guess this is another example of why it's so hard for a woman to find the perfect foundation!

Melissa's Rating:

Toya’s Take: For women of color, indeed, for any woman, buying a foundation is a process that requires a bit of trial and error before the buyer finds the perfect shade. Therefore, having to pick the best shade from a catalog or from a website, like I had to do with DHC, is not the best option, unless you’ve used the foundation previously and are repurchasing. I picked what I thought was the closest color to my skintone, Pink Ocher 3, and while I may have, in fact, made the closest match, this shade didn’t work for me at all. In the case of both of the foundation formulations, the shade was just “off” – I wound up looking ashen. The cream foundation, which, according to the website, offers full coverage, felt and looked heavy on my skin.

While it did offer quite complete coverage, eliminating redness, etc., I think it also made me breakout – in the week since I’ve used it, I’ve battled two large pimples. I’m not sure that they’re directly related to the foundation, but their appearance shortly after using the foundation didn’t look too good. The liquid foundation apparently separates when in the bottle. When I squeezed some of the product out of the tube, it was clear first, followed by the pigmented part of the foundation. Shaking the tube vigorously helped, but the foundation was still frustratingly watery and, while it should have offered sheer coverage, I found that it didn’t offer any coverage at all, while simultaneously giving my fast a ghostly pallor. Ugh!

Toya's Rating:

Retail Price: $16.00 (at dhccare.com)

Vasanti recently sent products labeled for us (Melissa and Toya); they'd even taken time to try to make sure we got the best colors for our skin tone! (Melissa) "This was the first time I'd ever heard of or tried anything from the Vasanti product line, and overall I was quite impressed."
(Toya) "I am really pleased with Vasanti Cosmetics, which I’d never even heard of until I received my package from DeLush. I couldn’t find much information on the company, but it’s clear that they strive to fit the needs of every woman, of every skin tone."

All of the following products can be purchased at vasanticosmetics.com. Read on for our individual product reviews.

Vasanti Liquid Cover-Up:
What They Say: "Liquid concealer and foundation in one. Cover only where you want, it blends into the skin without a trace. Gives the skin incredible radiance and feels like you have nothing on at all.

This multi purpose cover-up is an incredible under eye concealer, colour corrector, eye brightener and all over foundation.. It looks so natural on, no one will know you have it on but you.

The formulations work on all skin types and skin tones. It's oil-free and contains active ingredients to hydrate and brighten the skin. The shade range was developed to compliment any skin tone - from the fairest to the deepest."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: While this may not be powerful enough to cover up really prevalent dark circles (it's medium-coverage at best), it does blend away redness (blotchiness or little blemishes) and some darkness under the eyes. I thought it was really smooth and light with very little line-settling (a big plus).

Toya's Take: The Liquid Cover Up comes in a large tube, which I like. It blends nicely, but although the cover up was the same shade as the foundation I tested, it showed up as a bit dark and muddy, so I wasn’t completely happy.

Retail Price: $22.00

DeLush Ratings:
Melissa -
Toya -

Vasanti Face Base:
What They Say: "Shades created specifically for yellow based skin tones.

• Gives you a natural finish of a pressed powder with coverage of a foundation
• Glides on easily and blends right into your skin
• Colors that match your skin tone and add a radiant glow
• Light weight, oil-free and oil absorbing
• Moisturizing
• Non-comodogenic (won't clog your pores)

Comes in a sleek platinum compact with a full face mirror and a sponge for a smooth application."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I get a little nervous about powder foundations, because they seem to work best for those with nearly perfect skin but look dry and cakey on anyone who wants a little more than a swipe of coverage. This one surprised me a little bit at first. The compact design is truly unique, with a plastic hinged cover inside to protect the powder and a vented bottom underneath the sponge applicator. As far as the formula itself goes, it glides over the skin and gives moderate coverage. However, I did think it looked a little bit dry and I also saw the tendency for it to emphasize fine lines and larger pores, so I think this would work best for those with well-hydrated, smooth skin.

Toya's Take:
The Face Base comes in an ingenious case – very modern looking in plain, brushed silver with the company name on it. When you open it, there’s a large mirror on top and on the bottom half, a large square of foundation powder and a sponge. The foundation powder is covered by plastic, so it doesn’t get on the mirror – it flips down for easy access. The foundation looks very flaky, but it goes on quite smoothly and doesn’t leave your skin overly dry. It dries to a lovely matte finish and it blended in with my skin perfectly.

Retail Price: $24.00

DeLush Ratings:
Melissa -
Toya -

Vasanti Pencils (Toya only):
What They Say: "Our lip and eye pencils contain Orange Wax, Vitamin A and Vitamin E – all of which have antioxidant properties and will fight free radicals while they moisturize. Shea butter and jojoba oil have also been added to ensure a creamy formulation that glides on beautifully and lasts all day."

Toya's Take: This pencil is luscious. Vasanti markets the pencils as both eye and lip appropriate. However, the pencil is so moisturizing that, while it feels wonderfully smooth and creamy when applied to the lips, I think it would lead to quite a bit of creasing if used in the eye area.

Retail Price: $13.00

DeLush Rating: (Toya) (because it would crease as an eye pencil)

Vasanti Tinted Lip Balm:
What They Say: "Hooked on that chapstick? Introducting a lip conditioner that gives just a natural hint of colour. It’s got a silky smooth texture and it protects your lips and gives off an incredible shine!

Our tinted lipbalms are loaded with moisturizers, conditioners and natural sunscreens such as: Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Sunflower oil and Olive oil.

The flavours are exotic and fresh- Leaves your lips velvety smooth."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: By far my favorite product of the entire set, this balm is incredibly comfortable and wears like a beautiful sheer lipstick. I LOVE it. This is the first balm I've tried that is packaged exactly like lipstick, and it's really versatile. Whether alone or over lipliner, this feels super-soft and looks lovely. Unlike Toya, I thought that the scent was another highlight of the product, and I'd describe it as slightly fruity - kind of like watermelon. It could be that different shades use different fragrances (I tested Bahamas, a light brown-pink).

Toya's Take: The Tinted Lipbalm is my favorite product of the bunch, except for the ghastly smell! I have no idea what ingredient leads to the stench, but, if possible, Vasanti should remove it, posthaste. How do they expect you to want to apply the product to your lips, which are so close to your nose? God! But, once I got past it, I was thrilled to find that the balm is ultra-moisturizing and the color, while sheer, is more than I expect to find from a tinted lipbalm. I think it would be better classified as a sheer lipstick. Either way, one coat of the Columbia shade, described as “medium neutral brown” was “my lips but better” and two coats gave my lips a beautiful chocolate-y sheen.

Retail Price: $15.00

DeLush Ratings:
Melissa -
Toya -

Vasanti Shimmer Powder:
What They Say: "Loose Powder...apply anywhere you desire. For subtle shimmery highlights. Use as an Eyeshadow, highlighter on your brow bone, cheeks, decolleté or anywhere on your body...use your imagination."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I'm not really one to use shimmer in lots of places - typically it stays around the eyes for me. But even just in that aspect, this worked pretty well. The color is completely buildable and can be as bold or sheer as you like, and the glow is nice and subtle, not glaring. Used as a full shadow, it does crease a little after a while but holds on about as well as many shadows I use.

Toya's Take: The Shimmer Powder is a bit messy, like any loose powder, but it gives awesome color, sparkle and glow. Thumbs up!

Retail Price: $14.00

DeLush Ratings:
Melissa -
Toya -

What They Say: "Luminous Skin Color is an ultra sheer foundation/tinted moisturizer that visibly improves the complexion, yet looks incredibly natural on the skin. It is multipurpose, offering skincare, makeup, and sun protection in one product. It boasts a high SPF of 20+ that protects against over 96 percent of both UVA and UVB rays."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I always get a little nervous that tinted moisturizers are going to make my skin too oily. Add the word "luminous" in the mix and I am even more leery. While I did feel the need to powder ever-so-slightly on the nose and forehead afterward, this otherwise didn't create more oil on my combo skin. If you've got very oily skin, though, I wouldn't recommend it for you. It's a great light-coverage formula that looks really natural. It wore very well during the day and created a pretty, even look while letting my skin glow through.

The only other thing I should mention is that the pump dispenser created a bit of a challenge a few times. I noticed that sometimes it got a little stuck and then the foundation sort of exploded out a bit, a few times spurting onto the counter and also just missing my clothes. That is something to just be a little careful of.

Retail Price: $40.00 (at sephora.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say:
"* BECCA Stick Foundation has a soft creamy texture which provides a totally controllable level of coverage. Its non-powdery formulation is suitable for most skin types (including ultra-sensative) and provides sheer to medium natural looking cover, lightly evening skin tone and giving the illusion of perfect skin.

* All 27 colours have a high SPF 30+ to protect against over 90% of UVA and UVB rays. Anti-oxidant vitamins A, D and E help to increase collagen renewal and the skins’ water holding capacity, making this a genuine anti-aging foundation.

* Apply strokes directly to the skin (or use a foundation brush for a sheerer application) then spread and blend into the skin with fingertips. BECCA Stick Foundation can be used all over the face (including the under-eye area) or only where is needed and is best used over BECCA Primers, Tinted Glow Enhancer or Luminous Skin Colour for added coverage.

* For a touch proof, budge proof, long lasting finish, always set with BECCA Fine Loose Finishing Powder."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: It's pretty rare that all I need to say about a foundation is "Well actually, it pretty much does exactly what it says!"...but I think this is going to be one of those times I can actually say that.

I tend to be wary of stick foundations, because the ones I've used in the past have often produced uneven, greasy, or otherwise very unnatural-looking finishes. I am very glad to say that this did not produce excess oil on my often shiny t-zone (I didn't have to blot any more than the couple of times I sometimes have to do during the day), maintained its freshness all day and looked incredibly natural (before I read the description above I thought to myself that it was a great sheer-to-medium coverage formula). It's buildable, blendable, and comes in MANY shades. I'm telling you, if you can't find a shade that looked great on you among the 27 options, I wou