PRODUCT INTRODUCTION:
Innisfree "My Foundation"

I cannot tell you how hard it has been for me to find a foundation that allows my skin to shine.
Not only shine, but still gives me good coverage, doesn't dry or crack or cake, and fundamentally doesn't break me out.

I used to use (many moons ago) Chanel Vitalumiere in Petale 25, but they discontinued my colour and I could never find two other tones that I could blend to match my tone.

Since then I had been quite content with Koh Gen Do's two offerings, the Aqua Foundation and the Moisturising Foundation. However, I was always on the lookout for a "healthier" more "natural" offering, because what use is it to use "clean" skincare if the makeup which sits on our skin for most of the day is full of Toxic ingredients. It was during my Trip to Japan in July of 2019 that I came across Korean beauty house: Innisfree. I just happened upon the foundation and tried it before I purchased it, I immediately fell in love and I haven't turned back since. I bought extra and stored them in my second fridge in the hope that it will keep for longer!

 Fits just for my skin! A customized foundation with 50 different options 
50 types of diverse formula each with different levels of Moisture-Coverage-Shade provides a perfect makeup that fits just for my skin.

Step 1 - MOISTURE: 
3 Levels of Moisture | Matte - Semi Matte - Glow 
A skin-friendly, healthy makeup with Jeju Heritage Ingredients. 
Moisture Level 1 (Matte) : Jeju volcanic scoria powder controls unnecessary sebum and creates a long-lasting makeup.
Moisture Level 2 (Semi Matte) : Jeju green tea water quenches the skin with moisture making a clear and bright skin. 
Moisture Level 3 (Glow) : Jeju green tea seed oil keeps the moisture layer firm for a long time, giving a long-lasting glow to the skin.

Step 2 - COVERAGE:
3 Levels of Coverage l Natural Coverage (2) - High Coverage (2) - Extreme Coverage (1) 

Step 3 - SHADES:
10 Levels of Shade l C13 - C21 - N21 - N22 - N23 - N27 - N31 - W33 - W35 - W37  

A clear, natural makeup with Mineral Cover Complex™ 
The Mineral Cover Complex gives a natural coverage and minimizes oxidizing to make a clear and bright skin tone. * Mineral Cover Complex™ 
A complex of Jeju volcanic scoria powder+Jeju lava seawater mineral powder+White cover mineral powder helps give a perfect coverage.

By Alexandra

​And So My Love Affair Began:
​I've pretty much always stuck with my MAC brushes, because to be fair, they work just fine and the price is pretty fair. However, whilst on my most recent trip to Tokyo in Japan, I was at a lovely department store called "Mitsukoshi" in Ginza. (It would probably somewhat compare to Selfridges in London or Neiman Marcus in the US). I just so happened to be walking around the "Natural Beauty" area of the Beauty floor, when I did a double-take type of look at these wonderful creations - these brushes simply drew me in. They were so sleek looking (trust the Japanese to come with an elegant, streamlined product). And once I felt the smooth, light handle and the actual lush and gentle brush itself, I just fell in love.

The counter lady was unable to explain much as she only spoke Japanese, but she handed over a Shaquda pamphlet with a simple explanation as to what I was seeing. They were pricey, so I decided to just start with two brushes: 

SHAQUDA PRICE: 4,000 JPY | $37 USD (Price as of July 2019)

My Experience:
​When I applied my eyeshadow with this brush, I kid-you-not I was able to do things an amateur such as me, has never been able to do before. It was literally magic. It picked up a lot of product and delineated the smoky eye so perfectly. Even my husband, who rarely notices anything, complimented me on my eyes and the pretty makeup. I was in awe - this was a true winning brush.

What They Say:
Our Smoky eye Brush is best for applying smoky eye color. Sensitive hair creates a deep but natural gradation on the eyelid. Great for eyebrow color blending with a natural look. 

Usage:
•Eyeshadow  •Highlight
Compatible Cosmetics:
•Eye color (powder type, cream type)  •Eyebrow (powder type)
Material:
Hair : Pony | Handle : Walnut
​

SHAQUDA PRICE: 5,000 JPY | $47 USD (Price as of July 2019)

My Experience:
I was blown away by the other brush, so my skeptical mind was ready for this one to fail me, however, again I was pleasantly surprised. I dipped the brush into my concealer and like an airbrush machine, it covered my blemishes and under-eye shadows like no other brush I've tried before.
So worth the hefty price!

​What They Say: With a dense, flat shaped tip that corresponds perfectly to the skin, the Touch up Brush is the perfect blend of pony and synthetic hair. Its elasticity is great for applying concealer. Great for firm application of eye color powder as well. 

Usage:
•Concealer  •Eyeshadow  •Highlight
Compatible Cosmetics:
•Concealer (cream type)  •Eye color (powder type, cream type)  •Face color (powder, liquid type)
Material:
Hair : Goat/ Synthetic  | Handle : Walnut
​
I was now dreaming of buying more brushes and could not stop thinking about them, so on our last day in Tokyo, I dragged my Hubby back to Mitsukoshi to get some more brushes. I had been doing some more research on them and the "Classical Face Brush" seemed like the perfect "general" brush to go for.
​

1. TATA HARPER - Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil  2. ALBA BOTANICA Kukui Nut Hawaiian body cream.
3. RMS Beauty Luminizer X Quad 4. MIO The Mio Body Brush 5. OLIO E OSSO Tinted Balm

Another gem, is brough to you by TATA HARPER. Aptly described as a cocktail of Vitamins, this Lightweight hydrating facial oil serum delivers balanced, radiant looking skin. Perfect under your moisturiser and just as effective all on it's own. It can be worn equally on days you wish to go bare faced or for a smooth makeup finish. Provides an extra layer of moisture. I love, love, love the smell of this. However, I cannot use it everyday, as I do notice some extra oil production, even though it claims to do quite the opposite. Something to look out for!

 This is hands down the best natural Body Moisturizer I have found. I have unusually dry skin on my body (shame it's not on my bloody face instead!) and for the longest time I had to use a non-natural cream by Nivea, because nothing stopped my itching and dryness, until of course, I discovered the ALBA BOTANICA Kukui Nut body butter, which is a gorgeous blend of vanilla, cucumber and arnica extracts, tropical oils and enriching shea and cocoa butters to lock in moisture for all day softness. It smells DIVINE and keeps me soft and moisturised all day long. No skin pulling or weird scratching during awkward moments. I haven't found the others from this brand to be as effective as this particular one, but this one is just perfect. Only problem is I go through about a pot every week to week and a half, so I have to order them in fours. And it works out quite expensive, but it's truly the only natural cream that works on my body.

RMS is known for its cult living Luminizer highlighter balm. Well.... now we have the quad: four high-impact luminizers, which can be worn alone, blended for a custom glow or mixed into any product for super luminosity. I honestly can't see much of a difference once I put these on my face, perhaps it is because of my ghostly white complexion, but nevertheless I love to apply these with my fingertips on the bridge of my nose, my eyelids and cheek-bones. They do feel a little sticky and can sometimes feel a little greasy, but it's the best natural option I've found.

PALETTE INCLUDES:
LUMINIZER X: an Xtreme version of our living luminizer 
LUMINIZER NUDE: a subtle, radiant copper 
CHAMPAGNE ROSÉ: a warm blush champagne 
CHAMPAGNE FIZZ: a glam opalescent shimmer 

I've had a similar brush to the MIO Body brush for years and by that I mean at least 20 years. I had read that it was great for detoxing and helping to smooth out cellulite. I don't know if it actually does that, but my skin feels so soft and shiny after using it, gets rid of all those nasty dry areas and scaly (ewwww I sound like a fish) skin. I will do a separate comparison between my old faithful brush and the MIO Body Brush in another post, however, this is the closest I've found to a Brush that contains both Bristle and Rubber (Silicone) bristles/Massagers. 
​Always brush towards the heart, starting from your feet and work upwards towards your belly. Belly should be brushed in circular motions (clockwise). And you can do your bum bum and your arms too. 

 Ok! Stop everything you're doing and believe me that if you want to use an all-natural and look naturally glowy, you need this OLIO E OSSO balm in YOUR life. I chose Nø3, cause it was my preferred colour but there is a nice range to suit everyone.
It smells of grapefruit, so I never get sick of this. Only a few simple ingredients make this awesome multitasking balm. Use as regular tinted balm on your lips or swipe across your cheeks for a blushed look, that looks like you just came back from a healthy gym class. It's easy to slip in your bag.
Seriously... check out the lack of complication in its ingredients:
Balm no. 3 (crimson) ingredients: olea europaea (organic olive) fruit oil, butyrospermum parkii (natural shea) oil, natural beeswax, citrus paradisi (natural pink grapefruit) essential oil, red 7 (eu: ci 15880). And that's it! And it's made in Portland... and I love Portland. 
​
Collage: Alexandra Black