Gorgeous Cosmetics Perfect Base Liquid Foundation Review + Demo

Gorgeous Cosmetics Base Perfect Foundation

Gorgeous Cosmetics Perfect Base Foundation ($45/1 oz.) is described as oil free and long lasting, this silky foundation delivers flawless results for a perfect complexion. The smooth, oil free emulsion blends effortlessly onto the skin. Special light diffusing pigments amplify the light, giving skin the appearance of a healthy luminosity. Contains Vitamins A and E to soothe and condition the skin. Medium to full coverage, suitable for all skin types.

Available in (18) shades ranging from 4 skintones (#) and 5 different undertones (letter): 1N, 2N, 3N, 1NB, 2NB, 3NB, 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 1Y, 2Y, 3Y, 4Y, 5Y, 1D, 2D, 3D. 

Here's a Foundation Chart sent to me by Gorgeous Cosmetics:

FIRST, FIND YOUR NUMBER (this is the intensity)

- #1 is our light tone

-#2 is our medium range

-#3 is for tanned skin 

- #4 and 5 are for deeper skin tones.

SECOND, FIND YOUR LETTER (this is the undertone)

-The letter should match the undertone of your skin:

N= Neutral (if your undertone is between yellow & pink— a balanced undertone)

NB= Neutral Beige (closer to pinkish undertones)

B= Beige/Pink (beige/pinkish undertones)

Y= Yellow

D= Dark

Gorgeous Cosmetics Base Perfect Foundation in 2N (swatched w/ finger)

Gorgeous Cosmetics Base Perfect Foundation in 2N (blended out w/ finger)

In my case, I chose the Perfect Base Foundation in 2N. When swatched on my arm it looks too dark for my face but once I worked it into my skin it seemed to work just fine with my summer tan (which I'm trying to hold onto as long as I can!) And since I typically highlight my face it worked perfectly alongside the foundation to make the brightened areas stand out more. I was advised that the lighter shades are a bit darker but looking at the 1N sample I was sent it would have been too light and pink for me. Choosing your appropriate shade is a bit difficult, you may want to try getting a sample or get color matched at Nordstrom before committing to a color.

PERFORMANCE
The foundation gives a medium to full coverage in a lightweight formula. I applied it with my beauty blender and was surprised out how lightweight it actually felt. It literally felt like I had no foundation on whatsoever! (I even checked myself in the mirror a few times to make sure it was still there lol) It blended into my skin so effortlessly and actually felt as though I was applying a moisturizer rather than a foundation, which is a big plus in my makeup book. The foundation gave my skin a flawless and nice healthy glow all while keeping it moisturized throughout the day with it's soothing vitamin A & E. It lasted me about 12 hours maybe more (this was towards the end of the night so I removed my makeup). Towards the end of the day I did notice a bit of shine on my forehead but nothing major (I don't have oily skin at all and instead do get dry patches on certain areas of my face). This foundation might not be suitable for those with oily skin.

Before & After using the Base Perfect Liquid Foundation

The foundation has a fresh perfume scent that I don't mind at all but those who are sensitive to smells may not like it. To put the smell into words, it reminds me of a fresh soap scent, like when someone comes straight out of the shower.

Gorgeous Cosmetics Base Perfect Liquid Foundation on face

There was one major downfall for me with this foundation and that was that one of the ingredients in it is fragrance (parfum). The first time I tested it on my face I noticed a few break outs the next morning. I wasn't sure if it was the foundation itself or something else that may have caused the breakout so I decided to stop using it for the meantime. I went back to using my everyday foundation and my face cleared up. After a week or so, I tested the Perfect Base Liquid Foundation again this time for a week. After 3 days I had to stop using it from the bad breakout it caused on my entire face. Reminiscent of MAC's Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in consistency, smell and finish, I hardly ever reach for it because of the reaction my skin has to it. I've come to realize that any foundation with a perfume smell to it does not do well on my skin. This is why I tend to stick to drugstore foundations that practically have no distinctive scent to them.

Gorgeous Cosmetics Base Perfect Liquid Foundation on face

PACKAGING
Gorgeous Cosmetics is truly up there when it comes to beautiful and sleek packaging. The Base Perfect Foundation comes in a cylinder matte black lightweight yet durable bottle. It has a pull off cap that houses a pump which dispenses just the right amount of foundation. I love the unique packaging of the bottle but I'm a bit hesitant about not being able to see or feel (as mentioned before the bottle is lightweight) how much product is left.

Pump Dispenser

Controlled Pump Dispenser

OVERALL THOUGHTS
I can't tell you how bummed out I am that my skin had a bad reaction to the Base Perfect Foundation. It is such a pity because I am absolutely in LOVE with the texture, smell and finish of this foundation. It is a super lightweight foundation that has medium to full coverage (essential when I look for foundations). It's long-lasting formula kept nicely throughout the day without any touch-ups (about 12 hours). If you are not sensitive to any of the ingredients found in the Base Perfect I absolutely recommend it. I have been loving the Gorgeous Cosmetics  thus far! Click on the link to see my review on the Shimmer Dusts.

Availability: Nordstrom.com / Gorgeouscosmetics.com
Price: $45

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for consideration by the manufacturer. This does not affect any opinions featured in this post as they are my own honest experiences with the product.  

Lorac Pro Palette Review + Swatches

Lorac Pro Palette

Lorac Pro Palette ($42) is an eyeshadow palette that I've been wanting to add to my collection for some time now and haven't taken the plunge for until recently. Yes I know I'm very behind on this palette but better late than never right? Still I figured another review wouldn't hurt. So here it goes..

This palette contains (16) .02oz (total .32oz) neutral eyeshadows, 8 matte and 8 shimmer shades as well as a mini sized Behind the Scenes Eyeshadow Primer. From neutral to more dramatic looks, it is the perfect palette to own when you need to have variety packed into one product. All the shadows have great pigmentation and are buttery smooth. A few of the shades, in particular the matte shades can be a bit chalky but not too bad where there is a lot of fallout like other matte shadows. They can be applied wet or dry, especially the shimmer shadows which look beautiful on the lid.

PACKAGING
The sleek thin design of the Lorac Pro Palette is perfect for traveling. The black case is made of a sturdy cardboard that has a rubberized texture and a magnetic flip top. It also comes with a full length mirror which is great for those who rely on using the mirrors in palettes. I personally never do. The amount of product in these shadows is a bit small at .02oz each, compared to the size of a MAC shadow at .05oz.

I like the look and feel of the rubberized case but am not a fan of how dirty it gets. I like my palettes to be easy to maintain.

SWATCHES

(Top left to right) White, Cream, Taupe Lt. Pink, Mauve, Sable, Espresso, Black (Bottom left to right) Nude, Champagne, Gold, Lt. Bronze, Pewter, Garnet, Deep Purple, Slate

White is a cool-toned white matte. It can come off a bit chalky so I like to use this in the inner eye to create a halo effect instead of applying it to the browbone.

Cream is a light warm beige matte shadow. I need to pack more shadow on to get good color payoff. I suggest trying a nude base under this shadow.

Taupe is a warm medium brown with a matte finish. It has good color pigmentation. It's a great crease color or use it on the lid for light brown smokey eye.

Lt. Pink is a cool pale pink matte shadow with good pigment but can be powdery when applied.

Mauve is a true pale purple matte shadow with pink undertones. It applies smoothly and is a great color to blend out other colors. I like to use it to blend out the harsh lines of a black smokey eye.

Sable is a warm medium dark brown matte shadow with great pigmentation that applies smoothly to the skin. I love to use this shade to darken the crease and on the lower lashline to smoke out black liner.

Espresso is a dark cool matte brown with good color payoff. It looks great used on the outer v for a smokey eye.

Black is a dark black-grey matte shade with good color payoff. Though it is black, it isn't the deepest black out in the market and it can be a bit patchy. Pat on this shadow instead of sweeping it on to prevent patchy streaks.

Nude is a frosted beige and applies very buttery.

Champagne is a frosted pink-champagne shadow and applies smoothly.

Gold is a copper colored shadow with a frost finish. It has a metallic look when applied to the skin. It is also buttery and has rich color payoff.

Lt. Bronze is my favorite color from this palette. It is a warm peachy shadow with a frosted finish. It is smooth and pigmented. I like to use this shade on my lid or as an inner corner highlight. It provides just a subtle highlight to any look.

Pewter is a light frosted brown shadow. It goes on soft and creamy.

Garnet is a dark rich red copper shade with a metallic finish. It has great pigmentation and is such a gorgeous lid color.

Deep Purple is a shimmery satin dark purple. It is more of a black purple and contains fine micro shimmers. It goes on smoothly and is very pigmented.

Slate is a dark grey with a blue undertone. It applies buttery and has a rich pigmentation. It reminds me of gunmetal from the Urban Decay Naked Palette.
 

THE RUNDOWN
The Lorac Pro Palette is a great product to own or have in your pro kit for its quality, versatility and practicality. I think that is what you really are paying for since the amount of product in the palette isn't much compared to other palettes. For instance, the Urban Decay Naked Palette offers (12) shadows at .05oz each (total .60z) at around the same price. You are getting half the product with the Lorac Pro Palette.

Having the different matte and shimmer shadows all in one palette is a pro especially with the effortless application they offer.

Check out some of the looks I created using the Lorac Pro Palette.. and don't forget to follow me on Instagram (ShugaandSpice1) for more details and makeup inspiration!

Availability: Nordstrom / Ulta / Lorac
Price: $42