Today I want to tell you about two products I have been using religiously over the last few weeks, both products are from Illamasqua and both are base products. The two products are Illamasqua Hydra Veil and Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation both of which I have used as my base every time I have applied my make up since I got them around 4 weeks ago.
Skin Base Foundation in 07 and Hydraveil
Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation
What Illamasqua say about Skin Base
Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market. Easily blendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, is undetectable in a professional HD environment. Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage.
My Thoughts
Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation comes in a massive 27 shades, I am shade 07 which is described by Illamasqua as a pink undertone with yellow, which is a neutral cool shade. I bought the skin base foundation when it was first launched around 2 years ago but was matched wrong in store and the shade was much too pink for me and too dark so I hardly wore the foundation, but I did like the formula, recently I asked Cole, my daughter who is also a qualified make up artist, to match me and she matched me to shade 07 which is perfect for me, I have a very cool/pink undertone to my skin and often the counter staff will make the mistake of matching me to a very pink based foundation, this makes me look rather lobster-esque and isn't a good look, I need more of a neutral tone or a neutral cool which shade 07 is, and it is the perfect match for me.
I apply my skin base using my Real Techniques expert face brush which in my opinion is a fantastic brush for applying foundation of any kind, it buffs the foundation in beautifully, and gives a flawless finish. I am in love with the skin base foundation and can't recommend it highly enough, if you have been thinking of buying it, go for it, you won't regret it, it is amazing and to be honest I have yet to try an Illamasqua product that I don't love.
The foundation doesn't cling to my very dry skin, it gives a flawless finish which lasts all day, I love the fact I don't need as much concealer as the foundation does a great job at covering my dark circles and believe me they are dark! It applies beautifully either with a brush or fingers, it is very build-able so great for days when you'd like a little more or less coverage, the finish of the skin base is amazing, and the fact is doesn't contain spf means it's great for photographs. All in all this is a fantastic foundation and one I will continue to re purchase for a very long time.
Illamasqua Skin Base 07
Skin Base shade 07
The photograph above shows me wearing the skin base, it isn't a close up but hopefully you can see the coverage and finish.
What Illamasqua Says About Hydra Veil
Create a radiant finish with Hydra Veil's instantly rehydrating, gel formula. Providing the optimal base for your make-up, apply before foundation with an Illamasqua Brush.
My Thoughts
I bought the Hydra Veil after trying Coles a couple of times, it is very different from anything I have used under my make up before and the only sort of "primer" I normally use is the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer which I do like but have fallen out of love with recently as I am having a problem with my foundation settling into the pores on my nose and the Clarins doesn't seem to stop it happening, truth be told I don't use the Clarins every time I apply my foundation it is more of a when I remember type thing which shows I don't love it as I should do, especially for the £26 price tag.
Hydra Veil is a clear gel type consistency, one of the strangest things about it, is once it is disturbed and then left, it settles back into it's original form again, very odd but for a make up geek like myself, very exciting too.
When I apply my Hydra Veil I usually use any that has collected on the lid of the pot first and then if needed take some from the pot, I don't use the little spatula that comes with it as I don't find I need to, on the Illamasqua Website it does say to apply the product with a brush but I use my fingers and it is fine. You only need a small amount of hydra veil as a little really does go a long way, I apply it all over my face, let it dry and then apply my foundation as normal.
Hydra veil is a hydrating product so perfect if like me you have very dry skin or dry skin, but I have read reviews from people with oily and combination skin who love it too. When I first apply the product it feels a little sticky but once dry it is fine and my foundation glides over it perfectly. Hydra veil isn't a primer or a skin care product, it says on the box it is a 'Rehydrating Gel' and I think that's a perfect description, I really like this product and will continue to re purchase, I find my foundation looks lovely over the top of it but I also think my skin looks just a little bit better when I use the hydra veil before I have applied my foundation and although I haven't used it alone yet I have read many reviews from people who said they have used it alone and their skin looked great all day, I can believe that too, I noticed that my skin looks lovely after applying the hydra veil and have often thought about using it alone on no make up days, I will let you know my thoughts once I have done. One of the best things I have noticed about my skin base is that it doesn't settle into those pesky pores on my nose since using the hydra veil which for me is a massive bonus as that is something that I hate about my skin and foundation, it always settles into the pores on my nose almost immediately but not since using the Hydra Veil, I am very impressed.
Overview Of Both Products
All in all I am extremely impressed with both the skin base foundation and the hydra veil and will continue to re purchase both, in my opinion they are worth their £27 price tag, I have in the past paid a lot more for a foundation that hasn't been anywhere near as good and considering I don't need to use as much, if any concealer under my eyes and on any blemishes I am saving money there too and a little foundation goes a long way, I would imagine the hydra veil will last months too as I only use a tiny amount for my whole face, I have been using it for weeks now and you would think it was brand new as it looks as if no product has been used, I wouldn't be surprised if I only needed to buy the hydra veil once a year, a massive claim but an honest one.
If you have been considering purchasing either the skin base foundation or the hydra veil I would definitely say go for it, you won't regret it at all, they are both fantastic products and I cannot recommend them highly enough.
10 out of 10 to Illamasqua, I try and use a lot of make up products/brands being a blogger/you tuber and not many products have got me as excited as these two products and certainly never before have I been so thrilled with base products I have tried.
Have you tried the skin base or the hydra veil? What are your thoughts?
Thank you for reading, much love as always
Zoe x
