Review: Face Atelier Foundation + Swatches & FOTD!

Product Info: "The heart and soul of FACE atelier – an innovative approach to foundation that allows you to be in control.  Ultra Foundation is a silicone-based emulsion that floats on top of the skin, doesn’t crease or flake, and lasts all day long.  Hydrating yet oil-free, it obscures tiny lines and pores to ensure a smooth finish.  No primer needed!  It's built into Ultra Foundation, thanks to the super sophisticated, silicone-based formula.   Another bonus - it sets without powder, preserving the youthful, dewy finish.

TRADE SECRET!
The silicone molecule is bigger than the human pore, allowing Ultra Foundation to form a lightweight, breathable second skin that is both moisture and oil resistant.  It is truly non-comedogenic and is ideal for troubled or mature skin.

Ultra Foundation's top-secret formulation creates an optical blurring effect that diminishes fine lines and wrinkles and gives the illusion of a smoother, more uniform and naturally dewy finish.  No wonder it's the foundation of choice for stars like Fergie and Lady Gaga!

 Why no SPF?  It's no secret to pro makeup artists that products with SPF flash white.  Ultra Foundation is THE product of choice if you're anywhere near a camera.   More importantly, there's a long list of reasons why SPF doesn't work in cosmetics (see Trade Secrets).   We urge you to find a good sunscreen and use as directed." -faceatelier.com

Here is a swatch of the foundation next to MAC Studio Fix Fluid in the shade NC30 Unblended and blended into my skin (not fully, of course). As you can tell, it's a little too light for me. The undertone is correct though. It has a nice warm, peachy tone and it is described as a "light to mid yellow-based beige". One shade up and it should be fine.

If you are a true NC30, #4 Sand may work pretty well for you.. I am not a true NC30 right now.. I'm more of a NC35-NC40 at the moment (at the moment because of my self tanner). Since I have no use for foundations that are too dark, I thought ordering #4 would be a safe move. #3 Wheat is said to match NC30 as well (some reviews say its even darker than #4). #5 Sepia is said to match NC35-NC37. All shades are yellow based (yay for me). What is very interesting with Face Atelier, is that they have shades to alter your foundation if it doesn't match your skin perfectly. Zero Minus is a white foundation that will lighten your foundation, Zero Plus is a chocolate brown that will darken your foundation and Zero Plus Plus is a deep dark chocolate brown that will darken your foundation further. There is also Heat, which is a red foundation that will add warmth to your foundation. All you need apparently is a drop. I think its very nice that they have these shades especially if your skin shade alters throughout the year. But, considering their foundation is $45 for a 1 oz/30ml tube, I think paying another $45 for an altering shade is a lot of money to dish out. Considering you only need a drop, they should be in either smaller bottles or should cost less. That's just my opinion.

You can purchase a sample/s of the foundation from Face Atelier for $1 (approximately 3 applications), Whiterabbitbeauty for $1.85 (claims "several" applications) and Camerareadycosmetics for $3.99 (two applications). I purchased my sample from camerareadycosmetics. I received my order two-three days later. (Not affiliated with any of these companies). The unused sample is shown above in the first photo. It's not a very generous sample.. but it will last me a few more applications. Whats great about the foundation is you don't need a lot.

Face Atelier has scored a 4.4/5 with a 78% buy back rate on makeupalley.com (based on 37 reviews).

Now, onto my review...
Here I am this morning.. all I have on is MAC select cover up in the shade NW25 under my eyes and I have my brows filled. I don't have any major blemishes, except I have a few blemishes around my face that were pimples that have dried up. Major thing is, my skintone is uneven and I have a little redness on my cheeks & nose area.

Here is the foundation applied to my face with my ELF Studio Angled Foundation Brush. I didn't moisturize or prime my face prior to application. My face didn't seem dry.. so I didn't feel I needed to.

My Review: I was very surprised to see that the foundation covered all of my flaws. It completely evened out my skin. It even covered the couple little dried up pimples I had that were dark red.. which surprised me. A lot of foundations just make them look brown under my foundation. Though the foundation appears to be thin and liquidy, when applied to the face.. I feel like the consistency almost changes. You'd think it would be sheer to medium with a dewy finish. But, one it hit my skin it was noticeable medium+ coverage with a satin finish (not dewy & not completely matte). The finish is beautiful. It left my skin radiant and it didn't look heavy, cakey, greasy in any way. I didn't feel I needed to set it with a powder.. but after maybe an hour I noticed my skin did look a little shiny. I took my foundation brush (with no product) and buffed it over my face and all of the shine went away. It went back to the satin finish. Then I powdered my face and went out. By the end of the night, my makeup had stayed in place very nicely except the color of one of my blemishes had started to come through. I would say it has a good 8-10 hr wear. I love that the foundation looks so natural and the fact that you don't need a lot. I only used the residue from the cap for my whole face. This is such a beautiful foundation and when I have a little extra money, I would like to purchase the full size. In the mean time, I may order a couple more samples.

Face of the day.. 

Face:
MAC Select Cover Up #NW25
Face Atelier Foundation #4 Sand
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse #Caramel (used a little around my face to darken a little)
MAC Refined Golden Bronzer (Hollows of my cheeks & around my hair line)
MUFE HD Blush #10 (On my cheeks)

Brows:
Maybelline Define a Brow #Medium Brown

Eyes:
Sephora Sunbaked No 2 Trio (Brown shade in my crease, Bronze shade all over my lid and the gold shade as a highlight and blended over my crease & in the corners of my eyes by my tear ducts)
NYX Black Eyeshadow (Deepened the corner of my crease)
Covergirl Lash Blast Black Mascara
Ardell False Lashes #111

Lips:
Sephora Nano Lip Liner #2
OCC Cha Cha Lip Tar (very light coat)
LASplash Girl Crush Lip gloss (very tiny amount to add shine)

Follow up on the Sephora Trio: I really like the trio. The colors are very pigmented and the particular trio I have, the colors look soo pretty together. When I went out, I didn't look overdone or overly shimmery. I'll be keeping this in my cosmetic bag and wearing it very often. Recommended! :)