Good foundations are already a challenge to find, and no one has the time to sit around and test new ones all day… unless you’re us. Pardon this first-world problem kind of situation though, but sometimes, we get so many products we don’t know which one to try first, especially when it comes to skincare items that need a little more time to see their effects, compared to, say a highlighter.
Thankfully, foundation sits somewhere in the middle, while it happens to be a makeup item that’s pretty essential; a good base does wonders for your self-confidence, we can assure you.
This week, we decided to talk about KATE Tokyo’s latest The Base Zero line-up, consisting of a CC base, liquid foundation, and a powder. All of us did, well, zero in on one particular item, and the one that most girls would be curious about, the KATE Secret Skin Maker Zero Liquid. It’s touted as a smooth and lightweight liquid foundation that still gives you excellent coverage, hiding uneven pores and creating a flawless look with just one sweep of the product.
The improved foundation shades also come with colour-correcting pigments that compensate for the yellow undertones in Asian skin types, so what you’ll get is a brighter-looking base as well. And at just $29, this one’s way more affordable than the ones we rave about. In all honesty, here’s what we thought:
“There have been so many good liquid foundations launched this year, that as a consumer, it can be quite daunting to pick one. I mean, where do you even begin to choose a brand or texture or shade? When I wrote about YSL’s All Hours foundation, the first piece of advice I gave was to determine how much you are willing to spend on the product; and I also stressed that the more expensive a foundation is, this does not mean that it is a better product. And whether or not you can afford a luxury foundation like ones from YSL, Chanel or Dior, there are really good options in the mass market department. This one by Kate Tokyo is an excellent option if: a) you’re on a budget / b) this is your first liquid foundation ever / c) you want a straightforward, liquid foundation that looks as natural as can be. I like that last point — I tried this over the weekend and it felt extremely light, but it still evened out my skin tone (lightened pigmentation, brought down redness, brightened dark under-eyes), and ultimately “disappeared” on my skin. And that’s exactly what a good base should do; improve your skin, but not be seen. Also, at this price point, this really is a good buy.” — Adele Chan, Editor-in-Chief
“I’ve always been looking for a good, affordable foundation, so when KATE Tokyo’s latest one landed on my desk, I was quite excited to try it… until my complexion turned on me. I don’t know why but I noticed my skin suddenly looking more sullen than usual, and with blemishes on my t-zone that I was fighting to hide every day with concealer. My skin doesn’t usually let me down so I was concerned about what it was doing to me and hesitant about trying new products, but I did anyway, and it turned out pretty great! The foundation evens out my skin tone and hides my red spots with just a single layer of product, and is lightweight while easily blended out, even when I was just using my fingers. I quite like the finish — it isn’t as dewy as I’d have liked but it so happens that the higher coverage (compared to my regular more sheer foundation) suited my skin at its current state. Plus, there’s a nice diffused glow that makes it look I have naturally clear skin. I did feel like it was a bit drying at the end of a long, mostly air-conditioned day, but nothing that a good moisturiser and some welcome 4pm misting can’t solve.” — Amelia Tan, Associate Editor
“Upon first application, I thought I would find a foundation that would come close to the foundation I call The One — it was smooth and lightweight, and blended easily onto my skin. It offered decent enough coverage, concealing any redness on my face and hiding the dark circles under my eyes well enough, all without making my skin feel that it was buried under a thick layer of product. I was impressed. A few hours into my day, however, I did feel a need to touch-up my t-zone area, but that’s pretty normal for me with most of the foundations I use. I particularly liked that this foundation didn’t cause any breakouts — my editor even commented that my skin looked good, and she never comments on my skin. I would recommend this foundation for those with less dry skin types; and be sure to moisturise beforehand!” — Patrene Mathieu, Designer
“It’s fragrance-free. That’s the first bit of information I learned about this product and that alone puts my sensitive skin at ease. Sure, it’s nice to have a foundation that smells divine, but if your skin’s as reactive as mine, choosing a beauty product that’s devoid of artificial fragrance and aromatic essential oils is your safest bet. In this humidity, what I also appreciate is its lightweight texture and matte finish. When used with a damp makeup sponge, it almost melts into the skin and gives a decent amount of coverage, and you won’t feel the product sitting on your face at all. So here’s a disclaimer: I have really sensitive skin and the inclusion of alcohol as an ingredient in this product didn’t agree with me. Within a few hours of wear, the formula became much drier on my skin and had a less-than-ideal finish. Having said that, a number of foundations on the market don’t work for me too.” — Jade Yeo, Writer
“I’ve heard good things about KATE Tokyo’s eyeliner and mascara, and I was curious if their foundations lived up to their hype as well. I don’t like thick foundations because they feel very heavy on the skin, but I needed their coverage on really bad skin days. When KATE Tokyo said that their new foundation was both lightweight and provided flawless coverage, I knew I had to try it. I was really impressed by how lightweight the foundation really was (they weren’t kidding) and the coverage wasn’t sheer at all. It wasn’t full on coverage, but it definitely did even up my skin nicely. One pump could fully cover my face, and there was even a bit to spare.
I found myself with a flawless, matte finish instead of an effortlessly glowy look, which I would have preferred, but as my editor always says, the finish of a foundation is a personal preference. I would probably go for this foundation if I had more time in the morning to do my makeup, and if I knew I was going to be outdoors a lot because I realised that I didn’t sweat as much compared to my other foundations due to its lightweight-ness.” — Michelle Ng, Writer
The KATE Secret Skin Maker Zero Liquid, SPF 18/PA++ (30ml) in 6 shades, $29, available at selected Sasa and Watsons stores.
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