It has been a while since I've been this excited about foundation, more so a Clinique one. I always found Clinique foundations a bit too pink for my shade, so I was really surprised when I found a good match with the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup.

Next to be reviewed from The Body Shop's New Extra Virgin Minerals (EVM) range is the Liquid Foundation with SPF 30. As with the other products in this range, it contains ultra-fine minerals and extra virgin olive oil. The EVM Liquid Foundation is described as moisturising, which I am a tad apprehensive about.

It has great packaging - glass container and a convenient pump dispenser. I find the texture to be light and slightly creamy. I was told by Ting, TBS  MA that to get the best result from this liquid foundation is to apply it with a sponge in a dabbing motion which will give you a smooth finish. I don't really fancy using sponges as a lot of product ends up on the sponge instead of the face. But for this review I tried out the sponge. It was easy to blend and my skin looked smooth with a dewy finish. It felt comfortable on my skin. My oily skin in mind I brushed the EVM Loose Powder over it with a light hand. I'm pretty sure that defeats the dewy effect but without the powder it may not have lasted long. It has a medium to high coverage which is buildable. I'm quite impressed, it managed to cover up my dark blemish scars rather well.

My shade: 208 Golden Vanilla

This shade is still a pink tone but is the closest match to my yellow tone skin from this range.

Notice the dewy look even after loose powder

What I noticed within the first half hour was that my oils were slowly seeping out making me look a bit too "dewy". Surprisingly it lasted about 6 hours on my face without melting off or looking patchy. But there was foundation residue on the blotting paper everytime I blotted off the oily bits. Expect no oil control properties from the EVM Liquid Foundation as it is meant for all skin types. I feel that it would work loads better for dry and normal to combination skin types. For those with oily skin like me, you might want to try this out at the outlet first to see the effect it gives before settling on it.

Extra Virgin Minerals Liquid Foundation retails at RM79 (28ml / 0.95oz). It is available in 6 shades in Malaysia.

Read The Body Shop Extra Virgin  Minerals Compact Foundation Review here.

*Note: Product courtesy of The Body Shop.

Lancôme's Maqui Miracle is the latest compact powder foundation made to match Asian skintones. It uses the same technology as the Teint Miracle that was launched late last year (read post here). Hence Maqui Miracle promises radiant and brighter skin that appears lit-from-within, beautifully bare and visibly flawless. The difference is that Maqui Miracle offers brightness that lasts all day unlike Teint Miralce that offers hydration that lasts up to 18 hours.

Zamri (Zam) - Lancôme's Color Design Artist/Trainer

A chic case with Lancôme's rose design grabbing your attention

Must knows about Maqui Miracle:

• 12 hours long lasting - Due to its composition, it takes longer to oxidise therefore making it stay longer on your skin. However, it may not last as long for very oily skin as it is not specifically targetted for an oil-control or mattifying effect.
• It incorporates 2 Aura Bright Technologies that uses a light system which contributes to the vibrancy of a fresh pure  complexion.
• Coverage: Sheer and light
• UV protection value of SPF 35/PA+++

I tried out Maqui Miracle yesterday to see how it would fair on my combination skin. Finding the right shade to match  my skin tone was the easy part. The shade for Maqui Miracle may not neccessarily correspond to your shade for Teint Miracle, though mine did.

I found the texture to be light and finely milled. It went on smoothly on my skin and it was very easy to blend. However, you have to use the specially designed dual sponge to apply it with. On one side it look like a normal sponge you would find in a compact, porous, but when you turn it over, the other side is velvety soft. Use the porous side to pick up the foundation and apply to your skin. Then flip over to the velvety soft side to blend out the foundation to give you that polished flawless look.

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Top: Porous side to apply with

Bottom: Velvety soft side to blend with

Applied with porous side

(Contrasting foundation shade used for clearer observation)

Blend out with velvety soft side

Trying out on Zamri's hand

Since Maqui Miracle has a sheer to light coverage, Zamri Lancôme's Color Design Artist/Trainer applied the Teint Miracle first to cover up my acne scars and imperfections that seem to always be around. After which he put on a thin layer of Maqui Miracle blending it out with the velvety soft side.

Applying Teint Miracle in O-04

Applying Maqui Blanc Miracle in O-04

Finish off a natural look with blusher, mascara and gloss

Tips from Zamri:

1) Apply a small amount of Teint Miracle on brow bone as highlight or to correct mistakes.

2) Apply blush with a cotton pad if you don't have a brush.

3) Line brows using a cotton tip and eyeshadow instead of liner for a softer look.

4) Blot off excess gloss for a light shine.

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Before & After

Here's what I think: I instantly looked brighter and radiant! My skin also appeared naturally smooth without feeling cakey. But I could still see bits of my scars, expected of a foundation with light coverage. I would wear Maqui Miracle on top of a liquid foundation like the Teint Miralce plus a tad bit of concealer. I'm yet to try to layer it on to see if I get a better coverage. As for the longevity of it, Maqui Miracle lasted quite long on top of a liquid foundation. Just not as long as 12 hours on my combination skin.

However if you are one of those lucky ones with a flawless complexion or minor imperfections then Maqui Miracle can be used on its own. Plus you can layer it on for a bit more coverage.

The powder foundation and compact are sold separately. So you have to assemble it yourself once out of the box. Not that it requires much work.. Lol! All you do is take the pan containing the foundation and click it on to the compact that has a hole on one side. No poking with a pin, trying to push it out and ending up in a mess. Easy!

Compact foundation comes with sponge: RM130

Slim compact with mirror: RM55

Drop by any Lancôme counter to try the New Maqui Miracle which is available in 8 shades and you will get a mini makeover (which includes mascara, gloss and blush). Check out Lancôme Facebook for more details.

Lancôme Malaysia has been teasing us with the New Teint Miracle @  "Aura in a Bottle" since early September. They chose a group of their facebook fans to experience this miraculous breakthrough at the Mid Valley Roadshow.

10 years of research, 7 patents pending : Lancôme invents its 1st foundation that recreates the true natural light of perfect skin, with Aura-Inside™ technology. Instantly, complexion appears lit-from-within, beautifully bare, visibly flawless.

Julia Roberts - Wearing Teint Miracle

Must knows about the New Teint Miracle:

1) Combining optical research with biology, Lancôme has developed Aura-Inside™ technology, a natural light creator composed of new-generation bioptic pigments and a ‘liquid light essence’. These special ingredients optimise the skin’s surface radiance and bring out the skin’s inner light, making it appear flawless.

2) Teint Miracle has 10 times less powdery fillers and almost 40% purified water for natural coverage and bare skin sensation.

3) It also contains a skincare complex with soothing rose extract for hydration up to 18 hours and diminishes redness for a more uniformed complexion and luminosity.

4) Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.

5) Oil-free. Non-comedogenic. Dermatologist-tested. It does not cause breakouts and is non-irritating.

6) SPF 15 Sunscreen to protect skin from UV damage.

At Mid Valley Roadshow

After having read all that, I was so curious how this would fair on my skin. A few things you should know about my skin before I tell you about my Teint Miracle experience - I have combination to oily skin, acne battle scars (the indented type as well as dark ones) and uneven skin tone.

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After removing my make up and prepping with Lancôme skincare

You should be able to see my dark acne scars in the Right photo

Products that were used to prep my skin

From L-R: Express Cleansing Water, Genifique Youth Activator, Soothing Anti-Stress Moisturising Cream Fluid, Eye Contour Gel Cream, GN-Shield BB Base.

This water-based foundation has a light texture and glides on smoothly onto my skin. According to Irene, Lancôme's Color Design Artist the Teint Miracle has to be applied in a certain way, lightly massage it in a circular motion and even it out. It has a 3D effect that gives the face a lift. It's especially obvious at the cheek area. It can also be applied around the eye area. No powder was used to set the foundation to keep it looking natural.

My shade : O-04

A beige/yellow base is more suitable for my skintone.

You will see mineral pigments in the foundation. This is to make your skin look radiant & luminous.

My skin looked smooth, bright and my skin tone almost evened out after applying the foundation. It feels weightless. But here's the thing, because the coverage is so sheer and light my dark acne scars were still visible. I'm the type that does not leave home without concealing my scars really well. So I would still have to use a concealer to make them "disappear".

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After applying the New Teint Miracle

In the Left photo you will notice the my dark acnes scars are still visible

My left side looked quite smooth

2 hours later, my skin started getting shiny. This is a little bit faster compared to my usual oil control base, foundation, powder combo. The hydrating quality of this foundation may have also contributed to it. Not that its a bad thing but it may not be all too suitable for my oily skin. 4 hours on, apart from the shine, i noticed slight blotchiness. The foundation was already running off. Hmm.. perhaps I still need powder to set the foundation.

After only 2 hours :(

I'll give this foundation another go but this time with oil-control base, concealer and powder. But I guess that would defeat the purpose of looking natural *sigh*. Teint Miracle could work a lot better on normal to dry skin and skin with minor imperfections.

Doroshi, Miu & Me trying out the New Teint Miracle

Don't let my review stop you from trying out the new Teint Miracle though, even if you have oily skin. Drop by your nearest Lancôme counter to try it out for yourself.

Currently available in 6 shades for Asian skin tones

Price: RM130 for 30ml

The Roadshow at Mid Valley South Court is from 27/9-3/10. Check out Lancôme Malaysia on facebook for other venues.

To learn more about Lancôme New Teint Miracle visit their official site.

* Thanks to Miu for taking some of the photos while Irene was applying the foundation on me. :)