Lancome Erika F. Eyeshadow & Dior X4 Control Compact Foundation

Lancome G40 Erika F. eyeshadow is almost legendary on MakeupAlley, thanks to its unavailability in the (due to one of the ingredients). You can read the raves on two of my favourite beauty blogs, Blogdorf Goodman and Pink Sith.

I purchased it as part of a big Lancome haul over a month ago but only got around to trying it out yesterday.

On me, it applies as a silver-tinged smokey olive. The colour payoff is pretty good, when applied with the included sponge tip applicator. I used it from the upper lashline to the crease and along the lower lashline, with Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-wear Cream Shadow in Opal as the base, and the light green shade from Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes EX01 Blue Green Coral in the crease.

I also used Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Liner and Lancome Virtuose Precious Cell mascara.

Having finished off my RMK Powder Foundation EX 101 and giving up on Maquillage Lasting Powdery UV EX, I decided to return to Dior X4 Control Compact Foundation, which I purchased some time last year but only used once or twice since then. That was not because I disliked it, but simply because I was trying to use up some of my older foundations like the RMK and Benefit Hello Flawless. The X4 Control, which has SPF20 PA++, promises to control sebum, cover pores and provide UV protection. It is also water-resistant. I was deliberating between this and the Diorsnow whitening powder foundation and eventually decided on X4 Control because it is more suited to my skin concerns of oilyness and pores.

I applied it with the Body Shop kabuki brush, which I love for achieving a seamless finish. The shade 012 Porcelain is an excellent match for my skin. (For reference, I am usually the second lightest shade for most foundations. I am around MAC NC25, Stila 02 Light, RMK 101, Maquillage PO10/OC10, Clarins 1.5 Tender Beige, Armani 4, Revlon Photoready 002 Vanilla, Diorsnow Sublissime 020 and Jill Stuart 101.)

The Dior X4 Control truly impressed me because yesterday morning was a disaster of sorts when my car battery died and I was running around trying to get it fixed. As usual, it was hot and extremely humid, so I was half expecting the foundation to melt off and my skin to get very oily. However, after three hours (which included doing housework while waiting for the car repair guy), only my T-zone was showing some mild shine that was easily blotted away. The coverage was also good and helped to even out my skintone. Think this will become my new staple!