SHIMMERING FORMULA
Radiance Engineered for Sophistication (Not Glitter)
- Bismuth Oxychloride + Polymethylsilsesquioxane Synergy:
- Unlike coarse glitter, this duo creates a soft-focus, pearl-like luminescence. Bismuth provides the core shimmer, while the silicone resin (Polymethylsilsesquioxane) encapsulates and diffuses the particles, scattering light smoothly to mimic natural skin radiance and blur texture. This prevents a metallic or disco-ball effect.
- Silicone Matrix Optimization: `Cyclopentasiloxane`, `Phenyl Trimethicone`, `Trimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane` create an exceptionally smooth, low-friction base. This allows shimmer particles to float evenly on the skin's surface, maximizing reflection without settling into pores or emphasizing dryness.
- Pigment Integration: Iron oxides (`CI 77491, 77492, 77499`) and Titanium Dioxide (`CI 77891`) are treated with `Aluminum Hydroxide` and dispersed within the silicone network, ensuring color and shimmer move cohesively for even, buildable coverage that glows with the skin tone, not on top of it.
Barrier-Repair Skincare Integration (Beyond Moisturizing)
- Full Ceramide Spectrum: `Ceramide NP, AP, AS, NS/NG, EOP` + `Cholesterol` + `Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide` (a pseudo-ceramide) replicate the skin's natural lipid barrier composition. This actively supports barrier repair, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) – crucial for preventing shimmer from clinging to dry patches.
- Biomimetic Hydration Matrix: `Sodium Hyaluronate`, `Urea`, `Trehalose`, `Serine` work synergistically. Hyaluronate binds water on the skin, urea enhances natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) within corneocytes, trehalose protects cells from dehydration stress, and serine optimizes skin hydration balance. This creates a reservoir effect, plumping skin so radiance appears from within.
- Activated Repair Pathway: `Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate` (licorice root extract) soothes and inhibits inflammation, `Panthenol` (provitamin B5) enhances fibroblast activity and wound healing, and `Tocopherol` protects lipids. This creates an environment conducive to barrier recovery even under makeup.
Smart Texture & Wear Technology
- Self-Setting Silicone Network: `Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer` + `Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsilyl Hydroxyethyl Dimethicone` form a flexible, breathable mesh. This provides lightweight hold without heavy film formation, locking in pigment and shimmer while allowing natural skin movement – preventing cracking or caking.
- Adaptive Emulsification: `Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone` and `Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate` (an amino acid-derived emulsifier) create a temperature-stable emulsion. This ensures the formula doesn't break down with skin heat or humidity, maintaining even radiance and preventing greasy separation.
- "Bulbous Pedunculate Polysaccharide" / "Pullulan": This unique bio-polymer forms an ultra-thin, elastic film on the skin. It enhances adherence of actives/shimmer, provides a velvety-smooth tactile feel, and may offer additional moisture-binding properties.
Sensorial & Stability Enhancements
- Instant Sensory Appeal: Volatile silicones (`Cyclopentasiloxane`, `Isododecane`) provide cooling on application and rapid evaporation for a weightless feel. `Sorbitan Sesquioleate` ensures seamless blendability.
- Antioxidant Defense: `Pentaerythrityl Tetra-(di-tert-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate)` is a potent, broad-spectrum antioxidant protecting the delicate lipids, ceramides, and shimmer particles from oxidation (rancidity, color change).
- Preservation System: `Phenoxyethanol`, `Caprylyl Glycol`, `Ethylhexylglycerin`, `1,2-Hexanediol` provide effective, relatively skin-friendly preservation without parabens.
- pH & Electrolyte Balance: `Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate`, `Potassium Phosphate`, `Magnesium Sulfate` stabilize the formula's pH and ionic strength, crucial for maintaining ceramide efficacy and emulsion stability.
Key Benefits Summarized
- Natural, Skin-Like Radiance: Achieved through diffused shimmer particles (Bismuth + PMSS) and seamless pigment integration, avoiding glitter or chalkiness.
- Barrier Support & Repair: Via a full spectrum of ceramides, cholesterol, pseudo-ceramides, and biomimetic hydrators (HA, Urea, Trehalose) that actively improve skin health over time.
- Long-Wearing, Flexible Coverage: The smart silicone network ensures color and glow stay true and even, resisting fading, cracking, or migrating.
- Comfortable, Breathable Wear: Lightweight silicones and breathable films prevent heaviness or mask-like sensations.
- Hydration Lock: Creates a reservoir effect, preventing makeup from drying out the skin and ensuring radiance doesn't highlight dehydration.
- Sensitive Skin Consideration: Gentle emulsifiers, soothing agents (Licorice, Panthenol), and minimized fragrance (listed low, possibly "daily use" implies subtlety) enhance tolerance.
Who It's For (Ideal Profile):
- Dry, Dehydrated, or Mature Skin: Seeking luminosity without emphasizing texture or flakes; benefits profoundly from barrier repair.
- Dull or Fatigue-Prone Skin: Needs an instant "healthy glow" boost with long-term skincare benefits.
- Sensitive Skin (with caution): Gentle emulsifiers and soothing agents help, but Bismuth Oxychloride can irritate some – patch test advised.
- Lovers of "Skincare-Makeup Hybrids": Values active ingredients (Ceramides, HA) with visible cosmetic results.
Compromise Notes:
- Bismuth Oxychloride: While encapsulated, it remains a potential irritant for highly reactive skin or those with rosacea.
- Fragrance: Presence is noted, a potential sensitizer.
- Comedogenicity Potential: Several silicones and emulsifiers have low-moderate comedogenic potential. Acne-prone skin should patch test.
VELVET MATTE FORMULA
True Velvet-Matte Finish: Beyond Basic Oil Control
- Silica + Alumina Synergy: These minerals don’t just absorb oil—they diffuse light to create a soft-focus, blurring effect. This mimics the "halation" of luxury velvet fabrics, reducing the appearance of pores/textures without heavy powder buildup.
- Silicone Matrix (Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl PEG-9 Dimethicone): Forms a flexible, breathable film that locks in pigments while allowing skin to "move," preventing the stiff, mask-like feel of traditional matte formulas.
Skin-Adaptive Hydration: The Matte-Moisture
- Triple Humectant System (Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol): Pulls moisture into the skin’s upper layers, counteracting the dehydrating effect of oil-absorbing silica.
- Smart Emollients (Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin): Lightweight esters mimic skin lipids, providing slip for blending without adding greasiness that compromises longevity.
- Shea Butter/Coconut Oil: Concentrated at <5% (based on position) to condition skin subtly without overwhelming the matte base.
Micro-Engineered Longevity
- Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate: Treats pigment surfaces for even dispersion and adhesion, preventing oxidation-induced darkening or patchy fading.
- Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglyceryl-3 Crosspolymer: Creates a 3D mesh network that locks pigments/silicones in place, resisting transfer while maintaining elasticity (less cracking).
- Disteardimonium Hectorite: A clay-thickener that stabilizes suspensions in temperature shifts (e.g., skin heat), preventing "sweat holes."
Sensorial Sophistication
- Volatile Silicones (Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane): Evaporate upon application, providing an initial "cooling" effect and rapid weightless set-down.
- Polyglyceryl-3 Dimethicone: A silicone-polyglycerol hybrid that gives cream-to-powder transition without drag or tugging.
Compromises & Considerations
- Botanical Extracts (Acacia, Tamarind, Quercus): Likely included at trace levels (<0.1%) for marketing appeal. Their antioxidant benefits are minimal in this context.
- Coconut Oil: Potentially comedogenic for acne-prone skin—though emulsified silicones may mitigate penetration.
- Preservative System: Relies on 1,2-Hexanediol/Caprylyl Glycol (mild, eco-cert approved) rather than parabens, prioritizing skin tolerance.
Shade-Specific Intelligence
- Pigment Balancing: The order shifts in CI 77491/77492/77499 (iron oxides) between shades optimize undertone fidelity:
- Y01: Extra yellow oxide (CI 77492) for warm undertones.
- P02: Red oxide (CI 77491) dominance for pink-neutral balance.
- N03: Balanced oxides + black (CI 77499) for true neutral depth.
In Summary:
- Velvet Matte Finish: Achieved primarily through Silica, Alumina, and specific silicones that absorb oil and diffuse light.
- Smooth, Blendable Application: Enabled by the silicone base and emollients.
- Hydration Balance: Humectants (Glycerin, Butylene Glycol) prevent the matte finish from feeling overly drying.
- Long-Wearing & Transfer-Resistant: Film-forming silicones create a flexible, water-resistant layer that adheres to skin.
- Lightweight Feel: Volatile silicones (Cyclopentasiloxane) and light emollients contribute to a non-heavy feel.
- Buildable Coverage: Pigments (CI 77891, CI 77491/92/99) suspended effectively by Trihydroxystearin and thickeners allow layering.
- Skin Conditioning: Humectants, Emollients (Shea, Coconut Oil), Vitamin E, and extracts offer some nourishment.
- Stable Formula: Thickeners, Emulsifiers, Preservatives, Antioxidants, and pH adjusters ensure product consistency and safety.
Differences Between Shades:
- The core ingredients and their functions are identical across Y01, P02, and N03.
- The only differences are minor variations in the order of a few pigment ingredients (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) and the position of Coconut Oil relative to CI 77492 in N03. This order variation reflects the specific ratios needed to achieve the different undertones and depths of each shade (Y01 - Light Yellow, P02 - Light Pink, N03 - Light Neutral) but does not change the overall function or performance of the foundation itself.
Potential Considerations:
- Coconut Oil: Can be comedogenic (pore-clogging) for acne-prone individuals.
- Silicones: Generally well-tolerated, but some individuals prefer to avoid them.
Why This
- Breathable wear for humid climates
- Undetectable layering without cakiness
- Skin-conditioning beneath a matte facade
For Whom?
- Ideal for combo/oily skin seeking refined, long-wear matte with subtle skincare benefits—less suited for very dry or sensitive skin (due to potential coconut oil/ethanolamine interactions).
