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Beauty Notebook: Rings, Things, and Fine Array, an Interview with Bésame Cosmetics (part 3)
Beauty Notebook: Rings, Things, and Fine Array, an Interview with Bésame Cosmetics (part 3)
Posted by Dain, Monday, October 08, 2007 10:32 PM (Eastern)
You'll have to imagine my surprise, and delight, when another package from Bésame came to my door. If you have been with us before, you'll already know that I have been impressed by Cashmere Powder Compact, and especially, Enchanting Lipstick.
I think I have found yet another heavyweight in Soufflé Foundation. Grapevine raves and comparisons to the twice-as-expensive Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer had piqued my curiosity, and I am especially fond of cream foundation if I am fond of any (my first was Estée Lauder Minute Makeup, back in the day, oh, when $33.50 was a high price for makeup). But I already have SSE, and I am not the sort who asks simply because I can have. It was fortunate they sent this, because I have found, of all things a replacement for the holiest of concealers, Clé de Peau.
Like any cream foundation, it can be applied thickly for photographic purposes, but for everyday I'd touch it lightly with a small, very soft, natural brush like Giorgio Armani Blender Brush (yes, not synthetic! not so durable, but a better, featherlight finish, which is important with cream foundations, which have a tendency to cake) and just buff it into the skin. Cream foundations mix readily with each other for custom blending for the perfect shade. Additionally, any cream foundation with ample coverage can double as concealer. All reasons why makeup artists so favor cream foundations.
I can see why the similitude to SSE exists. It is a pigmented cream foundation (with a slight tea rose scent that I actually failed to notice at first, so, innocuous) that "sets" for indelibility (it washes off fine with mere Cetaphil), which makes blending a little tricky. You learn to use the smallest amount and blend quickly. There are a few differences: it is less pigmented, for one, but blends more easily because it liquifies somewhat (SSE is essentially high-tech spackle). But, the range is undeniably larger with SSE. You are out of luck if you are pale, though the selection for darker shades is quite excellent. The shade they sent me, Bisque, is the lightest shade they offer, a hair too light for me, with just a hint of peach. They also sent me samples of three other shades, displayed below:
From top, Golden Beige, a lovely tan color, Medium Beige, exactly as the name implies, Cameo Yellow, an intensely yellow light beige, and the one they sent me, Bisque. On the whole, these colors are warm and yellow-toned.
While I have little use for foundation (and in any case, I seem to be between shades on this one), this makes the best concealer. It is slightly lighter than my skintone, so it is perfect for naturally dark spots like undereyes and the side of the nose. Here's the clincher. I applied my current concealer alongside it for a comparison. On one side, is the Stephane Marais Perfect Concealer, which is an exact replica of the infamous $68 Clé de Peau, the other side, Bésame. The difference is nonexistent (perhaps the CdP is a little more powdery—perhaps), the same flawlessly impeccable finish, and in fact, I think the Bésame is a little better at concealing darkness, because of the slight peachiness, à la YSL Touche Eclat. I do not know how it would fare on oily skin, or if it would settle into fine lines, so YMMV, and the pot is less convenient than the stick, but, let's, for once allow the numbers do the talking:
$13.60/g vs. $2/g
Labels: beauty notebook, besame
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