If you've been hanging around here a while, you may know that the Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water is one of my must have essentials. As a result, I never really fell for the hype of Bioderma, which is not too easy to get in the U.S. When Beautylish launched Bioderma this past spring, however, I knew that I had to try it!
Read MoreOld vs. New: Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation
You may know that Koh Gen Do's Aqua Foundation is one of my favorite products ever, and I've finally managed to stop by a counter and pick up a sample of their new formula to try out.
Their new formula has perhaps one or two new shades for those in the light to medium skin tone ranges. I thought that they had released a darker variation, but it appears that shade 143, the sample I have, is the darkest shade. (I'd say I am pretty square in the "Medium" category right now after a bit of sun, perhaps somewhere between NC35-40.)
Koh Gen Do foundations have been my absolute favorites since I discovered them, so I have been wondering for the last year how the new formula compares. Those of you who are fans of the old formula, don't despair. I'm hard pressed to find any differences between the two.
Like the original, the Aqua Foundation formula is best applied in a patting motion for maximum coverage. Both the Aqua and Moisture Foundations are very long wearing on my normal to dry skin, and perfectly natural in finish. I've mentioned it before, but whenever I wear Koh Gen Do Foundations, I always notice how nice my skin looks... until I remember that I am indeed wearing makeup!
I have the shade OC-2 in the original formula, and while I thought that the new shade 123 would work for me, it actually doesn't at this point in the summer. (I have the Moisture Foundation in 123 however, so I'm curious how the shades in the two formulas compare.) The sample I have is of 143 in the new formula, and I believe it is just a smidge more yellow and very slightly darker than my OC-2.
Take a look at my video, where you can see both formulas in action. If I had to choose, I would probably pick the old formula over the new, though I don't think I'll be needing to buy any foundations anytime soon!
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Koh Gen Do is available through their own website as well as Barneys, Sephora, Beauty.com, and now Nordstrom!
What do you think of Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation? Have you tried either formula? I'd love to know!
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Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer vs. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer
Concealers. They're part of that never-ending impossible quest for the perfect complexion, and I must say that it is quite hard to find the perfect concealer. I've been contemplating these two for quite a while, and I don't think either are my perfect "miracle" concealer. (Does that even exist??)
After I bought Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in SC-3 from Gummy's blog sale, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to compare it to the pricier Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer. At first, I thought they might be similar, but they really are products for different purposes.
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer is much drier in texture, while Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer is quite creamy and almost moist to the touch. The Koh Gen Do has much sheerer coverage and only comes in one shade option. Despite this, the Koh Gen Do does make a minor difference on my eyes, while the Laura Mercier does well to cover spots and blemishes. I can't imagine that someone with more to cover under the eyes or flaky blemishes to cover would have success with either of these, however.
Watch the video below to hear more thoughts and see these concealers in action!
All in all, the Laura Mercier may end up being my go to for blemishes and comes in many more shade options - 7 are listed on Sephora's site! Sadly, I think the Koh Gen Do doesn't perform as well as Armani Maestro Eraser for undereyes and the color selection is quite limited, though those of you who are lighter than me may have success with it.
What do you think about these concealers? Have you tried either one? What is your favorite concealer? I'd love to know! :)
Products That Didn't Work for Me, #4
It has been a while since I've talked about the products that don't work for me. I've mentioned a few disappointments here and there, but I wanted to show you all two products that I think could be good but just aren't right for me.
First, the Phyto Phytopolleine Botanical Scalp Treatment is a product I desperately hoped would work miracles. Recommended for unbalanced scalps, this treatment has an intensely herbal scent, as it full of rosemary, sage, eucalyptus, and cypress. I'm not a fan of the scent, and the first time I used it, I feared the herbal almost chemical-y scent would stick to me forever. Thankfully I've discovered that a good cleansing shampoo afterwards will get the scent out, and my Philip B. Avocado & Peppermint Shampoo was perfect for the job. I also liked the product initially, as it does provide some itch relief when you first apply it. Really, my scalp wasn't terribly itchy for 3-4 days! However, this product is .8oz and $38, and at that price I really expect it to repair my scalp. It didn't, and my scalp is still itchy. Perhaps I could've stuck with it and tried the whole bottle, but I decided it wasn't worth the trouble and returned it.
The other product I was really excited to try was the Koh Gen Do Moisture Spa Gel, a product that is meant to be a one-step moisturizing product to replace serum, emollient and lotion. I love the idea, and I am a big fan of Koh Gen Do, but this just felt sticky on my face and never went away. I thought perhaps I applied too much, and applying less didn't help... I also wasn't anywhere humid, so I was bummed. I can't deal with feeling any tackiness on my face, so this is a no for me. However, it did feel pretty decently moisturizing, which is great for my super dehydrated skin that never seems to be satisfied. Bummer, cause I really wanted to love this!
What do you think of these products? Have you tried them? Do you have any recommendations for a super hydrating face product or a something that will calm my itchy scalp? I'd love to know!
P.S. To follow this series, do check out the previous posts here..
Products featured were purchased by me. This post contains affiliate links.