Product Info: "The heart and soul of FACE atelier – an innovative approach to foundation that allows you to be in control. Ultra Foundation is a silicone-based emulsion that floats on top of the skin, doesn’t crease or flake, and lasts all day long. Hydrating yet oil-free, it obscures tiny lines and pores to ensure a smooth finish. No primer needed! It's built into Ultra Foundation, thanks to the super sophisticated, silicone-based formula. Another bonus - it sets without powder, preserving the youthful, dewy finish.
TRADE SECRET!
The silicone molecule is bigger than the human pore, allowing Ultra Foundation to form a lightweight, breathable second skin that is both moisture and oil resistant. It is truly non-comedogenic and is ideal for troubled or mature skin.
Ultra Foundation's top-secret formulation creates an optical blurring effect that diminishes fine lines and wrinkles and gives the illusion of a smoother, more uniform and naturally dewy finish. No wonder it's the foundation of choice for stars like Fergie and Lady Gaga!
Why no SPF? It's no secret to pro makeup artists that products with SPF flash white. Ultra Foundation is THE product of choice if you're anywhere near a camera. More importantly, there's a long list of reasons why SPF doesn't work in cosmetics (see Trade Secrets). We urge you to find a good sunscreen and use as directed." -faceatelier.com
If you are a true NC30, #4 Sand may work pretty well for you.. I am not a true NC30 right now.. I'm more of a NC35-NC40 at the moment (at the moment because of my self tanner). Since I have no use for foundations that are too dark, I thought ordering #4 would be a safe move. #3 Wheat is said to match NC30 as well (some reviews say its even darker than #4). #5 Sepia is said to match NC35-NC37. All shades are yellow based (yay for me). What is very interesting with Face Atelier, is that they have shades to alter your foundation if it doesn't match your skin perfectly. Zero Minus is a white foundation that will lighten your foundation, Zero Plus is a chocolate brown that will darken your foundation and Zero Plus Plus is a deep dark chocolate brown that will darken your foundation further. There is also Heat, which is a red foundation that will add warmth to your foundation. All you need apparently is a drop. I think its very nice that they have these shades especially if your skin shade alters throughout the year. But, considering their foundation is $45 for a 1 oz/30ml tube, I think paying another $45 for an altering shade is a lot of money to dish out. Considering you only need a drop, they should be in either smaller bottles or should cost less. That's just my opinion.
You can purchase a sample/s of the foundation from Face Atelier for $1 (approximately 3 applications), Whiterabbitbeauty for $1.85 (claims "several" applications) and Camerareadycosmetics for $3.99 (two applications). I purchased my sample from camerareadycosmetics. I received my order two-three days later. (Not affiliated with any of these companies). The unused sample is shown above in the first photo. It's not a very generous sample.. but it will last me a few more applications. Whats great about the foundation is you don't need a lot.
Face Atelier has scored a 4.4/5 with a 78% buy back rate on makeupalley.com (based on 37 reviews).
Now, onto my review...
Here I am this morning.. all I have on is MAC select cover up in the shade NW25 under my eyes and I have my brows filled. I don't have any major blemishes, except I have a few blemishes around my face that were pimples that have dried up. Major thing is, my skintone is uneven and I have a little redness on my cheeks & nose area.
Here is the foundation applied to my face with my ELF Studio Angled Foundation Brush. I didn't moisturize or prime my face prior to application. My face didn't seem dry.. so I didn't feel I needed to.
MAC Select Cover Up #NW25
Face Atelier Foundation #4 Sand
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse #Caramel (used a little around my face to darken a little)
MAC Refined Golden Bronzer (Hollows of my cheeks & around my hair line)
MUFE HD Blush #10 (On my cheeks)
Brows:
Maybelline Define a Brow #Medium Brown
Eyes:
Sephora Sunbaked No 2 Trio (Brown shade in my crease, Bronze shade all over my lid and the gold shade as a highlight and blended over my crease & in the corners of my eyes by my tear ducts)
NYX Black Eyeshadow (Deepened the corner of my crease)
Covergirl Lash Blast Black Mascara
Ardell False Lashes #111
Lips:
Sephora Nano Lip Liner #2
OCC Cha Cha Lip Tar (very light coat)
LASplash Girl Crush Lip gloss (very tiny amount to add shine)
Follow up on the Sephora Trio: I really like the trio. The colors are very pigmented and the particular trio I have, the colors look soo pretty together. When I went out, I didn't look overdone or overly shimmery. I'll be keeping this in my cosmetic bag and wearing it very often. Recommended! :)
