Old bottles of SanSan Matte Finish Liquid Foundation #02 and #04To be honest, I didn't like this foundation on me initially for two reasons: I picked up the wrong shades and it emphasizes my skin's flakiness. But my opinion about it has changed just recently.
Before I go to the details, let me introduce the product first. I know there's been tons of reviews about these in the internet already, but my experience with this product is unique and I'll tell you why in a short while so please continue reading. =^_^=
Claim:SanSan Matte Finish Liquid Foundation is available in Four variants that match most Filipina skin tones. The nude to natural shades offer medium coverage that provides an even finish to help conceal blemishes and dark under eye circles. Its formulation is ideal for those with normal to dry skin.
Each bottle of San San Matte Finish Liquid foundation comes in a matte frosted glass container with a spatula for easier application plus Vitamins A, C and E that nourish skin and SPF15 for sun protection.
In my opinion though, you have to mix at least 2 of the four shades to get a match for your skin.
Packaging:It comes in a small bottle with a matte surface and has a spatula applicator. You MUSTN'T use the spatula to apply the foundation on your skin. The spatula is used to scoop out the product from the bottle and transfer it to any surface where you can later pick it up with whatever tool you usually use to apply foundation on your face. On everyday basis, I just use my fingers. On other people, I use a sponge or a foundation brush.
The way the packaging was designed led me to believe that you're meant to pick up different shades of these and mix them together to come up with a shade that fits your complexion
The labels are at the bottom. This is no problem for me but some girls prefer otherwise.Swatches:
left: #04 right:#02 (warm light)As I've mentioned earlier, I picked up the wrong shades. Of the four shades of SanSan Matte Finish Liquid Foundation, #01 and #03 are the ones with yellow undertone. #02 and #04 has pinkish undertone.
left: #04 right:#02 (warm light)
#02 blended (warm light)
#02 (cool light)
#02 blended (cool light)Now let me tell you why my experience with this foundation is quite unique compared to other reviews I read on the internet.
The main reason why I picked up this foundation is for a make-up gig. I had to do the make-up for more or less 18 people in an event. I needed a cheap but reliable foundation with no spf(for pictures) and good coverage. The reason why I picked up shades #02 and #04 is because the SA said they are the lightest and darkest shades respectively. I was ignorant about undertones then (it was a long time ago) and didn't think that most Filipinas have yellow undertones but o well.
I've been using this foundation in make-up gigs ever since. I've used it for night events, for graduations, and even for dance competitions, and on different girls with different skin types and complexions too. Here are some things I've observed about this foundation.
1) While most Filipina do have yellowish undertone, I realized that there are also some who are quite cool and looks great on #02, or a combination of #02 and #01. #04 has pinkish undertones and I came to realize that there are indeed Filipinas who are morena but have pinkish undertones because there were some girls who looked great in this shade, and they are not uncommon too.
2) While the product claims to be ideal for normal to dry skin, it tends to look cakey on people with dry skin. People with dry skin needs to moisturize with a good moisturizer first for this product to look ok on them. It actually blends better on people with oily skin. When I got to use it again, I get by with the help of sunflower oil. I apply a really small amount on areas of my face that tends to be dry (mostly on my cheeks). I don't advice this to everyone though.
3) On people with flaky skin and blackheads (like I did few months back), this foundation can look really awful. It tends to emphasize the roughness of a skin that neglected exfoliation. I tried using this back on those days when I had bad skin because of stress and I looked horrible in it.
More swatches:
no flash - heavy coverage - no make-up
with flash - heavy coverage - no make-up#02 tends to make me cool-toned when I use a cool lipstick.
I used this foundation here, here and here.
I used this on my friends here, here and here.
It's not completely matte, more like a bit dewy, which is even better.
Coverage, Texture and Longevity: Coverage ranges from light to heavy. Building it up can be tricky but it can be done if you have the right tools and you know how to work with your skin type. Texture is runny but on the face, it feels slightly heavy. It smells pleasant. People described it as similar to the smell of coconut, but to me it reminds me of a biscuit that I used to eat when I was a kid. Lasts about 5-6 hours. There are some reviews that mentioned that you don't have to set it with powder anymore. You don't. But if you do, it can last longer.Based on experience though, it tends to feel sticky so I always set it with powder.
Likes:Good coverageMatte-dewy FinishCheap at P139 ~ $3.40 for 30mlAvailable locallyI like the smellDoes not break me out
Dislikes:Limited shadesCan feel heavyCan emphasize flakinessCan cake up if you don't know how to work with it.Can't use it when my skin is being problematic
Over-all rating: 2.5/5
Recommend?If you need a cheap and good foundation for a special event where you know there'll be lots of picture taking, yes.If you want to play make-up artist but is still hesitant about splurging on expensive foundations, yes.I don't recommend this for everyday use though as it has no spf and it can be sticky.
Repurchase?Still thinking about it:
Further thoughts:For me, this foundation is best used on night events. During daytime though, I use a very small amount for a sheer coverage.
#02 after 4 hours, sheer coverage - under white light - some freckles are still visible
#02 after 4 hours, sheer coverage - under natural light - some freckles are still visibleThanks for reading my blog!
