Saturday, September 26, 2009

DHC product reviews & pics

So my first experience with DHC's Cream Foundation was not what I expected =( Luckily, if you read my last post, I concluded that it was because I used their Matte Cream before I applied the foundation, which seemed to be the cause of my disappointment.

First off, after I applied it, my face looked just a biiiit too light IMO =( I got shade Yellow Ocher 01 since it was getting discontinued and Eki recommended it. Using the matte cream first made a sticky base, and throughout the day, my face was tacky. It felt horrible. AND after a couple hours, the foundation started turning orange =(


The good part is that I like the finish it gives to your skin. It's sheer but buildable coverage that can give you a dewy, semi-matte, or matte look depending on how much you apply. The first time, I think I applied too much in addition to the Matte cream, so it was reeeally matte. It didnt' stay too well on my nose for some reason. It conceals redness but I still had to use NYX jar concealer over some spots.

Here's some swatches:

So the next day, I decided to try the foundation again, WITHOUT the matte cream. I like it a lot better! The same nice healthy glow but smooth semi-matte finish. It is still a slightly different color than my neck (not as noticeable as pic) but not as bad as the first try. And without the matte cream first, it was not too light and did not oxidize later on in the day. I also found that it reduces shine and oil BETTER than with the matte cream! Who would've thought. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to apply it. I've been using sponge wedges so far. Suggestions?

Here's a formal review . . .

DHC Q10 Cream Foundation in Yellow Ocher 01

Price:
$8.75 discontinued, $17.50 reg

What they say: Creamy fuller coverage. Achieve perfect-looking skin at last! This long-lasting SPF 18 foundation offers fuller coverage to smooth over pores, blemishes, and imperfections. Enriched with age-defying coenzyme Q10, hydrating olive oil, and UV damage–fighting olive leaf extract, these ingredients can help you win the fight against fine lines. Feels silky, not heavy, on skin. Elegant matte finish.

What to do: Apply evenly at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and as needed. If desired, first apply DHC Velvet Skin Coat. Next, dispense a small amount and spread evenly over face using fingertips or DHC Makeup Sponge B. Set with DHC Q10 Face Powder.

What's in it: Active ingredients: titanium dioxide zinc oxide Inactive ingredients: water, cyclomethicone, butylene glycol, diglycerin, cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, isononoyl isononanoate, PEG-10 dimethicone, disteardimonium hectorite, nylon-12, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, trimethylsiloxysilicate, silica, phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, dimethicone/methicone copolymer, glyceryl abietate/maleate, octyldodecyl myristate, phenoxyethanol, laureth-7, magnesium sulfate, alumina, methicone, simethicone, alcohol, ubiquinone, acorbyl tetraisopalmitate, olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, polianthes tuberosa polysaccharide, beta-glucan, talc (Natural Ocher 00-Natural Ocher 03, Natural Ocher 06, Yellow Ocher 01-Yellow Ocher 03, Yellow Ocher 05, Pink Ocher 01-Pink Ocher 04), aluminum hydroxide (Natural Ocher 00-Natural Ocher 03, Natural Ocher 05, Yellow Ocher 01-Yellow Ocher 03, Yellow Ocher 05, Pink Ocher 01-Pink Ocher 04), iron oxides

The good stuff:
  • Various shades
  • Smooth texture, easy to apply
  • SPF 18
  • Buildable coverage, little goes a long way
  • Okay at concealing redness, blemishes, dark circles
  • Long lasting
  • Pretty good at controlling oil/shine
  • Gives skin a healthy glow to semi-matte finish
The low-down:
  • Expensive, many shades getting discontinued
  • Gets cakey if you apply too much
  • Can be too light/dark (read previous post too)
My take: Overall, I really like this foundation, I love the finish it gives to my skin. I just have to be careful not to apply too much and also what I apply it with/over because it already oxidized once for me; maybe also because my skin has been really oily =(

Would I repurchase: Maybe; I'm not sure what shade I'd be after this one is discontinued.

I've also been using their Eyebrow perfect Pro Powder & pencil. Liking the powder a lot but not used to the pencil yet.


Swatches L-R powder (copper brown), pencil (brown)


I'm partial to my HG Physician's Formula eyebrow pencil so I don't care for the DHC too much. The lead is very very firm and makes a really harsh line. I haven't used it enough to know if it softens up or what. The tip is very fine too and can't be sharpened but I guess since it's more for filling in little spots rather than big ones. I already broke a little piece off the top; it's so hard =( But on the other hand, I'm really LOVING the powder. It's super sheer but buildable, you just keep twisting it back into the cap to pick up more color. It's easy to apply and IMO better than using a brush and powder. Loves it!
Formal review . . .

DHC Eyebrow Perfect pro Powder in Copper Brown
Price: $3.75 dicontinued, $7.50 reg

What they say: Eye-lighter. Designed for use with DHC Eyebrow Perfect Pro Holder (sold separately), this professional-quality eyebrow powder filler features a gentle sponge tip for delicate application. Boasts moisturizing olive virgin oil in its long-lasting, waterproof micro-particle powder formula. Choose from five gorgeous shades.

What to do: Insert into DHC Eyebrow Perfect Pro Holder and twist to secure. Remove cap and apply powder to eyebrow area as desired. To dispense additional powder, insert the applicator tip into the cap and twist. For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes

What's in it: vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer, dimethicone, silica, octyldodecanol, hydrogenated castor oil stearate, polyethylene, stearoxymethicone/dimethicone copolymer, sucrose tetrastearate triacetate, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, tocopherol, iron oxides, titanium dioxide

The good stuff:
  • Sheer but buildable color
  • Various shades
  • Easy to apply
  • Long lasting
  • Unique sponge tip and packaging

The low-down:

  • Small size, Idk how quickly it runs out

My take: I love this stuff. It's so convenient and easy to use. 'Nough said.

Would I repurchase: Yes.

DHC Eyebrow Perfect pro Pencil in Brown

Price: $2.75 on clearance, $7.50 reg

What they say: Pencil Perfect. Designed for use with DHC Eyebrow Perfect Pro Holder (sold separately), this precision eyebrow pencil helps you enhance the look of your eyes like a pro and boasts moisturizing olive virgin oil in its long-lasting, waterproof formula. Choose from five gorgeous shades.

What to do: Insert into DHC Eyebrow Perfect Pro Holder and twist to secure. Remove cap and delicately enhance brow area as desired. For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes.

What's in it: hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated palm oil, stearic acid, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, lauroyl lysine, rhus succedanea fruit wax, hydrogenated polyisobutene, silica, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, paraffin, microcrystalline wax, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, squalane, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, tocopherol, dimethicone, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, iron oxides, mica. May contain/peut contenir: titanium dioxide

The good stuff:

  • Various shades
  • Firm lead
  • Pigmented

The low-down:

  • Creates a very harsh line
  • Lead is so firm it breaks easily
  • Better for filling in small areas

My take: It's okay, I used it for drawing on the ends of my brows but the line is really defined since it's just so hard! I think this is better use for filling in small sparse areas. The color is ver pigmented though.

Would I repurchase: No, or not any time soon.



4 comments :

  1. Very thorough reviews, thanks for sharing! Your skin is so lovely you probably don't even need foundation but the DHC one sounds and looks great.

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  2. I like the finish the foundation gives, I just hate that I dont like foundation on my face. Ack!

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  3. I just bought this same foundation (waiting for it to arrive). Hoping it works for me too. :)

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  4. great reviews! i want to try the pro powder now :)

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