Kao Sofina Primavista Ange Liquid Foundation UV Long Keep Spring Summer 2013 Base Makeup 1

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I rarely use liquid foundations as they tend not to suit my oily skin. However, I got curious about Primavista Ange Liquid Foundation UV (Long Keep) and I decided to try it mainly for research purposes.

(For a brief profile on Primavista Ange, read my review of the line’s Powder Foundation UV (Long Keep). I have also reviewed Long Keep Base UV, possibly the line’s most popular product).

Kao Sofina Primavista Ange Liquid Foundation UV (Long Keep) (花王 ソフィーナ プリマヴィスタ アンジェ リキッドファンデーション UV (ロングキープ)/ 花王 蘇菲娜 Primavista 漾緁 輕妝綺肌長效粉底液, 4 shades, SPF 25, PA++, 30g, 450 TWD (approx. 9.61 GBP & 13.87 USD)) was released in spring/summer 2013. The shade I went for is OC 05 (オークル 05).

The product contains ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate for protection against UVB and zinc oxide for protection against UVA. It contains alcohol and methylparaben. It doesn’t contain fragrance (parfum). It is dispensed with a pump.

It has a liquidy (almost watery) consistency. It spreads easily and there is sufficient time to blend it. It feels lightweight on the skin, and it leaves a satiny finish on the skin with a bit of a moist sheen. The finish is not too glowy or shiny for me, but I would prefer a semi-matte finish.

It has a coverage level that is between light-to-medium and medium and is sufficient for me. It covers minor imperfections reasonably well, and it evens out the redness of my skin fairly well. (It looks very yellow-toned when I dispense it on my hand, but it neutralizes the redness of my skin fairly well and looks natural on me.)

The main appeals of the Primavista Ange line are supposed to be pore coverage, shine control and lasting power. For me, Liquid Foundation UV (Long Keep) has some pore coverage. It doesn’t really create a poreless appearance, but at least it doesn’t settle into pores. As for shine control, it doesn’t have a matte or semi-matte finish to begin with or any noticeable sebum control efficacy overtime, but at least it doesn’t make my face look shinier than usual over the course of wear. In terms of lasting power, it performs decently well. It only darkens minimally and doesn’t disintegrate over the course of wear.

(I tend to rely on powder-based foundations for pore coverage, shine control and lasting power, and, in terms of these three needs, this product doesn’t work as effectively as the powder foundations that work well for me, such as ZA’s Perfect Fit Two-Way Foundation.)

There are two fairly major issues with this product. Firstly, it has quite a bit of alcohol, which is towards the top of the ingredient list of the product. Even though it doesn’t irritate my skin, it may be problematic for others. Secondly, while it doesn’t settle into pores, it can look uneven on dry (specifically, flaked) areas from the moment it is applied on these areas. (Bear in mind that this product is definitely not designed for those with dry skin.)

Overall, I am a little disappointed with this product. Even though I like its lightweight feel, well-matched shade (OC 05) for my skin tone and sufficient coverage, it doesn’t work as well in some other areas. For me, Powder Foundation UV (Long Keep), from the same line, works better for me on the whole. If the Primavista Ange line sounds appealing to you and you are interested in trying the foundations from the line, I would recommend Powder Foundation UV (Long Keep).

(I tested this product without using any primer underneath it or setting powder over it so that I could observe how it performed on its own.)

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Related posts:

“Japanese Base Makeup Week” Series

Review: Sisley Skinleÿa Anti-Aging Lift Foundation

Review: Givenchy Radically No Surgetics Age-Defying & Perfecting Foundation

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