Can Vice Cosmetics’ first powder foundation withstand the heat?

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VICE COSMETICS

In today’s beauty landscape, diversity is an important factor when buying products. Foundations and concealers should have shades for the lightest to the darkest skin tones, and those in between. This is especially true in the Philippines where we have a vast selection of skin tones that are all so beautiful.

One local brand that’s aiming for this goal is Vice Cosmetics, which just released their first skin base product: the Duo Finish Foundation in eight shades. (They’re going to release more, don’t worry!) These come in powder form with a sort of creamy consistency. It can be applied dry for light coverage, and wet for full coverage. The finish is said to “give a flawless airbrushed look” with no flashback, has oil control, and there’s SPF 25 to protect your skin. Oh, and it’s cruelty-free!

During the launch last week, Vice Cosmetics promised that the Duo Finish Foundation is an all-around product every Filipina can use, and they can put this on while at work and during commutes. Personally, I’ve used Moreyna to set my concealer on light-makeup days, and it does hold up without looking like a piled on a lot—especially on my under eye area.

We also asked three of our colleagues who have varying skin tones to try it. Here are their thoughts:

Jelou Galang

Shade: Tisay

“Recently, I’ve stopped using my old foundation and decided to bank on powder alone. It’s quite a difficult feat for someone with oily skin. The reason why I decided to cut it down (for a while) is the bulky and messy feeling it gives after a few hours in the sun. That’s why getting to try Vice Cosmetics’ Duo Finish Foundation last weekend was the perfect timing. Applying it was a breeze as it is easy to build up, not to mention how it greatly achieves medium to full coverage. After four hours of applying it, my face still looked sheer and even. For sure it has rad oil control abilities too—my face didn’t glow in sweat like it typically would. Instead, it looked just like a fresher version of my bare face, and that’s the way I like it. The matte finish of my Tisay shade was a breather.”

Tricia Guevara

Shade: So Pinay!

“First off, I appreciate that they have shades that run a little darker than what’s currently available in the market, but I think they’d do much better with a few more dark shades. Payoff was nice, although there’s a fair amount of kickback, so I predict I’d hit pan on this product pretty soon. Performance-wise, it was great—kept my base intact and my usually oily-after-five-minutes face matte longer.”

Giselle Barrientos

Shade: Flawlessa

“I’m not much of a foundation person because I find applying it to be tedious, but Vice Cosmetics’ Duo Finish Foundation was a breeze to put on. I tried it on without wetting the foundation, and it came out even and sat well on my skin. Its coverage is medium to full, and is easily buildable. I also appreciated that there was a shade that matched my morena skin quite well! Another bonus is that the packaging has a big mirror inside for on-the-go application.

I wore this foundation throughout my commute which consists of a jeepney ride and a 10-minute walk under the hot sun, and I found that it didn’t become patchy even after sweating. In terms of shine control, it didn’t make my oily skin any worse, but it didn’t help make it any better either. For my fellow oily-skinned peeps, dusting a light powder over the foundation can help control the shine.

Overall, this foundation is great for quick applications because of its pocket-friendly packaging and its no-fuss formulation. I’d definitely reach for this compact again on the days when I feel like my skin needs a little extra help.”

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If you’re looking to buy one for your everyday makeup bag, Vice Cosmetics Duo Finish Foundation is available on their website and their partner stores.

 

Photos by Argyl Leones

Art by Marian Hukom

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