Review: San San Matte Finish Liquid Foundation

I've been using this foundation for many months now. Read my haul post *here.* 

I am, so far, on good terms with the San San Soleil Matte Foundation but since that's a bit harder to blend than the usual liquid foundations, it takes time to apply. I was looking for a foundation that's easier to blend when I came across a review of the San San Matte Finish Liquid Foundation.

I bought mine in the shade 02. There are only four shades available so you might not find the perfect shade for you. You can always combine two shades until you find a match, though. The shade 02 isn't the perfect match for me but I bought it because I thought it's the closest to my skin tone. I prefer wearing a shade a bit lighter than one that's darker than my actual skin tone.

I tried the product for the following reasons. 

1. I heard good things about it. 
2. I have oily skin and it says on the label that the product offers a matte finish. 
3. I like the San San Soleil matte foundation. I thought I'd like this product as well.

Description (from San San): A matte finish liquid foundation. Has Vitamins A, C and E to protect, nourish and give a healthy look to the skin.

Ingredients:

The product comes in a clear, matte bottle with its own spatula.

Some may prefer liquid foundations in pump bottles or squeeze-type tubes, but I honestly don't mind the packaging of this. What I do is scoop enough amount of product from the bottle using the spatula then transfer that on the back of my hand. From there, I use a finger to dot the foundation onto my face then spread and blend using a flat-top brush. 

As I have mentioned, there are only four shades available. Now that I have 03 too, I've figured out that my match is actually a combination of the two shades. Still working out the proportions, though. But most of the time I still find myself wearing either just 02 or just 03. Honestly, I find it a hassle to open two bottles and mix products just to get my shade, especially when I'm in a hurry. Haha define: lazy. I wish the shades weren't so limited.

Now on to the things that I do like. First is the matte finish. I have oily skin so the matte factor helps keep my face shine-free for a longer period than when I'm using a regular liquid foundation.

Next is the coverage. I can use this without concealer and still end up looking decent. Here are the photos to prove it. Of course the word 'decent' is subjective, so what looks decent to me may not look decent to you ;]

L: Without foundation
R: With foundation only, no concealer

As you can see in the photos, the foundation was able to even out my skin tone and tone down the redness in some areas.

I also like that this doesn't have that weird makeup smell. Yes, it does have a scent but not something overpowering nor unpleasant for me. I don't mind it. Actually, I think it smells nice :)

As for the staying power, this stays for at least 5 hours on me (with powder-retouching) although I don't remain shine-free for that long. I am too oily for that. I just retouch with powder on my oily spots throughout the day.

Here are some swatches.

L-R: 01, 02, 03, 04

Don't be afraid of the color! It gets sheered out upon spreading and blending!

L-R: 01, 02, 03, 04

Here are some pictures of me wearing the foundation.

Shades 02 and 03 mixed
Without powder
Without flash

Shades 02 and 03 mixed
With powder
With flash

Thumbs up:

• Has Vitamins A, C and E
• Gives a matte finish
• Easy to apply - Can be spread and blended easily
• Good coverage - I don't need to use concealer with this but the coverage is still not as 'thick' as that of the Soleil matte foundation.
• Decent wear time
• Doesn't break me out
• Doesn't cake
• No unpleasant smell
• Affordable - Priced at P132 for 30ml of product
• Locally available - Available in HBC outlets

Thumbs down:

• Limited shades! You may need to combine two shades to get your perfect match.

I like this foundation and I've been using this quite often since I got it. I especially like how it looks on me when topped with my current favorite powder foundation! It gives my skin a flawless look, especially on photos.

Have you tried this yet? What can you say about San San foundations and face products? :)

For more information about San San and other HBC products, visit the following pages.

• HBC website
• HBC Facebook page

Disclaimer: Products were sent by the company but the views and opinions expressed in this post are purely mine and based on my own experience with the products. The other three shades were sent to me but I bought 02 way before I received the others.