The "No Makeup, Makeup" Base: Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid

Remember a few weeks ago when I told you about the Lilly Pulitzer x Estee Lauder Gift at The Bay, well I brought home an Estee Lauder foundation along with it. But, there's quite the story along with this occurrence, so I'll keep it short and sweet. My skin was having one of those major freak outs and nothing I had was able to cover the redness and combat the oiliness on my face. I decided to go for Double Wear foundation in Rattan (2W2). Sadly, Estee Lauder at The Bay didn't carry this colour (weird...) and they matched me to Tawny (3W1) instead. Bad choice... it looked really random in direct sunlight although I did really love how incredibly it covered with the tiniest amount of product, plus it really did stay on all day! Since they didn't carry the correct colour, I had to exchange that foundation for the shade Rattan in the Invisible Fluid foundation which, you can only find at Estee Lauder counters (Sephora don't stock it, sorry!). I'll definitely see if Double Wear can work for me next winter because I feel like it might be just too heavy for warmer month - but for now I'm in a happy love fest with Invisible Fluid! So all is good in the foundation department!

What more can I say, than LOVE. I'd gotten samples of this foundation before but never took the plunge and honestly, I don't know why. It is the epitome of a "no makeup, makeup" base which I adore and makes it easy to just slap and go. Now let's talk formula and get down to the nitty gritty (lol, that expression is seriously so weird!) This is one very similar to Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, or so I've heard, since it has a water based quite liquidy consistency. You really have to shake the bottle well, I repeat shake that bottle! If not, you'll end up with the pigment separating from the liquid and that just won't be good! Once shaken, you may notice that the shade will look a tad bit dark which you initially squeeze it out of the bottle. This happens with a lot of these new foundations, they get lighter once you rub them in so don't buy it from looking at a small dollop on your hand. Keep that in mind when going into a store and swatching it on your face - make sure to blend. (You can see this in the picture below!) That being said, their IntuiTone technology is amazing for allowing the foundation to adapt very well to your skin. You can see in the picture to the right that the foundation blended in seamlessly with my skin!

Coverage wise, this isn't going to be as full coverage as Double Wear but it does so well at covering redness and discolouration while still looking undetectable on the skin. I don't know how it does it, but it is gooood. It is light to a build able medium coverage, but like I said, with the help of some of my trusty NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer on some acne scars, I look flawless but in an imperfect way if that makes sense. Sort of like, wow that girl has pretty good skin naturally - not like dang, you look like you put on a ton of makeup! This is definitely one if you don't like feeling like you're wearing makeup or for those days when you just need a bit of perking up to skin but nothing that's cakey.
I haven't experimented with Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua myself but from what I heard Invisible Fluid is better for combo/oily skin gals. Without making the direct comparison, I find that this foundation keeps the oil at bay for at least 5-ish hours, which for a more water based foundation is all you can really ask for. I will say that even when I have my t-zone getting oilier, my face never looks quite like a grease ball if you catch my drift. I've had experiences with other foundations that have made me look much worse in less amount of time. I definitely suggest using a setting powder if you worry about that! It never oxidizes on me and the lasting power is great considering it has such a weightless feel. It blends really easily so using my fingers is usually how I like to apply it best but a buffing brush is great too! It gives a really natural finish, not too dewy and not too matte. As far as springtime bases are concerned, this one is a winner!
Some stats: Price: $44 Size: a standard 30 mL Formulation: Oil Free, Fragrance free (yay for sensitive skin gals!), non-acnegenic
Have you tried Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid? Are you as much in love with it as I am?