An anonymous poster over on my Formspring recently suggested that I try Napoleon Perdis’ China Doll foundation after I complained that my MAC foundation was too flaky. With sensitive, dry skin that is prone to Eczema throughout my t-zone, I have a lot of trouble finding a suitable foundation. In the past I’ve had good results with Max Factor’s Second Skin foundation. I’ve also used MAC Studio Fix and Select foundations, but I need to apply several layers, otherwise the foundation shows very visible flakiness and accentuates lines and wrinkles especially as it gets later into the day. This happens despite the fact that I wear an oily sunscreen daily, along with MAC moisturizer and Prep + Prime.
So I decided to give the Napoleon foundation a try. It retails for $65 for 30ml, which is ridiculous to me, so I bought it on eBay (look B1, their palest, coolest shade) for $20. It has a thick texture, quite sticky, but it was still very pliable and easy to move around my face. The coverage was really good and it’s a really good foundation for rectifying uneven skin tone and minor blemishes; you only require a small amount (I used a little less than a pea-sized bump of it) of it to spread across your whole face for a good coverage. However, it does dry to a powder finish which just isn’t good for dry skin. The flakiness was a lot less noticeable than it is with MAC for me, but it still existed and I still think I get a better lasting look with MF Second Skin. For someone with normal or oily skin, China Doll would be an amazing foundation with a porcelain-like, flawless finish. But on dry skin, the mattifying powder finish is just a no-go. I find that the “age-defying”, hydrating, renewing foundations work best for me, rather than the foundations designed for youthful oily skin.
Indoor light on the left, natural light on the right
Regardless, I don’t recommend paying $65 for it, even if you do have the oily/normal skin that it’s designed for – unless you’re on a high income or at least…an income better than mine. Paying that much for one 30ml tube of foundation is insane, especially when you can pick it up online for a third of the price.
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*squint* I’m not seeing any flakes at all, what the hell are you talking about? I think I see one little stupid flake on your cheek.
*squint* I’m not seeing any flakes at all, what the hell are you talking about? I think I see one little stupid flake on your cheek.
Those were taken immediately after I’d applied it – the flakiness isn’t so bad right after application, but as I start talking/making facial expressions, the foundation settles into fine lines & creases and accentuates them badly. It also gets peely around my mouth, nose and between my eyebrows. I really should have taken a photo a few hours after application, too…
Those were taken immediately after I’d applied it – the flakiness isn’t so bad right after application, but as I start talking/making facial expressions, the foundation settles into fine lines & creases and accentuates them badly. It also gets peely around my mouth, nose and between my eyebrows. I really should have taken a photo a few hours after application, too…
Oh okay lol
You moisturize, right? Have you tried applying lotion right before putting on foundation? Give it just enough time to settle into your skin. That’s what I do, though I use mineral foundation, I’ve never actually used liquid stuff. Ha, maybe you should send this stuff to me and I’ll give it a shot, I have combination skin.
Oh okay lol
You moisturize, right? Have you tried applying lotion right before putting on foundation? Give it just enough time to settle into your skin. That’s what I do, though I use mineral foundation, I’ve never actually used liquid stuff. Ha, maybe you should send this stuff to me and I’ll give it a shot, I have combination skin.
hey emma,
i used to use this religiously and found that it dried my skin out – i used the napoleon primer that the girls at the store recommended and my skin still got dry and flakey – i now use the minimal liquid foundation from napoleon and apply a powder foundation over the top to set it and i get a much better finish. napoleon is very expensive, i agree, but ive found that it lasts longer than most priceline/drugstore-type foundations, so i dont mind trying to budget it into my finances lol and now being a mummy, i figure i can splash out a bit on myself from time to time!
hey emma,
i used to use this religiously and found that it dried my skin out – i used the napoleon primer that the girls at the store recommended and my skin still got dry and flakey – i now use the minimal liquid foundation from napoleon and apply a powder foundation over the top to set it and i get a much better finish. napoleon is very expensive, i agree, but ive found that it lasts longer than most priceline/drugstore-type foundations, so i dont mind trying to budget it into my finances lol and now being a mummy, i figure i can splash out a bit on myself from time to time!
hey there, was wondering where did u find the foundation like you i think the products over priced but would love to try :s
im a look 1 too
if u brought it on ebay was it from a store and could u forward me the link if possible. thanks heaps
from jenn
hey there, was wondering where did u find the foundation like you i think the products over priced but would love to try :s
im a look 1 too
if u brought it on ebay was it from a store and could u forward me the link if possible. thanks heaps
from jenn
You are correct in saying that China Doll Foundation is not the best choice for a dry or dehydrated skin type. Although, It is fantastic on normal/combination/dry skin as it sets to a powder finish not long after aplication. It also has spf 15 which is great for us Aussies.
If you find it too dry on your skin, try mixing 1/2 China Doll and half moisturiser (preferably not the MAC one as it is not as hydrating as a professional skincare cream could be) and you’ll get a lighter and slightly more dewy finish. Combined with a serum, toner, moisturiser and Auto Pilot primer you could possibly get away without your skin looking as dry as before!
I use it all the time
You are correct in saying that China Doll Foundation is not the best choice for a dry or dehydrated skin type. Although, It is fantastic on normal/combination/dry skin as it sets to a powder finish not long after aplication. It also has spf 15 which is great for us Aussies.
If you find it too dry on your skin, try mixing 1/2 China Doll and half moisturiser (preferably not the MAC one as it is not as hydrating as a professional skincare cream could be) and you’ll get a lighter and slightly more dewy finish. Combined with a serum, toner, moisturiser and Auto Pilot primer you could possibly get away without your skin looking as dry as before!
I use it all the time
Yves Saint Laurent cosmetics are relatively new to the cosmetics scene, though not unknown. Yves Saint Laurent actually worked with Christian Dior for a good while, giving the brand the quality and marketability that it needs to really make it’s presence known.
Girl to stop dryness, mix the china doll and the stick in the Napoleon together, use syrum and a hydrating moisturizer (oil free). Make sure you wash your make up off at night and hydrate. Use scrub and hydrating masks at Least once a week.
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