Organic Beauty. They've won numerous awards, are worn by celebrities, and are one of the better know healthy makeup brands out there. Vapour was kind enough to send me a few products to review and I've really enjoyed trying them out over the last few weeks. I already mentioned the Illusionist Concealer in my recent post on under eye concealers, but I was also excited to receive the Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector and Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation, since these two are something of cult favorites in the natural beauty community. Keep reading to find out if I thought they lived up to the hype!
Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector
The Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector has the texture of a light, slightly runny moisturizer. It smells fruity with a hint of something else I can't quite put my finger on. The scent is nice, but not at all overbearing. I've been using s902, which is recommended for fair to medium skin with neutral or pink undertones, but I think almost any skintone would be able to wear this shade. Vapour describes the Skin Perfector as, "a 3-in-1 moisturizer, primer and no-color foundation," and I think that's pretty accurate. In a lot of ways it acts like a moisturizer, but it also goes one step further and really makes your face look more polished and radiant. There's no real coverage, but it does manage to color correct minor redness and discoloration.
My favorite way to use this has been on its own, with just a little concealer in any problem areas. Stratus gives an incredibly natural finish and truly doesn't look like you're wearing makeup. To be honest, I don't notice much difference using it as a primer under liquid or cream foundation, but I've experimented with using it under mineral foundation and mixing it with my All Natural Face Cream Foundation to make more of a tinted moisturizer, and I really like using it both of these ways. That said, at $54, it's definitely on the pricier side, so I've mostly been saving it to wear on its own on light, 'no-makeup' makeup days.
Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation
I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again, but I really like my skin to look like skin. Vapour's Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation has the same lovely, light consistency and smell as the Skin Perfector, but it unfortunately hasn't worked as well for me in other ways. It feels very much like a thin moisturizer as you apply it, and it's almost as if my skin drinks up that moisture and leaves the pigment from the foundation just sitting on top of my skin. I've tried multiple ways of applying it, both with my fingers and a few different brushes, but I haven't been able to get rid of that foundation look. It's not that it looks cakey - it really doesn't - but it very noticeably looks like makeup on my skin. It's funny, because I've seen this foundation recommended, even by male bloggers, as the exact opposite. I've used it both with the Stratus Skin Perfector and on its own, with similar results. I also had minor issues with it transferring, even after being set with a powder.
In terms of colors, I feel like the shades run a bit darker than they look online. I was sent s110 (for fair skin with pink undertones), which is probably the same shade I would have chosen myself based on the photos on Vapour's website, but it's a little too dark for me. Still, even though it looks super dark on my hand, it manages to sheer out and blend into my skin fine. I would probably go down a shade if I had the option, but s110 is still completely wearable.
Illusionist Concealer
The concealer is another big hit with me! I've seen other bloggers criticize the coverage, but I really think this is a top notch product. It conceals well - be it redness, blemishes, or dark circles - but it doesn't look heavy or cakey. 010 is the perfect match for my skin and it blends in effortlessly. It's also super brightening, which definitely helps under the eyes. This is actually the first cream concealer I've found that really works under my eyes, so that alone has me extra impressed!
For application, I find I get the best results from warming it up on the back of my hand, then applying it directly from the tube to my under eye area. After that, I just gently tap it in with my fingers. It does need to be set with a powder, or else I find it shifts around a little throughout the day. My one small complaint is that it does tend to settle into the lines under my eyes about halfway through the day, but that's easy enough to fix. And, considering how much I love everything else about this concealer, it's not something that would stop me from buying it in the future.
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| (L to R) Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector in s902, Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation in s110, Illusionist Concealer in 010
The Bottom Line
There's no doubt that Vapour Beauty carries a luxury price tag, but I think most of their products are worth it. I already love the Elixir Lip Gloss, and the the primer and concealer are becoming fast favourites too! I'm a little more iffy on the foundation, but I haven't completely written it off either. (Maybe I'm applying it wrong? Feel free to jump in with any tips!) I'd recommend trying the foundation out in person if you can, or else ordering samples, before investing in the full size. As for the rest, you can play it safe with samples, but I don't think you'll be disappointed if you opt for full sizes right off the bat! |
Have you tried anything from Vapour Beauty?
Disclosure: Product provided for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review in return for free product, nor was I compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.
Have you tried applying the foundation with a sponge? I find that helps with thick foundations.
ReplyDeleteI haven't. It's actually a really thin consistency, it just doesn't look how I want it to once it's on. I'm not sure I even have sponges, but if I can find one, I'll give it a go! Thanks for the suggestion :)
DeleteYou're welcome! I would try the george's always aloe spray too and see if that helps
DeleteOh~ I'm so jealous that these work out well for you =(. The foundation just did not work well for me. The smell was just awful. Maybe I'll try them again...one day....xD Great review!
ReplyDeleteThat's so weird, all my Vapour products have such a nice, light scent! Did you buy yours direct from Vapour or somewhere else?
DeleteWow, the foundation is much darker than expected based on their swatches for sure :s. I'm sure it'll work better once this weather stops being ridiculous. I haven't tried anything but you already know I desperately want to! Thanks for the review and swatches. Xo
ReplyDeleteThat was my first reaction too, but it actually blends into my pale skin surprisingly well. I hope you're right about the weather! I really want to love the foundation too :)
DeleteI just discovered that Detox Market (on King St) sells Vapour (and lots of other tempting brands) I haven't been before, but I'm totally planning a visit now!
Even though I love the texture of the skin perfector, I find it a tad bit too shimmery for my liking. I think the sparkle particles are a bit too noticeable under the light but other than that it makes my skin so freaking smooth like what I would imagine from a primer.
ReplyDeleteI have the same issue with the foundation. Sometimes it is perfect but sometimes it looks a bit cakey that it sets into my laugh lines. I dunno maybe it's something to do with I haven't mixed up the bottle really well or something. But the performance is not consistent, if it was, it would have found my no.1 foundation that finally does not irritate my skin.
I'm not a big fan of sparkles on my face either, but I don't find the skin perfector goes on too shimmery. It's just enough to diffuse light and make you look glowy, but I don't notice big sparkles.
DeleteGlad to hear it's not just me with the foundation! I'll definitely give it a good shake next time and see if that helps :)
I had same troubles not only with the foundation but also with the skin perfector. I tried blending with fingers, damp sponge--still looked cakey/as if my skin was drier even though I knew my skin was moisturized beforehand. It was sad because I loved the feel of the products and I know that so many people and makeup artists love it, but I guess it's not for me. It may partially be my fault because I tried it in the dead of winter and when my skin was at its driest, but who knows.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it'll work for you though!!
I'm wondering if the time of year was my problem too. I haven't given up on the foundation yet, but I'm thinking of holding off for a bit until it's warmer and seeing if that makes a difference!
DeleteI haven't actually heard of this brand before but the products sound lovely, especially the concealer. Definitely a brand I'll be checking out, thanks for the great review :) x
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bowtiedbeauty.blogspot.com/
You're welcome! The concealer is probably my favorite of the three :)
DeleteInteresting review! This brand sounds kind of neat but too bad the prices are so high.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to buy anything from vapour but they are definitely a brand I like the look of, high end pacaking and a good colour selection but with natural ingredients. Great review :) x
ReplyDeleteI really want to get the Vapour Foundation but i've got lots of different testers and i'm finding the colours a bit tricky to match xx
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate...matching foundations can be such a challenge sometimes!
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