Black Radiance Color Perfect Liquid Foundation Review
Beauty Corner: Black Radiance Color Perfect Liquid Foundation Review
For those of you who follow me on instagram, you would have noticed that I do a series on fridays called Feature Fridays. This is where I do wear tests in real-time giving updates along the way, share brands, bloggers and just about anything I’m currently loving that Friday.
A few Fridays ago, I decided to take the Black Radiance Color Perfect Liquid foundation for a spin and see how well it would last against the Jamaican year-round heat.
Would it suck it in and hold up like a well-corseted 18th century maiden or would it fall flat like a terrible cabaret singer? Dun dun dun…… Only time would tell.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
The foundation is described as one formulated especially for the woman of colour (heeeey…..that’s me!) and is a full coverage, oil-free formula that enhances the natural skin tone. Never red, ashy or shiny; the foundation glides on smoothly and evenly, leaving skin looking fresh for a natural finish.
Black Radiance claims the foundation offers a creamy, long-lasting flawless finish that works well with and is ideal for all skin types.
It’s available in twelve (12) shades. But for a price point of $4.99 USD for a net weight of 1.0 fluid ounces/ 30 mls, I felt I was mature enough to give it the old try.
HOW I FOUND MY SHADE:
Since its grand launch in Jamaica a few months ago, the Black Radiance brand has notable become a widespread staple in many beauty supply stores. It seemed like foundations, mascaras, primers and lippies from the brand could be found in every Jack and Jenny shop you turn. The Black Radiance invasion was far-reaching and as usual, my interest was piqued.
So when I stopped by my regular beauty supply house and saw that they were doing shade matches and product testing at the counter, I was like “sign me up please”. I really wanted to see if they had something to offer the beautiful canvas I don daily. And although skeptical about their being only 12 shades ( I’m really getting used to this 40+ shades thing), I decided to get shade matched and see what I could find. I was matched to the shade Cashmere.
THE PACKAGING:
Simple chic seems to be the name of the game with Black Radiance when it came on to this founddation. Much like with my Colourpop No Filter foundation , there was nothing particularly noteworthy about the packaging. No cute box to display on your dresser or vanity. Not instagram-worthy cutesy design or packaging to flex with.
Just a simple clear glass container with the product name and information; which showcased the enclosed foundation shade and a standard black cover that twists on and off to seal it all in. The most interesting aspect of the foundation was that it came with a mini-spatula rather than a pump or nothingness that I’m used to from other foundation brands. The spatula applicator is used to place the foundation on the skin in little dots on different areas. Now that is a new experience.
APPLICATION:
The foundation is thin with a liquid consistency. Just a toops (smidge/little) too runny. It is advised that you shake well before use ( shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it. Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it. Shake it like a Polaroid picture!) Then dot sparingly over the entire face and use fingers or a sponge to blend for even coverage. And this is almost exactly what I did. I shook a little, dotted a lot then blended with my ride or die flat-topped kabuki brush because you ain’t gonna catch me slipping using my hands or a sponge. No siree bob. Not I !!!
*Just a little note to my beauty buds out there. The foundation dries fairly quickly so you have to be mindful while blending.
MY REVIEW:
True to word, it really felt great on the skin. Not too heavy or bogged down by the sheer feel of foundation on my skin. Not only that it looked great too. Scratch that, it looked pretty damn flawless. It felt like it melted and blended really seamlessly and intricately into my skin. I was like ‘damn girl you looking fine’.
I think the use of a spatula to apply the product was one of my favourite things about this product. It made things so easy. You didn’t have to worry about too much product coming out. Just a dollop here and a dollop there, then blend like there’s no tomorrow. I honestly believe the spatula added to the overall flawlessness of the foundation.
However, I found the product to be more of a medium coverage build-able rather than full coverage as claimed. On initial application of the product, I was still able to see some of my more stubborn acne/hyperpigmentation scars but with a little more application, they were much less visible.
Another drawback about this foundation is that it isn’t really long-lasting. It lasts at most 4-5 hours on a good day with a good primer. After I few hours it looked a little worn and my oils were like blinkers pointing the way home. And suddenly it’s allow me to introduce Moonie the shiny faced reindeer. (PS Rudolf let me learn to fly and it’s on like donkey Kong).
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
This is a pretty good budget buy foundation for dark skin lovelies like myself. Is it the most perfect foundation ever for my glow nation gals, keeping the shine away all day and all night? No but will it leave you looking fly and flawless as a mofo? Yes. Yes it will.
This a foundation that I would recommend especially to makeup newbies who are looking for a great product to learn with that won’t require you to sell a sliver of your liver in order to buy it.
Now if only they would expand the shade range…… Hmmm…….. I wonder.
OVERALL RATING: 7/ 10
HOW ABOUT YOU? HAVE YOU TRIED THE BLACK RADIANCE COLOR PERFECT FOUNDATION YET? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!