The Vincent Longo Water Canvas foundation had been on my wish list for a while now. I was really ecstatic to learn that Hudson’s Bay started carrying this brand in their stores, and I purchased it during Hauluary:
I purchased the Water Canvas foundation ($63 for 11.5g) in #4 Soft Amber and the corresponding Water Canvas travel Compact ($18). The Water Canvas foundation is definitely the a lot of well-known item from the Vincent Longo (VL) line and I wanted to see what the hype was all about.
I had pointed out that I didn’t have the most stellar experience when I checked out the VL counter. When the MUA was demonstrating it to me, I asked her several questions about this product that she wasn’t able to answer me definitively (she was well indicating but a bit clueless). I asked: do I need to dampen the sponge before applying? She didn’t know if it was imperative but she guessed that I could dampen the sponge. I asked: do I get a heavier coverage with a dampened or applying it dry? She wasn’t sure. All she said was: it depends how much product I pick up on the sponge. (Answers: no, you do not need to dampen the sponge. I’ve tried it with and without it dampened and it didn’t make a significant difference – a dampened sponge is a slightly a lot more sheer coverage). I also asked: how long will a compact last me? Again, she said it depends how much product I use at a time. really helpful huh?
This little refill pan costs $63
During the in-store counter application, the foundation was applied dry to my freshly rubbed skin (to remove my existing foundation with a makeup wipe – ick), which had not been prepped with any moisturizer (she did apply a bit of the VL primer). The result was that the foundation looked patchy and did cling to some dry areas. The MUA applied the foundation to my cheeks and forehead and was about to declare her job done… until I looked in the mirror and observed my nose was completely bare. I asked her to touch up the rest of my face if she could. Regardless, I did end up buying the foundation because I had seen how charming this looked in YouTube videos.
This foundation is described as:
Unique oil-free and creme-to-powder formula supplies a real skin look, feel and finish. created with a patented process and 75% microwater to hydrate and nourish skin for a healthy complexion. So light it feels like a second skin. coverage is from light to medium.
Now, having worn this and applied it myself with proper skin prep and application, I can say that this foundation is one of the most skin-like foundations I’ve ever used. It looks like I have nothing on my face when I wear this, but it cancels out redness and smooths out the skin tone amazingly well. It was honestly love at first wear!
It’s a bit of a puzzling product though. While it looks like a powder product in the pan, the texture feels like a semi-solid gel, and when applied onto the skin, it behaves like a gel-cream foundation. Application with the sponge is a breeze – I mostly use an up and down patting motion onto the skin, then I run the sponge lightly over the skin to blend. It looks seamless! Besides the included sponge, I’ve tried this foundation using a buffing brush and a appeal Blender type makeup sponge, and my preference is still with the VL sponge. It lasts very well on my skin – it doesn’t rub off easily, break down, or oxidize. I would recommend this foundation for those who want light coverage and have normal to dry or combination skin – I think those with oily skin will find this won’t control oil to their liking.
Initially I wasn’t convinced that I needed the corresponding compact but I felt the refill packaging alone was quite flimsy – I didn’t want the foundation to dry out in the pan. So I shelled out $18 for the travel compact:
The compact has a nifty locking mechanism to make sure the product remains airtight. It’s made of a heavy plastic and quite slim.
The case comes with the VL Water Canvas Sponge, which feels a lot like the sponges included with the MAC studio fix Powder compacts. The VL Water Canvas Sponge is sold separately as well, for $9 each.
The only issue I have with the case is that the sponge side doesn’t have air vents – it would be better if the sponge was allowed to air out. I typically wash the sponge after each use and let it air dry before putting it back in the case.
The shade I was matched to, #4 Soft Amber is described as “fair to light, golden undertones” on the VL site. The MUA initially tried #3 Soft beige but it was too peachy looking on my skin. I’d say Soft Amber is a respectable match – not 100%, it’s slightly too ochre on me – but considering that the formula of this foundation is sheer, it’s quite forgiving. In terms of other natural looking foundations, I would say the VL is the most skin-like in appearance, ahead of MAC’s or MUFE’s face and Body foundations.
This is what the pan looks like after wearing thisfor a few weeks:
The semi-solid gel has cracked a little – not from drying out, I think it was just the way I dug into the product with the sponge.
This foundation is expensive – a lot more than I’d typically like to pay but I will absolutely repurchase this once I’ve finished it. I do like that this product is refillable. VL also sells a Water Canvas Blush, and after my positive experience with the foundation, I’ll be putting that on my wish list!
This is a contender as my base product when I travel to Japan. and funny enough, this product is made in Japan! (even the travel case)
Pros:
• easy to apply
• travel friendly packaging
• large range of colours (16) to choose from
• looks very natural but uses good coverage
• Oil-free formula
• Fragrance-free
• Refillable
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not high oil control
Stash worthiness: 9/10
Have you tried any Vincent Longo products? What’s your much-loved foundation to take with you on a trip?
Share this:
Share
Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Like this:
Like Loading…
Related
Hudson’s Bay Beauty: Becca, Burberry & Vincent LongoI don’t even need to describe myself. I gotten makeup. Lots of it. Hudson’s Bay is Canada’s main department store – we often just call it “The Bay”. Its American equivalent would be Macy’s. It carries all the core cosmetics brands typically found in department stores: Clinique, Clarins, Shiseido, Lancome,…
January 27, 2016In “Beauty”
Hauluary 2017 – makeup and SkincareWhen I look at it all together like this, I think I got a bit carried away with makeup hauling… but when you pick up a little bit here, a little bit there, it doesn’t seem like it’s that much! 😉 I wasn’t able to go on actual Boxing Day…
January 25, 2017In “Beauty”
MAC Masterclass Oval 6 BrushI was so ecstatic in January when I finally got my grubby hands on this brush! The MAC Masterclass Oval 6 brush had been out of stock for over a year, no exaggeration! It retails for $51 CAD (ouch). despite wanting it for ages, I was quite skeptical about this brush, honestly! I…
March 24, 2016In “Beauty”