The Face Shop Ink Lasting: Is Korea’s favorite new foundation worth the hype?
Guess what my favorite lip tint, eyebrow pencil, and vitamin C serum have in common? They’re all from K-Beauty brands that I’ve discovered over the past few years! No doubt about it, I’m a fan of how a lot of Asian Beauty (AB) products fit my needs and deliver results, at very decent price points. Even then, my go-to foundation products came from Western and local brands. I dislike being biased, but I generally find K-Beauty foundations to have limited shade selections, unflattering cool undertones (at least on me), and “dewy” finishes that make my face look like a major oil slick.
I never thought I’d ever like a K-Beauty foundation until I tried The Face Shop’s Ink Lasting Foundation Slim Fit with SPF 30 PA ++ (P1,195 for 30mL). I initially thought it was a little too good to be true because it promised everything I look for in my everyday foundation: buildable coverage, natural finish, long wear, and decent SPF, all in a hygienic airless pump bottle! BUT IT TRULY DOES DELIVER.
I found a good match with shade N203, the darkest of the five available shades (for reference, I use MAC NC25-30). It was an almost perfect shade match upon application, just a tad warmer than my actual skin tone. Through the day, it oxidized a shade or two darker, but I didn’t mind as I much prefer that my foundation errs on the dark side rather than light. I also really like that when it sets, it stays ON. Even if I don’t use a face primer! I feel like it works best for normal skin, but with proper prep (additional moisturizer on dry patches, and setting powder on my T-zone), I’m able to make it work for my combination skin. No wonder this foundation won the 2017 Best Foundation Award from Glow Pick, Korea’s leading beauty consumer awards body!
Available in 5 shades: V103, V201, V203, N201, and N203
When I heard that TFS made the same foundation available in compact form, I was more than intrigued. I love the sanitary packaging afforded by the glass bottle with airless pump, but if I had to pack my travel kikay kit, this definitely will not fly. I had an inkling they would go with a cushion format, but I puzzled at how its hygienic quality would translate.
The Face Shop Ink Lasting Slim Fit To Go (P1,495 for 15g, P750 for 15g refill) may look like your typical cushion compact with rubicell puff, but the re-engineered delivery system addresses my hygiene issues with cushion makeup. Instead of having a hinged cover to separate product from applicator, just enough product is dispensed each time the cover is depressed. This limits the air exposure of the liquid product, preventing premature spoilage and inhibiting bacterial growth.
This is a big step up from its predecessor, packaging-wise, but does it perform as well as the original formula? How different would it look when applied with its rubicell puff instead of my preferred foundation brush and blender sponge?
The foundation alone covers up all my blemishes - no concealer needed!
Long story short, I needn’t have worried. It has the same original formula with sun protection that I love, just in an upgraded travel-friendly compact. The included puff actually makes application a breeze. One layer is enough to remove redness, even out my skin tone, and mask dark spots. I don’t even use a separate concealer anymore; I just spot-conceal using the foundation and leave it on a bit longer before blending with a concealer brush for a more polished look. I love the natural demi-matte finish, and I’ve gotten so many compliments on my “healthy-looking” skin! Even Liz told me that I didn’t look sick, a day after I battled stomach flu, and staying power remains a good 6 to 8 hours.
The only downside I could think of is the shade selection. I have a light to medium skin tone, which is typically midrange in the foundation spectrum, but my best fit is already the darkest shade available. Since it gives medium to heavy coverage, it would look really off if you get the wrong shade, so make sure to try it on properly in-store before making that purchase!
So, which one should you get? The original foundation in a bottle comes out cheaper at P39.83 per mL. The actual cushion with case costs a steep P99.67 per mL, and even if you get the cushion refill, it’s still P53 per mL! However, you need to consider your makeup usage: the bottle is best if you only apply makeup at home, but if you’re always on the go or need to retouch, the cushion packaging makes more sense. You also don’t need to have separate beauty tools as the provided sponge works just fine.
It might seem pricey at first, but IMHO this foundation is a steal! I see it as a 2-in-1 product, since I use it as concealer as well. The bottle should last me for a long time since I only use a maximum of 2 pumps per application. I think the quality, additional sun protection, and overall product performance is at par with high-end counterparts. I also love that it comes in two different forms, which I both enjoy, and I think that the way they made it into a more compact form was very smart. I do wish that The Face Shop would add more shades though, and adapt the formula to different skin types similar to what they did to their CC cushion line.
Have you tried TFS Ink Lasting Slim Fit Foundation? Which appeals to you more, the classic bottle or the travel-friendly compact? Have you tried other base product from The Face Shop
TFS Ink Lasting Slim Fit Foundation SPF 30 PA++ - N203 Natural Beige ingredients:
Purified Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Methyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, SD Alcohol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Talc, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hydroxyproline, Magnesium Sulfate, 1,2-Hexandiol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Palmitoyl Proline, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Magnesium Palmitoyl Glutamate, Palmitic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Mica, Tin Oxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Red Oxide of Iron, Yellow Oxide of Iron, Black Oxide of Iron
