December 30, 2011

Mally Ultimate Performance Liquid Foundation in Medium -- swatches, before & after, pics, review. Plus a Mally FOTD

Hello, Beautiful!

I love almost everything Mally makes and for as long as I've known about her brand I've wanted a liquid foundation from her. I was so excited to see her new Ultimate Performance Liquid Foundation (which QVC lists as her Ultimate Performance Full Coverage Foundation... which will confuse people looking for this because that's what her cream foundation is named on their website too; but that's another issue).

This foundation aired on QVC December 9th and sold out the same day, before the day was even over (I think it sold out around 3 or 4pm Eastern Time; could have been earlier). I ordered this foundation without ever seeing a presentation or reading the description. I just (very quickly, because I was too excited) selected Medium as my shade and purchased it, then I went back to read about it and later in the day checked out the online video of this foundation presentation on QVC. I kept stalking my mail lady, hoping it would arrive, and once it did I immediately ripped over the box and began testing it out without taking photos first (which is a no-no for me; I prefer to photograph a new item before I ever use it). What did I think of it? Did it live up to all the excitement I had for it? You'll have to read my review at the end of this post. Plus, I've included a Mally Beauty FOTD using all Mally Beauty products (except for my brows).

Check out my pics, swatches, stats and review...

Mally Ultimate Performance Liquid Foundation
Shade: Medium




 



 










Mally Ultimate Performance Liquid Foundation
Before & Afters...








Here are all three Before & Afters in one pic for easier comparison; click to view it larger.




Basic stats for Mally Ultimate Performance Liquid Foundation:
Formula: liquid
Coverage: medium buildable
Wear: average to above average
Shade Info: offered in Fair, Light, Medium, Tan or Rich
Cost/Availability: $40 (1 fl oz full size). Available on QVC's website.
Packaging: rounded tube; pull-off cap; pump-top dispenser
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses


Formula:
This is Mally's first liquid foundation and I feel it lives up to her product line expectations, although I honestly think the formula has room for improvement. I don't know too much about the formulation because QVC doesn't list a whole lot of info on their website, but by looking at the ingredients I can tell you this is a silicone (cyclopentasiloxane) and water based foundation.

Coverage:
Medium buildable coverage; it's not "complete coverage" as listed on QVC's website -- but a lot of foundations in regular markets are not complete coverage that claim to be. There are few that are like that; I only own one that truly lives up to that complete coverage title (Illuminare Extra Coverage Foundation -- which I seriously need to re-review for you all, including a before & after). I wouldn't necessarily call this full coverage either, but for many it may be the full coverage they've been looking for. For gals like me, who have lots of flaws to cover, you'll still need to pair this with a concealer and possibly build the coverage in areas of concern.


Wear:
Average to above average wear, depending on your skin type and how you choose to set your foundation. More details on how it lasted on me in my review.


Shade Info:
Offered in Fair, Light, Medium, Tan or Rich. I chose the shade Medium, which is what I always choose with Mally's products. It works well on me, although I feel it may be just a little darker than her typical Medium shades.


Cost/Availability:
$40 (1 fl oz full size). Available on QVC's website. Although at the time I wrote this article it was completely sold out. I'm sure QVC will bring more in soon.


Packaging:
Pink rounded tube with pull-off cap. There is a pump-top dispenser, which actually seems a little low-quality because it can turn and turn and turn without ever locking in place or anything -- and it also splatters the product when you pump it out the first time of each use. I somehow got a splatter of this foundation on my studio lights and I have no idea how it happened! It's not something that bothers me too much, but I would expect a lot more from a Mally product; maybe I just got one with bad packaging. I find that problem is going away the more I use it.


Mally Ultimate Performance Liquid Foundation Review:
I was really excited to try this out so I couldn't wait to open the box and start applying it. I usually always take photos first, then test a product, but I did the opposite with this because I was too excited. I first applied this using the method Mally recommends, which is taking it and rubbing it in between your fingers, then applying it to your face.

I felt that method went on nicely; it blended into my skin like a dream but it felt a big oily going on. I also really don't like to use fingertip application unless I don't have a brush or sponge with me. But I knew I had to test that application method at least once. It took awhile to dry/set on my face, noticeably longer than other liquid foundations I use, but it did dry down eventually. After it dried down (maybe around 10 minutes later) I applied Mally's Evercolor Poreless Face Defender - Solid and went out for some errands to test this foundation in the real world.

It lasted through my errands perfectly, but they only took about 3 or 4 hours total. When I went to check on how it looked at the 8 hour mark it had faded, but it didn't fade in the typical way a foundation fades on me. It's hard to explain, but foundations can break down on my face and look really odd -- clumpy almost, or gathered weird. Do you know what I mean? This foundation faded in a way that it looked like I just had on a lighter coverage foundation, if that makes sense. It didn't look crazy or odd; it still looked normal but my flaws were more visible.

While it does cover a lot of my flaws, making it fall into the full coverage category for most people with normal skin, it didn't cover them all and I still needed to use a concealer. To me, a "complete coverage" foundation means you don't need a concealer and like I mentioned, I only have one foundation like that (Illuminare's Extra Coverage Foundation) and actually Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation is close to being complete coverage even for my flawed skin. But given all that, it does offer decent coverage.

I have to say that I do NOT like the fingertip application method which Mally recommends. Maybe it's because I have oily skin (although it's combo oily/dry in the winter), but that application method really is not best for me; it may work wonderfully for you though. I used this foundation three ways: fingertips, Beauty Blender Pure, and using my favorite brush for applying liquid foundations - my e.l.f. Cosmetics Studio Powder Brush.

Using the Beauty Blender Pure sponge worked nicely and I guess the only complaint was I felt I needed to use more product when I used that method, including building the coverage a lot more than I did using my fingers or the brush.

However, using the e.l.f. Cosmetics Studio Powder Brush (which is a flat-top brush) gave me the best results -- both immediately and long term. The foundation dried down a LOT quicker. It felt dry to the touch after just a couple minutes, as opposed to nearly 10 minutes I waited using fingertip application. It also lasted longer on my face, which my only guess would be due to the fact my fingers weren't touching my face --- your fingers will transfer oils on your face and can mess with your makeup and break down the formula (which I why I never prefer fingertip application). Once I used the brush application method I fell in love with the foundation. At the 8 hour mark it looked just as good as when I had first applied it; barely any fading whatsoever.

Of course depending on your skin type and application method will depend on how this foundation wears on you.

I did one final test with this foundation (before writing this blog post) and that was most recently at the Jason Mraz concert. I applied this foundation around 1:45pm initially, pairing it with Mally's Cancellation Conditioning Concealer for all my flaws and Mally's Cancellation Concealer System for under my eyes (old pics linked on that post; I have updated pics, including a photo tutorial, coming soon). Then I set my makeup with a few mists of Skindinavia's Makeup Finishing Spray, and a few minutes later added another layer of insurance on top using a very light dusting of Mally's Poreless Perfection Tinted Skin Finisher in Medium. I had planned to re-do my makeup before the concert anyway, because I knew the meet & greet was after and I didn't want my makeup to be gone by the photo opportunity. However, at 6:00pm when I looked in the mirror my face looked just the way it did when I first applied my makeup. Still, I didn't trust myself and re-did my makeup. Quickly taking it off and re-applying in the car on the way to the concert (my husband was driving). I did the same steps and my face looked good (not as good as when I took my time first applying it, but good for applying it in a moving car in the dark, using a cell phone as your light, lol). The concert was great; being front row meant lots of hot lights shined directly in my face (something I wasn't factoring into this whole thing). I could feel my face getting hot and I was worried my makeup was melting away. By the time the concert was over and we got in line for the meet & greet it was nearly 10:30pm. By the time I got up there to take a photo it was almost 11:15pm. I had no clue how I looked because I never checked a mirror before the photo; I just relied on the nice women I had made friends with at the concert (they sat next to me). I got the photos back and my makeup looks pretty good for lasting over 5 hours in hot lights, dancing, singing, etc. I was really happy with this foundation after that.

Overall I think this is a nice foundation, but I think it's one that will be custom to each person... meaning you'll have to find your perfect application method and if you need a setting spray/powder/etc. I would definitely suggest trying multiple methods before you decide it doesn't work for you. Even if you try one method and love it you should try other methods because you may find an even better way to use this.


Mally Beauty FOTD
All products used on my face are by Mally Beauty, except my brows (I used Smashbox Brow Tech in Brunette).

PRODUCTS USED:




Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this foundation? Did you order this or do you plan to order this once it becomes in stock? Discuss in the comments below.



7 comments:

  1. Wow this was an amazing review. I've only heard of Mally Beauty products and have never tried them. This makes me want to the foundation! Thanks! :D

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  2. Im so glad you reviewed this. I really dislike foundation, I don't even own any. I just can't stand the way it feels on my face. I liked how you said it was a watery type medium coverage, but then you peppered the word oily around so Im not sure. All I need to do is cover the ever present zits on my chin and my face looks well enough I guess. I agree that the finger method doesn't look the best and the germs would be a problem. Your FOTD looks beautiful and I think I might just cave and get the poreless defender already:)

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  3. @ drinkcitra: You should definitely try out Mally's products. They are some of the best I've used and not too pricey -- especially when you buy her kits offered on QVC or on her website. I was hesitant to buy them at first because QVC was the only place I knew of them, but I'm glad I took the plunge. Now I have a nice growing Mally collection :)


    @ sunnydee130: This foundation is nice; I've been using it more than I thought I would. It's still not the greatest coverage, but this combined with her Cancellation Conditioning Concealer (not the one in the FOTD), and I have great skin. And yes, the Face Defender is awesome! I am still amazed at how well it works!! :)

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  4. The picture of you smiling is gorgeous! More FOTD please! As far as Mally goes, I really wish I could try her products but I am a teenage girl with nooo money. hopefully someday I can! :)

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  5. @ Jacobi: Aw, thanks girl! In 2012 I plan to add a lot more content to the blog... more FOTD, tutorials, helpful tips, etc. If there is anything specific you want to see just let me know! And yup, one day you'll have your own money and will be able to buy all the makeup you desire (after bills are paid, of course, lol). I started working when I was 14 so I could have some extra money to spend on things like makeup :)

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  6. I like the effect on you and I think this foundation performs well. I love last photos of your full make-up and I'm looking forward to see more of them in future because you look insanely good

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  7. @ MissDoll: Awww, thanks! :) You just made my day!

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