Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Sponge-on Cream Makeup Review

As soon as I found out I was on this trial I was so excited, I went straight to farmers to get colour matched, and Vanilla Shell was the perfect shade for my skin tone. They actually had quite a good range of shades for this foundation which was great. I had never tried a cream foundation before, I usually just go with the liquid so I was glad I was trialing something completely different. The packaging is so fancy! It comes in a square gold and silver compact with the Elizabeth Arden logo on the top. You open it up and there's a good sized mirror at the top and the cream foundation down the bottom, flip that up and the sponge is underneath. I find the sponge easy to use, its quite thin but it easy to hold and to apply the foundation with. The first time I used it I don't think I applied it well, I must of put too much on because I felt I was constantly dabbing my face because it felt so greasy even with powder on top. The next time I used it I tried to just apply a small amount at a time with lots of dabbing of the sponge and blending, it seemed a lot better on my face but I found my chin and around my nose still looked a bit shiny and I had to use powder again throughout the day. The coverage is really good and it seemed to stay on well. It gives my skin a nice glow which worked well at hiding my fine lines around my eyes. It didn't last all day like some foundations I have tried but as long as I carried a powder with me I could touch up parts of my face that seemed to go a bit greasy.

I’ve trialled this foundation for almost a week through rain, shine & wind and I love it. I opted for Toasty Beige which is a tad ashy but it can’t really be helped seeing the colour range available in NZ is limited. I did however manage to make it work for me - for shade reference see the tips section below.

The beautiful packaging is very typical of the Elizabeth Arden range with the mirrored compact and gold detailing and although aesthetically pleasing, it’s plastic. You can argue that it’s quite bulky but it houses a good quality mirror and a separate compartment for the sponge with holes at the base for air.

The cream gelee-like foundation has a slight floral scent which you can’t detect on the skin. In terms of application I prefer to use the sponge, I swipe/dab gently into the product and then press it into my skin. It goes on like a cream gelee and I thought it would dry down to a powder but it remains ever so slightly tacky/wet to give a radiant looking appearance. It has buildable coverage but my preference is just to lightly go all over my face because it leaves it looking healthy and natural.

My favourite thing about the foundation (aside from the finish) is that the it doesn't break down easily which is great for me since I have oily skin. I've tried the foundation with and without finishing powder and lasts a good 8 hours without any need for a touch up.

It has a steep price but when I compare it to the other foundations I use I'm getting more product that actually looks good on the skin and better functional packaging.

I usually use a liquid foundation, so this sponge on cream foundation was a very different experience for me. It definitely took a little getting used to with the application side of things. Lucky for me I was in Auckland the other week and ended up getting my makeup done at the Elizabeth Arden Boutique on Queen Street where they showed me how to apply this foundation. They also used their own brand primer underneath which definitely made a difference so I purchased that which made the makeup application free!

The packaging is a glamorous gold compact, which opens to a mirror and the cream foundation pan that also lifts up to reveal a thin, square sponge. It is a little bit fiddly to get the sponge out. Perhaps because of hygiene reasons, but the makeup artist used a brush and not the sponge to apply this - I came home and used the sponge included but ended up streaky and patchy so I blended it out with a beauty blender. I have since used a brush to spread it out and pat it in and it gives very nice and even coverage. A very radiant, airbrushed look.

Overall I love the coverage and feel of the makeup on my skin, but I think on its own it is a bit wet - in that it smudges easily onto my phone or jacket collars. It definitely needs to be set with a bit of powder. Once that is done it lasts for ages - even the biggest, sweatiest of concerts it’s still picture perfect at the end of the night - and that is definitely from experience! The medium - heavy coverage is great and doesn’t feel caked on. It’s sheer in product but heavy on coverage which is great for mature skin where wrinkles seem to be accentuated by heavy foundations but you need heavy to cover dark spots and uneven tone - it used to be a no win situation for me but now I’m winning with this one.

I’m not totally 100% on the colour range - I have been fake tanning lately so the colour was perfect for me now - but if I’m my regular pasty ‘au naturale’ self all the colours are too tan looking, even the lightest shade. I really like this foundation and hope they extend the colour range in the future because I will repurchase it, who knows maybe they’ll make a more ‘pasty’ colour range! I love that it doesn’t take up much room in my makeup bag and won’t spill!

Since I am currently just over the mid-40s, this foundation has really stood out head and shoulders above my normal foundation. I have pretty dry skin and are now showing quite a few age spots (that drives me insane).

I picked the lightest shade and this is a perfect match. This foundation applied smoothly with the supplied application sponge, does not highlight wrinkles or pores, and provides great coverage. I would prefer to use this during the winter months because of my very dry skin during colder months, during warmer seasons, I prefer to rather just use BB creams and tend to only use creme foundations at special occasions.

Admittedly, some concealer might be needed for dark spots. As for the lasting power of 12-hours as it claims - I've had it on early morning till about 9 pm and only had to do about 2-3 powder touch-ups, during the day (midday and after work).

I found that this foundation was fine for dry skin, doesn't smell. It looked pretty expensive with the gold packaging and it was easy to open and the nice gold case matched nicely. Unfortunately, I feel that the outer packing is a waste.

I used the supplied sponge and it does go on quite thick I found that I just had to dab, or tap it onto the areas I wanted to cover then blend it out – I suggest using a beauty blender to really blend it out along my nose & forehead area. I found that I could layer up more if needed.

I found that it did not cause any irritation or dried out my skin out, but have found that moisturising well is a must before using the product. I believe that the product will travel easy with no spills and great for the no liquid allowance for international travel. Love the compact look – the gold not so much.

Overall, I have to say this was one of my favourite foundations but don’t think it is totally worth investing the money for and exceeds my budget ($75), however, it is a nice to have.

I can hand on heart say I've never considered using an Elizabeth Arden foundation. For some reason I thought I'd be too young for it (40-ish, cough) and that it would be too expensive.

Price-wise? That's silly of me. My favourite foundation is a few dollars dearer.

As for not right for my age? I couldn't be more wrong. In fact I think it is perfect for someone of my age with my skin type (combination/dry).

That packaging... so luxurious. You feel fancy the moment you pick it up. I love the gold compact and the big mirror, and the way the compact that holds the sponge has holes in it so that the sponge can dry between uses.

The scent is delicious - like an expensive shampoo! Yet once on your skin it dissipates so it doesn't becoming annoying.

The product itself? This is only the second cream foundation I've used and as much as I enjoyed the previous one, this is far superior. It glides on and looks oh-so natural. To the point that I thought it wasn't doing anything. Step back from the mirror and take a good look at yourself and you'll see the difference. My skin looked radiant and glowing. But it still looked like my skin. I had to layer it up over acne and discolouration to improve coverage and it didn't patch or cling to dry bits. It lasted all day and there was no oiliness. I thought I wouldn't enjoy the sponge - but I preferred it to using my current sponge. It seemed to pick up product and blend it better.

Full coverage? Nope. Definitely more medium, but I love it for this. I don't want my face to look like a mask, I want to look like a better version of me - and this foundation achieves it.

As for recommending to a friend? If my friend was wanting to look natural, but glowing, and had the cash to spare - I absolutely would.

I really enjoyed using the Flawlesss Finish Sponge-On Cream, it was nice and smooth on my skin and left it feeling soft and not clogged up like some foundations I have used.

My husband even noticed as soon as I put it on how nice it made my skin look - so that was a bonus.

The packaging is also nice - made me feel good using it as usually I just use supermarket foundations which are pretty stock standard. I would definitely use this again.

I was incredibly fortunate to receive this foundation to trial from BR, and I'm absolutely sold on it. Before using this foundation I wouldn't have considerd spending this kind of money on a foundation, but this has changed my mind as it's so superior to any others that I've ever used.

The packaging is so glamorous and fancy looking, and very handy also having the sponge in the compact with the makeup.

I dampen the sponge that comes in the compact just a little to apply the foundation and it is the smoothest applying foundation I've ever tried, and it looks really natural on my skin but totally perfects it.

My skin looks glowing and perfecto with a medium coverage of this foundation, and it builds easily without any crustiness affect to provide full coverage.

This foundation lasts well on my skin and doesn't rub off too easily.. I completely love it and would absolutely buy it even though it's about twice the price of what I would usually spend on a foundation.. I feel that my skin has never looked better than when I'm wearing this, so to me it's worth it!

What a great product to be selected to trial. Before kids I used to use a different version of Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish on a daily basis. With children I don't have as many occasions to wear foundation so it was lovely to upgrade from the foundation I've been using of late. When I received my package I thought it looked lovely. I liked the gold and classic red door. When I opened the package I think I let out and audible gasp lol. It is such a pretty compact. The outside of the case is so glossy you could use it as a mirror (in a very tight pinch and unneeded). It feels strong and sturdy and when opened it reveals a lovely clear mirror, the creamy foundation and lower level containing the sponge. I liked the fact the sponge tray was perforated to allow airflow and felt this would be great for helping the sponge dry out if it's just been washed. The consistency was lovely and creamy, not too soft or hard and it glided onto my face like a dream. There is no particular scent to this product but it does smell pleasant. You get a very full coverage which a lot of people would love though I found myself thinning the coverage out a bit by slightly moistening my hands and sweeping over my face. I think if I was wearing foundation every day I'd be happy with that level of coverage but since I'm generally bare faced I think it was a stretch. I went to the local Elizabeth Arden counter and was colour matched to Mocha II, this colour was perfect for me. Incidentally, they were happy to colour match me even though I explained I wasn't purchasing the product, in fact I think the lady at the counter was going to sign up to beautyreview. When I wore this I noticed many more people telling me I looked good or relaxed etc but no-one seemed to know why I looked "better" so I figured this also gave the product extra points. I also noticed that it gave me a much better/finished look in photo's. I felt "secure" in this product. I didn't feel like it was going to slip off my face and lasted perfectly during the whole time I've worn it. I removed it easily with some micellar water and there was no residue. Overall, I think this is an excellent foundation and I doubt it would disappoint, I'd definitely buy this again.

This is the first time I've used anything by Elizabeth Arden, and I have already fallen in love with the product. Bling is every girls thing, you just fall in love with the package.

The cream Foundation blends in perfectly with my color skin and my skin type.

My face feels flawless and when I apply the cream foundation on my face it stays matte the whole the day through out. I don't have to keep running to the bathroom to check up on my make up.

It blends in perfectly with my skin.

I recommend you try it out you will not regret it, it is worth every cent.

A cute gold and silver and black coloured box  directions are quite hard to read, but out with the magnifying glass and all good, just hard with the shine and colour of the box, directions are: Use a damp sponge for a lighter coverage and dry for a fuller coverage. Inside this box is a shiny gold coloured doubled layer container. Bottom layer is Black with holes on the bottom where the white sponge sits ( presumably to let the sponge breath) First layer the cream foundation with a nice mirror. Nice and attractive

I wiped the dry sponge over the foundation eek it looked way to dark, I did get my right colour. I smeared this easily over my face this glided on effortlessly, I sort of got a nice smooth rhythm going with dabbing foundation on the sponge then smearing and pushing the sponge on my face to get a even coverage and to push this creamy foundation into my skin. Coverage is medium and is quite build able, it also blended effortlessly without grabbing my skin or doing the odd exfoliating job I sometimes get. Maybe the sponge stopped the flaking of skin.

Then I used it with the sponge damp, also easy to apply it went on a little lighter. Easy pesy to use.

Ok so the hard facts when I looked at my skin this foundation worked in so it looked like it became part of my skin, not just sitting on top but blended in.

Oh it’s nice not drying or caky. I did need to do top ups (but I’m talking after a hard day’s physical work) so on that note it did survive heat and sweat. Not once did I feel sticky and It felt it quite breathable. Removal a bit of cleanser and off it came.

I’d taken to using bb creams lately as I was a bit over the heavy feeling of foundations. This is nice and light with a medium coverage that made my skin glow it made me feel like I’ve got my face on I’m back on track. Made me feel like I have nice skin and with that I felt great. I would really recommend this. As it’s easy to use blends in easily with or without a primer-looks fab with or without powder over top. And importantly it didn’t sit in my lines or age my skin it gave it a little glow. I like it very much.