Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation

My first impressions of this foundation were; that is has great quality packaging (the locking pump is a bonus), lovely colour (mine was the shade Pine), and slightly strange smell! I don’t mind the smell at all now after using it, as I think it is the sunblock, and the smell disappears quickly. I love knowing that it is providing another layer of sun protection.

When I first tried the foundation, I used it over a moisturiser which contains oil, and I found that it separated slightly over the day. I found that using either a primer, or water-based moisturiser worked better with this foundation. I have some wrinkles around my eyes and forehead, which I was worried about the product settling into, but that wasn’t a problem at all.

Using just one pump is the perfect amount for me. One pump is enough to even up my skin tone completely and give the radiant finish, while not making me feel as though I have a cake face! When I used more than one pump, I found that the finish was less radiant, and I felt like it looked unnatural. Using only one pump suits me fine, as the coverage is great, and the bottle will last longer!

I will use this foundation for nights out, and when I am wearing more makeup, as it is more coverage than I would wear during the day. I will also wear it if I know I am going to be in photos, as I think it looks really good in photos – maybe even better than in real life! My favourite product to use with this foundation was the Benefit liquid bronzer. Using the liquid bronzer kept the radiant look nicely and blended in really well.

My only one issue with this foundation is that I found it transferred onto clothes very easily. Maybe using a setting powder would help, but I am not a fan of the feeling of powder all over so I haven’t tried!

I liked that the bottle had a twist top pump (that locked) and no cap, as I often loose caps and end up with a mess in my cosmetic bag. The SPF 30 was a definite plus for me, much higher than other foundations I've used in the past. I enjoyed the buildable coverage and easy blending of the foundation, it left my skin looking smooth and flawless, visibly reducing the appearance of my fine lines. The staying power was amazing and I didn't need to touch up during the day. One thing I did notice, due to the semi matte finish,was that the fine hairs on my skin were more visible. I did however, get good comments from friends about my skin when wearing this foundation and that's always a good indication of a great foundation! I would recommend this to others.

I’m a Shiseido fan from way back (those beauty cakes xxx), so was pretty excited to be chosen for this trial. The product comes in a nice glass bottle with a pump for application that you can turn off or on by twisting the lid. The consistency is quite liquidy and the instructions say be liberal with application, so I did. I tried two types of application methods. 1. my fingers; products went on relatively smoothly, needed a bit of blending but acceptable. 2. facial brush; My preferred application method, the product went on really nice and blending was easy. The blurb said it would be full coverage, yes it is and it stayed on nicely throughout the day, however, I did use primer on some days and it definitely lasted longer. I also tried some setting powder but found it didn't really need it. My skin looked fresh (uplifted maybe?) and it felt very light which I liked. This product is a definite fav, and although the price tag at $79 might sound high, I think it's a superior high-end product and worth splashing out the dollars to get something of this quality. I really enjoyed using it and would definitely purchase it in the future.

I've never tried a Shiseido foundation before, in fact I can't recall using the brand before. I've been pleasantly surprised by the experience!

The bottle is of a great quality, with a cool little dispenser top. There was quite a good shade selection for light to medium skin tones - I found my match with shade 230.

I found it easy to apply, I tried using a brush, blender and my fingers, all worked as well as the other. I prefer my fingers mostly out of laziness!

It spreads well and evenly and the coverage is buildable. I tend to opt for a medium coverage during the day, building up to full for a night out. I played around with this and building a couple of layers still left my skin feeling natural and nice.

This has a dewy, glow finish, its really pretty and doesn't exacerbate my slightly oily t-zone.

It's definitely lightweight, and wears well through the day, with no transfer onto clothing.

I didn't notice any firming effects, but otherwise, totally does what it says and would be open to repurchasing - or trying more from Shiseido!

I love Shiseido foundations. Was devastated when they discontinued their beauty cake.

This synchro skin radiant lifting foundation wasn't one I'd heard about and eager to find a replacement for their beauty cake, I was excited to get on this trial.

My skin type: I'm in the 40-something age group, with some fine lines, a couple of deeper forehead creases, reasonably even skin tone but with some red areas and pigmentation.

The bottle is fabulous. It's a pump dispenser, with a twist lid to open/close. It doesn't dispense too much product with one pump. One pump was plenty for the coverage I wanted, but note that this foundation is buildable too. It says to shake it before use and I'd recommend this as my first application (and I didn't shake it) was quite a matte look, however, when I shook it first, I got a more luminous/radiant finish.

The foundation is quite light weight when dispensing, but when applying it has what I'd consider a more full coverage. One single application concealed redness, pigmentation and even took care of dark circles. I tried applying with a brush and beauty blender and preferred the more natural look with the brush. Beauty blender tended to give that more full coverage look. As the day progresses I found the foundation settled a little, and looked more natural, than the heavy finish at the start of the day. If I went a little too heavy handed I did find that the foundation settled into my deeper forehead wrinkles, but that seems a normal experience with most foundations I've used. It didn't dry my skin too much, and seemed to last the day reasonably well. Some of my pigmentation started coming through towards the end of the day. Unlike some full coverage foundations I didn't feel my skin was too tight or overly dry at the end of the day, but I did prefer to take my makeup off as soon as I could end of the day - so maybe not as hydrating as I'm used to with other foundations. The Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation however was definitely A LOT more hydrating than their much loved beauty cake, with the same kind of coverage!

I did find the foundation felt better through the day with a primer under it, usually using my hydrating primer. It probably helped with staying power also through the day.

All in all I really liked this foundation. It's definitely in that medium/full camp for coverage, so not for those that want a really light application, unless you tried maybe mixing with a serum perhaps.

It looks like it would last a really long time too given how little you need for amazing coverage.

All in all, a fantastic foundation that I'll continue using

Loved this foundation!!! It’s creamy and gives a medium to full coverage on my skin without any caking. The coverage is great and more importantly it’s long lasting too. What I love is that it is dewy but not shiney.

I tried applying with a sponge and my fingers and preferred using my fingers.

Would I buy it?? Yes I most definitely would......if the rrp was not $79!!!

I am really impressed with this foundation. I haven't used a Shiseido foundation for quite some time. This one is in a really nice and stylish pump bottle and looks high end.

I got the ivory colour and it blends well into my fair skin. The formula is lovely. It's lightweight but coverage is very good. Although it covers blemishes well and looks great, it doesnt feel heavy and thick like some other foundations.

My skin is sensitive but I have been absolutely fine with this foundation. It actually makes my skin feel nourished and mositurised and leaves a lovely natural finish.

I like the pump, which is hygenic and easy to use.

A great foundation!

I loved this trial - thanks BR!

This foundation is lightweight but offers medium to full coverage. I found this easiest to apply with a beauty blender sponge, and it is really buildable. You can layer this up to your desired coverage - it doesn't go patchy or heavy, its a very smooth formula, that I found very hydrating too.

I love the illuminating finish - it's not super-glowy, but the perfect natural radiant finish.

I found the shade range a bit limited - there are lots of very-pale to mid shades, but it would definitely benefit from more darker tones to cater for everyone.

The packaging is fantastic - the dispenser top makes applying a controlled amount easy and clean. And its handbag-proof, you won't get leaks with this! I think this is a great foundation that can go toe-to-toe with the other high end brands!

Um, Beauty Review? I think you've just found me a new holy grail foundation.

Previous to this my favourite was the L'Oreal Pro Glow (now discontinued) and I was terrified I would be left high and dry once the last tubes of it ran out. Since receiving the Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation, I've not been tempted to reach for Pro Glow once.

First of all, the packaging is luxe. A glass bottle with a really nice pump that delivers just the right amount (one pump). It's a thicker formula than I'm used to, but it blends out beautifully - seamlessly, even, and has radiance, but not too much.

The last year has seen deeper wrinkles form on my face (surprise, surprise) and I'd found that foundations tended to sink into the lines. This one did not AT ALL. I'm amazed.

It worked beautifully with my Becca primer, and my Good Molecules moisturising primer. The only hiccup I had was when I used it on top of the La Roche Posay sunscreen, and it went a bit odd. I managed to blend it out, but it didn't feel as good on my skin. The foundation has SPF in it, so perhaps it didn't like being mixed with another SPF?

All in all though, this is my new go to. It sits beautifully on my skin, lasts all day, I swear it blurs imperfections, and it's buildable. The price is up there, but due to needing so little it's worth it.

Highly and hugely recommend.

Wow! Great even coverage at last. High quality bottle with twist top dispenser. Even though the shade I chose was way lighter than anticipated, I tried it anyway just to see what the product can offer.

I love this product and will definitely purchase a shade thay suits my skin tone better. It glides on easily, blends like a dream and lasts the entire day. I had to wash my face well to get all of the foundation off.

This is quality at its best. Didn't dry my skin, didn't flake.or become blotchy during the day. LOVE IT! Thank you for the opportunity to test this great product.