Vichy Dermablend Makeup Review

Vichy is one of my favourite French beauty brands because their products work well especially with problematic skin. I have tonnes of reviews of Vichy on the blog and I am yet to be disappointed by any of their products. Their Dermablend range is a popular one mainly because it offers incredible coverage and does not aggravate the skin at all. If you have sensitive skin, rosacea, scarring or acne/blemish prone skin, Dermablend has something for the skin. I tried the Dermablend range back in 2015 and I really loved the coverage because it worked so well with blemish prone skin (along with my acne hyper pigmentation). I don't need to use a concealer whenever I use a Dermablend Foundation because it offers amazing coverage. The coverage from the Dermablend products can even hide tattoos, vitiligo and skin discolorations. The best part is that the Dermablend range is non-comedogenic so there's no cause to worry about clogged pores and skin issues. They recently launched a few more shades within their Dermablend foundation and revamped/relaunched products including the Dermablend SOS Concealer/Cover Stick* and the Dermablend Cover Matte Compact Powder Foundation*. I was very kindly sent some products from the Dermablend range and I am so excited to share my thoughts with you.

Packaging
Vichy Dermablend packaging is simple and practical which is always the best combination in my opinion. The foundation comes in either a black tube or a white tube. I had the black tube the last time and I do prefer it to the white tube because it gets less messy. I love the packaging of the new Covermatte compact powder foundation as it looks so classy and perfect for my makeup bag. I also love the SOS concealer packaging as it is very portable and travel friendly. The Setting Powder is also travel friendly and I love the powder puff it comes with.




Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation* // Link //£20 (currently on offer for £15)
I already reviewed the Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation here but I think my experience this time around has slightly improved. It is described as a high coverage foundation with a natural fresh feeling and I completely agree. The shade I chose is Bronze 55 however it is not a perfect match for my skin. Last time, I had shade 45(too light and beige) and shade 65 Coffee (slightly dark) and they were not the best match for my complexions. I can manipulate Bronze 55 to match my skin which is great. This can be done with either Darkening Drops (the Body Shop Drops are great) or any slightly darker foundation or powder. I am not a fan of mixing or manipulating foundations but the Dermablend is pretty special because the formula works really well for my skin. It offers a good high coverage finish to my skin but it does not feel heavy or cakey. I find that many full coverage foundations give the skin that awful cakey finish and I am so glad this does not happen with the Dermablend. I love that this foundation is buildable so you can start with a light hand and then build it up as you wish. It blends out really easily without dragging across my skin because it has a demi matte finish. This is my favourite finish and I rarely need to powder because it sets really nicely on its own. I have to say it has a pretty decent wear time and I don't need to do too much of touch ups through the day.




Vichy claim that it has a 16 hour wear time and I feel this may be true but the longest I have ever worn it would be 10 hours and it still looked amazing. If you have combination or oily skin, you would absolutely adore this foundation. If you have dry skin, I believe you would equally love it as far as you moisturise properly. There are only 11 shades at the moment which is a slight improvement to the number of shades they previously had. I believe Vichy is still working on expanding their shade range which would be amazing and I may perhaps find my perfect shade. I did see that there was a new shade 60 Amber which I am going to be picking up soon. Initially, I thought it would be too dark for me from the Press release but since Bronze 55 is slightly too light for me (and not warm enough as well), I think shade 60 Amber may be better. Despite shade 55 Bronze being slightly light for me in the foundation, it is the perfect shade for me in the Cover Matte Powder and SOS Cover Stick.




Dermablend SOS Concealer/Cover Stick* // Link //£15 
I had never heard of this product prior to receiving it but I was curious about it because I am totally loving concealer these days. Vichy describes it as an exceptionally high coverage and long lasting concealer with up to 16 hour wear. It looks quite small but I love it because it is very travel friendly and makeup bag friendly. It is the size of a regular lipstick and it is one of my favourite products from the Dermablend range. It is the perfect size for concealing my under eye. The shade I have is Bronze 55 which is surprisingly a great shade for concealing my under eye. It is perfect for hiding any dark circles and highlighting the under eye area. I knew it was a cream stick concealer so I was concerned about it shifting which is my experience with many cream stick concealers. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it did not happen at all.




First off, it has the loveliest creamy texture which glides on like a dream around my under eye areas. It's the perfect size to reach all crevices of my under eye. I absolutely love it and it does not feel heavy at all on application and when it sets. Blending it out is actually one of my favourite things to do because it just sinks right in with a few wipes. It blends out easily with a variety of tools including my Real Techniques Setting Brush and Beauty Blenders. I have noticed very, very minimal creasing and I only noticed because I am always looking out for it. If you have a drier under eye area or maybe fine lines, you will notice some slightly creasing where the product sinks in. However, if you apply it lightly (better with a brush rather than straight from the bullet), you will get less creasing. It is currently one of my top concealers and I can't get enough of it. I have not tried it on my blemishes because the foundation usually covers it all but I can already tell that it will be perfect. If you only had £15 to spend on the range, I will highly recommend giving this a try.




Dermablend Cover Matte Compact Foundation* //Link //£20
I was very excited to try out this powder because I loved the design of the product.Vichy describes it as a formidable high coverage and colour corrector in a compact foundation form. I am not one to use only a powder foundation because it takes a longer time to apply (thanks to the naughty hyper pigmentation on my cheeks). I prefer using a liquid or worst case cream foundation because it is quicker and easier to work with in my own opinion. However, I love to use powders to set my foundation and for touch ups. I love the packaging and it comes with a little puff inside for quick touch ups. Of course, I rarely use the puff as I prefer to use my mini powder brush which stays in my makeup bag.




My shade is Bronze 55 which I opt for when I use other foundations that perfectly match my skin. I don't need to use it when I use the Dermablend Foundation because it has a perfect demi matte finish on its own. I have recently been using it with the Fenty Beauty Foundation and it is pure perfection. It keeps my face matte for such a long period and my T-zones rarely goes shiny.  If you are not into wearing liquid foundations especially on an everyday basis but you still want some coverage, I will highly recommend giving this a try.



Dermablend Setting Powder* // Link //£20
Again, I have briefly reviewed this product in this post here and I still feel the same way about the product. It comes in a lovely tub as it is a loose powder. I do have to say it is one of my less messy loose powders and that's why it is one of my favourites. I love that it has a powder puff (which is quite handy) and an adhesive stopper to prevent excess powder from making a mess in the tub (especially when travelling). It can be used to set your foundation, as an all over powder or to set the under eye area. I tend to use it all over my face on days when I want to remain matte for a long time or when I am using a dewy foundation. It keeps my face matte without the cakey and flat look.


I use it either under my foundation or over my foundation to ensure my face still looks put together even after a long time. For my under eyes, I pick up some product and tap off the excess before applying to prevent any powder settling under my eye. As an all over powder, I tend to go really lightly and usually tap around my T-zone areas. It is meant to be a universal shade and I have not noticed any flashbacks or ashiness with it. However, I am not sure what it would look like on very dark skin. From my experience, it has been great and long wearing.


Where to Buy
The Vichy Dermablend range can be purchased from the Vichy website and other retailers including Escentual, Boots, Feel Unique, Dermacentre, etc. Escentual currently have (at the time of publishing) an up to 1/3rd offer off all French brands including Vichy. This is an amazing time to get stocked up on the Dermablend range.



Overall Thoughts
I am happy that the Dermablend range still lives up to my expectations and even surpassed it especially with the performance of the SOS Concealer/Cover Stick. If you have any skin issues, I will highly recommend checking out Vichy Dermablend range. I am really hoping they expand their range soon as I know quite a few people who suffer from skin discolourations would love to try this range. I will be watching out for updates on new shade launches and I will keep you informed. Have you tried the Dermablend range?
*PR Sample + Affiliate Links used, read my full disclaimer here

Vichy Idealia Peeling Review

I recently took a nice look at my skincare stash and I realised that some of my top skincare products are from French brands. I have Lancome, La Roche Posay, Vichy, etc!! They just work so well on my skin and I am always excited whenever there is a new launch. Last month, I was very kindly invited to the Vichy UK launch of some new products for 2017. I  was very excited because I've had great experiences with all the Vichy products I have tried including the Dermablend, Normaderm, Idealia and Aqualia ranges. The event was held in the gorgeous Charlotte Street Hotel in Central London and I learnt a lot listening to all the skincare experts and brand representatives. I was sent away with a lovely goody bag of the newly launched Vichy Idealia Peeling* and Slow Age* alongside other keepsakes. It's been a good month since I got these products and I wanted to share my thoughts on them. For today, I will be talking about the Vichy Idealia Peeling and I will talk about the Slow Age in my next post.


Brief overview of the Vichy Idealia Peeling
Vichy describe the Idealia Peeling as a unique water-light formula with the power of a serum to refine pores, improve the skin texture and smooth fine lines in just four weeks. The gentle peeling action acts to create the long term radiance and improve the skin's quality day by day. Of course, I was naturally intrigued by this description and I couldn't wait to try it out. I started using it the same day it came home with me and it's now a part of my skincare routine. Vichy specifically designed the Idealia Peeling for the busy woman who is juggling everything from work, school, family, career, life, fun, etc.  I know many women fit into this category. I am currently juggling my career in hospital pharmacy, professional exams, family/loved ones, friends, social life, my blog, etc and the last thing I need is extra stress which usually first shows up with telltale signs on my skin. Living in London (or in any city) is already a stress factor so taking care of my skin by adopting healthy habits and using amazing products is a must for me. The Vichy Idealia Peeling promises to tackle exhausted skin and restore the skin's optimum glow.  You can see why I was really looking to full try out this Vichy Idealia Peeling.


Packaging 
Of course, I won't skip talking about this gorgeous dark red glass bottle!! I don't think my pictures fully capture how beautiful the Idealia packaging is. It looks so stunning on my dresser. I usually leave my toners in my bathroom but the Vichy Idealia Peeling sits pretty on my dresser. It's a sturdy glass bottle which means it is not ideal for travelling but the lid does fit securely so if you did travel with it, there won't be any spillages. I love the red and white colour scheme. Although it looks quite opaque, you can still see how much product you have left which I am pleased about. I have used some amazing products which have just surprisingly finished on me without any warning. However, I can keep an eye on my Idealia Peeling to know when I am running low and it is due for a repurchase. I am already half way through the bottle which goes to show how much I adore it and I will be repurchasing.


Ingredients
During the launch,  I was really pleased to see that the Idealia Peeling had 4% Glycolic Acid. I have to say Glycolic Acid is my top AHA ingredient when it comes to exfoliating my skin and keeping it in tip-top condition. The best part is that it works so well on my hyper pigmentation. Apart from the 4% Glycolic Acid, it also contains the following key ingredients: Kombucha Tea Extract (helps restore skin's quality), Hepes (works as an exfoliating agent), Vichy Mineralising Thermal Water (helps strengthen the skin's barrier function and skin cell renewal) and Blueberry Polyphenols (rich in antioxidant). From the impressive ingredients line up, it is easy deduce that the Vichy Idealia Peeling is a chemical exfoliator which also nourishes the skin in the process.


Formula
The product itself has a very light pink colour. Sometimes, it does look clear but I am going to stick with the very light pink colour. It has a reasonably sized opening at the top to let out the right amount of product which is essential to prevent any waste. It has a light fragrance to it but it is a very pleasant one. I have never been against fragrances in skincare products (except it smells nasty) so having fragrance in the Vichy Idealia Peeling is something I love. Fragrance has also never irritated my skin which is why I don't mind it at all. However, I know that quite a few people prefer non-fragranced skincare products so I thought I should just mention it. I do have to add that Vichy Idealia Peeling is suitable for the most sensitive skin so it may still be worth trying out even if you hate fragranced skincare products.



Application
It is a very easy product to use as it works as a toner which can be used after cleansing. I start off by cleansing my skin with either my FOREO Luna* or my Magnitone Bare Faced Brush*.  After cleansing, I pop a few drops of the Vichy Idealia Peeling onto a cotton pad and pat it right into my skin. I find that pressing and patting my toners into my skin rather than using swiping motions helps increase their effectiveness. I use the Idealia Peeling at night and in the morning but I recently just use it for mornings because I love the glow I get with it. After patting and tapping it into my skin, I leave it for a few seconds before going in with the rest of my skincare. For night creams, I am alternating the Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep* and the Aveda Tulasara Wedding Masque* while for mornings I use the Vichy Slow Age* and my Alpha Hydroxy Glycolic Acid Moisturisers.


Results
The first thing I noticed within a week was how supple, soft and bright my skin looked. I was really impressed with this because my skin tends to look dull this winter/cold season unless I put in extra care and effort. I know many people shy away from Glycolic Acid and other AHAs but I have to let you know that the Vichy Idealia Peeling is super gentle to the point where I thought it may not be working. You see, I am used to the tingling feeling I get with other Glycolic Acid products (like Alpha-H Liquid Gold) so trying out an exfoliating toner with no tingling made me initially think it may not be effective. Of course, I was totally wrong and I am happy I was wrong. I don't know what it is about the formula or blend of ingredients used but it is super gentle yet very effective. I can see why Vichy claim this product is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. I have used the Idealia Peeling consistently for a full month and my skin has been great. The most exciting thing is that I have not experienced any break out at all (until a few days ago when I had cheese). For that alone, I am really impressed and this is why I know it will be a staple in my skincare stash. My skin feels healthy, radiant and my hyper pigmentation blemishes are not as prominent. My other skincare products seem to be optimised because the Vichy Idealia Peeling preps my skin for them. If you are after a good AHA product which is effective but gentle, I think this is one that will tick all the boxes.


Where to Buy// Link //£30 (currently £20 here)
Gone are the days when we had to go across the pond to get Vichy products. We can now get Vichy products from a variety of retailers including Dermacenter, Escentual, Boots, Look Fanatastic, Feel Unique, etc. I just tend to repurchase any of my Vichy fixes from any retailer that has the best discount so do check them all out to find the best deal.


Overall Thoughts
I don't think I need to even say it but I will say it (in case you can't tell)- I absolutely love the Vichy Idealia Peeling. It works so well on my combination oily skin and I have no complaints except maybe the non-travel friendly bottle and it being slightly pricey (although they are several discounts available). However, I have purchased even more expensive toners which I have not enjoyed as much as the Idealia Peeling so I think it is worth it. That's pretty much my review!! Have you tried the Vichy Idealia Peeling?
*PR Sample + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here

Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder Review

I spoke about the Vichy Dermablend Foundation* last week where I also showed a sneak preview of the Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder*. I was kindly gifted this powder at the #Discovervichy Event back in August and I have really enjoyed using it.  I usually stick to my normal compact powder from MAC and you all know that the MAC Mineralize Skin Finish is my favourite. However, there are times you just want a light powder that does not really add any more coverage or colour to your face and this is where the Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder* comes in. The only other loose setting powder I have in my stash is the Kuddy Ultra HD Powder* which I also really like. The Vichy Dermablend one is not necessarily a HD powder but it acts in the same way with even more benefits. I am really impressed with it and it goes so well with the Vichy Dermablend foundation and a range of other foundations as well.

Packaging

I feel there is little one can do to make a setting powder in a loose form different from all the others. However, I do like that the Vichy Dermblend powder has a sticker at the top which prevents the powder from wasting when not in use. I absolutely adore this and that’s why it is one I pop in my bag when travelling. It has a really classy white and black packaging which feels quite sturdy but not heavy if that makes any sense. You get 28g of product which is a lot for a powder and I can not see this powder finishing any time soon. It also comes with a powder puff which is really good quality compared to some substandard ones I have tried (those that come in some compact powders). I don't use this much though because I can't bear to see it dirty so I just use it sparingly.

Texture/Formula

 It is expected that loose setting powders have a light texture and that’s exactly what you get with the Vichy Dermablend Powder. I am really impressed with how ultra fine the particles are which makes it super easy to use. It is a universal shade so it fits everyone and I am really pleased about that. I do have to mention that I am sometimes sceptical when I see powders labelled as universal but come in completely white powders. I always fear I would look ashy but I am super impressed that the Dermablend powder is truly translucent.

Coverage
I would not say it has any coverage per say because it is not designed as a powder to add coverage. Rather it helps set my foundation and  keep my face matte, shine and oil-free. I love that it does not give my face a super matte and dry look; my face still looks healthy. I already mentioned it has a light texture so it does not feel like you have anything on at all

Longevity
I am so pleased that its  effects are not short-lived. I find that it helps control oil on my face so much more than other powders I have tried especially during summer. I wish it came in a compact form as I would take it with me for on-the-go touch ups. I have really enjoyed using it and I still use it even now my skin is not very oily  (I am not very oily during A/W)

Cost// from £15 (Currently on sale for £11.25 in Boots)
I think it comes at a really reasonable price- £15 although there are always lovely Vichy offers in Boots, Escentual and Dermacenter.  Boots currently have it on sale for £11.25 which is an amazing bargain so if you wanted to get it, this is a good time.  You almost never have to pay full price but even at £15, I do think it is pretty affordable. You get a good amount of product which I don't see finishing any time soon especially as you only need a little at a time.

Overall Thoughts
I can’t really think of anything I don’t like about this powder. I guess the only downside may be the fact that it may not be the easiest to carry around in your handbag. If it were in a compact form, I would be the happiest person ever. It may even replace my MAC MSF. That's pretty much my review. I hope you enjoyed it. Have you tried the Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder?..xx
*Gifted PR Sample + Affiliate Link used below, read my full disclaimer here

Vichy Dermablend Foundation Review (Coffee)

Vichy is one French Pharmacy brand that I absolutely love and I have been pleased to try out this year. I love their skincare products and I am so pleased they also have a makeup range- Dermablend. If you remember my Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum* postover here, I did mention I was very keen to try the Dermablend range. You can imagine my delight when I was kindly invited to the Discover Vichy Event* back in August and got a chance to test it. The Dermablend range had been extended to include three more shades to cater to a wider range of skin tones. They now have Porcelain (for paler complexions) and Coffee and Espresso for darker complexion. I was excited to say the least because the Dermablend range is excellent for covering blemishes and perfect for acne/blemish prone skin. At the event, the lovely makeup artist matched me to two shades- Gold (45) and Espresso (75) and it looked perfect. I even got several compliments on the day.






However, I could not for the life of me get the right mix again no matter what I did when I got home. I decided to pop into Boots and try the Coffee (65) shade. Thankfully, it was a very good match as you would see in the swatch below. I promptly purchased it and I could not have been more delighted to test it out. I have been using it for a little while now and I think it’s about time I did a full review. I was also kindly gifted the Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder which I adore because it just keeps my face shine free.  I will be reviewing the powder separately so keep an eye out for it.

                             
Packaging

I always prefer foundation packaging to come in a bottle complete with a pump, however, I am loving tube packaging. I find that they are very easy to travel with and I have been enjoying popping them in my bag. The Vichy Dermablend packaging looks very classy with its black design and it looks more expensive than it is. This is no surprise at all because Vichy has one of the best packaging for the drugstore. I have not experienced any mess or wastage while storing it which I am super pleased about. I have used some foundations or even creams in tubes that are so messy when you store them standing upright . I am so pleased the Vichy Dermablend foundation does not do that and I usually pop it in my bag when I am off to Scotland.

Texture/Formula
 I think one of the reasons why it does not get messy is because it has such a lovely texture. It is not too thick or runny and that really helps with how easy it is to blend. I usually apply one drop as a first layer and then blend it out with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush or Beauty Blender. I do prefer to use my RT Blending Brush with it though. I usually go back with a second layer around my cheeks where I have the most hyper pigmentation and it does an amazing job at covering it.

Coverage/Finish
I would describe it as a medium coverage with the weight/feel of a light foundation. It does not sit heavy on my skin at all and I barely notice it is there. I think this is very important for blemish prone skin because foundations that feel heavy may clog up the pores. I am most impressed with the finish as it sets to a velvet matte finish which I adore. I usually set it with the Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder* or a MAC Mineralize Skin Finish. I think it is a finish that would suit many skin types because it does not feel too matte and it’s certainly not too dewy. Of course, if you love a super matte finish, you could always use a mattifying powder and a spray if you want a dewy finish

Lasting Power
I don’t know about you but I am always concerned about coverage and lasting power. I don’t want to have to touch up my face often or at all, if possible. I am so pleased to report that the Vichy Dermablend Foundation has a good lasting power on my combination oily skin. I always use a primer and set with a powder so I guess that also helps. I have only ever had to touch up once in a day and it is mainly to remove shine on my T-zone (using a powder). The coverage remained pretty much the same with slight fading towards the end of the day which is not unheard of. I am impressed with its lasting power and I did test it out during Summer when it held up really well.

Price// £18// Currently on offer (links below)
It retails for £18 which I think is pretty affordable. It is a little more expensive than a regular drug store foundation but it is not drug store quality. I would classify it as mid-range or a high end quality for a mid-range price. I have a lot of foundations that are super expensive and sometimes, they are not even good for my acne-prone skin. You can imagine how blissful it is finding a good foundation that does not cause more problems for acne-prone skin which offers good coverage. The best part is  Dermacenter, Escentual and Boots always have one offer or the other and it is a good time to always stock up

Cons
I really applaud Vichy for taking the steps to add more shades for darker people. I do feel there are still some gaps and some people may still not find their shade. However, I am sure there are working hard to ensure that more people have a chance to test out this lovely foundation.

Overall Thoughts
I am really pleased I tried out this foundation and it is one I reach for when my skin is playing up. I know I can trust it not to exacerbate any spots (if they show up) because is non-comedogenic. If you suffer from acne, have blemish prone skin or hyper pigmentation you want covered, this is definitely one to try. I also think it is pretty affordable given the quality of product you get and the best part is it is usually on offer. I have really enjoyed using this foundation and highly recommend for anyone who has  acne prone skin.
*PR Sample +  Affiliate links used below (I was kindly gifted with the Gold and Espresso Shade however I purchased the shade Coffee myself) ,read my full disclaimer here.