The people have asked, and now I am answering.
If you recall my Skin Care Routine video, I mentioned not wearing foundation, face bases, etc. anymore as they tend to break me out. However, I couldn’t get rid of the scare of no SPF on my face. And so the hunt for a light foundation began.
I like my foundation the same way that I like most things—uncomplicated. Here’s a mental checklist that I’ve devised for myself:
- Light to Medium Coverage — I don’t really have breakouts (just minor spots here and there) or patchy coloring (occasional redness) so I don’t need a super thick foundation
- Yellow-toned, not pink-toned — obviously
- Doesn’t require a lot of tools/can be applied with fingers
- Has SPF
Pretty easy, if I do say so myself. So, I scoured the internet for the perfect match and I stumbled upon the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation. Let’s start with Benefit’s claims:
Hello…it’s flawless time! Our new oil-free brightening liquid foundation builds from light to medium coverage for a natural complexion you can believe in. It’s you… just more luminous & healthy looking.
Find your flawless match with the hello flawless oxygen wow shade guide in Beauty School.
WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- broad-spectrum SPF 25 PA+++ protection**
- oil-free formula
- natural finish
- hydrating benefits
- light-diffusing properties
- available in 9 shades
After reading up on it, and even watching tons of videos (particularly of Asians of the same coloring), I finally decided to purchase it. I was itching to get a hold of it so impulsive me bought a bottle online. I guesstimated my shade (eee), which you should never ever do, if you can help it. If you must, I personally feel like it’s better to pick one shade darker than one shade lighter.
Anyway. Thankfully, it was the right one! I ended up getting “Cheers to Me” Champagne.* It blends pretty seamlessly into my skintone and evens out my complexion.
It’s very lightweight and provides decent coverage, despite needing only a little product. I’ve been using it frequently, and it hasn’t broken me out. My sister loved it, too and she uses it despite being a shade or two lighter than me. The dispenser is a pump-type, so it’s more hygienic. The pump is also fairly easy to control. The packaging is pretty, as can be expected from Benefit. I also appreciate its accessibility.
The foundation itself lasts fairly well on my not so oily skin. It is buildable and dries down to a non-sticky finish. The SPF content does not give a white cast when being photographed with a flash, however you may risk looking like a greaseball if you don’t set it with a powder. The somewhat flowery (?) scent is not strong or bothersome. The consistency is watery, and I’ve applied it on my face with my fingers (messy, but works and is easy), a stippling brush (not as messy but I’m not used to it), and a Beauty Blender-like sponge (AWESOME, flawless application).
The downside of this is that it tended to cling to dry flakes. For oilier skin, it is not long-lasting, and though it is buildable, I don’t think you can layer this on for a fuller coverage without looking like a layer cake.
I’ve been using it for about a month now and I’m really happy with it! I interchange it with BB Creams and a new liquid foundation I got from L’Oreal, which I use if I want more coverage.
Hope this helps & thanks for reading!
VERDICT: Lightweight foundation that is easy to use and provides decent coverage. Has SPF.
How much? Php 1,900 or $36 for 30ml or 1 fl. oz. Bought mine for Php 1,600.
Will I repurchase? Yes!
Where to buy in Manila? Benefit counters and online. I bought mine from Stuff in Style.
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* I really just guessed and hoped for the best. I’m too dark for Petal (Liz Lanuzo’s shade), and too light for Toasted Beige (Martha Sta. Barbara’s shade). I was picking between Honey (Jackie’s shade) and Champagne, which was the shade between Petal and Honey. I think I could’ve gotten away with Honey as well, so yay.
Softly Sometimes 
I’ve never seen this product before, but I’m glad you ended up liking it so much. Your skin really does look flawless in that photo. It’s good that it’s a pump style bottle. I really just don’t understand the bottles with just a screw-cap. They are just such a pain to me because the foundation gets on the bottle and it runs on your hand, and it’s just a hot mess. The bottle does look small though. I wonder how long it’ll last you?
Aww, thanks! It lasts maybe 4-5 hours on me before I notice anything “off,” but I have pretty low maintenance skin and not a lot of redness to even out. I’ve never had to reapply it. 🙂
I’ve been using it for about a month now and I still have quite a lot in it 🙂 For comparison, my L’Oreal Lucent Magique Liquid Foundation and my sister’s Maybelline Mineral Power LF are also 30ml/1 fl. oz. I think that’s a pretty standard amount for liquid foundation. 🙂
it was after seeing your use of this product that I am now cnosidering checking it out in sephora and getting a sample to play with.
Eep, I hope it works out for you! It’s a hit or miss, but it works well for me. 🙂
Your skin does look flawless in this! We have the same requirements for a foundation. 😀 I like that you’ve linked to posts that have swatches of other shades. (But the links to Liz’s and Martha’s posts point to this entry.)
You have a lovely blog, I hope you don’t mind if I follow you.
Hi Eula! Thanks for the heads up, fixed now 🙂 Don’t mind at all; I’ve already followed yours, haha. Anyway, thank you 🙂
Well your skin looks just perfect! If I hear something clings, even in the slightest to dry skin I need to avoid it. Might I ask what lip shade you are wearing? Of course I must know! 🙂
Thank you! Yeah, I think I’m lucky that my skin is pretty even. Haha, of course! It’s actually 3 lip products layered D: I was trying to recreate a look and didn’t have one that matched the lip color I needed. Anyway, this is Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Distinguée, topped with a thin layer of Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart, then topped with Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick in Gemma, then topped with La Distinguée again. WHEW. I’m a little ashamed right now haha.
Of course it layered! 😛
Ill need to swatch up the Chanel now, I loooove it!
Ahh I sold my brand new Hello Flawless for P1200 lang a couple of weeks back (spontaneous buying.. rar). I wish I saw your review before I sold mine. Sana I kept it nalang 😦 Your skin looks gorgeous!
New follower here – saw your link in Liz’s blog! x 🙂
Oh no, sayang! Maybe in the future? At least you know your shade na. 🙂 Thank you for checking out my blog! 🙂
this looks great! I’ve always been curious about this one but keep forgetting to look at it in person! definitely putting this shade on my list to test out in store! 🙂
Great! Hope it works out for ya 🙂
i remembered to look this time! lol. I think petal is a good match for me right now… but since i’m on a no buy, i’ll need to wait, haha!
Oh, right, I forgot! I should be on a ban too. Ugh. I just got into makeup and that’s how I justify buying crap (“Oh, I don’t have this yet,” etc) but enough is enough~ I’m glad you found a shade match, though! Maybe when you run out of foundation? Haha.
I will not run out, lol I just bought the Koh Gen Do Moisture foundation AND aqua foundation! haha. but yes no harm in keeping it on the list for next year! And it is ok if you just are starting to get into makeup, i think! 🙂
Ah! But I heard many great things about KGD, so great choice. 🙂
I would have purchased this if not for my oily skin. 😦 you look gorgeous! 🙂
Sad! 😦 Try the L’Oreal Lucent Magique! I’ll have a review up soon if you want to wait for it, but it’s from their new line. 🙂
I’ll try to swatch on Sunday if they have it in Watsons already. 🙂 Currently I’m using Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear foundation but they reformulated it and it’s not as lightweight as before. 😦 sad. I’m also eyeing Clarins’ Ever Matte!
Oh, that sucks 😦 I really want to try the Nearly Naked foundation by Revlon, but we don’t have it here yet. 😦 Haha Chanel Vitalumiere and NARS Sheer Glow get good reviews, but I haven’t tried either!
Your skin looks amazing. However I’ve got oily skin so not so sure this will work on me.
Thank you, Marissa! Do you usually use liquid foundation? Maybe you can try a stick foundation or a powder? 🙂 I also really like bareMinerals’ Mineral Foundation, but like I said, I rarely get SUPER oily, so I don’t know how it will fare on your skin.
I have bareMinerals mineral foundation but I still end up oily in the afternoon. I’ve tried the Revlon colorstay liquid foundation but it gave me cystic pimples 😦 Guess I’ll research a bit more 🙂
Maybe you just need to touch-up or blot? Sorry I’m not being very helpful! Ingrid (Miss Glamorazzi on YT) has oily skin and she uses Chanel Vitalumiere.
Sorry, I don’t mean to butt it — I have super oily skin too! Try Clinique’s Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder. 🙂 It doesn’t offer heavy coverage but if you have relatively good skin, you can do concealer + the powder on top. It works around 7-8 hours tops for me. At the end of the day, my skin looks “dewy” and not greasy at all. 🙂
Thanks Jin! I will check it out.
Not butting in if helping! 🙂
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I’ve been looking for a good unbiased review of this. It seems lighter than I can get away with but once I stop looking like a spotty teenager (wahay i’m 27) then I will look into this as a day time wear. xx
I actually have been using it and find it quite heavy for me! I know it’s not full/heavy coverage, but I feel like I’m wearing too much makeup on when I have it on my face. I think application with a sponge or beauty blender would give fuller coverage… I’m sure you can try to go to a counter and ask for a sample to try, maybe. 🙂