Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N 102

When I think about my skin, I always mutter a silent thank you to my mom for blessing me with good genes. All I need to do to keep it in shape is minor maintenance, comprising of a basic cleansing and skincare regimen. Thus, foundation is usually the last on my list of priorities.

I say that, but there are at least six different jars and vials of second skins sitting on my vanity, collecting dust. And when I heard whispers of a magical foundation from an elusive (at least in the US) Japanese brand, I decided I had to find out if the rumors were true, even if I didn't use foundation. The beauty blogger's curiosity kills common sense (and the wallet), if not the cat.

Opportunity strikes! A dear friend's visit to Japan enabled me to obtain the hallowed Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N, in shade 102.

I think this is a fantastic full-coverage foundation for oily skin. It's drying not in the sense that it sucks moisture out of my skin, but it would look dry without adequate prior moisturization. The trick to applying this foundation is to make sure your skin is moist when you pick up half a pea-sized dollop and dab it at the key areas of your face. Use both hands to quickly spread the foundation around. Once your skin dries, the foundation will no longer be pliable.

Also, while moist skin makes application infinitely better, wet skin does not. I applied it once after spraying on face mist and the foundation ended up swimming around unevenly.

Was it everything I dreamed of and more? I'm not sure. There is a definite learning curve to application – sometimes I treat it like a video game, racing against time to finish applying the foundation before my skin soaks up the goods (toner, serum, moisturizer). Perhaps it's due to this rushed application method that occasionally I would notice accentuated smile lines, like the foundation couldn't properly meld with my skin. Or maybe I am not used to the effects of foundation after all.

That said, this foundation is perfect for photography. I will not hesitate to use this for a wedding, for example, because it will stay on all day and in the immortalized photos I will look like I have Photoshopped skin. If you'll excuse my bout of vanity, I am in awe with my skin in the photos I take for the blog, so much so that I actually find myself wishing that my skin looked like that in real life (which to be fair, it probably does. I recognize that I may just be far too critical of my real life self, i.e. scrutinizing my face an inch from the mirror).

Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N 102 retails for something like $110 at the cutthroat ichibankao.com.

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Suqqu Balancing Eyebrow Palette 01 Moss Green
Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N 102
Le Metiér de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer Shade 1
Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer in Delicate Pink
Guerlain Crazy Paris Meteorites Radiance Powder Compact (Holiday 2013)
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 08
Le Metiér de Beauté Nouvelle Vague Kaleidoscope
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Burberry Earthy Blush
Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324