Thursday, May 30, 2013

Gelling with Healthy Mix

It's been a little over a year since I first started using Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum but I've never dedicated an entire post to it until now. It's coming up to winter in Australia and my skin is drier than usual, which means I can get away with more dewy/glowy foundations that tend to be problematic during summer. Mirroring my steep descent into blush mania, I've moved from a state of relative indifference (possibly even bordering on disinterest) towards foundation, to having about 10 foundations and BB creams open at once. But no matter what foundations I try or have on rotation, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum is the one I always come back to.





l-r: 53 Beige clair (Light beige), 52 Vanille (Vanilla)

l-r: 53 Beige clair (Light beige), 52 Vanille (Vanilla)


I feel like Healthy Mix Serum is a lighter, sheerer version of NARS Sheer Glow, which is heavier coverage, longer lasting and more powerfully illuminating, but can be a bit cakey on certain parts of the skin (for me, usually the chin area and around the edges of my nose). The Bourjois is an excellent choice as an everyday foundation, particularly for those with already good skin slightly on the dry side. On oily skin, the foundation slips off before the end of the day, which is why I don't love it during the height of summer. Even with my skin a bit drier than normal right now, I still find that my nose gets shiny after a couple of hours. I usually blot, but powdering over the T-zone in the morning could work as well.

What I love about Healthy Mix Serum is that it's a breeze to apply. The lightweight formulation is one of the most forgiving and cooperative I've encountered. I've never experienced any application issues with it, which isn't something I can say for the majority of foundations I've tried. It just goes on smoothly and evenly each time, sinking into the skin effortlessly and working its magic. It doesn't accentuate or cling to dry patches, nor does it require a whole lot of blending for a streak-free, seamless finish.

And let's talk about the finish. When this is slapped on, the skin looks instantly brightened, imperfections are smoothed away, and there's a soft glowiness that is never greasy or unnatural-looking. Coverage is light-to-medium, and in the words of Lisa Eldridge, it's "dewy without being too shiny, it looks really real, it doesn't highlight pores, it looks good in daylight, it's not shiny and glittery in any way." I use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to apply it and can't imagine anything working better.

The shade selection is limited (6 in total, but only 5 available in Australia). For reference, I wear NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji, Make Up For Ever HD foundation in 118, Neutrogena Healthy Skin in Nude, and I'm in between 52 and 53. At first, I was solely using 53 but I didn't like how dark it looked on me at the end of the day, perhaps due to slight oxidisation or just bad lighting. I eventually bought 52 and now I mix both (usually 50/50) to get my shade. It's not ideal, but when you find a foundation as good as this one, it's not a waste either.

I've yet to try the original Healthy Mix, said to be more suited for normal to combination skin. I'm afraid of being disappointed with it and regretting not just buying another bottle of the Healthy Mix Serum. If only it were tailored more for my skin type year-round, it would be a near faultless everyday foundation.

51 comments:

  1. I must thank you for introducing this one to me! Gosh that was a long time ago- how have you not finished the 53? It's been over a year now! HMS is a good foundation but I must agree- it's not made for oily skin at the height of summer.

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  2. I'm so happy to see you review this! I've been considering buying this foundation for a while now, so this is another push in that direction (beauty blogs are such enablers haha). Bourjois actually recently replaced the original Healthy Mix with a new version (Radience Reveal), so I'm curious to see how that one compares to both the original and the serum versions.

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  3. how i wish we have Bourjois here too~

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  4. I have pretty good skin but my skin is dry, this one sounds really good for me! Thanks for the review!

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  5. I'm in love with this! I'm coming up to the end of my bottle, so I picked up the new Radiance Revealed and I hope it will be just as good! I've been wearing almost nothing else, it just makes me look so healthy. It's a shame you have to mix 52 & 53, but it's worth it and it looks gorgeous on you!

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  6. I too am in between shades, actually my face matches 52 but 53 goes better with my neck and the rest of me. I always powder on top so it works for my oilier skin all day and year round!

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  7. I have the healthy mix foundation and I wish I would have bought the serum! Looks like it gives a much more natural finish x

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  8. your skin looks radiating with this! i love the healthy mix serum, i've tried the foundation too but i just found it too thick on me. i always forget how much i love this foundation and everytime i go back to it, it's a pleasant surprise c: for me, either this or my illamasqua skin base are my go to foundations for winter.

    à la foliee

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  9. I always read good reviews about it, but too bad it doesn't match my skin ton as I'm very pale :C

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  10. It looks so beautiful on your skin! I've always wanted to try it but am too oily for it. And I can't find the original Healthy Mix (the non-serum version) at the stores, which is annoying me greatly. I've also resisted testing the NARS as the exclusion of the pump that has to be purchased as an extra always pissed me off, but it sounds like that is the better choice. Great review!

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    Replies
    1. I know what you mean, I hated that it didn't come with a pump! On principle, I refused to shell out extra for the pump for a few months, but in the end I decided that I was being ridiculous because paying $5 for a pump was just. so. worth. it. - even putting aside my indignation at having to spend that extra money. NARS Sheer Glow is probably my favourite foundation - though I hear mixed reviews for so many reasons ("it's not sheer", "it's not glowy", "it caked on me") that I think it really depends hugely on your skin type and method of application.

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  11. this has been on my wishlist for a very long time, i definitely need to purchase this :D

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  12. I'd not heard of this one before (perhaps I'm a bit behind haha!) I love the amount of coverage it gives and it's a lovely finish. Might have a look for this next time I'm in town!

    Sophs x

    LaVieSophie

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  13. I've tried it out on my hand in the drugstore and now I really want to buy it!

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  14. Just binge-read all your posts from the last few months. I've been missing out big time!!!

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  15. Heard many great things about this foundation. Unfortunately the color range isn't that extensive

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  16. I love Lisa Eldrige videos and I always hear her and Pixi Woo rave about this foundation. It makes me want to hunt it down on Ebay and try it out! It looks amazing on your skin. It probably wouldn't work for me though, because I need pale pale pale foundation. I tried the lightest Neutrogena foundation and it ended up looking orange on me!

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  17. Ughhhhhhhhhh I really wish I could get Bourjois here in the states T__T I hear NOTHING but good (great, wonderful, amazing, etc.) things about this foundation and it just sounds absolutely perfect.

    Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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  18. Fantastic review!!! Your skin looks so beautiful with the foundation, I really need to get my hands on some of this, although I suspect that it'll be too dark for me :( xxx

    Gemma ♥ | MissMakeupMagpie.co.uk

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  19. I had the original version of this and dind't like it, but wanted to try this version, but now I'm glad I didn't as I have oily skin, even in British winter haha!
    Great review :)

    xoxo

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  20. oh now you made me want to get the serum version! I am happy with the original healthy mix though I am not head over heels. This one looks like it will suit my skin better though it's almost summer here so I'm afraid the dewy finish would be too dewy.
    I am currently enjoying the Bourjois 8in1 compact BB Cream , will give it another weeks of test before I write a full review about it.

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  21. I have both the original and serum version of Healthy Mix and I find they yield the same results on my dry skin. The colour is slightly off for me too so I'll have to purchase 52 at some point.

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  22. Great review! I love this foundation soooo much, can't believe it's high street. Looks lovely on you. x

    I Am A Weapon Of Massive Consumption

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  23. I absolutely adore this foundation, I also like the original healthy mix but I find it can cling to dry areas a little on my skin. Healthy Mix serum really does go on so beautifully, I find it almost blends itself!

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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  24. I'm addicted to my Garnier BB cream at the moment but this does look intruiging!

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  25. I love this foundation... I used mine up a few months ago and I won't let myself buy another until I use up at least 4 other foundations :P

    Kitsch Snitch

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    1. I applaud your self-restraint, sadly I don't seem to possess the same :p

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  26. I love this foundation so much and have been wearing it so often! I love how easily it blends, it is literally so quick to apply!

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  27. Im jealous of your skin, it's very glowy.

    I've heard great things about this foundation but I think it wouldnt suit me as I have very oily skin and lots of spots :(

    xx

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  28. I've always loved the Healthy Mix foundation but I only recently purchased the serum one!

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  29. This foundation looks so natural on your skin!! The glow it gives is really gorgeous.

    Liz
    www.lizchewy.com

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  30. I love glowy foundations that aren't oily :)
    I've heard so much love for this foundation and like you, I have so many foundations open at once -.-

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    1. I know it's so terrible! I don't know when I'll ever use a whole foundation up, it just takes me forever especially having so many options.

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  31. I wish I could try anything from this brand, everything they do sounds so amazing, sadly it can be pretty hard to find online with international shopping : / Thanks a lot for the review Lena <3 xx

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  32. I wish this brand would come in Manila soooon! I really can't wait to try this cult product!

    Btw, I tagged you here runbarbierun.com/2013/05/lipstick-week-day-7-givenchy-le-rouge.html xo :)

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  33. I really want to try this it looks so nice on your skin!
    http://thelipstickthegirlandherwardrobe.blogspot.co.uk/

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  34. I have the original one and I like it, but since I do have really dry skin patches on my cheeks, I'll give this one a go next. :)

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  35. Your skin looks so dewy and fresh in that photo!! :)

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  36. Ever since the Lisa Eldridge recommendation I can't get this foundation out of my head, it is next on my wishlist after I finish using my NARS sheer glow up. Right now since the NARS is so thick I dilute it with my Stila bb cream and it makes it so much more wearable for sensitive dry skin.

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  37. If healthy mix would throw black persons of colour a bone, and offer better colour selection, it would be exactly the sort of thing I'd wear everyday. Too bad. :( Looks great on you girl!

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  38. This foundations looks really nice on your skin sweetie. I've never tried any brand Bourjois product sounds great but I have not had the chance to try any of their products. Many thanks for review and btw cute nail polish color.
    xx

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  39. I wish Bourjois was more available in the US, I have always wanted to try this since it is talked about so much. It sounds like it would slip off my face during the warmer months (I have oily skin) but during the cooler months I bet this would be really lovely.

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  40. This looks lovely. I am wondering if this is close to the chantecaille future skin foundation that I'm currently lusting after, as that is a gel foundation too. :)

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  41. This is my favourite foundation so far, the shade 51 is slightly too dark I feel but I can get away with it, a gorgeous formula :)
    Amy xx
    A Little Boat Sailing

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  42. This is such a gorgeous foundation with a new dewy finish- and I definitely agree it doesn't quite work that well with oilier skin types. I have the original Healthy Mix and I love it- although it does tend to accentuate any dry skin I have, so it's best for me to use it only on warmer days or when my skin isn't as dry. I absolutely love the scent of the foundation too! I also have so many bottles of foundation opened- one for every mood I guess? :D

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  43. I am SO jelly! It's so hard to find "dewy" foundations that aren't too oily or glittery, but this one looks gorgeous! I've heard a ton of great reviews on this and yours just made me want it that much more...super bummed that this isn't available in the US, I might just cave in and purchase it online.

    Erika xx
    iBlushBeauty

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  44. I've been wanting to buy this foundation forever but I guess it's not sold anymore here in Portugal :(
    It looks lovely!

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  45. I truly like to reading your post. Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a nice information.
    Skin Care Clinic in Panchkula

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  46. I have this and it is truly amazing. Just give that very fresh dewy face.

    Kah-Feh Yen

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