I once tweeted that if I were to only be able to use one liquid foundation for the rest of time (unthinkable!) it would be the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation. That caused quite a stir I can tell you. Bourjois isn’t a terribly popular brand, nor is it available in Malaysia yet (sorry folks!) but I stand by what I said. This is a liquid foundation I’d be loathe to give up.

The Healthy Mix Serum foundation is the lighter version of the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation I reviewed before. I like that one too. I could use them interchangeably and be absolutely happy about it. What differentiates the Healthy Mix foundation from the Healthy Mix Serum foundation is the fact that the serum foundation is supposed to have a more gel-like texture. To be honest, it just feels like a normal light foundation to me, just a bit lighter than the normal version, but not that much lighter.

Being a gel textured foundation, it feels very light on the skin and once blended in, feels almost barely there as far as I’m concerned. Coverage wise, it has a light-medium coverage which is buildable but what is notable is that the foundation has this incredible stretch to it, so a little bit covers quite a large area. It is surprising to see this in what is essentially a drugstore/pharmacy brand foundation.

Because of the “elasticity” in this foundation, I find that I don’t need very much. I apply it with my fingers, and it covers up redness and masks some marks but it does not hide them totally. You still need to use a concealer. At least I do. However, if I’m not too fussed, I sometimes just layer on extra foundation as concealer where I need it and this one does the job very well, especially for the under eye area.

The pump is very responsive and controllable so you can control how much you get. I do find that one pump does the job to cover my whole face and if I’m economical with it, more besides if I’m using fingers. I usually use about half a pump. Once applied on my skin, I find that it blends right into my skin and stays there for pretty much all day.

I noticed on the bottle that it claims 16 hours radiance boosting even, revived complexion. I don’t think I’ve actually worn it for 16 hours, but it does stay on without getting oily or melting right off my skin. I must say that it definitely makes my skin look like my skin but a lot better! Unlike the Clarins Everlasting foundation which also promises 16 hours of wear, this one isn’t matte or flat in any circumstances. It just makes my skin look better and I’m not sure how else to describe it.

Colour wise, I take it in

51 Light Vanilla which is the lightest shade available. In Singapore where this can be found, there are 3 shades available –

51,

52 and

53. In the UK, there are about 8 shades available.

(1) Dior Forever Foundation 010 Ivory (2)

51 Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation (3) Lancome Maqui Miracle Blanc BO-01 (4) Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating foundation 010 Ivory (5)

51 Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation

As you can probably tell from the swatches (I hope) the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundations are noticeably neutral in tone. I’ve swatched them alongside foundations that are noticeably warmer (Lancome) and cooler (Dior) so you get an idea of its tone. As I can quite comfortably wear all these foundations shown here in varying degrees of intensity of course, you may therefore have an idea of what colour you could wear.

In a nutshell

My favourite liquid foundation to date alongside the regular Healthy Mix foundation and one I’d happily repurchase over and tell you to 😛 The texture is light on the skin and does not settle in lines, accentuate dry skin nor make the skin feel and look oily. It lasts all day on my skin and is non drying. It makes my skin look like my normal skin but better. Its awesome!

Pros: Nice elegant compact glass bottle, Light texture, Not drying, Does not make skin look oily, Lasts all day

Cons: Limited colour selection in Asia, Unavailable in Malaysia yet

If you have read my earlier review on the Healthy Mix foundation, you will notice that I commented on the strong fruity scent. The same scent is in this version, but it is lighter and less invasive to the nose. The fact I’m able to forgive this foundation its scent tells you a lot about how much I like its texture.

I also like that the Healthy Mix Serum foundation comes in a slim glass bottle unlike the bulkier plastic bottle of its predecessor. It just feels more elegant – I have a penchant for things that come in glass bottles 🙂

I wish I could tell you to run out and get it now, but since I can’t seeing as its not available here in Malaysia, I’d tell you to place this on your shopping list for the next time you hit up a Bourjois counter. I don’t think you’d regret it one bit 🙂

If you have access to Bourjois, have you tried the Healthy Mix Foundation or this serum gel foundation version? Do you like it? I love this and I’d happily declare this my Desert Island Foundation! If I could only bring one foundation with me to a desert island, this would be it – I won’t even have to think about it 😀

Paris B

Ingredients: Aqua (water), Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alcohol Denat, Parfum (fragrance), Panthenol, Aluminium Hydroxide, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Silica, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Pantolactone, Punica Granatum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid [+/- May contain: CI 77007 (ultramarines), CI 77019 (mica), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI77891 (titanium dioxide)] 10BMT001-1

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation comes in 8 shades and retails at £9.99 each or S$33/30ml. Pick them up when they go on sale. Its not available in Malaysia at time of writing but you can try StrawberryNET.com which carries a limited selection of Bourjois products

Is Bourjois foundation good?

Overall I think Bourjois Healthy Mix had a lot going for it. It looks good on, is a reasonable price, covers well (As long as you apply bronzer as I looked pasty) and lasts almost 16 hours. This product would be a lot easier too touch up if you were going out after 8-10 hours and would still be wearable.

Why is Bourjois discontinued?

Coty pulled Bourjois out of the UK as part of a strategy to streamline its Consumer Beauty brands amid a revenue slump. Bourjois Brand Director Anne Lebourg said, however, that the company is “overjoyed” to be returning to the UK.

Is Bourjois Healthy Mix full coverage?

It is long wearing and lasts all day, the coverage is medium on first application and can be built to full. The formula is enriched with a Vitamin mix (B5, C & E) and Hyaluronic Acid to give you a plump and fresh looking complexion all day.

What is the difference between Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation?

The main difference between these two is one: the shade; and two: the texture. The new formula is simply a completely different foundation. It is a lot more thin and watery and has a pinky undertone once blended out. The old formula is thicker, lighter in color, but also has a quite yellow undertone.