Review: Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation

This is my non-biased review of Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation. I purchased the product myself and have been using it for the past 5 months.

** SPOILER** I may have found my perfect foundation.

in brief

The pros:

It has a skincare feel, almost like applying a nourishing tinted serum
It gives an amazing radiant natural finish and so much glow!
The formula can be layered when more coverage is needed

The cons:

No cons for me!

My score:

9/10

Want to get into the details? Read on for a comprehensive review!

the shiseido brand

Shiseido products have been on my radar for a long time. Casting my mind back, I can’t pinpoint exactly when I heard about them, but I guess it was in my department store days working as a beauty copywriter.

Shiseido is a Japanese brand that started way back in 1872. In general, I would say that it’s renowned for skin first and innovation. Shiseido skincare is fantastic, and I’ve gone through long phases of loyally using Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (it just makes skin look and feel better!),. Still, I hadn’t tried out any Shiseido foundation until now.
I swatched Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation on a Sephora trip and took away a little pot of it to shade match in daylight. It’s safe to say I was instantly hooked and went back to get the full-size bottle.

My skin type & skin goals

The quest for the perfect foundation is something most women can relate to, and it isn’t one size fits all. It’s important to note that I have combination skin/ dehydrated skin that is heading into the “mature” category. I sometimes suffer from dry skin thanks to dipping in and out of intensive air con in the UAE.

When it comes to foundation, I want something that looks super natural and makes me GLOW. I’m all about radiance these days rather than a “flawless finish”. A buildable medium coverage is generally enough for me and I would rather add additional layers as the occasion demands, rather than use full coverage foundations.

Your ticklist might be different here, but I have noticed that many of my friends are going in a similar direction and preferring a lighter coverage liquid foundation for a natural look. As you get older, a fresher finish seems to be more youthful and flattering, on my complexion anyway.

what they say

A buildable, medium-coverage skincare-active foundation that delivers luminous results that last long after makeup comes off. In just 1 week, bare skin is smoother and brighter, with visibly reduced fine lines*.

This serum-like foundation has a weightless formula that glides onto skin and transforms into a glowing makeup finish that lasts for 12 hours**. Instantly evens skin, blurs pores, and hydrates for 24 hours***. Two Prebiotics, Fermented Kefir+ and Niacinamide, which support the good bacteria naturally present on the skin.

the price

$56 – mid-high price point I’d say. Foundations have increased in cost over the past 3 years!

The shade range

There are 30 shades to choose from and I found that 160 Shell was the perfect match for me. Not all retailers carry the full-shade range (as expected) but there should be something to suit all skin tones.

First impressions

Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation comes in a white glass re-lock bottle with a smart red twist pump. Of course, my true first impression was scooping it out of a little Sephora sample pot so it was tested without the glamour of the packaging.

The formula is quite rich and glossy, like a hydrating serum-laden cream. Not only does the foundation look like tinted skincare, it also behaves like it when applied. I dotted it across my cheeks, forehead and chin and blended it into my skin with my fingertips, just as I would with my daily moisturiser or skin tint. This literally takes 10 seconds but gives a fresh faced, balanced glow; it doesn’t settle in creases or fine lines around the eyes and the skin looks healthy and radiant. A little goes a long way, and one pump is just right for one application across the whole face.

In terms of coverage level, one layer is light to medium depending on how much of it you apply. With one layer I can still see my dark circles and any blemishes or discoloration.

It’s buildable coverage, and you can add additional layers to get a “medium-heavy” coverage – for me this would be too much for everyday wear.

The performance

Because the formula is so dewy and hydrating, I did feel the need to add a little powder to my nose and forehead – these are the areas that tend to be a little more oily on my face. However, with this light dusting, the foundation lasted well.

By the end of the day you can no longer “see” its glowy, tint on the skin as clearly as morning, but it hasn’t clung to dry patches, or gone blotchy. It provides all-day hydration and wears elegantly and discreetly, there’s no need to top it up to even things out or remove and reapply.

It would survive a day at the office on anyone with a similar dry-combination skin type.

If you have combination or oily skin, I suspect this foundation perhaps wouldn’t last a full day, as it really is a glossy, moisturizing formula.

Final thoughts

Quite simply, I love it! I think I’ve found my daytime liquid foundation for life. It’s the perfect light-medium coverage foundation for a seriously glowy natural base. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and looks great with creamy bronzers and shimmering blush.

It also works for evenings with a red lip or dramatic eye, any time you want a modern fresh look.

I’m adding this to my collection of “best foundations” where it can sit proudly with my Dior Forever Glow (review coming soon) which is my favourite long-wearing fluid foundation.