Kevin Aucoin product review; Skin enhancer, Sculpting powder, Liquid and Powder Highlights, Bronzing Powder

All the products I tried from Kevin Aucoin are sample sizes I purchased from So Choix website(sochoix.com).  I have used them for 3 weeks before this review.

First product is Kevin Aucoin skin enhancer. I ordered the shade in SX5.  This color is about 2 tones light for my skin.  Kevin Aucoin is one of those brands I consider designed for professionals.  The foundations come in wide range of colors and it is a bit bitch to find your own shade.  Unfortunately, online swatches do not help much because the color descriptions are not universally adjustable. There is no one "light beige with yellow undertone".  There are at least five shades fall within that category. So, in that case, sampling the product is a must.
                                           
This is a cream foundation with matte finish. It feels a lot like Graftobian HD cream foundation but thinner.  It has a medium to full coverage but if you have considerable pigmentation on your skin like acne scars, you will need a concealer. I would not go for a second layer with this foundation because a smidgen much makes this foundation cake up.

If cream foundations work best for your skin, there are three steps you need to follow with this product for a smooth, long lasting finish:

• This is a professional degree product like the ones designed for stage, cinema, tv.... So, even if you have oily skin, make sure your skin is moisturized thoroughly.  Jojoba oil and heavy sunscreen can be risked as a base. 
• With this foundation, you need to apply as little as possible.  When you have a slippery, well moisturized base, it is going to help the product glide on.  I found that hands or moistened sponge works best when applying this product.   I also spray MAC Fix+ on damp sponges.
• You need a loose setting powder with this product. I also found that the setting powder should be pressed over this product with a moisten sponge as well.  If you swipe the powder over the foundation with a brush, it removes the product, and causes product to cake up.  

Overall, I think this is a great product to invest in if you prefer cream foundations over powders, liquids, or mousy textured foundations.  If applied correctly, it has a smooth,velvety, matte finish and it last for 6 to 8 hours even on my very oily skin. As a reminder, I use jojoba oil and la roche posey SPF 60 (mineral) sunscreen under the foundation.  

However, I will not invest on the full size myself.  It is a little bit better than Graftobian HD creams but I am soo used to using a foundation palette. My color changes drastically from summer to winter and foundation palette give me a lot of options to custom match my shade, contour, and highlight.  If this product ever comes on a palette though, I would jump on it. 

 Second product is Kevin Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium.  It only 

comes in Medium though.  I am so happy that I tried this product because this product was the entire reason, I got interested in this brand. When I use it to contour my cheeks, it simply looked like DIRT. I hated the product on my cheeks.

However, it gave me the most flattering nose contour ever. The powder it self is very smooth and fine. You need little bit again but do not worry about over doing it because the access can easily be blended . I believe, the sample will last me quite a while. I have been using it for three weeks now and I have not hit the pan yet. I will buy the full size of this. 

Next sampled product is the Celestial Powder in Candlelight. Ok, this is going to sound dull but it is the best highlighting powder ever, as if there can be such a thing.  This is very age proper, down to earth powder.  It will give you a lift, youth, and sophistication. It is a sheer highlight with a hint of gold. It become my everyday essential right away.  If you are into heavy highlights, this one is not for you.  But it is the best thing ever, if you are looking for a highlighter to wear to work and want people wondering what it is about you. I am definitely getting this one. 

And of course, I had to try the liquid version too.  I am not impressed with this one.  I use liquid highlights to mix with my foundations to improve the texture and finish of the foundation.  It became a habit now because even though I like matte finish, it also may look dull.  Adding a bit of highlight to cream foundations takes away the dullness without interfering with their oil control properties.  For that, I love Becca shimmering skin perfectors in liquid forms.  

This one, like the powder version, is very subtle.  It was useless to mix it with foundation because it was undetectable.  If you are looking for a liquid highlight only to highlight unlike me, this is perfect.  You can also use it as a base to intensify powder highlight.   But, I prefer powder highlights for spot highlighting, simply because it is easier to control the application of the product.  Great product but I will pass.  It did not serve my needs.

Ok, last one and THE ONE: Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights. This one is a true, cool toned, chocolate bronzer with a hint of champagne shimmer. It seems very unique to me. There is not smidgen of orange tones in it. It is almost like dark chocolate bronzer mixed with Becca moonstone highlighter.    When I put this product on, it is so good that I do not want to put a blush or contour.  They nailed this one. I am getting it.