Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation (New Formula)...Swatches of EVERY Shade
Above: The Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation comes in a glorious red-hued glass bottle.
A few months ago, Koh Gen Do released their newly reformulated Maifanshi Aqua Foundation; this gorgeous, light formula, which retails for $62 and comes in seven re-numbered shades, is designed to mimic the freshness and glow of post-facial skin (swatches of the original formula HERE). From the stunning red-tinged glass bottle to the perfectly calibrated pump dispenser (two pumps does the trick for me!), this formula provides buildable sheer to medium high-definition coverage that leaves the complexion balanced and radiant. I dare ask, what's not to love?
Above: All shades of the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation, on the cusp of being swatched!
Here's what Koh Gen Do has to say about the product...
012
002
013
113
123
143
213
Created to mimic the optical reflectance of a post facial treatment, the new technically advanced Aqua Foundation series finishes the skin to look brighter and healthier for an ideal natural finish. With radiance in mind, the Aqua Foundation is infused with a RGB powder that enhances the natural tone of the complexion for a brighter and poreless skin texture. A Key to Giving the Impression of a Perfect Complexion
- - Finish without powder for a Natural Glowing 'post-facial' impression
- - Finish with powder for a professional Porcelain impression
- - Made with minerals from the deep waters of Bretagne and botanical emollients and extracts.
- - Added skin color control factor to reproduce radiance on the skin.
- - Two new powders: skin brightener and soft focus effect powder that gives diffusion to make skin appear softer and brighter. Reflects light to erase shadows from uneven surfaces and pores giving a smooth flawless impression.
- - Integrated with high performance conditioning ingredients that supplement a self-moisturizing property for long flawless wear.
- - No artificial colors, fragrances, petroleum-based mineral oil or paraben.
Ingredients: WATER, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, ZINC OXIDE, HDI/TRIMETHYLOL HEXYLLACTONE CROSSPOLYMER, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, PEG-9 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-10 DIMETHICONE, MICA, DIGLYCERIN, SORBITAN SESQUIISOSTEARATE, PHYTOSTERYL/OCTYLDODECYL LAUROYL GLUTAMATE, GLYCERIN, SQUALANE, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, SEA SALT, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, ACRYLATES/POLYTRIMETHYL SILOXYMETHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SILICA, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIMETHICONE, PHENOXYETHANOL, STEARIC ACID, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, ALUMINUM DIMYRISTATE, NYLON-12, TALC, ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE, TOCOPHEROL, LAUROYL LYSINE, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, ISOSTEARYL SEBACATE, ZINC MYRISTATE, ALUMINA, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, GLUCOSYL HESPERIDIN, MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, BETULA ALBA BARK EXTRACT, KJELLMANIELLA GYRATA EXTRACT, ALPHA-GLUCAN, ALGAE EXTRACT, ALPINIA SPECIOSA LEAF EXTRACT, GLUCOSYL CERAMIDE, HYDROLYZED CONCHIOLIN PROTEIN, ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-8, IRON OXIDES
Kindly scroll on for shade descriptions, a plethora of swatches in various lighting situations as well as a closeup of my match, #213 and images of the formula on my face...
Above: Swatches of all shades in intense sunlight.
Shade Descriptions (based on my experience):
1. 012: Very light pale beige for fair skin with neutral to pink undertones (@N/NW/NC10-15) 2. 002: Very light beige for fair skin with neutral to yellow undertones (@N/NC 15) 3. 013: Light beige for fair to light skin with neutral to pink undertones (@N/NW 20-25) 4. 113: Light beige for light skin with yellow undertones (@NC 20) 5. 123: Light beige for light/light-medium skin with neutral to yellow undertones (@N/NC 25) 6. 140: Medium warm beige for medium to medium-tan skin with golden undertones (@N/NC 30-35) 7. 213: Light beige for light skin with true yellow beige undertones (@NC 23-25)
Above: Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation in #213.
I was privileged to receive a full-sized bottle of the Maifanshi Aqua Foundation in #213, which is the best match for my NC 23-25 skin. It is closest in tone to the BE-1 in the original formula, though in my experience, it is a bit more beige in tone which adds to its overall depth, making it slightly darker than BE-1; I am pleased with this change as BE-1 was excellent in terms of undertone but always was a bit too light on me on its own, ultimately requiring me to mix in a drop of OC-2 to achieve the perfect shade.
Above: The foundation bottle is replete with a sturdy pump that dispenses the perfect amount of product every time.
Above: #213 in the new formula is very similar to BE-1 in the original formula.
Texturally speaking, this formula is sheer, though, in my opinion, not as sheer as the previous formula. It is fluid in nature (as its moniker would imply) and delightfully unscented. When applied over primer (either the Koh Gen Do Makeup Base in Yellow or LMdB Peau Vierge), I find that two pumps buffed into the skin with a damp Beauty Blender is sufficient to provide light-medium coverage over my entire face.
The pure yellow beige tone of the #213, effectively evens out my visage and doesn't oxidize, even after hours of wear. Speaking of which, the wear time of this formula is vastly improved. In the lovely original formula, I got approximately 5-6 hours of wear before fading set in; in the new formula, I easily get 7-8 hours before finding myself even thinking about the need for a touch up. This is, without question, where I think the new formula excels!
The finish is what I would deem a satin matte that gets glowier with wear, although, thankfully, it never degrades to unpleasant oiliness. I love how natural this looks, especially on days when I am going for the "no makeup makeup" look. Upon application, it refines pores and smooths uneven surfaces while it simultaneously renders itself completely invisible on the skin, thereby substantiating its formidable HD claims.
Below are some images of me wearing the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation in #213 in both indoor and outdoor lighting...
Above: #213 in outdoor lighting.
Bottom Line: The Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation formula is fantastic. Its sheer but buildable coverage truly gives the look of healthy, glowing, well-cared for skin. If you are looking for a light foundation with a radiant, lasting finish, then this well may be your answer!
My love for Koh Gen Do is no secret, as I've written about it on the blog many times over; the line is entirely innovative in its approach to high-definitition base products and skincare. In the nearly three years since personally discovering the line, I haven't gone a day without using the brilliant Spa Cleansing Water and the Aqua Foundation Illuminator in Sheer Beige has been a daily staple since early November. I am excited to add the Maifanshi Aqua Foundation to my foundation rotation and highly recommend it to those looking for imperceptible natural coverage with a luminous finish.
**PR sample provided for review, however, as always, all of my opinions are expressly and unequivocally my own. This post contains affiliate links as well unaffiliated links for your convenience; my disclosure policy contains additional details on how these work.
