Product Review: Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation / Concealer

More concealer-mania! I briefly mentioned Cinema Secrets' Concealer here, but a product this fab deserves a proper review.




Based in Burbank, California, the Cinema Secrets line of cosmetics is geared towards make-up artists and people in theatre (or on TV), but that doesn't mean it has to be kept a secret from you! Their Ultimate Foundation does double duty: apply it full-strength as a concealer, or sheer it out with a damp foundation brush or sponge to get a flawless but natural-looking coverage.

This creme foundation glides on effortlessly, and doesn't feel heavy or greasy like other creme bases can. It gives nice, glowy finish as a foundation, but it's not as terrific at controlling oil as I'd like, so I prefer to use it as a concealer. However, those with slightly drier skins might actually find it a perfect base for them. It blends seamlessly, concealing dark circles, spots, and redness. Powder has never once caked over this, and I can even touch up over the powder with good results.

And let's not forget the most important part of a concealer for me: the coverage is AMAZING... probably the best I've tried. This stuff can apparently cover up tattoos, and they have pictures on their site to prove it. I like to apply it with my pinky for under-eye circles -- I find this gives the most opaque, smoothest coverage. For more precise work (e.g., blemishes, or that little annoying area by the nose where the cheekbone ends and the dark circles start), I'll use a tapered concealer brush.

If you have super oily skin, or have a LOT of problems with creasing, you might want to look elsewhere. But I think this will work extremely well for most folks out there. Especially for those of you that have trouble finding a good colour match... there are over 40 shades, including a line of colour-correctors! Crazy. Their website does a great job showing & describing all the colours, but it's always best to try them out in person if you can. They don't accept returns, but just email them, and their staff can help find your perfect shade.

The foundation comes in 2 sizes (0.25oz and 0.5oz), and the smaller one cost me $22CAD. I've used it for a month and have just started to put a dent in it. Cinema Secrets makeup can be purchased direct from their website, and you may also be able to find it locally at beauty-school or theatre make-up suppliers. They have a list of distributors, but it's certainly not exhaustive. In Toronto, you can find it at Hiscott's and Industry Cosmetics (both around College & Yonge). Do a little digging around; something this good is definitely worth a bit of legwork!