Asian brands make the best bases for my colouring (olive-yellow) and skin type (oily t-zone, normal elsewhere) but they can be difficult to test in person - or even to get hold of - for those not living in Asia. One of my favourite foundations is the Liquid Foundation Aqua made by Suqqu (pronounced soo-koo), a Japanese brand which is only available in a handful of countries across the world. I cannot believe it has taken me this long to blog about Suqqu, but they make some amazing products. For those in the UK, Suqqu has counters in London and Birmingham Selfridges, and the Edinburgh based store DollyLeo Apothecary also stock a small range from the line. Suqqu products can also be purchased worldwide from Mihoko, Ichibankao and DollyLeo online stores. They have recently revamped their entire line
Price: £38/24ml
Ingredients: Water, Cyclomethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethlhexyl Methioxycinnamate, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Maltitol, Mineral Oil, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone Copolyol, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tribehenin, BHT, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Silk Powder, Tocopherol, Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Gardenia Florida Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylparaben, [+/- May Contain: CI 77491, CI 77482, CI 77499, Talc]
The packaging is okay; simple, sleek, but nothing revolutionary. The foundation comes in a frosted glass base with a plastic lid. I am disappointed by the lack of a pump, but thankfully the opening is fairly small and thus easier to control. Also included with the foundation is a dense diamond shaped sponge and a pouch to store it in.
I used two layers of foundation in the pictures above (left), and it still looks like my skin - only much more even. The foundation has a wonderfully light and natural looking finish which I adore, and reminds me a little of Giorgio Armani's Lasting Silk Foundation - but more suited for oily skin, and without the high alcohol content. I do still get oily on my t-zone, and I need to blot one or twice throughout the day, but the foundation itself stays intact on my face all day without needing to be touched up. It is a somewhat drying foundation (due to the water content) and may not suit those with dry, or noticeably flaky, skin. There are only six shades in this range, and I use 15, the second lightest shade, which is best suited for a yellow NC20 complexion. I imagine those lighter than NC/NW15 or darker than NC/NW35 will struggle to find a suitable match.
