Pacifica recently released a whole line of skincare and makeup products that are all crystal themed. In this release, there is a brand new foundation called their Crystal Blur Illuminating Foundation. So during my trip to California, I visited a local Sprouts to try it out and here’s what I think.
Here’s some quick information about the Crystal Blur Illuminating Foundation. According to the Pacifica Beauty website, this foundation is designed to blur your pores with minerals to create a flawless medium coverage finish. It’s created for all skin types and includes ingredients like quartz powder, coconut water and jasmine flower extract. It’s 100% vegan, cruelty-free and free from petroleum, parabens, SLS or phthalates.
Ingredients:
aqua, caprylic/capric triglyceride, jojoba esters, glycerin, sorbitan sesquioleate, potassium cetyl phosphate, sorbitan olivate, cetearyl olivate, jasminum officinale (jasmine) flower extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) water, carthamus tinctorius (safflower seed oil), withania somnifera root extract, sodium hyaluronate, macrocystis pyrifera extract, xanthan gum, quartz powder, hydroxyethylcellulose, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sodium dehydroacetate, citric acid, parfum (natural). May contain: titanium dioxide (77891), iron oxides (CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499).
I found a Sprouts store that had testers for the foundation while I was on my Northern California trip. Unfortunately, they hadn’t received their stock of the foundation yet so I was only able to take a sample of the tester to try out for a few days. Here’s my review of the foundation from that sample.
The Shades
The foundation comes in 4 shades (from lightest to darkest): Light Porcelain, Medium Yellow, Medium Neutral & Tan Neutral. The store I visited only had testers for 3 out of the 4 colors, so above I’ve included swatches of those 3 colors: Light Porcelain, Medium Yellow & Tan Neutral. All the swatches are photographed after foundation has dried and oxidized on my skin. I think this is a better representation of its true color.
I’ve got to say that I’m impressed that Pacifica included an olive or yellow undertone friendly option like Medium Yellow. Before this crystal line, all of their foundations were always too cool toned or pink for me. When I first swatched Medium Yellow on my skin, it was the perfect match for me. But this color dries a little warmer (slightly orange) and darker than I expected, so alas it is not a perfect match. I’m much closer to Light Porcelain which is the lightest shade. After using this shade for a few days, it just a little too cool toned for my skin but it’s not terrible. I did want to mention that I appreciate their attempt at trying to include a darker foundation shade like Tan Neutral. Normally medium neutral is the darkest shade they have in their other foundations and concealers. Regardless they definitely have a long way to go with their shade range.
The Quality
The finish of this foundation is truly medium coverage. It really creates a flawless but natural finish. I have dry skin so I was worried that it would cling to my the driest parts of my face, but as long as I moisturize beforehand, it never does! It actually feels a lightly moisturizing because it’s made with a few nourishing oils. But with this and any foundation, if you have dry skin, make sure to moisturize and exfoliate any flakey skin before applying it. All the oils, coconut water and quartz powder in the world won’t be able to mask really dry, flakey skin. While I’ve never tried a foundation with quartz powder before, I think the secret to the success of this foundation might be the quartz powder. The foundation never feels cakey or heavy on the skin and it actually gives me medium coverage in a layer or two. I think that you could even get this foundation to full coverage if you can layer the foundation carefully.
This foundation is valued at $18 and I think it’s worth every penny. I don’t think you can find another foundation this affordable of a price. I know transitioning into green beauty can get expensive for many people, but this is a great foundation for anyone getting started (as long as you can find your shade). Also Pacifica Beauty always has a few sales throughout the year, so you can even buy it for even less if you’re lucky.
The Final Verdict
This foundation really does what it claims to do: give you flawless, medium coverage. I believe it’s great for all skin types including people with dry skin. The price is phenomenally affordable for green beauty. I’ve looked at so many clean beauty foundations and this one is one of the most affordable. Therefore I recommend this foundation to anyone new to green beauty or looking to try more non-toxic foundation alternatives on a budget. The shade range is definitely limiting but there are some olive and tan options that Pacifica never had before. So if you can find you’re shade, definitely try out this foundation!
‘Til next time!
Daniela
