Mikyajy Sabaya Caring Cream Foundation

Price: Dhs. 59

Where: Mikyajy stores nationwide, but mine was a bloggers' gift hamper

Claims: www.mikyajy.com - Sabaya Caring Cream Foundation 

Colour: #6 the darkst available but was still way too light for me  

Spectrum: Has 6 available shades, mostly neutral toned but all on the lighter/fairer side

Consistency: Thick and creamy

Application: Dense buffing brush for medium coverage or sponge for fuller coverage

Blendability: Blends well and dries fast

Texture on skin: Smooth and soothing, thick but not heavy

Finish: Sets matte, almost dries to a powder finish and does not oxidise 

Coverage: Full

Longevity: Around 5 to 6 hours without touching up

Rating: 5/5

Cons: Colour selection is EXTREMELY limited, the darkest shade carering to an NC 25 complexion 

Conclusion: I really didn't find a colour that matched me at all but the finish and the neutral colouring make for perfect highlighter or under eye brightener. If there was a shade in my tone I will stock a life's worth of this stuff!

ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

Price: Dhs. 29

Where: www.alshop.com

Colour: Antigua  (darker) and St. Lucia (lighter)

Spectrum: Has 3 available shades; Turks & Caicos is the 3rd shade

Consistency: Tightly packed in the pan but quite powdery when swirled by a brush

Application: Angled brush or small fan brush

Blendability: Blends well but the darker shade a bit harder 

Texture on skin: Smooth and light 

Finish: Mostly matte but has a little shimmer that falls off when tapped for excess 

Pigmentation: The bronzers are highly pigmented but the blushers are mostly sheer

Longevity: Stays put for a good number of hours 

Rating: 4/5

Cons: The bronzers are more orange undertoned than ashy, not so flattering when contouring the nose

Conclusion: Amazing value for money! 

Essence Soft Touch Mousse Makeup

Price: Dhs. 19

Where: Exquisite shop in front of Manama Supermarket, Times Square Centre  

Claims: Natural matte finish, dermatologically tested

Colour: 02 Matt Beige, cool toned and a little bit too dark for me 

Spectrum: Has 6 available shades, mostly pink/cool toned 

Consistency: Mousse-like, whipped and very light

Application: Flat brush or fingers

Blendability: Amazing to blend, dries and sets fast

Texture on skin: Smooth and doesn't crease, very light, glides on super smoothly

Finish: Sets matte, almost dries to a powder finish

Coverage: Light to medium

Longevity: Around 4 hours if not set with a powder, but I personally wouldn't because it is extremely matte to start with. If you want to prolong its coverage, I'd recommend a good primer.

Rating: 4/5

Cons: It does oxidise ever so slightly 

Conclusion: I really didn't find a colour that suited me exactly but the fact that it is so light and easy to blend makes it disappear seamlessly into the skin. I would love it more if they came out with a wider colour spectrum and a fuller coverage.