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| Above: Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Cream Foundation samples, ready to be swatched outdoors. |
I have lauded the merits of the Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Cream Foundation in a full review as well as a host of videos and FOTD’s. Since this spectacular formula can be a bit of a challenge to track down (domestically, the line is carried at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman), I am happy to share swatches of all eight shades of the foundation in various lighting situations as well as a video featuring swatching in action! Hopefully, this post will be of great use for those of you who may not have a Kanebo Sensai counter in your neighborhood but are interested in trying this foundation.
Scroll on for a copious amount of swatches, shade descriptions, the video as well as the Bottom Line (including my Kanebo Sensai specialist’s contact information!)…
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| Above: Each of the shades came in their own generously-sized pot (specific to Neiman Marcus stores). |
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| Above: Swatches of all eight options in outdoor shade. |
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| Above: Close up swatches of the first four shades in outdoor shade. |
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| Above: Close up swatches of the last four shades in outdoor shade. |
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| Above: Swatches of every shade in direct sunlight. |
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| Above: The first four shades swatched in direct sunlight. |
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| Above: The last four shades swatched in direct sunlight. |
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| Above: Swatches in outdoor shade providing more contrast. |
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| Above: Swatches in indoor lighting. |
Shade Descriptions:
1. CF 11 Creamy Beige NW/N/NC 10-15: very light beige for fair skin with neutral undertones
2. CF 12 Summer Breeze NW/N 15: light beige for fair skin with neutral to rosy undertones
3. CF 13 Warm Beige NC 20-25: light beige for light skin with warm, yellow, even peachy undertones
4. CF 14 Bamby Beige N/NW 20-25: light beige for light skin with rosy undertones
5. CF 22 Natural Beige N/NC 23-27: light beige for light to light-medium skin with neutral to yellow undertones
6. CF 23 Almond Beige N/NC 30: medium beige for medium skin with neutral to yellow undertones
7. CF 24 Amber Beige N/NC 35-40: medium to dark beige for medium to tan skin with neutral to yellow undertones
8. CF 25 Topaz Beige NW/N/NC 45-50: dark beige for medium-dark skin (dark tan) with all undertones.
And now for the video swatching session…
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| Above: At the end of a successful swatching session! |
Bottom Line: The Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Cream Foundation makes my short list of favorite foundations amongst the incredible amount of foundations I’ve tried over the past few years. If you can find a suitable match, the brilliant medium coverage that lasts the entire day, the hydrating and balancing skin care properties and the gorgeous, dewy, skin-like finish work collectively to make this a foundation worth pursuing!
**If you are not near a Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman (where Kanebo Sensai counters are located), I suggest contacting my Kanebo Sensai specialist, Kimmie (949/759-1900 ext. 2121) at the Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island in CA. She is an excellent resource who truly knows the line inside and out.
Comments (49)
Thanks Rachel! Very helpful 😉 I just picked up the Coy myself and am enjoying it! I think it must be my life mission to try every form of peachy pink lip color made!
My pleasure, Stacy!! So glad you enjoyed it. Love that you already have Coy…we are totally on the same life mission when it comes to lip color ; ) Have you tried Dior's Gri Gri yet? I suspect you would love it as well!
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
It is on order 😉
Excellent!!
I hope you enjoy…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
You always have the best swatches of high-end brands, awesome! Thanks so much for taking the time to make such beautiful swatches.
Thank you so much, Elle…that means so much for me to hear!
Have a lovely weekend…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Incredible review! You make it possible to shop these beautiful products without visiting the counter which is such a tremendous help these days! The Natural Beige just melts into your skin! I think I would be somewhere in between Natural and Almond, but if I end up getting it I think I will get Natural as I believe it would be great all year. Maybe it can be warmed up with the Chanel Les Beiges?! Have you tried this yet? Thank you for always providing us with so much detail with every review!
Hello Shoshana!
Thank you very much! Helping others find their match on elusive yet worthy beauty products is always a goal. I think you would be happy with Natural Beige…it can totally be warmed up with contour (like TF Shade and Illuminate) or a darker powder like the Chanel Les Beiges (likely #30). I have been waiting for the release of Les Beiges (totally have my eye on #20 and #30) but haven't tried it yet. Have you?!
Hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
I haven't tried the Les Beiges yet. Just got an email from Chanel about pre-ordering but am unsure about the shade. I am thinking 30 or 40 since people say they are so sheer and forgiving. I will probably wait for you to try them lol.
We have family from Argentina in! Very fun!
Have a wonderful weekend! Thanks again!
I know the email you speak of ; ) I am likely waiting to try them when they arrive at a store nearby (like Nordstrom or Neiman's), just so I have the most flexibility in swatching etc. Family from Argentina…sounds like brilliant fun…enjoy your family time and talk soon!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Thank you for the very comprehensive review!
My pleasure, Bella…thanks for your sweet comment!
xo,
–The Beauty Professor
THANK YOU A MILLION FOR THIS!!! I called to order it but was leery because I hadn't yet seen the lighter shades…but now I am certain natural beige will be perfect! You always help me so much!! You are by far one of the all time best beauty bloggers ever!! Thanks again, you totally enable my foundation-itis! LOL!!
I am so thrilled that this post was helpful for you!! Thanks for the update…your assessment of my blog is absolutely generous and heartwarming!! I hope you love Natural Beige as much as I do…please keep me posted!
xoxo and happy weekend,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Rachel! I am loving loving the kanebo sensai! Thank you again for recommending. I am also LOVING(!!!) the amore pacific cc very much. I am touching up with it if I need a touch up in the afternoon. I also really like the lmdb Peau vierge although even the #1 is a little dark for my skin. Boo hoo. The shade does not interfere very much when wearing under the kanebo but I still wish it were slightly lighter. The lightest shade of Kanebo (creamy beige) is an exact match for me although I am wearing Summer Breeze right now to warm me up a little for summer. The finish is as beautiful as you describe! I love it more and more every day. The Kanebo is absolutely my favorite foundation. Thank you for your wonderful and thorough blog and video posts!! Enjoy your weekend!
Hello Staci,
I am so glad you are enjoying this foundation…the finish is difficult to completely convey unless one tries it and I am happy that you have been able to test it first hand! My recommendations are always honest and derived from my own experiences so it is always a joy to hear when they work out for my readers as well! For your lovely alabaster skin, I am sorry to hear that even Peau Vierge #1 is too light…it always seems that there is a lack appropriate shades on either side of the spectrum.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback and support…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
I've said it before, and I'll say it again – you have the best swatches out there! It's the next best thing to being there 🙂
Thank you ever so much, Carol…as someone who takes her swatches (probably a little too) seriously, this is a gratifying distinction for me!
xoxo and have a beautiful Saturday,
–The Beauty Professor
Hello Beauty Professor! I tried to post a comment from my phone a couple of hours ago but I think it didn't work so I'll do it again. I've never tried this foundation on myself but the make-up artists who I work with at a TV station use it for the TV shows we put on air so I guess it has to be awesome! Thank you for the amazing review as always 🙂 By the way I love your lip color! Nudes look so good on you 🙂
Xoxo
Sara
Hello Sara,
Thank you for your comment (and sorry it was giving you trouble via phone)! I am not surprised to hear that makeup artists are using it for TV because even though it doesn't purport to be HD, it truly disappears into the skin!! Thanks for your sweet words about my lip color…it is Laura Mercier Nouveau Rouge in Coy…brand new and loving it.
xoxo and talk soon!
–The Beauty Professor
Ah, beautiful swatches! It's a line I haven't tried, but I'm definitely making a mental note. I think foundations are probably the product I'm most tempted by, this sounds wonderful. I imagine I'd be Natural Beige or Warm Beige
Hi Catherine,
Thanks so much! I can totally relate the foundation chase…definitely my weakness as well. I completely recommend this one for all the reasons I've already stated…it's amazing!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi B.P, wanted to update you & your readers on how truly amazing the Kanebo foundation is. We have just ended a week long heatwave here in Rhode Island. Last night we had my son's graduation party OUTSIDE! we had severe thunderstorms 1 hr. before the party then it cleared up just in time &got sunny & HOT again.The foundation stayed perfect in all the humidity & me running around making sure the guests were all good. Grills & smoke going & my makeup was perfect. Thank you so much for finding what just might be my H.G of foundations! You truly are the best beauty blogger and most informative in all you do! xo
Hi Lynn,
Thank you so much for your update…I am thrilled to hear that the foundation is all I know it to be and your experience is of great value to my readers as well!! For not purporting to be either HD or long wearing, this formula amazingly embodies both characteristics in spades!
I so appreciate your feedback, compliments and support…xoxo and talk soon!
–The Beauty Professor
Just love how natural beige just seems to disappear into your skin. Such an amazing match!!
It is the best match I have had perhaps EVER, and that is saying something ; )
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hello again! Just returned from a much needed shopping trip. Based on your recommendations, I picked up the beauty blender, the Evian facial spray& might I say a few cosmetics?! I got the Nars light reflecting pressed setting powder. Genius how they do this, no? Looks like nothing but just as you said gives the most subtle light & setting properties. The Nars rep Mark also gave me samples of the Radiance enhancing pro-prime light optimizing primer. Very pretty & a bit cooling. He also gave me a sample of the most amazing cream blush that they cant ssem to keep in stock..it looks like orgasm but more pigmented & dries down to powder a bit! LOVE IT! Moving on per your suggestions, I got a cream blush in Chanel called Presage. A great coral and to match I got Rouge Coco in Mystique. I also got to try the Levolume mascara in khaki color believe it or not! Not for everyone but it looks more like a muted brown sort of. She did however give me a sample in black because the formula is amazing. Thank you again. If it was'nt for your reviews, I would not be purchasing all these wonderful cosmetics. xoxo
Hi Lynn,
Oh my goodness…your shopping trip sounds like it was divine! Thank you for sharing the full spectrum of details. I can't explain the alchemy that is the NARS powder, but it is truly something, no?! That NARS cream blush sounds fantastic…would love to see it in person. Your Chanel purchases are all sorts of peachy pink coral goodness. I didn't know that they made the Le Volume in khaki but that definitely sounds interesting. As always, so happy my reviews have ben helpful for you!!
You are a dear reader and a lovely friend…have a wonderful rest of your Monday!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Have been wearing my new foundation for a week now and I am completely blown away!! Rachel I can't thank you enough…I never thought I'd find my Holy Grail foundation, but this one from kanebo is perfect and definitely HG!!! Kimmie is a gem and has me loving the skin care as well!! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!
I hope all is well with you and you have a great weekend!
That is absolutely fantastic news, DocSmitty…seriously, it brought a smile to my face!! I am beyond happy to have helped you find your way to the Kanebo foundation and love that you are enjoying the skincare as well…I've been using it nonstop lately!
I hope you have a fantastic weekend and look forward to hearing from you soon.
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
HI Rachel
Although I missed your NM event today, I must tell you that Kim at Kanebo was so sweet to send me the foundation samples and goodies to boot! Almond Beige is the perfect colour for me and what a foundation that is! My husband who never comments on my make up said my skin had never looked better. I used just a tiny amount and it was just fabulous. I am so thankful to you for finding this amazing foundation. I shall definitely be going to NM asap. Will also get the TF stick foundation in Tawny. Both are amazing finds, thanks to you!
Hello! I hope you had a lovely birthday and am so thankful for the update! Kim is such a gem and we had a wonderful time together yesterday at the event. I am thrilled to hear that you found perfect matches in both Almond Beige and Tawny…happy to be a part of your successful foundation search ; )
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi! Your swatches are awesome! I'd that any way you can compare koh gen do Asia's oc2 and be1 with kanebo's almond beige and natural beige? I'm trying to decide which one would be best for me
Thanks!
Thanks, Cinderbits! I will try to do a swatch with the three soon! I can tell you off the top of my head, that Almond Beige is slightly darker than KGD OC2 and OC2 is darker than Natural Beige and BE 1 is by far, the lightest of all!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks! It sounds like kanebo natural beige would be best for me as kegs oc2 is a bit dark. I was actually able to snag a couple of the kgd foundations off of the Hautelook event last week so I'm looking forward to trying them!
Another question for you, what are your favorite finishing powders and touch up powders?
Thanks again!
Happy to help! I am glad you able to narrow it down to Natural Beige…can't wait to hear your thoughts!
In response to your question, lately I've been loving the Kanebo Sensai Triple Touch Compact, Chanel Les Beiges #20 and Givenchy Teint Couture powder.
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
I wear a powder foundation and was wondering if you think the powder foundation colors would be similar to the liquid foundation. I am a NW20. I have lipsticks from this line and would love some more!
Hello Anon,
It seems like there is a direct relationship between the powder and cream foundation formulas in the Kanebo Sensai line…the numbers correspond!
I hope that helps…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi, I love your blog! 🙂 this foundation sounds perfect, can you please help me with color match? I dont live in US and i need to order it online, im mac nc/nw15-20, dior forever 020, chanel aqua between 010 and 020, Armani lumines silk #4, thank you 🙂
Hello Pixi,
Thank you so much! Based on your current matches, I would suggest CF 11 or CF 12…CF 11 is very fair (closer to NC 15/Chanel 010) and CF 12 is more of a NW 20/Chanel 020.
I hope that helps!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks so much 🙂
Hi, I just want to know which one is lighter Warm Beige or Natural Beige because on your swatch here … http://www.beautyprofessor.net/2013/06/kanebo-sensai-cellular-performance.html … you mentioned that Warm Beige is for NC 27-30. Thanks.
Hello,
It just depends on the undertone you desire…Natural Beige feels a bit lighter to me since the undertone is neutral to yellow while Warm Beige oxidizes to a golden peach shade (which translates as darker on my skin). That being said, I believe that the Warm Beige is marketed as technically “lighter” than Natural Beige, but as I said before, it will just depend on the undertone you are seeking.
Hope that helps…xo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi,
I'm new to your blog but am already obsessed! I have an extremely hard time finding foundations pale enough and that suit my dry skin so your reviews are a big help! I know this is an incredibly old post so you may not see it, but I was wondering if I could get your advice on something.
I'm planning on purchasing the D&G perfect finish creamy foundation and Kanebo Sensai cellular performance cream foundation – both in the lightest shades possible. However, I'm extremely fair. I currently use By Terry Cover Expert in the lightest shade (1) which is still slightly too dark but wearable, and the Sunday Riley HD liquid foundation is a pretty close match in its lightest shade (100c). I'm unable to wear anything from Dior, Clarins, Chanel etc as the lightest offerings are all extremely dark on my skin. Do you think D&G in classic and Kanebo in creamy beige will be light enough? They both seem quite light compared to others in your swatches but just wanted a second opinion.
Any help would be much appreciated as I can't get to a counter.
Thank you and hope you have a lovely week all the way from the rainy UK…
Hello Anon,
Thanks for your comment…I am so glad you found your way here and are enjoying my litany of foundation posts ; )
With regards to your question, I do think the Kanebo (since the line caters to Asian skin tones, the light shades are superb!) will be light enough but I am a bit less certain about the D&G as I haven’t seen Classic in person in awhile.
Honestly, between the two formulas, I much prefer the Kanebo, especially for dry skin!
I hope that helps…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi, Love your blog its great! You have scarcity brands that other people don't review which is really helpful. I have tried many foundations high-ends… and I have yet to find one I really like. In the past I have used Shiseido Maquillage Cream foundation Which i really liked but they discontinued!( It also wasn't very expensive) So ever since Ive just been trying tons of foundation.. I bought the cream Sensai foundation yesterday, after searching through several reviews and also because I really like the texture of these cream foundation. Anyway I bought it yesterday I and tried it this morning , the color was too dark I bought amber beige the lighter one was too light! I really wanted to like this foundation, apart from the color I also feel like it doesn't have a great coverage I was expecting. I tried chantacaille's cream foundation in the past which is similar to this I feel you would like it they also have more shades. However Chantacaille was not enough coverage for me as well. I wanted to know if you have any recommendation on any liquid/cream foundations that are great coverage and last long??? Price is not a problem for me. Thanksss!!!x
Hello Jessica,
Thank you so much! I am thrilled to hear that the brands I review are ones in which you are interested. With regards to your question, I am so sorry to hear that the KS CP Cream Foundation was too dark and not enough coverage for you…I prefer medium to medium-full coverage and find that I get it with this formula (especially when applied with a Beauty Blender). I agree with you, however, that the Chantecaille cream formula doesn’t give much coverage at all! If the Kanebo’s coverage is not enough, the only two I can think of that give more (and are still beautiful formulas) are the Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation (however, I think that #003 is the darkest and it is only about NC 27-30) and the Ardency Inn Custom Coverage (a new brand sold at Sephora) which can be applied at full strength (with the coverage of a heavy duty concealer) or mixed with something lighter (like another foundation or even moisturizer) to create full or medium-full, long lasting coverage.
I hope that helps…can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi, I love this review. In regards to the picture of samples at the very top, can you please tell me the color in the second row , last one on the right? And on the top row the 3 from the left (lightest color on the top row)? Also, where do you buythe Bunny Rouge Primer?
Thank You 🙂 looking forward to your response…
Thanks!
With regards to your questions…the second row, last one on right is Warm Beige and the top row, third from the left is Bamby Beige!
The Rouge Bunny Rouge Primer can be purchased online at Beauty Habit (www.beautyhabit.com) or at the Rouge Bunny Rouge web boutique (www.rougebunnyrouge.com).
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor