Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation…Swatches and Review!

Koh Gen Do undoubtedly is famous for their foundations.  Last week, I covered the merits of the Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation, and this week, I am happy to share my impression (as well as some light-to- medium skin tone swatches!) of the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation.
Here are the details for the Manfanshi Moisture Foundation according to Sephora’s website:
What it does:
Maifanshi Moisture Foundation provides the superior buildable coverage of a cream with the natural-looking, sheer finish of a liquid foundation.Koh Gen Do’s “hero” product for more than 20 years, this formula is created with advanced technology from Japan taking three times the amount of time normally taken to make a foundation. Two types of light-reflecting powder particles work together to diffuse fine lines, pores and uneven skin surfaces. It’s also formulated with finely milled 100% mineral pigments that are specially coated for a color-true effect and moisturizing botanicals to support the skin for long hours of wear.
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens
– Synthetic Fragrances
– Synthetic Dyes
– Phthalates
– GMOs
– Triclosan

What else you need to know:
The formula, suitable for all skin types, contains 60% water and 10% mineral pigments that are encapsulated in a highly filtered botanical oil of 30%. This golden ratio keeps the skin moist without the feel of oiliness, so you can look flawless with long hours of wear. Each Moisture Foundation shade is formulated for specific skintones.

For pink undertones – 001, 012, 002, 013, 023, 003
For yellow undertones – 112, 113, 123
For dark tones – 301, 302, 303

Designed to be suitable for high definition situations, the Maifanshi Moisture Foundation comes in a squeeze tube that holds .71 ounces of product.  The fact that this very small quantity retails for $62 may be a deterrent for some, right off the bat!  I, however, was lured by the lore surrounding this makeup and bought a tube of #123 earlier this year.  As I have previously mentioned, getting the correct color match for Koh Gen Do foundations can be tricky since one of the only places to see the product first hand is Barneys.

#123 is a light to medium beige with neutral to yellow undertones…I found it to work well on my skin in both spring and summer.  I included some shades that immediately lighter and darker than #123 for reference…what is great about the moisture foundation is that it can be mixed to achieve the perfect shade.  For example, I wear #123, but should my face get darker, I could add a smidge of #310 to deepen the tone.  It truly is like mixing paints in art class!

koh gen do maifanshi moisture foundation swatches
KGD Maifanshi Moisture Foundation swatches in the shade.

This foundation yields sheer to medium coverage and needs some setting powder to solidify its presence and lasting power.  It is build able, but even after a couple of light layers, I wouldn’t say that it is full coverage in nature.  When followed by a powder to set the product, it does indeed last all day, even in humid conditions! I like to use my fingers when applying a dime sized amount on my face; because of the texture of the product, I do not recommend using a brush to apply…it will soak up too much of the precious foundation.

Swatches in direct sunlight.

Bottom Line: Although quite pricy for the amount of product in the tube, Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation is excellent for those with sensitive skin who desire light to medium coverage and a natural, lasting finish.  I am glad that I have it in my foundation arsenal, but because it takes a bit more time to apply (fingers and blending instead of my trusty Sephora Airbrush), I use it sporadically.

Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation in #123 with a light dusting of KGD Triple Lightning Powder in OC-2 (to be reviewed soon!)

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Comments (26)

  • WQ Reply

    BP,
    Thanks for a thorough review (swatches included) and for shedding light on hard to find products!

    I enjoy reading your blog!

    –WQ

    June 8, 2012 at 12:53 am
  • The Beauty Professor Reply

    Thanks for your comment, WQ! I am glad you enjoyed the review and swatches…I will keep them coming : )

    Thank you for being a fabulous reader!

    Have a great weekend,

    –The Beauty Professor

    June 9, 2012 at 4:44 am
  • bloggirl Reply

    Oh I just found your blog (amazing) and these swatches, just what I've been looking for.
    I'd like to order this but it is tricky to pick a good match online.
    I'm wearing MUFE HD in 110 which is a bit light and pink.. which shade do you think would suit me? Thanks so much

    March 12, 2013 at 10:22 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello Bloggirl!

      So happy you found your way here! I am so glad to hear that my swatches are helpful for you. Based on your current foundation shade, I am guessing that 012 should work for you…it is a light beige with pink undertones.

      I hope this helps!

      xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      March 15, 2013 at 3:40 am
  • Unknown Reply

    Ahh finally a photo of swatches! 😀 I'm having a hard time deciding on a shade for my NC 42 Asian skin with yellow undertones. I can't have samples delivered to the country I live and it would be a shame if what I buy online doesn't match my skin-tone.

    I'm thinking of buying 301.
    In your swatches photo in shade it says "310" and the photo in direct sunlight says "301" ? I'm a bit confused. Would appreciate if you could reply and share your opinion on the shade that'll suit me. Thank you! 🙂

    May 23, 2013 at 3:16 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello Wafa…happy to oblige ; ) I think that #301 (that is its true number…I have it mis-labled in the first image) would be a good place to start. It is a warm dark beige for carmel-toned skin and, if you are able to get two shades, then I suggest #301 and #123 so you could mix to get your perfect shade all year long.

      Hope that helps…xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      May 25, 2013 at 1:33 am
  • Petra Reply

    Hello, I love your blog and your swatches, I purchased quite a few foundations based on them, and the colour match was always great! 🙂 However, I'm having trouble figuring out which shade would suit me in this foundation, and I don't have Sephora or Barneys anywhere near, so I have to order online. I'm around NW15, and my most perfect foundation shade match ever is By Terry Cover Expert 02 neutral beige, which I also bought based on your swatches. :)) Do you have any idea which shade would be the closest? There aren't many swatches of lightest shades, so I have no idea whether to order 001, 002, 012 od maybe even 112?? I'd really apreciate if you could help me with this one.

    Thanks in advance, kind regards from Croatia! 🙂

    July 6, 2013 at 9:28 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello Petra,

      Thanks for your kind words about my blog! I am so glad you have found some foundations that you love because of my obsession ; ) I am guessing that #012 will be a good match for you in this formula. I believe that #001 will be too light and #002 could potentially work, but I am fairly certain it is actually a slight bit darker than #012!

      I hope that helps…xoxo and keep me posted,

      –The Beauty Professor

      July 9, 2013 at 12:27 am
  • Box Reply

    Hi, was wondering if you could help me with a colour match in this and the aqua one? I am about a mac NW20 or chantecaille future skin in ivory or Ellis Faas in 102. I have cool undertones.
    Thanks so much for any help you can give me.

    September 18, 2013 at 2:53 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello Box,

      Thanks for the question. I am guessing you would be 013 or 023 in the Moisture and PK1 in the Aqua.

      I hope that helps!

      Take care,

      –The Beauty Professor

      September 20, 2013 at 2:02 am
  • Anonymous Reply

    If i am a 123 in the aqua koh gen do what match would i be in the maifanshi moisture foundation and also if you could suggest a color in the triple lighting powder I wear bobby brown stick beige. 3 Armani 5.5 ysl B 30 beige

    September 1, 2014 at 2:55 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hi Anon…thanks for the question. I would suggest either #123 or #203…both are great light-medium beiges for skin with warm/yellow undertones. I prefer the BE-1 (on the lighter side) or OC-2 (on the darker side) in the Koh Gen Do Triple Lightning Powder.

      xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      September 3, 2014 at 12:22 am
    • Anonymous Reply

      Thank you so much for your help so glad I found your site I'll let you know how the colors work you have been a big help also have you ever tried Edward bess foundation if so what colorwould a good match recommendation be thanks ever so much

      September 13, 2014 at 10:28 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello…glad to hear it!

      I have tried his cream foundation and think you could wear Beige or Natural (I have both!).

      xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      September 18, 2014 at 6:49 am
  • Anonymous Reply

    Hi I am definitely a 123 in aqua foundation but thought maybe the 123 in moisture foundation in red tube looked like a darker color would the 113 in the moisture foundation be closer to the 123 in the aqua foundation it's hard ordering on line an it pricey fo t both foundations the triple lighting powder foundation in Oc1 seemed like a good match it is the setting powder right? What's you're thoughts on this i really appreciate your help I love your site it is very new to me I want to get colors as close as possible before spending all that money lol thanks

    September 8, 2014 at 11:30 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hi! I wear a #123 in the Moisture and can get away with #123 or #203 in the Aqua. OC-1 or BE-1 will be good setting powder options for you.

      I hope that helps!

      –The Beauty Professor

      September 18, 2014 at 6:03 am
  • Anonymous Reply

    Hi again could you advise me on the color I would take in vincent longo water canvas foundation if I'm bobbie brown 3 beige armani 5.5 ysl b 30 beige an 123 koh gen do aqua foundation thank you

    October 12, 2014 at 8:18 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello,

      I would recommend Bisque or Warm Beige!

      xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      October 14, 2014 at 1:20 am
    • Anonymous Reply

      Thank you so glad I found your site you have been so helpful an and wow so thorough and knowledgeable really a great place to find good information on makeup and skin care thanks again

      October 14, 2014 at 5:40 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      My pleasure…glad to hear it and thanks for the sweet words!

      xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      October 16, 2014 at 8:41 pm
  • md Reply

    hi there! thanks for this. between this and the aqua foundation, which is dewier, and which would you say is more photogenic? many thanks!

    December 28, 2014 at 5:43 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hi MD…I actually find that the Aqua Foundation is more photogenic…it is smooth and perfecting!

      Hope that helps…xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      December 30, 2014 at 5:12 am
  • JC Reply

    Hi, I could use your professional help with the shade. I'm #123 koh gen do aqua foundation based on the sample I ordered and tested. Which shade in Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup Octinoxate Sunscreen SPF 15 or Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Smoothing Firming Foundation SPF 20 or Yves Saint Laurent
    LE TEINT TOUCHE ÉCLAT Illuminating Foundation SPF 19 should I get since the Koh Gen Do is OOS ? Thank you so much!

    December 4, 2015 at 8:10 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hi JC,

      Thanks for your question. I would suggest shade 5.5 in the Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup.

      I hope that helps…xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      December 27, 2015 at 2:04 am
  • Anonymous Reply

    thx for taking the time to review and do swatches, it helps me a lot when deciding what to buy. i would like to try kgd in both the aqua and moisture foundation but its imposdble to find a store that carries it. its website does not ship samples to canada so i m out of luck. may i please get your recommendation in both the aqua and moisture? i m nars sheer glow ceylan, tinted moisturiser alaska2,hourglass foundation in ivory, found most korean cc shade 21 too light and pink while 23 too dark and peachy. same thing with nars, i was matched with punjab but too peachy and a tad too dar in daylight, though it looked fine at sephora, so switching to ceylan was a good move, its a way better match. also tried amore pacific cc 104 again dark and orangey. thanks and look forward to your reply

    January 22, 2016 at 5:38 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hi Anon,

      My pleasure1 I am guessing tht you would be good with shade #113, which is similar to NARS Ceylan!

      Hope that helps…xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      February 2, 2016 at 3:56 am

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