I couple of weeks ago, I received samples of the Rouge Bunny Rouge Time Defying Skin Sanctuary Foundation. My initial post, featuring swatches of the four shades can be found HERE. Since then, I have given this foundation a proper try and am excited to weigh in on the coverage, finish, shades, lasting power and overall effect of this promising new product!
COVERAGE:
The Skin Sanctuary Foundation provides medium to medium-full coverage with a single swipe. This was the first noticeable difference between this and the Rouge Bunny Rouge Milk Aquarelle foundation (which I own in Chesnut Milk, a light beige shade approximately in the NC25 range). Milk Aquarelle’s more gel-like texture offers buildable medium coverage.
FINISH:
The finish of Skin Sanctuary is a lovely satin-matte…there is no need to set this foundation with powder, as it creates a matte, yet natural looking visage. It is similar in “matteness” to the Giorgio Armani Maestro Makeup, though the Maestro is a decidedly thinner consistency.
SHADES:
The most significant drawback to this foundation is the fact that it, as of publish date, comes in only four shades, all in the NC/NW20-NC/NW35 range. Although this reality is fantastic for those in the light to medium skin spectrum, those with very fair or darker skin will have great trepidation finding a match. I am hopeful that, in the near future, Rouge Bunny Rouge releases additional shades to address these needs! **For a bevy of swatch comparisons in a variety of foundation formulas, do scroll on!
LASTING POWER:
Skin Sanctuary is a medium to long-wearing foundation! I found that, when applied over a primer (in this case, Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge #2), I got 7 or 8 hours of wear time without fading, patchiness, or turning into an oil slick. In addition, this wears comfortably. My skin stays balanced, hydrated and healthy looking for the duration of wear and even feels great after I remove the foundation with my trusty Koh Gen Do Spa Water. This is longer-lasting than the Milk Aquarelle formula (which gives a respectable 4-5 hours of flawless wear, though dewiness sets in after a few hours!).
OVERALL EFFECT:
This is a beautiful foundation…since I prefer medium to full coverage foundations and appreciate products with wear time longevity, I think I like this (dare I say it?!) a tinge more than the Milk Aquarelle. I hope to get my own bottle in Wheat Cream (a perfect match for NC25 skin) soon!
The following images reflect RBR Skin Sanctuary shades in conjunction with other foundation formula shades in a similar color range (NC/NW20-NC/NW 35)…
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| Above: Swatches of foundation in the NC/NW 20-NC/NW 30 range. |
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| Above: Close up of watches of foundation in the NC/NW 20-25 range. |
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| Above: Close up of swatches of foundation in the NC/NW 25-NC/NW 30 range. |
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Above: Swatches of foundation in the NC/NW 25-NC/N35 range.
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| Above: Close up swatches of foundation in the NC/NW 30-35 range. |
The following images reflect what RBR Skin Sanctuary looks like on the face (in different lighting situations)…
Above and below: Taken indoors with outdoor lighting streaming through…this foundation provides a naturally polished look!
The next three pictures were taken outside in indirect sunlight!
Bottom Line: I am very pleased with Rouge Bunny Rouge’s latest foundation installment. The coverage, wear time and finish of Skin Sanctuary are just brilliant and the additional skincare benefits make this a foundation to covet!
Comments (16)
Hi BP
I have family visiting Hong Kong, so I am furiously compiling my want list! -the new RBR looks good, I have only sampled the original RBR foundation, which is very nice-I was wondering you had tried out either Burberry foundation-I thought I might give the sheer luminous burberry a try-I found the Tom Ford a bit heavy and shiny for my oily skin.-also saw ur great review on frantic pink blush-I am hoping to get wicked, tho I also seem to have a heavy hand!
Hello Jo,
A shopping list for Hong Kong…sounds exciting!! With regards to your question, I have only swatched the Burberry foundations in-store (never on my face). While I've heard some good things about both formulas, they are, in sum, too sheer for my taste. I prefer a medium to medium-full coverage foundation that I don't have to "build." I hope you are able to get some TF stuff as well…Wicked is beautiful, but I know I would personally look utterly clown-like with my application skills ; )
Can't wait to hear what you get from Hong Kong…please keep me posted!!
xo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hello,
It always seems I am planning a list for a big shop!!-but I will lament again that we do not get all the gorgeous brands I love in my country-so alas I am "forced" to buy in bulk as it were when someone travels!-I thought I had enough foundations -but since I am am not sure of travel plans thought I might get a new one.I do prefer my foundations on the sheer side-but not a lot of info on the Burberry foundations by bloggers-my other option would be the armani luminous silk-but I am hoping that this brand will arrive on my shores some time this year-the wait will be excruciatingly long! Talking about cheek colour application-I also seem to have a heavier hand on my right side of my face!!-so I am the lopsided clown!-lol chat soon…..
Hello Jo!
If you don't mind me asking, where are you based? There are so many fantastic niche brands out there now that it is almost impossible to have access to everything (even with the Internet!) unless you have a contact in another country! My feeling on foundation is that one can never have enough options! After all, we put it on our face everyday and it either "makes" or "breaks" the overall effect of the rest of the makeup we apply!
Since you prefer a sheerer foundation formula, I suspect that you will really like Burberry…it is both sheer and luminous, with great neutral and yellow-based undertones. The Armani Luminous Silk is also good for a sheer application…I've used it many times over in #6 and it is excellent for "low-coverage days." Waiting for a certain product can seem like an eternity!!
Your mention of the lopsided clown made me smile…I don't know what is worse, a lopsided clown, or full blown clown (as is the case with me when I am not careful!) ; )
Take care and talk soon…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hello beauty professor,
Thank you for writing about this new foundation. Could you do a comparison of the three lighter shades of skin sanctuary with milk aqurelle chestnut please? That would be incredibly helpful. I own the RBR milk aquarelle in chestnut and it is my perfect match, but the drawbacks you mentioned (looks too dewy after a few hours and does not last long enough) makes me want to try RBR new foundation. How would you say these shades compare to each other? Thank you!
Hello Anon,
My pleasure…I was so excited when this foundation was released! I will try to post a swatch of the shades you mention in the next few days!
Take care and have a great rest of the weekend…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Thank you! I'm looking forward to your post. Have a great week
My pleasure and you too!!
xo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi BP
As always your review is impeccable and whilst my opinion may not be important I would say the photos of you wearing this foundation are the best of all!
I'm a slightly weird foundation colour- number 7 in Le Maestro, sort of number 3 in Guerlain Parure Gold and not really a match in any Mac foundations. Its always tricky to find any colour that works. The Le Maestro is the closest thing Ive ever found and whilst I love it for every day I would really like a fuller coverage like the RBR for times when I want to look properly made up. Can you help with some colour suggestions in this RBR or another medium to full coverage (more full than medium) foundation please? Thanks from a devoted reader x
Hello Anon,
Thank you so much for your kind and complimentary words! I am so glad you enjoyed my review! Based on your current matches, I would suggest a combination of Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Foundation in #7 and #9…you should be able to mix the two to achieve your perfect golden, full coverage shade. Also, you could maybe get away with the Skin Sanctuary in Barley Cream (similar depth to Maestro #7 but a bit peachier in undertone). Finally, I suggest the Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Cream Foundation (loving this lately) in Amber Beige. This is difficult to find (I bought mine at Neiman Marcus) but has the most amazing finish for a medium to full coverage foundation.
I hope that helps…xoxo and do keep me posted,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks BP
I have LMdeB in #7 so I've ordered #9 online to mix with it as you suggest. I discovered the Kanebo Sensai range on my last visit to Paris and like the texture and coverage of the Cellular Performance foundation too as I bought it in Bramby Beige. It's almost the right colour but not quite…amazing that you suggested that brand and I already have one ! Do you not think the Amber Beige would be too dark though? We have neither brand here in Australia so trying to colour match is reserved for long haul flight holidays… I visited the Armani counter today and they suggested I use their Face Fabric under the Le Maestro foundation to create greater coverage. I'll give that a try and let you know but i fear it will alter the inherent beauty of the Le Maestro. One other foundation I'd like to try is the Dolce and Gabbana Powder Foundation…Any recommendation for the right shade ?
You are incredibly generous with your time answering all our questions – i greatly appreciate your kind advice. xx
My pleasure! I hope that #9 does the trick…it is fairly dark but nicely golden, so I love how I can add a little (or a lot!) depending on the depth you want to achieve. That is wild that you already have the Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance…I have three shades in sample form (in addition to my full jar of Natural Beige) and one of them is Amber Beige…when I do my review of the foundation (coming soon!), I will make sure to swatch them all so that you can get a better picture of what the shade looks like. I like the idea of using Face Fabric under Maestro, but the FF is so sheer, that I have to imagine that the coverage difference is negligible. Do let me know what you experience when you try it!
I like the D & G Powder Foundation…great mattifying and coverage. I have it in Warm 100 but I am guessing that Caramel 110 might be a good match for you!
Always happy to help when I can…take care and have a lovely week…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi again BP
Well I tried the FF today under Maestro and it actually does make a significant difference to coverage – It made the finish more polished so will be a useful combo for some days but I think it does kind of destroy the simple loveliness of Maestro on its own. Maybe Maestro is a better summer choice for me when my skin looks more pulled together ( slight sun exposure really does shrink the pores and gives you a glow but I shouldn't admit that I do it…luckily I still produce a lot of natural oil that is limiting the wrinkles my naturally drier skinned friends are developing…! ). I await your review of Amber Beige and having read your review of the Serge Lutens Powder Foundation today I agree with everything you said. I bought the same colour as you (on the same recent trip to Paris) and whilst its a tad light as a pure foundation it is great as final setting powder or toucher upper. The Sensai equivalent is almost as good …
Thanks and take care xx
Hello Anon,
Thanks for the update…I am so excited that the FF is so effective in tandem with Maestro and will have to give this little combination a try! I know what you mean about producing extra oil…I think that might be helping to keep my wrinkles at bay as well ; ) At least there is one upside to feeling shiny! I will make sure to post the swatches of the Kanebo soon…battling a cold today, but hope to be back to normal and ready to photograph swatches tomorrow!
Take care and xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Dear BP
I was wrong about the Serge Lutens colour I bought- its 060 so slightly darker than your 040…
Just thought Id better clarify so you didn'tn think I was clueless !! xxx
No worries!! Thanks for letting me know ; )
xo,
–The Beauty Professor