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| Above: Zelens Age Control Foundation…marvelous on every level imaginable. |
As we are on the cusp of Christmas Eve, I couldn’t let another day go by without detailing my experience with the Zelens Age Control Foundation (intially mentioned HERE). Those of you who read Beauty Professor on a regular basis know that I have an insatiable appetite for foundation and, although I have procured many incredible formulas over the past few months (discussed HERE, HERE and HERE), am always on the hunt for the next great formula. Enter Zelens…predominantly known for its impeccable skincare, the color collection (which also includes blush, concealer and lip products) was recently released and is exclusively available at Barney’s NY. After receiving many questions about the Age Control formula from readers who know I am constantly in pursuit of the latest foundations, I finally ordered shade Beige from Barney’s NY and couldn’t be happier with my decision.
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches of every shade and images of the Zelens Age Control Foundation in action…
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| Above: Package “back matter.” |
With buildable medium to full coverage, the Zelens Age Control Foundation is brimming with skincare-grade ingredients to actively fight the visible signs of aging (e.g., slack skin and fine lines) and even skin to the point of perfection. A single pump is all that is necessary to cover my entire visage (I prefer application with a damp Beauty Blender); the pigmentation is utterly astounding.
The finish is difficult to describe in a single word…intially, it appears fairly matte, but after a minute or two, it melds to the skin in the most natural manner; it looks multidimensional rather than flat yet I don’t need to set it with powder. Although it lacks any obvious shimmer, my skin takes on a healthy glow that increases in radiance (but not oil) as the hours pass. My face feels comfortable, balanced and healthy over the course of wear.
That being said, this foundation also boasts insane longevity. In the five or six times I’ve worn it thus far, I have experienced 8-9 hours of flawless, touch up-free wear. Truly, the lasting power is exceptional and, in my opinion, rivaled only by the Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting foundation.
Those with sensitive skin can wear this formula with confidence…it has a light fragrance that dissipates quickly and the cruelty-free, paraben-free line ensures that the highest quality components are included for maximum efficacy. My extremely sensitive skin hasn’t had a single adverse reaction during my trial with this formula!
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| Above: The full ingredients list. |
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| Above: The Zelens Age Control Foundation comes in a glass |
The Zelens Age Control Foundation comes in five shades; although I belive that many in the light to medium-dark range (@N 15-N 40) will find a match, I hope that additional shades on both sides of the spectrum will be released in the future to accomodate a greater span of skin tones. I found my best match in Beige, which may be a touch dark for me by late January. That being said, I don’t think I will reach a light enough state to make Cream work so I might mitigate the potential darkness of Beige with a drop of a paler shade. All in all, Beige brings a healthy radiance to the face!
I was delighted to see that the shades in both the Age Control formula and its lighter, sheerer sister, the Zelens Youth Glow Foundation are consistent; in other words, if you are a “Beige” in Age Control, you most certainly will be “Beige” in Youth Glow…accolades for continuity!
Shade Descriptions (per my experience only):
- Cameo: Very light beige for fair skin with neutral undertones (@N/NC/NW 10-15)
- Cream: Light beige for fair to light skin with neutral to yellow undertones (@N/NC 20)
- Porcelain: Light beige for fair to light skin with neutral to rosy undertones (@N/NW 20)
- Beige: Light-medium beige for medium skin with neutral undertones (@N/NC/NW 25-30) **There is a large jump from Porcelain to Beige and another substantial leap from Beige to Tan
- Tan: Medium-dark beige for darker skin with neutral to warm undertones (@N/NC/NW 35-40)
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| Above: Swatches in direct sunlight. |
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| Above: Swatches with a flash. |
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| Above: Swatches in outdoor shade. |
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| Above: Zelens Youth Glow Foundation in direct sunlight. |
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| Above: Youth Glow Foundation swatches with a flash. |
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| Above: Youth Glow Swatches in outdoor shade. |
The images below reflect the Zelens Age Control Foundation in Beige in various lighting situations…
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| Above: In outdoor lighting without a flash. |
Products Used:
- LiftLab Lift + Perfect (reviewed HERE)
- La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream (reviewed HERE)
- Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge #2 (reviewed HERE)
- By Terry Densiliss Primer (reviewed HERE)
- Zelens Age Control Foundation in Beige (mentioned HERE)
- By Terry Densiliss Concealer in #3 (reviewed HERE) under eyes
- Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Pen #2 (reviewed HERE) on light points of the face
- Burberry Blush in Earthy (reviewed HERE)
- Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush in First Love (reviewed HERE)
- Tom Ford Cream Eyeshadow in Spice and Platinum (reviewed HERE)
- Surratt Relevee Mascara (reviewed HERE)
- Suqqu Bright Up Lipstick in #4 (to be reviewed soon!)
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| Above: In outdoor lighting with a flash. |
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| Above: In outdoor shade with a flash…the flashback is minimal, no? |
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| Above: In direct sunlight without a flash. |
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| Above: Much closer than I prefer…but it best depicts the virtually invisible texture on skin! |
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| Above: Outdoor lighting without a flash. |
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| Above: Outdoor lighting with a flash. |
–Shop the Post–
Bottom Line: If you are an unapologetic foundation-phile (as I am), then the Zelens Age Control Foundation is an absolute must. From its incredible, skin-friendly ingredients and gorgeous medium to full (yet entirely natural) coverage to its protective barrier against enviornmental assaults and wildly impressive lasting power, this formula has quickly catapulted into a prominent position in my foundation rotation. Perhaps it will be the gift that you have yet to receive this week ; )
Consequently, I highly recommend it! If you are looking to order by phone, I suggest calling Barney’s Beverly Hills (310) 276-4400 and asking for Bryce at the Zelens counter…he is excellent!
Good things ahead including my Favorites of 2014, a video tutorial and some new additions to my collection!
Have a very Merry Christmas + blessings to you and your loved ones…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
© 2012-14 Beautyprofessor® All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reprint or republish content and/or photos without author’s written permission.
Comments (53)
Thank you for the thorough review! I am so loving the LMdB Peau Vierge #2 and the Sensai cellular performance foundation in natural beige. I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas xoxoxo ️Hugs, Rosina ????
Hello Rosina!
My pleasure…so thrilled that you are loving the PV and Sensai foundation!
xoxo and blessings in the New Year, my friend,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks so much for putting this out!!! I've had this foundation on my radar since its release and I've been dying for someone to swatch. You are the best! Going to NYC from Canada in 4 days and this comes at the perfect time.
Thanks again and Merry Christmas!
Xox
Hi Sonia,
Glad you enjoyed it and that my swatches were helpful. Hope your time in NYC is/was wonderful!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
this sounds like perfection in a bottle! Definitely going to have to look into this after christmas ;))
http://www.lilting-grace.blogspot.com
Hello Miss Louise,
It is pretty spectacular ; )
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
All the pictures are beyond gorgeous! Your skin absolutely glows. Merry Christmas Rachel! xoxo
You are too kind, my friend! Thank you so much…good lighting, good foundation ; )
Merry Christmas to you…xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Merry Christmas, BP! Hoping for some advice – I'd really like to add a "skincare-grade" foundation to my current rotation and was hoping you could make a recommendation. Do you have a favorite? I've got dry skin, so I like a bit of glow, but not shine or shimmer. I've been re-reading your reviews of the By Terry, Sisley, and now Zelens, but thought I'd ask for your indulgence with a personal recommendation. Thank you – hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.
Hope your Christmas was lovely, Suzy!
With regards to your question, if you are looking for a luminous foundation with skincare ingredients, then I recommend the Zelens, the Sensai Cellular Performance Cream Foundation or the Shu Uemura Oleo-Pact Cream Foundation…all three are marvelous options!
Hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi BP! and i hope you are having a glorious holiday season!!
what do you think about this very the ByTerry Densiliss? i assume the Zelens is more long wearing, but i read elsewhere that those of us with dry skin might prefer the ByTerry as it is more moisturizing. do you agree with that? any other notable differences between the formulas (aside from color range).
thanks as always for your excellent coverage of all things beauty!!!
xo sj
Hello SJ…great to hear from you!
With regards to your question, while I adore the By Terry Densiliss, I do find the Zelens to be more long wearing and I also find that it is moisturizing, making it the perfect option. If you can find a match in the Zelens, then I implore you to give it a try ; ) I don't think you'll regret it!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Gorgeous!!! I am pretty sure I need this in my life ,along with the By Terry Concealer you are wearing!!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!! 🙂
Thank you, Shoshana!
You absolutely need this in your life and the By Terry Concealer is also essential…both are spectacular base options!
I hope your Christmas was incredible…xoxo and blessings in the New Year,
–The Beauty Professor
GAH! I think Cameo would work for me and I want to test it so badly!
Awesome, Clever Girl…I hope you can get your hands on a sample!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hmmm, this looks lovely. I don't usually pay much attention to full coverage foundations — at my, ahem, "mature" age, they're usually too prone to emphasizing lines, yikes! — but this seems to have potential for a more youthful look. Now it's vying with the D&G Lift foundation you reviewed recently for my next foundation purchase. I'm attracted to the skin care benefits in both; if the foundation is going to sit there on my face for hours, it might as well "do" something!! Would love to hear your thoughts on how they differed for you.
Much gratitude for yet another informative review with extremely helpful swatches. Hope you are having a lovely holiday season! Best wishes to you and yours.
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for your comment…I will try to do a comprehensive compare and contrast with four or five full coverage, anti-aging foundations very soon…in the meanwhile, I encourage you to see if you can get a sample of the Zelens…I suspect you will love it!
xoxo and blessings in the New Year,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks for this review. Yes, I want, need this right now in my arsenal. I think I'll try Cream. God knows I always get the wrong color. It is my tragic destiny with foundations!
Wishing you Happy Holidays along your loved ones beautiful one!
xxxxxxxx
My pleasure, Wefadetogray!
So glad you have homed in on a potential match in this incredible formula…do keep me posted!
Hope your Christmas was beautiful and New Years is fantastic…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Rachel,
Lots of amazing Holiday goodness, warmth & love from Rose, Nate & Noa in Portland, Or
Thank you, Rose!
So good to hear from you…love to you and your family,
–The Beauty Professor
Awesome review. I think Santa will be ordering this for me tonight! 😉 Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Sarah…that is fantastic news!
Hope you love it ; )
Blessings in the New Year,
–The Beauty Professor
Love your blog! I'm currently wearing warm sand By Terry cover expert. What shade would you recommend?
I live in Hawaii, so I'm also looking for something that will handle the insane humidity ! I am normal to oily.
Aloha
Thank you for the kind words, Anon! I am guessing that Beige will be your best match, though it could be a touch light. However, I think that Tan will be too dark?!
I hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
I recently purchased the Zelens Youth foundation and am so excited for it to arrive! I purchased cream, so I'm glad to see that it should be a decent match for my skin. Have you ever tried Ellis Faas Skin Veil? It's my current favorite at the moment, but, like you, I'm always hunting for the next best thing! Thank you for always having such thorough and enjoyable reviews!
Hi Ashlyn,
Thanks for your comment! Yes, I have the Ellis Faas Skin Veil and it is lovely…so glowy and natural but I generally prefer a touch more coverage.
xoxo to a fellow foundation lover ; )
–The Beauty Professor
You look absolutely stunning!! Sounds like this foundation is a must-try (although I'm torn between this and the D&G lift). Have you tried mixing it with wonderglow? I finally picked up a tube of this glorious product and I've been adding it to every foundation in sight. 🙂 I'm also mixing one pump of Josie Maran's SPF 47 with one small pump of Peau Vierge and it is the perfect combination for my dryer winter skin. If you haven't tried it before, it's just lovely. Thanks as always for your wonderful reviews and swatches! xoxo
Hello Blondie!
Thank you ever so much…yes, this is a must-try and definitely fantastic if your skin leans towards sensitive as the ingredients are impeccable! I haven't yet mixed with Wonderglow but I am guessing that would be a fabulous combination. So glad you are loving it! Thanks for sharing your foundation mix ; )
Hope your week is going well, my friend…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi BP, I've ordered the By Terry concealer after seeing all your positive reviews on it. Can't wait to get it. I love this Zelens but not sure if it may be too dark in beige. I usually wear nat. beige and almond beige in kanebo. In some pics it looks fine but others dark.
Hello Lynn!
So excited that the By Terry concealer will soon be yours! Please keep me posted on your experience! Yes, Beige is a touch dark for me but it's not a big deal overall, and I can add a drop of something lighter should I need to…I'm guessing it's your best match as the lighter shades are much lighter.
xoxo and talk soon!!
–The Beauty Professor
All ordered as you know I've spoken to Bryce!! Wonderful to talk with u!! Can't wait to receive it along with a sample of youth glow, possibly for summer. Also some skincare samples. So excited.
Thank you for this good review; I was really curious about this foundation and think I will give it a try! Looks perfect on your skin and really natural too and that's what I'm looking for! Good to see all the swatches as well; as it is hard to choose from a website! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family!
My pleasure, Melanie!!
I am so glad that you enjoyed the review and found it helpful…thank you for the kind feedback.
xoxo and blessings in the New Year,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Rachel,
Thank you for this review. Was wondering if you think this would work for normal to dry skin. My skin is especially dry now with winter but tends to be dry all year since I live in the desert in Arizona. Also do you think porcelain would be a good match for me..I wear Dior Star in 020 and Ellis Faas Skin foundation in s102? I tend to lean slightly pink but don't like to emphasize it since pink tones sometimes oxidize on me to an unflattering orange. Can't wait to see your 2014 favorites! Am already loving some of your recommendations including the By Terry Concealer and platonic blonde blush.
Hi Pamela,
My pleasure…I do indeed think this would work for normal to dry skin, especially if you use a moisturizer and/or primer first. Porcelain sounds like a great match for your skin in light of the shades you currently wear and I find this formula to be more hydrating than the Dior Star!
I hope that helps…glad to hear you are loving the new By Terry Densiliss products!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi BP:)I just love your blog, you do an implacable job! I have been loving the SK II line, just did wonders for my acnic skin. Thank you for sharing. I was hoping might provide a few foundation recommendations for my sensitive oily skin. I am currently using CdP cream foundation, I have KS CPCF which I love the look and feel, but only last 4-5 hours before blotting and touch up required. I've tried the TF but breaks down once my oilies set in. Weird. Sorry this is so long, but you've procured a lot of amazing products. Can't wait for you 2014 faves, and what next year will bring. Have a wonderful New Years!!!!
Hi Shelly,
Thank you so much!!! I am glad to hear that SK-II has been effective for your skin, too, and hope you find your way to your perfect foundation. Do you wear a primer under the CdP Cream? I love either the LMdB Peau Vierge and/or the By Terry Densiliss to increase longevity of my foundation!
Thanks again for your lovely comment…blessings in this new year,
–The Beauty Professor
Love the Zelens Foundation. I've been using the Beige. Usually I would use a lighter shade. For whatever reason this blends out and looks perfect. It lasts least 81/2 hours for me in the Florida humidity and heat. I'm amazed at how natural it looks. The other thing I really like is it is weightless. A great foundation!
Hi Jan,
So thrilled to hear that Beige is a perfect match…thanks for sharing!
Isn't the lasting power insane?! If it is holding up in Florida humidity, it is stalwart, indeed!
Have a beautiful rest of the weekend,
–The Beauty Professor
From the box, is the place of manufacture listed? I am curious. Thanks!
Hi Jane,
It is made in the UK!
Kind regards and happy weekend,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi! Would you recommend this foundation for combination skin?
Hello!
Yes, I think this works well with combination skin…hope that helps.
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi BP. I am a new avid reader of your blog from the UK and am super impressed with the two recommended products I recently picked up whilst in the States – Lancer Polish and le métier de beaute peau vierge. My next splurge is a new foundation – the choice is Zelens or Sensai. They are the same price here so it's really which will best suit my skin. I usually go for full coverage but trying to pair down my make up look with skin like foundation. I am a little oily and use self tanner so still require good coverage. Would love your views. Many thanks. Lucy x
Hello, Lucy…thanks for the kind words! So glad you are loving the Lancer Polish and LMdB Peau Vierge as I do!
With regards to your question, it all depends on the finish you are seeking. Both formulas have beautiful natural skin finishes and are good with combination skin but the Zelens is a bit more matte (though still natural) than the Sensai.
I hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
I am really interested in the Youth Glow! Do you think it's gonna be too much for combination skin?
Hi Anon,
No, I don't think the Youth Glow will be too much…it is just lighter coverage than the Age Control!
Hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Thank your for answering! I went through all your foundation posts just now and I stumbled upon Sensai. The fact that it's still on your favourite list even after years of trying newer foundations intrigued me haha.
Is Sensai more dewy than Youth Glow? And which one has more coverage and more lasting power?
My pleaure! I would say that Sensai is as dewy as Youth Glow but it provides more coverage and lasting power than Youth Glow ; )
Hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hello BP! May I ask whether the Youth Glow has the same amount of coverage and dewiness level as Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion? Thanks!
Hello, Anon!
I would say that the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion offers more coverage (nearly full with a bit of layering) than the Youth Glow formula, which is really impressive for a cushion compact!
I hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor