Product:  Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation.  If you don’t like to feel like you are wearing makeup, this high-definition foundation may spoil you from ever wearing anything else.

Overall Rating = 4 Stars – Excellent

Cost: $62.00 (1.0 fl. oz.) ($62 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Expensive

Sold By:  KohGenDo; Nordstrom; Sephora.

Container:  Glass bottle with pump, outer plastic cap, paper carton.

Description:  If you are not familiar with Koh Gen Do, this is another Japanese company.  I don’t know what it is with companies from Japan, but they have some exceptional products.  The line was formulated for use in the film industry and the entire product line functions well under the rigors of long hours on movie sets and flaw-enhancing high-definition cameras.  I have been using this line for over a decade.  I was introduced to the line on the set of a TV show and became an instant fan.

Formula:  Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation is a lightweight cream.  The formula provides light-coverage opacity and dries to a slightly velvety finish.  It feels silky to the touch and is hydrating.  The product was reformulated a few years ago and the bottle used to state that the SPF was 15.  The SPF is no longer listed, but it still contains Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, so there is sun protection in the formula.  Please note that the ingredients listed on Sephora are the old formula and are not current or correct.

Sensitivity:  Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation is free from fragrance, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic pigments and is appropriate for those with sensitive skin.

Animal Friendly:  The brand is cruelty-free and does not test on animals.

Company Claims:

“Designed to give skin the same youthful glow you experience right after a facial, Aqua Foundation’s long-wearing liquid formula instantly illuminates dull skin. Formulated with light-diffusing minerals to brighten and minimize pores, this lightweight serum foundation contains weightless skin-conditioning emollients that improve the hydration and health of skin for a flawless and comfortable complexion all day.

• Nourishes skin with minerals from the deep waters of Bretagne
• Contains soft focus pigments to brighten while reducing the appearance of pores and discoloration
• Contains T3 Oil—our signature blend of jojoba oil, olive squalane and shea butter—to leave skin soft and supple
• For all skin types
• Sheer to medium buildable coverage
• Natural, dewy finish

Discussion:  The Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation feels so light on the skin you can’t imagine that it is going to actually do anything to make your skin look better, yet somehow it does.  If you like a full-coverage makeup, this is definitely not the one for you.  This is for people who don’t want to look or feel like they are wearing any makeup on their skin.  If you like a “no makeup” natural makeup look, this foundation is one of the best to accomplish that look.  If you typically wear BB creams or tinted moisturizers you may love the feel of this.

Colors:  Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation comes in seven colors: 002-Cool; 012-Cool; 013-Cool; 113-Warm; 123-Warm; 143-Warm; and 213-Warm.  The cool tones have a slightly pink undertone.  If you prefer a neutral, ivory or yellow undertone, go with one of the warm shades.  Because the coverage is so light and it blends into the skin, the shades are pretty forgiving.  If you have very deep skin, there is not going to be a color in this foundation dark enough for you.  The shades are only for fair to medium-tan skin tones.

Shade Descriptions (In my experience):

002: Very pale beige for fair skin with a slight pink undertone

012: Very light beige for fair skin with a definite pink undertone

013: Light beige for fair to light skin with a neutral to pink undertone

113: Light beige for light skin with a neutral undertone

123: Beige for light to medium skin with a warm yellow undertone

143: Dark warm beige to light tan for medium to tan skin with a yellow undertone

213: Medium beige for light to medium skin with a neutral to yellow undertone

Morning Review:  I have used several bottles of this over the years, so I’m not new to this product.  For purposes of this review, after cleansing, I applied the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation to bare skin.  (If I’m using this on a client or on set, I’d definitely apply primer first.)  There is no odor of any kind.  It disappears into my skin, makes pores appear smaller, and offers a light blurring coverage.  My freckles still show through but they aren’t obvious.  My skin feels softer and hydrated after application.  One pump is enough for a spot application; two pumps are required for full-face coverage.

Application Tips:  I applied this with fingers, a foundation brush and a blender sponge to see which worked the best.  I liked the finish the best with a flat-head foundation brush, but this foundation is fool proof and looks good no matter how you apply it.  If you don’t have a brush, just use your fingers.  If you have oily or combination skin, you will definitely want to set this with powder.  This dries to a natural, slightly velvety finish.  It takes a couple of minutes to set up completely.

Evening Review:  On my dry skin, Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation looked good for about 7-8 hours without any oxidation or color change.  It never cracked and my skin stayed hydrated all day.  My testers with consistent skin and combination skin got 6-7 hours of wear.  My tester with oily skin needed a touchup in about 4-5 hours.  Of course your results will depend upon many factors and may be different.

Overall Review:  I never wore foundation very often until I discovered Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation.  I don’t like the feeling of anything heavy on my face.  I also don’t like to look like I’m wearing makeup and prefer a more natural look.  Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation allows me to just make my skin look better rather than covered up.  This is also the only foundation I have ever found that I can wear every day that never makes me break out.  If you have been searching for a light weight looking and feeling foundation, this might be the answer.

Additional Information:  If you would like a little more coverage, you may prefer the Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation which is slightly heavier and offers more of a medium coverage.  The Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation also offers deeper colors and a greater twelve-color shade range.  If you would like to try either foundation, you can get samples for $3.75-$4.00 directly from the website with free shipping.  You will also receive a $10.00 discount coupon with your purchase of the samples that you can apply to a full-size bottle if you like it.

Here is the link to the samples page:  Koh Gen Do Foundation Samples

Pros:

• Professional quality
• Skin-nourishing ingredients
• Light coverage blurs skin imperfections
• Skin looks natural and not heavy
• Quick and easy to use
• Blends flawlessly
• Good for those with allergies and sensitivities to fragrances, mineral oil, and other irritating chemicals
• Pump keeps product sanitary

Cons:

• Price
• Some darker skin tones may not find a compatible match

Suitability:  Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation is suitable for the following users:

• All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 5 Stars;

Evening Rating = 5 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 Stars = Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes. (If I can afford it.)

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

INGREDIENTS:  WATER, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, ZINC OXIDE, HDI/TRIMETHYLOL HEXYLLACTONE CROSSPOLYMER, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, PEG-9 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-10 DIMETHICONE, MICA, DIGLYCERIN, SORBITAN SESQUIISOSTEARATE, PHYTOSTERYL/OCTYLDODECYL LAUROYL GLUTAMATE, GLYCERIN, SQUALANE, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, SEA SALT, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, ACRYLATES/POLYTRIMETHYL SILOXYMETHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SILICA, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIMETHICONE, PHENOXYETHANOL, STEARIC ACID, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, ALUMINUM DIMYRISTATE, NYLON-12, TALC, ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE, TOCOPHEROL, LAUROYL LYSINE, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, ISOSTEARYL SEBACATE, ZINC MYRISTATE, ALUMINA, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, GLUCOSYL HESPERIDIN, MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, BETULA ALBA BARK EXTRACT, KJELLMANIELLA GYRATA EXTRACT, ALPHA-GLUCAN, ALGAE EXTRACT, ALPINIA SPECIOSA LEAF EXTRACT, GLUCOSYL CERAMIDE, HYDROLYZED CONCHIOLIN PROTEIN, ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-8, IRON OXIDES.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.