Review: 365 Foundation (16 Brand)

This product was sent to me by StyleKorean for review purposes. I was not paid for this post but please note that affiliate links are used on my blog. These go towards supporting Oh My Stellar and future content.

The more I use products from 16 Brand, I really think that I’m starting to ‘get’ the brand and working out it’s strengths and weaknesses. I’ve reviewed a few of their products before, so feel free to click here to check out my tag. I’m actually quite a fan of their products, mostly because I love ChoSungAh’s ranges in general. Although some products have been a bit of a hit-or-miss for me, they’re all very beautifully packaged and have a great concept that works well. Their contour fingerpen is most definitely a staple for me, while I was most disappointed in their lip pens (which were pretty, but too different from the official swatches).

For today, I’m going to be writing about another product of theirs that caught my eye recently. I saw some YouTubers testing it out and, naturally, the pretty packaging lured me in (16 Brand is so good at that!) so I jumped at the chance to review their foundation. This is the 365 Foundation, which is meant to be a full coverage, hydrating foundation.

I recieved this to review from StyleKorean, where you can buy it (or a range of other 16 Brand products) for USD$24.30 – which is a pretty decent price for a foundation! Check out their website, but first let’s get into the review.

So the box packaging of the foundation is pretty standard and similar to all of their other products. Although I didn’t mind it at first (it has a very bold and modern design), I’m starting to feel a bit tired of it. The paper is uncoated and so, although is probably better for the environment, looks and feels a bit cheap and I wish that they would slicken up their image. In the long run, I think that 16 Brand could target the same sort of audience as 3CE, but their box packaging is still letting them down a bit.

On the contrary though, I love the actual product packaging of this! It comes in a silver tube that feels pretty good – it isn’t too heavy though it is a little bulky, so I have to make room to carry it in my make up bag. I love how neatly it stands on my vanity though. The print design (the pink logo) also gives it a great aura and, unlike the cardboard box, this actually looks more luxe but still very fashionable and trendy.

The 365 Foundation comes in two shades – #1 Light Beige and #2 Sand Beige. According to the website, the light beige is more suitable for light skin and sand beige is more suitable for natural skin … which, actually, doesn’t make any sense at all. In these situations, I usually assume that the lighter shade is closer to a 21, and the darker towards a 23. I got the lighter one.

When you open up the foundation, you will see a little sponge on top and then a black button on the side to dispense. You have to click a few times for it to work at first (I think I counted around ten) but, after that, it’s really easy to use. I generally only need one or two pumps for my entire face and I like that the dispenser is very controlled and mess free.

The sponge is a bit on the thin side and, although I use it very easily to dot the product and do minor touch ups during the day, I still need to use a beauty blender to get a proper application (or you will end up very blotchy). The product can also be layered to build up the coverage and the pump makes it really simple to do.

As the product is protected inside of the tube, I feel that this is actually a very hygienic and clean design. However, they do recommend washing the sponge or changing it for a new one (the latter of which isn’t an option because I don’t know where to buy a new sponge). I will be keeping this one carefully clean, but it does seem quite sturdy and should last a long time.

Below is a swatch of the product on my hand. It has a semi-dewy finish (thankfully not as greasy looking as their photos) and a medium coverage that is buildable. Although it looks like it isn’t covering up much below, keep in mind that that is a very dark eyeliner and not many concealers can full cover it without caking too. This is an example of a single, thin layer.

As this is a foundation and not a BB cream, it is important to keep it mind that it doesn’t really ‘oxide’ to suit your skin. As it is a little lighter than my natural complexion, I do wear a whitening cream on my neck (which is a bit darker than my face) to get a better blend. I like the colour though – it is very neutral toned and is neither too pink nor yellow.

It gives a very flawless and non-greasy finish and it wears well throughout the day. I find that my T-zone fades the quickest (by noon) but the product fades very evenly and doesn’t cake up. It is also easy to touch up either with a bit more product or powder to even out faded areas. I skin also stayed very hydrated while I was using it and I had no break outs, nor that ‘greasy’ feeling after wearing make up for too long.

It covers up redness well and gives me an even complexion, though a concealer is needed for major problem areas. Overall, I really loved this foundation and I find myself reaching for it pretty often (even after this trial period and when I have other products to be testing). Here’s the final verdict!

SO WHAT IS IT?

A hydrating, medium coverage foundation

THE GOOD

• Cute and practical product packaging
• Mess free, easy to dispense and control
• Light to carry
• Medium and buildable coverage
• Non-greasy and doesn’t clog pores
• Doesn’t oxide
• Easy to reapply and touch up with powder
• Wears and fades naturally during the day (no caking)

THE BAD

• Cardboard box packaging leaves much to be desired
• Limited colours
• Sponge applicator doesn’t blend well

RATINGS

• PACKAGING | 4/5
• PRICE POINT | 4/5
• COLOUR | 3/5
• COVERAGE | 4/5
• HYDRATION | 4/5
• LONG WEARING | 4/5

OVERALL RATING? 7.7/10

WOULD I RECOMMEND?

Yes! I do love this product and 16 Brand have such fun products that I love recommending for people to try and play around with their interesting concepts and formulas. I love the portability of this product and I’ll definitely be taking this when I travel. It’s a shame about the limited colours but, for those who are familiar with Korean beauty brands, it also isn’t very surprising.

I hope that the colour matches you!

WHERE TO GET IT FROM

The 365 Foundation is available at StyleKorean for USD$24.30. Click their name to go to their homepage or, alternatively, click the below banner to go to the product page:

16brandkbeautykorean makeupmakeupstylekorean