Is The $96 Koh Gen Do Foundation Worth It?

Koh Gen Do Foundation should be on your radar.

I’m going to be honest with you guys: the Koh Gen Do Foundation is worth every penny of its $96 price tag. And, I know you’re probably thinking, “but why?!” There’s a million reasons why, but, for starters, the formula is absolutely stunning. It’s formulated for sensitive skin, free of artificial colors and fragrance with no parabens or mineral oil. In addition, it’s infused with exclusive signature technology that hydrates while controlling oils. And, perhaps the most important part, it looks beautiful on the skin.

Promises vs. Performance: Koh Gen Do Foundation promises to resist sweat and oil, yet keep skin hydrated.

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation is said to be known for giving skin “the same youthful glow you experience right after a facial.” It features buildable, breathable, sheer to medium coverage with a natural, dewy finish. The formula contains four types of powders that work to create buildable coverage and prevent cakiness. One of these powders is Koh Gen Do’s signature Gloss Film Powder, which is light-diffusing minerals that brighten and minimize pores, while resisting sweat and oiliness. It contains other exclusive formulations like Moist Drop Powder which hydrates by absorbing humidity, and T3 oil which is a blend of jojoba oil, olive squalane, and shea butter to create supple skin.

The wear.

My favorite way to wear the Koh Gen Do Foundation is with a blurring primer, specifically Shiseido Synchro Skin. This creates a nice grippy base for the serum foundation to adhere to. Aqua Foundation applies like a dream with a sponge or brush (I prefer a brush like the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush) and builds up to a solid medium coverage. It doesn’t accentuate any imperfections, from pores to dry patches, lines or texture. The finish of Aqua Foundation is natural with a dewy luminosity that makes skin look healthy and juicy.

With a serum foundation like this one, most complexion enhancers work well, not applying patchy or lifting the foundation underneath. Because it is a more hydrating product, I do like to set the areas my foundation tends to wear off the quickest, like my t-zone. I like to finish off with a setting spray over my whole face to really lock the foundation in.

Most importantly, Aqua Foundation wears beautifully. It doesn’t accentuate any sort of texture, dryness, pores, or lines throughout the day; doesn’t look dry; and doesn’t contribute to excess oiliness. On my normal to combo skin, this foundation wears for a solid 8-10 hours without breaking apart.

Quick Rating Rundown Chart

This Product

(3.8)

:Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

Price: $96.00

1.01 oz

Value

(2)

Application

(4.9)

Coverage (med)

(4.8)

Finish (natural)

(5)

Longevity

(4.3)

Shade Range

(1.5)

Extra Benefits

(4.2)

Similar Product

(4.4)

:NARS Light Reflecting Foundation

Price: $49.00

1.0 oz

Value

(4)

Application

(4.8)

Coverage (med)

(4.7)

Finish (natural)

(4.6)

Longevity

(4.5)

Shade Range

(4)

Extra Benefits

(4.2)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)

:Best Foundation For Winter

Price: $20 – $96

various

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Coverage

(4.5+)

Finish

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Shade Range

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

How It Compares: I may have found my new favorite luxury foundation.

For years and years my go-to luxury foundation has been Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk. And, I do still love Luminous Silk! It too is a serum foundation that provides buildable medium coverage with a natural, luminous finish. The Armani foundation works on most skin types and has an all day, 8+ hour wear. Plus, it comes at a bit lower price tag for luxury beauty at $69.

However, Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation may have taken the #1 spot as my favorite luxury foundation. In my opinion, Aqua Foundation lays better on the skin than Luminous Silk does. The serum-like texture doesn’t cling to any texture or dry spots, creating a base that looks healthy and glowy. The coverage can be sheered out or built to a solid medium coverage that conceals most imperfections, from redness to acne.

Comparison to Top Performers

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation provides buildable medium coverage with a natural finish, but it is on the pricey side. A great comparable foundation is the Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation. It also has a serum-like texture with buildable medium coverage. Another great foundation option is HAUS LABS Foundation, Triclone Skin Tech. This is a clean beauty option that provides buildable light to full coverage with a natural finish. These foundations range in price from $45 to $96, putting them in the luxury beauty price category.

Performance Rating Chart

This Product

(4.8)

:Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

Application

(5)

Coverage (med)

(4.6)

Finish (natural)

(4.5)

Longevity

(4.8)

Similar Product

(4.7)

:NARS Light Reflecting Foundation

Application

(4.8)

Coverage (med)

(4.7)

Finish (natural)

(4.6)

Longevity

(4.5)

Similar Clean Product

(4.5)

:HAUS LABS Triclone Skin Tech

Application

(4.4)

Coverage (med)

(4.5)

Finish (natural)

(4.8)

Longevity

(4.2)

^{Our Rating Criteria}