Espoir’s pro tailor foundation, another product that is legendary but I just never got around to trying it out… until now.ย Back when I went to Korean two years ago, I walked into Chicor which is the Korean version of Sephora with all the brands you can think of!!ย There, I saw that Espoir came out with a moisturizing version of the Pro tailer foundation.ย I’ve been avoiding the original because I knew it had a satin to matte finish, which does not work for my dry skin.ย Now that there is a hydrating version, let’s try both formulas!
Full name of product:
Espoir pro tailor be glow foundation
Espoir pro tailor be silk foundation
Limited edition/ Permanent?:
Permanent
Description of product:
Be silk: “Be Silk Foundation makes skin look beautiful all day by providing long-lasting silky-smooth makeup.
The silk-fit texture with excellent cover and adherence makes skin look bright and beautiful anytime regardless of season.”
Be glow:ย “Experience healthy, glowing skin.
The thin texture provides natural cover for blemishes and long-lasting beautiful radiance that makes skin look good.
Pro Tailor Be Glow, which fades beautifully, consists of 10 colors that brighten skin tone.”
Sunscreen:
SPF25 PA++
Price:
38,000 won for full size
15,000 won for mini size
Amount of product:
full size 30 mL
mini size 10 mL
Duration before expiration:
Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea
Shades available:
Be glow version
Be silk version
Ingredients:
Be silk in Petal Y: WATER / AQUA / EAU, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, METHYL TRIMETHICONE, ALCOHOL, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, ZINC OXIDE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, PEG/PPG-19/19 DIMETHICONE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, DIMETHICONE, NYLON-12, VINYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, DIMETHICONE/PEG-10/15 CROSSPOLYMER, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, STEARIC ACID, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, DISODIUM EDTA, ADENOSINE, TOCOPHEROL, IRON OXIDES (CI 77492), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491), IRON OXIDES (CI 77499), FRAGRANCE / PARFUM
Be glow in Beige: WATER / AQUA / EAU, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, HYDROGENATED
POLYISOBUTENE, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, NIACINAMIDE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, BIS-PEG/PPG-14/14 DIMETHICONE,
POLYBUTENE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, POLYPROPYLSILSESQUIOXANE, DIMETHICONE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, POLYVINYL ALCOHOL, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, GLYCERIN, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, FRAGRANCE / PARFUM, VINYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, ALCOHOL, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, ADENOSINE,
PHENOXYETHANOL, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, TREHALOSE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, IRON OXIDES (CI
77492), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491), IRON OXIDES (CI 77499)
Be glow in petal: WATER / AQUA / EAU, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, HYDROGENATED
POLYISOBUTENE, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, NIACINAMIDE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, BIS-PEG/PPG-14/14 DIMETHICONE,
POLYBUTENE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, POLYPROPYLSILSESQUIOXANE, DIMETHICONE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, POLYVINYL ALCOHOL, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, GLYCERIN, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, FRAGRANCE / PARFUM, VINYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, ALCOHOL, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, ADENOSINE,
PHENOXYETHANOL, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, TREHALOSE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, IRON OXIDES (CI 77492), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491), IRON OXIDES (CI 77499)
Product packaging:
Since I didn’t know if I would like this foundation, I stick with getting three of the mini versions instead.ย That and I don’t wear foundation often since I like hydrating, light to medium dewy coverage usually for my dry skin.ย The full size doesn’t look too far from the minis, with the same frosted glass bottle for the original be silk version and a glossy and gold bottle for their be glow version.
One difference with the mini packaging though is the applicator.ย The regular, full-size bottle comes with a pump while the minis come with this weird plastic doe (ish) applicator.ย The tip isn’t exactly the fuzzy doe-foot applicators, but a weird teardrop, bendy plastic applicator with a hole in the center to grab more product.ย I personally don’t like this applicator since you have to dip it back into the bottle if you want to grab more product.ย Also, I wish the lid was actually just glued onto the applicator since I always have to do a two-step motion just to open the bottle.ย You got to pop off the lid and twist off the applicator.ย It is so not necessary!ย Anyways, nothing a bit of super glue can’t fix.
Colour/ pigmentation:
The coloring system is very odd with this line of foundation.ย It seems like the two versions have different numbers and names for all their foundation shades, whereas other brands would have the same shade names throughout the brand for ease of choosing the right one for yourself.ย It was almost near impossible to choose the shades since you can never trust the promo pictures on the website.ย ย So after hours of researching on Naver blogs, I picked Beige #23 and Petal #22 for the be glow version and Petal Y #22 for the be silk version.
Be glow Beige #23: Cool tone shade with yellow undertones, this is a true #23 shade you would find in Korean base makeup; would be a good Mac NC25
Be glow petal #22: Cool pink undertone shade that leans more towards the usual #22 shades you’d find but with a whole lot less grey in it
Be silk Petal Y #22: Warmer yellow undertone shade, almost like be glow #23 but three shades warmer
Texture/ Finish:
For the Be glow version, it has a slightly hydrating formula and doesn’t seem to cling into the skin as much as the original be silk version.ย However, for me and my super dry skin, I don’t find it to be as dewy or hydrating as the same aqua cushion.ย It also doesn’t seem to sit on my skin as nicely as I would expect.ย Also, when I tried to layer on another layer on my cheeks, it didn’t adhere at all and seemed to rub off!ย What on earth!
As for the be silk version, my suspicion was correct in that it would be too drying for me.ย It isn’t the worst foundation I’ve tried and looks half decent when you first apply it, but throughout the day when my skin sucks more and more of the moisture, I don’t look so hot.ย It has a very satin to matte finish and is not as forgiving for those who have dry skin.ย It does a decent job at covering pores and smoothing out imperfections, but I’d rather go for Etude House’s double lasting foundation.ย Etude house’s iconic foundation has a bit more of a tacky texture and although it has a satin finish, it works a bit better then Espoir’s.ย
Okay let’s try on Espoir’s pro tailer foundation be glow.ย I am using the shade Beige here.
Here is my bare skin with nothing but just some skincare.ย My main concerns are the redness around the sides of my nose and cheeks, as well as finding formulas that compliment my dry skin.ย I usually stick with hydrating, dewy finishes and I don’t powder my face since my skin naturally powders after two hours when it sucks all the moisture out anyways.ย Yes, I am that dry.
To apply this foundation, simply take the applicator and dab it all over your face as evenly as possible.ย Then take either a sponge, brush or even your fingers if you so desire and blend it into your skin.ย I personally like to use the air puffs you find in your BB cushions for the ease of use and not having to wash it so often since I have a ton of them.
Left (before), right (after)
Coverage for Be glow version:
Be glow version has a light to medium coverage but I would say the medium coverage is on the light side since it doesn’t seem to want to layer up.ย I’m not sure if you can see but the redness on the center of my cheeks are still peeking through even though I tried to layer one to two more layers!ย And although beige is the darker of the two shades I picked, it still has a paleness to it that doesn’t suit my fancy.
It also doesn’t have as strong of a dewiness as I was expecting, which is kind of a let down since this foundation is called “be glow”.
I wish it didn’t look so powdery around the nose area.ย That is an area I struggle with the most since dead skin always seems to accumulate there the most.ย The be glow formula doesn’t do much in terms of hydrating that area :(.
Now for the be silk version!
Here’s the before.ย My skin is actually quite irritated from the seasons changing and my period rolling around the corner.ย Why do we women have to deal with PERIODS ARGH.ย Its 2020, everyone should be equally bleeding out of holes!!ย Both men and women damn it.ย LOL Lowkey joking but seriously doe… why us.
Coverage for Be silk:
The coverage is much better with the be silk formula, but then again that is kind of a given since be glow has much more hydration.ย The be silk is also easier to layer up and covers the redness better.ย My pores also looked blurred but my skin will look really dry after 3 hours.ย Unfortunately for me, no super hydrating primer can save this skin, or at least I haven’t come across a life-changing one.
The be silk (left) gives better coverage but be glow (right) looks a lot more natural on the skin with little coverage.ย Maybe I should mix the two eh?
Be silk (left), be glow (right)
Can you see which one gives a more dewy finish?ย It almost looks the same to me but be glow wins by a hair.
And here is the finished look.ย It doesn’t look too bad, in fact, it looks decent.ย I think it is just the crazy hype that is behind Espoir’s pro tailer foundation that I expected magic!!ย And for a foundation that is priced at $35-40, I expect better.ย Heck, Etude House’s double lasting foundation is only $18 but has great coverage and adherence so NO EXCUSES ESPOIR!
Lasting power:
Be glow has an average of 5 hours of wear before it either fades or gets smudged since I do not set my base make up with powder.ย Be silk has a better lasting power of 6+ hours but I start looking like a dry monster at hour 3.
Fragrance?:
There is this somewhat herbal but kind of floral fragrance, which is kind of odd but it doesn’t smell bad in any sense.ย The scent fades after application with a smell-o-scale: 6/10 in terms of how strong the scent is.
Pro:
Be glow
-nice natural finish
-decent range of shades
Be silk
-good medium coverage
-glides over pores
Con:
Be glow:
-not buildable
-isn’t hydrating enough
Be silk
-satin/ matte finish can be drying for dry skin folks
Repurchase?:
Nope
Stars given out of 5:
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
Overall thoughts:
Overall I think these foundations are decent but not worth the hype.ย It is way too hyped up and for a foundation priced at $35, I expect way better since there are way better in both the Korean and Western market.ย The be glow foundation is not buildable enough with light to medium (ish) while be silk is a nice satin/ matte finish but personally doesn’t work with my skin type.ย I think if I lived in a humid country, I would enjoy the be silk version a lot more but Vancouver is dry as heck.ย These are decent foundations but I’d recommend you check out Etude House’s double lasting foundation first if you are in the market for a Korean foundation.
