The Many Virtues of the Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation…A Review

Above: From outer box to inner compact, the Kjaer Weis packaging is impeccable.
As a completely unapologetic foundation-phile, I cannot help but get beyond excited about the release of a new complexion formula.   In turn, when Danish-born, New York-based makeup artist Kjaer Weis, known predominantly for her gorgeously luxe certified natural and certified organic cream blushes, eye shadows and lip tints, announced the arrival of her cream foundation late last year (available at BeautylishNet-A-PorterSpirit Beauty Lounge and Beauty Bar), I went out of my way to procure it.  
Above: I selected Paper Thin, a light beige shade perfect for N/NC 23-25 skin tones. 
Focused on creating a “sustainable look of luxury,” the Kjaer Weis line features stunning refillable metal compacts with white enamel accents.  The ingredients in each product (impressively produced in small batches) are pure and premium, designed to play well with sensitive skin and enhance a woman’s natural beauty.  
Kindly scroll on for all the details, as well as swatches and the Bottom Line…

Above: The weighty metal and enamel compact is aesthetic genius…both classic and modern, it is in perfect harmony with the ideals of the Kjaer Weis brand.

I must admit that my past experiences with “healthy” foundations have not always been stellar.  Although I may be drawn in by the allure of impressive claims and a succinct ingredients list, the performance (e.g., coverage, finish and lasting power) often leaves much to be desired.

The Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation, however, has restored my faith in the notion of an organic medium to medium-full coverage foundation! Fortified with nourishing Sweet Almond Oil, hydrating Coconut Oil and anti-aging Jojoba Oil, this smooth and luxurious base applies like silk, leaving a satin matte porcelain finish that is simultaneously perfecting and natural looking.

Above: The cream foundation formula is silky and decidedly buildable.
The gloriously unscented formula (which retails for $68) comes in five versatile shades:
  • Like Porcelain-fair skin with pink undertones
  • Paper Thin-fair to medium skin with neutral to warm undertones
  • Just Sheer-medium skin with yellow and olive undertones (I’d wear this shade in the summer)
  • Illusion-medium to medium dark skin with olive and golden undertones
  • Velvety-medium dark to dark skin with olive and golden undertones
I chose Paper Thin for my NC 23-25 skin and couldn’t be more pleased with the color match…it is a light beige with neutral to warm undertones (comparison swatches later on in this post).  In my experience, even after hours of wear, this shade does not oxidize!
Above: The back side of the top of the compact is highly reflective, doubling as a mirror.
Above: The cream foundation ingredients list…click to enlarge!
According to the Kjaer Weis website, Kjær Weis products are free of:
  • Phthalates
  • Butylated Hydroxytoluene
  • Propylene Glycol
  • Butyl Acetate
  • Cocamide DEA / Lauramide DEA
  • Diazolidinyl Urea – Ethyl Acetate – Parabens – Petrolatum
And, Kjaer Weis products are:
  • Not Tested on Animals
  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegan (Eye Shadows – Certain Colors Only)

Above: Initial swatches of Paper Thin in direct sunlight.  Once blended, it almost entirely disappears into the skin while still providing immense coverage.
Above: Comparison swatches in the NC 23-25 range.
Kjaer Weis Paper Thin is sightly warmer than the neutral Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Cream Foundation in #22 Natural Beige (my spot on match for most of the year) and less yellow than my custom blend of Suqqu Frame Fix Foundation in #002 + #003.  Additionally, I find the finish to be less “glowy” than the RMS Un Cover-Up and, consequently, a marvelous option for those who seek a porcelain finish.  
Although one can use their fingers or a stippling brush with this creamy formula, I love to apply it with a dampened Beauty Blender for the most seamless medium to full coverage effect.  Because it is not excessively luminous (I’d deem it more of a satin-matte), I find that setting the foundation with powder is entirely unnecessary and I get six to eight hours of lasting power, which is remarkable for a base of this nature! That being said, a bit of light translucent powder (like the Surratt Diaphane) is a perfect textural compliment to this formula should touch ups be required later on in the day.  
Despite containing natural oils, this neither makes my skin excessively oily nor has it in any way irritated my combination, highly sensitive skin.  In fact, upon removal after a full day and evening of wear, my skin feels healthy, nourished and balanced, which I attribute to its pristine ingredients…magnifique!
Above and below: Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation in Paper Thin (in outdoor lighting). 

Bottom Line: In sum, the Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation (available at BeautylishNet-A-PorterSpirit Beauty Lounge and Beauty Bar) is unmitigated proof that highly effective organic base makeup does indeed exist and can victoriously compete with more mainstream foundation options.  Those seeking certified organic makeup with lasting, buildable medium coverage (that simply looks like naturally beautiful skin) would be wise to explore this foundation’s many virtues…after my positive experience with the Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation, I cannot wait to try other products from the line!

Good things ahead on the blog including my favorite pink lipsticks (it’s swatches galore!), a haircare post, a video tutorial and a plethora of other beauty musings ; )

Have a lovely Valentine’s Day weekend…xoxo,

–The Beauty Professor

**This post contains  affiliate links; my disclosure policy contains additional details on how these work.

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Comments (22)

  • Unknown Reply

    That looks really nice, for $68 though I think I would need a sample. I'm super fair and that shade looks like it might be too dark!

    February 14, 2014 at 11:09 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello Erin!

      Yes, it is a bit of an investment and I am fairly certain the the Spirit Beauty Lounge (my link for the product in the post) offers samples of all of their products so it may be worth checking!! Like Porcelain could potentially be your perfect match ; )

      xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      February 14, 2014 at 10:03 pm
  • daydreaming beauty Reply

    I've heard nothing but raves for this brand. I love the packaging. How wonderful that the formula has so many good for your skin oils! I love the finished look too. 🙂 Happy Valentine's Day! <3

    February 14, 2014 at 1:24 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello!

      This line is so well-exectuted…from ingredients to performance to, of course, the stunning packaging! I hope you get to try this ; )

      Thanks so much for your sweet comment and Valentine's wishes…xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      February 14, 2014 at 10:05 pm
  • MissVargasLady Reply

    Very interesting! Thank you for the thorough review. You look beautiful in the picture; did I somehow miss what is your lips! Perfect color, and it makes them look so healthy!

    February 15, 2014 at 4:39 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Thank you so much! I am wearing a combination of Lime Crime Babette with Surratt Beauty lip gloss in Coquette (a favorite combination!).

      Have a lovely week…xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      February 17, 2014 at 4:21 am
  • laura z. Reply

    This is just beautiful and looks lovely on you! I have a question — I currently use Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Compact Foundation in shade #5, which is a perfect match for me. Do you think that Paper Thin would be a good match, color-wise? Not that I'm not happy with my Armani, but I'm a bit of a foundation-holic, always chasing that next best thing…. 🙂
    Happy Valentines Day to you!!

    February 15, 2014 at 5:06 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello Laura,

      Thank you! In response to your question, yes, I do think that Paper Think is a good match for the GA #5…both match perfectly on my skin right now.

      Happy to chat with a fellow foundation-holic ; )

      Hope you had a fantastic Valentine's weekend…xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      February 17, 2014 at 4:24 am
  • strongestrose Reply

    Looks beautiful on you! I am looking for ways to speed up my morning routine; I refuse to give up makeup during this crazy time, but it's so hard sometimes. It's a very small amount of product though, which is usually the case with compact packaging. Does a little go a long way , or would this be something that would likely run out within a month of daily use. I so love the look of the ingredient list. That alone could be worth the investment!! Happy Valentines day to you and your loved ones!!

    February 15, 2014 at 6:22 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Thank you, dear friend!! I have to say, a little goes a long way…it isn't dry but it also isn't overly emollient so a few dabs with a Beauty Blender can cover the whole face without making the slightest dent in the compact!

      The ingredients are tempting, no?! Such a short list ; )

      I hope your Valentine's Day was magnificent…xoxo and talk soon,

      –The Beauty Professor

      February 17, 2014 at 4:47 am
  • Kath TheFabZilla Reply

    You made me drool again with another must-have foundation! I have oily skin but lately my face is reacting to cold weather (Hawaii cold for me is at low 50s so that's probably laughable to most, haha!) making it dry and somewhat patchy. With that said, I am looking for new foundation(s) to hydrate my face without the unsightly oxidation. I will check this brand! Thanks for the insightful review and swatches. xo

    February 16, 2014 at 8:54 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hi Kath!

      Thanks for your comment…totally made me smile : ) I know what you mean about skin changing with the season…mine is rarely dry but definitely experiencing that right now too! I hope this foundation does the trick for you!

      xoxo and talk soon,

      –The Beauty Professor

      February 17, 2014 at 4:53 am
  • Anonymous Reply

    Your eyes look so pretty. Can you please let me know what you are wearing?

    February 28, 2014 at 3:30 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Thank you!

      I am wearing a perennial favorite…By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon on my lids and blended under my lower lash line = a super simple eye ; )

      xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      March 2, 2014 at 10:57 pm
  • Unknown Reply

    I would LOVE to try this out, but unfortunately they don't seem to have the right shade for me! Love the way it looks on you!

    March 7, 2014 at 3:32 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello Jas,

      Thanks for your kind comment…so sorry they don't have your shade : (

      xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      March 9, 2014 at 8:42 pm
  • Petra Reply

    Hi,
    I’d love to try this product but do not know which shade to order. I have light skin with neutral undertones.Currently I’m using a Mac photo finish foundation NW20. You're review is great and the foundation looks gorgeous on you 🙂

    April 8, 2014 at 7:37 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hi Petra,

      Thanks for the kind words! I would suggest Like Porcelain (on the light side…definitely a bit rosy) or Paper Thin (probably your best match overall).

      Hope that helps…xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      April 9, 2014 at 4:49 am
  • Anonymous Reply

    Hi,

    I would you compare this to Armani Maestro Compact foundation? Does it give as much of a seamless and skin-like finish? How would you say it compares finish wise to Armani Maestro liquid? Thanks again as always for a wonderful and insightful blog! 🙂

    July 1, 2014 at 1:10 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello,

      This is a little less creamy and emollient than the Armani Maestro Compact but I also find that it has better lasting power in warm weather. It also has better coverage than the Maestro liquid! It is truly a wonderful natural option!

      Thanks for your kind words!

      xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      July 2, 2014 at 9:19 pm
  • Anonymous Reply

    Thank you for your reply! Which do you prefer? How do the finishes differentiate? Can the KW competeith non-natural foundations?

    July 4, 2014 at 12:08 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      My pleasure! I actually prefer the KW to the Armani Maestro Compact Foundation…I think it looks more natural and has better lasting power overall!

      I hope that helps…xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      July 13, 2014 at 12:32 am

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