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Product Review ~ Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Supercharged Foundation

I have a couple of foundations that I can count on to always look great, but I’ve yet to find the ever illusive ‘holy grail’ foundation… so the search continues! The new Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Supercharged Foundation caught my eye in Sephora recently, the name just yelled out from the shelf: “I’m New!! I’m Different! I’m the Best Foundation You’ve Ever Tried!!” (at least to me…)

I got a sample in “Beige Light”. I brought it home, looked into the ingredients & the marketing and gave it a whirl. The Genius Gel sells for $48 for 1 oz. and comes in 16 shades. It’s a water/dimethicone base with a couple of waxes like candelilla and parafin, mica to reflect light, some hyaluronic acid and a little vitamin e. It does contain fragrance and some other potentially irritating ingredients like limonene, hexyl-cinnamal, and bismuth.

Here’s what Marc Jacobs has to say about this foundation on their web page:

“Erase the past, perfect the present and protect the future with this breakthrough buildable gel. Features best-in-class gel performance with first-to-market buoyancy gel technology. This anti-aging foundation protects and hydrates skin with coconut water extracts. From natural-to-full coverage, your skin is awakened to its original translucence and clarity. See it as it was before too much sun, too many late nights, and prepare it for tomorrow as well.”

I don’t know about you, but I’d love a foundation that could do all that!!

So here’s me with my usual base of serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen all ready to LOVE Genius Gel…

Naked skin before applying Marc Jacobs Genius Gel

…And here’s me after applying:

After applying Marc Jacobs Genius Gel

From this distance, it looks decent… it evened out my skin tone, disguised a little of the redness on my cheeks and chin, but still lets my freckles show through. It’s a little more “dewey” than I like, and I wouldn’t say I’m perfected or that my skin looks “awakened to it’s original clarity”. So, from a distance I’d say it’s fine, maybe even pretty good… but then I looked in my close-up mirror and got quite a shock!

Close-up wearing Marc Jacobs Genius Gel… Yikes!

That’s just hideous!! I mean, it didn’t even look good for 5 minutes. I suppose it would be “genius” if we were all looking for a foundation that made us look OLDER and WRINKLIER… but who wants that??There’s nothing “genius” about a foundation that goes directly into wrinkles and pores making them look MORE visible!

Well, there’s one more product line I can cross off my list. So the search continues…

Here’s the video review of 3 new makeup products including Marc Jacobs Genius Gel:

23 Responses to "Product Review ~ Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Supercharged Foundation"

Erica Erickson says:

August 8, 2016 at 2:05 pm

hey I found this through a Google search for ‘Marc Jacob’s genius gel small bumps’ because when I use it, it causes these small white bumps to appear on my face and it’s very unappealing! I usually use Tarte foundation so it may be a reaction to all the unnatural chemicals in the Marc foundation. It bums me out because I wanted it to work for me. I’m on a fixed income and basically wasted my money on the foundation which I can’t return now…. Ugh. so frustrating. hopefully I’ll learn from that mistake. I was wondering if anyone else gets these mysterious and hideous little white bumps from the foundation… so I’m searching Google a bit more. thanks for the reviewsl

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Kalyn says:

April 14, 2015 at 2:34 pm

Have you ever tried Physicians Formula Correcting Primer? Ive been working with comparing both this & Smashbox Photo Finish primer & so far think the PF has more of a concealing effect on pores & fine lines. It is also silicone based but much thicker then Smashbox which is much lighter. I believe with the right foundation this could create a flawless face, as much as you can do however. And the price is only $10! Have you tried this primer, if so curious of your thoughts & what foundation you use with it? Let me add I did try it with iT Celebration Foundation & it made it too cakey, Im trying to like iT foundation but not seeing the results you & others are. Do you use a primer with it?

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1. Angie says:
  
  April 15, 2015 at 5:04 pm
  
  Hi Kalyn~ I haven’t tried the PF Primer. I don’t usually use a primer with the Celebration Foundation, I usually use it alone or over a sheer foundation.
  
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Seth-Deborah Roth CRNA,Rn, CHT says:

January 29, 2015 at 1:53 am

Angie,
Have you found any less expensive alternatives to Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat ‑ Radiant Touch to conceal under the eyes & highlight the bones?
Also, I still use LE TEINT TOUCHE ÉCLAT Illuminating Foundation on my older skin. What do you like?

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Kimberly says:

October 7, 2014 at 11:37 pm

I also wanted to ask about makeup forever/HD collection at sephora? It might be a heavier foundation. Have you tried it? What about Kat Von D concealer?

Thanks!

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Kimberly says:

October 7, 2014 at 11:28 pm

Angie:

I love your website and videos. I thought that you also used one of the IT cosmetics celebration foundation and/or celebration foundation illumination – both in a compact and not a tube? I really need to switch to something where my pours don’t show or the makeup seeps into them and it looks like a bunch of white dots!!!! I have even tried a primer and/or concealer but I haven’t found the right one yet.

Would it be possible for you to put a side bar/drop down menu on your current favorites that you use daily? I have watched quite a few of your videos and I keep wanting to try a few but I never remember which ones are your all-time favorites/one you wear all the time.

Thanks!

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1. Angie says:
  
  October 16, 2014 at 1:27 pm
  
  That’s a great idea, Kimberly, thanks! I’ll see if I can make that happen. In the mean time, if you also watch my Youtube videos, I always list the makeup I’m wearing and from that you can definitely tell which are my current faves because it’s always the same! The IT Celebration powder and the IT CC+ Cream are 2 of my favorite foundations and I use one or the other almost daily.
  
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Angie says:

September 28, 2014 at 12:48 am

Hi Angie, The makeup you had on at the beginning of this video looks fabulous. Can you tell me what foundation, powder and blush you had on? Thanks so much.

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1. Angie says:
  
  September 29, 2014 at 9:04 pm
  
  Thank you, Angie! That good face day was all courtesy of IT Cosmetics! I was wearing It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream in Medium, IT Cosmetics CC Radiance + Palette Blush, and IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores HD Powder.
  
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amapola girl says:

September 23, 2014 at 1:03 pm

Hi Angie, It was great to find your videos. It takes a lot of time to do this. I appreciate your commitment to finding the best products and techniques as we all share the same goal of aging gracefully and beautifully while trying to stay healthy.
*The older I get the less my legs will tan from the knee down. I am your age.
*It cosmetics anti-aging celebration foundation is really pretty good, my daugther loves it! (and she doesn’t need the anti-aging, but it is good for her and lays on her skin so pretty) I have purchased numerous compacts of the foundation and never experienced the “film”. Hope that was just a one time thing. You can buy this on QVC for 43.50 and comes with a fantastic brush.
*I also really like Laura Geller’s Balance and Brighten foundation. You may like it better than the celebration foundation. It is a baked clay in powder compact made in Italy. Can purchase on QVC.
*Two other foundations that I like if you are searching for liquids are: Lancome Renergie Lift makeup-SPF 20 and Dr. Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation-SPF-30.
* Powder-I LOVE the It Cosmetices BYE BYE pores. It is white …so don’t let it fool you. Applied correctly-it is just what you want. (Over your favorite powder, or AS your powder as I do.)
*I really like Loreal mascara. Voluminous-Nior. However, I am trying Bare Minerals-Lash Domination-intense black.
*Smashbox primers are very good. I also like Laura Geller’s primers. I tried the Loreal magic Perfecting base. It didn’t work for me, to sticky-tacky to go to next steps. I probably used too much and didn’t work with it long enough.
*I love Dr. Denese HydroShield Ultra Moisturizing Serum…very expensive but I love it and it lasts a long time. Goes on entire face and the whole eye area too!! Feels so good and has retinol in it. You can put it on first after cleansing and then all of your other favorites to follow in your usual routine.

I truly think you have “no fear”…. I admired your courage when you did the video on the hooded eye-lids.
I only discovered your videos a couple of weeks ago. You do a great job and as I said before, I know it takes time.
My best to us all in our 50’s and beyond!!!

Love the catchy title: Hot and Flashy

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Rose says:

September 22, 2014 at 11:13 pm

Hi Angie,

I love you videos! I also live in New England and I have aging skin! UGH! In November I will be 49! Can you give me any good suggestions on a good anti-aging body lotion. Also do you have information on brown spots! I have a dark one on my cheek bone kind of near my eye area. I hate it!

Thanks!
🙂
Rose

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Rachel says:

September 19, 2014 at 5:09 pm

Hi Angie, I love your videos and your recommendations.
Would you consider a post about how you store and keep your make and beauty products?
My skincare products are on the bathroom window ledge and my make up is in several cases and boxes on my dressing table in the bedroom – not much space. I have a full length mirror on the wall so I bring everything over and sit on the floor in front of it each morning.
What is your system? Where do you keep everything? Hope you don’t mind me asking – a view around your make up space / storage would make a fab youtube video!

Rachel x

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1. Angie says:
  
  September 22, 2014 at 4:28 pm
  
  Thanks, Rachel, I’d love to do that! I had a situation much like yours with no space but then we added a new master bedroom and bath and now I have great storage etc.!
  
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Lisa Ybarra says:

September 16, 2014 at 11:57 am

Hi Angie, again I love your videos, I recently saw a vlog about Smashbox primers. I was impressed, but the girl had young skin – so I wondered how they’d work for us. There are three I want to try. I have your coloring, your skin type and I’m close to your age. I would LOVE to see you compare these. Their claim is that it works with most foundations. It’s their
PHOTO FINISH MORE THAN PRIMER BLEMISH CONTROL (contains Salicylic acid)
PHOTO FINISH COLOR CORRECTING FOUNDATION PRIMER ADJUST (I saw a vlog and watched the girls skin TRANSFORM from blotchy red to smooth and even)
PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 20 WITH DERMAXYL COMPLEX (reduces appearance of fine lines and pores bla bla bla)
These all have a little different benefit to your skin, but they all smooth out the skin and reduce pores prior to applying foundation.

Please please try them? Thanks! xoxo

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1. Angie says:
  
  September 16, 2014 at 10:23 pm
  
  Hi Lisa~ I did a primer comparison a while ago and Smashbox was the winner, but it was Photofinish Light, not one of the ones you mention here. Here’s the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTiS_sTaHDU
  If you want to try one of the other formulas you can get samples at sephora to try before you buy.
  
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Lisa m says:

September 16, 2014 at 1:31 am

Thank you for all the informative reviews you do for women our age, so happy I found you on you tube! I, like you, have used some of the Olay regenerist products for years but you have exposed me to cerave products, vitamin c serum, glycolic acid, the list goes on. My skin is looking better every week! Still working on the eye shadow techniques, love all the tutorials – keep them coming! Have you tried the new naked basics 2 palette? Would love to see a tutorial on that. Great cool taupe colors! Also, I’d love to see a video about how you store all your cosmetics!

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1. Angie says:
  
  September 16, 2014 at 10:29 pm
  
  Hi Lisa~ I’m going to Sephora tomorrow to check out the new Naked Basics!! Can’t wait since I’m obsessed with taupe eyeshadow. Thanks for the ideas for videos, I’ll add them to the list! xo ~a.
  
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Nathalie says:

September 12, 2014 at 5:26 pm

Hi Angie, I had a sample of the Marc Jacobs genius gel foundation, not impressed, it doesn’t look like I have anything on. So what is the point really!? A bit tired of those “like skin ” foundations which don’t improve the look of skin one iota!?
I just bought the new Dior skin Star, will see when I get it, but according to some French reviews( I am French) seems it is a beautiful one!! Hopefully!! You cannot really go wrong with Dior , most of their foundations ate quite nice..although a couple haven’t worked so great!!
Lingerie de Peau by Guerlain is great, sheer, beautiful..doesn’t make wrinkles or lines more obvious…

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1. Angie says:
  
  September 15, 2014 at 8:09 pm
  
  Let us know how you like the Dior Skin Star when you get it! I’ll try to get a sample…
  
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Nancy says:

September 11, 2014 at 2:28 pm

Off the subject…would love for you to post how you trained yourself to sleep on your back! I am a side and stomach sleeper. I know my face and skin would benefit from back sleeping!

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1. Angie says:
  
  September 15, 2014 at 8:15 pm
  
  Great suggestion! I’ll write it up now because it was quite an accomplishment!!
  
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Jenn~The Stylish Housewife says:

September 10, 2014 at 11:33 pm

Eeeeek! What a disappointment! I wore Boscia BB cream for a few years and just made the switch to SuperGoop! CC cream after getting a sample in one of my beauty boxes. I really like it so far! I follow up with Chanel Double Perfection Lumiere powder. Would love to hear your thoughts on either product. Always love your reviews!

XOXO, Jenn
The Stylish Housewife

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1. Angie says:
  
  September 15, 2014 at 8:16 pm
  
  Hi Jenn~ I haven’t tried either of those… I did try the Supergoop sunscreen but didn’t love it so I gave it away.
  
  Reply

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