Having a good foundation can make or break a makeup look. Complexion products are really important. I have acne-prone oily skin, so having the right foundation is definitely a must for me. Full coverage, transfer resistant or least amount of transfer, and a finish that doesn’t look cakey on the skin is what I look for in a foundation. I enjoy a matte finish because my natural oils peak through and makes a matte foundation look more skin like throughout the day.
I stick with full coverage foundations because you get more bang for your buck. With full coverage you can always sheer it down to medium, light or a BB cream. Add moisturizer to customize to your liking. When using this method make sure the moisturizer is compatible with the foundation.
(For example: water base with water base products) Oil and water do not play well together.
Let’s dive into my favorites!
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte
Claims
- 24 hour wear without being flat
- Air-like texture
- Demi-matte finish
- Lightweight and creamy
- Hides imperfections for a smooth clear complexion
The Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation is best for people with very oily skin. This is my go-to for summer or hot and humid climates. If I wear this in the winter (or dry, cold weather) I make sure to moisturize my skin very well. Pro-Matte wears all day and looks great with little to no blotting. It claims to last for 24 hours but I would never wear my foundation for that long. I could not tell you if it wears that long or not. Lol! The longest I’ve worn it was about 10 hours. The longer I wear the foundation the more natural the finish looks, which I love. Initially the finish is super matte but with wear it looks more demi-matte like it claims. It contains 1 fl oz/30 ml.
The consistency is thin. I really like the formula because you can blend it well into the skin. You have to work fast though, the formula doesn’t allow much time before it dries down. There is no need to set Pro-Matte with powder. It completely sets itself.
There are 22 shades in this line. If you have a yellow undertone I highly recommend giving this a try. I don’t have an exact match in this foundation so I mix 2 shades (Caramel Beige 108 and Classic Tan 109). In the winter I add more of 108 and in the summer I add more 109. I don’t mind mixing them because I always have my perfect match and my skin tone changes a bit with the seasons. The price is reasonable for the quality of the foundation. It is priced at about $13 depending on where you purchase.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable
Claims
- Contains precise match technology for skin tone and texture
- Light to medium coverage with a natural finish
- Non-cakey, oil-free
- No fragrance or pore-clogging fillers added
- Formulated with vitamin A, vitamin C, wheat germ and grapefruit for all skin types
- SPF 17 is added in select shades
The L’Oréal True Match Super Blendable foundation is great. It applies well to oily skin without over dying or looking too matte. If you have oily combination skin or you are looking for a foundation for winter this would be perfect. The foundation lasts a good amount of time but it can transfer on extremely oily skin if it is not set with a light powder.
True Match is available in over 30 shades and is priced around $11. It contains 1.0 fl oz/30 ml. My exact match in this foundation is W7 warm caramel beige. This shade contains SPF 17. I have never noticed flashback or any type of white cast from this foundation.
NYX Total Control Drop Foundation
Claims
- Sheer to full coverage
- Velvety-matte finish
The NYX Total Control Drop Foundation is very pigmented and very thin. The Drop foundation is the most liquidy formula I’ve listed. When using this foundation you should be careful applying it so you don’t accidently spill or drip it. I start with a few drops, blend it in, then add more as needed, when I apply this foundation. It dries down to a velvety matte as it claims. No setting powder is needed unless you are planning to wear it for an extended period of time or if you are extremely oily. I would only set it in very oily areas on the face.
Golden TCDF13 is my perfect match in this foundation. It contains a beautiful yellow undertone. Total Control Drops are available in 30 shades. It is priced around $14. The package doesn’t contain a lot of product but you don’t need very much. A few drops can cover my whole face if I want light coverage. The bottle has .43 fl oz/13 ml.
Wet N’ Wild Photo Focus Foundation
Claims
- Tested under seven different photo lighting conditions, without flash
- Made with a matte, light-diffusing complex
- Features light-adjusting complex to help prevent white cast in photos
Wet N’ Wild Photo Focus is the least expensive on the list. It runs about $6 for 1 fl oz/30 ml. My perfect match is caramel. The undertone is nice but it is not as warm as the others. It is available in 20 shades. At this price point you really can’t go wrong with this foundation. The only downside is that it has a strong paint-like smell. It doesn’t last long after it dries down but it is very strong initially. Even though it has such a strong smell it did not irritate my skin at all. I was surprised when I tested this foundation. It is so good for such a low price point.
The formula is a nice consistency. It is thin but not like the Total Control Drops. It dries completely matte. I have oily skin and I need to moisturize well even in the summer. It will last all day on the skin without setting with powder.
Swatches
Here is a photo of what each formula looks like. The NYX Total Control looks like water when compared to the others.
As with most products, foundation is a very personal thing. I have oily acne-prone skin with texture from post acne scars. These products work great on my skin, with no issues. They don’t cost as much as high-end foundations but they work just as well. I will consistantly buy and try out complexion products. Having a flawless base sets the tone for any makeup look.
I like to apply my foundation with my fingers then blend it in with a damp beauty sponge. Check out my favorite Beauty Sponges here.
Thanks for hanging out today!
XO Terreana