Look For a Matte Foundation? Look No Further!
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you’d been into Make Up For Ever for a while, you know that the brand has been on a kick reformulating almost their entire range. Now of course if you loved the original formula (Like my beloved Face and Body… RIP) then this is a bummer. If you didn’t love the original formula (original HD Foundation, I am looking at you!) then a revamp might just be what the doctor ordered. The latest in this line of updates is the cult matte-lovers dream, now called Matte Velvet Skin. It claims to be full coverage with a 24 hour wear… so let’s put that to the test!
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Foundation Review
Available at Sephora | Camera Ready Cosmetics
What the brand claims: A breathable, full-coverage foundation with a lifelike, matte finish that bends and breathes with skin for up to 24 hour wear. This creamy, blendable texture balances the complexion for zero shine. It never cakes, flakes, or fades, so skin appears natural and vibrant throughout the day. This is the matte liquid foundation for a generation who understands their skin’s needs and demands high-performance from their products.Â
Supposedly Suitable for:Â Â Normal, Dry, Combination, and OilyÂ
Shade Range: 40 shades in multiple undertones
My Skin type:Â Dry
I had a feeling my skin wouldn’t work with this foundation. It claims to be good for all skin types so I tested it out several ways. I tried it with and without primer, mixed with a drop of oil, with a brush, with a beauty blender and with my hands.
Cutting to the chase: If you have dry skin, this isn’t for you. It clung to every little dry spot and texture I had. I found it hard to build up to full coverage on my skin type. I have no doubt this is because it didn’t have the spread that I needed it to, in order to glide over my skin. Even with a hydrating base, this wanted to set very fast. Working in small sections with a dense flat top brush worked best; The Beauty Blender didn’t spread it and a fluffier brush just moved the product around. Make Up For Ever suggests their foundation brush (shown above). This took a lot of work as it lays the product down nicely, but doesn’t blend it in.
Having said that, combo or oily complexions might get on with this famously because it certainly lives up to its name; The foundation is MATTE. If you naturally have oils in your skin, this foundation is much nicer to work with. The best results I got out of were when I mixed it with a drop of oil, giving it a more fluid texture. I still needed more product than I used to using to achieve full coverage, but it blended out and layered much nicer for me.
Now in terms of wear time, I think the 24 hour time is a fail. Firstly because I think it is ridiculous that brands are making this normal; Who needs to wear foundation for a full day and night? Secondly, because I had pigmentation and wearing by the time I took it off. While I wouldn’t consider that bad wear at all, I think brands set themselves up for disaster when they throw out claims like this.
Final Thoughts: It’s too difficult for me to work with, personally. Definitely worth trying if you are in need of something very matte.
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Have you tried this foundation? What do you think of products that claim 24 hour wear?
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