Lately I’ve noticed a trend in post reads – it seems that my most popular posts are foundation reviews!  This is understandable.  Foundation is the base of every makeup look, and it’s the key to making your skin look as flawless as possible.  A lot of people don’t want to put the money down on a foundation unless they know it’s going to be good, especially if it comes with a slightly (or much) higher price tag.  And so, here’s a review on one that I’ve had a lot of requests for – the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation

PRODUCT 

The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation – shade 130 (fair skin with warm olive undertone).

PACKAGING 

The Fenty Beauty foundation comes in a tall, slim bottle.  The bottle is heavy, frosted glass with the Fenty Beauty branding on.  There is a good quality pump and lid, and overall the packaging feels expensive.

FORMULA

Formula-wise you can see that this is a thick, liquid product – described as a soft matte, longwear foundation.

It’s incredibly opaque in colour – you can see that it looks so opaque when merely dabbed on my hand, that the shade looks completely off.  However, when blended it, it does so seamlessly.  On me it oxidises ever so slightly, but not in an obnoxious orange way.  It doesn’t change the tone – it just darkens slightly.

The Fenty Beauty site describe the formula as “buildable medium to full coverage” and I 100% agree.  It applies as a definite medium finish, and it builds beautifully as long as you give that first coat a minute to set down.  And this formula sets down QUICKLY – if you’re a little inexperienced at foundation application, perhaps work in sections rather than blending out your full face at once, as you might find one section sets while you’re blending another.  Still – very seamless once it’s all blended in.

The formula is also designed to blur pores, leave skin looking smooth and keep skin matte.

I do think it’s not a flat matte finish, so drier skinned folks will not have an issue with this – if you’re worried though, just ensure you use a good moisturiser or hydrating primer before application.

The formula is also cruelty free!

SHADE RANGE

Rihanna shocked the beauty world when she launched this range with 40 different shades – a first, especially for a newbie on the makeup scene.  Not only has she been immensely successful with the range and the product, but she’s added more shades.  You can now select from 50 shades of foundation!

You can find your shade easily using the Shade Finder HERE.  I did, and the shade is actually pretty spot on.

WEAR 

It took me a couple of uses to get the hang of application as this foundation dries down quite quickly.  However I love that it truly is a soft matte finish – not a flat matte, but not a satin or glowy finish.

I definitely find it blurs and smooths, and it does stay matte – for a while.  I always find that after about 6 hours of wear I start to look a bit too shiny and once the shine sets in, your pores will look enlarged again.  However, blotting and setting with a little pressed powder fixes this up nicely, and I don’t experience any cakiness.  So as long as you’re ok with touching up – you’re good to go!  Despite this, it’s a nicely long-lasting foundation.

I also like that it’s a skin-like finish – but only as long as you aren’t heavy handed.  If you use too much, you’ll definitely see and feel the product, but if you go in slowly and only build up as much as you need, you’re sure to find it light on the skin.  I can even see my light freckles through it this way!  The best way to achieve this is to blend it out first with a makeup brush, and then go over that with a damp beauty sponge.

Here are two looks I created using the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation in my shade 130.

AVAILABLE WHERE?

It’s sadly not available in South Africa unless you buy it from a reseller.  Try stores like Muse Beauty or Samika.

If you’re shopping internationally, or have a ‘beauty mule’ you can get it from Boots or Harvey Nichols in the UK, and from Sephora in the States.

PRICE 

I purchased mine on Harvey Nichols for £27 and had it delivered to a friend staying there at the time.  It retails for $35 in the States. As you can see, it’s not a drugstore price, but it definitely delivers a higher end finish, so ultimately I think it’s worth it.

WOULD I REPURCHASE?

To be very honest?  No.  It doesn’t deliver anything that my Estee Lauder Double Wear doesn’t give me.  While it’s about R100 cheaper, it’s not easily available here, and if it is it will be much more expensive.  To get my hands on it is a real mission and only possible if I have someone in the UK or USA.

It’s a lovely foundation – I can’t take that away from it, so if you’ve been wanting to try it, it’s totally worth the experience.  However, for me, I’d rather put that money towards a new bottle of Estee Lauder Double Wear.  Unless Fenty Beauty comes to South Africa of course 😉

You can read my other foundation reviews HERE: –

Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation

L.A. Girl Pro Coverage HD High-Definition Long Wear Illuminating Foundation

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation