Rant & Rave: Matte Foundation

Tell us what you love and hate about...

Matte Foundation

Anything really, really matte isn’t for me as I find it just emphasizes skin texture too much or looks so flat that it ends up looking dry rather than smooth.
I don’t like particularly dewy foundations, but I tend to set my makeup, so I need something with a little luminosity so it doesn’t go flat matte!

— Christine

19 Comments

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Jessica Avatar

I love matte foundations. My skin is oily so matte foundations are a must, but it has to be a matte foundation that can withstand and control oil. I prefer soft matte or matte. Dewy foundations aren’t something I reach for at all. But I set all of my foundations so I can deal with a dewy foundation, but it’s definitely not a first choice. I spritz a little setting spray and everything looks more balanced and lifelike.

My favorites are: Fenty Pro Filt’r, Lancome Teint Idole Longwear, & Sunday Riley The Influencer

Ana Maria Avatar

I personally like a matte look, I can skip the dewiness any day and even for highlighters I tend to go with less shimmery formulas (MAC Emphasize is my go-to).
But I hate when matte foundations show every dry patch on my skin; so I make sure to use moisturizing products before (I look for more moisturizing SPF creams when I wear make-up). Skincare in general helps me with dry patches (a good but gentle scrub, a thick moisturizer or a hydrating mask at night)

A Avatar

I don’t mind/like matte if it’s a very pigmented formula, because then I’m probably mixing it with moisturiser anyway, and it lasts longer that way which saves me money.

Otherwise, I prefer a natural finish like the MUFE Ultra HD.

Phoebe Avatar

I want to like it but my skin is too dry despite all the moisterising and prepping. It clings to my dry skin and makes it look worse and flakey. I’d love it to work as I find it often has better coverage and staying power.

Deborah S. Avatar

Because I have dry skin I am not a fan of anything matte. I don’t really have anything I love about matte foundation. It makes my already dry skin appear even more dehydrated, flat and emphasizes my texture. I have never had oily skin and have always had to really moisturize my skin before applying makeup otherwise my skin will make almost any foundation appear drying. I think because I have been dry my whole life I prefer my skin to appear a little dewy. Not dripping oil, mind you and I do like my makeup to hold up through the day which is easier I think on matte skin but I just like my skin to appear to be really hydrated and plump.

Zee Avatar

I like matte foundations because they control my oils better than dewy ones. But recently I tried power play foundation with another oil controlling matte primer and that was way too dry for me. I looked like I had wrinkles and I’m in my 20s…. It’s a good foundation but probably next time I’ll wear a more hydrating product underneath.

Nancy T Avatar

Because finding the right shade is no walk in the park for me, it seems as if I only find my shade or even something close to it within matte foundation ranges, like; Fenty ProFilt’r, Lancôme Teint Idole Foundation, MAC Pro Longwear, or Revlon Colorstay. Sooo, this leaves me with having to add a luminizers of sorts to my foundations in order to keep from having a dry, flat , mask-like look on my face. MAC Strobe Cream is my favorite for the job!

Lia Avatar

I’ve definitely switched to dewy (or at least natural finish) foundation over matte – trying to use up the last of my matte foundation (Maybelline FitMe Matte & Poreless) by mixing it with foundations that were *too* dewy (mostly L’Oreal Pro Glow). Switched to dewy foundations a year or so ago, when I realized that since my face had finally gotten past the oiliness I’d dealt with since high school (yay for proper moisturizerizing), maybe I didn’t need to use all the super-matte, oil-controlling face make-up.

I’ll still typically set dewier foundation with powder so it’s a little more matte at the beginning of the day, but foundations that are meant to be matte themselves just emphasize ALL of the flakiness on my face. And while my skin is on the drier side, it’s not that flaky! Can’t go back to matte foundations, haha.

CeeBee Avatar

As long as it is a soft, velvety matte and not something that looks flat and one dimensional, I don’t mind them. I do prefer a little bit of dewiness or luminosity, but matte finishes tend to last a wee bit longer on me and help keep my oil at bay a bit better.

Susan Nevling Avatar

I dislike matte foundations for the very same reasons that you stated. I was color matched for BarePro foundation, I believe by Bare Minrerals. I loved the match but didn’t realize how very matte and drying it was. I didn’t return it for some reason so I add a drop of Argan lol and often a drop of Color FX luminizing to the application amount. It seems to help. I’ve learned my lesson as it is a wasteful solution.

Genevieve Avatar

Rave: Recently I have come to love a really good matte foundation – and it has to be a good one otherwise the rave becomes a rant! I have found with the Clarins Everlasting foundation that it leaves a matte effect without dehydrating my face and looking too dry.
A matte foundation can be the perfect canvas to then use blush and/or highlighters to create a glowy effect in the places that you want to be glowy.

Rant: As mentioned above, with a cheaper foundation you can easily end up feeling dry or your face looks dry. So if you are considering this kind of foundation, it’s best to get a tester sample to try.

Silvua Avatar

Have never liked matte ones as I like as light a foundation I can apply onlyvto even out skin tone as some redness, sunburn or little imperfections. Even when young always hated matte or heavy foundations. A slight dewy or luminosity I prefer makes me look healthier.

P.A. Avatar

Matter foundations make it possible to achieve an “airbrushed” look and do not emphasize texture if you have the right skin type, I find. But I can’t wear anything remotely matte; it’ll cling to my dry patches- I’ve tried hydrating primers, oils, emollient bases. Which is ok with me ’cause i’m not into the matte look usually.

Rachel R. Avatar

I have oily skin, so matte is my favorite finish. I don’t want anything that’s going to add more shine all over my face. I avoid dewy foundations like the plague! I’d rather add some highlighter where I want it, such as the tops of my cheekbones.

The only con I can think of is that some full-coverage mattes can be extra mask-like and settle into fine lines. I had that issue with Kat von D Lock-It, but using a slightly damp beauty blender to apply it solved that problem.

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